tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793814107625378362012-02-15T22:31:14.815-07:00Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.comBlogger5371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-34880009453240296442012-02-15T20:39:00.004-07:002012-02-15T20:59:42.391-07:00

I just googled that. One of my findings was to do an exercise where you write all of your ideas for what your life's purpose is. Just free write. When you get to the one that makes you cry then you found it. To be a mom. To help people die. To educate people To be a nurse educator To care for dying people. To help people feel better. To be an oncology nurse. To master finance (?) To be a mom.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-57211076287694357352012-02-15T06:47:00.001-07:002012-02-15T06:47:43.028-07:00

Ok so after a full year hiatus of picking up my knitting needles, I. AM. BACK. Honestly I was doubting if I'd even remember how to cast on. Turns out, it's like riding a bike.  I just finished this little sweater/dress for Ellie. It's a size too big but at the rate she's growing I don't reckon that will be a problem soon. Pattern here. See this flashlight? Goes with her EVERYWHERE! Especially

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-86404988664405899582012-02-14T08:53:00.009-07:002012-02-14T11:50:17.713-07:00

It's Valentines Day. A hallmark day created for love. So what is love? For me, It's a fullness in my heart. A smile that forms on the inside. It's a feeling of wanting to take care of someone, or help them take care of them self. Compassion. True love is selfless, it's an aura that envelopes your being I believe that love is a place where you transcend. It's where you become the world, feeling

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-55595490201297439152012-02-08T15:47:00.002-07:002012-02-08T15:50:32.825-07:00

I experienced something at work recently, something that I don't care to elaborate on, but I will just tell you that I am not working there anymore. I'm home. I'm job hunting. I'm doing yoga. I'm knitting sweaters. I'm cross country skiing, I'm playing so much guitar. I'm playing with my daughter. I made arrangements with her school for her to only go 3 days a week now. We go to the library. We

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-78380048029230279262012-01-29T19:56:00.002-07:002012-01-30T08:28:15.074-07:00

I am reminded on an almost daily basis in as a hospice nurse that these "things" that make us who we are, well they can go away. Life is unpredictable, and "who we are" is probably not the things that we do. I've learned that it's a kernal of something much greater. It's the light that we put in to the world. We can make that light as bright and shiny as we can, but I'm also aware that one day

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-41627104133682911152012-01-24T20:41:00.000-07:002012-01-24T20:41:57.262-07:00

Greek yogurt you creamy little bitch. I don't trust you. You're too tasty to be good for me. I can scoop you out like ice cream and see I don't think things that are that good for you should suspended from my spoon midair like a Dairy Queen blizzard, all thick and rich. But see I do eat you, a lot of you, and see if it were ME, and me ONLY, I would probably consist of you and granola for 3 meals

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-31638277198372809082012-01-16T22:24:00.001-07:002012-01-16T22:25:48.326-07:00

A weekend at home in Denver, with no agendaand chocked full of gorgeous little moments.Sweet little girl, full of a million hugs and squeezeswho finds such joy being with her mommy and her daddy. Please God, let this never end. This photo by husband

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-66421249067434947482012-01-11T14:19:00.004-07:002012-01-13T14:43:40.008-07:00

I have a large amount of sadness in my heart right now. This job of mine, it can be so fucking intense. Of course I knew it when I chose to be a hospice nurse, and my skin has been relatively thick for most of patients' passings. But today I feel depleted and tired.I've been very close to this one patient. She was only 44 and she had ovarian cancer. With her, there were tons of nursing tasks that

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-57769414212114672742012-01-08T21:42:00.006-07:002012-01-12T17:08:23.302-07:00

I'm at a loss for words these days. Life feels full and busy and simply doesn't enough hours in it. But that said,  we always have time for some National Western Stock Show! Yeeeee hawwww!!!! Alpaca! Not quite sure.  Ellie would have been more than content if she just sat on tractors for the whole event. She was obsessed with them, and there were a LOT. Cousins! You guys, bees are

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-10231269908782233832011-12-31T16:16:00.001-07:002011-12-31T16:28:30.924-07:00

Ah, the NEW YEAR.  I will admit that sometimes I wish I could make time stand still, for there have been some delicious moments in this gorgeous year that I would like to savor forever, from trips and adventures, beautiful nights on the porch, personal goals and accomplishments. I want to savor forever my beautiful daughter's youth and the true, soul-felt JOY of watching her personality form and

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-77945989576517931522011-12-26T20:39:00.004-07:002011-12-27T08:47:51.047-07:00

I'm going to write something that I've been thinking for awhile. It's addressing this rather large knot of stress that I seem to carry with me in my heart nowadays, and I guess I'm hoping that by writing it I can some how release it. I'm a little nervous to write it, because then when I write it I might actually need to take action. But I might not. At least by writing it releases it from my body

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-86336771544495423432011-12-24T23:59:00.000-07:002011-12-24T23:59:11.771-07:00

Christmas is here tomorrow and I have not blogged once in December! This year there was just too much to do.  Between work, motherhood and my inner Christmas elf that wants to maximize and savor everything Christmas, I decided to take a break from the blog. Instead I dove in to life. This was an extremely demanding month at work and when the working day was done I made it my job to introduce

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-40080294026810422452011-11-30T23:29:00.002-07:002011-12-01T08:50:20.112-07:00

