Mel Tells

Perfection in cup form

2007-09-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today, I was fortunate enough to consume true perfection in cup form. This is not the first time I've enjoyed this rare commodity, oh no.....probably closer to my 40th time. But, it just occurred to me today, to share with all of you my thoughts on the matter.

Most of you are aware of my love of chocolate. I'm a fanatic! But, I will say this. Chocolate, in it's truest and most enjoyable form does not include the words, dark or white. The only way I will partake of this fine delicacy is when it has the word "milk" in front of it.

Ok, so back to my story. As I was saying. I enjoyed a taste of perfection today. It was in cup form, and I'm sure by the giant picture above you can guess as to what I mean by "cup". First, I would just like to give a shout out to whomever decided to combine peanut butter and chocolate together so long ago! Can you say Nobel prize?

Anyway, I have been a fan of the Reese's brand for many years. The first of course, and most popular is the regular-sized, two-cup package that you can find in most all grocery or gas station stores around the country. They are in fact very popular, and rightly so! So poplular that they have expanded their pb and chocolate line to many new forms. Until recently, they have expanded, but not yet hit true perfection until introducing the Big Cup.

Let us take a moment and go over some of the many selections from the Reese's line of products.

First, as pictured above, the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Most popular and quite delicious, until......

Second, the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniature. Again, quite popular, and can almost always be seen in my candy jar during the holidays in it's seasonal colors, but it's chocolate to peanut butter ratio is lacking.

Third, the White Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Honestly, not worth mentioning because it lacks the "milk" word. No offense to you white chocolate fans out there, but....seriously?

Fourth, the Caramel Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Again, when thinking about the perfection of the peanut butter to chocolate ratio, there is absolutely no room for another ingredient.

Fifth, and most recently shelved and disgusting. The Reese's Peanut Butter and Banana Creme Cup. I actually like to refer to it as the "Crap cup". Apparently, Reese's fans are supposed to be lured to it with the lovely picture of Elvis on the front. Did Elvis like to eat crap or what? What is the significance there? I can honestly say, I have never eaten the "crap cup", I actually refuse to partake of it and it's nastiness. I can also honestly say I've never heard of anyone else eating the "crap cup" either, so enough said.

Finally, to the cup that has reached the full potential of being classified as "pefection in cup form". The Reese's Peanut Butter Big Cup (sounds of hallelujah angels in the background)! Again, I don't know which board member on the Reese's Peanut Butter committee thought of the idea, but God Bless him/her! Just when I thought the first form, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, was the best it was going to get, my lips were shockingly and most pleased by the taste of the perfect ratio of peanut butter and chocolate there ever was, in the consumption of the Big Cup! Wow! It just doesn't get much better than that. I dare anyone to try......no, I double-dog dare anyone to try!

Surprise, surprise, and another surprise!

2007-09-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

Have y'all been missing me? It's been a while since I last posted something. Sorry for the delay....it's been a busy summer.

I just finished celebrating my 29th birthday this past weekend. It was one of the best ones yet! My hubby, after turning 30 in May, and having the best party ever....thrown by mwah, had some serious expectations to live up to. I think it is safe to say, he met them....and then some!

I don't why it is, but I have been, and continue to be (until this past weekend) impossible to pull one over on. It is something I'm very proud of, but can also cause must frustration for my wonderful, very thoughful husband. Inevitably, no matter how hard I try, I somehow manage to ruin every surprise he has for me. But, this year was different.

About 2 weeks before the big day he informed me that "the gift" had been purchased so not to recommend anything or try to ruin the surprise. As if I would. But then, all I heard for the next two week was how much I was going to LOVE it! Talk about annoying.

As it got closer and closer, and after I had heard about 100 different crazy hints, I could tell that he was just as excited for me to open the present. So, two days before the big reveal was scheduled he gave in, and I got to finally see what all the fuss was about. I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened the unnecessarily large parcel in my living room. It was a Nikon D80 SLR camera.....my dream camera, right there in front of me. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it is.....I LOVE IT! Just like he said I would.

I spent the next hour and a half drooling over it, while trying to figure out exactly how it all worked. All the buttons are a little intimidating, but I'll make since of it sooner or later. My wonderful hubby also bought me a great bag for it, plus the instructional DVD to learn a few things. (I'm a visual learner)

Later that weekend, as if the camera wasn't enough, I was surprised again with a babysitter for the kids and I night out with some friends for dinner. We went to a great Japanese Hibachi restaurnt (my favorite) called Mt. Fuji. It was really enjoyable and I ate a little too much, like always. Then we went home and devoured my birthday cake that the kids and again, my wonderful hubby made for me earlier that day. Two surprises and one to go!

So, my actual birthday was the next day. It was sunday morning, a working day for me...and I big one at that. We had scheduled our Fall Quarter Kick-off for the children's ministry that day, and I was one busy girl. Everyone at church was told to wear their favorite football team jersey to church for the festivities. I of course showed up in my #6 Cutler jersey!

After the morning events took place and everyone was packing up to go home, there was one last thing to do. My friend, Sean (the mastermind behind surprise #3) decided it would be cool to have everyone in a jersey take a quick picture in front of the church outside. I thought it was a great idea too, so I jumped at the opportunity. Luckily, I had a great new camera to capture the memory.

After everyone gathered together, Sean behind the camera (part of the plan) and everyone else, but myself in the know, we took a few pics. I was up front and squatting down, oblivious of the plan that had been devised. Then.... suddenly....and most surely another shocking surprise, I became very aware of the plan. So aware, so immensely aware....you could say I was submersed in it! They had emptied a gatorade cooler full of ice cold water on my head. What great fun for me! Everyone within a 2 foot radius of me fled, only to leave me dripping wet in the very cool Colorado wind. My hubby, not so wonderful at this point, came rushing toward me with a towel. I guess he was figuring that would get him off the hook after being a very sneaky accomplice in the whole thing (pictures don't lie).

All in all, it was great fun! I will however, like my hubby told the accomplices, get REVENGE!

Galilee in Denver

2007-06-24T20:44:00.001-07:00

Wow, I'm tired! Everything that I've been planning and brainstorming about for the past 5 months, is finally coming to life.

Tomorrow night is the start of Galilee By-the-Sea VBS at our church. I am co-leader of this year's VBS, along with my good friend Shaina. We've pretty much been living at the church for the past week or two. It has been a learning experience for me. I've always been involved with VBS to some capacity, but never taken on the role of heading it up.

If nothing else I can sure add a few more things to my resume. Seamstress, set-builder, painter and carver of styrofoam rocks, interior designer, etc.

This year's VBS is Galilee By-the-Sea. We have basically transformed our small church into the town of Galilee. The kids will be broken up into tribes based on the twelve tribes of Israel. Pretty cool. They will be learning the ends and outs of Jewish traditions while enjoying the recreation of what it must have been like to be a kid while Jesus was alive and teaching. All the week's lessons will be all about Jesus. The kids will travel to the Synagogue to here the Rabbi teach. They will gather water from the well for their tribe and they will learn how to bake bread in the bakery. Also, they will take turns in different Marketplace shops each day to learn new trades. There will be a Sandal Maker, a Toy-Maker (Jimmy), a Stone Carver, a Rope Maker, a Carpenter, a Jewelry Maker and even a chance to visit the Farmer's Market to taste and try new fruits.

I absolutely can't wait to see the kids faces tomorrow when they come in the front doors. We of course, have made each kid and all volunteers involved his/her own Biblical times costume to wear while in Galilee. This will only add to the authentic transformation. It is going to be great!

I'm posting a few pics of today's set-up. I'll post more as the week progresses. Please pray for us this week, that God will touch the lives of children and families in a new way through this very important annual event.

Attention Bookworms!

2007-06-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hey all you bookworms out there. I need some help.

As you know, I'm in a bookclub and I've been assigned to pick the July book. I have no idea what to pick. I love to read, but in the past few years my booklist has been quite short.

It is a bookclub with some ladies from my church so keep that in mind when you make suggestions. It doens't have to be a Christian book, by any means, but I would like to keep it appropriate.

These are the books we've already read or plan on reading:

The Persian Pickle Club

Plainsong

Sisterchicks on the Loose

A Bride Most Begrudging

Peace Like a River

My Sister's Keeper

If you know of any great books out there, I would love to hear about them.

Thanks!

See ya!

2007-05-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

We're about to head out to go camping for the weekend. We are going to the beautiful Sand Dunes National park in southwest Colorado. Andy's birthday is this weekend.....the big 2! This is the only weekend until after VBS in late June that we will be able to get away. We are very excited!

Before we left, I wanted to check on all my plants. You remember that hanging plant in front that has the nest. Well, 4 eggs have recently been deposited in it. I have to be careful when watering from now on....don't want to drown any baby birds.

Good place to do some Hatchin'

2007-05-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Our home has become a good place to do some hatchin'! At least, that is what the neighborhood birds think.

Two years ago, we had the pleasure of watching a robin lay her eggs in our front door wreath. It was pretty cool, because we could open up the main door and get a good look at the baby birds on the glass door without bothering them too much. The girls loved checking on them every day.

Well, this year we have mangaged to woo two separate birds into building a nest around our home. One, the first, is in our backyard. Again, a robin has built a lovely nest on the top of our backdoor light. I was able to get a good pic of the eggs in the nest while Simon (our very tall friend) was here for Jimmy's birthday. Andy loves looking out the window to see the birdie. He looks up and says, "Yook, Mom.....a birdie.....tweet, tweet, tweet!"

The other nest I found the other day when I was watering one of my hanging plants on our front porch. A little bird, what kind I don't know, has found a lovely little spot inside my flower basket. There are no eggs in it yet, but I'll be checking on it in the days to come. If I spot any, I'll let y'all know.

Just today I was able to sneak a picture of the baby birds in the nest while the momma bird watched me from our back fence. It was a little scary.....the things I do for my blogger fans. I hope you appreciate my close to death experience. She did a few dive bomb fly-by's!

Helping hand

2007-04-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

True Story:

After dropping the girls off at school this morning, Andy and I were off to run some errands. I have a lot of "to do" things this week in preparation for birthdays and such. So, one of our last stops was the grocery store.

I try to limit my grocery excursions to once every two weeks, so you can imagine how my buggy looks on shopping days. For a family of five the buggy can fill up real fast.

Well, today was no different. I had that buggy maxed out! I don't think I could have fit one more item. I guess I could have tried balancing something on Andy's nose, but I doubt he would have liked that. One of the last things I had to pick up (with an already full buggy) was a new crock pot of all things. What was I thinkin'?

Anyway, the check out went good.....slow, but good! A lot of times I have to watch the check out people so they don't try to just bag 3 items per bag. I end up leaving with 30 bags in what could have been 10. Ok, sorry for the rabbit trail.....back to the story.

So, I've paid and I'm all loaded up. I have managed to somehow balance the crock pot box on the front handle of the buggy. Andy is no longer visible, but I know he's strapped in tight.....and were off to the parking lot.

About half way to my car items start slowing falling to the ground. I of course have to stop, put the crock pot box down, while delaying traffic to pick up my string cheese and lunch meat. So, as I'm hunched over gathering my groceries I hear a man's voice next to me.

"Can I give you a hand?" the stranger's voice says.

"Oh, that would be great. Thank you." I say.

As I stand back up and look his way to make eye contact to thank him further I notice something. And this is the great part.

The helpful stranger is actually smiling at me while handing me my string cheese with his hand. His only hand. The man literally only had "a hand" to give.

I'm sorry, but it took everything in me to not crack up laughing. It's moments like these that I'm glad my mother was not with me. She would have lost it for sure.

Note: My story, in no way should be taken as a chance to laugh or make fun of people with missing extremities. It was just the situation that presented itself.....I couldn't help myself.

My other half is back!

2007-04-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

Good news! I got my camera back on thursday. It was being fixed and I was worried it wouldn't get back in time for next week's big events. Also, being that I love taking pictures, it is nice having "my other half" back.

Today was a beautiful day and we started it off by going to my oldest daughter's soccer game at 9am. After, we made a quick trip by Home Depot to pick up some household fixer-upper items. I wanted some plants for my hanging baskets that I just bought.

