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Written by Melly
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Thursday, 01 January 2009 08:13 |
2009.
I wasn't really ready for the new year, especially considering how the month of December alone ran me over like a mack truck. Normally, I can't wait for NYE and I'm excited to begin a new year but this year was, well, just meh. I haven't been sleeping well so I am tired and dark circled and I just feel sorta of zombiesque. But I know this will pass eventually and well, whether I am ready or not, it's 2009. So I decided to focus on what I want 2009 to look like. Here are my resolutions:
1) Complete items on my life list.
2) Take better care of myself. This means eating better, getting more exercise, drinking more water, taking more "me" time.
3) Be a happier person. Less cynical.
4)Take more trips (even if it's just a short overnight or weekend trip).
5) Achieve PMP certification.
6)Curse less.
7) Go to church more.
8) Wear more dresses.
9) Write (more) in my blog.
10) Fall in love.
11) Make a difference.
I want to thank each of you for all your love and support. I will be grieving the loss of my mom forever, but because of great friends like you, I know that I am never alone.
What have you resolved to do in 2009? |
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 09 December 2008 06:35 |
You must pardon my blog neglect as of late, but November ran me over like a mack truck and now December has whipped it in reverse and is going back over me to make sure I'm really REALLY flattened.
A lot is going on with me personally and more specifically with a few folks involved in my inner circle and I just can't even muster the gumption to share all the tales with you. Trust me, you wouldn't be that interested anyhow. But, if you know me, you know already, so I guess this paragraph doesn't make much sense.
Shut up.
So, December. Yeah.
I wish I could say that I'm all merry and festive but truth be told, I'm not so big on the yuletide cheer. I am one of those snobby people who believe that Christmas is too commercialized and I just loathe anyone who has to run out and charge up their credit cards for the latest games systems and iPods and ultimately forcing me to wait in long lines while I try to buy paper towels at Target. Damn each and every one of you.
I don't hate the Christmas holiday outright, mostly because I love giving gifts to my kids and since Bennett still believes in Santa, it makes it even more enjoyable. He's at that cusp of almost not believing though, so I figure this very well will be the last year. Realistically though, how long can we really expect our kids to believe that a fat, white-bearded man in a red suit comes barreling down our chimney once a year and somehow no one has shot him yet. And don't even get me started on the flying deer.
I would have to say though that the part of the holiday that I enjoy the most is celebrating Advent. We didn't have a whole lot of traditions surrounding the holidays when I was a kid, religious or otherwise. I really can't do much about the commercialization of Christmas, but I figured that I could try to give my kids some traditions which would focus on the real reasons we celebrate this holiday, so every Sunday we sit down together for a feastful dinner and light the Advent candles and read scripture, celebrate and give thanks. The kids enjoy this too because I bust out the good dishes and wine glasses and it's just...well, special. This leads up to Christmas Eve where every year when we go to church for a candle light service and sing Christmas carols and then everyone from our church goes on a Donut Outreach in the city. This basically involves delivering Krispy Creme donuts to people who have to work on Christmas Eve.
Mmmm...Krispy Cremes.
What are some of your holiday traditions? |
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Written by Melly
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Friday, 07 November 2008 07:10 |
Oh yeah. So, I can't believe that I almost forgot to tell you about the nice visitor who showed up at my house on Sunday!
I had just arrived home from a quick shopping trip to IKEA, and just as I was getting out of my car in the driveway, I found this guy waiting to say Hi:
I can handle a lot of things but snakes are not in that list. I made Kaylie run into the house to get Jessen. She did, but being the true photographer she is, also came back out with her camera. Guess she couldn't pass up the photo op. Poor little Bennett was petrified and wouldn't get out of the car.
Jessen came out to survey the situation and then ran back in and grabbed an old sweater and some grilling tongs. I honestly am not sure what he had in mind so I decided to take it upon myself to get this situation handled as quickly as possible. That is when I did what any unmarried, self-respecting, snake-fearing woman would do and ran to the neighbors house to ask for help.
Long story short, one neighbor came over (he was also pretty afraid of snakes) and held the snake off from going anywhere with a very long stick. Then the other neighbor across the street ended up coming over with a friend who just walked over and picked the snake up with his bare effing hands. Freakin; show off.