# 26: I'm grateful for the music in our genes. My mom is a stellar musician. I've always grown up with an understanding and love of music. And this small, wonderful child of mine seems to have the bug, too. I couldn't be more pleased. #27: Grateful for the ocean, the smell of the salty air, the great horizon of all things unknown, and finding treasures in the remains of the tide. #28:

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-805325351648612032011-11-25T22:24:00.000-07:002011-11-26T22:30:25.704-07:00

Today I'm grateful for my gorgeous nephews and niece, family walks, gut wrenching laughter, Thanksgiving leftovers, and family singalongs. (We are so busy having fun right now.) Dress: Old NavyCardigan:Old NavyBoots: Thrift storeHat: Lala's closet

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-63885255717417952011-11-24T23:14:00.001-07:002011-11-24T23:14:43.059-07:00

I have one brother and one sister. My sister lives in Maine. My brother lives in California. I live in Denver. We all have our own families now. We love each other but getting together does not come frequently. That said, WE'RE ALL HERE! We're all under the same roof! Let me tell you, inside THIS house, on THIS day, is a whole lot of laughter, a whole lot of food, and a whole lot of love. It

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-79536300097117315082011-11-23T08:53:00.002-07:002011-11-23T11:42:27.723-07:00

Where'd I go? I'd been so diligent about posting daily on my 30 days of gratitude but it seemed that days 21 and 22 got the best of me. They were pretty awful days but I'm okay with that. Let me explain. I have 19 patients right now (a full caseload is 12). With Thursday and Friday being holidays I had to squeeze every patient into the past 48 hours. I was literally up till midnight charting

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-18821899151289287952011-11-20T22:39:00.002-07:002011-11-22T08:00:59.376-07:00

This beautiful weekend was not all chocolate chips and cambrics. Today we went to see  my sister in law Kelly who, for Medicaid reasons, had to move from one memory care facility to another. This is absolutely not an easy thing for someone who struggles with dementia.  Today was intense and heartbreaking. She is even more sick from when we last saw her; it is astounding. She started on hospice

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-47269633587434736012011-11-19T19:30:00.001-07:002011-11-20T22:29:55.479-07:00

Saturday. [sigh]  I am utterly grateful for a much needed break from work. I'm grateful for turning off my work phone and work computer at 5pm on Friday and putting them out of sight and out of mind. I'm grateful for the gorgeous feeling of relaxation when you know you've worked hard to earn it. I'm grateful for sleeping in, eating out, homemade chocolate chip cookies, drinking lots of tea,

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-88325933258301563982011-11-18T23:12:00.000-07:002011-11-18T23:12:52.517-07:00

I just got back from Breaking Dawn. I won't say I loved it but I will say that I had a good time and really enjoyed myself. There was that obsession after all, and see a lot of time has passed since I was in the throws of my whirlwind vampire/werewolf romance, and I've grown a touch wiser since that tweenage thing I went through (which was last year when I was 33) ( Eh hem.) Anyway, going to

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-15570140305242597222011-11-17T07:54:00.001-07:002011-11-18T08:03:41.158-07:00

Today I'm thankful for evergreen scented Yankee Candles, not having to hit the door running, quiet moments in the house, and Starbucks.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-26415694287038705862011-11-16T21:49:00.003-07:002011-11-16T21:56:44.514-07:00

My job has been nuts. Truly, I wish I could describe the sense of go go GO that exists in my day to day. I wish you could see a snapshot of me in my car during the working day: charting on my laptop, talking on either my personal cell phone, work cell phone or both, plugging some new patient address into my gps, scribbling new orders for patients on  pieces of scrap paper on my lap as I'm driving

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-92115918088142737882011-11-15T17:56:00.002-07:002011-11-15T20:09:28.487-07:00

Day #14 is gratitude for days that, pardon my french, royally suck. Because without those super sucky days then the super awesome ones would have nothing to compare themselves to. I did not post yesterday and that was by choice. Not all days are roses and fluffy clouds and I am most certainly talking about you, yesterday. Sayonara, you overly stressy, bitchy little day, you. Right now I am

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-55471167090741285352011-11-13T15:03:00.001-07:002011-11-13T15:04:02.731-07:00

A couple of years ago I got onto an airplane in Boston. I was heading back to Denver with a barely one year old in tow (and no husband). As I was knocking into the poor aisle seated folks while trying to get me and my tot and OUR THINGS into my seat I locked eyes with a very kind woman who immediately took pity on me. (I did look rather pathetic). It was an interesting flight, and I wrote about

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-76961401669298755422011-11-12T08:40:00.000-07:002011-11-12T08:40:55.056-07:00

Today I am thankful for the sweet freedom of waking up on Saturday morning with no work, taking our time in the morning, and for Bon Jovi and the dance party that he helps create in our living room almost daily.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-28631867331444292592011-11-11T08:40:00.004-07:002011-11-11T09:33:52.653-07:00

I'm doing this photography project with some facebook friends and last night I worked on my self portrait. It was much harder than I thought it would be. I don't look in a lot of mirrors these days. When I get ready in the morning that's likely the last I'll see of myself save the car mirror and my teethbrushing. I don't  try to avoid them but there is nothing drawing me to them either. My

