tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80976539751174452632024-03-08T05:33:08.257-06:00my drivel... it's just drivelMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.comBlogger553125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-44721953290934958572012-05-09T17:21:00.000-05:002012-05-09T17:24:35.600-05:00Scratch Off Cards<h2 style="text-align: center;">
I just love "scratch off" cards! </h2>
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The anticipation is so much fun!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgrsX2YWtzETH66_VIiwPsc9rgmNqUG-Va8a9qfWMsiEeH-yo2Uz08n1kmO51i68wjVwjmYej9uTq195Fd9XtvpRtMmAfkjNAkPaUlaouHjYluTlms0ugq1rvCUevNjDg2iS0Om7R7jo/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgrsX2YWtzETH66_VIiwPsc9rgmNqUG-Va8a9qfWMsiEeH-yo2Uz08n1kmO51i68wjVwjmYej9uTq195Fd9XtvpRtMmAfkjNAkPaUlaouHjYluTlms0ugq1rvCUevNjDg2iS0Om7R7jo/s400/IMG_0001.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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Voila....</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM3r9jKbM-flJrFHHK3WyGFQ9CuMfNU9LJK_Jp9MbxJbLHJGy7ghdvHDbCc6pwBStd1BfSe65vZ6L5b4KjujsDmKKSqQEhvbx7B_BNhXs0wFGofn2KAgA_XbmDAnNXpJ__6Kjg6TpL6w/s1600/genderB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM3r9jKbM-flJrFHHK3WyGFQ9CuMfNU9LJK_Jp9MbxJbLHJGy7ghdvHDbCc6pwBStd1BfSe65vZ6L5b4KjujsDmKKSqQEhvbx7B_BNhXs0wFGofn2KAgA_XbmDAnNXpJ__6Kjg6TpL6w/s400/genderB.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-23063320204781592672012-02-02T03:33:00.000-06:002012-02-02T03:33:00.123-06:00Just For Today.<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Just for Today</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Smile at a stranger.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Listen to someone's heart.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Drop a coin where a child can find it.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Learn something new and then teach it to someone.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Tell someone that you're thinking of them.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Hug a loved one.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Don't hold a grudge.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry".</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Look a child in the eye and tell him or her how great they are.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Don't kill that spider in your house; he's just lost. Show him the way out.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Look beyond the face of a person and into their heart.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Make a promise, and keep it.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Call someone, for no other reason other than to say, "Hi."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Show kindness to an animal.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Stand up for what you believe in.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Author Unknown</em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToJaa9xBut3hv41RsuQy74Ji7fpKkAmgaW9rxTrR5LhNnIyEDXTP_KT8ErAuvjToKKNYQB-uwO3Dt5qBzxwj9Hllm2byxGGhT0QTCAz4Mng_K78Eh9kSoU2cdoihLmDkPS4N1akkHKxQ/s1600/IMG_7851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToJaa9xBut3hv41RsuQy74Ji7fpKkAmgaW9rxTrR5LhNnIyEDXTP_KT8ErAuvjToKKNYQB-uwO3Dt5qBzxwj9Hllm2byxGGhT0QTCAz4Mng_K78Eh9kSoU2cdoihLmDkPS4N1akkHKxQ/s640/IMG_7851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em></em></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-31494248084938289022012-01-31T21:29:00.001-06:002012-01-31T21:31:56.010-06:00What do you do with a lot of ribbon?<span style="font-size: large;">You make a ribbon topiary!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of Course.</span><br />
<br />
As we prepare for another household birthday, I wanted to create a unique "centerpiece" that could be used for four out of five birthdays in our home. (And if you live nearby, I would be happy to lend you our newly decorated centerpiece for your pink festivities.)<br />
<br />
I love. love. love. PINK and GREEN. Love. Thus, Pink and Green is our color scheme. <br />
