tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90817610163213834062024-03-13T00:44:53.961-04:00A Place Where I Can Be MeThis is my blog (obviously). I've been writing here on and off for years. It chronicles my life from a young married woman, to a first time mom, through my struggles with infertility to conceive my second child and beyond. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199324961244085710noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-943447447570453612022-12-31T18:35:00.001-05:002022-12-31T18:35:37.318-05:002022 in review<p>Here we are again. I'm not sure why I still do this. Part of me wants to start blogging again. Do people still blog? Do people read blogs? Anyway, I like at least having this yearly snapshot of my life, so here we go!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">1. What did you do in 2022 that you’d never done before? Hmm....I self published our book on Amazon. It was previously traditionally published but our contract ended in 2019. It's available again with a new cover.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">On the Edge of My World https://a.co/d/adoDYV3</span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions, but I do want to refocus on my eating habits and try to drop a few pounds.<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A beautiful lady I only know through social media gave birth after 8 years of infertility.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">4. Did anyone close to you die? Adam's Uncle Ron passed away in November</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">5. What countries did you visit? Ha, no.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you didn’t have in 2022? A true end to the pandemic</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">7. What dates from 2022 will be etched upon your memory, and why? Accepting a job with direct reports. It was a big step and something I used to be strongly against doing. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? My new position at work</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">9. What was your biggest failure? I refuse to focus on failure </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had a herniated disc in June that seems to be flaring up again. Also my doctors became concerned about my chronic low white blood cell counts, which took a dip recently. I had a bone marrow biopsy a few weeks ago to pinpoint the cause of my neutropenia. Genetic results are still pending but they found no abnormal cells which is great. They think I have a congenital condition, but they want to determine which one.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">11. What was the best thing you bought? Way too much Holo Taco nail polish</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Pushing myself at work</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The repeal of Roe V Wade, for one thing. The political climate in this country right now terrifies me.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and Amazon</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">15. What did you get really excited about? When we got Rainer one year ago tomorrow!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">16. What song will always remind you of 2022? Anything from Taylor Swifts Midnights Album</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? I've decided this question doesn't take me to good places mentally and I shall abstain from answering it.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">20. How did you spend Christmas? We'd planned to have my sisters over, but Michelle tested positive for covid Christmas morning and it all kind of fell apart. We just had a quiet day at home and then video called them on the afternoon.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">21. Did you fall in love in 2022? More and more every day with my husband and kids. I will never change this answer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">22. What was your favorite TV show? The Orville. Please bring it back, Seth MacFarlane!!!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 23. What was the best book you read? The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. I also enjoyed The Anthropocene Review by John Greene</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">24. What was your greatest musical discovery? TSwift Midnights and also some of her more recent albums I hadn't really listened to </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">25. What did you want and get? For my family to stay safe and healthy-still true</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">26. What did you want and not get? To spend time with friends and family. Sadly still true. We are the rare ones still being super cautious. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">27. What was your favorite film of 2022? Offhand the only film I remember seeing new this year was Red. Very cute.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? It was a blessed Saturday! I did not have to work and we had Texas Roadhouse for dinner!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? No pandemic, obviously.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2022? Work on top, lounge in bottom. Still my work from home standard. Also I did a new manicure every week this year</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">31. What kept you sane? Adam and the boys, YouTube, Netflix, music, painting my nails.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">32. What political issue stirred you the most? Roe v Wade and the threat of taking away the rights of so many people</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel and all the friends and family I haven't seen in person this year. This did not change </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021. You can get used to most things</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Coming up empty here! Gonna give myself a pass.</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-28050280795892375072021-12-31T17:00:00.001-05:002021-12-31T17:00:15.637-05:00Still Surviving - 2021 in review<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">We survived another year. It wasn't much better than 2020, but we were more used to it, right? It wouldn't be right to miss my only post of the year! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">1. What did you do in 2021 that you’d never done before? Ummm...there isn't much opportunity to do new things just now.</span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">4. Did anyone close to you die? I wasn't close to him, but my Uncle recent past away from Covid. Get vaccinated people!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">5. What countries did you visit? Ha, no.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you didn’t have in 2021? Less suckage</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">7. What dates from 2021 will be etched upon your memory, and why? Little things, like our personal state fair day, Christmas, special snack days with the kids</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? Work stuff and surviving</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">9. What was your biggest failure? I refuse to focus on failure </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Thankfully no!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">11. What was the best thing you bought? Mostly stuff for the house and clothing or nail art indulgences</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I have kept up my weight loss, which is awesome</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The continued ignorance of people who refuse to help end the pandemic </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">14. Where did most of your money go? Groceries, it feels like</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">15. What did you get really excited about? We are getting a puppy literally tomorrow and I'm really excited about it!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">16. What song will always remind you of 2021? Anything from Hamilton, which I've been obsessed with all year</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? About the same across the board</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Sleeping. I don't sleep enough </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">20. How did you spend Christmas? Another quiet ne at home, just the 5 of us. The weather was warm and we got laser tag for the kids so we went outside to enjoy that </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">21. Did you fall in love in 2021? More and more every day with my husband and kids. I will never change this answer</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">22. What was your favorite TV show? We binge watched Grays Anatomy, which I loved</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 23. What was the best book you read? The Hamilton companion book</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Hamilton</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">25. What did you want and get? For my family to stay safe and healthy-still true</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">26. What did you want and not get? To spend time with friends and family. Sadly still true</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">27. What was your favorite film of 2021? Hamilton again</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Work, as always. Next year my bday is on the weekend!