A Little Bit About Me

It's Wednesday already, can you believe it?  As usual, the week is moving entirely too quickly.  #toomuchtodo #notenoughtime

I've had some new readers join us and it's been awhile since I did an introduction for you all, so I thought I would take the time this week to tell you a little bit about me.

I grew up in North Providence, Rhode Island, so Texas is kind of a long way from home.  That's me, second from the right in the top row.  I come from a big, Italian family and as we continued to add more and more grandchildren to the picture, we kept taking more and more pictures on these steps.

Disregard the hair, it was the 90s.  So we added a few more kids from that first picture.  And we weren't done yet.  There were still four more that came along in the years after this picture.

I went to an all-girls, Catholic high school, BayView Academy and it was the best thing for me.  The Sisters of Mercy turn out some pretty remarkable women.  After high school, I attended Fairfield University for my undegrad (a BA in History) and then on to Ohio State for my master's in education.

Ohio State is where I learned my love of college football.  Oh boy, it is my favorite sport, hands down.  I had no idea what I was getting into when I went to my first game.  But it didn't take long for me to be sucked in!

After I graduated from my program I started working in student affairs.  Those are staff members that are involved in non-academic departments.  I worked primarily in housing and student conduct (oh the stories...).  I did that for about 7 years before moving over to the records and registration side of the house.  It's what I've done ever since.  It has allowed me to explore new places and live all over the US.  It's how I ended up in Texas.  I have lived in Connecticut, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.  At the time I was single and unattached and moving wherever I wanted to for a job was a great way to see the country and also figure out where I wanted to put down roots.

I lived here in the Dallas area from 2010-2012, moved back to Rhode Island from 2012-2013, and came back to Texas in 2013 where I have been ever since.

That year back in Rhode Island was the perfect year to be back because I got to be there for this little miss' first year of life.  From the day she was born until her first birthday.  I moved back to Texas two weeks after her first birthday.  She loves her Auntie Nichole though and we chat every week.  She was tickled when I FaceTimed her on her iPad this past weekend.

I LOVE to bake and love to try out new cakes.  This is the German chocolate cake that I make for my fiance for his birthday every year.  Except this year, this year he wants chess pie instead.

I took the trip of a lifetime in October of 2014.  I went on a solo trip to Hawaii.  It was a reward trip for myself.  I had lost 100 pounds after having had weightloss surgery the year before (you can read about that here) and I was wrapping up my doctorate degree.  I spent a week in paradise and loved every minute. Riding that high, I came back to Texas and two weeks later, met this guy.

He was who I had been waiting my whole life to meet.  Our first date lasted three hours.  We met at the Foundry in Dallas and sat outside and had a drink.  That drink lasted three hours, despite the chill in the air.  I knew from that night that he was the one.  He's smart, funny, well read, we have fun together and I love coming home to him every night.

We've traveled a bit - Enchanted Rock in Fredricksburg, TX; we've been to New England a few times.  We're off to New York in a couple of months and then Hawaii for our honeymoon.  We've also been to Vegas!

We went to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve 2015.  We toured the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, we explored the Strip, ate at lots of great restaurants, saw a Cirque du Soleil show, and we got engaged!  Just before midnight on December 31 is when Phillip proposed.  We were waiting for the fireworks to start at midnight.  It was perfect.  It would have been an amazing trip regardless, but the proposal made the trip that much more special.

We love traveling, but we also love our home city of Dallas.  We love going to see the Mavericks, the Stars, and the Rangers.  We've been to the Opera, to see Broadway shows, we've been to the Fair, we've done overnights at fancy hotels, and tried lots of restaurants.  We love being tourists in our own city.

Other stuff about me...I'm the eldest of three siblings!  My sister is three years younger than me and my brother is ten years younger.  They've all been to Dallas to visit and I love when they get to come down.  My sister is also mama to my niece and she's a fantastic mom.

I've got two cats.  Jack, my tabby, was a rescue as a kitten when I lived in Boston.  He's 12 now and is enjoying his senior years.  He's not the jumper he used to be but he's a fair hunter and will chase down any Mayfly that may sneak into the house.  Kate, my tortie, is a goofy, daffy, sweetheart of a cat.  She's 9 and is usually found pacing the dinner bowl.  #sigh #shesnotfatshesfloofy

I love to read!  I've been reading since I was three.  I love all genres and I am sure my love of reading anything and everything helped me out when I was on Jeopardy!  Yup - I was a contestant on the show.  I won!  Only one day, but the whole experience was a huge bucket list item of mine.

After my weightloss surgery I picked up running and I love it.  I'm good for about 3 miles and then my breathing starts to get the better of me.  If I could figure out my breathing, I could probably go longer as my legs are fine.  I just end up with a stitch in my side around the 2.8 mark.

I love listening to podcasts - my current faves include Crimetown, S-Town, My Favorite Murder, The Popcast with Knox and Jamie, and the Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey.

I am a Barre addict.  I recently completed my 100th class at Pure Barre Las Colinas.  I love it.  I love how it makes me feel, I love the workout I get, and I love the people at the studio - the owner, the instructor, the clients.  3-4 times a week, you can find me at the studio.

I have signed on in the last few months as a Stella & Dot Stylist. 

I have loved their jewelry for years and signing on as stylist will help me with some personal goals.  Here I am wearing the super popular rebel pendant, the knot hoop earrings, and a wrap bracelet.  I love how versatile the jewelry is and believe in the mission of the company.  It's a win-win for everyone.  Every Tuesday I post about how I am styling my Stella & Dot.  If you ever see something you like, you can order here or email me at nichole@themrsfisher.com.

And that's a little bit about me!  If you have questions about anything, please feel free to ask in the comments or shoot me an email at nichole@themrsfisher.com

Enjoy the rest of the week and I'll see you back here on Friday for Friday Favorites.

xoxoxoxo