For my love of all things wedding related (thanks Kathryn)...

THE PERFECT DRESS
Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing coulddampen her excitement -- not even her parents' nasty divorce. Hermother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the bestdressed mother-of-the-bride ever! A week later, Jennifer was horrifiedtolearn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother! Jennifer asked her step mom to exchange it, butshe refused. "Absolutely not. I look like a million bucks inthis dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied. Jennifer told hermother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart. I'll get anotherdress.After all, it's your special day." A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going toreturn the other dress? You really don't have another occasion whereyou could wear it." Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding."

I received this from my Nephew who is preparing to leave for Iraq; I figured if he can do something that Noble - this is the least I can do...

This is interesting... Place an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you have not, and send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life! Copy into a new email.


(X ) Smoked a cigarette.
(X) Drank so much you threw up.
(X ) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( X ) Gone on a blind date
( X ) Skipped school (summer school only!)
( X ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Europe
( ) Been to Asia
(X ) Been to Mexico
(X ) Been to Florida
(X ) Been on a plane
( ) Been lost
(X ) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington, D.C.
(X ) Swam in the ocean
(X ) Cried yourself to sleep
(X ) Played cop s and robbers ---(or cowboys and Indians!!?)
(X ) Recently colored with crayons.
(X) Sang karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins
( ) Ate the same thing for a week to save money.
( ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X ) Made prank phone calls
( X ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue and made snow angels
(X ) Danced in the rain.
( X ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( X ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( X ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
( X ) Blown bubbles
( ) Made a bonfire on the beach?
( ) Crashed a party
( X ) Gone ice-skating
( X ) Been skinny dipping)
( ) Gone to the movies, paid for one ticket, and then snuck into another theater to see a different feature afterwards.

1. Any nickname? Missy, Sissy, Siss, Baby
2. Mother's name? Momma - Jane
3. Favorite drink? Diet Coke and/or Key Lime Flavored Water
4. Tattoos? No way...
5. Body piercing? Not for me...
6. How much do you love your job? I love my job (been a Recrutier for nearly 20 years now), just a little frustrated at the moment....
7. Birthplace? Columbus, IN
8. Favorite vacation spot? St. Petersburg Beach, Florida...I LOVED
9. Ever been to Africa? NO
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? Yes - you know the flashing caution ones they sit out on the street...ask me about it - its a great story!
12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
13. Drive a 2-door or a 4-door vehicle: 4-Door (actually 5 if you count the back lift gate)
14. Favorite dressing: Hidden Valley Ranch
15. Favorite pie? Pumpkin
16. Favorite number? 1
17. Favorite movie? Steel Magnolias - The Wedding Planner - The Wedding Date (see a trend here?)
18. Favorite holiday? Christmas
19. Favorite Dessert? I would rather have comfort food - homemade mac-n-cheese; etc.
20. Favorite food? Italian Food - current love is Bowtie Pasta from Johnny Carino's
21. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
22. Favorite brand of body wash? Victoria's Secret - Love Spell
23. Favorite toothpaste? Aim
24. Favorite smell? Polo Cologne on my husband
25. What do you do to relax? Make jewelry - flower arranging - crafts - sometimes I read.
26. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? Love ya!
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? 10 years older!
28. Furthest place you will send this message? Georgia
29. Who will respond to this the fastest? whomever has 10 minutes to blow...
30. Who is the least likely to respond? Michael - he sent it to me - durn ya!

*!@$%&* - I've Been Tagged....

4 Jobs I’ve had:

1. Drive Thru at McDonalds (4 years during high school – LOVED IT!)
2. Administrative Assistant with the March of Dimes – Senior year of high school – went to school ½ day and worked ½ of day.
3. Set-up and opened Wal-Mart store in my hometown right after returning from College. The store opened just before Halloween and I made the decision I was leaving there BEFORE Christmas! ME NO DUMMY!
4. Recruiter – 18 years! Man, time flies when you are having fun!

4 movies I watch over and over:

1. Steel Magnolias
2. The Wedding Date
3. The Wedding Planner
4. Pretty Woman (do you think I am a true Romantic?)

4 Places I’ve lived:

1. Columbus, IN (hometown)
2. 2. Vincennes, IN (college)
3. Edinburgh, IN (right after I was married)
4. Columbus, IN (lived here 34 of my 37 years)

4 Shows I watch:

1. 1. House
2. Project Runway
3. American Idol
4. Anything wedding related on TLC – HGTV – WE, etc.