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Have a 'looky' at the fun ribbon:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU3oFYZE-nCprR1cJNJ_qG0ie8JKh_4iL9Cgj-LAp-rX4MpDUCmwKpFFV91ASAj8Os8mEjHJkXlazZ2Z7No1wBmT9UJfRh284swoVQ7ap5m9e8cjuPqfiIeM1uHpnV9s131Mgkn2Pg1A/s1600/IMG_8031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU3oFYZE-nCprR1cJNJ_qG0ie8JKh_4iL9Cgj-LAp-rX4MpDUCmwKpFFV91ASAj8Os8mEjHJkXlazZ2Z7No1wBmT9UJfRh284swoVQ7ap5m9e8cjuPqfiIeM1uHpnV9s131Mgkn2Pg1A/s400/IMG_8031.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
In progress:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlu96XW7Va_B1hd2zx8Qnbb-ZdcTiqwUSP6bed6AAP9sg-zetazYrRNTuTlmBzpUHQ9Adn0RXmxzpDjcnD6nQ4LThUD8dfIpQoj7Sobo2pPTvKdtJVXFcA0L4nzGfr0inmsCwOWWNq7I/s1600/IMG_8032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlu96XW7Va_B1hd2zx8Qnbb-ZdcTiqwUSP6bed6AAP9sg-zetazYrRNTuTlmBzpUHQ9Adn0RXmxzpDjcnD6nQ4LThUD8dfIpQoj7Sobo2pPTvKdtJVXFcA0L4nzGfr0inmsCwOWWNq7I/s400/IMG_8032.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the final product:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"A Birthday Celebration Centerpiece"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfLCZYi7WkiOrZ_n_KuMfW8mxGoKM-K3gktGzD76d3zljkfvgPrd99NIkrPRc8NXfgXTm9PsCujBUhR8egFK7rhId3U9A_FCd77N5z0kUaKthguq53AcKfrFePFCFsIJZVwNSDr2qsGw/s1600/IMG_8036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfLCZYi7WkiOrZ_n_KuMfW8mxGoKM-K3gktGzD76d3zljkfvgPrd99NIkrPRc8NXfgXTm9PsCujBUhR8egFK7rhId3U9A_FCd77N5z0kUaKthguq53AcKfrFePFCFsIJZVwNSDr2qsGw/s400/IMG_8036.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKZb3D2BiVIZOY5xXnu9mZtBxbXKrbBTOkMIa7q9aZNVu1BR-Xgvap87xXvKnvNvI1X10sio_OLyodhImo5KPmo4b0RxrdGr_NUDHzBGiTBKe-jW2fB3X9Z_kIL_Gu_aqRvtGV3qfDCY/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKZb3D2BiVIZOY5xXnu9mZtBxbXKrbBTOkMIa7q9aZNVu1BR-Xgvap87xXvKnvNvI1X10sio_OLyodhImo5KPmo4b0RxrdGr_NUDHzBGiTBKe-jW2fB3X9Z_kIL_Gu_aqRvtGV3qfDCY/s400/IMG_8039.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmjs6FS_wb0droQ-k_KcBQ7Vw2gy_jWeM5vi6ej3WK_vKxkrIqBcUJnVvGVsucYaHYPUiI-ATlT3ttkxs7Wfte6OHl3qshQ3H0SeTXvFcM0QxTBRsLPU4gVshfXFB93QpvCB32wnkUNs/s1600/IMG_8034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmjs6FS_wb0droQ-k_KcBQ7Vw2gy_jWeM5vi6ej3WK_vKxkrIqBcUJnVvGVsucYaHYPUiI-ATlT3ttkxs7Wfte6OHl3qshQ3H0SeTXvFcM0QxTBRsLPU4gVshfXFB93QpvCB32wnkUNs/s400/IMG_8034.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HappY CelebratinG !!!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-74340677453038367042012-01-30T04:55:00.003-06:002012-01-31T12:03:43.068-06:00Answer the Door.Here I sit, after an unexplained leave of absence, and ponder.<br />
<br />
It has taken some time... and I have finally accepted the reality that...<br />
<br />
PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE IS <u><strong>NOT</strong></u> KNOCKING ON MY DOOR!<br />
<br />
Nor is Oprah.<br />
<br />
Nor is Dr. Oz.<br />
<br />
Nor is Dr. Phil.<br />
<br />
I don't even hear so much as a <em>tap, tap, tap</em>. So, it is time to take control of my life and start pounding on their security-guarded, ten-camera, fiberglass doors. I am going to pound until they answer their dadgummit door!<br />
<br />
I am not quite sure what I wlll say to Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil. But I am going to beg Oprah for just ONE of her favorite things (the amazing t-shirt bra?). And beg that PCH will hand me a well-earned gigantic check for 1,000,000 dollars. <br />
<br />
<em>Dear PCH,</em><br />
<em>It's Me. And I am patiently waiting to be surprised. Please make it a great surprise. </em><br />
<em>See you on 2/29!</em>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-74774559228024870362012-01-26T23:04:00.007-06:002012-01-26T23:04:00.530-06:00Out to LunchHurry. Hurry. Hurry.<br />
Always in a rush.<br />
Rushing for nothing, really.<br />
<br />
Anybody else have those kind of moments?<br />
<br />
After school, we were in a "rush" to start and complete homework. We were in a hurry to start, complete, and eat dinner. We were in a rush to finish a project. To do dishes. To make lunches. <br />
<br />
My daughter unpacked her backpack and brought me her lunch box. I checked it. Pretzels left over from today's lunch. Check. Water bottle replaced with a new water bottle. Check. I put the lunch box in the refrigerator. To get it off the counter and out of the way. And there it stayed.<br />
<br />
Daughter: "How was your day?"<br />
Me: "Busy. And yours?"<br />