They carried him to the woods across the street behind their house and like that he was gone. But I am scarred for life.
Even looking at this picture gives me flashbacks and makes me pull my legs up into my chair.
Bleh. |
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Written by Melly
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Wednesday, 05 November 2008 07:28 |
I am so incredibly proud today.
Way to go America!!!!!
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 04 November 2008 06:11 |
photo from our front yard, by Kaylie.
I voted. Did you? |
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Written by Melly
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Wednesday, 29 October 2008 12:51 |
drinking the kool -aid
should have done this tuesday
only for my friend |
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Written by Melly
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Monday, 06 October 2008 13:15 |
So, yeah. Do you remember that I have a blog? I know, right?!
Life's been busy and even a little exciting over the last few weeks. Kaylie had her senior photos taken a few weeks ago. Check them out on the photographer's site . I am so pleased with how they turned out and I really feel like they are a true reflection of Kaylie's personality. I actually cried when I first saw them. I think it was a combination of realizing that she is all grown up and just an overwhelming feeling that I was losing my baby girl. Of course, I'm not losing her...she's just moving on to a different phase of her life. But it just makes me so sad to think how much I'm going to miss her when she goes away to ASU in the fall.
Jessen just finished the water polo season this past weekend. They didn't make it to state championships, but they played really well and kicked ass when it counted. I felt like poo all weekend (fighting a bad cold) but I managed to suck it up and cheer him on with all I had. Who needs a voice anyway?
I am really impressed at what a good player Jessen is and what a great player he is becoming. He's played both JV and Varsity all season. Although he is a junior this year, this is only his second year playing water polo so the coach is utilizing him at both levels. I think this is ended up working out very well because it gets him a lot of playing time in the JV games, plus he is a strong leader for the first year players. I am certain he will be a varsity starter next year. There will be a lot of senior players next year so I'm confident they will take it to State. Go VIKINGS!
I've really been wanting to sit down and write a post about the Presidential race but I've simply been lacking any motivation to do so. But you know me, and you know that I can hardly contain myself and my opinions about the candidates and especially what a jackass Sarah Palin is, so expect something in the next couple of days now that I'm back on the wagon and no longer neglecting my blog.
And with me being all hopped up on DayQuil, who knows what other sorts of fun stuff I might write about! |
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Written by Melly
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Monday, 22 September 2008 13:36 |
They finally restored my power yesterday morning around 6:30am. Yep, a full 7 days after it went out.
Who knew Hurricane Ike winds would blow all the way to Ohio???? I don't think you all understand how crazy shit got around here. At one point, nearly 1.2 million people were without power. I waited in line at the gas station on Monday for over an hour because the line was so long. Our corporate office actually pulled people from our office to go work in stores.
I have to admit that by the end I was nearing the point of punching someone in the face. Not that I cared so much about not having TV or even being able to warm up something in the oven, it was more just the stress of feeling like I had no control and I wasn't giving my family what they needed. But I did miss TV a little. Also having to dry my hair in the ladies room at work sucked big ass.
So, when it was restored yesterday morning I leapt from bed, hollered , "WooHoo" at the top of my lungs and immediately put in a load of laundry and vaccuumed. Because that's what OCD people like me do.
I read this on Wednesday and I think it pretty well sums up my observations of the whole experience quite well. One good thing that came of it was that I felt like I got to slow down and connect a little more with my kids. Something about playing Uno by candlelight that brings a family closer together. It's made me thing that perhaps having an "unplugged" night once a week isn't a bad idea.
Who's with me?
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Written by Melly
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Wednesday, 17 September 2008 10:11 |
Pardon my brevity.....
but I've been without power since Sunday afternoon and I'm currently pretty close to losing my fucking mind.
Will update more later. |
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Written by Melly
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Monday, 25 August 2008 11:23 |
Dear Barrack Obama:
Thanks for throwing the election by adding Biden as your running mate.
You suck.
You pretty much just cinched a win for McCain. I hope you are happy with that.
So much for your "change the world" crap. Biden is simply more of the same.
He's ancient. He's boring. He adds nothing to the ticket. He is not progressive.
