tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34103206783595284602024-03-14T01:28:12.784-07:00Banter, Buffoonery & Bloggy BlatherMelindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-88582472956936260822015-04-15T15:15:00.001-07:002015-04-16T15:28:34.293-07:00Multiple ChoiceIf someone you thought was your friend accused you of having an affair with their husband, would you:<br />
<br />
a. cry a whole lot<br />
b. get incredibly angry, and imagine slapping them in the face any time you saw them<br />
c. realize you have never been so offended, then have your husband give you a blessing<br />
d. block them on Facebook<br />
e. alternate between being furious, imagining what you would say to this person, and being deeply deeply depressed<br />
f. go to the temple, do a session, put their families names on the prayer roll and find you're not so angry anymore<br />
g. talk to the bishop, get some council, feel a lot better<br />
h. have physical, intense anxiety whenever you see this person<br />
i. find that you can't even look this person in the face, you are so repelled by them<br />
j. try to move on and not think about them every minute of the day and what you're supposed to actually DO about the situation, realizing there really is nothing you can do (which is FRUSTRATING)<br />
k. have an obsessive bout of looking up information on slander and if you should actually send them a cease and desist letter--not because you want to sue them, but just in hopes that it will finally make them stop<br />
l. feel like you're on a roller coaster ride, that just keeps getting worse each week that goes by<br />
m. still feel bad for this person, worry for them because they are seriously unhinged and need a lot of help<br />
n. get mad at yourself for missing their friendship and wishing you didn't care so much<br />
o. become an even worse insomniac than you were before, and then sleep most of the day away because life just seems too hard to deal with right now<br />
p. hate that <i>so much</i> and become super frustrated with yourself that you can't get anything done and are wasting away your days, and that this person has that much power over you<br />
q. have good weeks and bad weeks, you're in a bad week right now<br />
r. make an appointment with your doctor to increase your anxiety medication<br />
or<br />
s. all of the above<br />
<br />
I'm sure you can guess which answer is mine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, so to give a little background: We had some really good friends of ours that we spent a lot of time with over this past year. We did a lot of double dates, our kids all get along and are friends, we even planned our trip to Cancun because they invited us along. Fast forward to November and we find out that they're getting a divorce. So sad, so emotional, just terrible. And us trying to figure out how we can be supportive of each of them and still be friends. After talking to my friend about what was going on, and my husband talking to him, we started to notice...inconsistencies in the stories. She was always very vague and not forthcoming--everything was always his fault and it was very calculated in what she said-- he was always very open and sharing and sad and sorry. She was happy to be getting divorced and things just weren't adding up for me. So we started spending more time with the husband when he had the kids with him, and she started spending less and less time with us. I still tried to do things with her, but it was very awkward. I think things really went south when we went to Cancun, and she was upset that she wasn't going. At one point when I felt that she was permanently pulling away from me, I went to talk to her about what was going on. It was not pretty. It was actually kind of horrible. She yelled at me, she accused me of crossing lines, of being inappropriate, of being a bad friend. There was crying, there was hurt feelings, there was a lot of things that just didn't make sense. I thought it got to a point by the end of the conversation where things would be okay and sort of resolved. We went to lunch later that week and she apologized and said she loved me and hugged me, and...we haven't spoken since. It was all a lie. She went to our Bishop and told him I was interested in her husband and now that they're getting a divorce, I'm making my move. She's forbidden her kids from talking to me or my kids. When her kids get back from their dad's, she grills them on if we were there and if I'm inviting myself over or if their dad is. Its sick, and I am in a huge hurtful mess. I thought this person was one of my best friends, I loved her, I wanted to be there for her, I wanted to help her. I worry for her, and I worry about her kids and all I've ever wanted to do was be a good person and a good friend. I know it shouldn't bother me, but her saying these things about me to other people makes me a little crazy and I hate that some people think its true. That I'm having an affair with her husband, that I'm this awful friend, that I'm trying to take her kids from her, that I'm inappropriate. I hate that perfect strangers who don't know me, are hearing these things and believe them. I know I can't control it and it isn't true, I know I'm not a bad person, but man, it hurts. I don't know how this is going to get better, even if we completely pulled away from her and him and their kids, I'm still the girls' Young Womens leader. I will still see her and her kids every sunday. Every tuesday when she drops them off at church. We have mutual friends, who give me the side eye and who are put in the middle of an extremely uncomfortable situation. I wish I could talk to her, I wish I could make everything right, but its not me that has to be okay, its her. And I can't force her to accept reality. I feel very stuck, and it is a terrible feeling, to have no power in what someone does to you. You want to stand up for yourself, you want to shout from the rooftops that I DID NOT DO THAT!! you want to convince everyone of your innocence, you wonder how anyone who knows you could believe that about you. Right now, I just want to be able to get out of bed in the morning and start my day and not feel like a dark cloud is following me wherever I go.<br />
<br />
Sorry to lay this all out, but it does feel good to share my side even if its just to a blog that no one who knows about this in person will read. Pray for me please?Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-46765351498153278362015-02-26T11:44:00.004-08:002015-02-26T11:44:45.153-08:00True FriendsI've got some things on my mind and I'd like to talk about them. I don't think there's anyone reading this blog anymore and thats okay. Sometimes I just need to say exactly how I'm feeling and know its out there in the void, that maybe someone will read it and understand what I mean.<br />
<br />
I read a stupid little whatever article about five ways to know if you have a true friend. It was basically fluff. Stuff like, they accept all your weird quirks and will tell you if you have a booger in your nose and stick around when you're going through hard stuff. And while I agree that those are nice things to have in a friend, I don't think those things make a TRUE friend.<br />
<br />
I think a true friend is someone that can call you out on your crap. I don't mean they are mean to you, but when you're asking for real advice with a problem, they can gently and tactfully help you see your part in it too. I don't think a true friend just blindly agrees with everything you say. I think they might challenge your thinking, help you see other sides, grow and become better. I think a true friend is someone who will listen to anything you say and let you say it, but will also help you move past it. If they see you're doing harm to yourself or others will not just idly sit by and say its not their problem.<br />
<br />
I think true friends resolve things. If your friend does something that hurts you, a true friend doesn't pull away and ignore them and avoid them, you work it out. And if the other person is a true friend, they will listen to you and say they're sorry and you will all move on. Instead of holding a grudge and staying angry and letting that drive a wedge between your friendship. True friends work on their problems.<br />
<br />
True friends aren't play things to be tossed aside when things aren't convenient or easy or always fun. I know we hear this kind of thing a lot: if a friend takes anything from you are any sort of weight to you, they aren't worth it and you need to get rid of them. And sometimes that is true, and sometimes people are worth fighting for even when they aren't perfect. Because wouldn't you in your imperfections, want your friends to fight for you? True friends don't see the worst in each other and understand that people make mistakes, and usually aren't maliciously out to hurt you on purpose.<br />
<br />
True friends are honest with each other, you can share your deepest fears or thoughts with a true friend and know that they will understand. Or even if they don't, they won't hold it against you. A true friend might get annoyed with you sometimes, but they can still see all the good things in you and know that you are worth all of it, even the annoying parts. ;)<br />
<br />
True friendship is hard. True friendship takes work. True friendship is worth it because after you've been through all this hard work, you know you have a friend you will never give up on and will never give up on you. One that makes you better, that makes you laugh, that gets who you really are and will always be there for you--and that is priceless. How can something like that just be easy? It isn't, and maybe instead of skipping around from person to person always looking for whats easiest, we should invest in the people around us and try to understand where people are coming from. And maybe that person you thought was just another person, will become someone you can't live without.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-54562558045026935462014-10-07T09:53:00.002-07:002014-10-07T09:53:33.209-07:00Things That Need to Be SharedI have a sort of tick in my brain that won't let me move on from things stuck in there very easily. This may be because I've missed a few days of medication...<br />
<br />
Anyway, there are a few things that I can't get out of my head, and I think the world needs to know these things.<br />
<br />
First up, a few days ago my husband and I went on a little lunch date. As we were driving, Iggy Azalea's song "Black Widow" came on (AGAIN--seriously radio stations, lets mix it up okay??)--and we were feeling giddy with freedom and started joking around, it went something like this:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">♫ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">♪</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">black widow baby...</span></i><span style="font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">♪</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">♫</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Husband: She's not even black.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Me: Yeah it should be "white widow baby!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Husband: Or Aussie widow baby.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Me: Totally!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Husband: Or--the dingo ate your baby!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Me: laughing hysterically</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I hope you know the reference. AND I sincerely hope every time you hear that song you sing "<i>the dingo ate your baby!</i>" Because I sure as heck do.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I want you guys to know that I love broccoli. I do. I think its really delicious and wonderful. Of all the gross vegetables out there, you can't beat broccoli or carrots. Mmmmm, carrots. Anyway, I finally got my crap together and made some freezer meals and cooked one yesterday. Which happened to be beef broccoli teriyaki. And you know whats NOT nice about broccoli? Its extremely pungent. My whole house yesterday smelled like cooking broccoli. My kids came home from school and crinkled their noses and said "WHATS THAT SMELL?!?!" I went to bed last night and could smell it in my room. I woke up this morning and the smell is still here. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">I'm never cooking broccoli again.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">So we've become the official dog watchers. We consistently watch three dogs every couple weeks/month-ish. This week we'll have two of them together! I love it, but my husband is wondering how this happened? SOOooooooooo, I convinced him that we should get a puppy for Christmas! A PUPPY! I am so incredibly beyond excited for this, I can't even explain! Can you just picture how awesome its going to be to surprise my kids with a PUPPY on Christmas morning?!? Its like out of a freaking movie! They will remember this Christmas forever! I just want to add that the dog we're watching right now is very very old and just farted behind me and I think I'm going to die. Wow. BUT I'M STILL EXCITED FOR A PUPPY!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Guys. GUYS! Its happening again! That time of year where I want to chop all my hair off! What am I supposed to do?! I seriously don't want to grow out a pixie cut again, but I saw the cutest pixie the other day and felt like I got punched in the stomach--I WANT ONE! Ugh. Hair shouldn't be this hard. In an effort to get some of this out, I shaved the side of my head. Wanna see? </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gV1vuYU2Eqk/VDQWn84LZSI/AAAAAAAAFbg/ejIJrSudszM/s1600/10511339_10203075859591304_892021580425363812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gV1vuYU2Eqk/VDQWn84LZSI/AAAAAAAAFbg/ejIJrSudszM/s1600/10511339_10203075859591304_892021580425363812_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Can you see it? Hmmm, I don't have many pictures on my computer... Oh, how about this one?</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezd_4pgKmis/VDQXBtBqQvI/AAAAAAAAFbo/Ca1lQtpRvO0/s1600/IMG_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezd_4pgKmis/VDQXBtBqQvI/AAAAAAAAFbo/Ca1lQtpRvO0/s1600/IMG_2911.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So anyway, I kind of have the itch to cut all my hair off and dye it super blonde. I also have been really wanting to chop it above the shoulders and dye it lavender. I love that so much! Here have some more pictures:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9iBu2RZLIs/VDQXqoXhDvI/AAAAAAAAFbw/EPi6CpgppRg/s1600/4a6957707b3970045bb558499026e52c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9iBu2RZLIs/VDQXqoXhDvI/AAAAAAAAFbw/EPi6CpgppRg/s1600/4a6957707b3970045bb558499026e52c.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></div>