D: "Do you really want to know how my day was? Because I am tellling you that it was great until 11:45am. And do you want to know why it was horrible after that?"<br />
Me: "Wellllll...."<br />
D: "I'll tell you why. BECAUSE I'M STARVING. I MEAN REALLY STARVING. LIKE SUPER, SUPER HUNGRY!" <br />
Me: "Oh no!"<br />
D: "I wondered why my lunch box was so light. I had no idea what was going on."<br />
Me: "It's an early April Fools!" ha ha ha. "Thank goodness you had pretzels and water still in there."<br />
D: "My friends couldn't believe their eyes. How embarrassing!"<br />
Me: "You could have at least eaten your pretzels!"<br />
D: "I couldn't eat after looking inside my empty lunch box."Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-67706485005199767712012-01-25T22:59:00.003-06:002012-01-25T23:02:49.974-06:00double. Or plus one?I really really suck at my part-part-part-time job.<br />
<br />
I am never punctual.<br />
I am never consistent.<br />
I am never remembering.<br />
<br />
Being a "Tooth Fairy" is tough!!<br />
<br />
My daughter has lost 5 teeth in three weeks. Who does that? And what does she have -- "Super Teeth"? Or is it just a test of the reality of the "Tooth Fairy"?<br />
<br />
OK, I know, being a "Tooth Fairy" is not difficult. Actually, it's quite easy. You wait until the newly detoothed child is asleep. You slip into their room. You grab the tooth. And replace it with the monetary gift of choice. <br />
<br />
So, HOW can I possibly mess this job up ... each and every time??<br />
<br />
1. Totally forgot about the tooth. Even though it was pulled at the Dentist office less than 6 hours ago. <br />
<br />
2. The tooth fairy forgot <u>again</u>. Tooth Fairy slipped money under pillow during breakfast.<br />
<br />
3. Tooth Fairy went to bed and never woke up ... until she heard the "SHE FORGOT AGAIN" scream at 6 o'clock in the morning. Tooth fairy came the next evening.<br />
<br />
4. Tooth Fairy remembered the MONEY. But she forgot to take the tooth.<br />
<br />
5. Tooth Fairy took the tooth but forgot the money! She needs to revisit.<br />
<br />
In our house, we have a tooth fairy rule that was established at the very beginning... 5 years ago. "IF the TOOTH FAIRY doesn't come, then she brings DOUBLE the next night." <br />
<br />
So that brings us to the fifth tooth... <br />
And that brings me to my question:<br />
If the detoothed child receives one dollar, and the tooth fairy forgets one night, then the following night she brings two dollars. But what is the amount to be received if the tooth fairy forgets to visit on the second night? Does she double the two dollars, now making four dollars for the third night? Or does she just add one dollar, making three dollars for the third night? I know how to double. But does an eight year old? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's vote:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A. Four Dollars or B. Three Dollars</span><br />
<br />
I now propose a toast to all past, present, and future "Tooth Fairies". Because being a tooth fairy is tough!<br />
And financially draining, in my situation!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-70939230712206310602012-01-25T01:47:00.002-06:002012-01-25T01:47:00.651-06:00wacky wednesday waffs - my all time favorite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J9INhxuJLmFijYKW4w-JSR3DhpFt31Z8IJ88MXMOeKCwFczKzcf4G9x-LfS55cYZgH2B2aen8H6bt8n8s0CiaiwqjmhH2QRIk4ASX0uGeKjKf_RdKjkOss4a2nxc04I96cQrU08VFiM/s1600/IMG_6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J9INhxuJLmFijYKW4w-JSR3DhpFt31Z8IJ88MXMOeKCwFczKzcf4G9x-LfS55cYZgH2B2aen8H6bt8n8s0CiaiwqjmhH2QRIk4ASX0uGeKjKf_RdKjkOss4a2nxc04I96cQrU08VFiM/s400/IMG_6522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-83818821361686137882012-01-18T01:46:00.000-06:002012-01-18T01:46:00.263-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpflwKib-J9qcyV1gLheaRAGbS3A6ZO1blli3i9l0kcIdDPUvgoAlTFD8bL-WTFW6po8hc1YDJI6wsU0_OMjcdnQzVNVrAFxHDTDLAw2mnok1jpW1BLPjYcglFXicoSNTccq1bN2Y_UeY/s1600/IMG_6518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpflwKib-J9qcyV1gLheaRAGbS3A6ZO1blli3i9l0kcIdDPUvgoAlTFD8bL-WTFW6po8hc1YDJI6wsU0_OMjcdnQzVNVrAFxHDTDLAw2mnok1jpW1BLPjYcglFXicoSNTccq1bN2Y_UeY/s400/IMG_6518.