4 places I’ve been:

1. San Francisco, California – loved it!
2. New Orleans, Louisiana – for my honeymoon in 1996 – loved it!
3. Mexico – Yucatan Peninsula – during my Sophomore year of high school (1986) – with 30 other students for 10 days – loved it!
4. New York City, New York – with my loving husband a couple of years ago – loved it!

4 people who e-mail me regularly:

1. My best friend, Nicole
2. My partner at work, Steve
3. A dear friend, Beth (too many friends to list…)
4. FlyLady

4 favorite things to eat:

1. Mexican Food – NOT spicy!
2. Bow Tie Pasta Festival from Johnny Carino’s
3. Homemade macaroni and cheese – TRUE COMFORT FOOD!
4. Pork Egg Fu Yung
   

4 places I'd rather be:

1. Riding my motorcycle in the sunshine! (its gloomy and raining today!)
2. The Caribbean (on a cruise with my honey!)
3. Aruba
4. At home in front of the fireplace snuggled up with an excellent book.

4 things I look forward to this year:

1. Sorority Convention – April
2. RV Vacation – July
3. Motorcycle Vacation to South Carolina - August
4. Family Wedding (Leah) – hopefully in the Fall

A few of my favorite things...

I like for my home to smell good/warm/inviting - food is a great way to invite people in, but candles can set the mood too. Bill gave ma a beautiful WoodWick candle for our 11th Anniversary (along with beautiful red roses) - the flavor is Noel. Its a burgundy/red candle and smells like heaven.

The elegant new WoodWick™ candle features a natural wick made from organic wood & combines the soothing sound of a crackling fire with premium fragrances for the ultimate candle-burning experience! Each highly scented WoodWick™ candle includes a finely crafted wood lid. Available in 2 sizes: 22 oz. and 11.5 oz http://www.woodwick.com/

I like to smell good too. My "signature scent" is Victorias Secret's Love Spell. I use the entire Love Spell line - body wash, salt scrub, body butter, body spray, etc. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me "What cologne are you wearing?"

I love to wear an apron while working on dinner/dishes, etc. after work. It prevents me from getting bleach on my clothes while doing dishes and working in the kitchen. (Insight: My parents owned a restaurant for nearly 30 years of my 37 years - we ALWAYS add bleach to our dish water.) Any who...why not look good while you are working?

Domestic Darlings is a home-based kitchen and fashion design and production company. We manufacture and sell our own designs of women's aprons, matching girls' aprons, and accessories, designed to help you get everything done around the house in style. www.domesticdarlings.com

Sorority Sista...

Yes, if you know me, you know that I am a Sorority Sista of Kappa Kappa Sigma. In Indiana we have a statewide convention each year in the Spring. This year, my Chapter, Theta, is the hostess chapter. We have been planning this convention for five years - YES, five years! We had a planning meeting last night and I left there very frustrated. Frustrated because for five years we have talked about the same details over, and over, and over again.

This is my blog, so I can vent - right?

Ok, this convention has been broken down into 20 or so sub-committees. We have spent way too much time "fiddeling" with committees who's Chairperson doesn't bother to show up and then sit around and analyze (read O-V-E-R-A-N-A-L-Y-Z-E!) and plan - ONLY to have the committee/chairperson finally kick in and do something totally different. Can you hear the frustration?

I want this convention to be GREAT! I want this convention to be FUN! My rear end is on the line for the decorations (HUGE!) and the arrangements with the Hotel - Holiday Inn Conference Center. Both committees that I chair directly affects all of the other committees.

Any suggestions on working these last few months with people whom I have learned to loathe? And the bigger question is: How do these people keep jobs if they are not able to multi-task and "get the job done?"

My secret indulgence...

I must admit that I love to make "homemade" greeting cards - its my secret indulgence...digital scrapbooking, MS Publisher, MS Word, PrintMaster, PC Hug Club (http://www.pccrafter.com/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1) = my favorite place to get clipart, digital scrapbooking stuff, etc. Check out their website - you'll love it too!