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-44942323227043758472011-11-10T17:29:00.000-07:002011-11-10T17:29:22.133-07:00

Sometimes in the mornings I get so impossibly frustrated with trying to get out the door. My first hour and half of the day is filled with  negotiations, threats for "quiet time", loud, persistent whining and sudden enamoration over toys that have long been forgotten. Oh and almost ALWAYS a need to poop right as we are leaving. I am so thankful that I have a job that doesn't need me to be in a

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-62086418544861123792011-11-09T16:54:00.001-07:002011-11-09T17:29:38.036-07:00

Today I'm thankful for coffee; my early morning hug in a cup. that sweet smell of heaven that goes straight to the pleasure centers of my brain. Good God I do love coffee. Additionally, I'm thankful for coffee shops and how by sitting in them I always tend to feel less stressed and way more creative.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-57841320022820037632011-11-08T07:42:00.002-07:002011-11-08T07:45:39.092-07:00

Today is not my wedding anniversary, but 5 years ago a certain man and I met for the first time. We met in a coffee shop and I will never forget the first time our eyes locked. He smiled. I smiled. It was history from there. Travel, home ownership, marriage, a child, we've been through a lot. He's my partner in this life. Our days are not as carefree as when we first met, GOD NO. But our lives

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-56618820990600595172011-11-07T14:11:00.000-07:002011-11-07T14:11:38.806-07:00

I had a dad. I had a really good dad. Right now I'm closing my eyes and feeling what gratitude is. This is a powerful ritual for me on November 7. Seven years ago today my dad left us. When I think of my gratitude it's sometimes hard to not feel it as bittersweet. Gratitude and sadness. Intertwined on the same heart. How I wish my dad could share the gifts that I have in my life now. He would

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-91497547886361025552011-11-06T14:33:00.000-07:002011-11-06T14:33:35.942-07:00

Today I'm grateful that I have a job. I'm telling myself this over and over again, because it's the weekend and it's sunny and I am working a 24 hour shift on top of my already 40+hour/week job. I have a job. I have a job and I (usually) really like it. So as I'm about to leave my very cozy and cute family to do another patient visit I'm reminding myself of this. I have a job. I have a job. I

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-70034717527246478252011-11-05T08:47:00.001-06:002011-11-05T08:47:56.079-06:00

Today I am grateful for our home, and how cozy it feels when the seasons change. 

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-72217920686153016292011-11-04T06:58:00.002-06:002011-11-04T06:58:00.624-06:00

Today I am grateful for fashion friday, and more specifically, this blog. This blog has allowed me to capture and freeze these beautiful, blessed days. It's allowed me to revisit the emotions and feelings that were so enormous at the time. It lets me look back and have a laugh and to ponder my own, unique journey as a mom, wife, nurse, human ...and bad ass fashion director! (tee hee) Today's

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-41781485288201540942011-11-03T08:15:00.000-06:002011-11-03T08:15:06.413-06:00

Today I'm thankful for the strong and beautiful women in my family. And for the role models that Ellie will know..

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-81515718959453476302011-11-02T17:15:00.000-06:002011-11-02T17:15:19.423-06:00

Today I am grateful for my daughter's budding creativity.It makes my heart melt.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-74706631141495177442011-10-25T07:16:00.003-06:002011-10-25T07:16:00.492-06:00

I, like countless millions of others, have a really nice camera. Really nice cameras seem to be popular these days. I like to take pictures with my camera.I take a LOT of pictures with it. I really LIKE to take pictures with my camera. And I know that a lot of people really like to take pictures.  I would not declare that I am a photographer, only sometimes I am. Am I really good? No probably not

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-58994083104277519782011-10-24T14:27:00.003-06:002011-10-24T22:16:04.068-06:00

What I did this weekend. by Summer N. 1. I made a raw dinner with my friend Annie. 2. I went for a hike. 3. I ate no processed sugar. 4. I went to a house party.5. I watched a movie.6. I unpeeled about a thousand stickers from the floor (ok maybe like a dozen)7, I did the running man. 8. I watched Dora in the bathroom while my daughter pooped for an hour9. I took photos of a friend and her son

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-70577491280300837132011-10-21T14:26:00.002-06:002011-10-21T15:51:57.653-06:00

Now that my daughter is getting older and way WAY more verbal, she likes to make it very clear that she wants to make the decisions regarding anything that has to do with her. Which is why my fashion friday posts have not been as consistent. If I could convey how much ENERGY goes into one photo shoot then you would totally understand. That being said, I managed to get today's outfit on her. I did

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-82236120783203594052011-10-17T08:29:00.001-06:002011-10-17T15:35:55.367-06:00

Starting on the day after my marathon and up to about yesterdayish, I developed some sort of bronchitis or pneumonia and was a total mess. I would shiver incessantly, sleep like crazy, and had a deep tightness in my chest that went way too far down. It was awful and I can honestly say that for me, it was as if this past week never even existed. It was a blur, all of it. It resulted in a

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-51155473927038538662011-10-10T10:38:00.001-06:002011-10-10T10:38:58.499-06:00

I have to say that one of the more proud moments of my life was running through the streets of Denver with my little brother for the Rock-n-Roll half marathon yesterday. My brother only started running last year but he is crazy into it. He's happier, he's lost 50lbs, he looks awesome! I thought he was going to kick my butt but I managed to stick with him for 9 miles until I just couldn't