I think after Halloween, this is what I'm going to do ^^ And then, I can switch back and forth between the blonde and the lavender (see below) (side note--why is there no down arrow thingy??)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZgnTueYDxA/VDQXr9Byt6I/AAAAAAAAFb4/2rRbAytR-TM/s1600/19a2876ca22fceb96519f6ade1f8bd57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZgnTueYDxA/VDQXr9Byt6I/AAAAAAAAFb4/2rRbAytR-TM/s1600/19a2876ca22fceb96519f6ade1f8bd57.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGK2k42uki0/VDQXu0qmRaI/AAAAAAAAFcA/7-YKVVbY2FY/s1600/b927aa3320c607906fbf188112d9466a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGK2k42uki0/VDQXu0qmRaI/AAAAAAAAFcA/7-YKVVbY2FY/s1600/b927aa3320c607906fbf188112d9466a.jpg" height="400" width="330" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eP5xHpyo-do/VDQXzL7wiLI/AAAAAAAAFcI/qF7vVPBBBQg/s1600/f901a8a0818532267531d2d3295bc719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eP5xHpyo-do/VDQXzL7wiLI/AAAAAAAAFcI/qF7vVPBBBQg/s1600/f901a8a0818532267531d2d3295bc719.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I'm also really tempted to just do something like this ^^ since I already have the shaved side. Not sure how its going to work with the shoulder length cut. We'll see. Tough decisions my friends.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So whats your vote? What do you think I should do? (Knowing full well, that once I get something stuck in my head its eventually most likely going to happen...)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oooh OH! I am SO EXCITED for Halloween!! I LOVE IT! We finally figured out what we're dressing up as and I'm obsessed with it and so stoked! WHOO! Can't wait to show you guys! Now if I could just get my kids to settle on ONE costume instead of changing their minds every two seconds, that would be great. But seriously, how can people not like getting dressed up?!? SO FUN! So what are you doing for Halloween? Do you have a party you go to every year? Are you a boo humbug kind of person? Are you not the dressing up type? Why?? I just can't wrap my brain around that! ;) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, fine. I should go. Gotta pick my medication up from Costco!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #373a3e; font-family: Open Sans, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-87657117854166229662014-05-07T14:44:00.000-07:002014-05-07T14:44:04.940-07:00I'm a Realist Gosh Darn It!So uh...I recently discovered GOMI. Have you guys been there?? Do you know what <a href="http://getoffmyinternets.net/forums/" target="_blank">Get Off My Internets</a> is?<br />
<br />
Basically its a site dedicated to snarking and complaining about all the big blogs out there and what you don't like about them. I got turned on to it through NieNie Dialogues instagram account, she had some fluke with her name being changed and people were going CRAZY about it and then there was a fake instagram account that was making fun of her and it was horrible and pretty hilarious at the same time...because I'm sort of a bad person.<br />
<br />
See, if you're a really positive person, who only sees the best in people, who always looks at the bright side, who never complains or gossips or is negative: you won't get this.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't say I'm a positive person, but I also wouldn't say I'm a negative person either. I would describe myself as a realist. <br />
<br />
Let me explain more: I grew up with a mother who HATES dishonesty. I don't care for dishonesty much myself but I feel like this emphasis on honesty in my young life and growing up, put me in a position to feel like when you pretend someone is nicer than they are, its a lie and <i>I don't like it</i>. Does that make sense? Have you ever had someone say something flat out rude to you, and you KNOW exactly what they meant, but when you tell someone about it they're all like "Oh I'm sure they just meant <i>this</i>, or they were meaning it in <i>this </i>way!" And in your head, you're just like "no, they weren't. They were being rude and we all know it."<br />
<br />
I'm not saying I don't want to see the good in people, I'm not saying I don't WANT to be more positive, but I feel like I just don't want to delude myself about people's intentions and by doing that get hurt by them because I refused to see that they weren't a nice person and now they've done something horrible. Really am I making<i> any</i> sense??<br />
<br />
Anyway, the point of all this is (there probably isn't a point but...) sometimes I really do just want to snark on people. Because people do things that are annoying and sometimes you just want to feel validated that you're not the only one who feels this way. So when I started reading GOMI (for the most part) I was like I SO GET THESE PEOPLE!! (disclaimer: there are definitely people who take things too far and are much too nit picky and I don't agree with them, I just get the need to talk about things that annoy you without feeling like a completely horrible person.)<br />
<br />
I also want to say something about blogs and people's blog personalities. I hope everyone realizes that what you are seeing on a blog is NOT that real person. I lay things out here and they are honest to me, but still it is only a slice of who I am, and sometimes not the slice I always want people in real life to see... ;) So while you MIGHT be reading a blog of someone who you THINK is genuine, odds are: not really. I have friends that I know very well in real life and their blogs are a very much put together display of what they want people to see. There are things on their blogs that are so opposite of what they say and do in real life it astonishes me that they don't feel fraudulent. But they don't see it that way, they see what they want to see and they put out there what they <i>think</i> their lives are like.<br />
<br />
So I guess I feel a little less bad complaining about a person who's not even completely "real"-- just an image of what they want to put out there...but I still feel kind of guilty...I'm complicated.<br />
<br />
Anyway, if you have tons of time to go through all the forums and find the blogs you like to read and sometimes love to hate and read some of the hilarious things people think of them, I won't judge you since I've spent a ridiculously amount of time on there...its kind of addicting...<br />
<br />
But really, how do you feel about this kind of thing? Are you the forever optimist? Are you super negative? Or do you think you're just being real?? And can the optimist, pessimist and realist get along??Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-12110740111954805202014-03-19T14:27:00.002-07:002014-05-07T10:23:27.063-07:00Why I Will NOT Appreciate Barf Right NowI posted this to Facebook today:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I just want you people to know its been at least 12 years since I got a good nights sleep. You might want to think about that before you have kids... we're dealing with vomit this week! Yay parenthood.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
And within minutes a friend of mine (whose kids are all grown up) posted this response:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">It is the worst thing ever! But don't wish too hard that it stops - because before you know it, your kids will be gone and you will only wish you had some throw up to clean up!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
Really friend?? REALLY?! I mean though...really???<br />
<br />
I honestly cannot imagine a time in my life where I'll be sitting around wishing that if only I had some barf to clean up. Nope. Nope nope noooooope.<br />
<br />
I know this is something that gets thrown around to young moms all the time. And ya know what? It really isn't helpful. Its easy for you to say when you don't have to actually deal with barfing, diarrhea, nasty sickness. And I really doubt that the people who say this, when they were young moms appreciated doing these things. Talk about hypocrisy. So if you didn't appreciate it then, you can't tell me to now.<br />
<br />
Really though, whats the point of saying that to someone? A much more helpful thing to say would be: "Oh man! I so remember how awful that was to deal with! I'm so sorry!!" And leave it at that.<br />
<br />
Because I can assure you I will NEVER actually WISH to clean up feces. I will NOT miss doing ridiculous amounts of laundry. I WON'T crave sleepless nights. I will not WANT to deal with tantrum throwing, snot mouthed brats who make me crazy.<br />
<br />
YES, of course I will miss having little kids. I will wish for little hands to hold, and little bellies to tickle, and little smooshy cheeks to kiss, and little bodies to hug and little giggles and laughs and games. I <b><i>WILL</i></b> wish for <i>those </i>things. But I won't want the other parts back. Dude. For real?<br />
<br />
And one more thing, even though I'll miss my own kids being little I don't like the thinking that once my kids are grown up I'm all alone. I'm not going to be alone, they'll still be part of my life. I will still get to have great, fun, fulfilling relationships with them and the cherry on top is that eventually I'll get grandkids and I'll have little kids around again--ones I don't have to do their laundry! This all sounds good to me, not bad. I just would rather be excited about my kids growing up and be positive than dread "being alone" and empty. Boo to that I say!<br />
<br />
Okay, I think I've got that off my chest. It was too much to reply back on my Facebook status. Plus I didn't want to lose a friend. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-64041966854478960042014-02-14T14:19:00.001-08:002014-02-15T09:16:51.533-08:00My...Crying...ValentineIts Valentine's Day! A day of love and flowers and candy and spinning in fields of flowers!!! Whee!<br />
<br />
I don't really care about Valentine's Day either way. Some people hate it, some people love it. I don't have strong feelings about it at all. I think its weird that people hate it because who hates love? But then I started thinking about all my own weird quirks and I realized the husband and I were talking the other day about how much I love sad love songs...<br />
<br />
Really, I do. Some of my favorite songs are about heartbreak and sadness. Its not because I like broken hearts, its not because I'm heartless, and its not because I hate love. Really, I think the reason that I love sad songs is because they're so beautiful and emotional. I like tender songs, I like songs that make you feel like the emotion was ripped from the singer as they were singing it. They just seem more meaningful to me or something.<br />
<br />
So in honor of Valentine's Day, I'm sharing some of my favorite heartbroken songs. Tell me they don't get you right in the gut! I dare ya! :)<br />
<br />
Say Something- A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
<br />
<br />
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/-2U0Ivkn2Ds?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/-2U0Ivkn2Ds?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Your Letter- 112 (sorry about the crappy video quality)
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/cu6WWK_Adhs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/cu6WWK_Adhs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Just Give Me a Reason- Pink feat. Nate Ruess
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/OpQFFLBMEPI?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/OpQFFLBMEPI?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
You Were Mine- Dixie Chicks
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/ttggMJeUAo4?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/ttggMJeUAo4?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />
My Immortal- Evanescence
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/5anLPw0Efmo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/5anLPw0Efmo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Funny Feeling- 112<br />
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/6ybV7kCaBm8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/6ybV7kCaBm8?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Landslide- Stevie Nicks (but I like the Dixie Chicks version)
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/J4_wXPZ1Bnk?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/J4_wXPZ1Bnk?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Someone Like You- Adele
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/hLQl3WQQoQ0?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/hLQl3WQQoQ0?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I Will Always Love You- Whitney Houston
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/3JWTaaS7LdU?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/3JWTaaS7LdU?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
All Cried Out- Allure and 112 (apparently 112 have the best sad songs!) :)
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/D2_A3Ia-69U?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/D2_A3Ia-69U?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
