401K Rollercoaster Ride

So, I thought it would be interesting to watch how my 401K was impacted this week. I have printed out my bottom-line each day...
From Monday-Tuesday it lost $2301.27
... Tuesday-Wednesday it gained $1526.90
... Wednesday-Thursday, loss of $1210.43
... Thursday-Friday, gain of $ 1301.93

So, there was a total MOVEMENT of $6340.53 for the 5-day span, but only and ACTUAL LOSS of $682.87 (not too horrid).

I will see what Monday brings, as it will show impact from today's market activities...

"Fasten your seatbelts, everybody. It's going to be a bumpy night." ~~ Bette Davis as Margo Channing in "All About Eve."

Yellow Rice Recipe

Here is the recipe for Yellow Rice that I found at Dining for Women, for the Sri Lanka dinner.


Adapted from hdp://paradisaya.tripod.com/recipes/yellow.html
Yellow and black rice is more like it! It IS yellow, but there
is so much black pepper it that it really is speckled. This
easy recipe would compliment any of the dishes given
here, but especially the cabbage, and the chicken. I
recommend using basmati rice.

Serves 8 (note from Michelle: this actually will serve at least 12!)

3c rice, preferably basmati
4T ghee (clarified butter) or butter
2 medium or one large onion, minced
large pinch ground cloves
¼ ‐ ½t ground black pepper
2t ground cardamom
1t salt
1½t turmeric
4c coconut milk
1c water
Fresh parsley, minced (optional, for garnish)

Wash rice thoroughly and drain in colander. Heat ghee or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add onions and cook 6 minutes. Add cloves, pepper, cardamom, salt and turmeric and stir. Add rice and
stir well until rice is coated with spices. Add coconut water and water, stir, and raise heat to high. Bring
to a boil, stir again and reduce heat to medium‐low to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes without
peeking. Remove from heat and allow to sit another 10 minutes. Serve hot.

St. Baldrick's Thank You

March 22, 2011


Thank you for supporting me to have my head shaved at our St. Baldrick’s event. You, along with over 50 other wonderful, generous donors helped me raise over $1,600.00 to Conquer Kids’ Cancer!

As you know I am bald now for two reasons: to stand in solidarity with kids with cancer, and most important, to raise money for childhood cancer research.

People have been congratulating me and saying that I am brave. Well, I am not brave, the kids and families who are living with cancer are brave, the doctors and nurses who care for those kids are brave… I am just crazy enough to shave my head!

A couple of stories I would like to relate: My friend Katie brought me a photo album of children she nursed in 1974. These children all had cancer and none of them survived. She told me “… they didn’t have a chance, but because people are raising money and helping find a cure, the children of today and the future have a chance ...”

My friend Del sent me this message (I removed the names): I was out working in my yard today when my friend #### drove up. He was wearing a shirt with shamrocks on it. I kidded him saying “#### I didn’t know you were Irish.” He laughed and explained about St. Baldrick’s. ####’s son, ****, has been fighting Leukemia for the last couple years. Our church has been praying for **** regularly. I did not know until #### told me today that St. Baldrick’s has been helping the family. I told him what you were doing! **** is in remission now but we continue our prayers and give thanks for people like you!

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation grants more for childhood cancer research than any organization except the U.S. government – more than $14 million in 2010 alone. Your donation will help find cures for childhood cancers and help give survivors long and healthy lives.

If you haven’t seen my web page yet, please find me at www.StBaldricks.org/participants/michellenichol . On my fundraising page you’ll see my before and after pictures, my list of donors, and some of the incredible kids I did this for. You can also see how your donation is being put to work – the grants are all listed under “where the money goes,” by location and purpose.

Childhood cancer takes the lives of one of every five kids diagnosed. It takes all of us to find a cure. Thank you again for caring enough to give. Let’s CONQUER!

Sincerely,



Michelle L. Nichol

Lost Dog? It's a Chihuahua!!! ???