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-78531291592598071582012-01-11T01:11:00.002-06:002012-01-11T01:11:00.119-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbjTYo5N_JfNPljMnap_8PkdhAktn6Ev18RJHb0m6ok0_NCUDyD3ktx1tM1WAKG3vDvGUpcuk0tQuw7C4AJWMme_NIN4rCO253OaY-jtmOw4LD7zkHBHPuTj5t4pQZYkxD3LN5CEmFZI/s1600/IMG_6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbjTYo5N_JfNPljMnap_8PkdhAktn6Ev18RJHb0m6ok0_NCUDyD3ktx1tM1WAKG3vDvGUpcuk0tQuw7C4AJWMme_NIN4rCO253OaY-jtmOw4LD7zkHBHPuTj5t4pQZYkxD3LN5CEmFZI/s400/IMG_6527.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go and get yourself a bottle of wine. Hurry, it is exactly: 1-11-11 at 1:11 a.m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And open a second bottle of wine on 1-11-11 at 1:11 p.m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">{Pause "Days of Our Lives" and ... oh, wait a minute! I realized it was the wrong year AFTER the second bottle of wine. At least, I didn't remember before the first bottle was tapped.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">HaPpY fErMeNtInG dAy!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-57013305372580223122012-01-04T01:38:00.002-06:002012-01-04T01:38:00.421-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that the holiday season is officially over, I say, "Screw the New Years Resolution"!</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/AVvXsEgEYgFrJSAG0N9UKF_AHPnXL07924m5Efw_d-0lrqUUs3xfmAYyXpbhKhW4dJWGLLx_evdtF8HrT7No8QWA-1W1agDH_Igzk7_ECITPag7Y5F5GVzousepshmB_Hj_YwyS4XVJpIYnxETc/s1600/IMG_6516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYgFrJSAG0N9UKF_AHPnXL07924m5Efw_d-0lrqUUs3xfmAYyXpbhKhW4dJWGLLx_evdtF8HrT7No8QWA-1W1agDH_Igzk7_ECITPag7Y5F5GVzousepshmB_Hj_YwyS4XVJpIYnxETc/s400/IMG_6516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-80460927023970502562011-12-28T01:16:00.002-06:002011-12-28T01:16:00.817-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96QpqTlFAkZ1rmdALpO6Gu9P_xljUgqw_S3imN5smpvt4YipCa_x3BwYqbP4dBIO4vBsU0diNH1BDDvDPa42gX1P8_euoArqlykE9SvQLGpB8sbkAb3dYCU53aDiojNWNOZtQuMBYMqg/s1600/IMG_6537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96QpqTlFAkZ1rmdALpO6Gu9P_xljUgqw_S3imN5smpvt4YipCa_x3BwYqbP4dBIO4vBsU0diNH1BDDvDPa42gX1P8_euoArqlykE9SvQLGpB8sbkAb3dYCU53aDiojNWNOZtQuMBYMqg/s400/IMG_6537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My New Years Resolution: MORE LAUGHTER! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Screw fine lines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am looking forward to craters!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and new panties!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-61125057255680013642011-12-24T10:27:00.000-06:002011-12-24T10:27:38.970-06:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqfXOKs0yi7pSdqQbzr_x7mJlZQjYwYsERaeLZuOVYy32bfRTFhVJYdYwjxflf32mWtV04UuL7v-wRnQPTEwyR9YYLDvwzuAf0cr_wNYVC4DeWDXH-Jrv-Bub0dF0Y1rYQnc5aVvzmBI/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqfXOKs0yi7pSdqQbzr_x7mJlZQjYwYsERaeLZuOVYy32bfRTFhVJYdYwjxflf32mWtV04UuL7v-wRnQPTEwyR9YYLDvwzuAf0cr_wNYVC4DeWDXH-Jrv-Bub0dF0Y1rYQnc5aVvzmBI/s400/IMG.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-42725993927826088162011-12-21T01:10:00.002-06:002011-12-21T01:10:00.456-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To honor and cherish the upcoming holiday:</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/AVvXsEihNr_qt4Ue6SxMQZOlul2SptBehgnn6x4CQicZXnbG6F8ecQGUc9lVwDjTBdf7GZSPtudP8L_vV68XW4B2BwCQnr6dO4kz4BRwISHs_ZTcmis7ld9DyNtiF9zTMHkd9KzaDjRHbOFV3Hc/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNr_qt4Ue6SxMQZOlul2SptBehgnn6x4CQicZXnbG6F8ecQGUc9lVwDjTBdf7GZSPtudP8L_vV68XW4B2BwCQnr6dO4kz4BRwISHs_ZTcmis7ld9DyNtiF9zTMHkd9KzaDjRHbOFV3Hc/s400/IMG_6535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-78012373626649433932011-12-14T01:09:00.002-06:002011-12-14T01:09:00.196-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOOEdJmM_-DvyS7zaRmAEsrGp6A3B3wKXQKGhB8Nxyoc3RSLcaTtgurryu8_ZJLkn05xakw0wytyQm8-S1MMatJLW6wUbDBjeeQKf-z9OyShi2K5AIfXwiTeXMbc3-tdvawgUg2bnoGY/s1600/IMG_6534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOOEdJmM_-DvyS7zaRmAEsrGp6A3B3wKXQKGhB8Nxyoc3RSLcaTtgurryu8_ZJLkn05xakw0wytyQm8-S1MMatJLW6wUbDBjeeQKf-z9OyShi2K5AIfXwiTeXMbc3-tdvawgUg2bnoGY/s400/IMG_6534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-82760851663651362762011-12-07T01:07:00.001-06:002011-12-07T01:07:00.361-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgl-GvE7a3zPTbDKaepMXLOFZ0YIg7n7er4kH8ByRefz_Lyeew6otAsKlrSB0JPqwJA-G40A35zkMcQ1cSMJGCh2BdOb7_6pyt7tA7ftD699JBbbZCPRybkm8yg4t9zHHlKOYNgJ-vHg/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgl-GvE7a3zPTbDKaepMXLOFZ0YIg7n7er4kH8ByRefz_Lyeew6otAsKlrSB0JPqwJA-G40A35zkMcQ1cSMJGCh2BdOb7_6pyt7tA7ftD699JBbbZCPRybkm8yg4t9zHHlKOYNgJ-vHg/s400/IMG_6515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-34012533090615628542011-12-01T13:04:00.000-06:002011-12-01T13:04:15.293-06:00Happy