Author: Nikki J.

Annual Oyster Roast on the Cape Fear River at the Chamber of Commerce. All you can eat fresh oysters and shrimp, open bar, and live music. Great time with new co-workers, community entrepreneurs, and the hubby 🙂

…a Facebook post from one of my fellow military wife neighbors that suddenly warmed me up. Her husband Steve was injured in Afghanistan last year. His leg injury stubbornly refused to heal. Finally, this fall, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemo treatments. They are a beautiful, young, upbeat couple of just a few years, and they’ve already been through so much together. We can all learn a great deal from an experience (and subsequent attitude) like theirs!

P.S. Sorry for the crappy blurring job – I was in a rush 🙂

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November Strikes

I feel ridiculous complaining about temperatures in the sixties (just bear with me please), but ever since Sandy swept through, I canNOT get warm unless I’m in a steaming hot shower or buried under a heap of blankets!! Lows in the 30s, highs in the low 60s, with no end in sight… I’m all wrapped up in my warmest clothes, ate and drank a hot breakfast, but I’m still all hunched up. Of course, it’s way too early to turn on the heat, so I’m just gonna suck it up as long as I can.

Really though, this is such a stark contrast to last fall/winter here in NC, which was incredibly mild and beautiful. I swear it didn’t get this “chilly” until January. Sigh. I want my moderate beach climate back! I guess we’ll see what happens after this front runs through? I sure hope it’s not here to stay.

In other news, yesterday was my last shift EVER at the pharmacy. I was feeling a little sad at first. After all, they’ve been very flexible with me, and everyone is so nice and overwhelmed… until I got paged while peeing. Seriously, I’m so excited to return to a work environment where I won’t feel guilty for all hell breaking loose because I took a quick bathroom break after several hours of holding it.

Today I go in to the Chamber for some more training. One of their biggest events of the year also happens to be tonight, so I’ll be staying late to participate and observe their Annual Coasta Roasta Oyster Roast! All you can eat shrimp and oysters, open bar, and live music on the river. I have a feeling I’m going to like this job 🙂

Our “H-Squared (Halloween & Hurricane) Party” was a big success! Despite the heavy rain and wind gusts, pretty much everyone still managed to show up. Not only did they show up, but most stayed late, got creative with costumes, and partied/danced hard. Probably too hard for some of them (us…) but we all need those nights 😉 I am still so sore!

The only disappointment (for me) was my costume! I was Cruella deVille, and it looked okay in person, but I didn’t get a single good picture in it. I guess it’s hard to take decent pictures in dim party lighting – especially since we had black lights, strobe lights, and those string party lights in spooky purple. Most of my shots of pretty much anything came out fuzzy 😦 Anyway, After getting caught out in the Hurricane helping someone find parking, my wig and make up were so messed up that I just ran to the bathroom and only kept on the dress (and red shoes of course.) Too bad!

Everyone else looked great though. Chuck and Shane were among my faves – they were LMFAO. Don’t they look RIDICULOUS?! Good times 🙂

Slowly adjusting to my new look! I wasn’t anticipating quite this dark (it photographs softer than it is in real life) but that’s always the case after that first look in the mirror. We’ll see how long I last… I like it, but I always miss my blonde 🙂

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Yesterday Was a Great Day…

… The weather was fab. I ate a healthy breakfast and felt amazing. Chuck came home at noon. I GOT A JOB… yessss!

So finally, after a whole year of retail pharmacy and temp jobs, I got a full-time, salaried  offer at the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, managing events and member services. My bank account and resume are not doomed after all. I am so relieved!!!

Plus, I’ll now have something to keep me occupied while Chuck is gone. Deployment should go at least somewhat easier for me then!

Anyway. SOOOO happy!! 😀

Weekend shot with friend (and photo bomber!) at Trailer Bar.

It’s quite blurry and I’m way over-tanned (ha), but I’m starting to really like my new hair color. I think I’m going to go darker next time… but keep some dramatic highlights too 🙂