I spent the rest of the day planting pots. It was very enjoyable....I'm not much of a green thumb, so pray for my plants. I do love seeing all the color, so I hope I can manage to keep them alive for at least a little while.

Oh, more big news! My little man slept in a big boy bed for the first time this afternoon. I took his crib out of his room for good. He's growing up too fast! Where did the time go? I'm posting some pics of him in his new bed. He thought it was so great!

Seriously!.....as if we haven't had enough.

2007-04-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

SNOW! AGAIN!

I'm so sick of the stinkin' snow. It's as if we are being taunted up here. We have hardly any snow for what they call the "snowiest" month of the year and then, when we think we have escaped it, and we are enjoying the great warm weather,......we get dumped on again!

I guess I knew it was possible, but I was mainly expecting more rain than snow this time. It rained all night last night (which I love sleeping too), but this morning we started getting the slushy mixture of the snow mixed in with the rain. Poor Peyton had to stand under her umbrella this morning while waiting for the bus. She didn't complain, she really kind of enjoyed it. Luckily, my wonderful neighbor let her ride with her kids to school. She is so much more on top of things in the morning than I am. I hate trying to function in the morning!

Jimmy actually came home before noon this morning because of the weather. I was glad because his car doesn't really perform well in this type weather. As the day progressed it of course just got worse. Right now, at almost 8pm we have accumulated somewhere around 6-7 inches of slushy snow.

I ordered some Belle themed plates and stuff for Emmy's birthday today. Hopefully, they will get here by her b'day next week. (Fingers crossed)

Also, did ya'll know that Oriental Trading had children's apparel. Who knew? I certainly didn't.....at least not until yesterday. They were having a sale on some cute t-shirt dresses, pajamas and hoodies. I grabbed a few for the girls. A lot of it will be perfect for the summer weather. If you've ever been to Colorado in the summer you know that a great hoodie is essential.

Aren't they cute! I was actually really surprised! I got the girls each a hoodie, the blue one above and then a pink one with a hula girl on it. Plus, the orange striped t-shirt dress and some pajamas like the the ones on the right. So, I got 5 things for I think $30 bucks! Not bad, huh?

Ok, I need to go get my kids in bed. Pray we don't lose our electricity and that Peyton can go on her cool field trip tomorrow.

Heroes

2007-04-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! Tonight's the night! We've been waiting, not so patiently, for 6 weeks or more for the return of the greatest show on television.......HEROES!!!

I say all this to let you know.....DO NOT, by any means think it is ok to call me between the hours of 8pm-9pm (MTN time) tonight! I will not answer or give you the time of day.

Also, for those interested in becoming a fan of this awesome show, here's a word of advice:

DON'T WATCH TONIGHT! YOU NEED TO WAIT AND BUY THE FIRST SEASON ON DVD.....GET CAUGHT UP, AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN TALK AND I WILL TAKE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE SHOW SERIOUSLY.

Missing my friends

2007-04-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

So, I'm missing my friends.

Don't get me wrong, I love living in CO, but since I'm 1,000 miles away from some of my dearest, and most special people.....it is hard to stay in touch.

After reading some of the "Sisterchicks" books (along the side of my blog) it just makes me miss some of you even more! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! The books are all about best friends, who have know each other for years. They were best friends is college, they saw each other get married, they raised their children together, they even moved away from each other, and through it all; they are as close as ever! The actual definition of a sisterchick is this:

SISTERCHICK (n.): A friend who shares he deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.

The more I read about these "sisterchicks" the more I became aware of who my own "sisterchicks" were. It is funny how your closest friends are in some ways complete opposite of you. I think this just makes the bond even tighter. I started to realize how two people, who may be so different, can bring out the best in each other.

I love how sisterchicks don't have to see each other everyday to have that special bond. I love that their is not an ounce of guilt within their relationship.....they don't make each other feel bad for not calling. The fact that when one of them picks up the phone to call, they just find themselves picking up right where they left off! What a beautiful thing that is!

I want all my sisterchicks to know that I miss you and that you all have a special place in my heart! Go read the books for yourself, they're great!!!!

Ahhhh, to be His Bride!

2007-04-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

I would like to just take a moment to say how blessed I feel today! I realize, on this Sabbath day that I do belong to Christ. He is my bridegroom and I am His bride! How remarkable and special is our relationship with our Savior!

Most of you know, I am on leadership at my church. We have been discussing some new changes that will soon be put into place within the church. I, along with many others on leadership are ready to start these new changes, yesterday! Now after reading "Fivefold Ministry Made Practical", and realizing exactly what it means to be a part of a Fivefold Ministry; I can honestly say, as the Apostle that I am...........I am not scared of change!

I want more than ever to see others excited and amazed at God's glory! He is such an AWESOME God! To see others using their giftings, that God alone imparted to them; and using those giftings to spread His Word and advance His Kingdom!!!! What else, but Him alone, do we need! He is all we need! He can provide our comfort....He can provide our strength.....He can provide our love......He can provide our peace! He can do it all, folks! Lean on Him!!!!

Today, during worship I was so blown away at God and all that He is for me! I felt so loved and so blessed! I was also so excited to see others feeling that same way! So many of us, just lost in Him. Lost in His glory, lifting up our praises to Him, as a body. It was beautiful! As the tears flowed down my cheeks, and as I sang praises to my Father I was swept away in His wonderful presence! Oh, how I love my Savior!!!

New idea for this blog

2007-04-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm getting pretty bad at keeping up with this blog because I feel I have to really have something unique and original to write about each time. Well, no more! I've decided to use this blog as more of a random thoughts and journaling blog. I'm sorry if I bore you with my everyday (maybe every other day) thoughts, but hey, if you don't like it you don't have to read it.

So, here we go.....my first random entry.

Today it started snowing again. If you didn't know, our Easter morning was awful up here because of the snow. Jimmy, my husband actually ran off the road a few times on the way to church. Luckily, all he lost was a hubcap. Anyway, I'm sick of the snow.

I've been really into reading more and more since I started attending a bookclub with some ladies from my church. It is so much fun! It is not that I didn't like reading before, I just didn't make the time to do it. Plus, I never knew what to read. I like having knowledgable people recommend books for me. So far, I've only been disappointed once.....really, I may have been pleasantly surprised if I would have taken the time to finish the book, but oh well.

My latest favorites are posted on the side of my blog. I would highly recommend all of them. I've noticed once I find an author I like, I stay with him/her until I've read them all.

I just signed my kids up on a website called Handipoints.com. It is a free, online chore/task site just for kids and their parents. It is pretty cool, because it is really easy for the kids to use and can be personalized to their age and tasks. Today is the first day we are using it. The site will give you ideas for rewards, or you can come up with your own of course. Go check it out!

Update on Jimmy's party
I mailed the cool invites yesterday. He still hasn't seen them, but I figure I'll show him once it gets closer to the date. Also, I sent out some postcards to 30 friends and family (mostly from out-of-town) assigning them one of the 30 days before his birthday, to do something special for him. The first day was April 5th, belonging to his Mom and, lets just say.....she came through. So far, he has been blessed everyday by some random person. I've been so impressed by everyone's creativeness in surprising him on their day! Thank you to all who have helped make his 30th a great one!

There is one Big......HUGE......GIGANTIC surprise coming!!! Sorry, I can't tell you yet, but it is going to be great! Jimmy is oblivious!

Things filling my days

2007-02-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

I promise I am not just ignoring all of you! I have been, and continue to be so busy! With my kids, my house, my job, my bookclub, VBS....I have no problem filling my days.

Lately, my biggest task has been taking on writing an Armor of God curriculum for my preschoolers at church. I have been wanting to do an Armor of God study since I first started my job last June. Since then, I have spent many months looking for that perfect, age appropriate curriculum, but nothing has captured me. Mostly because of the age group--3 to 5 years. Not much out there for our little ones in this particular theme. So, finally about 2 weeks ago I decided I was just going to have to write one myself. It has been on my heart for almost a year, and I figured if God wants me to do it, He will provide the resources and the motivation I need to get the job done. Well, like we all know, God is faithful to His promises and I can say with all confidence that this curriculum is going to be great! I am so excited about presenting it to my team of teachers and volunteers. I have designed it to be a starting structure for what I want the final product to be. I want to include my teachers in on the process too. So, they will all be getting a copy of what I have written and have been given instructions to add to it (ideas, comments, different ways of wording, etc.) as they see fit. I cannot wait to see what we as a team can come up with. It will be a great resource for our preschoolers in the many years to come! The intro into the Armor of God will start this sunday, March 4th and continue through the spring quarter. Pray that my students and my teachers are able to receive all that God has in store for them through this study.

Ok, so if it hasn't been the Armor of God, my time could be planning for this year's VBS. Along with the elementary children's minister, I am preparing and getting ready for our Galilee by the Sea themed VBS. We will be presenting our vision for this year's theme in just a few weeks during a friday night get together at the church. It should be fun....I'm very excited about this theme too!

Also, I have just recently joined a bookclub with some ladies in my church. The plan is to meet once a month and discuss a book and fellowship with each other. This past sunday night was my first meeting, after reading "The Persian Pickle Club". I have to say it took me a little while to get into the book, but I ended up loving it in the end. We just got assigned our next book to read for the month of march. "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf. I'll let you know how it is in a few weeks.

Other things with my job include a workshop this saturday with my core team, hosting this month's Corporate leadership prayer potluck at my home, regularly scheduled monthy meetings with leadership and my VBS vison night at the end of the month. March is turning out to be very busy.

My kiddos are enjoying school, ballet, soccer (in the next few weeks) and anything else that pops up. They always keep me busy!

My house is just dirty! I try, but it never stays clean!

One of my favorite things I'm doing right now is planning my hubby's 30th birthday bash in may. For all of you that know me, you know I don't wait to the last minute to plan anything....especially parties!!! I'm so excited about all the details, of which I cannot divulge at this time, but I'll keep you uptodate as the party gets closer. I will say, that it is going to keep a smile on his face for days and weeks after. It's going to be BIG!!!!

Oh, and if all this wasn't enough....we are about to buy a pop-up camper in hopes to go on a great vacation at the end of march. I'm not revealing the location as of yet, because nothing is set in stone yet, but I will say.....YOU WILL BE JEALOUS!

I think that may be most of my life for now. I'm sure I'm leaving out a few things, but obviously they are not taking up as much time as the above items, so I guess they're not that important.

It's my blog, I can whatever I want!

2007-02-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick entry to simply say, "I WAS RIGHT" and if you feel as if I'm rubbing it in......well, you're right, I am!

Tired of sticky notes?

2007-01-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

Are you organized? I thought I was a pretty organized person until I had a third kid, took on a new job, and my older kids started going to school and participating in other activities. Since then my mind has slowly deteriorated!

I love making lists, planning events.....I'm the color-coding queen! I have calendars, whiteboards, sticky notes, pocket organizers, files, notebooks, etc....all doing their part to help with my forgetfulness. Yet, still....it is never enough. I always forget something.

Well, you want to know my latest find? I can't take the credit for the full discovery....that belongs to my friend Heather, but I can say that I've only been using it for a day and I already love it! This wonderful, organizational tool just may be the key to my organizational dilemma!

Ok, ok.....keep your pants on. I'll tell you what I'm talking about! Go to your computer and type in the url: www.backpackit.com, and get ready for all your dreams to come true!

If you pride yourself on your organizational skills then I'm sure you will at least upgrade to the $5 a month account. If not, try the free account and see how long it takes you to get hooked! I made it with the free account for all of 5 minutes.....good luck!

Plummer's riding the pine!

2006-12-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Move over Jake and let Cutler take over! I'm sure you've all seen the latest on Mike Shannahan's decision to start Jay Cutler in this Sunday's game against the Seahawks. I'm not sure what I'll enjoy more....Cutler playing or Plummer riding the pine. I think I'll get pleasure with both scenarios.

For those of you that have kept up with the Broncos season so far you know that this is a welcomed change. Plummer just hasn't been performing. I, personally, wish they would have noticed this earlier on...maybe then we wouldn't have lost our past two games! Whatever. As you can see I'm not a Plummer fan.