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-22614476532470440542011-10-04T08:18:00.000-06:002011-10-04T08:18:03.333-06:00

In just 5 short days my brother and I are going to be riding in the Denver Kitten Riding Half Marathon!!! Meow!!! Wha? Do you think we would be disqualified if we showed up with monster sized kitties? Perhaps, but since this was posted to my facebook page I thought I'd use it. The truth is, this kind of thing is EXACTLY why I love my brother so much. We have this very unique,

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-52531034116292762942011-10-02T21:37:00.011-06:002011-10-03T13:41:55.544-06:00

There has been a really big thing that has been happening in my family. I have wanted to write about it for so long, to put it out there into the world. Wanting to know DOES ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT? Because let me tell you it has been intense, and continues to be. And none of us really has any idea of what we are doing. You see, one of my family members is sick, really sick.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-68691802606996902462011-09-26T20:29:00.006-06:002011-09-26T23:32:00.068-06:00

Every year we go to Nederland, CO for our Super Pretty Fall Foliage Day. This is a day, and a tradition, that I have created and declared.  We've gone four years in a row, which makes me now able to say "every year". Mike doesn't have the same drive to ensure we get to Nederland each September. He takes a bit of prodding and negotiating with. Fortunately my own motivations trump

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-39722643118752252632011-09-23T20:35:00.001-06:002011-09-23T20:36:12.637-06:00

This week has been full of active brains, tired legs, and busy schedules. But like I've always said, the rest will never be as sweet as after the work. Happy weekend everyone! Go and get your FALL on! Pants: Tea Collection Shirt: Amy Tangerine Hat: Vendor at Telluride Bluegrass Festival Shoes: Teva

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-10790534382028126992011-09-19T14:06:00.004-06:002011-09-19T16:14:22.597-06:00

Sweet Eleanor, You, your light. Your sweet temperment. Your heart warming smile. Your infectious joy. There are so many gifts you already bestow in this world. Thank you for them. For you. Thank you for blessing me with the awareness of unconditional love. I have seen a lot of really gut wrenchingly sad things lately, and thankfully they have not landed on THIS HOUSE. But they make me think.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-16114479995905240872011-09-16T23:02:00.003-06:002011-09-17T20:51:24.214-06:00

So, I went out tonight. Me and my good friend Darci won Rockies tickets, the real executive treatment kind with a suite and free food and drinks and a name tag where I got to mingle with other Denver hospice community folks. Which I actually didn't realize until the last minute that this whole thing was kind of "work related" but whatevs, I had my buddy. And so we were OUT. Mike dropped us off

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-72667445353703469802011-09-16T12:07:00.001-06:002011-09-16T12:20:01.257-06:00

I have always had a sort of psychological mantra that I would chant as a kid. I'm actually kind of embarrassed by it now because it was VERY CHRISTIAN, (not that very christian is bad, but it's just not me now). Something like "please forgive me sweet Jesus" and I would say it ALL THE TIME. Which, if that is not some sort of testament to why I think religion is just a touch fucked up off the mark

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-78113095443421681412011-09-15T09:56:00.003-06:002011-09-16T12:31:24.343-06:00

My daughter is two years three months. Which means if I were to get pregnant she would be just over three when her new brother/sister arrives. Three is good. A 3rd grader to a 6th grader. A senior to a freshman. Only I'm not pregnant. And Ellie's sibling time span clock is tick tick ticking away. I don't understand you, you crazy, unpredictable reproductive system. You surprised me with Ellie (

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-91236508111879181992011-09-12T09:19:00.001-06:002011-09-12T09:21:37.271-06:00

Sometimes you read things, or hear things, (or for that matter taste, see, feel) that strike a chord. They shine on something inside of you that was dormant, or maybe you forgot, or maybe that you just figured needed extra shining. This girl got me shining today. Please check out her poem in the first 4 minutes of this video. "I want her to know that this world is made out of sugar. It can

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-82449009110585664192011-09-11T15:11:00.000-06:002011-09-11T15:11:11.854-06:00

I remember. Awestruck. Mortified. This was really happening. Glued to the television. I remember. The eerie silence as normal routines became confronted with confusing, visceral heart pain. The odd kinship of strangers, the acknowledgment of the new awareness of just how vulnerable we were. I remember. The day I first experienced the shadow side of collective consciousness. Appalled that man

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-2793203615410317892011-09-06T22:18:00.001-06:002011-09-12T13:55:10.685-06:00

I am letting out a big, beautiful, happy, contented sigh. What a season. Colorado continues to be amazing. After every summer I feel as though I'm a newlywed; enchanted and appreciative and oh so in love. I spent Labor Day marking the end of this spectacular season on top of a 14,000 foot mountain. Humbled. and upside down. And full of gratitude. Life is soooooo good.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-74987083626450325282011-09-06T15:13:00.004-06:002011-09-06T15:20:23.077-06:00

Dementia. She makes no sense. She's contracted. He looks like he's looking right through you. He's mean. She won't even remember that I'm here. He doesn't understand what I'm saying. She is impossible to engage. Dismissive, on the bad days. On the good days: Mother. Grandmother. Father. Son. (Somebody loved.) My little dementia patient today: her love of God, her often nonsensical talk, the

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-79864784026539532992011-09-02T11:56:00.000-06:002011-09-02T11:56:28.998-06:00

You guys, it is SO NICE OUT!!! And it's FRIDAY!! And it's a 3 DAY WEEKEND!!! When the weather shifts it almost always makes me feel a little giddy. And when the weather shifts in to fall I become EXTRA giddy. I needed this giddiness, because like all things that are dragged out, I was getting downright depressed at all of that heat. All that heat and frigging sun! IT IS SO STINKIN SUNNY HERE YOU

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-46205898802614639292011-09-01T16:48:00.001-06:002011-09-01T16:49:20.966-06:00

..you get to be a superhero. SHA ZAM!

