tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18468541614087055512024-03-13T13:31:16.140-07:00Life by Mel B.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-76925243313665206082011-07-26T10:50:00.000-07:002011-07-26T10:50:36.683-07:00I Washed a Truck.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I washed a truck. I spent an hour washing a truck on Sunday. It was dirty and I had an hour to kill, so I figured I just wash it and enjoy the sunshine at the same time. Simple as that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pulled the truck out to the middle of the driveway. I put the carwash soap in the big orange bucket and added water. I watched the bubbles as they multiplied and loved that the water was warm from the sun. I grabbed the sponge. I even grabbed the step stool so I could reach the hood and roof. I sprayed the truck down and started cleaning. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is when it became more than just washing a truck.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was my husband’s truck. A gray 2006 F-150 he has named ‘Hefe’ and I have named ‘Daddy’s Truck’. It’s nothing flashy. It’s not lifted. It doesn’t have huge wheels on it. The front two windows aren’t even tinted. It looks like a normal F-150, but to me it holds so many memories – memories I have never even considered until I washed it. Alone. On a sunny day.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chris bought this truck after he returned from his last deployment to Afghanistan. I put the first tear in the upholstery not long after it was purchased. He was thrilled. We moved most of our house in the bed of that thing. We have watched fireworks from the tail gate. We have gone on many dates. We brought our daughter home in that truck. In the snow and ice and it kept us safe. We dropped Chris off for this deployment in his truck. All of his gear took up the entire backseat. Most recently I ran over our friends son’s toy lawn mower as I was trying to back it into the driveway. Yes, I replaced it. When Chris comes home on leave and when he comes home for good we will pick him up in Hefe. We will start where we left off. In. That. Truck.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never knew a vehicle with 4 wheels could mean so much. I never realized that I would be so affected by cleaning it. I didn’t realize that I would cry halfway through. I didn’t realize that I would smile at the same time. I had no idea I would feel so much pride. I had no idea a gray F-150 could represent so much of what Chris and I are. </span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I drove it for the rest of the day on Sunday. I didn’t want to let go of everything it helped me feel during its bath.</span> </span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-18080713951693791502011-07-22T14:24:00.000-07:002011-07-22T14:24:16.520-07:00Wreaths.....what's not to love?!?!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what calms me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gives me a sense of peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically provides immediate gratification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past few months I haven’t been making much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask me why and I wouldn’t be able to tell you but a few days ago I just felt I had to make something, so off to pinterest I went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever been to that site?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, if not it’s…um….addicting in all forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out, </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/"><span style="color: #9d454f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.pinterest.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and follow me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and get ready to fall in love and waste your entire afternoon looking through everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So a few nights ago I put Kennedy to bed and started in on this small little wreath project while I watched Company Men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever seen it? If not, you can skip it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I started cutting and tying and hot glue gunning and viola…..this is what came of it:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipopuUTHRB8ya_oH5rM-4rQPGrV2QqQCtSx7e8k6p13dz34i01__ZrFmY54UGScwJd2QKv0zY6Jy8k38J9i0vmsW-6YB1sdiZkqulWjqePFkE0ADZkWEMMTegJQRIaNH2WZS4gbYmKfmRz/s1600/DSCN1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipopuUTHRB8ya_oH5rM-4rQPGrV2QqQCtSx7e8k6p13dz34i01__ZrFmY54UGScwJd2QKv0zY6Jy8k38J9i0vmsW-6YB1sdiZkqulWjqePFkE0ADZkWEMMTegJQRIaNH2WZS4gbYmKfmRz/s320/DSCN1201.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK8EJjs96swUuFYjvQEBSsIVM8LCsTf5Dwj4v9L42kodoxKwzPXL459GqusocOk5596IFyDwh5neEzabcBS4kLVILPwglCpIotJD1dIfprp1VeuPgx5xr0kEuYpfwpLzwyVHUPM-fiLEx/s1600/DSCN1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK8EJjs96swUuFYjvQEBSsIVM8LCsTf5Dwj4v9L42kodoxKwzPXL459GqusocOk5596IFyDwh5neEzabcBS4kLVILPwglCpIotJD1dIfprp1VeuPgx5xr0kEuYpfwpLzwyVHUPM-fiLEx/s320/DSCN1204.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love it and think it turned out great! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I need to do now is make another one for my second door. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got my inspiration from a this Halloween wreath I saw yesterday:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUBTCkma3fWiJe_mE_8vtqC3BWUX34MS3a_VBnIPARQneBI3avFI4CqzHjEhiL-IumE2GEssXPCYyOzX6SZoS6EeVF8AwfXVdCL0HuAvI0_ic-U45x60wkUMwzgFOW_FINXMn9TkT6aD-/s1600/BOO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUBTCkma3fWiJe_mE_8vtqC3BWUX34MS3a_VBnIPARQneBI3avFI4CqzHjEhiL-IumE2GEssXPCYyOzX6SZoS6EeVF8AwfXVdCL0HuAvI0_ic-U45x60wkUMwzgFOW_FINXMn9TkT6aD-/s320/BOO.jpg" width="313" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just changed the fabric and added the flowers because I super puffy heart cloth flowers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are interested in seeing the tutorial, visit </span><a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2010/09/boo-wreath-tutorial.html"><span style="color: #9d454f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2010/09/boo-wreath-tutorial.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great weekend everyone!!</span>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-9088185586677636442011-07-15T13:11:00.000-07:002011-07-15T13:11:53.797-07:00It's been a while.....so here is where I will start....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things I have learned and/or accomplished over the past four months:</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have made financial decisions….and felt good about them</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met with our financial advisor for the first times since we got married….not smart, I know but that was something I didn’t want to be a part of…now I am…it feels good</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have potty trained our daughter – with the wonderful help of her teachers at school and our family</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have had both cars maintenance and even washed one of them…..this is huge and I can hear my husband laughing now!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have managed to get Kennedy to go to sleep every night after 3 songs, no less than 2 hugs and 4 kisses and typically 2 or 3 good nights and I love yous</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have mastered our sprinklers and have managed to water our lawn so it stays green – with the help of our awesome neighbors</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have fallen asleep even when scared and learned that I will still wake up and will then not be scared anymore</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have woken up even when I didn’t want to or didn’t think I had the strength or the courage to make it through another ‘getting ready’ debacle with Kennedy</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have cried – not in front of many people because I just can’t…..but I have cried…..many tears</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have prayed – I’m still trying to figure out who I’m praying to (so give me breathing room on this) but I have still prayed and asked for help</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have eaten cereal on the kitchen floor with Kennedy</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have fallen in love with Friday Night Lights……a little late but it’s still amazing</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have learned what it means to make time for ‘me’ and I’ve learned to never take it for granted</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have managed to do the dishes, make two kinds of dinner, feed the dogs, pay bills and text all at the same time</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have realized that being a single parent is one of the hardest things I have EVER had to do and I take great pride in knowing that I can do it. I don’t ever want to do this again, but it’s a nice feeling to know I can make it happen</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have learned that if I’m prepared I can grocery shop with Kennedy and be in and out of the store within 20 minutes</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have learned that a good book is a mini vacation</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have remembered to put the garbage out every week and have stopped cussing Chris out every time I have to do it</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have struggled with doing a blog post because I over analyze everything I have to say, everything I have to share, everything I think, everything I do…..so when I’m at the point of putting it on paper I just assume I will bore the crap out of all of you. BUT I need to realize that this blog is my outlet. This is where I get to say my piece. This is where I get to leave it and move on.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My life right now feels pretty good. When Chris left I struggled everyday to figure out if I could do this. Could I make everything happen that needed or needs to happen on a daily basis? For months I second guessed myself. For months I told myself I could. For months I worried about getting everything done. And guess what? One day last week I woke up and I realized that I AM doing all of this. I’m doing everything I wasn’t sure I could do. I know that sounds a little lame and sometimes I probably make it sound like my life and my responsibilities are the hardest things in the world to accomplish…..they aren’t…I know they aren’t…but for me they are difficult. Why do I think they are so difficult? Because I want to do everything and accomplish everything in the best possible light and with the best possible outcome. But DUDE, that is a lot of pressure to put on any one person. And when YOU are the one putting the pressure on yourself you can end up backing yourself into a corner feeling like you are too scared to try. I have learned slowly that I need to be more gentle with myself, trust myself more, not take myself so seriously and as my dear Aunt Sherry would say…..don’t sweat the small shit!</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m standing, I’m doing this and damn it I’m proud of myself!</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-37707690047238110432011-03-28T22:10:00.000-07:002011-03-28T22:10:17.896-07:00Update and Cake Pops<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been a little slow at updating the blog, not because I don’t want to but at the end of the day I’m just BEAT and simply want to sit and do nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when I do that then I feel like I’m not using the blog for what I created it for……me to just dump my thoughts into. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let’s see if I can provide some highlights of the last few weeks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Visit with Chris:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, we got to see Chris at the base last weekend. You may be thinking ‘how awesome’ and yes it was but no it wasn’t…if that makes any sense at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it was great to see him and give him a big hug and kiss but at the same time I couldn’t get too excited because there was always that possibility that his training schedule could change at the drop of a hat and then we wouldn’t be able to see him at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of that I didn’t let myself get excited and I obviously didn’t tell Kennedy where we were going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I refuse to get this sweet little girl pumped up to see her Dad if there is even a slight change it won’t work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully this time it worked out!