So, I have mentioned that there are people in my apartment complex who I believe are drug dealers... I am just assuming, but after living with a tweeker for years and visiting with his dealer on occasion, and seeing all the other tweekers in the world I think I am pretty close to the mark. Plus, there are visitors at 530a when I am leaving the house… who else has visitors at that time of the morning. But, I digress.

Wednesday night as I left my apartment to go to dinner, I saw the dealer’s dog running around. Not the first time, both the dog and their kid run around loose all day long. I am always afraid that one or the both of them are going to get hit by a car in the parking lot. Sometimes they are outside late at night, even. The parents are usually around, but the dog is always running loose and the kid is usually on his trike.

Anyways, while I was at the Chinese restaurant that is next door to the apartment complex, the father and the little boy came in… they asked the waitress if they saw their little doggie. My first thought was, “Why are they coming INTO the restaurant asking that question? Do they think the chef grabbed the dog for ingredients in a meal?” Wouldn’t put it past the red-neck tweeker dealer to think that…

The little boy was asking at the top of his voice if any one saw his little dog… “it’s a Chihuahua, it’s a CHIHUAHUA…” and kept repeating that even as they were walking back out of the restaurant.

THE DOG IS A Jack Russell TERRIER! They might want to clue the child in that it is NOT a Chihuahua!! But, maybe they also think it is a Chihuahua??

No matter, I think they found the dog because it was running around again yesterday.

Take Ownership, People!

I read a lot of news headlines on Twitter and Facebook. Much of that news is bad, some is good, and others just stupid. But, they all have one thing in common. There are a lot of idiots out there who have to comment on all the updates, many are “serial” posters and they prove every day that they are idiots, and I end up blocking them so I don’t read their comments, but I can still see others responding to their insanity, feeding the monster.

One of the more popular news items that people like to respond to are those dealing with any sort of attack on either person or property. “Body found” or “Drive-By Kills 2” etc., are very popular with one response that always pisses me off. I really hate it when people respond with “And where were the police to prevent this?????”

I wonder if the idiots who ask this question think that EVERY person in should have their own personal police detail? Because, the police unfortunately are called AFTER the bad guys have done their thing, and have to respond to the call. The police are not PREVENTATIVE measure -- they are CLEAN-UP DETAIL. They get to go in and see the mess left behind and try to figure out “who done it” and then they try to stop any revenge/retribution that may happen as a result of the actions of idiots.

Take Ownership, People! and stop blaming the police for acts of violence committed by idots.

OMG I didnt BLOG at all in 2010

OMG I didnt BLOG at all in 2010 ??? FACEBOOK has become my favorite means of communicating I guess???

Choice

from my sparkpeople.com daily calendar:

"Everything is a choice. You choose to watch TV instead of walking, or to de-stress by eating instead of talking to a friend. Try to deal with setbacks head on so you don't end up paying for them later."

Citrus Honey Salmon -- from SparkPeople

Marinate four 4-oz salmon filets in a plastic bag with 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, 1/3 cup chopped green onions, and minced garlic and ginger to taste. Grill fish until flaky and simmer sauce in saucepan to reduce. Serves 4. 300 calories, 9 grams fat.

AIDS WALK THIS SUNDAY

Friends... The Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk is coming up on Sunday, September 13th, 2009.

I am really looking forwarding to walking this year and hope that I have your support. If you are able to support me with cold hard cash please click on the link below that will take you to my donation page. There you can make a donation using a credit or debit card, instantly. It is very easy. Any amount is welcome and NEEDED, even if it is just a dollar or two.

We all know that during these tough times, money is hard to come by, but these programs are being cut left and right and are in line to be cut completely off from funding. They need our support!

If you are not able to support with money, then I will gladly accept your prayers of support to this cause.



Today more than ever we need your help. The Federal government continues to reduce funding to our area! Please click on the link below and give generously to help in the fight against AIDS.

Thank you for your support.

For more information about the Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk go to: www.sacvalleyaidsrunwalk.org

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Capital City AIDS Fund http://AIDSRUNWALK.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=291741&u=291741-261903490&e=2563040000

******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://AIDSRUNWALK.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=291741&u=291741-261903490&e=2563040000
******************************************************************************

Michelle Nichol

I am crying...