December 1st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYw-vUg1jYpECJgLMl4KrLFSNCsqxej7YoNHtKy13WuvAElAbR9UazdpHxR9sjPOmf9xR0mLLtcF9jhyphenhyphenaiM_AcX4sq8GiMNAWgzVIrr3spYnBPFAg5H_0tFiWBmFYjNsCOZbUQxyiKNw/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYw-vUg1jYpECJgLMl4KrLFSNCsqxej7YoNHtKy13WuvAElAbR9UazdpHxR9sjPOmf9xR0mLLtcF9jhyphenhyphenaiM_AcX4sq8GiMNAWgzVIrr3spYnBPFAg5H_0tFiWBmFYjNsCOZbUQxyiKNw/s400/IMG_6799.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Hope your 1st of December is extra sweet!</strong></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>And as the old cliche goes: ONLY 24 more shopping days til</em> <em>Christmas!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">December also means that we are on the downhill slide to an end of another year. 2011 will be closing another chapter in everyone's personal book of life. I want to cherish the memories. The laughter. The love. Because in 20 years time, I don't know if I will remember the "little things" that make each day special. And frankly, that makes me want to cry. The kind of crying that can only make one look absolutely and dreadfully UGLY. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, there are also plenty of moments I don't want to remember either or for you to remember. Like the time I had surgery. Three surgeries, to be exact. Just 6 weeks ago. Three incisions. This was so NOT elective. I had two hernia repairs and another prolapsed something or other. For some unknown reason, my 45 minute surgery was 180 minutes in length. And my wakeup was not easy. In fact, I did not want to wake up. The recovery nurse spent five hours trying to get me to wake-up and go home. Apparently, I had overstayed my welcome. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I only slept three hours the night before surgery. I sure was tired! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that I am somewhat healed. I ventured out on a 5K with my family. The Turkey Trot was a great way to begin the Thanksgiving holiday -- running before a day of feasting. It was a beautiful morning and I believe that is what the other 11,995 people were thinking too as they donned their running shoes. The crowd! I don't believe the streets in my city are wide enough for that many people. Perhaps, 2000 runners wore chips to actually try and compete... while the other 10,000 runners were just there for the *fun*.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the race's end, my darling husband and elated eldest daughter were waiting for me and my two riding littles to cross the *finish* line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "How did you do?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">DH: "We did okay, but there were a lot of people to *run* around?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> How was your run?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: "I don't know... WHY don't you try SHOVING 120 POUNDS UP SIX HILLS? O</span><span style="font-size: large;">h, and did I mention that the front wheel sprung off its quick release hinge and I had to carry the wheel while balancing those 120 pounds of children and stroller?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than the mishaps and the hills, it was a great run. Luckily, the endorphins were kicked in and I was just happy! And then the results: My eldest placed in her age group. I am so proud of her. </div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-37012246993061336872011-11-30T14:07:00.002-06:002011-11-30T14:15:45.933-06:00What I Have Realized...that on school holidays, when all 5.3 of us exist in one common area called the "home", I have realized this:<br />
<br />