What are your favorite sad songs? What would you add to my list? And a happy Valentine's Day to you!Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-2492321728246048512014-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:002014-01-04T12:45:04.936-08:00A Little Bit of MeEvery year since 2009, I've done a yearly review post, all my favorites, all the good and maybe not so good things that happened to us that year. And maybe...a really small maybe...I'll get to that. But I doubt it. Because you know what? This has been one of the weirdest years I've ever had. And although we did do some really fun and good things; if I think back on the year as a whole, I was very much wrapped up inside of my head and this year feels pretty lonely.<br />
<br />
First of all, I feel like this is like some bare your soul kind of post so be prepared for that and its loooong. Sorry. This is hard for me to write, its pretty personal and something I'm still trying to figure out and deal with. If you remember, I wrote a post awhile back about being <a href="http://bloggyblather.blogspot.com/2013/09/sleep-deprived-in-seattle.html#comment-form" target="_blank">extremely tired</a>. Basically, I've spent months being tired. And this isn't like you didn't get good sleep tired, its I can't exercise because 2 minutes in I'm exhausted and about to fall over, its vacuuming the floor and having to take a nap afterward, its getting one main thing done in my house because that is my limit for the day, its feeling completely overwhelmed by having to do anything MORE, not wanting to add anything to my plate because I can't DO ANYTHING but lay in bed and feel tired, tired, tired.<br />
<br />
In that post I talked about not wanting to go to the doctor. I kept hoping against hope that I would just snap out of it, that if I rested enough eventually I wouldn't be tired anymore. When that didn't work, I tried making myself do stuff. When that didn't work, I finally gave in and went to the doctor. I went and did blood work, I get a lot of headaches and migraines so as a precaution he had me do a CT scan (funny side story on this for a future post), but before we even got the results the doctor said something that made me laugh: he said he thought I was depressed. He had me fill out a test and said that based off the answers, I was kind of severely depressed. I laughed and said I don't think so. I thought it was the opposite: I'm tired which is making me depressed--how happy are you when you haven't been able to do anything for the last six months except be exhausted?? <b><i>He</i></b> thought the depression was making me tired.<br />
<br />
So I went home and waited for the test results. I told my husband that the worst thing they could possibly tell me was that nothing was wrong and that I'd have to go on living like this, which I just couldn't do anymore. And what do you think the test results all came back as? Nothing was wrong. No thyroid issue, no anemia, no problems with the CT scan. Nothing.<br />
<br />
I started researching what he said about depression, I read and read and took other tests to gauge if I had depression and it still just didn't fit to me. I didn't really feel bad about myself personally, I felt bad I couldn't do anything or live the way I was used to but I didn't hate myself (any more than any woman feels guilt or not living up to what she feels she can). I was still interested in all the things I was before, I just didn't have the energy to DO them. I didn't want to commit suicide. So in my research I came across some things about anxiety and it hit me. THAT was what I needed to be researching. And so I started reading about anxiety, and I started seriously freaking out. I started having major anxiety about having anxiety. I was probably on the verge of an anxiety attack when my mom called. She said she had a feeling I needed her to call, and it was good because I really, really did. We talked for about an hour about everything I was reading and how I was feeling and it helped me come out of my own head a little bit.<br />
<br />
So when I went back to the doctor we talked about that a little bit and he said, well, I want to put you on medication. Honestly, I know how people feel about medication, especially antidepressants. I was scared that it would change my personality, I was scared what people would think of me, would they think I'm crazy? Would they not want their kids to be around me because they think I'm unstable? There was a lot of fear in starting medication, but the overwhelming thought was that I would do anything to not feel like this anymore. If you haven't been there, don't judge.<br />
<br />
(Side note, about a year ago I started seeing a homeopathic chiropractor. I went to him for months. He had me take a good amount of supplements (for thyroid, for energy, for yeast, etc.), he did adjustments, he did stuff for my allergies, he changed my whole diet, he made me wear different colored glasses and tell myself that I am worth it, etc. I tried really, really hard to go that route. My sister loves this doctor and he's helped her a lot and I was really hopeful that this would work out so well for me too. I didn't see any results with the allergies after three or four treatments and after so much time, the supplements made me really sick. I felt nauseous every single day. I could't live like that and so I stopped taking them. I just wanted you to know, that I didn't hop right on the antidepressant band wagon.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, this is getting super long and I'm sorry about that, bear with me for a little more. I started on a really small dosage and I've worked my way up, if you don't know anything about antidepressants it takes up to eight weeks for them to fully work and the beginning side affects kind of suck. For me it was more headaches and insomnia. That went away after about a week but when they upped the dosage it came back. I'm still trying to figure out the insomnia part. :/<br />
<br />
I want you to know something about anxiety though. I didn't realize how much energy I was exerting to be normal in public. Its hard for me to be around people I don't know, I hide that. I like people, I like making new friends, but its a scary and terrifying thing for me sometimes. Loud noises are hard for me, substituting in Primary took all my self control to remain calm because when the children get really noisy, it makes me feel insane. It makes me feel like someone is banging the side of my head every time someone bursts out. I just want it to be quiet. I <i>need</i> that quiet. This is the best way I can put how anxiety works for me: I have to think about every single thing that could possibly ever happen to me (especially if its bad), because then I have control over it. If I've thought about my house exploding, then I'm prepared for that eventuality and it probably won't happen just because I've thought about it. Its the things I HAVEN'T thought about that are going to hurt me. I'm also pretty obsessive, if something bothers me (it could be anything and I never know what its going to be--it can be <a href="http://bloggyblather.blogspot.com/2012/01/because-i-just-cant-let-this-go.html" target="_blank">bobby pins</a> for goodness sake) it is going to be stuck on rewind in my head for days, it is going to replay and replay until I can figure out a way to make it stop. Basically my mind is like a hamster wheel, going in circles, constantly thinking about things, constantly analyzing things, constantly wondering why this is going on or what I should do about that and never getting anywhere. Its exhausting. And I've lived this way for a long, long time without realizing that it wasn't okay.<br />
<br />
I've been on the medication for almost two months, and I feel like its starting to help. I'm still tired (the whole insomnia thing...) but I feel like things are starting to turn around. Christmas is the most stressful time of the year for me, its gotten so bad the last few years that I was starting to absolutely hate Christmas. Truly. This year was so odd, I knew logically in my head that I should be stressed out because I had a lot to get done and there was only three days until Christmas but I just WASN'T stressed out. I just felt like, it'll be fine, I'll get done what I get done. When I could remember how I felt the year before and how tense and high strung and manic I was, it was such a weird feeling to know that I SHOULD be like that, but I wasn't.<br />
<br />
I'm still getting used to this and all it entails and where I'm supposed to go with it long term, but for now I thought it was time to share. Its something I want to share, but I'm scared for people to know. I'm scared what people will think, I'm scared of the judgement. But I also believe that we hide too much of ourselves, and we walk around thinking we're the only ones like this, and that everyone else is great and normal and fine, when really we all struggle with something and maybe we need to stop with the act so we can reach out to each other and just help.<br />
<br />
So friends, here's me sharing what this last year was really like for me. Thanks for listening. :)Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-81320855503399708322013-09-24T11:00:00.000-07:002013-09-24T11:00:02.333-07:00Things I Want My Children to KnowWhat I want to talk about right now is my children. My oldest is now in the fifth grade. At the end of 4th they did the whole "puberty/body changing" lesson. It was a really great opportunity to sit and talk with her about things that aren't necessarily very comfortable to talk about it. And it got me thinking about some things I want my kids to know that I probably don't take enough time to sit and talk to them about.<br />
<br />
<br />
So here's an open letter to my kids:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What I wish for all of you to learn, earlier rather than later in life:<br />
<br />
First of all, I wish for you to not let other people dictate how you feel about yourselves. What I mean by this, is that if someone (anyone: a friend, an adult, a stranger, some kid on the playground) says you're not good at something, or makes fun of you, or teases you--to not let that matter. It really doesn't matter what anyone else says because YOU are <i>amazing</i>. You astonish me with your creativity, your sense of humor, your capacity to love people, your ability to learn things so quickly. I look at you in awe, I stare at you and can't believe you are mine and God is letting me keep you for awhile. You are <b>super special</b>, and so is everyone else. Remember that people say things all the time for lots of different reasons that might hurt us. Maybe they feel bad about themselves, maybe they're jealous of you, maybe they're just feeling mean that day, maybe they didn't think what they said was all that mean, whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter. Words are careless sometimes, and sometimes YOU will say things that hurt other people. Don't let your self worth depend on what other people think of you. Who are they anyway? Focus on what God thinks of you, and God thinks you're pretty wonderful. Thats all that matters. (Let me tell you a trick, if someone makes fun of you, shrug it off and don't let them know it bothers you. Even better, don't let it actually bother you. :) If you can laugh and say "Oh well, does that make you feel better about yourself?" things will be easier. Promise.)<br />
<br />
With all your awesomeness and specialness, that still doesn't make you better than other people. Don't act superior and arrogant and bring other people down. You'll find a lot of people like that. Nobody likes it. Whether you really ARE smarter than someone, ARE better than someone at something, remember humility because there are better people than <b>you</b> out there too. Be kind and grateful for the things you are good at, and don't ever make someone feel less than you. They're God's child too.<br />
<br />
Laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh some more. Find humor in things instead of focusing on the bad. Its going to be hard. Its easy to point out the annoying, bad things in life. Its much harder to go through a terrible situation and find something to smile about. Do that though and your life will be so much easier. I love this quote by Marjorie Pay Hinckley: "You can either laugh or you can cry. I prefer to laugh, crying gives me a headache."<br />
<br />
Don't be afraid to resolve a situation. That doesn't mean to say mean things to people whenever they bother you, but it also doesn't mean to let people walk all over you. If someone treats you badly, in a calm way tell them how you feel. They might yell at you, they might get upset, they might never want to talk to you again. Thats their problem and they will have to resolve it. (It might hurt you a lot too.) Still, you get to dictate how you let people treat you, and if people can't be nice, you don't HAVE to stay around them. Sometimes its hard to remember when we're taught to be nice to everyone, that we don't have to be best friends with everyone. Still be nice but set boundaries. Thats ok.<br />
<br />
Pray. Turn your heart to God, He will never fail you. Pour your heart to Him, He will listen. He understands. He will ease your burdens and give you answers. But remember, He doesn't just take everything away, you have lessons to learn and you must learn them, so pray to know how to learn the lesson, not for Him to take it away. You will become stronger from these lessons and an even better person, the closer you draw to God, the more your heart will be open to learning and loving and getting answers. Always stay close to Him, you will never regret it.<br />
<br />
Its okay when you make mistakes! We all do it! Nobody is perfect and you are just not going to be. Sometimes you will mess up, sometimes really badly. I will still love you and so will God. Don't expect yourself to be perfect right away, don't let the guilt of mistakes make you not want to try anymore. When you do mess up, take care of it and try again to do better. Work a little more and a little more towards doing the best you can, but you can't expect to do everything perfectly and right every single time. Just keep trying, thats all I ask. Don't give up.<br />
<br />