I am very frustrated and upset.

Charlie was supposed to have graduated from High School a year ago. Class of 2008. He did not pass all his classes senior year and so was not able to walk in graduation ceremonies, or get diploma, and had to instead go to summer school.

We were ok with all that. He went to summer school – 2 sessions and passed both with A’s… he did his senior project and was told he passed that also.

We never followed up on getting his diploma. Just figured he passed that was it; and we never got anything from the school telling us otherwise. We were in no hurry to get his actual, physical diploma because he was not planning on going to school right away and we figured “just wait til you need it.”

I have been telling him for a year, however, “call the school and go over and pick up your diploma…” which he never did. I didn’t push him, figured he needed to do what he needed to do, and would do it at his own pace.

And, so an entire school year has come and gone, and a new one is starting up right now…

Well, this past week Charlie decided to look into Wyo-Tech and decided it was finally time to get his actual diploma from the high school… he made the call. And – was told that he didn’t graduate!!!!!

WHAT!!!!????

They say he needed a few more classes. A FEW MORE… HUH?

So, I called and left a message for his guidance counselor to call me and also sent an email. This was last week and didn’t hear anything back. No panic, the school is busy with the first of the year stuff and so I figured I would wait a few days.

I called again today and actually got to speak with the counselor and he pulled up Charlie’s information. It did not show his senior project grade, or his summer school class grades, and didn’t have information from his 9th grade first semester classes………. My mind boggles…

He is going to check into it and get back to me.

Wow, we really dropped the ball on this didn’t we… I should have followed thru, Charlie should have called them when I told him to, the school and district never contacted us to advise us that Charlie did not graduate.

I just want to cry though, and have been. It is eating me up.

7%

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The
Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It's estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Popcorn Maraca

Last night I made myself a single serve bag of microwave popcorn. While I was eating it the cat kept jumping up on my chair and trying to get some popcorn to share with me. I kept shooing him away and off my chair. He gets too bold sometimes. But, he LIKES/LOVES popcorn, or thinks he does. Usually when he gets some he just slobbers all over it and leaves it in my lap .. a nasty, wet mess. So, I kept pushing him away.

When I was done with the popcorn I set the bad on the side table and continued reading my book. There were basically just unpopped kernels left in the bag. The cat jumped up on the table, stuck his head inside the bag to get to the popcorn leftovers. Now remember this is a small bag of popcorn. And Jules is a big cat, with a big head. Do you see where this story is going???

He got the bag stuck on his head, and FREAKED OUT. He put himself into reverse and back peddled himself right off the table, flopped on the floor a little bit, and scooted backwards across the entire space of the living room until he could go no further.

His head was shaking from side to side to try and get the bag off. It sounded like a big maraca as kernels were hitting the sides of the bag, and then found their way out of the bag; they were flying across the room as he shook his head. Finally he got the bag off and sat there looking at me. With the look only cats can give …. You know the disdainful, arrogant look? The look that accused ME of wrongdoing?

I was laughing myself silly, wishing I had a video camera, because this would have been a YouTube viral wonder.

It was only later that I remembered that after I popped the corn I added a liberal dose of lemon pepper to the bag, and hoped he didn’t get any in his eyes. I was kind of hoping he had got some pepper in his nose though, and would have had a sneezing fit!

Joke

An elderly customer just told me a little joke:

A man walked into a bar and saw two beautiful blondes at one of the booths.
He walked over and introduced himself and they started chatting.
A little while later he invited them back to his place, for a little "party"...
As they were heading out the door, he asked them "You two are beautiful, are you sisters?"
One of the blondes giggled and said "Why, no, we are not even Catholic..."

Then my customer said "Get it... they are not Catholic, like Sisters, you know NUNS!"

Quote by ee cummings

To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

- EE Cummings, poet

Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk

Dear Friends...

I will be walking this year and hope to have your support. If you are able to donate or would like to join our team please click on the link and do what you can! Thanks in advance!


.......................

The Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk is coming up on Sunday, September 13th, 2009.

Today more than ever we need your help. The Federal government continues to reduce funding to our area! Please click on the link below and give generously to help in the fight against AIDS.