There is NOT enough CAFFEINE in the house to get me through a day! Coffee, hot tea, iced tea, diet coke... really, it's just NOT enough! My body does not even respond to anything less than 52 ounces of some sort of caffeine. <br />
<br />
But on the flip side, my bladder is probably thankful.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-50761843805943596602011-11-30T01:04:00.002-06:002011-11-30T01:04:00.105-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2u09tMgocd-MVif2M9WnLd0lusUVk6PVKTa6iYF_OvWATLCJk0YkTeH5Zfu-0AFzUXZi-k9YR-CCEkiELq4BqYBcKA_ZI4W0UTO0LCQHxOZjsEh9_0cZLwJgZutl2KGC3DNDPY4ziR8/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2u09tMgocd-MVif2M9WnLd0lusUVk6PVKTa6iYF_OvWATLCJk0YkTeH5Zfu-0AFzUXZi-k9YR-CCEkiELq4BqYBcKA_ZI4W0UTO0LCQHxOZjsEh9_0cZLwJgZutl2KGC3DNDPY4ziR8/s400/IMG_6532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-8079336466606815362011-11-24T01:37:00.004-06:002011-11-27T22:04:54.245-06:00Happy Thanksgiving<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVeFlR2z6OYU-x-9LMsSngSy8kpBF8n0YWtveVh5vOqYAhzjk1PRAIiDW5IQtohMxr8mX38Gx8BUzH1NmEUZFn-6xnpQ16w5YyhE-XfUP96T3vhSwNpvefBVG_aGPFZ15jKx8gQ6Rz80/s1600/turkey2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVeFlR2z6OYU-x-9LMsSngSy8kpBF8n0YWtveVh5vOqYAhzjk1PRAIiDW5IQtohMxr8mX38Gx8BUzH1NmEUZFn-6xnpQ16w5YyhE-XfUP96T3vhSwNpvefBVG_aGPFZ15jKx8gQ6Rz80/s320/turkey2.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What we're <span style="color: #e06666;">really</span> talking about is </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">a wonderful day set aside on the fourth</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Thursday of November when</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">no one diets</span>. I mean, why else</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">would they call it <span style="color: #e06666;">THANKSGIVING</span>?</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">{Erma Bombeck}</span></span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-33002454162011494732011-11-23T01:01:00.002-06:002011-11-23T01:01:00.444-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<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/AVvXsEhePnkiS6HSswBT6bNFpiTnppEL91_AcN6M_TPDEfDp8uR-qj0KWSoiuvDPC3-pF2pui8rl1l0EXraBQAxtu30W0ZzYzcPEu0_R3j9OeqOR-m8jCoowdufe3kQFRkdP4wU9UWRjIVBaqtE/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePnkiS6HSswBT6bNFpiTnppEL91_AcN6M_TPDEfDp8uR-qj0KWSoiuvDPC3-pF2pui8rl1l0EXraBQAxtu30W0ZzYzcPEu0_R3j9OeqOR-m8jCoowdufe3kQFRkdP4wU9UWRjIVBaqtE/s400/IMG_6514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-52312675383012983722011-11-22T01:14:00.004-06:002011-11-22T09:34:01.529-06:00give.thanks.seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG0SPrWKTb_RNfcmTzE4tGdMTPyDu8PgC8lckfGMSUiXiyyq2q3RqXCuWdJy3angjMZhyEcoyd91IydXqZvEW2482yz8546k1zBDiorhvVTSj8BbEiB05TuT6jsz9I-tq2R4-268BjOA/s1600/DSC_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG0SPrWKTb_RNfcmTzE4tGdMTPyDu8PgC8lckfGMSUiXiyyq2q3RqXCuWdJy3angjMZhyEcoyd91IydXqZvEW2482yz8546k1zBDiorhvVTSj8BbEiB05TuT6jsz9I-tq2R4-268BjOA/s640/DSC_2989.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRX_VCkKKF2a_mzD6ZbBPkYR9oUBFk-icc4LkilZSBAfG_buaMb7Xkhk6BT1vbdxxlcpVGAaQRBbNHwEHR8moRifxb2a6pszss235fRSjGS3smo4wgGcqNSZyn4FG6vg8HIK0IYsTbfI/s1600/DSC_2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRX_VCkKKF2a_mzD6ZbBPkYR9oUBFk-icc4LkilZSBAfG_buaMb7Xkhk6BT1vbdxxlcpVGAaQRBbNHwEHR8moRifxb2a6pszss235fRSjGS3smo4wgGcqNSZyn4FG6vg8HIK0IYsTbfI/s640/DSC_2999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I am thankful for sounds. The gift of hearing. Selective or Not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I am thankful for the humming of purrs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The gentle breathing of children and pets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The music streaming from the radio. Well, preferably my radio and not the radio of the car who is three lanes over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The ringing of the telephone. The consistent tone that reminds you to give a silent nod of thanks to Alexander Graham Bell. With all the texting going on, one can forget to be thankful for the simple non-ring-tone telephone rings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The familiar sound of the garage door opening. It tells me that my husband is home. Family time begins. The memories flow as we sit down to dine together and share our day. I am thankful for the garage doors. And particularly thankful that I have only hit two out of three. </div>*The pitter patter sound of rain on the rooftop. <br />