Work hard. You're going to see people all around you and their lives are going to look perfect and better and more appealing. That is a lie. You don't know their whole situation and even if things do seem easier for them, they aren't. To get good things you have to learn to work hard. You're expectations of what you want, can't exceed how hard you work. If you want something a lot of people don't obtain, you have to be willing to work harder and take the time to get there. And its okay to be satisfied with less than what others have. There is no reason to think you need a ginormous house or make tons of money to feel legitimate. Think about how silly that sounds: This person is better than me because their house is bigger and more expensive. Thats dumb. Are they a nice person? Do they treat people respectfully? Do they serve and love and help others? THAT makes a good person, not possessions. Learn this lesson and you will feel so much happier than constantly competing with the people around you. Its just not worth it.<br />
<br />
I may not be perfect at these things, but having lived my life so far, I know if I had learned these things and put them into practice earlier I would be so much happier. I'm not saying my life would be easy, we still all have trials and hardships, but so much happier. And THAT is important.<br />
<br />
Your mom loves you so much! I only want to give you the most important things in life, and that doesn't always include "stuff." I want to give you the best parts of me even though I fail and mess up. There's another lesson I had to learn: parents aren't perfect. We're people too. We don't always know how to control ourselves or whats the best thing to do in a situation, but we are trying our hardest to do our best. So try and remember that for me okay?<br />
<br />
Love, Mom<br />
<br />
<br />
I could probably still add a lot more, but it just got too long. :) What else would YOU add? Is there something really important I left out? Isn't being a parent so hard sometime?!Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-87017423862600657682013-09-20T10:38:00.000-07:002013-09-20T10:38:00.536-07:00Thats the Way the Cookie Crumbles......I don't know I just really want a cookie right now.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-25753934490300980452013-09-17T10:38:00.001-07:002013-09-17T10:38:32.119-07:00Sleep Deprived In SeattleHey guys, I just wanted to pop in here and just say...something? I don't know, I just know that lately my posting has been inconsistent and a little nutso. And I'm sorry about that.<br />
<br />
I mean, to be honest, I AM a little bit nutso and sometimes I struggle with that, which is why I blog about it because a lot of the time it helps me work through things when I talk about them or write them down.<br />
<br />
I've really struggled the last little while with having no energy. I've been really, really REALLY tired and I'm not sure why. I mean, I'm ALWAYS tired. I've been tired for the last eleven years since I started having kids, but this lately has been an all time low and its just starting to sink in for me that it is really not normal.<br />
<br />
I've pretty much spent the whole summer trying to get my feet underneath me and failing. Last summer I had a great schedule; we went to the library every Monday, we went to a different fun park with friends every Wednesday, we had our ward play group every Thursday, etc. etc. I tried to do the same thing this summer and I just couldn't make it happen because I was so dang worn out!<br />
<br />
So now school's here and I'm trying to get back into a new routine and I'm hoping against hope that I can figure out whats going on with my body and somehow get control of it.<br />
<br />
I know what you're thinking right about now: GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!<br />
<br />
I get it, I do, I would probably say the same thing to my friends; but there's also this: I feel so stupid going to the doctor because I'm tired. It seems so lame. And when you're so super tired it feels like so much work to drive out to the doctor and talk about stuff and all that...jeez, I sound so lazy. But thats kind of the point! I have no energy to do anything not even help myself. Blah.<br />
<br />
And thats about it. I'm working on it. I'm working on getting organized and pushing myself to do things even though I'm tired, I'm working on keeping up with my schedule, I'm working up to the doctor. I'm trying, I'm actually <i>really</i> trying.<br />
<br />
Have you ever felt like this? Have you ever just been so worn down and for no apparent reason, you haven't had a super stressful time or pushed yourself any differently than normal, but you're just so tired??<br />
<br />
I would love some advice, or experiences or pretty much anything--and I'm sure my family would appreciate it as well. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think I've yawned ten times just in the typing of this. Ugh.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-4494518337086574442013-08-16T12:35:00.002-07:002013-08-16T12:35:40.188-07:00This Post is Very Personal and Probably too Graphic. You've Been Warned.I'm sure this post has been written hundreds of times, by hundreds of women who have had enough with "that time of the month." And all I can say to that is: here comes another one.<br />
<br />
For the last couple of years my period has been a little screwed up. Like I get to experience the joy of womanhood every TWO weeks. Wah for me, I know. It sucks. (And for those of you who are thinking, "why don't you go to the doctor then?" I say "Shut up. I KNOW!" Here's how it goes every two weeks: Crap. My period is here AGAIN. I should call the doctor and get this figured out. Except I feel like total crap and want to hibernate for the next week. Eight days later my period ends. I have tons to catch up on, like laundry and feeding my children. I just want to LIVE for a week or so and be HAPPY! My period comes again and I have no desire to do anything, least of all make a phone call. Rinse. Repeat.)<br />
<br />
And of course, this is the situation I'm in right now and thats why I'm writing this. Because I am SO SICK of being a woman. If there wouldn't be negative consequences for when I'm old, I would seriously just have it all removed. I know they say after women go through menopause they mourn the loss of their "womanhood" or whatever and I say: eff that, yeah right.<br />
<br />
I know men like to pretend that women exaggerate all the womanly stuff and at this point in my period, I'm pretty sure I could rip a man's head off with my bare hands and throw it into the next county. Come again man? You really want to go there?? And I know if a man read this, they would roll their eyes and act like I'm just a raging crazy person. But you know what? Right now I AM a raging crazy person--thats the point!<br />
<br />
I'm going to be honest, the men I know--for the most part--are pretty big babies. They can hardly deal with a little sniffle, let alone if they bled out of their hoo-hah for seven days. Add to that, massive cramps and a hormone roller coaster, they would be begging to get off this ride.<br />
<br />
And the thing is, I'm not even exaggerating one bit. I'm really being quite honest. Right now, I'm sitting at my computer dealing with horrendous lower back pain, feeling like if someone just looks at me wrong I could get pretty violent, swinging back to laughing hysterically over a funny cat video, to weeping openly over a commercial. This all happens in a matter of minutes. And thats just the hormones!<br />
<br />
Then we get to the different ways to actually deal with the flow:<br />
<br />
<i>There's pads</i>. Its so fun to feel like you're walking around in a diaper.<br />
<br />
<i>There's tampons</i>. I once got a tampon lost up inside me. Do you know how scary that is?! Because not only are you dealing with something foreign up there, you could now possibly DIE from toxic shock syndrome. Yay.<br />
<br />
<i>There's the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diva-International-Inc-DivaCup-Post-Childbirth/dp/B000FAG6XA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376680344&sr=8-2&keywords=diva+cup" target="_blank">diva cup</a></i>. I personally can't use tampons (they don't work because I have a tilted uterus) and I'm so sick of pads that in a fit of desperation, I ordered a diva cup. This is supposed to be miraculous and life altering. I wish I could explain how this actually feels for me. The best way I can describe it is like having a giant fist shoved inside you, pushing on your bladder and organs and my body just wants to expel it from my system. It feels like my body wants to give birth to this thing: its time, push it out NOW!! Besides that once you <i>do </i>go in there to remove it you look like you've been in a bloody battle and frankly, I just never wished to know myself that well.<br />
<br />
To sum it all up: there just isn't any "GOOD" way to deal with bleeding down there. There is<i> nothing</i> thats super convenient and "nice," or comfortable, like you "can't even feel it!" The best thing I can think of would be to just sit in the shower for seven days straight. I think I could dig that.<br />
<br />
<br />
And the point of all this?: maybe we as women (and maybe you men too) should cut us some slack. Maybe when there's a woman you really don't like, instead of thinking "she's such a *bleep*" you can think "dang, I bet she's on her period, and that sucks so bad!" Or maybe when you see a woman crying and upset, instead of thinking "wow, she's a mess, she needs to get her crap together!" you can think "that poor woman has been bleeding out her hoo-hah for days now, I'd be crying too!" You know??<br />
<br />
I'm not saying to use it as an excuse to act however you want. I'm not. I'm not saying people should get to be jerks without consequences. I'm just saying, on your end to deal with that person, maybe its easier to think they must be going through something instead of they're just a jerk. Does that make sense? And I'll try to do that for women now. I will really try.<br />
<br />
I mean, unless I'm on my period and then I'm just going to hate everyone. Okay then?Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-246301412941828552013-06-13T15:22:00.005-07:002013-06-13T15:25:42.898-07:00I've Been Reading Too MuchHey.<br />
<br />
Its been a long time.<br />
<br />
I know my last post was a real downer. I really do feel better about the whole 'making friends' thing now. I still don't have a ton of friends, but at least I don't feel bad about it anymore. I'm making some better friends but I'm willing to give it time to happen and not need it RIGHT NOW.<br />
<br />
So while I wait, I read. Like every day and as much as possible and late into the night. I can't get enough of escaping into a story.<br />
<br />
I realize this is possibly me hiding from my life.<br />
<br />
When my husband was gone at basic training and I was pregnant with my fourth, I was so super stressed and couldn't handle the loneliness and the hormones and the craziness that was me, and so to help the time pass and to get an escape, I read...a lot.<br />
<br />
Except this time, I don't understand what the escape would be from?<br />
<br />
My life is good right now, my kids are happy, I have an easy calling at church, I don't have a ton of things putting pressure on me. I just feel tired. And anxious.<br />
<br />
I find myself at certain times of the day with my face turning red and my stomach dropping, like there's something I forgot to do or something is going to come out of nowhere and bite me. Do you know that feeling? That awful feeling when you realize you were supposed to be somewhere important and you missed it, or you were supposed to get something important done and it slipped your mind and then BAM it hits you and you feel sick.<br />
<br />
I feel like that constantly, except that I'm not forgetting anything.<br />
<br />
I realize we all go through changes in the scheme of growing up and figuring out who we are. We go through highs and lows, times where we feel in control of our lives and ourselves and times where we feel like life is dragging us around by our ankles against our will. And for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm both. In a high and a low. Where nothing is wrong but maybe not all of its right either. Where I know who I am and what I want but am a little confused too. People go through cycles, there are times where my mom is the funnest person around and I love to talk to her and be around her and then there are times where things feel off and we're not connecting like we were. And thats normal.<br />
<br />
And I guess I need to remember that this is okay for <i>me</i> too, things aren't always in sync and I need to allow myself the room to grow and change and be okay with that. To discover this journey instead of fight against it.<br />
<br />
Do you get what I'm saying? Have you ever felt like this? What do you do to kick start yourself and get back to where you feel more in control of yourself or your life or whatever?<br />
<br />
So. There's that. Thats whats on my mind right now. And also I really want a donut.<br />
<br />
I promise next post will be cheerful. Or funny. Or something other than depressing. ;) Promise.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-2181019130617381242013-04-12T15:18:00.001-07:002013-04-12T15:18:13.000-07:00Oh, Here We Go Again...Its that time again: the one time a month I feel like blogging because I'm on my period and hormonal and crazy and in a rant.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about friends lately, and I realized that for the most part, I've always been the "sidekick" kind of friend. I like to pick someone with a strong personality, and I want to be their little favorite buddy. I want to nuzzle into their side and make them like me, and thats pretty much how things have gone for me. Me, feeling insecure, wanting to find a friend who's confident and will let me hang on for the ride.<br />
<br />
And you know what? I'm done with that. I don't need someone else's confidence anymore, I'm good with who I am. But there's also this: I'm lonely. I wish this moving to a whole new place and making new friends didn't have to be so dang hard, and take so dang long!<br />
<br />
So when's it my turn? When do I get MY little sidekick who seeks ME out and wants to be MY best buddy?? HUH??<br />