Jimmy and I have decided to throw a Cutler party on Sunday in celebration of Mike coming to his senses. I spent some of the morning on the phone trying to track down a #6 jersey for Jimmy. He already has a Lynch jersey, but now since there is another "awesome white guy on the team" he had to get that one too! I'm actually trying to find one for myself since I feel my yelling "PUT CUTLER IN!" every week this season has somehow contributed to this switch.

Be sure not to miss the game on Sunday! It's gonna be a good one!

P.S. I got my jersey!

Fall back....flip out!

2006-11-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

I do believe that the end of Daylight Savings is a mother's worst nightmare! I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure there have to be others who's children flip out around this time of year. What is up with this? There was a time when I got excited about this wonderful fall day. The thought of "falling" back made me giddy because I would actually get a free hour of sleep that night.

Well, those thoughts are long gone! These days, with three small children, I have to say I would rather stick a sharp object in my eye than set the clocks back. It totally screws up what I have been working on as a mother (especially one that loves to sleep) for the past year. I mean....I have a system! That system, which includes a digital clock strategically placed in my girl's room, can't help but get a giant kink in it when 7:30am (permission to leave the room time) feels like 6:30am. Not cool!

Ever since the crazy time change my kids have been flipping out on me. The girls...by waking up at inappropriate times, and Andy.....by being just plain grouchy! Every day, like clockwork, (no pun intended) the boy screams out from his crib at 6am. I try to roll over and pretend that I didn't just hear the cry, but I'm not one to ignore and just fall back asleep. Jimmy however, he is oblivious. Luckily, after a few minutes Andy will doze off again, and I can get back to sleep. But.....right when I do, and I'm off to dream land again, I feel this poking sensation on my side. Oh, yeah.....you mother's know the "poking" sensation. One of my two girls, most likely Emily my 4 year old has successfully managed to wake me up once again. I could get one of many questions after this. 1. "Mom, I need to go to the potty." 2. "Mom, can I get up?" or 3. "Can you get me some cereal?"

I would just like to know one thing. Why is it that us mothers are the ones that hear all the cries, or get all the pokes? Does God give fathers the ability to sleep through screaming baby cries at 4am, and some sort of poking repellant for those early morning risers? I personally, don't see the humor in it, but whatever.

My new kitchen color!

2006-10-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

This entry is post pictures of my new kitchen color. I tackled the job of painting the whole thing yesterday, and I absolutely love it!
Tell me what you think. Now I just have 5 more rooms to do. No problem.

Friday, October 13, 2006

1st Bronco game!

2006-08-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

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I've been in Denver for 3 years now, and I just went to my first Bronco game tonight. I have to say I'm not a big football fan, but it was quite fun! Jimmy loves the Bronco's and is so excited about the new season starting.
Tonight was a pre-season game against the Houston Texans. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun.
Here is a pic of me and the Bronco Barrel man. He's some 30 year fan that wears a barrel to every game. He actually just recently sold one of his game barrels on ebay for $30, 000. He was very nice and didn't mind at all taking a pic with me. We had great seats on the 4o yard line. Go check out the Hatcher Hookup for more pics from the game!

Help...I climbed a big rock and I can't get down!

2006-07-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm finally posting the entry for my solo hike to the top of a massive rock in Moab, Utah. Most of you know the fam and I went to Moab on a little spur of the moment vacation over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. We had a blast! For more pics of the family check out my Hatcher Hookup blog. Here is a blow-by-blow of my hike to see the Delicate Arch.
Let me start off by saying that it is hot in Moab, Utah. There are no trees...just rocks and really big rocks. Did I mention there were rocks? Anyway, so we're in Moab visiting the Arches National Park and staying at a nearby campground. One of the most famous Arches in the Park is called the Delicate Arch and it is absolutely breathtaking. After viewing the Arch from afar with the husband and kids I immediately knew I needed a closer look. I was told by many people that the best time to take pics of the Delicate Arch is at sunset. So...I arranged for Jimmy to watch the kiddos while I hiked to the top to get some great shots. After a long, but fun day with the family I set out on my own around 6:30pm. It took me about 30 minutes to get from our cabin into the park and to the Delicate Arch trail. The signs tell you to make sure you bring at least 1 liter of water per person if hiking this trail......they weren't kidding! I'll get to that soon. So...I'm there....I load my 35 mm and check to see if I have another set of charged batteries for my digital....check! I've got my 1 liter of Dasani and some fig newtons in my backback....the essentials!
I start on the trail in high hopes of that beautiful dramatic lighting of the sun setting on the Arch and there's a hop in my step. I can't wait to get to the top.
The sign at the start of the trail tells me that it is a 3 hour hike total....1.5 there and back. Seems easy. I'm thinking this is gonna be a piece of cake. No problemo!
Sunday, July 9, 2006

Let me mention that just because I'm going solo on this hike does not mean that I was the only one making the hike at 7pm. There were tons of crazy people with "high hopes" just like mine. I made sure to stay close to other humans while up the mountain just in case anything should go wrong. The first quarter mile was bearable. I was doing great. Then came the steep climb....oh my Lord....I need air.....water.....something....anything.....just make it stop! My lungs were burning and I'm not kidding you my vision was getting slighly blurred. I have to say I never stopped, but I pulled out the water and walked the whole way with the top off and close to my mouth. If you've forgotten I had a deadline for sunset and I didn't want to miss it. I pushed myself, and pushed myself. All along the way there were little stacks of rocks strategically placed to help guide the hikers along the trail. It was a cool idea....and a big help especially when the blurred vison came into effect. I tried to put myself just close enough to other hikers in front and behind me for safety reasons, but far enough away from me that they could not hear the noises of my gasping for air. Everytime a hiker passed that had already experience the Delicate Arch climax passed me I would suck it up and pretend that I was having no problem breathing and that I was oblivious of my face being bright red and blotchy. This was a "piece of cake" remember. I kept thinking....after this next turn I'll see it! It's gotta be around this next corner. Surely I've walked a mile and half by now.
It wasn't until I had almost lost my vision completely and I only had a few tablespoons left of that liter of water that I finally was coming to the final stretch. That final stretch was tricky too, because I was literally having to hug my way around a curve that was only about 3ft wide and gave me a wonderful view of the canyons beneath. Try doing that with only about 20% of your vison intact. I was beginning to wonder if I was gonna make it to the top alive or even be able to take in the glorious splendor that awaited me.
Well, I did in fact make it around the curve and there it was.....the Delicate Arch.....slightly blurred, but still beautiful! I was amazed at the amount of people that were up there. Everyone was just scattered gazing at the Arch....some were lying spread eagle on the rocks and by that time I knew exactly why. People had their tripods set up just waiting for the sun to set. It took me a minute to get my bearings and regain my vision, but once I did I started taking pics. I walked all around getting as many different views as possible. I even managed to make it down to stand under the arch and get my picture taken. It was massive! I spent about 30-45 minutes on top not only taking pictures but trying to build up my strength for the trek back down. Turns out the we didn't even get a good sunset that night because the cloud coverage. Bummer! I still got a few good pics. I got home around 9:45pm, just in time to enjoy a few s'mores with the girls. It was a great hike and I really enjoyed it. I'm posting some pics I took with my digital. I'll try to post some of the better ones I took with my 35mm in a few days.

Thirtysomething

2006-06-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

THIS IS FOR MY WONDERFUL COUSIN CACI ON HER "THIRTYSOMETHING" BIRTHDAY! FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW....WE HAVE A THING THAT WE DO FOR EACH OTHER ON OUR BIRTHDAYS. SO IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PICTURE THEN....WELL, IT'S NOT FOR YOU ANYWAY!
HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY CACI!
LOVE YA BUNCHES!

Check out this "sucker"!

2006-06-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

Check out my new vacuum cleaner. What is wrong with us mothers that we get so excited about a new appliance. I can't help it though, I am excited about my new cool blue Dirt Devil "Reaction". Doesn't it just exude powerful "suction"! You should see it when it is actually plugged in and performing...I'm in awe!
The reason for my new purchase is because my old vacuum cleaner died about a month ago. Can we have a moment.......ok, that's enough. Anyway, it has basically been on its last leg for a while now, and it bit the dust (no pun intended) just recently.
My new vacuum has all kinds of cool features. First, it is bagless folks! Yup, no more nasty, exploding bags to mess with...just push the release button over the trash can and "Voila", no more dirt!
Second, is the cool mini vacuum attachment if you will, that is perfect for cleaning my stairs. Before I moved to this new house a year ago I've never had to deal with the "vacuuming the stairs" issue. This cool tool makes it so much easier.
Third, is that it just looks cool. It's BLUE! And when you turn it on the little vacuum chambers spin really fast. Need I say more!
Ok, well I'm done bragging. Enjoy!

What's wrong with this picture?

2006-05-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

It doesn't take too long to see what's missing from this picture. Can anybody say...DIAMOND! I swear I can't keep up with anything these days. If I'm not losing my child or my mind, I'm losing one of the most expensive things I own. "My Precious" ( in my best Gollum voice).
I was at our very first church softball team practice tonight waiting in the car with Chick-fil-a thrown all over my car, and my three kids in the back. I had told myself beforehand to take my ring off and leave it in the car so that it wouldn't irritate my glove hand during practice. Has anyone kept track of how many times my blog entries have included the words, "I had told myself."....or, "I made a mental note"? I myself have lost count, because it seems like I try to "tell myself" stuff a little too much. Maybe I should learn my lesson now and stop trying to remind myself to do things. It seems something bad always happens. Tonight was no different.
So, I'm in my car "reminding" myself to take off my ring, and next thing you know I'm on the field with my ring still on my finger. No problem right? I just decided to move my ring to the opposite hand so that it wouldn't get in the way of my glove. Great idea.....at least I thought. Turns out that during practice I was running to get a fast ground ball and didn't exactly snag it as I was hoping I would. Instead, "My precious" took the hit. I didn't realize I had lost the diamond at first. I first retrieved the ball that had unfortunately gotten passed me and threw it back to the catcher. It wasn't until a few seconds later after I had made my way back to center field that I noticed my hand was hurting from where the ball had hit it. I looked down to see what was causing the pain and I saw exactly what you are all seeing in the picture above. FOUR PRONGS and NO DIAMOND! I couldn't believe it! How stupid of me! Why couldn't I just have left the thing in the car like I had "reminded" myself to in the first place? WHY?

BECAUSE I'M GOING CRAZY!

We spent the last 3o minutes of practice combing the 5 inch deep thick grass in the outfield looking for the diamond, but to no avail we came up empty handed. I managed to hold myself together in front of my teammates, but broke down when I had to show Jimmy the empty prongs. He was great about it and told me not to worry and that we could get another diamond. But I don't want another diamond just won't be the same. I want my diamond back!

Back home....10 pounds heavier!

2006-05-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, back home. I had a great trip down south to see the fam. It was hot, but lots of fun! I managed to make it there and back without losing any of my kids or killing them.....not bad if I do say so myself. Applause anyone?
Well, before I left I had a blog entry that included all the wonderful food that my sweet southern home has to offer. I am now proud to say that I was able to enjoy each item on the list at least once. I enjoyed about 30 pounds of crawfish total. I only went 3 times so you do the math. My dad has a tab at Shane's (best crawfish in Shreveport) because he sold Shane some security cameras. I guess I owe my Dad and the existence of "high" crime in Shreveport for the many pounds of those dirty, but delicious critters! It was Heavenly!

I don't know how many Southern Maid donuts I put away during my 11 day stay, but I can honestly say it was not enough to tide me over to my next visit. I miss them already!

You can't go to Southern Maid without getting an icee too! I enjoyed quite a few of the wonderfully slushy treats. They just don't make them the same up here. I blame it on the altitude, because that's what I blame everything else on up here.

Ahhh, Nicky's! I love me some good mexican food! Is was only able to go to Nicky's once, but it was sooo good!

One of the first things I picked up on my grocery list down there was Blue Bell ice cream. I was amazed at all the new wonderful flavors. The first tub I went through was the one pictured called "Good Heavens". If you haven't tried it, I would highly recommend it. It has a mixture of Homemade Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate and Cookie Dough. Ummm, umm, good!

I have to say I was very happy with the fine selection of goodies, down there in the southern states. I'm never disapointed! Thank you to all the people that contributed to my gaining a good 10 pounds over the last two weeks. I will never forget you!