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy was thrilled to see him and talked his ear off and have him some good hugs and kisses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me, I was pretty subdued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, I was happy to see him but at the same time I have shut off a certain part of my brain and my heart just so that I can survive and get through this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I am experiencing is normal and expected but I just didn’t think it would happen so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I love Chris with everything I have but for the next year it’s the Mel and Kennedy show and in order for me to be able to function I have to turn off that switch or else I would be a friggin WRECK and turns out that’s not a good look for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So…..my little wall is up and I march forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully Chris knows all of this and fully expects it…….I thank my lucky stars for such an understanding individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m blessed FOSHO!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Keepin’ Busy:</b> We are keeping so busy that I have to remember to slow down!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have surrounded our family with the best possible extended family and friends that anyone could ask for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are constantly being invited over for play dates, lunches, dinners or just a quick chat and I can’t tell you how much EVERY single invitation means to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of you keep me going and I can’t thank you enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope one day that I can repay EVERYONE for everything you have done for me and continue to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly hope you all know how much I appreciate you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Projects:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have like 5 in my head I want to do SO bad but I have to slow my roll!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m STILL working on my office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I realize this is taking FOREVER but I have to keep everything in perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to slow it down and just do a little at a time because if I don’t I will put too much pressure on myself and I will start to feel overwhelmed and that isn’t the idea or the goal as to why I want to continue with these small projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So……I will do my projects slowly and I will enjoy them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OH, but I did try to make Cake Pops over the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um, two words….HOT MESS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What possessed me to try these?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, well my friend Tawsha tried it about a week before and blogged about it at </span><a href="http://www.mybigdayplanner.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.mybigdayplanner.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and as soon as I saw her pictures (not much better than mine) I thought ‘Ok, I GOTAA try this!!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to figure out where Tawsha went wrong (she is good at just about EVERYTHING) and figure out how to master this so both of us could make these friggin things with our eyes closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um yeah….we ain’t even close!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea came from Bakerella at <span style="font-family: "Cambria", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/make-your-cupcakes-pop/">http://www.bakerella.com/make-your-cupcakes-pop/</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed the directions down to the last word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Everything was going great until it was time to put the balls of amazingness on the sticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And…..um….that is when this project went downhill!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there were a couple things that contributed to the debacle:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Maybe the balls were too big?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Stop laughing you 12 year olds!></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Maybe I used too much frosting….but is there really such a thing?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Maybe the balls were cold enough?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Maybe the frosting was too thick?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clearly there were a few things counting against me but I decided to move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean I had come this far why give up…right?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, up until this point I felt good!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I had it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then…..I put the stick in the ball, dipped it in the frosting and it looked like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPvesDXNzYJvq3VwtEE0sZJLHZHXGBMrOoxKCEB0D5gfo92ffyRvnLSv62pGjV9HVZcGj_zOKXNSwlgRKZHAXTr05a-Am4h-JtdDF3cG5fV-YyS4JlLroDAXhBDz2vw4Hp5oOF9cWHnj/s1600/IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPvesDXNzYJvq3VwtEE0sZJLHZHXGBMrOoxKCEB0D5gfo92ffyRvnLSv62pGjV9HVZcGj_zOKXNSwlgRKZHAXTr05a-Am4h-JtdDF3cG5fV-YyS4JlLroDAXhBDz2vw4Hp5oOF9cWHnj/s320/IMG_4728.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And 10 seconds later it looked like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF8TThVQAlYpGB1I0oNfxoA5nBaJuav0VZp4SNcWxAtLS23Kk_bj1DTKRi6JODiXJdnRJnKDKoUGfbDuh2oOGfWDFAkIaE4eJUWHhYqPQsvR0ZZgpm7A0G-xWcFXCe3CPKB7j_uykZ5Uo/s1600/IMG_4726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF8TThVQAlYpGB1I0oNfxoA5nBaJuav0VZp4SNcWxAtLS23Kk_bj1DTKRi6JODiXJdnRJnKDKoUGfbDuh2oOGfWDFAkIaE4eJUWHhYqPQsvR0ZZgpm7A0G-xWcFXCe3CPKB7j_uykZ5Uo/s320/IMG_4726.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried it a few more times and I got the same result, so I tossed the sticks and just dumped the balls of goodness into the frosting and let the kids decorate them, which they had fun doing =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT I’m still left with NO CAKE POPS!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTA8SZB49-kYib9jTbvBcl0OE1uTVWYphx9Gm2q2KHXHGl6jxd9Lzyl9rERJB6v1r28f_Al5MJ21R4QkdPPn9-dvzsQ6xdKdrwYYUB4MLMJqg4Df7B84iWQjqkovHlvORZxEoMytdY3eC/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTA8SZB49-kYib9jTbvBcl0OE1uTVWYphx9Gm2q2KHXHGl6jxd9Lzyl9rERJB6v1r28f_Al5MJ21R4QkdPPn9-dvzsQ6xdKdrwYYUB4MLMJqg4Df7B84iWQjqkovHlvORZxEoMytdY3eC/s320/IMG_4734.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These damn things will not beat me!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tawsha and I are on a mission…..WHOS with us?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TEAM CAKE POP!</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-20712419114119238312011-03-22T22:54:00.000-07:002011-03-22T22:54:19.077-07:00Family Pictures<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s no secret my sweet little punkin is not the one for photographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t mind if I snap a few pictures here and there but you bring a stranger into the mix with a big camera and put her in surroundings she isn’t sure of and well….you have a HOT MESS!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have tried to do family pictures several times and for whatever reason it didn’t work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either the weather was horrible, Kennedy would get sick OR we would schedule the session and try to get what we could based on her mood but in the end it was a HOT MESS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to have our close friend Mike with </span><a href="http://www.michaelbuzzelle.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.michaelbuzzelle.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> do some pictures because not only is he a GREAT friend and basically family to us but he is also a GREAT photographer but nope Kennedy would have nothing to do with it. She has a hard time with boys and doesn’t like the camera so add those two together and you have a craptasitc situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I tried to schedule with another photographer and it didn’t work out for whatever reason so at that point I was thinking that this just wasn’t in the cards for us UNTIL I was introduced to the very talented Becky Hales with </span><a href="http://www.beckyhalesphotography.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.beckyhalesphotography.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and I had to try again and after you look at her site you will see why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only downfall to Becky is that she lives in California but because I’m such a baller I decided to fly her up….HAHAHHA…I crack myself up…I’m kidding people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Becky is sisters with a friend of mine and told me that she would be in town for a week at the end of February so I pounced on her like a friggin Liger, you know, a lion and a tiger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully she was available and was able to book our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">YES, photos are scheduled and I’m actually excited and feeling good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will spare you all of the boring details but we still had to figure out outfits because they all had to somewhat match. We also had to figure out where to do the pictures AND if I wanted to include any props.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW…LOTS OF PRESSURE HERE!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So with the help of my RAD friends I was able to figure all of that out (you will see in the pictures shortly) but then the day of the pictures arrived and it was a HOT MESS!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was freezing cold out and when I say freezing I mean it was take your breath away cold and to add to that amazingness it was also windy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a little known fact about yours truly….wind makes me want to stab people! On top of that Kennedy hadn’t had a nap and I ‘thought’ she would be fine but she wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THEN we take her to the park OUTSIDE with new people she has never met before and asked her to ‘smile’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure she was mentally giving me the biggest finger EVER and turns out…..I deserved it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took this poor tired little girl into the freezing cold and expected her to be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um clearly I was in some other dimension of reality!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Kennedy barely smiled and although she didn’t look at the camera much and although Chris and I’s patience levels were wearing thin our pictures turned out AH-MAY-ZING!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR6fkDGPMxkWBj2qAKxAcJJ-Np9eAjc4j6J7rJge7VdYb-f2atBAhPbFwM0qV8zIIE9yL9UXtYGXhGdknRdNLK7TDWPBbcKYjt3kL6IOEVw9aFWqChmQDd6GHiLC9n5sebWPCZhgPszkY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR6fkDGPMxkWBj2qAKxAcJJ-Np9eAjc4j6J7rJge7VdYb-f2atBAhPbFwM0qV8zIIE9yL9UXtYGXhGdknRdNLK7TDWPBbcKYjt3kL6IOEVw9aFWqChmQDd6GHiLC9n5sebWPCZhgPszkY/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMCcLv407nSUY7wMXhMHjNdpaZ_tyWfeB6YUsGGJsVxx3VY1H9_eBRLSZm996hZY9W-hJsMpNFXSpelP3fBU3aI_I_yvlevT4_E9SAMW8zpHDdIXaa67fHcxQ3tgKhzqCUnshUxqvL2P4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMCcLv407nSUY7wMXhMHjNdpaZ_tyWfeB6YUsGGJsVxx3VY1H9_eBRLSZm996hZY9W-hJsMpNFXSpelP3fBU3aI_I_yvlevT4_E9SAMW8zpHDdIXaa67fHcxQ3tgKhzqCUnshUxqvL2P4/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xM1oDHebaYoS0jbvjDbF4AnhGDGe6zx5cNkDyHakHaPqhJsKdWqnCJf_TzOgXD-I_ijIThtBHBYgYn1mTIsVvpMq9lowwhDSGFeAiYU6qLCV-rKSA6VM4RuMInss074usF_1X5jzX60P/s1600/8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xM1oDHebaYoS0jbvjDbF4AnhGDGe6zx5cNkDyHakHaPqhJsKdWqnCJf_TzOgXD-I_ijIThtBHBYgYn1mTIsVvpMq9lowwhDSGFeAiYU6qLCV-rKSA6VM4RuMInss074usF_1X5jzX60P/s320/8b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are photographs that we will be something that we look at for years and I’m more than happy about how they turned out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you Katie for introducing me to Becky. Becky thank you for being awesome and thank you for bringing Chelsea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shelley thank you for letting me raid your closet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See…it takes a village to make anything a happen around here and I love this little village I live in!!