So, great. Looks like I'll be moving to Australia after all because I can't handle 4 more years of this and McCain (who will likely choose Romney as his running mate) is so far up Bush's ass he might as well be his gay lover.
In fact, you choosing Biden means that we get stuck with 4 more years of republicans up our ass so I guess you could just view it as one huge gay up-the-ass fest.
Way to go.
It's a sad day for democrats.
Sincerely,
Melly |
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Written by Melly
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Wednesday, 13 August 2008 03:31 |
Twenty years ago today I got my first driver's license.
I worked at Michigan's Adventure making $2.50 per hour.
Bambi was my best friend and we did everything together.
Ronald Reagan was president.
A postage stamp cost 0.22.
Gas was 0.89/gallon.
I survived on Mountain Dew and Reeces Peanut Butter cups.
I wore stonewashed jeans and bangle bracelets and Exclamation! perfume.
I liked boys who wore leather jackets and drove muscle cars.
The blockbuster movies of the summer were "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "Die Hard"
I watched MTV videos and Geraldo Rivera.
Steve Winwood's, "Roll With It" was the #1 song in the country.
The world is a much different place now than it was then. I am not much different though.
A little older. A little wiser.
Well, a lot older.
But despite all the time that has passed, deep down, I think there is still a lot of that same girl I was then left in me. I just love myself a hell of a lot more now than I did back then.
And instead of Steve Winwood, I'm listening to Oasis.
Oh, fuck it. Who am I kidding? I'm still listening to Steve Winwood.
Here's to (hopefully) the best year of my life.
So far. |
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Written by Melly
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Monday, 11 August 2008 12:45 |
Move over Jack Black.....there's something leaner.
I just wanted everyone to know that last Thursday night while I was down at the Great American Ball Park for a demo, I stood 10 feet from the hottest man on the planet. 
Of course, he had no idea that I was even alive but it was still thrilling.
6'5", musician, athletic. Oh the things I would do to him given the opportunity.
I think I'll add that one to my "life list": Do Bronson Arroyo. |
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Written by Melly
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Thursday, 31 July 2008 08:31 |
July has nearly killed me.
I can't believe how overwhelming and busy this summer has been, but July especially. Of course, this explains my sporadic posting.
Right. Of course it does.
The month started out with my friend, Kim (hi Kim!) and her kids visiting for a week. They are from Washington State but came to visit via Michigan and then continued on to Texas. Yeah, she takes the long way around. Anyhow, I had not seen her in like 18 years, so it was great to spend some time and catch up. We spent one day at the pool, went to the park a lot and managed to make it down to the Newport Aquarium one day which was a great time. Her kids are also a freaking riot. I won't go into too much detail but let me just say that we spent an entire evening sitting in my living room, laughing to the point of tears, listening to her sons regale us with their poop stories.
See, I told you it's better, that I don't go into too much detail.
The kids finished up summer swim league last week with Championships on Monday and Tuesday. All three did really well, and they each beat their best time of the season. Jessen ended up placing 10th in 200 freestyle and 12th in 200 backstroke overall and both he and Kaylie placed in their relays. Bennett didn't get beyond Day 1 qualifiers but did place 2nd in his heat and beat his best time. This was his first year on the team and its phenomenal how much he's improved in just a few weeks. I also got to be the "tent mom" for a few hours on Day 1 Qualifiers and even got to carry around a walkie talkie radio to make it official. How sad is that, although I work in technology and I'm around high tech gadgets and crap all the time, I get crazy giddy over being able to carry around a walkie talkie???? I think I will address this in therapy.
Bennett turned 8 this past Sunday and I am hosting his "Camp Out Birthday Party" at our house tomorrow night for him and his friends. We have 7 boys RSVP'd so it should be a blast. I'm setting up the tents in the backyard tomorrow morning and getting the rest of the festivities together for the kids to arrive at 6pm. We'll grill out and go on a long evening hike, play games, make s'mores, tell some spooky stories and then the highlight of the evening will be that we're going to watch a movie outside. I've borrowed a projector from a friend at work and I'll hook it up outside to my laptop and then project the movie on a sheet hanging from the deck. I'm stoked about it and I think the kids will really like it too. I just really want it to be a success and a party that Bennett will always remember.