1...2...3...CLEAR!!!!

2006-05-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

I'm crashing folks, could someone please grab the defibrillators!

I don't know what has come over me in the past few weeks, but I need some serious help! I'm beginning to believe that I just might be losing it! I used to pride myself on my remarkable ability to remember anything and everything without ever writing it down. Those days are gone! I now need to apparently write down my name so I don't forget that if someone should ask me. I can't remember a thing, and it is driving me crazy!

You all know that my 4 year old, Emily is coming near to the end of her ballet classes for the spring. She will be finishing up the season with her recital on June 3rd. She is so excited about being on the stage to perform. Jimmy and I are just as excited and are anxiously awaiting the big day. Well, a few weeks ago the dance school sent out their monthly newsletter talking about when recital tickets would be going on sale. April 28th. I made a mental note of this (my first mistake) and told myself I would write it on my fridge calendar when I got home. It took me a few days, but I finally did remember to write on the 28th square, "Buy recital tickets!" I think I may have even circled it. A lot of good it did! Guess when I remembered to buy the recital tickets? Last night! Almost a week and a half after they started going on sale!

So I went online last night to purchase the tickets and I immediately freaked out! I sat looking at the screen before me and found myself staring at a bunch of red squares and maybe 10 randomly spaced out green squares. The reds of course being the "reserved" seats and the green ones the "available" seats. I'm not kidding you! All the good seats were gone! The last row, and I mean the very last row had about 8 seats available. There were also a few "green" squares on the aisle seats starting from about he 4th row back. I had to purchase 3 seats. One for me, Jimmy and Peyton. John and Meredith were wanting to come, but I don't see that happening. I did not want to sit on the back row, so my only other choice was to purchase 3 seats on the aisle. There were not even 3 seats next to each other, so I had to get the 3 aisle seats on rows 4, 5 and 6. Not cool! Poor Peyton is gonna have to sit next to some stranger while her Daddy and I are sitting one and two rows behind her.

I went into the dance studio office this morning while Emily was in class. I had ordered the tickets online last night, but I had to take the printed receipt to the office to pick up the "real" tickets. While I was in there I heard the ladies in there talking about how they had sold out of tickets. Can you believe that! Thank God I finally remembered last night, or I wouldn't have been able to see Emily dance in that $75 outfit on stage.

I don't know what my problem is lately! I know I'm trying to juggle a lot, but two years ago I could do it with ease. I would love to go back to the days when I just forgot the milk or the bread instead of my children and important recital tickets!

Wiggin' out in Wallyworld!

2006-05-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

Oh, if you only knew how hesitant my fingers are to type the following words on this blog. Part of me is telling myself to STOP and to DELETE everything I have typed so far; while the other part of me is saying, don't stop anything. This is the most "blog worthy" entry you've had yet. It is also a story that I know I will regret telling my oh so loving family and friends in the years.....and years.....and years to come. I will never live this one down. (big sigh) Hold on to your hats folks this is a good one! I can't believe I'm doing this. Here I go!
Ok, so it's saturday and I've been doing stuff around the house all day. Cleaning, ironing, picking up toys, etc... I have to go to the store today too, but I'm trying to hold off until the last possible moment because as you all know I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING! Anyway, I finally decide to bite the bullet and go around 2:45 this afternoon. Jimmy is going to be at home working on the computer so I leave the girls for him to watch and I just take Andy with me. One kid is not so bad; it's three that will send me over the edge.
So we're off to Wal-Mart. I have a half-written list in my purse of the things I need to get while I'm there. I wasn't able to sit down long enough today and make out a complete list, so again I'm going on memory. Now, let me just stop right here and remind you all that my memory has been lacking in the last couple years. Just a few posts ago I wrote an entry about how Emily has to tell me to "remembuh dat" constantly. I just want to make sure you all understand that I'm not exaggerating the "fewer brain cells" theory. It is completely true!
Ok, so like I said, I'm dictating to myself a grocery list on the way to Wal-Mart. I'm trying to remember to get jelly, excedrin, dish soap and formula just to name a few. I pull up into the parking lot and get out. Like most of us Wal-Mart regulars I have a system of walking through the store. I always start on the side with the medical supplies and tolietries and then work my way around through the toys, home items, electronics, crafts and then groceries. Well, today was no different. I had to pick up some Excedrin for Jimmy so my first stop was in the medicine department. I spent about 2-3 minutes browsing around there before I noticed that they had the new "Summer" aisle stocked. I walked through that whole section looking at all the cool new swimming and summer stuff for the kids. I passed by the sunscreen and debated on buying some, when I couldn't quite remember if I already had some at home. All I could think about was how expensive that stuff is. They have tons of different brands and types and none of them are cheap. Needless to say I opted to check at home first. I probably spent another 5-7 minutes looking in this section before I slowly made my way to the back of the store. I was enjoying my little afternoon out just taking my time and browsing at everything. What's the rush right?
Well, I finally made it to the baby section in the back were I needed to get diapers and formula. I loaded up my cart with these two items that amazingly have already put a major dent in my spending amount for the day. I can't wait till Andy is 1! No more $20 cans of formula every week.
Ok, so I'm still in the baby section and it's been another 5 minutes. I start noticing my stomach getting upset so I decide to swing by the bathroom while I'm in close proximity. It would not be good to wait and then have to sprint from the frozen foods section all the way to the back of the store. So off I go to the bathroom. I'm still browsing as I'm walking hoping that I don't miss something or God forbid forget something that I came for. This is where it starts to get interesting.
Somewhere on the way from the baby section to the bathroom I have this weird feeling. I don't even remember what thought may have struck my mind to make me have this feeling, but I just remember feeling like I had forgotten something. I couldn't figure it out. And then suddenly it hit me! WHERE IS ANDY??? (Panic) The next few moments are kind of a blur. Never in my life have I been so dumb! I must have had 50 or so questions go through my slowly diminishing brain in less than 5 seconds. Here are a few of them in no particular order: 1. Where is Andy? 2. Didn't I have him with me? 3. Did I leave him at home? 4. Did I leave him somewhere in the store? 5. Did I bring him? 6. Where's Andy? 7. Oh my God, where is Andy? 8. Did I leave him in the car?...........whether or not this was question number eight is too hard to say, but after asking myself that one I knew exactly where Andy was! I had left my son in the car!!!!! Can you believe it? I was in complete denial! As I was running out of the store after leaving my cart somewhere in the middle of the clothes section I was still trying to convince myself that "THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING"! How could I be so stupid and forgetful. I mean it's one thing to forget to get your kid a drink or forget to let them play on the computer, but how can you forget your kid in the car for 20 minutes while you just go browsing through Wal-Mart!!!!
I'm sure if social services got a hold of the video survelliance at my local Wal-Mart, they would have seen a "twenty-something, brunette, capri- wearing woman" running through the store, knocking people out of the way to get out the sliding glass doors. Not my finest moment!
I make it out to the parking lot in record time and run to the side of the car. I unlock the car (at least I remembered to lock it, right?) and open up the back door as quickly as possible. There he was....my precious baby boy.....sucking his thumb and smiling at me! I was so relieved yet so upset at the same time. He was totally oblivious of his mother's stupid memory lapse! He looked at me as if to say, "Hey Mom, where ya been?"
Tears started to fill my eyes in all the thoughts that flooded my mind about what could have happened. I sat there in the car for a few mintues just holding him and apologizing to him. He didn't seem to care, he was just enjoying the attention. I decided there was no way I was going to get my shopping done today. I was a basketcase! Plus, I wasn't about to waltz back into the store I just came running out of with a baby in my arms. Can someone say, "DEAD GIVEAWAY!"

I am fully aware that the story I just told is forever imbedded into history. I have dealt with the guilt all afternoon otherwise I would not have even thought of posting this entry. I have come to terms with my stupidity, yet I am so thankful that my little Andy came out of it with no emotional or physical scars. Now, I am ready for the horrible comments that will befall me! Bring it on! I only ask that you think back on all the times you yourself did something stupid and didn't have the nerve to admit it to all of blogland.

When Crisco goes bad

2006-05-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, so most of you know that the staple birthday cake in the Templin family is none other than the "Coffee Cake". It is by far the best cake you could ever put in your mouth. It is my mom's recipe, I don't know where she got it from, but I don't ask....I just eat! Anyway, I have been deprived of this cake for a good 3 years now while in Colorado. I have tried time and time again to make this sweet confection but the altitude up here is a B*#$%. Excuse my "symbol" language, but it's true. There is nothing more frustrating than spending half an hour mixing and destroying your kitchen...then having to open your oven and see a deflated half-baked cake. Why is it so difficult? Again, another reason why Colorado is the "second skinniest" state in America. Cakes are non-existent up here. You can't even make a cake, much less enjoy sneaking a piece at 11:44pm. Anyway, back to the story.
So, I'm making another attempt at this stupid cake because it is my husband's favorite...and today is his birthday. I figure I should at least try. So I begin to pull out all the ingredients....sugar...check....flour....check...eggs....check...crisco...check...etc. I go through the whole process of measuring, sifting and separating only to open the crisco and see that something looks funny. I can't explain it, it just didn't look normal. You know the stuff is supposed to be a nice "lardy" white color, but instead it had a little yellow tint to it. Is this normal? I mean does anyone know what I'm talking about? Is this what lard looks like when it goes bad? Who knows? Does lard even go bad? Apparently no one knows, not even the manufactuer, because I looked all over that can for an expiration date. Nothing. Notta.
I sat looking at the stuff for a few more minutes contemplating my next move. Do I use it in this already proven impossible cake recipe, or do I try to get a fresher can of lard. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. I decide to take a risk. I figure the stupid thing probably won't cook right anyway...what do I have to lose.
Ok, so I finish the batter and I put the cake in the oven. Cross my fingers and wait. In the meantime I call my trusty neighbor Julia hoping once again she will save my butt. This woman is my kinda neighbor. She has everything. It's like living next door to a King Soopers. (Colorado's grocery store) So, I call her and for the first time in neighborly history she proves to not be so trusty. Dang! My second option is my neighbor across the street, Sheri. I'm in unchartered waters now folks, I've never had to go looking for other resources. Julia has always been my #1 provider. I call Sheri, she's not there. Crap! By this time I've come to the conclusion that when and if the cake does turn out ok, it will taste like crap because I used bad lard. I just can't get a break.
I make another phone call to Meredith thinking if she has some fresher crisco I could meet her half way and avoid at least getting 3 kids out of the car just to buy some crisco. She informs me that she has made cake icing out of the "yellowy" lard before and that it was fine. Hmmm! Is this true? Maybe. But, will the same results befall me? I'm not convinced. I'm gonna have to make another stupid cake.
Julia, my grocer, calls me back and says she's going to he store and that she will be happy to pick me up some new crisco. This is great! I don't have to load up the kids! Yes! Thank you Julia!
Well, I make another phone call to my mom to ask her about some stuff and we get to talking. I mention that I'm attempting a coffee cake and I'm pretty sure it is gonna have a suttle taste of bad lard because my lard is yellow. She procedes to tell me that she doesn't even use crisco anymore to make her coffee cakes...she uses butter. Well, isn't that just great! Butter! Not what I wanted to here at this point in my totally waisted cake making experience. I've got a whole box of butter in the fridge, not to mention the 3 other frozen boxes of it in my freezer. Oh, and don't forget my neighbor who as we speak is purchasing a can of crisco for me at the store. Ahhhhh! I could have strangled my mother. I would have liked to know about the "correction" to the 25 year old coffee cake recipe. Apparently she made the change about 2 years ago when she herself found herself in the "no crisco" dilema. Hello, mom! Have you ever heard of the term F.Y.I.!!!!
Ok, so at this point I'm completely frustrated. The cake with the bad lard comes out great, except for the weird smell and the funny taste. Just my luck! Well, here we go again. It is a good thing I had plenty of eggs, sugar and flour otherwise I would have to call my grocer again. Anyway, to make a long story short I make another cake with the butter and I finally have managed to make a successful coffee cake up here in this oxygen deprived state. Yea, me!

"Remembuh dat Mom."