</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-12428049945526483532011-03-16T21:33:00.000-07:002011-03-16T21:36:33.789-07:00Week 1 – COMPLETE<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yup, that’s right I’ve completed one ENTIRE week….that’s SEVEN days and I’ve already realized a few key notes and things that will take a backseat to my daily activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You interested in the list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will ALWAYS be dog prints on my hardwoods cause I will never have time to clean them in between cleans (every 3<sup>rd</sup> Tuesday)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Groceries will be purchased on an as needed basis…I don’t have time to determine what we ‘could’ or ‘should’ eat next Thursday, so if there is more than goldfish, pirates booty, chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese in my house then it’s a REALLY good week…..and dig in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dirty diapers (pee) may or may not constantly be sitting on the upstairs banister waiting to be taken downstairs….I have TWO hands and can only carry so much.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My bed will never be made….EVER</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chasing the dogs off the couches downstairs requires way too much energy, so I figured out a solution: flip up the cushions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOOYAH sucka! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thanks Kelly)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vacuuming will happen when I can’t remember the last time I vacuumed</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I think the house is just too dirty or disorganized to function I will toss in a new Scentsy scent and pretend it’s now clean and organized and go about my day</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My list is pretty short but I have a feeling it will grow as the weeks go on and on……and on……and friggin ON!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One more thing…..I’m so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open so I’m going to go pass out and watch the back of my eyelids for a good 9 hours.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More to come later……..like our family pictures =)</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-55377595522602245362011-03-13T22:19:00.000-07:002011-03-13T22:48:20.397-07:00Happy and Distracted<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all have defense mechanisms that trigger us to do things to either protect our hearts or our minds from either feeling something or thinking about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally I would say that you need to just feel what you feel and think about what you think about, but I’m not going to say that today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you feel something for so long and you think about something for so long that you just need a little distraction that tells your brain, ‘we are going to focus on something outside of YOU for a little bit!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people go for a drink (trust me I’m one of those people), some people go to the gym (Lord don’t I wish I was one of those), some sit down and eat (yup, been there many times)…..blah blah blah….you get the point – we all do something to distract ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, the two things that I LOVE doing are baking and crafts</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Insert Banana Bread - Something that makes me happy and relaxed is baking and one thing that I seem to make more than anything else is banana bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazingly enough I have never ended up eating the bread (maybe a piece here and there) because I am always making it for other people and to be honest, 99% of the time I make it for my friend Bethany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me there is something so therapeutic in baking but then I don’t want to be left with the finish product so I must give everything away (well let’s be real here….I don’t give everything away) and Bethany lives literally 50 feet from my front door and banana bread seems to be something she really enjoys so it’s basically a match made in heaven….I bake…she eats.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You wanna now the recipe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one actually came from Bethany and I keep losing it and asking for it over and over again so maybe this way I will always have it =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ingredients:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 or 4 ripe bananas (I normally use 5), smashed</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/3 cup melted butter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup sugar</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 egg, beaten</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon baking soda</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pinch of salt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ cups of all purpose flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Start with the mushy bananas that basically slide out of the peel…sounds super gross, right?!?!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASiA80grN8f3P6tosJrTKkp8h1ASXe5gcW1UMUHVlzoR6hyphenhyphenWEOOy5qS38xO_avFEYg5o6RbIHqvcjzVWf74pZQttCjq_jYj4rwKyFv5PZs0vdHPTTrN67AX7CzAFZmbBWMk7JWwQFvPO/s1600/DSCN0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcASiA80grN8f3P6tosJrTKkp8h1ASXe5gcW1UMUHVlzoR6hyphenhyphenWEOOy5qS38xO_avFEYg5o6RbIHqvcjzVWf74pZQttCjq_jYj4rwKyFv5PZs0vdHPTTrN67AX7CzAFZmbBWMk7JWwQFvPO/s320/DSCN0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a wooden spoon, mix the melted butter into the mashed bananas</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PqpQ7o0TW0pr41fEWwlba-6abSHF9K9WYB4r0SRe_6xNNDVbsc21_AM_TNeAPvuqOLRuLT4iG5R8IP1q5LwskNn48Zat9gvPj9XMsK4kA9pR_vtJF7Z0KJqEEbYhV9JDM6Yl5yqpR5PE/s1600/DSCN0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PqpQ7o0TW0pr41fEWwlba-6abSHF9K9WYB4r0SRe_6xNNDVbsc21_AM_TNeAPvuqOLRuLT4iG5R8IP1q5LwskNn48Zat9gvPj9XMsK4kA9pR_vtJF7Z0KJqEEbYhV9JDM6Yl5yqpR5PE/s320/DSCN0947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mix in the sugar, egg and vanilla</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sprinkle in baking soda and salt</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add the flour</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQipp5AmBqJgVFVnYEQPxTg5YYscu9IrJGIEeavZrosmH2GlpMnXARoDARBB53_ywdsMOOIBbsAI1lU5e-abfrYFd5UuBkqbcZHsdGh2Bq4qhDfmtxnRInu2o0qZe4Oxq2ykNRcsFVUy4g/s1600/DSCN0954-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQipp5AmBqJgVFVnYEQPxTg5YYscu9IrJGIEeavZrosmH2GlpMnXARoDARBB53_ywdsMOOIBbsAI1lU5e-abfrYFd5UuBkqbcZHsdGh2Bq4qhDfmtxnRInu2o0qZe4Oxq2ykNRcsFVUy4g/s320/DSCN0954-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pour into a buttered (I use Pam) 4x8 inch loaf pan</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywOXNUpO0kaXlDOnHf6nJbdbr3kvvlDkuCntXVrBabnJGUVvh3MBtY3lIMpDujWY2-At9KknM5M7lz6gX8aP9s6MPT7M5puDZQEQTyeUrnUZKI4-AhzFwFTU_oAGnUHxhywhXrAdQjPE2/s1600/DSCN0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywOXNUpO0kaXlDOnHf6nJbdbr3kvvlDkuCntXVrBabnJGUVvh3MBtY3lIMpDujWY2-At9KknM5M7lz6gX8aP9s6MPT7M5puDZQEQTyeUrnUZKI4-AhzFwFTU_oAGnUHxhywhXrAdQjPE2/s320/DSCN0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bake 1 hour on 350 (unless you have convection then you can bake it for about 50 minutes)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5emSV6MnFzl79Ccmee5HZjSUQft4yE-rhjK6vNgSgXJpFAiXbYy0LPjzHbEbn9BIDjPA6SJFoweAUksX6WubM1w6gcba_vQYMq7aTz9e2qjm6DKtfEcCG_b_uIYPKm2ctiqjqTx80Ldfg/s1600/DSCN0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5emSV6MnFzl79Ccmee5HZjSUQft4yE-rhjK6vNgSgXJpFAiXbYy0LPjzHbEbn9BIDjPA6SJFoweAUksX6WubM1w6gcba_vQYMq7aTz9e2qjm6DKtfEcCG_b_uIYPKm2ctiqjqTx80Ldfg/s320/DSCN0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SSOOOOOOOOO<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now on to crafting!! I love making things for friends and over the weekend a girlfriend of mine, Kimber had her baby shower for her 2<sup>nd</sup> baby so it was the perfect opportunity for me to get a tiny bit craft WITHOUT overwhelming myself, because turns out I can do that to myself real easily.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kimber and her husband have decided to not find out if they are having a boy or a girl, so I had to keep the gift gender natural and still manage to make something cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kimber is also a pretty crafty girl and loves fun things and ideas that she can use in the future so with that I hit the internet in search of something cute, easy and something she could actually use once the baby gets here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is what I found……CUPCAKE ONESIES!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I saw this picture and thought…..I GOTTA MAKE THAT! I mean who can't use onesies and receiving blankets? Done and done!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS86SRQC4ihpCpyWyyhSrKKDq5-kyptQNOoHOh_Q1CkovHkzUuOvw3AoALLFcmO-JpEq_0dDVn39E4pU0IqfDOswl6YSawi8nZzxES6puhiE7gWI_GrTJDR6JluAICmxEpdUgQojsO9Wv/s1600/IMGP3040%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS86SRQC4ihpCpyWyyhSrKKDq5-kyptQNOoHOh_Q1CkovHkzUuOvw3AoALLFcmO-JpEq_0dDVn39E4pU0IqfDOswl6YSawi8nZzxES6puhiE7gWI_GrTJDR6JluAICmxEpdUgQojsO9Wv/s1600/IMGP3040%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember, since I couldn’t make these ones gender specific they lack COLOR oh and my camera sucks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way Kimber said she loved the gift and it put a smile on her face so I was pleased =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjHo4nPfX-dHElK7oS1mKcrJpJtR68OoWLX8Y8IpZtjw0UZPX3VjacIM1F84Nx3_4Mdv14fOBNF3w8Vvc6M6qu-_p3WaDA5xFBZloZUiV9QggtVprfGBFvsDM8puUb_VGBGYukLwmVdxt/s1600/DSCN0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjHo4nPfX-dHElK7oS1mKcrJpJtR68OoWLX8Y8IpZtjw0UZPX3VjacIM1F84Nx3_4Mdv14fOBNF3w8Vvc6M6qu-_p3WaDA5xFBZloZUiV9QggtVprfGBFvsDM8puUb_VGBGYukLwmVdxt/s320/DSCN0964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are interested in making your own cupcake onesies, which I think would be AWESOME baby shower decorations, visit </span><a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/02/baby-onesie-cupcake-tutorial-and-sweet.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/02/baby-onesie-cupcake-tutorial-and-sweet.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> for a tutorial.</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-47878102085578548552011-03-07T21:48:00.000-08:002011-03-07T21:48:15.072-08:00No Title<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again…I’ve been gone longer than I expected. Time has gotten away from me and I’ve been focusing on everything and nothing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kennedy and I have 2 days left with Chris and he has 2 days left with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be wondering how we are doing and I’d say we are doing fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the surface you would have no idea what we are about to face and I think we prefer it that way for right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we are both to a point of talking about it just irritates us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then again, look at what I’m doing right now….I’m talking about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t irritate us when people ask us about how we are doing but I think it irritates us to talk about it to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have gone over the game plan for months and months and months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if we discuss it one more time I’m going to lose my sh*t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t know the answer to how to do X task, then I will just need to figure it out when the time comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Done and Done!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have had so many calls and emails and cards sent in the mail to us and I appreciate ALL of them more than you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t put into words how much I appreciate all of my friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And please know that I will come knocking on your door for help and I will call you when I need a friend to talk to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may even invite myself over for dinner and stay till bed time =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now I don’t know what I want/need but as soon as I do I will be asking.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have had a lot of people ask me ‘How do you do this?’ and I’ve always answered, ‘I do it because I have to and there is no other choice’ but I recently came across a website/blog written by other Army wives and this particular post sums up exactly why I do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously some parts don’t pertain to me, like the fact that this woman use to be a soldier and she is headed into her husband’s 4<sup>th</sup> deployment, but everything else basically rings true to me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://herwarhervoice.com/blog/?p=1317"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://herwarhervoice.com/blog/?p=1317</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve gotta be honest, I’m having a hard time keeping up on my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I want to dump all of my thoughts and feelings into this but I don’t want it to be viewed as me being an emotional wreck because that isn’t the case at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I don’t want to filter what I’m going through or what I’m feeling at that particular moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to figure out a good balance between raw emotion and fun topics to write about so please have patience with me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Update on office – it’s STILL not done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insert laugh here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another shelf needs to be added, a few paint touch ups and some small decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t lost focus on this project but it’s just taking a little more time than anticipated due to obvious reasons.