<br />
Why don't I have someone that wants to just stop by and hang out with me at my house? No one EVER wants to come to my house! WHY?! I don't get it and I feel a little offended over it, I feel a little indignant for my house's sake. Like I need to reassure it and tell it that there's nothing wrong with it, people are just dumb sometimes.<br />
<br />
I know I'm not the most outgoing when I first move somewhere new, its hard for me to walk up to strangers. I don't know if you're nice, if you're weird, if you're going to talk back to me, if you're going to yell at me, I don't know whats going on around here, I don't know anything! But I've tried really hard to be friendlier lately, really! We've been in this ward for six whole freaking months, I've been to play groups, I raise my hand in Relief Society to answer questions (to looks of: "who the crap is she??"), I go to baby showers of people I have no idea who they are. And while I'm there, the people are fine, they are nice, I feel like we could get along but the feeling I get <i>most</i> is that they already have their little groups and since they have friends they don't need to worry about making an effort more than the obligatory invite to play group. I went to our ward Temple night and stood outside with a member of the bishopric and his wife and the Primary President, who didn't say more than two words to me.<br />
<br />
And maybe I'm too prideful, but I'm not going to just throw myself at people.<br />
<br />
And now this is me taking a deep breath and letting it all out. *wwoooooooossshhh* I'm done. I don't care anymore, and by that I mean, I still want friends but I'm not going to feel bad about it anymore. I will still work on it, but I won't let it get me down. (I hope.)<br />
<br />
Alright? Is that better? Sorry for this regurgitated rant that keeps coming back. I don't know why its been so frustrating this time around. (I think maybe its because I made such great friends in our old ward, its hard not to compare how friendly that ward was and then the fact that those great friends are only half an hour away is making it hard to let go.)<br />
<br />
Do you make friends in a new place easily? What are your tips? What do you do to get to know people? (PLEASE please PLEASE, give me some tips!) Are you the sidekick or the main friend? Do you hold everyone together or are you happy to just have one friend and call it good?Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-31354148664563955022013-03-29T17:03:00.000-07:002013-03-29T17:09:03.735-07:00It's True, I'm Old NowSo last year, I made <a href="http://bloggyblather.blogspot.com/2012/03/only-one-year-left.html" target="_blank">a list</a> of 30 things to do this past year before I turned 30. I tried pretty hard to stay on top of it, but I'll admit I'm a bit of a procrastinator so it was hard to do things when you think you have a year to get it done, and then all of a sudden there's only a month left and you have a bunch of stuff on your list not done! :) Really, I would have done a lot better if the buying a house/moving part of our year wasn't so crazy, it was a lot of off and on, stop and go and I was pretty stressed and during that point I was like who the heck cares about this stupid list?! :) There's a few things on the list I'm really sad I wasn't better about, and there's some that I think I'll still get to even though I didn't do them during the "30 year", and I'm okay with that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">30 before 30</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1- Learn to <strike>play the guitar</strike></span>: Didn't want to cross this off because although I've tried to self teach myself, and I did help play some music for a primary activity, I still am learning and can't really play a whole song myself. :)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 2- <strike>Exercise 3 times</strike> a week or complete "Insanity"</span>: I was doing really well exercising earlier this year, and then the whole moving thing happened and I didn't have a treadmill anymore and I tried to do Insanity but dude, it sucks. So this is sort of half way.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3- <s> Finish 1 craft project a month </s></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4- </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Buy our first house:</span> </s> YAY!!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">5- Go to Forks:</span> I'm really kind of sad that we didn't get to do this, but like I said, its still something we're going to try to get to doing.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">6- <s>Run a 5k </s>:</span> I did this and was pretty proud of myself, I'm not a runner and I tried really hard to become a better one, I thought I was going to black out a few times (no seriously though), but I did it! :)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">7- <strike>Watch 30 classic movies</strike></span><s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> :</span> </s>I'm crossing this one off even though I'm a few short because I'm still planning to watch a bunch more (can I tell you how in love with Cary Grant I am?!).<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">8- <s>Go to VooDoo donuts</s> </span></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">9- <s>Homemake everyone's Christmas presents</s> </span></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">10- Donate blood (plasma maybe?)</span>: still planning on this!<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">11- <s>Grow hair out--no cutting at all! </s></span></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">
12- Paint 3 paintings:</span> I did a ton of painting this year--of walls! I think I should be able to count it! haha I'm planning on doing some paintings for my house but haven't gotten there yet.<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">13- </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Decorate a cake for each birthday</span> </s></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">
14- </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Take the kids hiking this summer</span> </s></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">
15- Find a waterfall:</span> planning on finding one this summer<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">16- Go on a date once a month:</span> this is one of the ones I'm sad about, unfortunately we didn't get out for a date every month and it wasn't as big a priority as I should have made it.<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">17- Go to the Temple once a month:</span> ditto above.<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">18- <s>Be a 100% visiting teacher</s> </span></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<s><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">19- <s>Advance my "photography business"/ get paid for a big event</s> </span></s></s><br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">20- Do 3 photography trips/creative shoots/ <strike>outdoor shoots</strike>:</span> I had some fun ideas to do for this, but unfortunately I just felt like I didn't have time, I did do ONE photography project, just not three.<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">
21- Yell less / be more patient:</span> I tried. Really I did. (Have you met my kids though?!)<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><s style="text-decoration: line-through;"> 22- <s>Keep an organized calendar & dinner menu (no procrastinating!)</s> :</s> </span>I wasn't perfect at this, but I really did work hard at it most of the year, got thrown off after the move and have gotten back into it, so I would say it was mostly successful.<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">
23- </span><strike><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Have an all girl's themed party:</span> </strike>I wanted to do a fun dress up party, but I'm going to count the baby shower I hosted and call it good. ;)<br />
<s><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">24- Go to a concert:</span> I was DYING to go to the Neon Trees/Maroon 5 concert that came through here but at $200 a pop, it wasn't going to happen. :/<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">25- Make a slideshow/movie for each kid: </span>I just...suck.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">26- Get new family pictures taken</span>: Will do that this year for sure.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">27- Stick to a budget</span>: This is my husband's fault. ;)<br />
<br s="" />
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 28- <s>Make more friends / have more playdates</s> </span></s></s><br />
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><s><br /></s></s>
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">29- <s>Decorate new house on a budget / document it on a blog</s> :</span></s> blog here: <a href="http://themintcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Mint Cottage</a><br />
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><s><br /></s></s>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><strike> 30- </strike><s style="text-decoration: line-through;">Have a big birthday bash!:</s></span> We did a Roaring 20's theme and it was so fun to dress up! Huge thanks to my beautiful sister for helping put it together!<br />
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><s><s><br /></s></s></s>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyYOruXapBI/UVYjAuPGWoI/AAAAAAAAES4/IA938njqXRY/s1600/IMG_1052+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyYOruXapBI/UVYjAuPGWoI/AAAAAAAAES4/IA938njqXRY/s640/IMG_1052+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx7TMyMCIPs/UVYjKSsRULI/AAAAAAAAETA/5d4I5NA2ds0/s1600/IMG_1036+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx7TMyMCIPs/UVYjKSsRULI/AAAAAAAAETA/5d4I5NA2ds0/s640/IMG_1036+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayOLQ7abZcM/UVYjLIJKbwI/AAAAAAAAETI/IygPtm3RYaI/s1600/IMG_1059+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayOLQ7abZcM/UVYjLIJKbwI/AAAAAAAAETI/IygPtm3RYaI/s640/IMG_1059+copy.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZwV0ZgRaz4/UVYjM45TgVI/AAAAAAAAETQ/BhUVUmJXlCE/s1600/IMG_1043+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZwV0ZgRaz4/UVYjM45TgVI/AAAAAAAAETQ/BhUVUmJXlCE/s640/IMG_1043+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwKR_JJsuL8/UVYjkryeuLI/AAAAAAAAETY/zGuBQKCj6h4/s1600/IMG_1042+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwKR_JJsuL8/UVYjkryeuLI/AAAAAAAAETY/zGuBQKCj6h4/s640/IMG_1042+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWMhfPUarGg/UVYjkkDBYOI/AAAAAAAAETc/nERpqHcrSPA/s1600/IMG_1047+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWMhfPUarGg/UVYjkkDBYOI/AAAAAAAAETc/nERpqHcrSPA/s640/IMG_1047+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wsd5CoGZlls/UVYjop0JDWI/AAAAAAAAETo/6w0d0vvA2j0/s1600/IMG_1049+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wsd5CoGZlls/UVYjop0JDWI/AAAAAAAAETo/6w0d0vvA2j0/s640/IMG_1049+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pFF2YLDmac/UVYjshVgUpI/AAAAAAAAETw/RBY6QDyEy-o/s1600/IMG_1054+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pFF2YLDmac/UVYjshVgUpI/AAAAAAAAETw/RBY6QDyEy-o/s640/IMG_1054+copy.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<s style="text-decoration: line-through;"><s><s><br /></s></s></s>
So what do you think? Do I completely suck for not doing everything? Would you make a list for yourself? If you did, what would you put on it??Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-19033461504214929882013-03-11T19:27:00.000-07:002013-03-11T19:30:46.590-07:00Feeling So HippieSo I would say in some ways I can be a pretty granola kind of gal. And in other ways, not so much. But I'm always up for trying new things, and so when I read <a href="http://www.coderedhat.com/no-poo/" target="_blank">this article</a> about not using shampoo anymore I was intrigued.<br />
<br />
Intrigued enough to ACTUALLY TRY IT.<br />
<br />
Thats right guys, I didn't shampoo my hair for more than two weeks! (Ewwww, you say? Not at all! Keep reading!)<br />
<br />
Now if you don't want to go read the article, the idea is that shampoo is actually really bad for your hair. It strips it of all its natural oils and because of this your scalp goes crazy trying to make more, hence greasy hair if you don't shampoo pretty much every day.<br />
<br />
The process of no-poo, as they call it, is instead of using shampoo you use a mixture of water and baking soda to clean your scalp and a mixture of water and vinegar to condition. She says the first two weeks are the hardest because this is the time that your scalp is readjusting. So you might have really straw like or cotton-y feeling hair.<br />
<br />
Soooo, now that I've given a really quick run-down: here's my experience with no-pooing:<br />
<br />
I was all prepared for the yucky straw hair, but I didn't get that AT ALL. It actually was pretty much like my normal hair. I waited about four days to repeat the process and that was all fine and good. After about a week or so of not shampooing and using a boar bristle brush (its supposed to help distribute the natural oils from your scalp down to the rest of your hair) I was feeling a little...weird.<br />
<br />
First of all, my hair never felt <i>dirty</i>. It didn't feel the same as normal, but I figured that meant it was still adjusting. So I kept sticking with it. As time went on, my hair was feeling pretty oily near the scalp. I don't mean greasy or dirty feeling. Just oily. This was hard for me and I was feeling like I wanted to do the washing treatment more often (when its supposed to be less and less, at least every four days or even longer). When I did the treatment, it would feel clean for that day but then the next day or the day after I would start feeling oily again. Also the ends were super static-y. That part is partly because of the weather, but it was extra bad when I was no-pooing. (also, they should re-name this because it makes me feel icky.)<br />
<br />