2006-05-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

"Remembuh dat Mom". These are words I've been hearing a lot lately....at least I think so.
Emily, my infamous "middle" child has come up with this little saying for me. Apparently, the more children you have the more brain cells you lose because I can't remember a thing! Poor Emily thinks that it has gotten bad enough to now make sure that I "remembuh" everything she says. I guess after the first 5o times of forgetting essential things like snacks and computer time she has decided to do something about it.
Two days ago she asked if she could play on the computer and do the "wurd thingy" (Starfall). I told her that she could play after she woke up from her nap. Well, she went to sleep, woke up and I'm sure was expecting me to remind her of the playing on the computer. WRONG! I forgot 2 minutes after she asked. So....the next day the same thing happened. Same scenario....she asks to play....I tell her after naptime....again FORGOTTEN! Well, yesterday this is how it went.
"Mom, I want to play the wurd thingy".
"Emmy, you can play as soon as I get off the computer. I just need to check my email."
"Ok, remembuh dat Mom".
Isn't it sad when your 4 year old has been deprived of something she's been asking for for days and the only reason she hasn't recieved it is because her Mom has officially gone CRAZY!

I did it!

2006-05-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

I did it!!!! Hey, can y'all see my cool new cursor. When coming on my site now your cursor should look like a pink dragonfly. Did it work? Let me know. If you want to try it go to: www.allcursors.com.

Cool Cursors

2006-05-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hey, I found a cool site where you can change the look of your cursor. It is called www.cursormania.com. You can download it to your computer for free. I wish you could see my cursor now. It looks like a Hostess cupcake! Awesome! They had Twinkies too! It was a hard decision, but I figure I could change it daily if I wanted. I was hoping there was a way to fix it to where anyone who was viewing my blog would have the same cursor while on my page, but I haven't figured that out yet. There's got to be a way to do that, don't you think? I'll keep investigating. Anyway, just thought I would share.

Brief moment of insanity!

2006-04-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

This blog is too apologize to all my readers about my past entry "I'm Really Going for the food". Apparently I had a moment of insanity. I don't really go for the food. I mean the foods nice and all, but there is ONE and only ONE reason I really go to the hottest state in the U.S..

My Daddy!

Why else would I go down there to sweat! If my DADDY weren't there I would have absolutely no reason to endure the blistering heat.

Plus, who would my girls go fishing with or on long walks with. They would be lost without their PAPAW.

So...I apologize for the confusion. I don't know what came over me. Why would I want those nasty dirty crawfish over the world's greatest DAD!

P.S. Dad, if you're reading this. How was that? Was this a good enough entry to change your mind about paying for all the good food that I will be eating when I come?

I got BURNED!

2006-04-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I do these things to myself. When I say "things" I mean party planning things. I do love to plan parties, but I always get a little bit stressed.
I've been working on the My Little Pony party for Emily this week and I'm pleased to say, I'm almost done! Earlier this week I was assembling the "pony tails" and "pony manes" that each girl will be wearing at the party. I got a great pattern for the manes on a website. It just calls for headbands, yarn and felt. Pretty easy, right? I thought so too...that is before I received 2nd degree burns while using my hot glue gun. Let me give you the blow by blow.
Ok, so I've got my supplies all set up and ready on Jimmy's grandmother's Secretary desk in my front room. I've already pre-cut the "manes" if you will and I'm preparing the headbands with the felt ears. I of course have come up with the brilliant idea to make each girl's pony ensemble a color of the rainbow. And because Emily is the "birthday girl", she will be the "rainbow" pony. Ok...so back to the story. During this particular incident I was working on the "blue pony" ensemble. I had managed to get the white felt ears attached to the headband with know problem. This was the 3rd mane out of 7 that I was to make for the party. In making the first two I had been able to straighten out any kinks that always come with trying to make something from looking at directions from a print-out pattern off the web. I hate it when they just write out the directions and expect you to know exactly what their supposed to mean. Where are the pictures? I need pictures!!! And I mean step-by-step pics, not just the picture of the finished product. How does that help?
Ok, so I guess by the third mane I was getting lazy and distracted. The girls were bugging me...."Mom, can I have a snack?" (guess which one that was)....."Mom, can I help you? I'm really good at cutting stuff." Meanwhile, I don't know how many times I had to tell them, "Don't get close to this glue gun. It will burn you!" I lost track at around time 17. So...to make my point....I was distracted!
I was trying to put on the center of the ear. You know the piece that is usually pink that represents the inside of the ear. Anyway, I was making the blue mane so I was making the blue pony's inside ear blue. Makes perfect sense right? So...here we go...I'm aiming the gun...the "glue" gun...and I squeeze out just enough molten lava glue (that's what it should be called) onto the bottom half of the blue ear piece. This is wear I get lazy! I go to place it carefully (at least I thought "carefully") onto the ear and something's wrong! What is that smell? And what is that excruciating pain I'm feeling on the tip of my right hand index finger? Oh, My God! I have a blue felt ear attached to my finger with "molten lava glue"! I immediately jump up out of my chair, shaking my finger ferociously up and down hoping that the stupid thing will detach itself from my finger. I realize now I must have looked like a "spastic retard" as my sister would say. Finally, after what seemed like 5 minutes (probably only 3 seconds) the blue ear flew off my finger! Whew! What a relief! Wait a minute? Oh, my God....what's "that" smell? Why is my left hand thumb burning! That stupid blue ear had conveniently flown off my right hand index finger only to land on my left hand thumb. The "molten lava glue" was still plenty molten too! What an idiot! And what are the chances?
Meanwhile, Peyton and Emily see the whole thing. I'm sure they were wondering what in the heck "Momma" was doing dancing around flayling her hands every which way. It was an awful experience. I wanted to throw the stupid glue gun out the window! But, I knew I still had 4 more manes to make. Oh, the life of a PARTY PLANNER! It's a dangerous one!
I will refrain from showing you pictures of my wounds....I am afraid they are too horrific and graphic in nature!

I'm really going for the food

2006-04-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that I'm making a trip home to Louisiana in May, and I'm very excited! I'm going to see my little sis graduate from high school as the valedictorian of her class. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends. But most of all, I'm Going for the FOOD!

I know I've been making Colorado seem like the perfect place to live, and I'm still convinced it is just that. But....it does have one major flaw. It lacks all of my favorite food!
Everybody knows that "Southern" cooking is the best! It doesn't get much better! So, I just thought I would share with y'all what I'll be dreaming about until that wonderful day when my plane touches down in my own personal "food heaven"!

First and foremost on the long list of yummies, is CRAWFISH! I can't wait to get my hands on 10-12 lbs of the spicy little critters. I've been deprived for way too long. For any of you that have dined with me over a steaming hot pile of crawdads you know all too well the seriousness of the event. There is a fine art in partaking of these things. And don't let the price per pound fool you. You would think that with the money you have to spend to get enough of these things to fill your belly that it must be like fine dining. You couldn't be more wrong. There is nothing fancy about peeling off a crawfish's tail (crawfish guts and yellow fatty substances flying) and plopping them in your mouth. A serious crawfish fan would order 5 lbs., a large coke (with straw), extra potatoes and corn, and only one napkin. Why only 5 lbs, a coke with a straw and one napkin? You people disappoint me! First, like I said I can put away a good 10 lbs of crawfish, but it takes a few minutes to get through them all. The last thing you want to do is order 1o or more pounds and then let them sit there and get cold while trying to eat them. Thus, the "5, 5, 5" plan. Always order 5 pounds at a time! The coke with a straw thing should be self-explanatory. This is to prevent you from having to stop peeling when thirsty. Just lean and sip. Finally, the one napkin is for clean up naturally. Put you just need one. Crawfish eatin' isn't for sissy people. You don't have time to worry about the fact that you have crawfish juice running down your hands and passed your elbows. Or that some of the yellowy fat stuff has been ejected onto your shirt and upper eyelid. It will all still be there when your done. Don't risk the crawfish getting cold and rubbery to take care of these minor details. Just eat them and enjoy!

Ahh, now we come to my next favorite yummy! Southern Maid donuts! Again, a true staple in any southern home. I grew up enjoying this deep fried delicacy. What a treat it was to see my mom or dad walk through the door holding a couple boxes of these "rings of joy". I was so hooked on these things that I could smell them when I walked into a room. I remember coming home from ball practices or late nights out and one of my parents would have purchased the donuts a little earlier and hid them some where in the house. It never failed. I could smell them every time. To this day if there is Southern Maid within 100 yards of my nose I'll find them, or die trying! I'm comin' Southern Maid!

Every once in a while God smiles on me and says "Here Melissa. Why don't you enjoy another one of life's finer things." And I say, "Ok, I think I will God. Thank You! One of these times was when I was anxiously awaiting the delivery of my Southern Maid donuts in the drive-thru window at the local S.M. on Mansfield Rd. when I noticed the wonderful red, white and blue ICEE sign in the window. "You've got to be kidding me! They sell ICEE's here too!" I couldn't believe my eyes. Not one, but two of my favorites in one fell swoop! Those Southern Maid people have my number.....and lots of my money!

It wouldn't be a trip to good ole' Shreveport without a few lunches or dinners at Nicky's Mexican Restaurant. The best mexican food ever! And I should know because I've probably eaten there a few 100 times. This is a Templin family tradition. You want Mexican. You go to Nicky's. There is no other! We ate there so frequently that by the time we were seated we each had our drinks, the basket of chips, bowl of queso and chile con queso were already there waiting for us. And our dinner orders were already hanging over the cook's grill in the back. Nicky's Rocks!!!!

It's just not fair, why do the southerners have all the good food. Maybe the fact that all the good food is down there is why Colorado is the "second skinniest state" in America. These mountain people don't know what they're missing! I can't wait to come down there and each a peanut butter sandwich on a Mrs. Baird's piece of bread. It's really just the simple things in life that I love!

Last, but certainly not least! BLUE BELL ice cream! Oh, the joy! Another Templin family tradtion. After a long day of stuffing your face on the aforementioned items above, we all snuggle up in our recliners with a good movie and a MASSIVE bowl of Blue Bell ice cream. My favorites: Chocolate Sundae and Milk Chocolate. It just doesn't get much better than that!

Man, am I gonna have some "sweet" dreams tonight!!! It's all about the food!!!

Counting sheep just keeps you up!

2006-04-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's late. 12:18am to be exact. I'm still up! What's the deal? I mean I know that I'm a night owl, but for someone that has to be all the way across town by 8:30 in the morning (all three kids too) shouldn't I be in bed asleep by now. You would think! But no, instead I'm sitting in my front room blogging on my computer.
The whole "counting sheep" thing is a crock! Has any body really ever done it? Honestly. I tried it once and it just postponed the inevitable! I don't want to count to 1, 539....I just want to SLEEP!
I don't know what else to blog about so let me just tell you what I did today.
1. My son woke me up at 6:15am. This is not normal. I hate mornings!
2. Finally got my son out of his bed at 6:53am. He wouldn't shut-up.
3. Layed next to my son in bed while he took his bottle. I slipped in and out of consciousness for the next 5 minutes.
4. Bam! Knocked on the head with the empty bottle. Good Morning to me!
5. Went down stairs to fix breakfast for the girls. Those Pop-Tart packages can be hard to open.
6. Listened to my son scream at me from his exersaucer while trying to get ready.
7. Gave him some cheerios to muffle the screams.
8. Picked up the last 10 out 45 that he decided he didn't want to eat off the floor in my living room.
9. Debated if I wanted to shower now or later. Decided later.
10. 9:15. Yes! Back to bed for my son. Don't you just love morning naps.
11. 10:30. Crap! Got to be at the ballet studio by 11:00.
12. Get dressed. Get girls dressed. Ah, man. Get the still sleeping kid dressed.
13. 11:02 arrive at ballet. Combining classes today. Not good, Emily cries.
14. Console my daughter for 20 minutes. Not working. Spank daughter for not stopping crying.
15. 11:24 leave ballet studio really mad!
16. Cool off period for Mommy!
17. Lunch
18. Play with my son. Finally, he's in a good mood.
19. Amazed at my girls ability to play computer games without knowing how to read.
20. 2:00pm. Another bottle. Another nap. Good times!
21. Girls in bed. Son in bed. Me in bed (yeah, whatever!).
22. Iron huge pile of clothes that I've been putting off for a week.
23. 3:00pm. STILL IRONING!
24. 3:45pm. STILL IRONING!
25. 4:00pm. Done.
26. Next. Put away clothes pile that is in the basement.
27. Kids wake up.
28. Start thawing chicken for dinner tonight.
29. Spill $10 worth of formula on the floor while trying to fix another bottle for son. Managed to save about $3 worth off the floor. Don't tell Andy!
30. More playing with kids.
31. Start dishwasher over again, because the first time the soap dispenser didn't dispense! Love that!
32. Cut up vegetable and chicken for my Cajun Chicken recipe.
33. 6:00pm. Jimmy's home. Relief!
34. Eat dinner. Make Banana bread for tomorrow's bible study brunch.
35. Bath time.
36. Pull out banana bread too early.
37. Put banana bread back in oven. Go dry girls hair.
38. Forgetting about banana bread in oven.
39. Oh, yeah. I forgot the banana bread. Run down to get it out. Almost burnt.
40. Finish hair.
41. Put Emily's recital costume on to take some pics.
42. Have talk with Emily about "ballet breakdown". Last one? We'll see!
43. 8:15 kids in bed.
44. More cleaning.
45. Download pics.
46. Do some blogging.
47. 11pm. Take shower. Dry hair. Curl hair.
48. Watch t.v.
49. Try counting sheep.
50. Not working. Blog.