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I promise to be back within the next 5 days with a fun baby shower project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I can’t post it right now because my girlfriend, Kimber (who is due in 3 weeks), may see it and it’s for her baby shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope it turns out as cute as I think it will!</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-78129718328988919452011-02-16T17:18:00.000-08:002011-02-16T17:18:00.468-08:00Parenting........<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Earlier today I was checking Facebook (shocking, I know) and a friend of mine (Sarah Meyer….adorable little thing I met when I was going to UW Tacoma) posted the cutest sign and said something like ‘if you haven’t checked out <a href="http://www.pinkmarmaladedesigns.com/">Pink Marmalade</a> then you need to!’ Ok, so I do and that is when I found the most perfect sign EVER for Kennedy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAbMST3jeYUJLtmv_d2GBeWK7KOBMqowkWqEQP4clgCl5sQNVW7e7rKkHKzhyyyLJJyCo3tyVdC0r85mYNQujGYhg3z7Iu0u4Up4B4Eg0BKf76i5RNwALcoAoDdeqK6HxL13geyZgaaO-/s1600/28247_127859383917597_115302818506587_126814_4335434_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAbMST3jeYUJLtmv_d2GBeWK7KOBMqowkWqEQP4clgCl5sQNVW7e7rKkHKzhyyyLJJyCo3tyVdC0r85mYNQujGYhg3z7Iu0u4Up4B4Eg0BKf76i5RNwALcoAoDdeqK6HxL13geyZgaaO-/s320/28247_127859383917597_115302818506587_126814_4335434_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isn’t that awesome? Everything listed on that sign is exactly what Chris and I try to teach her on a daily basis….even flush =) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I had Kennedy I was the perfect parent and it all made sense to me. I would be strict and our child would listen and be respectful all the time. We would remove her from a situation if she threw a fit. She would always say please and thank you. She would never whine. She would be happy all the time. I would be patient and have endless amounts of calmness. Our child would eat veggies and not just lick the ranch off of her carrot sticks. She would never drink juice because there is too much sugar in it. She would be off the bottle the day of her 1<sup>st</sup> birthday. She would always be friendly and nice to her friends. She would know how to share. She would go to bed at 8pm every night. We wouldn’t let her watch TV everyday because we would always be playing a game or doing something educational.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you all laughing right now?? I am because WHAT A JOKE! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now let me be honest…..I truly thought that was all doable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, now we have a 2 year old and all of my perfect parenting has gone out the door. Now I wonder things like ‘If I take her to the store between 4 and 5 and bring a snack then will she make it long enough for me to get half the things on my grocery list before demanding to get out of the cart and walk?’ And when I say ‘walk’, I mean quickly walking up and down the aisle touching every item while I’m pushing the enormous cart that has the kid car on the front and trying to keep calm and praying she doesn’t take down an entire shelf. Relaxing, huh?!?! Sometimes, at the end of the day it just isn’t worth the fight……and that is when Macaroni and Cheese saves the day and a trip to the store. Gee, I wonder why she doesn’t like veggies too often?!?! <Insert Perfect Parenting sticker HERE></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please don’t mistake this post for me complaining about being a Mom. I love my daughter and I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. 90% of the time she makes me so happy that I want to cry happy tears and do this all over again but let me tell you something, that other 10% is a challenge to say the least. I wonder on a daily basis if I’m doing the right things with and for Kennedy. Am I showing her how to be a great person? Am I demonstrating what it’s like to be that great person? Most people don’t realize this and it took me a lot of years to figure it out but our children (and us for that matter) have learned to be who we are not by what has been SAID to us over the years by our parents and peers but by what we have SEEN over the years. My mom has taught me so much (negatively and positively) without even speaking a word. It’s crazy how powerful our demeanor and how we carry ourselves impacts and molds our own children. Being a parent is easy, but being a good one is one of the hardest jobs I will ever do. I’m up for the challenge but hope and pray that in 20 years I can say ‘I done good!’ </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, back to why that sign really hit me: When I see her sharing a toy with a friend I know I have done something right. If she begins to sing the ‘clean up song’ when I ask her to pick things up, then I am doing something right. When she asks to wash her hands before dinner, then I have done something right. When she grabs my hand as soon as we get out of the car and holds on for dear life, then I know I have done something right. When she hugs me and kisses me goodnight and says ‘I love you momma’, then I know I have done something right. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s it funny how an innocent sign will trigger all of these thoughts? </span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-78666081598528535922011-02-14T20:01:00.000-08:002011-02-14T20:01:23.742-08:00And she's back!!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you have probably noticed, I have been MIA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was never my intention it just seemed to work out that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But looks like I’m back =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for being so patient with me!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may be wondering how I’m doing with Chris’ departure being so close, so here is a little update:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the next few weeks it’s going to be like the calm before a storm. Right now I’m very calm, but I think that is my way of preparing for what’s to come. I have no idea what the storm looks like….but it’s around the corner. I can see the clouds moving in and I can hear the wind and the rain but I just can’t see it yet. I have closed the blinds and the curtains so I can avoid it for as long as possible. Inside my house it’s still calm and beautiful and I picture sunshine beyond my windows.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I finally open my front door to see the damage I wonder what it will look like? Will it simply blow past me without me even knowing? Will it just knock over a few trees and then be on its way? Or will it turn into a hurricane and only touchdown on our house and turn everything upside down and inside out and leave me wondering how to pick up the pieces? Will it decide to taunt me and just touch down every so often so that I’m always on my toes? Or will it do whatever it needs to do and while all that is happening I board up the windows and doors and prove that I can weather this storm and that no matter how hard the rain falls or how fast the wind blows it will NOT destroy me??! Yeah, I like that option the best!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So right now I smile because my family is safe and we are all under the same roof. But soon you may not see me smile and that’s ok…it will just take a bit to get use to it being me and Kennedy so just hug me and love me through it and at the end I will be a better person and so will you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now that I have explained all that I want to show you a few things I have done to my office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I SWEAR this beast is almost done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point it’s just finishing touches but it feels like that is what is taking FOREVER and a day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest thing that needs to be done is to have a shelf hung above my desk and my hope is that this will be done within a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my husband but hanging things is not his strongest attribute so anyone want to hang something for me?!?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay in beer!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, here is the organizing shelf/table thingy we picked up at IKEA over the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dude, look at all those storage bins?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just ASKING to be utilized and I can’t wait to find stuff to put in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ0xisxr8PGuDbRrFchyphenhyphenit035ZQK8BRKE9K4MmZpQnphVdTKFkxATuEjEEoVa-RQ5aQqwPSW2WG6TAgEjS8upas6aERZLjapDYK38gMXU9c6uWGl5la3o5PiRelMVduN6DeCSYLD03764/s1600/DSCN0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ0xisxr8PGuDbRrFchyphenhyphenit035ZQK8BRKE9K4MmZpQnphVdTKFkxATuEjEEoVa-RQ5aQqwPSW2WG6TAgEjS8upas6aERZLjapDYK38gMXU9c6uWGl5la3o5PiRelMVduN6DeCSYLD03764/s320/DSCN0817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And look at the most adorable file folders you ever did lay your eyes on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOOK….they match the walls perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean seriously, how excited does that make me?!?!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5eGD_1wfsnA6N1VNIbUDneSn-aPPJH7lb4Ck_NbL-hbZCNeHlxPFHC-hFvY63QHb_I6k-wWzIw6fMYTIXtNWB_vzcW8eYy0InGHR1ydal8MVFjGaWNjRnj2BqQsIY4FpIVW5ifiq9Xkz/s1600/DSCN0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5eGD_1wfsnA6N1VNIbUDneSn-aPPJH7lb4Ck_NbL-hbZCNeHlxPFHC-hFvY63QHb_I6k-wWzIw6fMYTIXtNWB_vzcW8eYy0InGHR1ydal8MVFjGaWNjRnj2BqQsIY4FpIVW5ifiq9Xkz/s320/DSCN0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And for my favorite:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlprLVu9W10rYqu71mkcaTmzOCWS2Y2fMAYS04yh8Vl7TgtT4PC4-gCkPa7jr_7raFh6KgPs_uAcvRJxdyRQYKTv7QpZnx4GWtfrwB5lvR5eOO1dDavPpLqY1DnqqdAX94zLhEx9HlOus/s1600/DSCN0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlprLVu9W10rYqu71mkcaTmzOCWS2Y2fMAYS04yh8Vl7TgtT4PC4-gCkPa7jr_7raFh6KgPs_uAcvRJxdyRQYKTv7QpZnx4GWtfrwB5lvR5eOO1dDavPpLqY1DnqqdAX94zLhEx9HlOus/s320/DSCN0814.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got the inspiration from </span><a href="http://www.jonesdesigncompany.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.jonesdesigncompany.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a sign similar to this one on her blog and I flipped when I saw it, but of course I had to make it my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what the original looks like =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you know me at all, you know I’m not a huge fan of coffee but I will take my shirt off for Chai!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdbg8OQ0TPjmc_RwqIENmIFAXdVROgDJXRYkeTFnzntyv71NQaJ-4nGNY1esw71JVUVJVQ6tpPZRr-aDReT1c3xYKmnk2jwE2-xWBYL2FxhEzW9q5YR4UIjjGL6uyYXkydKZZN-0tu4ip/s1600/il_570xN.195842864%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdbg8OQ0TPjmc_RwqIENmIFAXdVROgDJXRYkeTFnzntyv71NQaJ-4nGNY1esw71JVUVJVQ6tpPZRr-aDReT1c3xYKmnk2jwE2-xWBYL2FxhEzW9q5YR4UIjjGL6uyYXkydKZZN-0tu4ip/s320/il_570xN.195842864%255B1%255D.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And with that….I’m signing off to watch a movie with Chris on this fine Valentine’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, what is that you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did I get Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, that’s right…..nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean really, what do you get a guy headed to Iraq?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bullets? Baby wipes? A tooth brush?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we decided to do nothing =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um, but I’m not sure how I ended up with a 90 minute massage?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-37204007460712067882011-01-25T21:30:00.000-08:002011-01-25T21:30:14.990-08:00Patience and balance! Is it possible?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s been a while since my last post…sorry about that!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Operation wall paper paint AND chalkboard wall have been completed successfully!