Second, because you mix your solution up beforehand and let it sit in the shower, its room temperature. When you're in the hot shower, it makes the solution feel pretty cold on your head. This actually didn't bother me, it helped me feel exactly where the solution was and because I take pretty hot showers it was really kind of refreshing. But I talked to a friend about this, and the cold was one of the main reasons she stopped doing it, she didn't like that part at all.<br />
<br />
One thing I didn't realize would bother me, was the shampoo smell. Doing no shampoo, my hair didn't really smell like anything at all, just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hair</span>. And I actually really didn't like that. I missed having good smelling hair. :) In the article she suggests putting some essential oils in your hair brush and doing it that way, but I didn't have any good smelling ones and didn't want to buy any because I'm lazy. ;)<br />
<br />
I realize that its possible my hair was more oily because my solution of water/baking soda was off and I needed to add less/more, but it seemed so fickle and honestly, I just wanted my hair to feel good--right now. So when I was at the grocery store I found this<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organix-Hydrating-Tree-Mint-Shampoo/dp/B000N5QVOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363054157&sr=8-1&keywords=organix+tea+tree+mint+shampoo" target="_blank"> tea tree oil/mint shampoo</a> and conditioner--its sulfate and paraben free, which means its a much gentler and healthier option for your hair. So I didn't feel like I was a total failure.<br />
<br />
And guess what guys?! IT SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN!! I seriously love how this shampoo smells, and when I blow dry my hair I smell the mint and sigh, and sometimes when the wind blows I smell the mint and ahhhhhh, it just smells <i>so dang good</i>.<br />
<br />
So this in no way is discouraging anyone from no-pooing, I think its a great idea and could save you a ton of money, being you're only using baking soda and vinegar. I guess I'm just too impatient to try and figure out the perfect mixture and got tired of feeling like my head was just...off.<br />
<br />
Other pro's for no-pooing though:<br />
<br />
You get less fly aways (smoother hair).<br />
It helps your hair grow thicker and faster.<br />
You know how your hair is falling out all over your house? Not anymore!<br />
Shiny, beautiful hair!<br />
You only have to shampoo once, maybe twice, a week!<br />
You're not putting terrible chemicals on your head! Win!<br />
Your hair is in balance the way its supposed to be.<br />
Could help prevent gray hair!<br />
I'm sure there's more but I've used up my allowance of exclamation points!<br />
<br />
Anyway, do you think no-pooing sounds absolutely crazy and gross? Or would you totally consider trying it? Maybe you can see what I did and avoid my mistakes. :)<br />
<br /><!-----------><!-----------><!-----------><!------->Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-21064102213566937192013-01-29T16:20:00.002-08:002013-01-29T16:23:54.759-08:00And They Have Swan LakeI've been wearing my hair up in buns a lot lately. Its easy, its fast, its somewhat...you know...sort of cute. And then I started thinking about all the things in fashion that point(e) to ballet. (Did you get that whole "pointe" thing. Did you?!?! I'm so clever.)<br />
<br />
<br />
So first up:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!---------><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj3TxPVC2n0/UQhiMsxC35I/AAAAAAAAEIQ/DKRKxLkeZs8/s1600/furball-full-collar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj3TxPVC2n0/UQhiMsxC35I/AAAAAAAAEIQ/DKRKxLkeZs8/s640/furball-full-collar.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Bun </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(and if you're really trendy you call it a "top knot"...oooh fancy)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wearawishbone.com/2012/12/03/furball/" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then there's the:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlG47ntCY3o/UQhi3el2ztI/AAAAAAAAEIY/DQiz-A_16vg/s1600/07c3d17773b8ddb442ad98d89f4022a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mlG47ntCY3o/UQhi3el2ztI/AAAAAAAAEIY/DQiz-A_16vg/s640/07c3d17773b8ddb442ad98d89f4022a1.jpg" width="545" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ballet Wrap</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
via H&M</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You also have:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ysv_aB8dNhA/UQhjf2K4kqI/AAAAAAAAEIg/HueEHpKkdZ0/s1600/tumblr_mc2efvMTex1qhoazlo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ysv_aB8dNhA/UQhjf2K4kqI/AAAAAAAAEIg/HueEHpKkdZ0/s640/tumblr_mc2efvMTex1qhoazlo1_1280.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/image/36392504963" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKQzQ-1nVSw/UQhkbhkMjnI/AAAAAAAAEIo/aprlfTkgN7k/s1600/406801778810977696_btY8SwCx_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKQzQ-1nVSw/UQhkbhkMjnI/AAAAAAAAEIo/aprlfTkgN7k/s640/406801778810977696_btY8SwCx_c.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/shoes-flats/refresher-course-flat" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Ballet Flat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvRrz1ELhBM/UQhmYl2TEWI/AAAAAAAAEJA/_Lo9ZZiPNG8/s1600/58397f07027e5a2ccd9a15ae6a3fd52c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvRrz1ELhBM/UQhmYl2TEWI/AAAAAAAAEJA/_Lo9ZZiPNG8/s640/58397f07027e5a2ccd9a15ae6a3fd52c.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/115529302/new-brown-purple-leotard" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leotard</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean really people, what about these??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yyqv-G2hdk/UQhk0iKip3I/AAAAAAAAEIw/iSyVgtq_nCU/s1600/176203404142683753_xV54vhsg_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yyqv-G2hdk/UQhk0iKip3I/AAAAAAAAEIw/iSyVgtq_nCU/s640/176203404142683753_xV54vhsg_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/2012/12/merry-mint.html" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S6x6yEwD6c/UQhlezlyt8I/AAAAAAAAEI4/Qx-4BGUhWcE/s1600/265712446735708375_pagsxYEz_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S6x6yEwD6c/UQhlezlyt8I/AAAAAAAAEI4/Qx-4BGUhWcE/s640/265712446735708375_pagsxYEz_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104506628/adult-yellow-tutu-skirt-tulle-skirt" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Tutu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And who can forget?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbmhwDruIpI/UQhm0XoOLdI/AAAAAAAAEJI/quPdy49CxX8/s1600/146648531587486426_jLP5tiLe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbmhwDruIpI/UQhm0XoOLdI/AAAAAAAAEJI/quPdy49CxX8/s640/146648531587486426_jLP5tiLe_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80238223/leg-warmers-in-vanilla-bean-oatmeal?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=vanilla&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">via</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
LEG WARMERS</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean, there's even this, if you're brave enough:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2KbNAA_GU/UQhnVQJcF7I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/vH12Wz5gG34/s1600/3b5d6ddbf62fbc684523f9d219296624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2KbNAA_GU/UQhnVQJcF7I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/vH12Wz5gG34/s640/3b5d6ddbf62fbc684523f9d219296624.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And all this to sum up:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ballerina's are freaking cool.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!------------><!------------>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-71230405045845390222013-01-03T16:24:00.002-08:002013-01-03T16:29:02.635-08:002012 Sure Was Swell!Okay, I KNOW. I was told today its been pretty much two months since I posted last and I KNOW. I suck. Christmas was pretty rough for me this year and I was so stressed out I thought I was going to burst a blood vessel in my brain or something. And now this last week I've spent basically doing nothing except trying to recuperate. So, the kids went back to school today and I guess I've had enough time to get my act together. But at this point I'm not even going to blog about the holidays, I am just going to do my annual "favorites" post and call it good for now. :)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Song:</b></span><br />
<br />
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Rgf7enIgoc?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Rgf7enIgoc?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
honorable mention:<br />
Anything by Fun. or Maroon 5<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Movie:</b></span><br />
Gonna have to be The Avengers because my boys were so obsessed with the cartoons and characters, we had so much fun with it this year! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cplS5sjcdc/UOYGY7pJ_1I/AAAAAAAAEBA/X15i4Jo0cuQ/s1600/The-Avengers-2012-Movie-Poster4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cplS5sjcdc/UOYGY7pJ_1I/AAAAAAAAEBA/X15i4Jo0cuQ/s640/The-Avengers-2012-Movie-Poster4.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
honorable mention:<br />
Skyfall<br />
The Dark Knight Rises<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite TV Show:</b></span><br />
<br />
We just got in to How I Met Your Mother this year, how have I not watched this before?! I'm a little obsessed...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2w4I5e7kkY/UOYH45pbFZI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/hs0Ux4FzZ-E/s1600/how-i-met-your-mother1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2w4I5e7kkY/UOYH45pbFZI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/hs0Ux4FzZ-E/s640/how-i-met-your-mother1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
honorable mention:<br />
Once Upon a Time-- LOVE this show!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Book</b></span>:<br />
The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HfQAXNpnjo/UOYIrWt8_II/AAAAAAAAEBc/KVG9iviUxjI/s1600/Seven_Realms_Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HfQAXNpnjo/UOYIrWt8_II/AAAAAAAAEBc/KVG9iviUxjI/s640/Seven_Realms_Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
honorable mention:<br />
The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Vacation:</b></span><br />
Since the only real vacation I went on was with my sister-in-laws and mother-in-law to Oregon, I will choose that! ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BzmlGpnrIU/UOYJIgGbyAI/AAAAAAAAEBo/dTlH0P6wnGY/s1600/IMG_9600+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_BzmlGpnrIU/UOYJIgGbyAI/AAAAAAAAEBo/dTlH0P6wnGY/s640/IMG_9600+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjKalIhbWR4/UOYJNOX-1NI/AAAAAAAAEBw/Ef-60t7ylc4/s1600/IMG_9709+vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjKalIhbWR4/UOYJNOX-1NI/AAAAAAAAEBw/Ef-60t7ylc4/s640/IMG_9709+vintage.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rt-aI9nUj00/UOYJT98cU6I/AAAAAAAAEB4/wekRgKe9o4c/s1600/IMG_9803+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rt-aI9nUj00/UOYJT98cU6I/AAAAAAAAEB4/wekRgKe9o4c/s640/IMG_9803+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Outfit:</b></span><br />
uh, I guess my favorite outfit would be these turquoise jeans, with that button down jean shirt and the bubble necklace. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deItSIAnXxY/UOYg543MvmI/AAAAAAAAEHM/V4yaKutBJxY/s1600/75068_4472164276121_414290618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deItSIAnXxY/UOYg543MvmI/AAAAAAAAEHM/V4yaKutBJxY/s640/75068_4472164276121_414290618_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-750jmBZ1ZCE/UOYhCvoqBVI/AAAAAAAAEHU/JTSLtotnXfw/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-750jmBZ1ZCE/UOYhCvoqBVI/AAAAAAAAEHU/JTSLtotnXfw/s640/IMG_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Favorite Project:</b></span><br />
This wall:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmWGIK60904/UOYKQBqpnZI/AAAAAAAAECE/DovIEU1jQUg/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmWGIK60904/UOYKQBqpnZI/AAAAAAAAECE/DovIEU1jQUg/s640/IMG_0550.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Most Drastic Change:</b></span><br />
We bought our first house!! Moved across town and the girls switched schools (without uniforms!)!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4BwVs0EvFg/UOYK0hjopcI/AAAAAAAAECQ/1kq2OZSS-Ko/s1600/326167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4BwVs0EvFg/UOYK0hjopcI/AAAAAAAAECQ/1kq2OZSS-Ko/s640/326167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Highlights:</b></span><br />
~My baby sister got married!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy6nl_S44OE/UOYWhBEa8EI/AAAAAAAAECg/KziNmUn8mCM/s1600/IMG_7504+vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy6nl_S44OE/UOYWhBEa8EI/AAAAAAAAECg/KziNmUn8mCM/s640/IMG_7504+vintage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
~Got a guitar!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmCWl0PoNNM/UOYXEla9iKI/AAAAAAAAECo/f_4grrfFjt8/s1600/Photo+on+2012-03-27+at+11.33+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmCWl0PoNNM/UOYXEla9iKI/AAAAAAAAECo/f_4grrfFjt8/s640/Photo+on+2012-03-27+at+11.33+%232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