Wishing for a "magical" swimsuit

2006-04-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

I had a rough day yesterday so when Jimmy got home from work he let me get out of the house for a while. These excursions can be bittersweet. "Sweet" because I can regain my sanity that was taken away from me bit by bit all day long. But, "bitter" because I usually come back to the "real world" with some type of purchase.
Last night was no different. While eating a nine piece order of chicken fries and slirping down a coke icee from Burger King I decided that this was probably not too good for me. No wonder I haven't seen a difference in my weight or shape after jogging for the past two weeks. I'm still eating crap! Duh! So, I left Burger King swearing off the junk for a while.
On to Kohl's. What a great store. I didn't have the kids with me last night, so I took advantage of it. I looked at every single rack they had in that store. I came to the swimsuits and decided "what the heck". I picked out a few and walked hesitantly to the dressing room. The whole way there I was thinking to myself, "What are you stupid. Do you really think these are gonna look good on you. Do you think they're "magical" swimsuits or something. Maybe if you put one on all the flab and stretchmarks on your pale white thighs will just disappear." POOF! GONE! I really think that is what I was hoping would happen.
Ok, so I'm in the dressing room with one of the 5 swimsuits on and I'm completely mortified at my reflection. I mean I knew it wasn't gonna be pretty, but I hadn't prepared myself for "totally horrifying"! Why am I doing this again? Someone please remind me. Why do swimsuits have to even exist? Can't the human race get away with never having to go into the water? I mean what if we brought back those cool swimsuits from the 40's and 50's. You know, the ones that almost cover every inch of your skin. They brought back bell bottoms and platform shoes. Let's bring back the old swimsuits. They could modernize them a little bit, and I bet those things would be flying off the shelf! Ok, maybe not. Whatever!
Well, after trying on all five of the suits I decided that the one pictured was the least "horrifying". Don't get me wrong, it still looks awful, but I figured it would give me a goal. The "swimsuit" goal. We've probably all attempted the "swimsuit" goal at least once in our life. If not, your day is coming so brace yourself.
I think if I didn't have small children that are about to be begging me to go to the pool in a few weeks I could get away with not having to purchase the stupid thing. But that's not the case. I have three little midgets wanting to swim. And not one of them knows how to swim, so I can't just tell them to go get in the water and leave me to sit on the lounge chair under my beach towel. No! That would be too easy. Instead, I have to walk all three of them to the water and stay there with them. Thus, visually scarring each and every set of eyes on the way. Sorry folks!
It has to stop. I'm putting my foot and the cupcakes down!

What's wrong with this picture

2006-04-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

Directions: How many things can you find wrong with this picture? Circle them.

Does anyone know what's wrong with this picture? I can tell you exactly what's wrong with this picture. This is not a real mom and this is definitely not her kid. Does the advertising world really think that this is what it is like to go grocery shopping with your kids? I think they must be in denial. Let me tell you all what it is really like to go grocery shopping with your kids.

1. "Pseudo mom and child"
First, let me just point out the obvious, this "pseudo" mom only has one "pseudo" child with her at the store. And this "pseudo" child is obviously a good little actress, because she appears to be content with staying right with her "pseudo" mother. Ahh, how sweet! Come back to reality folks! This photo does not reveal the whole truth.
2. The Smile
If this were a "real" mother she would definitely not be as "chipper" as she appears. We all know that even the thought of grocery shopping is enough to put us into a deep dark depression. I would rather spend a week eating pancakes, and tuna fish than make out the "list" and go to the store.
3. Kid pushing cart
What? What mom in her right mind would actually let the child push the cart. Does she have unlimited amounts of money and patience? Has she never heard of the saying, "You break it, you buy it!"? I think I let Peyton push the cart one time...for maybe 4 seconds...something broke...and I bought it! Fun!
4. No screaming baby
Yup, you couldn't put your finger on it could you. Not only is there "one" child, that child is like 5 or 6 years old. Where's the screaming infant sitting in the front of the germ infested cart? You know the one that you try to calm down by opening anything and everything you can find in your cart before you even buy it. Oh, you know you've done it. How many times have you put the open box of Ritz crackers or the half empty bottle of juice on the conveyor belt. I'm not too proud to admit it.
5. The List
I don't know about y'all, but either this mom forgot her list and is having to remember her list by visual memorization, or she gave up trying to piece it together after her infant shredded it and ate items 6-13 on the list.
6. Overflowing cart
Surely, this woman is just getting started. I mean where is the cold jug of milk that is squeezed in next to the baby. Or the piles of food strategically balanced on top of each other based on weight and temperature. I don't see the three loaves of bread or the 4 boxes of cereal that you have to buy in order to make each child (including husband) happy. The picture is not willing to show you the bottom of the cart where you have stuffed the 24 rolls of Charmin and the huge box of Cheer. Don't forget the 8 roll pack of paper towels that you have to purchase everytime you go to the store. How many paper towels can a family of 5 use in a day? If you only knew.

I could go on, but I don't want to depress anyone. Can you tell that I am just trying to put off the inevitable. Tonight I convinced Jimmy to order a pizza. Maybe I can get away with the pancakes tomorrow night. I'll let you know. In the mean time, mothers, do yourself a favor and wait for "Daddy" to get home or pay for a babysitter when going grocery shopping. It's just not worth the misery!

Smarty pants!

2006-04-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, folks here she is. My sister Megan, aka Miss Smarty Pants! You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture, but we just found out yesterday that she is Calvary Christian Academy's "Class of 2006" Valedictorian! Congrats! I'm so proud of her. I'm really not all that surprised, seeing as she has always blown me away with her intelligence. She excels at everything she does! I'm so excited about flying down there in May to see her graduate. Now I guess I'll get to hear a cool speech too! This may be the first speech at a graduation that I'll actually be interested in hearing. Maybe she'll even mention her AWESOME sister in it! (hint,hint)
Anyway "Mego", I'm so proud of you and all you have managed to accomplish in the past 18 years. You are amazing! I'll be there soon to put away 10-20lbs of crawfish with ya! Tell Shane to get ready! I'm bringing our crawfish hats with me. Love ya!

Jogging "pays" off!

2006-04-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

I was out on my evening jog tonight gazing at the beautiful sun setting behind the Rocky Mountains. We have such a good view of the mountains from our neighborhood. There is one area of my jogging trail that gives me a view of Pikes Peak. It is just so beautiful up here. On one side of me was the sunset and on the other side of me was the full moon making its way up into the sky. Ahhh! Ya'll are jealous aren't you? You should be! It is actually possible to jog a good ways up here without breaking too much of a sweat. Anyway, I figure by posting these pics and talking about the mountains enough I could convince some of you to move up here too. I figure my "powers of persuasion" must be pretty good considering I've gotten you all to start blogging. Come on, you know you want to!
Anyway, the point of this blog was to show you what I came across while jogging. Like I said, I was just minding my own business doing a little exercising, when I saw something on the ground where the street meets the sidewalk. As I got closer my heart started beating faster and faster. Not because I was about to hurl from exhaustion, but because I could see what it was. I couldn't believe my eyes. No, it couldn't be...or could it...no....that's just silly....oh my gosh, it is....a $100 bill just lying on the ground. Of course I pick it up. Just when I thought life couldn't get better, I realize the stupid thing is FAKE! Can you believe it? I was ticked!
I finished running home, trying to beat the sunset so that I could go grab my camera and take some pics for my blogging viewers. It wasn't until I got home and after a re-enacting the money lying on the sidewalk for my picture that I noticed what it said on it. I of course, knew that it was fake from the moment I touched it but I couldn't help but laugh when I actually read the writing on it. Can you all make it out from the pic. For those of you with bad eyes, it says: "THE OVERWEIGHT STATES OF AMERICA. For anyone serious about losing weight....". The back even says, "LOSE WEIGHT NOW" right under whatever building that is on a $100 dollar bill. Anyway, my point is how ironic that while out jogging and trying to "lose weight now" I stumble across a piece of money that God knows I'm gonna stop to pick up, tells me that I'm "overweight" and I need to "lose weight"! Pretty funny, huh? I at least thought it was. The best I can figure is that some gorgeous, amazingly skinny, non-mother type is out driving around throwing these FAKE $100 dollar bills out the top of her BMW convertable knowing that us poor, digustingly fat losers that are eating styrofoam crackers and getting shin splints are gonna stop and pick them up. My mission is to find this woman and strangle her with my MP3 player cord. Wish me luck!

"To be, or not to be?"

2006-04-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

These are some pics that I took of my kiddos not too long ago. As you can see my 4 year old, Emily is very photogenic! The problem is that she hates having her picture taken. This is so frustrating for me, seeing as how I am an "aspiring" photographer. I love taking pictures, but it is like pulling teeth to get her to cooperate. My older daughter, Peyton on the other hand will pose every time she sees a camera. (as you can see in the pics posted) Yup, that's her in the pink boa. Did I mention she loved "props" too! She'll actually ask me, "Mom, is this a good pose?" I have gotten some great pics of her too, but their not as natural because she is always "posing"! Like I said, I would like nothing more than to make photography my 2nd job. (second behind being a full-time mom) I look at the sites of professional photographers that are making money hand over fist by doing the same thing that I love to do. Take pictures. I love being able to capture the true essence of a child's face, and those candid moments that describe their little personalities. I would love nothing more than to be making money doing something that I love and have such a passion for. The problem is that I'm scared too death to do it! At least for someone else. I guess I'm just so worried that they won't like what I like. I'm so scared I'll screw up! It is all fine and dandy when I don't get the lighting just right, or I take a blurry pic when it is with my kids, because they're "MY" kids. But what happens when someone starts paying me money, and I screw up! That's not cool! I guess I could drive myself crazy with all the stupid questions. I just need to buck up and do it! I'm starting to sound like my "whiny kid"! Didn't I just blog about her a few blogs back? Maybe I'll start acting like my "no-it-all kid" who believes that she can do it all! In the mean time, I'll just keep taking pics of my beauiful babies! Aren't they cute! Yeah, I know I'm biased!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

2006-04-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too!

NO really, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD! I love you! Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. Maybe one day we'll all be so lucky to read another blog entry from you. I will wait with baited breath? (is that how you spell "baited"?) Oh, well you know what I mean! Have a great birthday!

Venting!