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some pictures to show the progression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW it was definitely a process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way it turned out….like LOVE it but if you were to ask me how many hours (yes hours) it took me, I would have to say somewhere between 15 and 20 and that is not exaggerating either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly you can understand why it took me a few weeks to get this done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I would love this pattern on my 3 other walls but I have realized that I just don’t have the patience to stick with one project for THAT long…..so….here is what it looks like right now:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5P3-ve3FmsKLecPIMsXtiTwYMqlt9hL0wn36ddJ3W-Ouvf2SM9rwfVYlqFRhPn9t4b1P98jQ4DC95joTBoV4Y1g0UkpKbyMEiSFOmAMTf2OGTtDCDDE9Rz317p5tUMqHf84K6INc0yZr/s1600/Paint+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5P3-ve3FmsKLecPIMsXtiTwYMqlt9hL0wn36ddJ3W-Ouvf2SM9rwfVYlqFRhPn9t4b1P98jQ4DC95joTBoV4Y1g0UkpKbyMEiSFOmAMTf2OGTtDCDDE9Rz317p5tUMqHf84K6INc0yZr/s320/Paint+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting started......</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogF1u8dkR7KJX2RAhTlEjp5H5uG-orbylLUoYNxD2ehMVPqVSGSlCyfsMAb1ON1c6R6ikIYAS9QkUb037A_csNtQzMXgxdkUJsXf6K5WWKRzcwywtQiigz3fiNlc2C-NgC2vVY3FZEKaU/s1600/Photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogF1u8dkR7KJX2RAhTlEjp5H5uG-orbylLUoYNxD2ehMVPqVSGSlCyfsMAb1ON1c6R6ikIYAS9QkUb037A_csNtQzMXgxdkUJsXf6K5WWKRzcwywtQiigz3fiNlc2C-NgC2vVY3FZEKaU/s320/Photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a Saturday morning Kennedy wanted to 'help'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumS8BzCeP7l9vCcmGqreCKMd8qMT1GYTJHjqDumRMQLj_cgJ_glep-mhp4ghZX5qzlikyellhz0EsRHutjbRZaySbzWOmJ5ZiGiYZQwkci8sp2FoM_K4seoJ0uIPhCXhHggNzgF6LQ53X/s1600/Photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumS8BzCeP7l9vCcmGqreCKMd8qMT1GYTJHjqDumRMQLj_cgJ_glep-mhp4ghZX5qzlikyellhz0EsRHutjbRZaySbzWOmJ5ZiGiYZQwkci8sp2FoM_K4seoJ0uIPhCXhHggNzgF6LQ53X/s320/Photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought about stopping here and just doing a picture rail across the top......but HAD to keep going!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZrQTNAgmRJLErN8c6XC0A1whboX0YgWSDDkfqNjmbpTqOvQEoxlJVOAdBi40l1atDzLO4gGJXia_siGfzs383fsrXkZJLSl9A6k2LcIGwom9_Af2Y87fiZM-4I7Ewdev4vnEVJib8XH9/s1600/Photo+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZrQTNAgmRJLErN8c6XC0A1whboX0YgWSDDkfqNjmbpTqOvQEoxlJVOAdBi40l1atDzLO4gGJXia_siGfzs383fsrXkZJLSl9A6k2LcIGwom9_Af2Y87fiZM-4I7Ewdev4vnEVJib8XH9/s320/Photo+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DONE...FINALLY! Notice the gap on the right hand side? The pattern ended up not matching so I will be putting a small picture rail to cover up the gap. Thanks Shelley for the idea =)</td></tr>
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And here is the completed chalkboard wall. This will be the wall directly in front of my desk and will be decorated so it wont be so blah once it's completed.....but here is what it look likes now:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCU66iuhlhLDCvr-CywbnsVC6M8RkWKO4rQSrDAKZbYeQaclnr4hmBjlDOtbQuP4-sd7eLoHMVm5X7KmzunEc-TETMyg1N7duJ0izDHZOS1XrLdVm4htse8COMsWfFg9Pe76Y6eqFEQbk/s1600/DSCN0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCU66iuhlhLDCvr-CywbnsVC6M8RkWKO4rQSrDAKZbYeQaclnr4hmBjlDOtbQuP4-sd7eLoHMVm5X7KmzunEc-TETMyg1N7duJ0izDHZOS1XrLdVm4htse8COMsWfFg9Pe76Y6eqFEQbk/s320/DSCN0731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For some reason the color looks a little light in the middle of the wall but in real life it looks even =) And so weird how this picture makes my office look like the size of a cracker jack box. It's not....thank God!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition to working on this project I started doing a few mini projects……because apparently I can’t handle having any downtime right now (more on that a little later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to add some color to my office and what better color then PINK??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I want to make this flower ball things but wanted them in more of a cone shape…..so here is what it looks like so far:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9zI8SbS7QGlNRISyVfMi5rJx2dvsEvVdQ-CXazhPbUFOzifWATiMKO96XP0-d2yG04fbipH1XYEW-k4bxCXsTB4RiCtMK1c68k6hn-2l-Pq_hyphenhyphenrbNcxEco_IWmrhzaYbQXs2iZXI9Eq5/s1600/Flower+Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9zI8SbS7QGlNRISyVfMi5rJx2dvsEvVdQ-CXazhPbUFOzifWATiMKO96XP0-d2yG04fbipH1XYEW-k4bxCXsTB4RiCtMK1c68k6hn-2l-Pq_hyphenhyphenrbNcxEco_IWmrhzaYbQXs2iZXI9Eq5/s320/Flower+Ball.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was my inspiration but I didn't want the balls hanging from my ceiling so I went with a little different approach.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpraRPV_C1MOdbn1rwYoT_MiIzgfPp-biRI42VLXMvH1FfSUeruemwguEPVRWxj6jVVwVMutENAo1nhy0ronD6D90SQ4YI3EZHaaxoeK7IIqGCga-baBTD7O2SM4x3IXy9ndr_2EHj3ZUR/s1600/DSCN0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpraRPV_C1MOdbn1rwYoT_MiIzgfPp-biRI42VLXMvH1FfSUeruemwguEPVRWxj6jVVwVMutENAo1nhy0ronD6D90SQ4YI3EZHaaxoeK7IIqGCga-baBTD7O2SM4x3IXy9ndr_2EHj3ZUR/s320/DSCN0733.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I went with a cone shape. I'm thinking like 3 different sizes on the shelf that I will be adding above my desk. <br />
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</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aren’t they adorbs? These are SO easy to make…just streamers, some super glue and either a styrofoam ball or cone or wreath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get the tutorial, visit <a href="http://www.houseofsmiths.blogspot.com/">http://www.houseofsmiths.blogspot.com/</a> and go to ‘tutorials’ and then scroll down (quite a ways) and you will see it listed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is another lil sumpin sumpin I want to make with the cricut I just HAD to have a few months ago! Finally a productive project with that bad boy!! </span></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div align="left"><br />
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</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LCmO0ejQ88_nR_tbcpIiCMXq4OgsowsPGyFtJK_-cMj1kLHp1IDF6vaBa-_4gwvYptlxGSuE4hrT22P2W6LRqXn65-JzO3t1xGvwO-HmjouIDt5uQ6jd0CQWl2e22CIOPcgfi5910KFo/s1600/il_570xN.195842864%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LCmO0ejQ88_nR_tbcpIiCMXq4OgsowsPGyFtJK_-cMj1kLHp1IDF6vaBa-_4gwvYptlxGSuE4hrT22P2W6LRqXn65-JzO3t1xGvwO-HmjouIDt5uQ6jd0CQWl2e22CIOPcgfi5910KFo/s320/il_570xN.195842864%255B1%255D.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But instead of it saying ‘coffee’ I will make it say ‘Chai’ because I hate coffee and love chai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And Hi...turns out I LOVE blogs.....so this is basically the perfect picture!! F</span>inished product to come shortly =)</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And now on to why I’m so obsessed with projects……..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While I was going through the last few weeks working on these projects I just figured I was finally motivated to get decorating and I was just enjoying my hobby. I also noticed that I’ve been pretty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>calm cool and collected when asked about Chris’ deployment and how dramatically our life will be without Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just thought I was finally onboard and ready for the deployment but sitting back and looking back at my actions and laid back attitude…..it’s so very clear to me that I’m disconnecting from the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not good people…NOT GOOD!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I mean it’s not like I have been neglecting my normal responsibilities. We still have food in the house, dinner is still made (well, most nights anyway), we all still spend a lot of time together as a family, the dogs are fed, the laundry is done (thanks to Chris), the bills are paid, the house is cleaned (thanks to Cheryl), I still carry a full time job, get Kennedy to and from school, arrange play dates, make it to the gym (not everyday mind you)…….and somehow I have still made time to loss myself in projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only do I enjoy doing projects, but it’s not just a hobby….it’s also a way for me to escape from reality and gives me time to sort through my thoughts and get my game face on for the next day. But I’m starting to wonder if I’m diving in too deep to projects during the last several weeks that Chris is here?!?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I mean, why do I always have to have my game face on? My fear is that I'm pushing away my feelings and one day it will all come crashing down on me! I'm just so focused on doing everything 'right' that I think I'm disconnecting in order to maintain functionality in all aspects of my life. Ugh....life can be so draining sometimes.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So folks….I’ve gotta find some balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let me ask you something – why is balance so hard to obtain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like we are normally all into something are all out of something but being right in the middle where everything is balanced almost seems impossible to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And with that……I’m off to spend some much needed quality time with the hubs =)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night night friends.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-33511073738514510092011-01-19T21:04:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:07:00.317-08:00Countdown begins.....again<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The countdown for Chris to leave has begun in my head…..for the second time. Originally he was suppose to leave a few weeks ago but his orders were moved around and he is here for a while longer, which I’m more than thrilled about. The only downfall to that is I have to go through the countdown all over again and judging on how I was doing last time…..um, I see tears and feeling overwhelmed just around the corner but I’m trying to be logical about everything and just take one day at a time. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Something you should know about me…..I worry about the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘how do I’s’. For example: What if Kennedy is sick and I have to take several days off work? What if I’m not able to manage everything on my own? What if I fall apart? Or…..How will I fit all of my daily activities into each day without help? How will I fit going to the gym in? How will I make sure that I’m giving Kennedy the amount of love and attention she needs? How do I stay balanced enough to juggle our lives for more than a year? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And after I read what I just wrote I automatically start to feel overwhelmed and wonder ‘How can I do this?’ But because I’m feeling logical today <wink> I can tell myself to not worry about all of that and that everything will fall into place. I can tell myself that I will get through this year fine and that Kennedy and I will adjust. I can tell myself that there is nothing to worry about and that I will fit everything in…it may not be grace but I will make it all happen. HOWEVER, catch me on a day where I’m feeling emotional and all bets are off!!! So friends, you will never know which Mel you are going to get on any given day…..logical or emotional. I will strive to be logical but I can’t make any promises. I’m human and I wear my emotions on my sleeve….I have since I was a kid and I’ve tried to change it and it just doesn’t work =)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So………when Chris’ original date was set for January I decided to send out an email to just a handful of people explaining where I was and how they could help me through this transition since most of my friends were asking ‘How can I help?’. My thought was that I didn’t want to send it out to the masses because I just wasn’t ready to say all those words and make the deployment a reality. It’s funny how you can force yourself to believe something isn’t going to happen if you filter who you share the information with. I thought ‘If I tell too many people then it will truly be real!’ But DUH it is real and it is happening so why filter my thoughts?!?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I have since decided to post that email in my blog because you are all part of my life. We may not talk every day, we may only share comments on Facebook, we may have not have seen each other in years OR I may see you all the time and you are wondering how I’m dealing with everything……so here goes nothing kids.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As you all know Chris and I have been preparing for his upcoming deployment and many of you have asked how you can support our family through this transition so I thought it would be helpful to send an email about where my head is at and how you can all support me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great idea, right? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well as I thought more and more about it I figured out that I have no clue how you can best support me because this is the first time he is deploying since we have been married and it’s the first time a child has been involved. I have gone over this 100 times in my head and I keep asking myself ‘How do I prepare for this? How do I allow everyone around me to help me but not feel like a huge burden? How do I show up every day with a good attitude? How do I show Kennedy that Mom is ok? How do I make sure she remembers her Daddy? How do I keep them connected? How do we stay connected? How, how, how?!?!’ And I’m at a loss……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Super helpful, right?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One thing that I do know is that I have the greatest friends a girl could ask for and because of that I already feel supported. It’s important for me that life goes on just as it would if Chris was here. Chris would want it that way and Kennedy and I will need it that way. It’s ok for you to ask me questions…I’m an open book….really, I am. You are more than welcome to talk to Kennedy about her Daddy….please feel free to bring him into any conversation, as she needs to hear about him. Be prepared for me to cry at random times and to not cry at the moments you think I will cry…..I’m nutty like that. If I do cry….it’s ok for you to cry too. I like hugs….so give them whenever you want. I also like Starbucks….scratch that….I love Starbucks. Sometimes I like the silence so if we are visiting and I’m quiet, please know it’s not because I’m mad or don’t want to be with you…..it’s because I want to be with you but just don’t feel like speaking……sometimes just having someone in the room is all I will need. Sometimes I will down play Chris being gone and pretend like it’s no biggie…..just go with it….it’s me trying to be strong =) At times I may not be able to see past my world…..gently and lovingly bring me back to reality. Sometimes I will ask if you want to hang out and you won’t be able to….that is OK….remember, life as usual…..treat me the same as you would if Chris was home! Do not feel like you can’t tell me about your life and what is going on in it….I want to hear about everything…..my life is not worse or better than yours….it’s the same just different =) If you need me to watch your kids….just call….I enjoy all of your kids and would be honored to have them over for some play time with Kennedy. If you get upset with me for something…..respectfully call me out on it….we are friends right? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you see the pattern??? Life and friendships as usual.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apparently I do know a few things that would help us =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something that most of you know is that I’m not a very religious person, but I do believe in God (this may not make sense to you and that is ok). I do believe in the power of prayer to whoever or whatever you like to call your God. I ask that you send as many prayers, words of intent, positive energies or simple statements on behalf of Chris while he is away. I don’t care what he does while he is gone, I don’t care where he goes, I don’t care if this experience changes him for the rest of his life……what I do care about is that he makes it home on the same two feet that got him out there. I pray his soul is not forever changed and I pray he will come home unharmed and outwardly the same wonderful guy that I married.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The only thing I will ask that you not do is call me to tell me about some explosion or disaster that has happened in Iraq. I do not watch the news for a reason and trust me, if something happens to Chris I will be notified within 4 hours. More than likely I will know before the news…….so…..let’s all agree to not discuss what we see on the news with this girl =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Just by posting this email I feel better about where I am in this process. I truly feel that this blog is going to be my outlet and I’m thrilled to have it and thrilled that you are all so supportive. Seriously, how did I end up this blessed? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
Oh and here some pictures so you can all match a face with the name of the hubs!! Also, I think it's nice to see us together as a family. Mind you we dont have many pictures because Chris works A LOT so most of the pictures I have are of me and Kennedy...but here are a few =)<br />
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Engagement picture. Small doggie is Mugsy. Big doggie is Daisy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa42D9iAfNutkwebiF8Gb46XMehuazgw6kqM79_p1ApNiL40v8RqTsTkMo5CvZV_v4iVoUzi6gT9u-LMNzBrHIZ7Kp8oRxj-zzbUzl0t9c3eqPt965AznHsB8Z2kVW2Ywy2KMxKdTLAd7/s1600/12750006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa42D9iAfNutkwebiF8Gb46XMehuazgw6kqM79_p1ApNiL40v8RqTsTkMo5CvZV_v4iVoUzi6gT9u-LMNzBrHIZ7Kp8oRxj-zzbUzl0t9c3eqPt965AznHsB8Z2kVW2Ywy2KMxKdTLAd7/s320/12750006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture taken at a BBQ right after we bought our 2nd house. He had just gotten off work.....clearly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJck5D3LjAlytpvwT61yiiffqLJDhdDFQe7p7MgBjBFmd0xUwRWPQeYQ7JzC3DqPDc6jDIWDkQaxF5nbOE9d4L5-t7OwWLhR1ocmilU8D3JzR1XvXhfJXWQAIchGYvYCNNpHcRser7ElJ/s1600/059_The_Estates%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJck5D3LjAlytpvwT61yiiffqLJDhdDFQe7p7MgBjBFmd0xUwRWPQeYQ7JzC3DqPDc6jDIWDkQaxF5nbOE9d4L5-t7OwWLhR1ocmilU8D3JzR1XvXhfJXWQAIchGYvYCNNpHcRser7ElJ/s320/059_The_Estates%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New Years Eve 07......not sober.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8Fy97CW58Duee3wTBd0c6NhYE80-xRMxTdo7zCmKh-gx0o4jlLonen9qUdG6K7qYttDuWz5Gfv2jowsqpzOim0MuTigDXOXwbUNK-sigNUTEVEKiAdVw6ozoyMG0wOltHo7wu7uI3xao/s1600/NY07+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8Fy97CW58Duee3wTBd0c6NhYE80-xRMxTdo7zCmKh-gx0o4jlLonen9qUdG6K7qYttDuWz5Gfv2jowsqpzOim0MuTigDXOXwbUNK-sigNUTEVEKiAdVw6ozoyMG0wOltHo7wu7uI3xao/s320/NY07+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit to Chicago to hang with our friends Larry and Tamara, who we met on our honeymoon and are still friends with to this day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7HlOkCD5dZKNmuWzI7Fxzq3dvBHZh6LCvPAsqyYiugLhqw0PlGNZWdrU0jsytNtl3ct4bG6Tsyt-YgraQUsKPV736AzXlqWNAwsrl9MXp5KltuBdH6HzpdqlMGKjFp70VH1MKNdd_8w2/s1600/Chicago+2007+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7HlOkCD5dZKNmuWzI7Fxzq3dvBHZh6LCvPAsqyYiugLhqw0PlGNZWdrU0jsytNtl3ct4bG6Tsyt-YgraQUsKPV736AzXlqWNAwsrl9MXp5KltuBdH6HzpdqlMGKjFp70VH1MKNdd_8w2/s320/Chicago+2007+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Not such a great pic of kennedy...but hey we are all together =)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUg2Lz84U7QZ2S0C2rpYLSGD7p2sFSIE7yht8iRXvTEBY2McN7FQ8g55uTafo-091Px0BO14CDmNI1KkY03-IFC7SG5ku3inEY1iKwuJb7ydrgIkWv20MSXuV2GQPoWru4kvTI7BDYL64/s1600/DSCN0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUg2Lz84U7QZ2S0C2rpYLSGD7p2sFSIE7yht8iRXvTEBY2McN7FQ8g55uTafo-091Px0BO14CDmNI1KkY03-IFC7SG5ku3inEY1iKwuJb7ydrgIkWv20MSXuV2GQPoWru4kvTI7BDYL64/s320/DSCN0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this was taken on our 4th wedding anniversary....just last November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJV_hwXvOSdEgtCo0L5DJSIAoe2Gu_Njx_0q-tzgMPaEAAkZbwJj0Ltpyxz7b3p8Lu0B69baDUJkvvHYArrrHIxLctki8WmhHrJfIuAvnfpRX6iSithKgKuN_Bb8BzmIbkXWwKjHreHXI/s1600/Halloween+2009+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJV_hwXvOSdEgtCo0L5DJSIAoe2Gu_Njx_0q-tzgMPaEAAkZbwJj0Ltpyxz7b3p8Lu0B69baDUJkvvHYArrrHIxLctki8WmhHrJfIuAvnfpRX6iSithKgKuN_Bb8BzmIbkXWwKjHreHXI/s320/Halloween+2009+011.JPG" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chris and Kennedy at a bday party</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mpIOqh1lqR9W3ENRn1SUeVs1vX15F5d527gcNBDlGp_Q8QhJBAShfeznyjCKk8wB4Y1uuhHhNnnqrjmlyzaTNre-PeAPFZQnojErVYUvML6_OqZtrToG74NAMD5wmSG8eQTmLd0BgQcT/s1600/DSCN0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mpIOqh1lqR9W3ENRn1SUeVs1vX15F5d527gcNBDlGp_Q8QhJBAShfeznyjCKk8wB4Y1uuhHhNnnqrjmlyzaTNre-PeAPFZQnojErVYUvML6_OqZtrToG74NAMD5wmSG8eQTmLd0BgQcT/s320/DSCN0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-7013895505676284722011-01-16T13:13:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:13:18.853-08:00Layla Grace Foundation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This posting is hard for me to write because I don’t know where to start first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m just going to start…….bare will me if I’m all over the place =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last year on March 9<sup>th</sup> when I logged into my Facebook page I was just looking for random friend updates, maybe a few wall posts and a friend request or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as I was scrolling through my updates I came across a link that one of my friends had posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember the exact words from the link but something about it made me click on it to see what it was all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment I had no idea that a little girl named Layla Grace would change the way I thought and would help me put life into perspective almost on a daily basis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is what I learned that day……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A little girl named Layla Grace who was 17 months old had passed away from Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a rare form of cancer typically found in infants and toddlers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time I read this my daughter was 15 months old so I was immediately drawn to the story simply because I had a little girl nearly the same age as Layla and all in one second I thought ‘that could have easily been us!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you just don’t think about that stuff when you have a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean you want them to be happy and healthy but you really never think of cancer in children, at least I never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me cancer happens to older people since that is how I have been exposed to the horrible illness. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyway at some point during Layla’s journey her parents, Ryan and Shanna created a blog and a twitter account in an effort to document everything and to keep friends and family updated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly the story was everywhere and they had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over 40,000 followers and both Ryan and Shanna were featured on news shows and various radio shows to talk about Layla. Although I didn’t know about Layla until the day she passed away I quickly fell in love with this family and sat down one night and read their entire blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say I sobbed through most of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point I put down the computer, went into Kennedys room, pulled her out of her crib and just held her and thanked God that I had her and that she was healthy. And honestly I still do this every now and again because at certain moments I just need her in my arms and I need to smell her and feel her breath on my neck and kiss those sweet lips and simply cry because I am so blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear it’s when they are sleeping that you realize how lucky you are to have them in your lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when they are screaming at you ‘NO MOMMY’ in the middle of top foods because you won’t let them old the EGGS I’m not really feeling ‘blessed’ if ya know what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After Layla passed Ryan and Shanna decided to turn this horrible journey and heartbreaking ending into a positive by creating the Layla Grace Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their website is fabulous….besides the fact that it’s about childhood cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have amazing articles, stories of different types of treatments, things to expect, various fundraising opportunities and so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still find myself looking at their website several times a week just to see what they are up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although I’m not able to contribute to their fundraising and I’m not able to help out at different events since they aren’t local, I can still try to spread awareness of what they are accomplishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please feel free to visit their site at <a href="http://www.laylagrace.org/">http://www.laylagrace.org/</a> or click on their logo on the right hand side of my blog and you will be directed to the official site…..it’s simply amazing and inspiring!