I love to make the cards reflect the recipients interests, hobbies, sports, etc. My family has come to expect homemade cards and if I "slip" - they always ask: "Where's my homemade card?" Your can purchase the "cropper hopper" here: http://store.scrapbook.com/ch-ch92453.html

I love the above photo of the card organizer - complete with a calendar to remind you of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. My only problem with the organizer is where in the world would I put it?

Care to share your secret indulgence with me? If so, leave a comment.

Have a blessed day!

Happy New Year!

Yeh, well....it only took me a week to post a "Happy New Year" post! Give me a break!!!!!!!

Here's to a new year filled with all your hopes and dreams!

• My Christmas was spent with a intestinal/viral infection. YUCK! I missed Christmas Eve dinner with my entire family AND Christmas Day was spent under the covers sleeping and running to the restroom. Did I say YUCK! I was so dissapointed as my entire family was home this year (from California, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana) and I had to stay home so not to infect anyone else with the terrible infection. The only silver lining was my hubby - he at one point said: "I would do anything for me to be sick and you to be well - I know how much Christmas means to you. I am sorry, baby!" Awww - he received the "Husband of the Year" Award! I love you, baby!
• We are having CRAZY weather here in Indiana - yesterday we broke a 101 year old record by reaching 65 degrees! Wow - normal temps are cold, blustery, snowy, sleet, icey roads, 15-33 degrees. I didnt even wear a coat yesterday. Today when I left for work it was 61 degrees, but we are expecting lots of rain today.
• New Year Resolutions - I havent officially made a New Year Resolution, but unofficially, its to lose weight. If you know me - my weight is a struggle - has been since childhood. Here's to more exercise - healthier eating - and more time outdoors.

Thanks for reading along, post a comment when you are done - just so I know who's here.

Lord help me...

“Each new day presents an opportunity to start all over again, to cleanse our minds and our hearts anew, and to clarify our vision.”

– Mary Kay Ash

Great weekend for relaxing...

Well I must admit I DID NOT get much crossed off of my "to do" list for the Holidays, but what I did do was GREAT and relaxing:

• Friday evening Bill and I enjoyed our "date" night - Fazoli's was doing a fund raiser with Bill's High School basketball team/after prom party committee. We had a Fazoli's dinner at the school (in the Home Economics rooms), talk about bringing back old memories. Bill admitted to NEVER cooking during home ec (because he always sweet talked the girls in his group into doing it...one in particular who remains a GREAT friend to Bill and I - we'll call her Junebug;) ), but he got an A+ in the class. Cheater!
  Anywho the dinner was good (salad with Italian dressing, spaghetti with meat sauce, bread sticks, lemonade). We took a few steps from home ec to the main gym for the ball games - both JV and Varsity lost, but it was still lots of fun.




• Saturday morning brought several inches of snow (3-4 maybe) then lots of freezing rain (nearly five hours worth) and then more snow (only 2 more inches). So it was a great opportunity for me to make a crock pot full of venison chili, build a fire in each of the fireplaces, when I showered on Saturday morning I put on my most comfy jammie pants and slippers and I stayed like that the rest of the day/evening. Bill worked Saturday morning, but when he returned home we watched TV (football), and I took a nap, worked on crafts for my families Christmas baskets, and did laundry, etc. About 4:00 Saturday afternoon Bill stated he had a sore throat - I am assuming from being out in the awful weather (snow, freezing rain, snow) and being wet most of the morning while doing his job. Poor guy - I gave him OTC cold medicine and he slept a lot on Saturday evening.




• Sunday was Christmas lunch with my Dad at Joe's Crab Shack - the restaurant was VERY empty due to the bad weather/roads and the service/food quality just wasn't good - we were disappointed.




• GO COLTS! We watched the game last evening while having another bowl of venison chili. YUM! 21 to 14 - Colts win!!!!!



• I continue to "feed" Bill OTC cold medicine during the evening - I pray he feels better this evening.

In preparation of lots of snow...

Tonight I have a date with my wonderful husband. Dinner at Fazoli's and a basketball game at his High School. Bill is a "sports nut" and I must admit I love Indiana High School basketball too. We have very dear friends who's son, Nick, is a "starter" on the Varsity team. We love to support them when we can. Nothing fancy, but still great time with my honey.