2006-04-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm about to go CRAZY! Today almost did me in! As you know if you keep up with my other blog, "The Hatcher Hookup", Andy has been sick since friday morning. He is normally a wonderful, content little boy that plays and hardly ever fusses! Well, this "little man" is about to drive me nuts. (believe me, I wasn't too far from it to begin with) He's not sleeping, he's not taking his bottles, he wants to be held constantly, he won't play with his toys, etc... Enough already!!!
The girls are usually a big help to me. They help play with Andy while I get myself ready in the morning. They are pretty good about helping me clean up when they are asked. But lately, they've decided to turn on me too!
Peyton is going through some stage where she thinks that her ideas are better than mine. So, when I ask her to do something, instead of saying, "Yes maam", she says, "But....mom...I....". (sound familiar?) Oh, and when she doesn't like what I ask her to do she crinkles up her face like she is about to start crying, and stomps her foot. Now, most of you that know me know that this behavior does not fly with me! The first time I witnessed the "face crinkle" and the "stomp" I said to myself, "Oh, I'm nipping this one in the bud right now!" I've made it my mission this weekend to break her of this habit, and quick!
Emily, my soon-to-be four year old is the queen of "whine"! She's got it down to a fine art! Sometimes I try to cut her a little slack, seeing as her sister is usually behind a lot of the aggravation. But, lately every little thing sets her off! I don't know if it is just because I'm tired and my nerves are shot or what, but she is a major factor in my "going off the deep end"!
I've decided to use this blog entry to VENT! Don't get me wrong, I love my children and I don't know who I would be without them, but after weekends like this one I need a break! The combination of the "sick kid", the "no-it-all kid", and the "whiner" is leaving me with no other choice but to try out the "Stress reduction kit" at the top of this blog. I'll let you know if it works!

Who's under these ears?

2006-04-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you're all aware that we're coming up on Easter. I really do love this time of year...flowers blooming, pastel colored clothes, dying easter eggs, etc... I love shopping for new Easter dresses for the girls and I've enjoyed picking out a little "man" outfit for Andy. This of course brings me to the point of this blog.
I was in the mall earlier this week looking for an outfit for Andy. After an hour in The Children's Place going back and forth on the decision of, blazer or vest and bow-tie or long tie? I finally decided on a cute pastel striped sweater vest, khaki's and no tie. Although I did purchase a long tie because it was too cute to leave on the shelf. Anyway, I made my purchase and left to leave. Well, on the way to the exit we pass by the "oh so tantalizing" Easter bunny display scene in the middle of the mall. Peyton immediately aks, "OH, Mommy can we got see the Easter bunny?" Emily is not so sure about the whole idea, but I reluctanly say "yes". So off we go. Here it comes...you "moms" know exactly what I'm talking about...the "picture pressure" sale. We make our way around the cute little bunnies strategically placed in and around the fake garden of tulips, only to meet up with a mother's worst nightmare! The "picture package" displayed on the easel.
Let me just say, I'm all for a little "frivolous" spending every once and a while, but these "packaged" deals are CRAZY!!!

Easter Bunny Picture Pricing

"Ultimate " Bunny package--- 1 8x10, 2 5x7's, 4 wallets and a keychain ($49.95)

"Almost Ultimate" Bunny package---2 5x7's, 4 wallets ($39.95)

"Not so Ultimate" Bunny package---1 5x7 ($25.95)

"You must really not love your child" Bunny package---4 wallets ($16.95)

WHO'S UNDER THESE EARS? Is it Bill Gates or G.W. Bush? Why should we have to fork over $25 bucks for a 5x7 of our child sitting on the lap of some dude in an old smelly, matted bunny costume. Why do you think half of the kids are screaming "NO mommy, No,!
I dread these seasonal mall excursions for this reason. I hate having to tell my kids, "No, I'm sorry but Mommy doesn't have an extra arm to give to these nice "minimum paid" picture taking people. I'll work on growing another one so that next time you won't have to miss out on what would be a great memorable childhood experience." Does anyone else get the "look" from the bunny photographer that says, "your waisting my time if you just want to let your child sit on the bunny." It makes me so mad! I mean truly, how much does it cost them to take a picture print it out on horrible photo paper and put it in a paper frame. (that's only if the pic is a 5x7 or bigger) If you opt for the "you must really not love your child" package you don't even get the frame. And if you don't feel horrible enough for declining the great picture package deals they have they make it worse by not even allowing your child to have the plastic pinwheel that the Easter bunny is handing out. Apparently only the kids whose parents really love them get those. God forbid they waste one plastic pinwheel on a "pictureless" kid!

Don't worry I haven't left you!

2006-04-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

I am still here in blogland, I've just been a little distracted this week. We've had some interesting things happen to us and we've been trying to take it all in. Jimmy was contacted last friday about a new job opportunity here in Denver. We have been going back and forth all week as to what we are going to do. It has actually turned into a very hard decision. We have been praying about it and seeking the Lord for wisdom in this process. We basically have until Monday to decide. So...I apologize for the lack of blogging on my part. Don't worry I've got some ideas for my next entry, so come back soon.

Oxygen!!!

2006-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decided to get my lazy butt in gear and lose some weight. I've taken up jogging. And at 6:30 in the morning! Am I crazy? Don't answer that!
As you all know I have three wonderful children who have managed to completely destroy my girlish figure in the past 5 years. I am officially "ticked" off when I look in the mirror....so here I go. I'm gonna exercise. I've put it off long enough.
I attempted bike riding last fall, but didn't make it a week. I bought the water bag thingy that you can wear like a backpack and sip water through the giant straw that stretches from the bag down to your mouth. (I think it's called a "Camelback") Anyway, obviously you have to have a master's degree to use those because all I managed to do was get my new workout clothes soaking wet. When I got home from my first bike ride I was dripping wet. Not from sweat, but from the 5 cups of undrinkable water that had not made it to my mouth. I tried riding with the straw in my mouth but, seeing as I'm not a camel, I couldn't swallow the constant flow of dispensing water fast enough. Have you ever known someone to drown while riding a bike? I think it might be possible folks! Does anyone know how to use these things?
If the whole "drowning" experience wasn't enough to scare me away from the horrid world of "staying fit", the altitude was. The words "high altitude" never meant much to me as I was running barefoot in the woods of East Texas growing up. Now that I am a Colorado resident they mean more than you know! This little southern girl is gasping for air on a regular basis! I can barely walk down the street without stopping to take a breather. It's rough! I know, I know, I've been here for close to three years now, but it still takes a toll on me when I attempt to do anything strenuous.
I don't know how long this "jogging" thing will last, but I'm hoping I can keep it up for at least a few months. My plan is to jog, MWF and do weights T, TH,Sat. We'll see how it goes! I do however have a new toy that I think will help me in my motivation. Can you say MP3? Oh, yeah, so cool! I loaded that baby up last night with "jogging" music. It helps so much with the boredom of staring at the pavement.
Well, wish me luck! Here goes nothin'!

Just changing my pic

2006-04-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

This entry is dedicated to changing my "profile" pic. Sorry if I got anyone excited, thinking they were about to read another "life changing" blog from Mel. I'll be posting a new entry later when my kids are unconscious. See ya!

Warning! Be on "High" alert!

2006-03-31T09:28:00.000-08:00

I am posting this message a day early so all of you can be on "High" alert. I don't know if all of you are aware as to what tomorrow is, but you should be. Tomorrow is April Fools Day! Some of you are probably thinking, "So what?" Well, I'll tell you "what"! Tomorrow is the one day out of the whole year that you and your entire family should totally avoid my mother. Yes, you heard me! To some she is a friend, an aquaintance. To others she is a teacher or a close relative. Whatever she may be, I am telling you that she is also the "Queen" of April Fools Day! She will get you and your little dog too! Wait a minute, that was a witch. Well, whatever, same difference. It doesn't matter if you live 1,000 miles away or not, she will find a way to ruin you. For the past 364 days she has been plotting and planning the events of this day in that "twisted" little mind of hers. She has been tweeking her plans down to the last detail. You cannot stop her, so don't even try! She has been known to start as early as the stroke of midnight (ask Megan) and go until 11:59pm the night of, so don't put anything past her. She has been known to bring others in on her schemes so watch out for anything suspicious. I would even be a bit leary helping my own neighbor if I saw him fall to the ground clutching his heart in the driveway. He could be in cahoots with her. (ask John) Jimmy, my husband, is so totally intimidated by this woman that last year, short of getting on his knees, he begged her to have mercy on him. If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. The only thing I can do is to warn you. This is not a joke! Please whatever you do; don't call her, visit her or even email her on this horrid day. Stay inside your house with the doors locked and the curtains drawn if you have to. It is for your own good! If you choose not to follow the above instructions, then be prepared for the consequences. Don't say I didn't warn you! "Good night, and Good Luck."

Poker in Preschool?

2006-03-30T15:54:00.000-08:00

First, let me start off saying I am glad to have been an "inspiration" to so many of my fellow friends and family members by helping them get started in the "blogging" revolution. It was nothing, really. Second, let me address the fact that in doing this I have somehow been the "butt" of a lot of jokes. Thus, making me reconsider ever inviting you all to my "domain", so to speak. But, because I am such a good sport I figure I will let you all have your fun at my expense. Weather or not, I had anything or everything to do with these so called "jeffrey and lissa-lou" experiences, I will never tell! That is all between me and him! I will however attempt to "quench" that apparent "need" to have stories revealed about our childhood secret antics by telling you one of my favorites.
Jeffrey and I were in Kindergarten at Holy Rosary. Since we had about 4 different teachers that year it is hard for me to remember which one is actually portrayed in this story, but I think it was Mrs. Westerfield. Oh, and no, "we" were not the reason for the short stay of the other 3 teachers that year. I had to clear that up because I know that would have been a "comment" on this blog later.
Anyway, back to the story. Jeffrey and I were in fact inseparable all through elementary years. We watched each other's backs for sure. We could also read each other's minds. There were many reasons for sticking together back in those days. If I was in a "pickle" I could always count on Jeff to help or at least attempt to get me out of it. And the same goes for him. Well, like a said this story took place in kindergarten. I'm sure all of you can remember your kindergarten days if you think real hard. Well, for the most part ours was probably not too much different than yours. We had the red and blue foam-stuffed, fold-up mats. We sat at the same "kidney" shaped tables. We made the same type of masterpieces with the shaving cream on the tables, etc... But, there was one thing that I can "bet" made ours different. Poker! Yup, that's right folks, we learned how to bet in kindergarten. Granted, it was not the same kind of poker you are envisioning in your head. There was no smoke-filled room or kids with green visors running around yelling, "I got 'pocket-rockets'!" But, there were poker chips; just like the ones in the picture above. As most of you know it is a challenge to get a class full of screaming 5 year olds to take a nap on a daily basis. I definitely wouldn't want to meet this task, but hey that is part of the job description for a kindergarten teacher. So...this is where the poker chips come in. Mrs. Westerfield decided that poker chips would be the answer to all her "naptime" nightmares. We would all ritualistically pick out our 48"x 15" area of the floor everyday to get ready for this "dreaded" event. Or was it really so "dreaded"? Not to me and Jeff. We actually looked forward to this time. After we were all as comfortable as one could be on a plastic, foam-stuffed mat we would start the "drifting-off" process. Mrs. Westerfield would roll in the t.v. cart and turn it on to the local "easy-listening" station. You know the "blue" channel that scrolled the news and played the horrible music. Yeah, that one. Anyway, after doing this she would turn down the lights and remind us all of what we would receive if we went to sleep. (the shiny plastic poker chip) Why we cared about the stupid chips is beyond me, but hey we were 5. In the ajoining room of our classroom was a kitchen area and apparently it also acted as a kindergarten teacher's retreat. This is where Mrs. Westerfield would go everyday during our naptime. I don't know what on earth she did in there to this day. I've always wondered.
Well, as soon as the door to the classroom/kitchen would close me and Jeff "ruled" the world. We could do whatever we wanted to do. It was great! This was in fact our "plotting and planning" period of the day. This is where we did our best work! For some reason, unbeknownst to us, the other kids actually went to sleep. Why? We don't know. Maybe they did not have to go home to a family like ours at the end of the day. We didn't ask questions, we just "plotted". After, I don't know 30 minutes or so, Mrs Westerfield would make her way back into the room carrying that plastic, zip-locked bag of poker chips in her hand. She would scan the "blue" lit room with her eyes, looking to see who had actually done what they were supposed to do. Sleep. Well, a lot of you know that from an early age I was taught by my father to "lay down and be still". Little did I know that this training would come back to help me later (3 years) in life. I mean, this was great! I could "lay still" with the best of em'! Jeffrey, of course didn't have the same training I had so he had to be taught. This may be the exact moment in which I became "Master" and he became my "Apprentice"!
Well, if Mrs. Westerfield concluded that you were in fact sleeping, you would wake up to the "shiny" plastic poker chip waiting to greet you from your slumber! I don't exactly remember if the chips were used as a type of "kindergarten" currency or not, I do know however that it was our mission to get every single one. And we did just that, without having to sleep a "wink" our entire kindergarten careers!