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-49592039185532947072011-08-30T15:48:00.001-06:002011-08-30T15:48:44.921-06:00

You probably haven't noticed, if you're a facebook friend of mine, that I've stopped logging my runs on my FB page. I mean who really cared anyway, right? Except I did have this silly logic. Anyway, I've stopped doing that. I have not stopped running, just simply shed the accountability. I have found that once I got rid of the timer, the timer against myself, against my friends, my BROTHER, that

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-38255023382292948782011-08-28T21:56:00.000-06:002011-08-28T21:56:32.982-06:00

On this very HOT weekend: I enjoyed NOT packing to go somewhere out of town. Went hiking in Boulder with the fam. Went on an all girl bike ride through the city and beyond.  Made a chocolate zucchini cake. Had a bbq with friends. Ate homemade ice cream that Annie made that is SO DARN GOOD! (basil with candy coated pine nuts!) (and she left some in the freezer) Went to the finish line of

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-90259423692304478652011-08-26T07:03:00.003-06:002011-08-26T14:59:15.033-06:00

Wha? You don't sing Happy Birthday to your breasts?  Ok, ok, it's not really the birthday of my tatas, but Ellie has spent the past evening singing Happy Birthday to them.. so sure kid, why not. This summer has been such a whirlwind. So much packing and unpacking. So much heat. So much FUN. But we are ready to move on to fall. Those summer energies could sure use a nice dose of some cool, crisp

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-22475305306082091522011-08-23T17:16:00.001-06:002011-08-23T19:19:38.434-06:00

Have you guys ever heard of 8tracks? It's sort of liked mixed tape for today's world. I played with it a little, you can check out one my mixes here.  I am so folked out right now. I just spent the day working from home organizing my itunes playlists, discovering new music, making playlists of awesome music I forgot that I had. This past weekend I went to the Planet Bluegrass Folks Fest, again,

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-80111764317372819742011-08-16T22:03:00.000-06:002011-08-16T22:03:13.642-06:00

Oh man sometimes I kind of suck. I have this annoying quality of not being content. It curses me, it does. It shines that pretty, sparkly light on the other side of the mountain. I'm always reaching for something else, changing directions, never sitting still. I love it and I hate it about myself. I briefly wrote about how I recently changed jobs, and though I won't bore you with the details on

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-85544269077991140632011-08-15T07:06:00.001-06:002011-08-15T23:14:00.748-06:00

We went away this weekend, begrudgingly at first as it had been a realllly long week. And camping, well, there's just so much dang PREP. Prep and PACKING. But we had this long standing reservation to a wilderness yurt way high in the mountains near Eagle, CO, and so we went, just the three of us. Turns out, it was awesome. We like to camp and all but I'm embarrassed to admit that we rarely are

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-27633322162014274672011-08-08T06:45:00.003-06:002011-08-14T13:29:38.322-06:00

Though not impossible, toddlography is TRICKY, and there are several elements that I personally suggest to making your toddler photography session one that doesn't make you want to run for the liquor cabinet. Expect to take fifty shots for one good one. How people ever photographed toddlers before digital cameras is MYSTIFYING to me! You're directing traffic so keep things moving! Have lots of

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-69667169545991917762011-08-07T15:38:00.002-06:002011-08-09T22:25:20.748-06:00

I am so blessed to have my very good friend, Betsy, living next door. I'm even more blessed that Betsy has twins just two months older than Ellie. Our little girls have known each other since the wee beginnings of their lives, and now they are schoolmates at a nearby preschool. They are the closest thing to "sisters" that Ellie knows. And well, we (Ellie and I), just love them. Love that whole

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-27117740914756530302011-08-05T07:07:00.003-06:002011-08-05T07:07:00.327-06:00

.Through the goodand the badand the funand the suckyshe is my little peanut girl. I love her with all that I am. Dress: Pippa and Julie Shoes: Run Kai Run Headband: from an adorable sock shop in Breckenridge I AM SO DAMN GLAD IT'S FRIDAY. Happy weekend to you!