<br />
Today, I am thankful.<br />
<br />
Only two more days until Thanksgiving Day!<br />
And only three more days until BLACK FRIDAY!!<br />
{Is your shopping list ready?}Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-31193214338643958932011-11-21T00:33:00.004-06:002011-11-21T22:52:58.403-06:00give.thanks.six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCh8dU2Jb-COzci2jiBOlzP_1PGYKIn1ZRpXrvwcr7_THi_HHUHWnNaO8MvyIuCMIq5nzi-bT_3hT8y0uDm6UXYtgHrvaBQNempe4sRJKLLwR5wDsLM6tspvk_svppMfJJf2NjV3DRn4/s1600/bg-swifferRefills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCh8dU2Jb-COzci2jiBOlzP_1PGYKIn1ZRpXrvwcr7_THi_HHUHWnNaO8MvyIuCMIq5nzi-bT_3hT8y0uDm6UXYtgHrvaBQNempe4sRJKLLwR5wDsLM6tspvk_svppMfJJf2NjV3DRn4/s400/bg-swifferRefills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because life is so busy ... and my kitchen floor ALWAYS has *stuff* on it from every meal, every in-between meal, every pre-meal and every post-meal. I am THANKFUL for SWIFFER. The quicker mopper. Because God and I know that it is impossible to spend three hours thoroughly-on-my-hands-and-knees mopping every day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One day, not that long ago... I used 24 Swiffers in one mopping. Is that a record? It should be a record!! It's not like I used 24 Swiffers in an entire 5,000 square foot, all-tiled, home. It was in ONE room; the kitchen, with 24 Swiffers, and the Mother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">{CLUE should have a new domesticated theme for MOMMIES!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgijLs_-royNo825oD0aT_exyChY6NSb_MSdHk3NBSN8QDi8ymr81C7UoFyAkx5LSIV9zudqUGlItbO044WKptf0sESLy-lohnDUJUGV0oRMtwygypAyfXs6_IS29Ird4ALxOXdWYkUo/s1600/41jR7NVd2gL__AA300_PIbundle-12%252CTopRight%252C0%252C0AA300_SH20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgijLs_-royNo825oD0aT_exyChY6NSb_MSdHk3NBSN8QDi8ymr81C7UoFyAkx5LSIV9zudqUGlItbO044WKptf0sESLy-lohnDUJUGV0oRMtwygypAyfXs6_IS29Ird4ALxOXdWYkUo/s400/41jR7NVd2gL__AA300_PIbundle-12%252CTopRight%252C0%252C0AA300_SH20_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am also thankful for the smooth, rich, creamy, warm taste of Nestle Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate is a great beginning to any day. Add a handful of mini marshmallows. Ahhh! Perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9XRCfvdUK9xtqpAH5c8KASUwi_eIRvjX1OQwxlaiiKKvOR7onsqDPs_nXKEp-XLQroTfGSlPl4H0oGZx27DLBoU7qheeA4Z5LJWtZ03kmKCN3jMA23d5wyo329fMUAkkjaECq4Lb0io/s1600/GU_family_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9XRCfvdUK9xtqpAH5c8KASUwi_eIRvjX1OQwxlaiiKKvOR7onsqDPs_nXKEp-XLQroTfGSlPl4H0oGZx27DLBoU7qheeA4Z5LJWtZ03kmKCN3jMA23d5wyo329fMUAkkjaECq4Lb0io/s200/GU_family_resized.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">GU is a great addition to any length of run. GU gets me through when my legs feel like running home. And my feet grow heavy. And my knees start shaking. And my lungs are exhaling faster. And my head shouts NO. But remember: It's the run that counts! A run to start your day. Or evening. I am thankful for GU! </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8ld1nSHufB6nQQUOt8V4Ycmr5N-Ef06MOmv-V2_6biOkcTL8AubizOdZnT3jWLxz640MxuapzvLcIpISqwoiirKvv0QLmYITPcyt6Vp8OLvemgdW0zvRMmgjimRlrCDtZJ48SghtXO8/s1600/led.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8ld1nSHufB6nQQUOt8V4Ycmr5N-Ef06MOmv-V2_6biOkcTL8AubizOdZnT3jWLxz640MxuapzvLcIpISqwoiirKvv0QLmYITPcyt6Vp8OLvemgdW0zvRMmgjimRlrCDtZJ48SghtXO8/s400/led.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I love LED. Love, love, love. LED lights up my life! These wireless LED portrait lights are a fantastic invention. No more cords hanging above/below your beloved portraits or paintings or pictures. {I found these on Amazon.com!!} I am thankful for LED. <br />
<br />