It's Capri season!

2006-03-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

Give me a "C"! Give me an "A"! Give me a "P"! Give me an "R"! Give me an "I"! What's that spell? "CAPRI"! GOoooooo Capri's! Sorry, I'm always looking for some reason to pick on the cheerleaders of this world! They're just a little to "peppy" for my taste!
The real point of this blog is to express my own personal excitement on the fact that it is capri season. Is anyone else as excited as I am? Well, you should be! This is a very important moment for me. I am fully aware that most of you reading this blog have been enjoying 70-80 degree weather for a number of weeks now, but I haven't had that luxury. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the Colorado weather; and there is not an inch of my body that misses the horribly humid air down south. Especiallly my hair! Just a little side note. Surely you have all witnessed (in the many pics I send) my incredibly straight, oh so silky hair since I have lived up here. I said goodbye to the "frizz" a long time ago!
Ok, back to the capri story. Like I said, I'm so excited! First, let me personally thank the genius mind that created this wonderful line of clothing. I'm sure it was a woman, and I'm pretty confident that she was a mother too! No man could have ever come up with something so infuential! I'm sure there are women everywhere silently "thanking" the unknown genius every time they slip their legs into a pair of capris. How many times have you gone into your closet on a hot summer morning thinking to yourself, "What in the heck am I gonna wear today?" And, if your closet looks anything like mine you are probably lacking in the "latest" and "greatest" fashion category. But it's all good because hanging right there in front of me is my own personal line of capris! I've got black ones, khaki ones, fitted ones, loose ones, linen ones, etc...you name em' I've got em'!
My capris not only calm me down at first glance they are a comfort to my "mother of three" quickly diminishing figure. I don't know about all y'all, but those "beautiful little angels" of mine did a number on this 27 year old body! You won't see me too often sporting a pair of short shorts across town. My days of toned and tanned legs are gone! (at least until I can pull my butt out of bed in the morning to workout before the kids are up) For now, that is not happening! This is where the capris come in. What a comfort they are to put on, knowing that they are cleverly hiding any and all signs of thigh and butt "distress". Not to mention the fact that I only have to shave my legs from the shin down. Yet another advantage of the glorious capri!
I hope I have enlightened you all to the many wonderful reasons why capris are in fact, the best thing since sliced bread! Enjoy Capri season!
Oh, and F.Y.I. those are my legs. My 5 year old took that pic for me this morning. Like my $7 pair of shoes I got from Payless yesterday?

My Little Pharmacist

2006-03-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

My oldest, Peyton is a very bright child with a good heart. She is always helping with anything and everything I need to do. I actually don't know what I would do without her. Tonight she was so happy to have found the remedy for my lack of sleep.
For the past few weeks, Jimmy has been reading a chapter a night from the Chronicles of Narnia books with Peyton. Presently they are on "The Silver Chair" book 4. Anyway, tonight they were getting ready to start reading when Peyton caught a glimpse of a commercial on t.v. Jimmy had muted the t.v. while they were reading so when Peyton saw this commercial she raced to the t.v. to turn it up. Jimmy was surprised at her urgency. After watching the entire commercial she turned to Jimmy and said, "Lunesta will help you sleep! I need to tell mom." Jimmy, or course had no idea what was going on. They went back to reading the book. A few minutes later while I was giving Andy his bottle, Peyton interrupted her dad's reading to tell me her discovery. "Mom, you can get some Lunesta and it will help you sleep."
Now, let me say that I am not lacking in sleep any more than your regular stay-at-home mom. The best I can figure is that Peyton is remembering my comments from a few weeks ago when either I was sick or Andy was sick. I had been complaining that I hadn't been getting any sleep.
I can always count on my "Pey-Pey" to take care of me.

The Devil made me do it!

2006-03-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

As hard as this is for me to admit, I bit the "mean" comment bait that was left for me on my "Laundry Smaundry" entry. What makes it even harder to swallow was that it was posted by my own mother. That's right folks, my mother, the woman who gave birth to me. I have to say when I first read the comment, I was totally surprised and offended that this random "non-blogger" would have the nerve to say this to me. I immediately started on my next entry, "I've hit a nerve!", which might I add was probably just what my mother, aka "evil mother of three cosby kids" wanted me to do. Like my title says, "The Devil made me do it!".
Most of you know my mother or have met my mother at least once; but not all of you really know the true "Melony" the "sick and twisted" Melony. I could fill a book on the many ways she has emotionally scarred her family and friends, most of all her own children. We should really all be in therapy. I guess that is why we all have taken up blogging for our own personal outlet. We thought it would be a safe place to express our feelings. But no, there is no hiding from the treachery of our mother. She is everywhere; just waiting to pounce on us in our most weakest of moments.
Like I said, after reading the comment for the first time I was appalled. But then, more and more as I thought about the actual words written it became clearly apparent as to who the culprit was! I thought about it all night, and even during church this morning. I had analyzed the heck out of these cruel words and was ready to confront my "devil" mother.
So...I waited until I knew she was out of church (where I can only hope she was so strongly convicted) this morning to call her and ask her if she was in fact the "evil mother of 3 cosby kids". At first she played dumb (like always). Then, all I could hear was the sound of that oh so evil laugh of satisfaction! A laugh that I am way too familiar with. Somehow she "feeds" off malicious deception. I don't know why it took me so long to piece it all together. Once again my mother has successfully managed to push all the right buttons. Kudos Mom!

I've hit a nerve!

2006-03-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems I hit a nerve with my last entry on laundry. Apparently, someone with no sense of humor whatsoever came across my site and was offended by "my" laziness! Who knew? I guess this person is the only person on earth who actually enjoys doing laundry. I wasn't aware there were people like that in existence. But, hey I'm the first to admit when I'm wrong. So, please accept my deepest apologies that we don't share the same hobbies. I guess I'm just one of those "sissie" mothers that would rather being spending some time playing and interacting with my kids than cleaning their "wrinkle free" clothes. Call me crazy! If only I were a mother back in the day when mothering 3 children was so much harder than today. I'm sure I would have been a better and more capable mother back in the 50's when the kids were all walking around in hand-washed clothes and totally oblivious to the fact that the "Golden Arches" were really gold and not gray like on t.v. I mean truly, I could have been loved so much more by my children if they would have seen me make that bread from scratch rather than pop open that can of crescent rolls. I guess I need to get my priorities straight. What was I thinking by spending all that time with them playing playdoh and building that sheet fort in the living room. I should have been downstairs in the basement ironing all their clothes. I guess now I know what makes a mother truly great. Thanks for the lesson, random blogger! That's all for tonight. I need to go turn on my "crock pot" and "dishwasher" before I go get in bed. I have a long day tomorrow. I mean with my "power-steering" broken in my car it's gonna make my morning commute to church a difficult one. Not to mention the fact that I have to drop my kids off at one of those "hourly daycares" while I go get my hair and nails done. There is just not enough time for me!

Laundry, Smaundry!

2006-03-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know about y'all but if there is something I hate to do with a passion it would have to be LAUNDRY!!! It is not so much the initial "putting in" of the laundry so much as it is the "folding" and "putting away" of the laundry. I think it all started years ago when I was a young girl just wanting to have a normal fun middle school to highschool life. Instead, I was used for "laundry" labor in my own house. While the other kids in the neighborhood were out riding there bikes and enjoying life, I was locked in the laundry room wiping sweat from my little 12 year old brow! As if it wasn't harsh enough to fold my older brothers "tighty whities", I had to also put them away for him. Apparently, he didn't have capable enough arms to do this minor task. I wasted away a good 7 years of my childhood life folding clothes. Some would say it was a good "learning experience" and that it "builds character", but I have to say it has only made me hate it even more now that I'm a wife and a mother of three. Can I get an "Amen"? I wonder if my mother and father truly know how much they have ruined my chances of providing clean clothes for my family. I can't ever seem to stay on top of the laundry around my house. As soon as I think I'm done I look over only to see another "evil" bag of grossly-stained clothes staring at me from the corner. I don't know if y'all do this, but I inspect my children's clothing every night hoping that whatever they wore for that day can make it past the "stain free" and "smells ok" test so that I won't have to toss it onto the ever so large mountain of clothing sitting in the corner. The girls are constantly asking me, "Mom, is this clean enough to wear again?" See, even they know the drill. I do however realize that my mother must have had these same feelings when I was a child, because now I find myself already training my kids on how to fold socks and towels. I just can't wait until they get a few years older so I can pass the horrible "laundry torch" over to them!

I've got nothin'!

2006-03-23T21:01:00.001-08:00

I've been sitting here for the past hour trying to think of something interesting to talk about, and I've got nothin'! Pretty sad. I mean, here I am, the one that has been pushing all my friends and family to get on the "blog" train and I can't even come up with one little entry. Part of my problem is my competition. I mean how can I compete with a pickle and a nut? I've been accused of being "selfish" today because I had some nice mother-daughter time with my poor middle child. Apparently, the punishment for that is to be "pickle-punched" in the colon. What did I ever do to the pickle population. I like pickles! Well, maybe not all pickles. I've never really enjoyed sweet pickles or those weird "bread and butter" pickles. What does that mean anyway? Bread and butter? As far as I know they don't have bread or butter in them. Hmm! I'll have to read up on that. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the pickle population. Well, I guess I could be accused of being a "pickle racist" because I am partial to the dills. I certainly never meant to upset any pickles, "dill" or "sweet". My deepest apologies. I just hope the pickle that took such an offense to the sweet moment with my child will find it in his little "pickle" heart to forgive me. Please don't shun me from "The Pickle Jar".

I'm officially hooked!

2006-03-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

Oh, my gosh! Why didn't anyone tell me how completely addicting this blog stuff is! I can't get enough of it. For the past two days my poor kids have only seen me from the neck down, because my head has been stuck behind this stupid laptop. I find myself checking my "comments" every hour just to see if I have any new ones to read. So far I have convinced three people to start their own blog and I'm so excited to have the company. If you notice I have their links already posted because like I said, I'm obsessed! I've got to find a way to be a little more calm and collected. If Jimmy tries to show me how to fix something on my blog I get all crazy and weird. Last night he was trying to show me how to delete comments when something went weird on my blog page and I just about flipped out. He just looked at me like I was insane. I think I am! What has happened to me? Is anyone else as addicted as me?

Where are all my "bloggy" friends?

2006-03-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

What is up with everyone? Can you not take a hint? I still don't have any "blog" buddies! It's lonely out here in "blog" land without y'all. I do appreciate the comments, even though some of them are only to make fun of my favorite tv shows (Jeffrey)! If you want an opinion you have to create your own blog. Anyway, I'm desperate. I need companionship! Please!

The Magic of DVR

2006-03-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

I was introduced to the magic of the DVR last summer after coming home from a two week trip to Louisiana. My husband purchased this electronic marvel while I was away. I guess he got bored! Thank God for boredom! It has been 8 months since I started using it and I am still in awe. I don't know how I got along without it. What a horrible life I must have had before. Commercial packed shows, recording and re-recording over old VHS tapes, missing crucial plots of "My Name is Earl" episodes, etc... Those of you who have the DVR know all too well what I'm talking about. Those of you without it I just feel plain sorry for you. The relationship I have developed with my precious DVR is a special one. Every night after the kids are bathed and in bed, the dishes are clean in the kitchen and it is time for total relaxation I press that wonderful button at the top of my remote to see what my "buddy" has recorded for me for the day. I can't seem to describe in words the feeling that comes over me when I see that I have 3-4 hours of great T.V. right there just waiting for me to hit "play". Ahh! Life is good! The only problem I have from this point on is deciding whether or not to watch "Related" (the best show on t.v.), "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" (very close to my heart), or my Thursday night ensemble, "Four Kings", "My Name is Earl", "The Office", and "ER". I have gotten so spoiled! I find it almost excruciating to have to suffer through the "live" episodes now. What has come over me? I'm a DVR junkie! It is the best thing that could have happened to this busy mother of three. What are you waiting for? Go get yours today.