There doesn't appear to be much of a slowdown coming in August either. School starts August 19 so the next few weeks will be focused on shopping for clothes and supplies and getting physicals and such. It's hard to believe, but it's Kaylie's senior year.
I know. WTF?
Wasn't it just yesterday that she started kindergarten? It's hard to explain but I am so happy for her and so very sad at the same time. My little girl!!! There's much to be done though! Scheduling senior photos, SATs, applying for scholarships, going to Phoenix to tour ASU....yep, September and October, you're killing me too.
Also, I'm turning 36 in a few days. I don't know why, but for some reason it just bothers me so much more than when I turned 35. Maybe it's because now I'll be tipping the higher end to 40? I guess it really shouldn't matter because most days I still feel inside like I'm 15. Ah well, nothing I can do to stop it...might as well embrace it.
So, I'm going to make an effort to be better about posting here. I've had a lot of good stuff on my mind. More to come.... |
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:24 |
Q. What's the difference between a blonde and bowling ball?
A. You can only fit 3 fingers in a bowling ball.
Q: Why do Blondes have TGIF written on their shoes?
A: Toes Go In First.
Q: What do SMART Blondes and UFOs have in common?
A: You always hear about them but never see them.
Q. What does a blonde put behind her ears to make her more attractive?
A. Her ankles.
Q. What do you say to a blonde who won't give in?
A. Here, have another beer.
Q. What does a blonde owl say?
A. What? What?
Q. What do you get when you turn 3 blondes upside down?
A. Two brunettes.
Q. What's the difference between a blonde and your job?
A. The job still sucks after six months.
Q. What do you call a blonde in a volkswagen?
A. "Farfromthinking"
Q. What is the difference between a blonde and a 747?
A. Not everyone has been in a 747.
Q: What do you call it when a blonde dies their hair brunette?
A: Artificial intelligence.
Q: Why are there no dumb brunettes?
A: Peroxide.
and the best one of them all......
Q: How do you tell if a bleach blonde did your landscaping?
A: The bushes are darker than the rest of the yard.
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 12:26 |
I got up at 3:30am so I could take Kaylie to the airport. She and her BFF, Lainey, are headed to Phoenix. Kaylie comes back on July 6 and Lainey will leave in a few days to go on to Hawaii to visit some of her family.
I wish I had family who lived in Hawaii I could go visit.
This is the longest that Kaylie has ever been away in one stretch. Well, minus that time when we lived in San Antonio and she was like 13 and she went to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. I think maybe then she was gone for 10 days, however, I didn't have to worry about her going to shows and strangers driving her around and premarital sex. In all seriousness though, I don't worry so much about the premarital sex part because, well, she's a very good girl. I know, I know, the moms on the Maury Povich show probably thought their daughters were good girls too before they started dating 38 year old men and acting like total whores, but I truly don't think I'm just fooling myself. She's very responsible and mature and she wants a lot out of life. Part of that would be actually continuing to breathe, because she knows damn well that would end if I ever had to face becoming a grandmother in my thirties.
I just really miss her when she's gone. I don't have a lot of friends and even fewer girlfriends. I just can't count on other people and it seems like no one ever meets my expectations of what a true friend should be. It's been really nice that over the last few years as Kaylie has grown and matured that she and I have built a good relationship and a friendship. I think I'd like her even if I hadn't gone through 8 hours of painful labor and pushed her 8lb 14oz body out of my yoohoo to bring her into this world.
So, yeah, I'm pretty whipped today. Kind of in that daze, where I don't feel tired enough to sleep, but I just can't keep my mind focused on the things I should be doing. I'd rather be home laying on the sofa catching up on what's on the DVR. But alas, that won't happen either. Tonight the boys have a swim meet and must be there by 5pm and since it's against a big team it will probably go on for a long time and we'll finally roll into the house about 10pm. THEN, I'll definitely be ready to sleep.