~Holiday fun:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pObuYWIEl4w/UOYXaTbYS1I/AAAAAAAAECw/Z9oFycysku4/s1600/IMG_7894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pObuYWIEl4w/UOYXaTbYS1I/AAAAAAAAECw/Z9oFycysku4/s640/IMG_7894.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF6NZzq6kYI/UOYXf0Mf64I/AAAAAAAAEC4/GWDbmOVT4-g/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pF6NZzq6kYI/UOYXf0Mf64I/AAAAAAAAEC4/GWDbmOVT4-g/s640/IMG_8120.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsO46TDuIbw/UOYYKl1ZPKI/AAAAAAAAEDY/cBJByOkrXl8/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsO46TDuIbw/UOYYKl1ZPKI/AAAAAAAAEDY/cBJByOkrXl8/s640/IMG_9128.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt4t2-Yv7II/UOYYSFaRdcI/AAAAAAAAEDg/2FtNuE2gBzg/s1600/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kt4t2-Yv7II/UOYYSFaRdcI/AAAAAAAAEDg/2FtNuE2gBzg/s640/IMG_9003.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azgGvLX8YHA/UOYZkB4FUvI/AAAAAAAAEE0/waOoM4G8c2k/s1600/IMG_0275+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azgGvLX8YHA/UOYZkB4FUvI/AAAAAAAAEE0/waOoM4G8c2k/s640/IMG_0275+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRhIjNMYJEg/UOYZpdxH_WI/AAAAAAAAEE8/27hucO1Q2bQ/s1600/theavengers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRhIjNMYJEg/UOYZpdxH_WI/AAAAAAAAEE8/27hucO1Q2bQ/s640/theavengers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v0FvZHVgos/UOYZ19VXy6I/AAAAAAAAEFI/t5J6tCMdQSE/s1600/IMG_0516+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v0FvZHVgos/UOYZ19VXy6I/AAAAAAAAEFI/t5J6tCMdQSE/s640/IMG_0516+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucp5GCQZNGc/UOYZ8Vb76bI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/ts4zjbwE1dU/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucp5GCQZNGc/UOYZ8Vb76bI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/ts4zjbwE1dU/s640/IMG_0562.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTsCiFINvFQ/UOYaEMtxqiI/AAAAAAAAEFY/Lgw8uwWKZQw/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTsCiFINvFQ/UOYaEMtxqiI/AAAAAAAAEFY/Lgw8uwWKZQw/s640/IMG_0595.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYfmlUrkpuc/UOYaIipP6LI/AAAAAAAAEFg/TISaPsYEiWo/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYfmlUrkpuc/UOYaIipP6LI/AAAAAAAAEFg/TISaPsYEiWo/s640/IMG_0655.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiKpYsCVixM/UOYaSapOo8I/AAAAAAAAEFo/8KPhZgEGjao/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiKpYsCVixM/UOYaSapOo8I/AAAAAAAAEFo/8KPhZgEGjao/s640/IMG_0731.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJYTd6_nhR0/UOYaXb_cIkI/AAAAAAAAEFw/08XoqMlGbjo/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sJYTd6_nhR0/UOYaXb_cIkI/AAAAAAAAEFw/08XoqMlGbjo/s640/IMG_0768.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
~First drive in movie :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODWUUd6cqUg/UOYYe5rO4gI/AAAAAAAAEDo/43LnqJydGag/s1600/IMG_9177+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODWUUd6cqUg/UOYYe5rO4gI/AAAAAAAAEDo/43LnqJydGag/s640/IMG_9177+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
~Summer fun:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdZJ5chn1MI/UOYX8QRXZMI/AAAAAAAAEDI/02rZBt8wp_8/s1600/IMG_8211+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rdZJ5chn1MI/UOYX8QRXZMI/AAAAAAAAEDI/02rZBt8wp_8/s640/IMG_8211+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Npwsc79uFGQ/UOYYEFcHWyI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/-FQUODJOehw/s1600/IMG_8699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Npwsc79uFGQ/UOYYEFcHWyI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/-FQUODJOehw/s640/IMG_8699.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEcOd_9Hh-A/UOYY8az9wyI/AAAAAAAAEEA/j_p6OODxWQU/s1600/IMG_9407+vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEcOd_9Hh-A/UOYY8az9wyI/AAAAAAAAEEA/j_p6OODxWQU/s640/IMG_9407+vintage.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SD25JtEetzI/UOYYsavptkI/AAAAAAAAEDw/9tXJvr7cZO8/s1600/IMG_9249+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SD25JtEetzI/UOYYsavptkI/AAAAAAAAEDw/9tXJvr7cZO8/s640/IMG_9249+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
~Did my first 5k<br />
<br />
~Camping:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dScbNwI16Ns/UOYY4pLAzbI/AAAAAAAAED4/RDe2hZBxnB0/s1600/IMG_9336+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dScbNwI16Ns/UOYY4pLAzbI/AAAAAAAAED4/RDe2hZBxnB0/s640/IMG_9336+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
~Baby Ava!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlaUHcA_ehU/UOYZPqciNeI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gpI_WrS5o6A/s1600/IMG_9843+copy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlaUHcA_ehU/UOYZPqciNeI/AAAAAAAAEEg/gpI_WrS5o6A/s640/IMG_9843+copy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sY7xg__SZOU/UOYZVG0cQQI/AAAAAAAAEEs/T1wB72LgdRk/s1600/IMG_0061+vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sY7xg__SZOU/UOYZVG0cQQI/AAAAAAAAEEs/T1wB72LgdRk/s640/IMG_0061+vintage.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
~Finally got our house! YES!<br />
<br />
~New school for the girls!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4n0QwqVYu54/UOYZOCVjJTI/AAAAAAAAEEY/DseGHOspkIQ/s1600/IMG_9833+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4n0QwqVYu54/UOYZOCVjJTI/AAAAAAAAEEY/DseGHOspkIQ/s640/IMG_9833+copy.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbOxWfXjgQU/UOYZDojzOtI/AAAAAAAAEEI/WDIJJDpRCMk/s1600/IMG_9473+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbOxWfXjgQU/UOYZDojzOtI/AAAAAAAAEEI/WDIJJDpRCMk/s640/IMG_9473+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
~House projects:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2-5gUbUbgM/UOYbiUSKRzI/AAAAAAAAEGE/jm0IA45hA8I/s1600/IMG_0265+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2-5gUbUbgM/UOYbiUSKRzI/AAAAAAAAEGE/jm0IA45hA8I/s640/IMG_0265+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8FmTdEliDo/UOYbxRfX7gI/AAAAAAAAEGU/HHXPsKUihmI/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8FmTdEliDo/UOYbxRfX7gI/AAAAAAAAEGU/HHXPsKUihmI/s640/IMG_0116.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l90k1KoSZHk/UOYb3TFlpqI/AAAAAAAAEGc/RaC0xmvqeJA/s1600/IMG_0388+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l90k1KoSZHk/UOYb3TFlpqI/AAAAAAAAEGc/RaC0xmvqeJA/s640/IMG_0388+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
~11 years of marriage!<br />
<br />
~My niece was baptized, and the other one blessed in the same weekend! Nice!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIi_tv2WF0A/UOYcHoLudyI/AAAAAAAAEGk/VJ1_hMxSAmU/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIi_tv2WF0A/UOYcHoLudyI/AAAAAAAAEGk/VJ1_hMxSAmU/s640/IMG_0481.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
~Nutcracker with friends :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSjTAS1DASQ/UOYdlBQl4AI/AAAAAAAAEG4/EcpnLriQQiM/s1600/219958_10152300133350048_1345572930_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSjTAS1DASQ/UOYdlBQl4AI/AAAAAAAAEG4/EcpnLriQQiM/s640/219958_10152300133350048_1345572930_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
~Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lowlights:</b></span><br />
~My Grandpa passed away, love and miss him so much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eplOgrJw8DY/UOYX2HrbzVI/AAAAAAAAEDA/gK6x2Umbu7E/s1600/IMG_8474+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eplOgrJw8DY/UOYX2HrbzVI/AAAAAAAAEDA/gK6x2Umbu7E/s640/IMG_8474+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
~Crazy stressful year with the whole short sale process--waiting almost five months to get approved and into our house. Sheesh.<br />
<br />
~Trying to deal with the holidays a few months after moving, gosh this Christmas was so stressful. Plus, procrastinating is bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, in a nutshell, that sums up our year! Truly its been a great year full of blessings and changes. Sometimes changes are scary and hard, its only after the fact that we see how grateful we are they happened. Much love to you and here's hoping 2013 brings much joy and happiness!Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-80829548366901475622012-11-09T14:18:00.001-08:002013-01-03T16:27:18.855-08:00Who You Calling Dummy??Hey ya. I don't really have much to say except I have a LOT to say.<br />
<br />
Except its stuff I really shouldn't say.<br />
<br />
Do you know what I'm saying?<br />
<br />
Really the only big thing on my mind would be all the crap thats going on around the election but its just starting to die down and I REALLY want it to stop, so I'm not going to add my two cents about it.<br />
<br />
Anything else to talk about? Well, I'm sure I could come up with some random stuff nobody cares about! Whee!<br />
<br />
I spent all day yesterday watching the third season of Downton Abbey and bawling my eyes out. Dang that show is sad! (No, it has not aired yet, I watched it on a probably illegal site okay? Don't judge me.)<br />
I really needed a break from painting and house repairs.<br />
<br />
I have to say, re-doing things around our house would be SO MUCH MORE FUN if we had money. I still like it but I would like it a <i>lot</i> more if I could buy whatever I wanted. ;) I have so got an itch to get out and buy crap. WHY CAN'T I BUY CRAP?!?<br />
<br />
Its freezing here today. I know its not snowing like it is in Utah, but dude, I'm COLD.<br />
<br />
My husband put two bookshelves together for me from Ikea. Which was very nice and much appreciated. All except the part where he put one piece on backwards and now instead of being white, its particle board. Dude. (For some reason, I feel like this is a metaphor for my life.)<br />
<br />
I read somewhere earlier today that Christmas is in like 46 days. Shoot me now. I don't want to think about getting Christmas ready!! Doesn't time know that it needs to slow down for me right now?? I've got a lot going on with this stupid house and it just keeps whizzing by!<br />
<br />
I just got called to be the Activity Days leader. I think it'll be great but I wish I could have started at the beginning of the year so I could spend more time getting things unpacked. It'll be fine of course, and I am happy to do it, just that time thing is happening again.<br />
<br />
How long did it take you to unpack your house? Please tell me it was like a year so I feel better about myself.<br />
<br />
Did you guys have a super fun Halloween?? I LOOOVE Halloween and we got to go to an adult party, and we went as a ventriloquist and his dummy. Here's a picture for ya:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q61qbCcbhDQ/UJ2AvdTP15I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/eVJjU9XkygU/s1600/IMG_0348+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q61qbCcbhDQ/UJ2AvdTP15I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/eVJjU9XkygU/s400/IMG_0348+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyYmxSWFZ0s/UJ2A5OBUZmI/AAAAAAAAD-g/_TOXPhJCSuM/s1600/Photo+on+2012-10-27+at+16.07+%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyYmxSWFZ0s/UJ2A5OBUZmI/AAAAAAAAD-g/_TOXPhJCSuM/s400/Photo+on+2012-10-27+at+16.07+%234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was so much freaking makeup, I felt so gross by the end of the night! haha<br />
<br />
Well, missed ya friends, hope you're fantastic!Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-12945820074711747922012-10-15T20:40:00.001-07:002013-04-12T15:23:47.021-07:00There's This and That and Some Other Stuff Too<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Hey guys. Guess what? We bought a house!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Yup, it finally happened. We finally, finally FINALLY moved in--after almost five months of waiting for everything to go through and just about anything and everything that could come up in our path did, but we persevered and we made it! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm tired just writing about it. But you know, it feels like a million years ago already. Especially now that all my time is filled up with unpacking and painting and getting things hooked up and you know those kids I'm supposed to take care of...and Downton Abbey...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So since I'm so busy, I started another blog. I don't know why I do these things, besides that I'm crazy. But if you want to keep up with me on our house projects, you can go<a href="http://themintcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Are you ready for Halloween? I'm not. I haven't even thought past "oh crap, Halloween's coming up, gotta get on that!" But really, this is no different than any other year. What are you going to be? We're doing what every other person in America is and being the Avengers. Heck yes. I'm going to be the most kick butt Black Widow you ever seen! (You know, if I can get that costume stuff together in time...)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm helping throw a baby shower for my sister this weekend too, because you know I'm a super hero and can do anything. It will be fun. (<--------statement.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We're getting new iphones tonight and I can't wait to start instagramming!!! Wheeee! So awesome...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I just finished a Mountain Dew and maybe it wasn't a good thing because I think I'm starting to feel hyper. Crap.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Okay people, I'm gonna go run around in circles for awhile and try and wear myself out before bed! See ya!</div>
Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-39784532280699988742012-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:002012-09-21T11:26:31.119-07:00Just A Quick OneOkay, I'm back. Things in my life are INSANE right now. Just freaking insane. But I wanted to update to tell you I didn't make the top 10 in the room makeover. :(<br />
<br />
I did want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for voting for me and trying to help me out! I so appreciated the love!<br />
<br />
If you want to REALLY do me a favor though, would you just pray for us that everything will close on our house soon? That would be fabulous.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-59060252711122348742012-09-11T09:51:00.000-07:002012-09-12T19:17:45.936-07:00Funny WordsOn my post about my Oregon trip I asked how you would pronounce "tillamook" and it got me thinking about other weird words where I live. You see, Washington has a lot of Native American influences and so a lot of the cities and things have Indian names. So I came up with a list for you! Yay!<br />
<br />
First up, I wanted to set "tillamook" straight, its pronounced: till-uh-muck<br />
<br />
I went to high school in Puyallup, its pronounced: pew-all-up (not as hard as you'd think right?)<br />
<br />
Issaquah: Iss (like hiss)- uh- kwaw<br />
<br />
Snoqualmie: snow-kwall-me<br />