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today, almost 1 year later I still have a picture of Layla in my office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe2Z8iEmZdGjxGlOmKiGbKfl7jOeJA_-7uJ6fXAw4kW0f-t5kyxGnHwlh6RMbVnAmAH61s4uxaHkPEqKPaSNlKHxJuJy_tOMwgg3EoQWgidN01nQPrCRHrOmTra60Xn-P4DYUwlj2xw3D/s1600/layla_s_tutu_copy%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe2Z8iEmZdGjxGlOmKiGbKfl7jOeJA_-7uJ6fXAw4kW0f-t5kyxGnHwlh6RMbVnAmAH61s4uxaHkPEqKPaSNlKHxJuJy_tOMwgg3EoQWgidN01nQPrCRHrOmTra60Xn-P4DYUwlj2xw3D/s320/layla_s_tutu_copy%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her sweet face reminds me not to take moments with Kennedy for granted because other parents, like the Marsh’s don’t have that option anymore. The Marsh’s don’t get to trip over Layla’s toys as they are walking through their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t get to fold her tiny little laundry anymore. They don’t find her favorite books in the middle of the hallway anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So last week when I was annoyed about prying off Kenney’s play doh from the bathroom wall that left a pink stain I remembered ‘this is a memory….ENJOY IT because some parents don’t get these memories anymore!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Layla has touched my life very deeply and I can honestly say I have been changed since being introduced to her and her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep tossing the idea around of another tattoo and I keep going back to the word ‘Grace’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just because it would remind me to try to live my life gracefully (because let me tell you I need some serious reminding in this department) but it would also remind me to stay in the moment and be thankful for the beautiful and healthy daughter I have (which on some days I REALLY need the reminder).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Note:</span></b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I have tried to tell this story exactly the way it has been explained on their blog so I do apologize if I got anything turned around or out of order.</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-31360740799246953482011-01-13T18:00:00.000-08:002011-01-13T18:00:01.051-08:00Paint and Flowers!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First of all – THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading my blog. You have no idea how much it means to me that I have a few followers and even some comments. Keep them coming because I absolutely love hearing what people have to say. Even if I don’t know you very well or we have just met I still love getting comments =)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you know, I have been diligently painting one of the walls in my office with the most awesomest (yup, a word) pattern. Mind you it has taken me hours and hours to do this and I’m barely half way done with ONE wall. And here’s the kicker…..the wall isn’t even a full wall since it has a huge window in the middle. Um, turns out I don’t think I will be painting this pattern on any other wall EVER so now I’m left with ‘what in the hell do I do with the other 2 walls?’ (Remember, the 4<sup>th</sup> wall will be a chalk board). As you can see I have very hard decision to make <wink>. Here is what I have accomplished so far: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdp2Zkz-xNw61eyU5H9O9uqKZMnvayKmI9VD1VHzrngpSMukZiV0wg9FfBTNW4TnPTzGgtdWYZOhRQpp7LDKrOJ8Uim5KDFkckXjZj98rM_CqXQ2LHiqpgHj7Ay4RlHGpU4jKhB_38n1/s1600/DSCN0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdp2Zkz-xNw61eyU5H9O9uqKZMnvayKmI9VD1VHzrngpSMukZiV0wg9FfBTNW4TnPTzGgtdWYZOhRQpp7LDKrOJ8Uim5KDFkckXjZj98rM_CqXQ2LHiqpgHj7Ay4RlHGpU4jKhB_38n1/s320/DSCN0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeeeeee…..I got lots more to finish. AND I need to organize. Since I took everything out and tossed most of the crap I had I need to figure out where to put shelves and how to organize all the randomness that makes up this room. I also think I need a cool rug and definitely a new chair! My husband came in here a few days ago and sat down in it and said ‘Um we need to get you a new chair…..this thing is like sitting on steel!’ At that moment I realized I have had this thing for 5 years so yeah, I’d say I need a new one. Any suggestions on good ones? Oh and it has to be ‘pretty’! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, and the other day I was at my second home (A.K.A. Target) and I found this super cute cotton/sweatshirt jacket thingy for Kennedy but I refused to buy it in pink because her wardrobe looks like the Pepto factory puked all over it and if I pull one more pair of pink pants or a shirt out of the dryer I’m going to die. So I grabbed the blue and figured I could make it a bit more girlie……and I did!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">See….totally boring with nothing cute on it:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGItUmyITrRdkGS1fMfLkHhoe7hGftlyOfv_8HRWcCvR_XOfe_ZlaeP7r1i0JbwXTOyOuI5_qERM5jx-YmpvJ3e1yqG39LVO9rRBT6kOBMjFi-IgHFzaKrpSwtbxe07rTgzKPI-4-S2seD/s1600/Boring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGItUmyITrRdkGS1fMfLkHhoe7hGftlyOfv_8HRWcCvR_XOfe_ZlaeP7r1i0JbwXTOyOuI5_qERM5jx-YmpvJ3e1yqG39LVO9rRBT6kOBMjFi-IgHFzaKrpSwtbxe07rTgzKPI-4-S2seD/s320/Boring.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And here are 3 different flowers I made for it. Um, my camera sucks for up close since it’s just a point and shoot so I added an extra picture so you could see the flowers up a little closer than what I could capture in the jacket pictures. Bare with me…..I’m currently dropping hints all of the place that I want/need a new camera. For example, Chris: Hey honey, how was your day? Me: Awesome but I need a new camera! Chris: Can you grab me some milk for Kennedy? Me: Can you grab me a new camera? Chris: I need to get up at 6:20am. Me: I need a new camera. I wonder if these hints will help?!?!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQzJIXGWDwi-iBPPtpd8552prr1qkQvKTAgJERnGbS61POMk9EM7jP-Rsmd1h0Pr-kjywqNfKy6JJyzLusj_MdA7VJ4-APexHtmWJUNR6Nn40yQIrx6hJrCR7rAH9U_efDliYkaANEC5t/s1600/DSCN0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQzJIXGWDwi-iBPPtpd8552prr1qkQvKTAgJERnGbS61POMk9EM7jP-Rsmd1h0Pr-kjywqNfKy6JJyzLusj_MdA7VJ4-APexHtmWJUNR6Nn40yQIrx6hJrCR7rAH9U_efDliYkaANEC5t/s320/DSCN0670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1bGJ5MvfKvTAPAIZ1HPCyzkjFqe6hs-dBRmTDEw2hAub6itAG1f2tGThXXlElD1q9CzmermNa31BOifDgYAasadQckFA6PNmfSlBuYZdrAPvKBqCxjvKBlK3gedmbtFo8mILpQz4wmi/s1600/DSCN0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1bGJ5MvfKvTAPAIZ1HPCyzkjFqe6hs-dBRmTDEw2hAub6itAG1f2tGThXXlElD1q9CzmermNa31BOifDgYAasadQckFA6PNmfSlBuYZdrAPvKBqCxjvKBlK3gedmbtFo8mILpQz4wmi/s320/DSCN0689.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfmnigc72eFzpzgS0gWj0VKyCIqG0caWr78OTy1OP5p3HHt1whcaZpKzIbuaOi3buiTTWVIOODNVcTVNOdYBwtizriiNN5LUAdKDGC5xggkwlOkwcIb9stLl2zO_QJrdc2_kGYTOF33_P/s1600/DSCN0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfmnigc72eFzpzgS0gWj0VKyCIqG0caWr78OTy1OP5p3HHt1whcaZpKzIbuaOi3buiTTWVIOODNVcTVNOdYBwtizriiNN5LUAdKDGC5xggkwlOkwcIb9stLl2zO_QJrdc2_kGYTOF33_P/s320/DSCN0698.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcRWYADnriRTJkVTArCvtFlrk3QnS3k0Di-0DBZsuhulafWrBnedXsSu6hQnYCtKF8rawUGhZ-CNa0EYBvzKnC-yHm0sQFAxHgTMET-tLSr_fcGIzsV-cb2xPJWLQfa1Zl3LegNNppqeT/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcRWYADnriRTJkVTArCvtFlrk3QnS3k0Di-0DBZsuhulafWrBnedXsSu6hQnYCtKF8rawUGhZ-CNa0EYBvzKnC-yHm0sQFAxHgTMET-tLSr_fcGIzsV-cb2xPJWLQfa1Zl3LegNNppqeT/s320/DSCN0695.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mind you I have no idea how long these flowers will stay on the jacket before Kennedy says ‘No Mommy’ and tries to pull it off and subsequently rips the jacket and all my hopes and dreams are shattered for making her a cute jacket.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: To see where I got these great ideas, just visit </span><a href="http://www.jonesdesigncompany.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.jonesdesigncompany.com</span></a></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-16844971386982767692011-01-11T20:28:00.000-08:002011-01-11T20:28:21.457-08:00A Bunch of Random Stuff......get use to it!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today from 5 - 7:30pm our daughter whined and cried for no reason....it was super fun. She told me to 'go away', 'stop it', 'no', 'I leave', 'don't push me' (I never pushed her) and a bunch of other random things but I think the idea was that she wanted me to leave her alone. No problem kid....but turns out I can't leave you alone while I lock myself in my room and have a glass of wine.....even though some days I wish I could. Now she is finally calmed down and wants to cuddle and love on me.....Cheese and Rice.....love me or hate me but I really dont feel like packing my bags for an emotional rollercoaster. Crap, I should have thought about that before I had kids, huh? Good news....tomorrow is a new day and she will be back to the lovable kid I want to eat for dinner!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway...enough about that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last night I sat in my office for several hours painting on this wallpaper stuff and I've come to realize one thing......THIS IS GOING TO TAKE FOREVER! Right now I'm still only one the first wall so let's see how I feel once I finish this wall to see if I will continue on the other 3 walls. However, I think I figured out what to do with my 4th wall....drum roll please.....A CHALK BOARD WALL! Here is my inspiration:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8lo8IoN7bvibo7qeVkXQVeNz7v6J7itFWLIU7uwkUzduuqC5C6ewH8EnxpZhK9VajcglujBkKlc8D57o-oWSSSzm7bWuMX6PUF5jRDklW8OhGHFfNAXZCSWucFkBa82sHOQD1JfzqY7q/s1600/chaulk+board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8lo8IoN7bvibo7qeVkXQVeNz7v6J7itFWLIU7uwkUzduuqC5C6ewH8EnxpZhK9VajcglujBkKlc8D57o-oWSSSzm7bWuMX6PUF5jRDklW8OhGHFfNAXZCSWucFkBa82sHOQD1JfzqY7q/s320/chaulk+board.png" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing you should know about me (besides the 25 lil known facts about me listed below) is that I don't have an original thought in my head. I steal ideas. I mean why reinvinte the wheel, right? Be prepared....I will steal your idea BUT I will always give you credit. I'm nice like that. Oh and if you wear cute clothes I will go out and buy the exact same outfit...why? Cause now I know how cute it is...duh!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok...off to my next thought. I thought it would be fun to give you a list of things that not many people know about me....well my close friends do but if you are knew to meeting me or we aren't very close then this will give you an idea of who this Mel chick is. So, in an effort to get to know a little about you.....comment back to me and tell me one thing I do not know about you =) It will be fun...promise!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I think catsup can be spicy…yes, catsup</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I sleep with my baby blanket every night and never leave home for an overnight stay without it</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Every single one of my family members on my Moms side call me Mindy and if I ever moved away to a far far away land I would change my name to that</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I’ve had 1 zit in 2 years….don’t hate</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Rap is one of my favorite types of music but I will never play it loud when I’m sitting at a stop light or in traffic</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I can’t dance. It’s more like a full body dry heave.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I’ve lived on my own since I was 18 and I’ve had a job since I was 15</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Confidence is not one of my stronger attributes but I’m working on it</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>My Boston Terrier smells like Fritos when he wakes up from naps and it’s my favorite</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I have 2 half sisters that I have never met</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I carry a paper calendar with me wherever I go – I can’t stand using electronic calendars</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I am an ARMY wife – something I have never been comfortable saying, which is weird since we have been together for 11 years and he has been in the ARMY for 19….but it still sounds so odd coming out of my mouth</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I am nothing without my friends and family</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I have watched someone die – don’t believe the hype….it’s not always peaceful</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I have had 2 serious relationships. The first was someone I dated for 4 years and the other is my husband.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I don’t believe blood always makes you family – you have to have the mindset of family or the relationship is useless</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I can’t lie. And if I do then I have to fix it PRONTO or it will eat me alive</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>If I hurt someone’s feelings that I care about it will devastate me for DAYS</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>The phrase ‘it’s all good’ makes my skin crawl</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I hate washing my hands….CALM DOWN….I still do it even though it makes my hands feel dry and yucky</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Washing your hair is overrated </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I’ve worn glasses since I was 18 months old….here’s the proof</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ETs5fQvU07e2CF1iYMPd0TkJMrUK9yheh6NaxO0G4lG28kBBTgguMGU8QTVEIPULYsJY4q260SNmZYfOhsO8hxiTwZ8O1YHpwREXeMh61HXNkLynotmdWFUeO4rgfPzXq0NsfM8-kGoX/s1600/DSCN0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ETs5fQvU07e2CF1iYMPd0TkJMrUK9yheh6NaxO0G4lG28kBBTgguMGU8QTVEIPULYsJY4q260SNmZYfOhsO8hxiTwZ8O1YHpwREXeMh61HXNkLynotmdWFUeO4rgfPzXq0NsfM8-kGoX/s320/DSCN0614.