In other news, I've made the decision to try to overcome my caffeine addiction. I hate the idea of being so dependent on it to get me the energy to get through the day. I rarely drink coffee but I'm a serious diet coke head. I've known for a long, long time how bad it is for me but I think it just might help cure me of various ailments I suffer from. I am hoping it will relieve some of my GERD symptoms and I will get better sleep. That is providing I can survive the withdrawal. I got horrible headaches when I've tried to quit cold turkey. This time I'm being more realistic about it and have started to taper off how much I drink, replacing it with water. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. |
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Written by Melly
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Thursday, 19 June 2008 07:32 |
1. I think I need therapy. Seriously. I've come to the conclusion that there is something mentally wrong with me. Why you ask? Well, have you ever thought to yourself, "Self, why is Melissa still single? She's a smart girl, not unfortunate looking, funny, witty, cool as fuck. Why hasn't she snagged herself a good man?" Well, believeyoume I have asked myself this very question also. The answer? I only seem to want unattainable men. They seem to be the only ones I'm attracted to these days. You know, ones that are in a relationship, married, gay. Yep, I want them. Single and free? I don't seem to be interested. Oy Vey.I'm not sure exactly what to do with that eiphany, but I'll think about it and let you know.
2. I'm not doing enough for myself. I feel like in the last year or so the balance between me and the kids has shifted and it seems like now I'm only living in their lives, activities, etc. It's been a long time since I've done anything just for me. Had fun with friends (friends? what friends?), went shopping by myself, spent some quality time with myself, anything. Not that I don't love being so involved in their lives because I absolutely do. I just need to get back some sort of a balance. I thought I might be able to do that while I was in Orlando but I was so busy and running all the time that I came back more exhausted than I was when I left.I need to go to see live music and play darts and go to the gym and drink some wine. I'm going to work on this.
3. I really need a freaking pedicure. This probably goes with the one above but this is my list so suck it. |
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Written by Melly
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Wednesday, 11 June 2008 08:27 |
This is a TARGET RICH environment. The men outnumber the women like 10,000 to 1.
If I am still single this time next year, I will come back and spend a lot of time in the hotel bar.
Florida is so effing humid.
I love that the men's bathroom is the one with lines instead of the ladies room.
have received so much swag from vendors. It's only day 2 and I have like 10-12 t shirts.
How can hotels justify charging $2 for a bottle of diet coke in the vending machine?
I am a geek. |
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 03 June 2008 12:51 |
The Cicadas have taken over in my neighborhood. They are absolutely everywhere. No lie. In the trees, around the trees, in the grass, in my ass...oh sorry...didn't mean to get all Dr. Seuss there.
But really, they're everywhere. After some googling I have determined that these are the XIV brood. I recall like 3 or 4 years ago there being this big hub bub about the cicadas and how there were supposed to be so many but I think they were wrong. I have seen more cicadas in the last week and half than anyone should in their lifetime.
I first noticed it early one morning after walking my dogs. I took them into the backyard and in the haze of the morning light I noticed the grass was moving. So I peered in to take a closer look....looked around...no wind blowing....that's when I realized. There was something IN the grass. All I can say is thank God I wasn't wearing flip flops.
Now they are everywhere. Their empty shells stuck on the trees and falling on my head when I'm walking underneath them. My dogs can't get enough of them. They eat them like they are little morsels of the best puppy goodness they have every tasted. I'll just look over and hear the crunch, crunch, crunch. Mmmm...high in protein.
Kaylie is terrified of them. She runs to wherever she's going when she has to go outside. I seriously might have to get her therapy after this.
I am not afraid...I mean they don't bite or sting. But they are big and gross. And I'm not a huge fan of big and gross bugs. I suppose as big and gross bugs go though, they are probably on the more tolerable end.
Oh, and did I mention that they screech? Yeah, I go outside in the afternoon and its like a chorus of high pitched, screaming, horny big and gross bugs. Millions of them. It also seems that they have a big ole crush on my lawnmower too because as soon as I start mowing everyone seems to want to come to the party.
But, I have to admit that, as much as they gross me out with their bigness and their grossness, I have empathy for these creatures. I mean, I know how long it's been since I got a little something something...imagine what they go through. Burrowing up through the ground after being down there for 17 years, just to rise to the surface, shed their skin, mate one time just to get a fungus shortly after and then their ass falls off and they die.
This would make for a great sex ed class. |
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Written by Melly
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Tuesday, 27 May 2008 08:50 |
Things for which I am glad today:
* shortened work week
* the swimming pool is open at the rec
* Bennett has a baseball game tonight
* I am off on-call rotation tomorrow
* caffeine
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