<br />
Steilacoom: still-uh-come<br />
<br />
Cle Elum: clee-el-um<br />
<br />
Yakima: yak-uh-muh<br />
<br />
Quillayute: quille-ute<br />
<br />
Sequim: skwim<br />
<br />
Wenatchee: when-at-chee (not that hard but you'd be surprised!)<br />
<br />
Chehalis: shuh-hay-liss<br />
<br />
Kennewick: ken-uh-wick<br />
<br />
Sammamish: Suh-mam-ish<br />
<br />
Tulalip: two-lay-lip<br />
<br />
Nisqually: nis-kwall-ee<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, I might have gotten a little carried away; but there's even more than that and I could keep going on and on and on. But I'll stop. I just thought it was interesting! So how did you do? Would you have pronounced them how I said? Do you have weird city names that you don't usually realize are weird until someone visits and can't say the town you live in? :)Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-13167449139990733612012-09-07T09:32:00.001-07:002012-09-07T09:32:14.282-07:00Remember that Makeover??Just a little reminder to go <a href="http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2012/08/epic-room-makeover-giveaway-contest-2012.html">here</a> and vote for me--PRETTY PLEASE!!<br />
<br />
I'm #5 and just below my picture is a star with "vote" next to it, just click it and you're done! You can vote for me every day for like...I don't remember...I think just one week. :) The top ten will be chosen by most votes, wild card and random.org.<br />
<br />
I'm going to be honest here, I haven't been seriously blogging for a bit now--I know I don't have a ton of followers. So the odds that I'll get enough votes to qualify for the top ten is low (seriously, there's over a hundred entries!). BUT I still want to try, so if you love me, or hate me, or feel anything past "meh"--PLEASE GO VOTE!!<br />
<br />
Thanks. I really want to win this. Really bad.<br />
<br />
really, really, really, really, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">really, really, really, really, really,</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">really, really, really...bad</span>Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-56373848979066207942012-09-05T20:39:00.001-07:002012-09-05T20:39:43.080-07:00Next Time I'll Eat Less CrapGuess what guys?! I went on a trip. Alone, without my kids! Or my husband. But seriously, it was AWESOME!<br />
<br />
My sisters-in-law put together a girls trip for labor day weekend and we went down the Oregon coast. First we stopped in Portland and got some "Big A** Sandwiches" (it was on a Food Network show, so we had to eat there) and then we walked around the corner and got some "Voodoo Donuts" (also from the food network). Then we drove down to the beach and shopped all weekend and played games and stole sand and shells off the beach (did you know that was illegal??). The weather was perfect, and sunny and wonderful (its always a little cool on the coast, windy and such--but seriously, still gorgeous weather). Then on the way home we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory--I'm curious how you guys would pronounce "tillamook", please tell me in the comments! :) The only real bad thing about the trip was that I ate so much junk food I was pretty sure my body was going to revolt and cause some serious damage to...myself. It was getting kind of scary. (And now I have a few pounds extra to work off...but it was worth it. Probably. Not the revolting body...but...I'll stop now.)<br />
<br />
Here's a couple of my favorite pictures! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NA-X9raohoU/UEgZ-Ir4LkI/AAAAAAAADwU/1arjls8VRvI/s1600/IMG_9566+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NA-X9raohoU/UEgZ-Ir4LkI/AAAAAAAADwU/1arjls8VRvI/s640/IMG_9566+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyumcm26a3A/UEgaDFp28_I/AAAAAAAADwc/xb1SqH-0oRc/s1600/IMG_9584+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uyumcm26a3A/UEgaDFp28_I/AAAAAAAADwc/xb1SqH-0oRc/s640/IMG_9584+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xHfwhyosfs/UEgaJHSESTI/AAAAAAAADwk/DscNVIvOIxw/s1600/IMG_9625+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xHfwhyosfs/UEgaJHSESTI/AAAAAAAADwk/DscNVIvOIxw/s640/IMG_9625+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zE4V0tVIUUA/UEgaMYa5ScI/AAAAAAAADww/hJeEmnuQRBc/s1600/IMG_9646+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zE4V0tVIUUA/UEgaMYa5ScI/AAAAAAAADww/hJeEmnuQRBc/s640/IMG_9646+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZxPI66Qfh8/UEgaPRtDQ9I/AAAAAAAADw4/GwbZihOr55o/s1600/IMG_9653+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZxPI66Qfh8/UEgaPRtDQ9I/AAAAAAAADw4/GwbZihOr55o/s640/IMG_9653+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-er1Ssw85mTI/UEgaWTZ6r-I/AAAAAAAADxI/ww1yPFRY5n0/s1600/IMG_9698+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-er1Ssw85mTI/UEgaWTZ6r-I/AAAAAAAADxI/ww1yPFRY5n0/s640/IMG_9698+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWFe64w9egg/UEgaY90LKSI/AAAAAAAADxQ/ps5gWaL9rAw/s1600/IMG_9709+vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWFe64w9egg/UEgaY90LKSI/AAAAAAAADxQ/ps5gWaL9rAw/s640/IMG_9709+vintage.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQZnZpWmydA/UEgaeLyNiZI/AAAAAAAADxY/w0Oeu10gBjU/s1600/IMG_9726+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQZnZpWmydA/UEgaeLyNiZI/AAAAAAAADxY/w0Oeu10gBjU/s640/IMG_9726+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOm5DlNEQ_4/UEgahJQdifI/AAAAAAAADxk/AxMXy1hhDck/s1600/IMG_9735+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOm5DlNEQ_4/UEgahJQdifI/AAAAAAAADxk/AxMXy1hhDck/s640/IMG_9735+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7i2ZdN8hXo/UEgajyRDodI/AAAAAAAADxs/bDlGnetpoYc/s1600/IMG_9739+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7i2ZdN8hXo/UEgajyRDodI/AAAAAAAADxs/bDlGnetpoYc/s640/IMG_9739+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyGYSG_-knI/UEgancRKqvI/AAAAAAAADx0/JG7HTSLGtUw/s1600/IMG_9777+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyGYSG_-knI/UEgancRKqvI/AAAAAAAADx0/JG7HTSLGtUw/s640/IMG_9777+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PFCVknu8rs/UEgaqWKE4CI/AAAAAAAADx8/FT1VXiVbd8A/s1600/IMG_9780+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PFCVknu8rs/UEgaqWKE4CI/AAAAAAAADx8/FT1VXiVbd8A/s640/IMG_9780+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_sToSNGyuM/UEgatkQUmWI/AAAAAAAADyI/ronVgPBujIE/s1600/IMG_9803+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_sToSNGyuM/UEgatkQUmWI/AAAAAAAADyI/ronVgPBujIE/s640/IMG_9803+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZuHJg8To4o/UEgav1zyWpI/AAAAAAAADyM/Lixj2ddO3Qg/s1600/IMG_9815+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZuHJg8To4o/UEgav1zyWpI/AAAAAAAADyM/Lixj2ddO3Qg/s640/IMG_9815+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-62337183992061956622012-08-27T10:47:00.001-07:002012-09-13T21:36:21.382-07:00In Which I Shamelessly BegSo I LOVE craft blogs, and probably the one craft blog that I really connect with as far as style and projects and usefulness, would be <a href="http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2012/08/epic-room-makeover-giveaway-contest-2012.html">Vintage Revivals</a>. I've pinned, I've made plans, I've been ready to decorate my house for the last 11 years. The problem? Well, we haven't owned a house since we've been married. For about five years we lived in my husband's grandpa's house, and we could paint and stuff, but we were super poor so...yeah.<br />
<br />
So I died last year when Mandi did her Epic Room Makeover--the results were so awesome, and I pretty much loved the entire thing. And now, guess what? She's doing it again!!<br />
<br />
And you know what the even better news is???<br />
<br />
WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE THIS WEEK!!! We're scheduled for closing on thursday and moving in this weekend!<br />
<br />
The sad part is because of the timing and extra expenses that have come up (septic pumping, a whole new freaking roof, etc.) we don't have a lot of extra money to do all the fun projects I wanted to (especially the flooring, gosh dang I wanted to get rid of that carpet...), and we'll probably have to wait awhile before we can really do anything. (This sucks BAD, by the way.)<br />
<br />
Have you ever wanted something SO BAD and had to wait ELEVEN YEARS for it?! If you have, then you know how hard that is. If you haven't had to wait eleven years for something, than go say a little prayer and be thankful for how lucky you are. ;)<br />
<br />
Anyway, Mandi's doing another Epic Room Makeover, and this time I can actually apply for it! How freaking cool would that be?!<br />
<br />
So here's some pictures of our house so you can see:<br />
(the room I would makeover---oh gosh, so hard to choose!!--would be the living room)<br />
<br />
These are the MLS listing pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhljwSLNXTk/UDuuHzJKRDI/AAAAAAAADq8/K8mFcRWbSw4/s1600/326167-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhljwSLNXTk/UDuuHzJKRDI/AAAAAAAADq8/K8mFcRWbSw4/s640/326167-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuAKgAF2LM/UDuuIicM7vI/AAAAAAAADrE/Ub-VoR9M66g/s1600/326167-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuAKgAF2LM/UDuuIicM7vI/AAAAAAAADrE/Ub-VoR9M66g/s640/326167-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PHmZ869Pir0/UDuuI5wCmZI/AAAAAAAADrM/0tKCgY_plCM/s1600/326167-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PHmZ869Pir0/UDuuI5wCmZI/AAAAAAAADrM/0tKCgY_plCM/s640/326167-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This third picture, in the left hand corner, thats the front door. So there's a bay window--thats fun right?!--and old gray berber carpet--not so fun I know--and high ceilings and plain white walls.<br />
<br />
Of course, right now its empty. BUT I do have this great couch that will go in there:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcToH-Wbp7c/UDuvWP3mtFI/AAAAAAAADrU/FIwmeRyVZxg/s1600/Photo+on+2012-08-21+at+13.23+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcToH-Wbp7c/UDuvWP3mtFI/AAAAAAAADrU/FIwmeRyVZxg/s640/Photo+on+2012-08-21+at+13.23+%233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Okay, I know this is a crappy picture, but I'm in the midst of packing and I'm lazy. (Yes, thats a two year old sleeping on the other couch.)<br />
<br />
Oh and I just dyed a slipcover the other day a light turquoise for a chair, so it shows I can do decoratey things too! :)<br />
<br />
Here is where I plead my case, and look as pathetic as possible:<br />
<br />
I have spent the last week and a half packing my brains out--with no help from my husband because...well, he's dumb--I'm tired, I'm stressed, I got in a big fight with my husband last night and hardly slept at all. Feel sorry for me. I have four kids and my husband's in the military, I had my fourth baby alone (except my sister was there...and you know, the doctor) because my husband was at basic training, my kids are crazy, I'm sort of crazy. I don't even have an iphone. Am I laying this on too thick?<br />
<br />
Okay, other reasons why it would be awesome if I was chosen:<br />
<br />
I'm hilarious--right?! I'm super fun to be around. I don't work outside the home and I'm a night owl so I can work as late as we need to (just don't ask me to get up early...). I love thrifting, I hate spending money, I am ALL about do-it-yourself. We would have SO MUCH FUN!! Also, I live in Washington, which isn't too far from Utah and did you know that Washington is BEAUTIFUL?! Plus I would take you to the Space Needle if you wanted. Or to the mountains, whatever blows your hair back! Ummmm, what else....I definitely don't want the same look as everyone else, I like unique, I like fun, I HATE matched couch sets. I'm really good at painting--both walls and pictures. I have a really nice camera. I have a mac and a wii. Whats your favorite movie--I bet I have it! I REALLY WANT THIS.<br />
<br />
Okay, pray for me friends.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
<a href="http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2012/08/epic-room-makeover-giveaway-contest-2012.html"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIV2juPm1VE/UDo_GIAMPdI/AAAAAAAAID8/w_NuM6AWDEM/s1600/Vintage+Revivals-Epic-Room-Makeover-Horizontal.png" /></a></span></center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<br />Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410320678359528460.post-58909929822521593622012-08-20T22:35:00.001-07:002012-08-29T16:30:57.898-07:00Memories Can Be ConfusingDo you ever watch a movie you LOVED as a kid, but as an adult you think to yourself:<br />
<br />
"That is not AT ALL how I remember this movie..."<br />
<br />
My husband and I watched 'Forever Young' the other night. Ya know, with Mel Gibson--who I have to say, was very handsome--anyway, I remember we loved that movie when I was a kid; and my husband couldn't really remember what it was about, so I made him watch it.<br />
<br />
But you know what? I remember thinking it was such a great movie before, and by the end of the movie, I was like, "that was really, really depressing."<br />
<br />
I mean, the man's sweetheart gets in a car accident and is in a coma. He is so overcome with grief he decides he needs to cryogenically freeze himself until/unless she wakes up. Well, the guy who's supposed to be in charge of it dies just a few months in--and THEY FORGET ABOUT HIM. He's basically stuck in a warehouse for 50 years. And THEN when he DOES wake up, he finds out that the girl he loved woke up from the coma, got married and lived a nice happy life--without him. And now he's aged 50 years in three days. But hey, they can be together NOW. You know, for a year or something before they both die. They could've lived their entire lives together, but NO. No big deal.<br />
<br />
So yeah, sort of weird.<br />
<br />
Other movies that are different from my childhood memories:<br />
<br />
~Goonies<br />
<br />
~Dirty Dancing<br />
<br />
~Space Balls<br />
<br />
~The Legend<br />
<br />
~Labyrinth<br />
<br />
~Crocodile Dundee<br />
<br />
~Superman<br />
<br />
...okay, pretty much most movies I watched as a kid...<br />
<br />
What about you? That ever happen to you?Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738664615930618450noreply@blogger.com2