The entire state of Indiana is under a "Winter Storm Watch" - lots of snow predicted - maybe some ice - maybe some "Thunder Snow" - I must admit, I have never heard of thunder snow storms. Apparently it is just exactly what it sounds like - snow storm with Thunder. You learn something new every day!

I love snow and snow storms - I am already dreaming of being snowed in at the house - coffee or hot chocolate - a good book to read and a fire in the fireplace. Ahhhh!

Reality must kick in first though - you need supplies - just in case you are snowed in for several days - milk - bread - eggs - etc., etc., etc. Maybe a trip to the grocery is in store.

Pictures!

How do I post pictures? Did that work?

Woo Hoo!!!!! Bill and I recently celebrated 11 years of Marriage Bliss! WOW! Time flies when you are having fun!

Wow - a year and some time later...

I always think it is such a great idea to blog...but I never get around to it:

• Bill and I (and a whole group of friends) rode our motorcycles this Spring/Summer to many exciting places: The Smoky Mountains; Louisville, Kentucky; Indianapolis; all over Southern Indiana (Bloomington, Bedford, Vincennes, Story, Seymour, and all points in-between). We love riding and get lots of questions and comments about a Husband and Wife riding together (on seperate bikes). One man said to me - "When I see men and women riding together I always think how cool that would be to have that special connection with your wife and ride side by side on Motorcycles." Men are always very interested how long I have been riding and who taught me to ride, etc. Women pass me in their vehicles and give me "thumbs up," I have received several "You Go Girl!" comments, and adults and children alike always watch closely as we pass or they pass us. What fun!
• We camped quite a bit too - mainly just weekends as Bill works every Saturday and we cant get too far from home/work. We have a group of friends/family that camp with us so we always have such a good time. Campfires, group dinners around the grill al fresco, karaoke, exploring new areas, and just being outside, relaxing, sipping a cool beverage with the one you love! Aaaaaaah Paradise!
• Our home renovations are 95% complete - I cant tell you how "sick and tired" I am of home renovation projects! DANG! Hopefully our master bathroom will be completed this weekend. We are having the drywall guys back to work in our great room as several of the screw heads have popped through and some of the drywall tape is visible too in the ceiling. The bad thing is we have already painted the ceiling and it will need to be repainted BEFORE Christmas. At this time my brain is screaming "The Lord will never give you more than you can handle."
• Speaking of Christmas - our ENTIRE family (my side of the family) will be "home" for Christmas. The official Christmas Dinner (on Christmas Eve) will be at Nana's home. We have family from California, Florida, Michigan, Alabama, and from all points in Indiana. We will have 35+ people for dinner/festivities.
• Bill's family will convene on his Mother's new home (Bill helped with demolition of their old home, removed trees, created a new driveway, constructed porches (front and rear), installed guttering and down spouts and then helped them move this Spring/Summer). She's very excited about having all of her children home for Christmas for the first time in the new home. She's having Christmas dinner on the Saturday before Christmas just to help alleviate all of the "hubub" on the 24th/25th. We are eternally grateful for this as its very hard/tiring to travel to multiple places over that two day period.

I am going to publish this before I lose it...back in a bit with some photos...

Ok, ok, ok - sorry! Our home is under construction (major construction) and we have been working EVERY night from the time we return home from work to bedtime (WAY past my normal bedtime).

Our great room literally is being rebuilt - new windows - new walls - new atrium door - some fireplace refurbishments - new wood floors.

On the outside we are getting a new roof as well as a new paint job.

Can you say whew?

First post...

Drumroll please.....

I am not sure what I am doing but I am going to give it the 'ol college try! My name is Melissa and I am happily married to Bill (my partner in crime) and we have one fur baby, Butler.

This Spring Bill and I purchased his and hers motorcycles, and we have been riding and exploring ever since. We love it! Our other loves.....home improvement...RV'ing...gardening...boating...motorcross/four-wheelers...and many, many more.

Ok, ok, I know from my previous activity online...most of my previous journal buddies and hopefully now blogger buddies are picture maniacs. I promise to learn how to post pictures and get some of the motorcycles, Butler, and life in general.

Until then...