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? No pandemic, obviously.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2021? Work on top, lounge in bottom</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">31. What kept you sane? Adam and the boys, YouTube, Netflix, music, paint by number </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">32. What political issue stirred you the most? The freaking madness from January </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel and all the friends and family I haven't seen in person this year. This did not change </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021. You can get used to most things</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Coming up empty here! Gonna give myself a pass.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">Will I post more in 2022? Let's see!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-52213135164108866542020-12-31T16:54:00.003-05:002020-12-31T16:54:40.820-05:00Never been so happy to see a year end<p> </p><p>Wow. We freaking made it! Well, almost. Personally, I am not setting foot outside my house until 2020 is officially over. I feel like it might have a few more punches to throw and I'd like to avoid them! </p><p>I haven't posted in a year, but I figured it was a year to document, at least at a glance!</p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">1. What did you do in 2020 that you’d never done before? Lived through a Global pandemic.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Not unless you count people I follow on YouTube.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">4. Did anyone close to you die? My stepfather-in-law Richard, our dog Gracie, and my coworker Kerry. This year sucked.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">5. What countries did you visit? I've only left my county a handful of times this year, I definitely didn't leave the country.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">6. What would you like to have in 2021 that you didn’t have in 2020? Less anxiety about everything, even marginally less.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">7. What dates from 2020 will be etched upon your memory, and why? Early March, when the world shut down.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? Just keeping it together, working from home, helping supervise the kids virtual learning, and not being a total shrew to my family.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">9. What was your biggest failure? I refuse to pick a failure this year. It was rough enough.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury? It wasn't a great year for my health. I had a detatched retina in June that required surgery. I have recently been dealing with a random rapid heartbeat. So far, everything checks out ok, but it's an ongoing concern for me. But I didn't catch Covid!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">11. What was the best thing you bought? Clothes that fit!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I have lost 60 lbs since September 2019 and kept it off. I am very proud of that and I definitely feel better physically and mentally because of it.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? People who refuse to wear masks!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">14. Where did most of your money go? Bills, though we saved a lot on gas this year!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">15. What did you get really excited about? Painting my nails! I think I've only had naked nails a couple of weeks this entire year!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">16. What song will always remind you of 2020? Anything from Frozen 2, which Spotify tells me I have listened to more than anything else</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? I am proud to say I'm thinner and richer. I'd have to say sadder though, it's been a hard year. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading and writing again. I want to write, but inspiration is lacking.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">20. How did you spend Christmas? We had a quiet but lovely day at home. Comfy clothes, games, and watching the kids enjoy the day. We missed having my sisters and almost brother in law over, but otherwise it was a normal Christmas. Santa came through with a PS5, so my boys (all 3) were happy!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">21. Did you fall in love in 2020? More and more every day with my husband and kids</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">22. What was your favorite TV show? Star Trek Discovery</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 23. What was the best book you read? I finally read Jenny Larson's books and they were hilarious.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Classical and instrumental music. Its great background while I'm working.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">25. What did you want and get? For my family to stay safe and healthy</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">26. What did you want and not get? To spend time with friends and family. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">27. What was your favorite film of 2020? I don't know if I saw anything new, actually.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 38. I worked and had chocolate cake, same as last year.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? No pandemic, obviously.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2020? Lol I don't know if I'll ever be able to wear real pants for an entire day again. I wear regular work type tops with yoga/lounge pants or leggings during the work day with comfy shoes or slippers. I spent most of the year in clothes that were too big for me and have just started buying new things that fit. Online shopping is hard when you don't know your size!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">31. What kept you sane? Adam and the boys, YouTube, Netflix, music</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">32. What political issue stirred you the most? We did not re-elect Trump, thank goodness!!!!</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel and all the friends and family I haven't seen in person this year.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020. I am mostly a homebody.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"> 35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Keep holding on, you're gonna make it through, you'll make it through.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">Best hopes for 2021 to anyone who stumbles onto this post on this mostly dead blog!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-72614208016003540332019-12-31T18:51:00.000-05:002019-12-31T18:51:10.081-05:00New Year, (almost) Same PostI can't quite let go of this streak, even though I haven't written since last January!<br />
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1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before? Hmm...I learned to do string art.</div>
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2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions<br />
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3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A few Facebook friends</div>
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4. Did anyone close to you die? Grandma Long, Adam's Aunt Sandy, and just last night, My Aunt Sandy, plus our cat Tippy. </div>
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5. What countries did you visit? Another year stateside for me</div>
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6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you didn’t have in 2019? More financial stability </div>
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7. What dates from 2019 will be etched upon your memory, and why? Hmm nothing jumps out at me.</div>
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8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? I've still feeling good about my work</div>