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-10689203468311143272011-08-03T21:08:00.003-06:002011-08-04T14:19:51.430-06:00

Our summer of exhilarating, adventurous, freedom wielding FUN has ended. **screech!** Oh MA GAWD. Ellie has become a bit of a monster. (And future Ellie, know that we LOVE you VERY much should you ever read this) Nothing can make this child happy. If she wants something and we do it then we do it ALL wrong. Then it's tantrum after tantrum. I mean literally, tantrum after tantrum.  Ellie has

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-5020216144421835972011-07-29T09:34:00.000-06:002011-07-29T09:34:30.111-06:00

Oh Summer, you mischievous little season. How you move! We are off to Breckenridge for the weekend for the wedding of one fabulous lady and her English mate. Then I start a new job, at a new company, with new patients.Then we are going camping with friends.Then we are going to two local music festivals.And a going away party.And hopefully lots of hikes.Somewhere in that there needs to be laundry,

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-57569386940669652612011-07-28T22:37:00.001-06:002011-07-28T22:41:34.470-06:00

I have caught myself lately doing the totally not healthy act of comparing my child with other children and then graphing her progress in comparison with those of her toddler peers. My child is not potty trained yet. She doesn't spout off large sentences. She doesn't put on her own shirts. She is only kind of able to ride a tricycle. And see, I have friends, with kids Ellie's age that are doing

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-51444372756627740862011-07-26T11:26:00.000-06:002011-07-26T11:26:53.515-06:00

As expected, and as appreciated, summer has taken over my time sitting at the computer. Instead it has thrust me outside, into the big, beautiful, HOT, world where I have had a heck of a time galavanting around with my family.  Our home for the past week or so We returned a couple days ago from a really wonderful trip to Bozeman, Montana where we caravanned with other family members in the

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-84002324779160310882011-07-13T22:21:00.002-06:002011-07-13T22:30:54.596-06:00

I went for a run this evening when the sun finally broke through our rather wonky, monsoon-like weather. I took my usual path through the park. So green, so quiet, so many cumulus clouds. And I ran horribly. I don't know if it was my unaccustomed body to humidity but I just couldn't catch my breath. How I would normally react in the situation is to push myself, or berate myself for not pushing.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-90996964788750288492011-07-08T07:00:00.003-06:002011-07-08T16:52:53.516-06:00

I took my daughter to tour her new preschool today. My daughter is going to preschool. I sat in the back of  the room and quietly watched the rhythm of her classroom, holding on to my daughter's hand, perhaps projecting on to her my own childhood fears of starting a new school. I didn't push her and only meant for her to get a glimpse, something to emotionally prepare for. But the room was moving

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-71553519594706458742011-07-03T21:22:00.001-06:002011-07-03T21:24:33.962-06:00

I just did 10 loads of laundry, no joke. And the heaping pile on the floor seems none the smaller for it. This is the sacrifice I make to go camping. We upgraded our campstyle this year with a new-to-us 1990 Starcraft Popup, the lightest one we could find as our tow vehicle is a Subaru Forester. And we just gutted out all the upholstery to desanitize the 21 years of camping that may or may not

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-43888559513031288372011-06-28T20:55:00.002-06:002011-06-29T11:12:54.343-06:00

Right now, for great reasons and really silly reasons, life feels so exhausting. And the days are not that hard, not really. It's just that I have a two year old. A very curious, independence-exercising toddler. She fusses a lot, and since we stopped breastfeeding (did I tell you that? The tatas are mine all mine!), she wants to be held all the time, which poses some annoyances, you know walking

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-67237396461351974072011-06-21T15:04:00.001-06:002011-06-21T15:06:21.247-06:00

Another Telluride Bluegrass Festival has come and gone. Festivarian life changes with children. Sometimes it's hugely inconvenient, and sometimes it lifts you higher than you could have ever been without the young love. We had lots of children around us this year, and the cuteness was overflowing. So were the toddler arguments, the spats about sharing, the constant need for mitigation. There were

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-67273196080728030512011-06-10T10:53:00.001-06:002011-06-10T10:56:24.813-06:00

After work today I am on vacation, yo!. A full on, over a week long hiatus from THIS routine. Incidentally the vacation happens to be in my favorite place with my favorite thing to do of all time: Telluride Bluegrass Festival. You have no idea how happy I am. NO IDEA!! Ticky tock, clock! So my seven year old niece is still staying with us and I have to say, it's kind of a treat taking care of a

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-71994656766650097012011-06-04T14:51:00.000-06:002011-06-04T14:51:41.816-06:00

Because the sun is so awesome, because the garden needs love, because there are trails to bike and mountains to climb because most of our time is spent outdoors because I'm watching twice as many children because I'm too busy enjoying my favorite time of year this blog will suffer. and that's okay. It will always be here for me and that's why I love it so. It lets me go away for awhile and take

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-21854473474140868512011-06-01T11:12:00.000-06:002011-06-01T11:12:32.103-06:00

Sometimes the world feels like crushing pressure. Sometimes there is just so much to do. Sometimes you plow forward getting tasks done and you don't look up. Sometimes you don't remember what it feels like to just stop and take a deep breath. And then you do. You stop. You take a deep breath. You look around and suddenly it's summer.  The world is not stressed. The world is glorious and sunny.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-73631704812327186242011-05-31T08:28:00.002-06:002011-06-01T20:38:49.748-06:00

There has been a lot going on here, and it's not the typical Memorial Day bbq, camping, cocktails in the afternoon sort of whoop-di-do. There's been a lot of changes to the routine. My niece came to live with us for the summer. We still have the big, looming thing with no answers. Ellie changed to a toddler bed. We massively reorganized our house. Oh, and I started my period, which officially

