Kindness Makes World of Difference to Newcomer
Have you ever had a life experience in which you thought to yourself, “If I can just live through this, it’ll all be OK?” I have had several, and I’m a little embarrassed to say they weren’t caused by the bad things in my life. They were caused by the good things. Those moments of
The Perfect Pair of Jeans
My friend, Mary, called the other day with a brilliant analogy. “Friends are like jeans,” she said, “some are just so comfy.” I can’t get that out of my mind. Since I’ve moved to Athens, I’ve been able to see so clearly how every friend I have or have had is like a pair of
The Professional Encourager
My friend, Mimi, is a Professional Encourager. Honestly. She has the business card to prove it. God gave her the gift of fearlessness, and she uses it, REALLY uses it to tell anyone in her path how great they are. Two years ago, I saw Mimi at a reunion for Miss America contestants. We hadn’t
Kindness Paves Road to Miss America
Seventeen years ago this very weekend, I competed in the Miss America pageant representing my home state of Wisconsin. When the pageant was over, I came home with an interview award, $10,000 in scholarship money and a whole bunch of sparkly earrings (some of which are still in my jewelry box). When people ask how
The Perks of Small-Town Living
I’m starting to learn the perks of small-town living… the babysitter I left my kids with these past two days is the cousin of my son’s football coach, who is the husband of my son’s third grade teacher, who is the sister-in-law of my daughter’s fifth grade teacher. Think any of my kids got away
Grateful
Everyday I try to write down something for which I am grateful. I have to admit that most of the time, I’m pretty materialistic. I sit there thinking for about 5 minutes, then end up jotting down something about a warm house, money to buy groceries and a bed to sleep in. Healthy kids and
A Whole New ME!
I would like to warn all of my friends in Fargo that someday, when I see you again, you will not be getting the same old me. Nicole 2.0 has arrived. In the past, you sweet, sweet friends would lovingly invite me into your homes knowing that I would show up with a take-and-bake pizza