Thank you for your support.

For more information about the Sacramento Valley AIDS Run/Walk go to: www.sacvalleyaidsrunwalk.org

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Capital City AIDS Fund

******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://AIDSRUNWALK.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=291741&u=291741-261903490&e=2563040000
******************************************************************************

Michelle Nichol

Taken from SparkPeople Daily - July 13

Turning "Someday" into Today
Weighing Some Tough Options

It's time for some cold, hard facts.

You're not going to be able to read every book that you want. You'll never have time to watch all of your favorite shows. The house will never be clean enough. There will always be another errand to run. The grass will continue to grow. Everything you buy will need to be dusted, repaired, maintained or disposed of in some way.

This is not a critique of any lack of organizational skills on your part, or a reason to give up altogether. Rather, it's a statement of freedom.

When you know that life will still be waiting for you tomorrow--no matter what--it gives you the freedom to make today count as much as possible. "Someday" is right now. Anytime. And that can be exciting, if you let it.

to this I say "HA!"

People say things all the time that can be hurtful, spiteful and mean… and then not remember that they said or did anything wrong. I am sure I do so every day. I wonder how much of a lasting impression those conversations or actions have on the other person??

The reason this is on my mind is because of something one of my managers at work did a couple months ago. I was just starting out my new lifestyle, and was doing some basic work out moves at my desk between calls. I was probably doing some lunges or squats or something that looks funny. He walked by and laughed, just a little chuckle.

At the time I was a bit indignant. I was like “I have to lose the weight, so what if he laughs.” But, it stuck with me and has apparently been lurking in the back of my mind. I remember it each time I am working out at my desk.

2 months have gone by since then. I am still working out at my desk, and still eating better, still going to Jazzercise 3-5 times a week, plus have started walking on breaks and lunches. I even woke up at 630 on Sunday morning, a day it was suppose to get to over 100 degrees, and went for a 3 miles 1 hour long walk to get it done before it got too hot.

I am so proud of my accomplishments and I can’t help but talk to everyone about it. I even told my direct supervisor 2 times about my Sunday walk, because I could not remember if I had told her already!

So, to get back to the point that I wanted to make: I stepped into the managers office Friday afternoon on my way out of the office and said “Remember you were laughing at me while I was working out at my desk a while back?” … he looked confused, didn’t remember it at all... “I lost 21 lbs in 2 months because of it…”

Sometimes the things that hurt us can make us stronger. I think one of the major motivators for me to continue was so that I could say to him… “Look at me now, buddy! You laughed at me but look what I have been able to do, in spite of it.”

FWD:

He thinks he is so cute... he's right.

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Not my usual chill time...

Since starting Jazzercise and SparkPeople a little more than a month ago I have a little routine down, as far as exercise goes.

I do Jazzercise Monday-Wednesday-Friday evenings, and Tuesday-Saturday mornings. Thursday and Sunday are my "off" days. I do strength training Monday thru Friday at work between calls, daily.

Thursday Jazzercise is in the mornings, while I am working, and Sunday is reserved for Church and family. Thursday evenings I have choir practice but not until 730 so I have a few hours to kill. I usually spend that time reading, playing video games, or watching a movie from Netflix.

Last night I was laying on my bed, playing my video game, and was feeling a little blah. I FIGURED IT OUT... I WANTED TO WORK OUT!!!! shock, gasp....

I.... WANTED.... TO.... WORK.... OUT..... knock me over with a feather!!

So, I changed clothes, and put in a DVD that I got from Netflix last week but have not used yet. It has 2 10-minute and 2 20-minute programs to chose... I picked one of the 20-minute selections. When that was done, I was sweating up a storm. Then I put in one of the 10-minute programs, and DID THAT TOO!!!

About half-way thru the 10-minute one Jules the Cat came to investigate... "what is momma doing??"

I ended up pushing him out of the way to finish the routine.

Then I took a quick shower, got dressed again and left for choir. I FELT WONDERFUL! and so proud of myself. Can you tell??

me and dad at monterey bay aquarium ~ april 17, 2009

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