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-69276170599582898592011-05-26T13:10:00.000-06:002011-05-26T13:10:12.730-06:00

messy, messy, messy Our house is small, really small. In order to maximize space and provide large open spaces for toddler playing, my husband and I sleep in the basement. It's not very pretty and is only utilized at night, or when I want to do laundry. And it's dark. But we always make the bed, but mostly it's because of my enormous fear of a spider crawling into the sheets. Having a small

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-61565103235035925782011-05-25T08:42:00.007-06:002011-10-04T08:20:05.887-06:00

Sometimes life feels very heavy.Sometimes there are problems that you just can't fix,that no one can fix.Sometimes all you can do is go through the sadnessand pray (if you pray)and love. And be there for each other. We have a family member who is very sick, and we don't know why. Doctors don't know why.We only know that everything is changed, and that's vaguebut I can't say much more.I can only

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-28159998395669803262011-05-23T22:58:00.000-06:002011-05-23T22:58:05.051-06:00

Two years of personhood,of growing strength,of learning words.Two years of fitting perfectly into this family.Two years since we held that tiny little 8 pound babyand two years of complete and crazy love.  Now she's two. She's 28.6 lbs. She's 35 inches tall.She's obsessed with drawing, (preferrably in ink, on the wall)She loves the sandbox, the water table,making fake dinners on her kitchenand

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-50676580988632892522011-05-15T22:11:00.004-06:002011-05-15T22:40:28.728-06:00

I've had better weekends. I'll just say that it's sunday night and I'm typing this with Pita Chip crumbs on my fingers and a tub of cream cheese next to my computer because THAT's just been the kind of mood I'm in. It's been very rainy here, which we need and so yes I'm glad, but put me on day 4 of consecutive sun deprivation and I tend to get the teensiest bit depressed. God love that husband of

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-89082220975660736632011-05-08T07:41:00.002-06:002011-05-08T14:31:11.779-06:00

The glow of a mom comes from deep within. It's in their smile when they look at their children. It's in their strong bodies and souls as they keep their children safe. It's in the quiet gracefulness of watching their children grow. It's in the loveliness of feeling their babies' sweet skin. It's in the wisdom of teaching. It's in the wonder of sharing. It's in the joys of laughter. It's in the

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-51157211432929053542011-05-06T13:09:00.000-06:002011-05-06T13:09:22.518-06:00

Jean jacket: Gap Diaper: Eco Bumz Headphones: straight out of the 80's

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-82119407855812103902011-05-03T22:10:00.004-06:002011-05-04T07:29:55.405-06:00

I think about death a lot. I think about it because it's my job to think about it. I think about it in relation to my life. Sometimes thoughts of death are fear driven, other times they are the quiet expectation that death is another part of the journey that we all must endure. I do not know "what" happens when we die, and my ideologies have morphed as I've moved along my spiritual journey. So I

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-37399261458777694312011-05-01T23:31:00.000-06:002011-05-01T23:31:19.613-06:00

What I can't feel right now is joyous. Right now the news, Facebook and Twitter are all abuzz about the news of Osama Bin Laden's death. There is so much video of people rejoicing in the streets, the JOY in the crowds, the glory of this accomplishment, singing "Na na na na, goodbye" like they would at a high school basketball game. Facebook and Twitter status updates of patriotism. America wins.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-8768543070861389252011-04-29T20:03:00.007-06:002011-05-01T17:30:41.160-06:00

These days... ...we walk out of the house in the morning to start the day. Her tiny hand in mine. She proudly carries her Wonder Woman lunch box. Her tiny feet go down our front steps with such growing confidence. It warms my heart and bittersweetly reminds me how quickly this whole growing up thing happens. ...I go to work, and in between patient visits I drive around blasting music (currently

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-34148447094783250492011-04-25T14:14:00.001-06:002011-04-25T14:15:55.276-06:00

I don't know why I have such a problem with Easter. Okay, not a problem, but a confusion. I don't know how to approach it with the newest human in the family, my daughter. For me growing up it meant Christ's resurrection, Sunday church, a new dress, easter baskets, candy hunts and some really great food with the family. But the thing is, my religious philosophies have evolved so much and I just

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-48743741381345033072011-04-20T08:42:00.009-06:002011-04-21T13:02:05.344-06:00

There, I said it. This was certainly not in my grand mothering plan. Originally I set my goal at 6 months. But it got easy. It got to be routine. Now Ellie is 23 months old and we still continue to have several times throughout the day when it's her, me, and tata. She loves that tata so. Tata can take the most stressful, challenging moment and miraculously flip into into deep breaths, a calm

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-74134255344419819782011-04-16T13:19:00.002-06:002011-04-16T19:52:13.571-06:00

Being accountable for things is good; it keeps you honest. I used to think this back in my bachelorette days when I'd have roommates. One roommate was good because you were both accountable. Three was bad because the true offender of leftover dishes and qtips on the floor could be any of the three. (If it was the q-tips it was likely me, because of my addiction, which you don't know about).