And I am thankful for Kayak.com. They are so sweet to send enticing travel adventures to my *inbox*. Adventures I consider, contemplate, and dream about. Did you know I can fly to Madrid for roughly the same price that I can fly to Milwaukee?? Madrid is sounding like an excellent travel destination. I love Madrid. Hmmm.... maybe I can take my daughter to Madrid for her birthday?! And as a close second, Milwaukee would be *fun* too!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-5913028793488289812011-11-20T00:00:00.029-06:002011-11-20T00:20:53.032-06:00give.thanks.fiveGiving thanks. <br />
There may be days that it seems difficult to come with just one reason to be thankful. Especially if a person is going through a difficult time. A death? An illness? A divorce? A funk? A depression? A hangover?<br />
<br />
Or perhaps a dryspell. Anonalcoholickindofdryspell.<br />
<br />
So for day 5, I give thanks for laughter. The sound of laughter. The teary-eyed-effects of laughter. The look of laughter. <br />
<br />
A: What are you wearing?<br />
B: Shorts.<br />
A: What kind of shorts are those? A brown kind?<br />
B: They are shorts.<br />
A: The UGLY kind?<br />
B: What?<br />
A: Well, they sure are AWFUL?<br />
A: Is AWFUL a naughty word? Can I use that word?<br />
***<br />
B: These shorts are also called 'hand-me-downs' AND you will see these in your room someday.<br />
<br />
My youngest started walking at a very young age. 10 months. Fluent walking. And we find her in the strangest places on an hourly basis. The bathroom sink. The desk top. The cat tower. The fireplace hearth. The beds. The workbench. The patio table. The mini trampoline which is on top of the patio table (we moved it up there so the littlest little would not be tempted to jump on it after she escaped through the cat door). And we laugh. And take photos.<br />
<br />
And if finding humor is a bit of a chore today... watch TV... the laugh tracks may MAKE YOUR DAY!!<br />
<br />
HAPPY DAY FIVE OF GIVING THANKS!<br />
FIND THE PIECE OF HUMOR IN YOUR DAY TODAY!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-56997598476097330562011-11-17T01:16:00.002-06:002011-11-17T01:16:00.437-06:00give.thanks.four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufvFHO7H3m0228A2Ym-hvTo-vnnkiSTFYSPVVwe6k6o2lTveSIZjlkc0BDCV4wi78S83tsxrke2fThCoOg5TDwa7CxNx3t8871HlejENeFWBlJZRTXeREzr6tcSv1cR_acv4ahpbq4dU/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufvFHO7H3m0228A2Ym-hvTo-vnnkiSTFYSPVVwe6k6o2lTveSIZjlkc0BDCV4wi78S83tsxrke2fThCoOg5TDwa7CxNx3t8871HlejENeFWBlJZRTXeREzr6tcSv1cR_acv4ahpbq4dU/s400/IMG_6670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6eC1mMHZSfz2-PUioG8n1lLzTYqdzO9hle4VX_JLuAxN8bYjfvRWwZMZ_J6HGep__mZ9uH3GxUfMED6lhyDlDZKUUukwQs5kE2Rp7XKlcYYf59msO1JBiBabOVbI4Aj-g4kFWmDcS4A/s1600/IMG_6671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6eC1mMHZSfz2-PUioG8n1lLzTYqdzO9hle4VX_JLuAxN8bYjfvRWwZMZ_J6HGep__mZ9uH3GxUfMED6lhyDlDZKUUukwQs5kE2Rp7XKlcYYf59msO1JBiBabOVbI4Aj-g4kFWmDcS4A/s400/IMG_6671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Today I give thanks for number Four... the oil rigs that create our skyline. <br />
<br />
Oil drilling is new to me. It is not something I am familiar with since I grew up in a state that did not drill for oil in my neighborhood. Oil rigs are fascinating because you do not have to drive far to see one or even, twenty-five. <br />
<br />
We can drive to Target, Costco, Chili's, McDonalds, WalMart, Sam's, and Taco Bell -- all in a two mile radius. In that two mile radius, there are four oil rigs. Neighborhood, Oil rig, Neighborhood, Target, Oil rig, Neighborhood, Long Horns, Apartments, Chilis, Oil rig, Neighborhood, WalMart, Sam's, Cattle, Neighborhood, Oil rig...<br />
<br />
Giving thanks for the new skyline. And the Long Horns (the cattle)! For This is Home. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Give Thanks for the place you call home. </em></strong></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097653975117445263.post-86571047439580614132011-11-16T01:59:00.002-06:002011-11-16T01:59:00.612-06:00wacky wednesday waffs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy92BL_ltv-GYV7W0uHs2r93DTKm6s1soz9R2PukjvF65L4GJjZhEZ2nu5kFCZrQzcaFyIs_3WJSL5EM8lSMDx2m3EwNwmSXJSjeGccPkEJC1aPMcyp864Io4yWjcnhIqqyw0pnLSb3jU/s1600/IMG_6531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy92BL_ltv-GYV7W0uHs2r93DTKm6s1soz9R2PukjvF65L4GJjZhEZ2nu5kFCZrQzcaFyIs_3WJSL5EM8lSMDx2m3EwNwmSXJSjeGccPkEJC1aPMcyp864Io4yWjcnhIqqyw0pnLSb3jU/s400/IMG_6531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17650390788111136687noreply@blogger.com0