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I wear the same white gold hoop earrings everyday – no matter what the outfit is</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I assume that once I get a really nice camera that I will be able to take great pictures – but judging what I do on my point and shoot I think I’m lacking several skills</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>I have mowed a lawn exactly ONE time. It will never happen again.</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-48185627042887681842011-01-10T22:18:00.000-08:002011-01-10T22:18:40.983-08:00Project Re-Do Office….GO!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In case you don’t know, I work from home so having a nice place to sit my butt for 8 hours a day is pretty important to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only do I work in there but I also do some of my crafting, all bill paying, mail opening and present hiding. In addition, if my husband finds random things around the house that he doesn’t know where they go he graciously places them ON MY DESK which makes me go Hurricane Mel but that is a different posting all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as you can see….I’m in there<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A LOT so you would think that over the last 2 and a half years we have lived in this house I would have this place super organized and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um, not so much.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago I decided that I couldn’t take it anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed gut my office – take everything off the walls, pull all the crap out of the closet, clear off my desk, pull down all the pictures and start from scratch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure after you see the pictures you will agree that I have done the right thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTknbrofKMcEwa8CZMuyKWcCRokAp-SW0Mp1xYXUeGOe1bYz2T9Mj-WwiGI8tpbFoWmaMEYSQh7M8mc6PWM6hJsT5J0wfVuhW-B8ZEXFzIs4BupxE_SpZlxT7QpbUG2OfEsvT8RYLhdEb/s1600/DSCN0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTknbrofKMcEwa8CZMuyKWcCRokAp-SW0Mp1xYXUeGOe1bYz2T9Mj-WwiGI8tpbFoWmaMEYSQh7M8mc6PWM6hJsT5J0wfVuhW-B8ZEXFzIs4BupxE_SpZlxT7QpbUG2OfEsvT8RYLhdEb/s320/DSCN0565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUGthk9CpenyOscE7EfL04-zl9fxKDrbBOlQR0OZUQrDf2w7wGIbQ-jKg1-IX8Qep2gBAcc6nWSsLCKzCPQKg4fZzzFlGljdswXlUdTQcKtF9Uyv3qqBoc_FBc0zzljw7gBILGbwDoYRP/s1600/DSCN0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUGthk9CpenyOscE7EfL04-zl9fxKDrbBOlQR0OZUQrDf2w7wGIbQ-jKg1-IX8Qep2gBAcc6nWSsLCKzCPQKg4fZzzFlGljdswXlUdTQcKtF9Uyv3qqBoc_FBc0zzljw7gBILGbwDoYRP/s320/DSCN0560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEFLNNrIiM3gO6_dQzsBZvClvk7_dj5AJA0rsgaVWaVYTDKyeeWcufStqLPgzfcn8L1xeFCRs9UvFqIS-gKFDEkJrKen2u-hxmhFj0U7bOOqXGNpmT_UHGaoT8KKISSV9-H6jHLdQh8k-/s1600/Closet+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEFLNNrIiM3gO6_dQzsBZvClvk7_dj5AJA0rsgaVWaVYTDKyeeWcufStqLPgzfcn8L1xeFCRs9UvFqIS-gKFDEkJrKen2u-hxmhFj0U7bOOqXGNpmT_UHGaoT8KKISSV9-H6jHLdQh8k-/s320/Closet+Before.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mean seriously….how did I go into that room every day and continue to be productive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I have no clue either ecause looking at the pictures makes me itch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have since pulled everything out and reorganized the massive desk I just had to have – now I think it’s just way too big but I’m pretty sure I’d end up in divorce court if I told Chris I was selling it on Craigslist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it stays and I just deal with how to best utilize the space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also started what is called ‘painted wallpaper’ on one of the walls and plan to continue it on all 4 walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a tiny sample and the picture was taken with my phone so not the best quality….just use your visualization skills.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgJXP_0-02Z77smwsA-8J1LjVv6ZtJUXHaAYuoFHaOSnSPUNrLeRo7IeGwDLUqmJBLDGL3oET3-vuFK8hozQGehnWBTEScDcPW-2NEIlHpGO20Rwxw-A46k9f3ua3x2zLCxYBMxU7mADc/s1600/painted+wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgJXP_0-02Z77smwsA-8J1LjVv6ZtJUXHaAYuoFHaOSnSPUNrLeRo7IeGwDLUqmJBLDGL3oET3-vuFK8hozQGehnWBTEScDcPW-2NEIlHpGO20Rwxw-A46k9f3ua3x2zLCxYBMxU7mADc/s320/painted+wallpaper.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stay tuned everyone!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to have most of this done within the next 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently sleep is not in my future.</span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-88704233183924108602011-01-10T21:42:00.001-08:002011-01-10T21:42:56.696-08:00Welcome to My Blog<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who would have thunk it, huh??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mel blogging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured it’s 2011 so I should do something creative, fun and totally out of my comfort zone and then a girlfriend mentioned blogging and after thinking about it for a few weeks I was more than onboard……thank you Shelley!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The idea behind Life by Mel B. is that it will be an entertaining way to document and share our life. Pretty simple, huh?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This next year will be many things for our family, but simple is probably not the best way to describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris has been placed on active orders by the ARMY and will be deploying to Iraq for a little over a year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be his second tour since 9/11 so we are incredibly lucky but that doesn’t mean that it will be any less different or heart wrenching to say good-bye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean really, how do you look a 2 year old girl in the face with her big blue eyes and say ‘Daddy won’t be home for a while’ without breaking into a million pieces and at the same time making sure she understands what I’m are saying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><Insert perfect answer HERE>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait…one sec…I can’t see the screen….I gotta dry my eyes….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So……..during this next year I have decided to throw myself into a few things. Obviously being Kennedy’s mom is top on my priority list, as she will always come first before me (which reminds me, no one can really prepare you for truly putting someone before yourself like a child does, but more on that in an upcoming post).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other things I have decided to take on includes ANYTHING that has to do with organizing and decorating our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought this house 2.5 years ago and most rooms are hodge podged together and I really, really, really, want to turn it into our home where ALL rooms are nice and cozy not just the bonus room. Lots of before and after pictures to come!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will also be asking for advice, sharing random thoughts, showing different products and things I love, sharing funny stories that have happen to us along this journey, and really anything under the sun that needs to be shared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to laugh, cry, smile, grow and so much more over this next year, so please join me as our family navigates through this wonderfully imperfect thing I like to call LIFE. </span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846854161408705551.post-70447074050165309562011-01-09T20:48:00.000-08:002011-01-09T20:48:07.479-08:00Favorite Things - Part One<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said I would be posting some of my favorite things….so here are a few items from my repertoire that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply can’t live without…no joke…I would physically DIE on the spot if I didn’t have these. Ok, fine….a bit dramatic but you get the picture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am convinced that after a rough day that a bath with good bubbles and yummy lotion can wipe the slate clean and can give you strength to face the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you have a husband that saunters into your bath tub and gently places his feet in the tub WITH HIS SOCKS ON then you may not agree with my ‘a nice hot bath can wipe the slate clean’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, that is a true story…..you can’t make that stuff up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no, it’s not my husband but a friends husband. Anyway, here are my favorites in the bathroom:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tru Blue Spa Body Cream $12</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWwPXIRrsUT0h3vnq8boi2YRe6IaMKR5ysRYNuimwE4-EfmOs6ug66gho0Cw1ZovzQc9wzrBGRzwRv-Uhbo8BT9wqlhCO9iMcVu0kNf-MnVefeuriWk2iLA2f4nI_BCdaWZPHslwBLJFc/s1600/LayItOnThickBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWwPXIRrsUT0h3vnq8boi2YRe6IaMKR5ysRYNuimwE4-EfmOs6ug66gho0Cw1ZovzQc9wzrBGRzwRv-Uhbo8BT9wqlhCO9iMcVu0kNf-MnVefeuriWk2iLA2f4nI_BCdaWZPHslwBLJFc/s1600/LayItOnThickBath.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tru Blue Spa Lay In On Thick $15</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb4FNI6xRY02Wt1C8R3uxuVLmbDNEkOVG_kjwVvvKMu651j_c99Or_684D4Unmwamu-oUDTh_UNgtQaEkK6Vjkr8CdkFqOse2l-EkTALSpfgcGG7-qaVdoyKNafkxDuvRVWqdUZR4uF36/s1600/LayItOnThickLotion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb4FNI6xRY02Wt1C8R3uxuVLmbDNEkOVG_kjwVvvKMu651j_c99Or_684D4Unmwamu-oUDTh_UNgtQaEkK6Vjkr8CdkFqOse2l-EkTALSpfgcGG7-qaVdoyKNafkxDuvRVWqdUZR4uF36/s1600/LayItOnThickLotion.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh and good god, L’Occitane is my favorite hand lotion. Jamie (the BFF that you will hear plenty about) turned me on to this a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, I’m currently out of this stuff and my cheap mentality won’t let me splurge on the $26 it would cost for me to be in Heaven every time I applied it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FYI: Valentine’s Day and my birthday are around the corner.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzcH9jxciXoUjfEdVSEQVKML2uy31R7_O0Y-XHXzvpX_Zy6CgxH7lPWuFov_xy4cRD6uPk0zrWCJWBkAOwTh63o6DnfVlnkehKm13SNo30Uh0Rd9fGgOLSLOZoklZWDqrMbm9hvvPGAQ4/s1600/L%2527Occitane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzcH9jxciXoUjfEdVSEQVKML2uy31R7_O0Y-XHXzvpX_Zy6CgxH7lPWuFov_xy4cRD6uPk0zrWCJWBkAOwTh63o6DnfVlnkehKm13SNo30Uh0Rd9fGgOLSLOZoklZWDqrMbm9hvvPGAQ4/s1600/L%2527Occitane.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another thing that makes my world go round is Burts Bees Chapstick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure that at this particular moment I have no less than 5 sticks around the house and in my purse. I’m not sure who turned me on to this product but I can’t get enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure it’s an unhealthy addiction but I’m thinking it doesn’t require an intervention so we are safe. However, it Burts Bees went tits up you would see me at every local grocery store buying the entire supply out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEED IT AND HAVE TO HAVE IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sadly I think I’ve created a monster because when Kennedy sees the yellow tube of goodness she puckers her lips and says ‘chacstick mama!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh oh!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lip Balm $3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lZ_LvFyAczIAC6bcPkm0pHkJBDo8aOy9SqVUPSp3rXM7t3cXsofl43GL2e7n4fVdQsT1BLuvoni1mlhbHjQNjqS2HQDdX_65GOT0oqyYkG0sgz5P5mly56CXOx5NLD-bYn5hOnT8ROeS/s1600/Burts+Bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lZ_LvFyAczIAC6bcPkm0pHkJBDo8aOy9SqVUPSp3rXM7t3cXsofl43GL2e7n4fVdQsT1BLuvoni1mlhbHjQNjqS2HQDdX_65GOT0oqyYkG0sgz5P5mly56CXOx5NLD-bYn5hOnT8ROeS/s1600/Burts+Bees.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And of course, Starbucks definitely blows my skirt back….or my sweats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, let’s be honest…when was the last time you saw me in a skirt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh and the tutu for NYE 10 doesn’t count…I had pants on underneath. Anyway, back to my point…..I love Starbucks and more specifically Tazo Chai. Every morning I look forward to my Chai and if I don’t get it I’m a hot mess….literally.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gotta go….its bath time and I need to find my chapstick. </span></div>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268793190324250495noreply@blogger.com2