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-75995906888704660162011-04-15T08:53:00.001-06:002011-04-16T12:48:20.360-06:00

How do you reason with a toddler? This is the question I have been beseeching myself all morning. Guys, it has been ROUGH. She has absolutely no idea in hell what she wants. Crying and fussing and full blown tantrums all morning. It's making me want MY mommy. She wants "cerio" (cereal) so I pour it. "NO!!!!! E [Ellie] do!" I let her pour more in. The bowl is to the top with cereal. No more cereal

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-76465170744388203092011-04-14T22:45:00.001-06:002011-04-14T22:46:20.953-06:00

Without the goals you are working towards Without the title behind your name Without the laptop hiding your face Who are you? Who are you without the people that you love without the routine in your day without the strength in your muscles? Who remains? When I first became a hospice nurse we did an exercise in orientation where we wrote down the top 5 characteristics that meant the most for us

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-34307170279631552252011-04-14T08:36:00.001-06:002011-04-14T22:57:34.166-06:00

One of my favorite parts about spring is how all of the neighbors head OUT. Suddenly there is a world of activity just sitting on the front porch. We live in, what I believe is, an extra awesome neighborhood with all sorts of great people as neighbors. And now all of the these fun neighbors have new children. Last week the neighbor twins stopped by to play with Ellie, followed by the boy across

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-5535758092137854592011-04-11T11:06:00.004-06:002011-04-11T11:17:28.761-06:00

Sometimes I miss things. I miss certain people. I miss beautiful moments. Last night I dreamt about someone from my past, a very involved dream that was so darn real, and I woke up sad with the feeling of missing. Missing is such a strange thing. Even if you were reconnected with the one that is missed you would be changed, the relationship would be different. We are in a constant state of

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-4833037460092766002011-04-08T11:33:00.017-06:002011-04-08T11:46:42.700-06:00

My sweet little cowboy girl. Shirt: Children's Place, spring '11 collection Jeans: Old Navy Shoes: Run Kai Run Hat: $1 bin at Gymboree Sock Monkey: made by aunt "Day" (Kay)

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-54544072384143792862011-04-06T23:12:00.004-06:002011-04-07T11:18:03.030-06:00

Sometimes there are things that happen in your life that mark a shift in who you are. When I was 28 years old my father died. It was a terrible time in my life. I was living in California when he passed, knowing he was sick, putting off getting back home. I always thought there'd be time. Time to say everything I wanted to say. Time to watch him gracefully lose his battle with cancer. Time to

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-19070196002185932262011-03-31T12:28:00.003-06:002011-03-31T12:37:33.261-06:00

As a nurse I know what I can do and what I can't.I know how to be a strong, compassionate presence in the home of a dying person.I know how to respond quickly when patients get into a pain crisis or struggle to breathe.I know how to work with the system to get a patient what they need.I know how to listen to the grief of family members and not bring it home.I know what it means to watch a human

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-62456920104077046272011-03-29T09:52:00.003-06:002011-03-29T21:25:29.666-06:00

Really I think a large book could be written about what having a child does to a marriage. I'm just going to say, in my edited bloggy fashion, that it's hard. When you spend a large part of your childless relationship giving attention to your partner, and receiving it from said partner, it's wierd when suddenly there is a tiny little human that comes along and seizes all of that lovely energy.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-3027466154929865032011-03-25T15:36:00.002-06:002011-03-25T15:38:20.361-06:00

I have to admit that yesterday when I had to give three time outs before 8:30am because my sweet 22 month old toddler kept standing on her chair (and then fell off. Why? Because MOMMY IS RIGHT), all intermixed with nonstop whining and inability to make her happy that I was just the teensiest bit ready to send her off to day care. Okay I'll admit, I COULDN'T PACK HER BAG FAST ENOUGH. Because the

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-1840563602979425332011-03-22T07:29:00.003-06:002011-03-22T11:17:25.626-06:00

As an employee I feel lame most of the time while trying to juggle the duties of being a mother. I can't see those emergency-needs-patients outside of my scheduled shifts because I have Ellie here. I miss out on the peer comraderie at happy hour get togethers because of said child. I'm often the one with a screaming toddler as I'm talking to a pharmacist or a doctor on the phone (insert boob.

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-491329940079540302011-03-21T14:14:00.007-06:002011-03-22T10:36:25.291-06:00

The air is blowing through my windows! The Sun is warming my face! The flowers are peeking their little flower faces out into the sun! Goodbye Winter, but not good riddance. You are needed for this land (and for this heart). A darkness before light. A rest before the work. A contrast as a reminder to be grateful. There is much to be done in Spring, but it is done with gladness it's like the

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-48177975777353558372011-03-18T07:05:00.007-06:002011-03-21T14:16:47.298-06:00

******************************************************************************************************** Welcome to Fashion Friday. This is where all outfits that are adorable and cute get to escape the terrible fate of being outgrown or left to die on a hanger in a closet. Pants: Mishu Lulu Top: Gap Jacket: Gap, hand me down from my sister in law Shoes: See Kai Run, gift from Kim (Thanks lady!)

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79381410762537836.post-58854919132954131032011-03-17T23:14:00.004-06:002011-03-18T07:50:22.869-06:00

I used to live in San Francisco, just before I moved to Denver. I loved it there. I loved the amazingly beautiful landscape. I loved special people. I loved making music with my friends. I was supported in such a spiritual way. But some other force led me away to Denver. Even though my family had just decided to join me in California (from Maine). Even though I had beautiful friends. Even though

Summer Nicklassonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15238506760172362226noreply@blogger.com2