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9. What was your biggest failure? I read and wrote less this year than I have in a long time.</div>
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10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not me, though I helped my mom when she broke her shoulder. </div>
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11. What was the best thing you bought? My fitbit versa 2</div>
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12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My kiddos accomplishments </div>
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13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ugh, Donald Trump. (Some more)</div>
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14. Where did most of your money go? Bills </div>
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15. What did you get really excited about? Finding what works for me to start getting healthier</div>
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16. What song will always remind you of 2019? Shallow Lady Gaga</div>
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17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Things are looking up for all three of these!</div>
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18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading and writing</div>
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19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div>
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20. How did you spend Christmas? We had a quiet but lovely day at home. Comfy clothes, games, and watching the kids enjoy the day</div>
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21. Did you fall in love in 2019? More and more every day with my husband and kids</div>
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22. What was your favorite TV show? The good place</div>
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23. What was the best book you read? I did a lot of rereading when I read this year</div>
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24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Lol the Frozen 2 soundtrack</div>
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25. What did you want and get? First family photos in 6 years</div>
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26. What did you want and not get? We didn't go away for our anniversary like I had hoped.</div>
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27. What was your favorite film of 2019? Frozen 2 (sorry)</div>
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28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 37. I worked and had chocolate cake lol</div>
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29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less stress and anxiety in general</div>
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30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2019? I kept up my haircut. I kept it mostly comfy this year however I could</div>
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31. What kept you sane? Adam and the boys, family and friends, audiobooks, music and YouTube </div>
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32. What political issue stirred you the most? Donald Trump is still president</div>
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33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel.</div>
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34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019. Some years are going to be nothing spectacular, and that's ok.</div>
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35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. </div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">Crash through the surface, where they can't hurt us</span><br style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">We're far from the shallow now</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-88385315486883605112019-01-14T19:50:00.000-05:002019-01-14T19:50:24.401-05:00Today he would be two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Gabe, I'm missing you today and every day. Love Mommy.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-62552484153437716992018-12-31T19:57:00.000-05:002018-12-31T19:57:30.352-05:00Another New Year<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">
I haven't posted in ages! But old habits die hard so I thought I'd check in with my New Years post.<br /><br />1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before? Hmm...I took on more of a managerial role at work, acting as direct supervisor for someone.</div>
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2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions really </div>
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3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A few Facebook friends</div>
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4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.</div>
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5. What countries did you visit? Another year stateside for me</div>
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6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you didn’t have in 2018? I would like to gain some financial stability </div>
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7. What dates from 2018 will be etched upon your memory, and why? AJ's first day of school</div>
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8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? I've made some great strides at work and feel very accomplished in that arena</div>
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9. What was your biggest failure? Weight/healthwise.</div>
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10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major this year yay!</div>
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11. What was the best thing you bought? Our newish car, its fancy!</div>
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12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Work stuffs (no wonder I don't blog more, I'm so boring!)</div>
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13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ugh, Donald Trump. (Some more)</div>
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14. Where did most of your money go? Bills </div>
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15. What did you get really excited about? Adam and I are thinking of taking a little trip for our 15th anniversary this year</div>
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16. What song will always remind you of 2018? The entire soundtrack of the Greatest Showman (still obsessed)</div>
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17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer I think I've stayed steady in all areas this year, for better or worse </div>
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18. What do you wish you’d done more of? excercising and writing</div>
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19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div>
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20. How did you spend Christmas? We had a quiet but lovely day at home. Comfy clothes, games, and watching the kids enjoy the day</div>
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21. Did you fall in love in 2018? More and more every day with my husband and kids</div>
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22. What was your favorite TV show? I binge watched The Good Place and loved it</div>
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23. What was the best book you read? Turtles all the way down by John Green</div>
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24. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Greatest Showman lol</div>
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25. What did you want and get? New car</div>
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26. What did you want and not get? I didnt manage to get family photos done</div>
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27. What was your favorite film of 2018? The Greatest Showman (broken record)</div>
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28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 36. I worked and had chocolate cake lol</div>
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29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less stress and anxiety in general</div>
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30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2018 ? I still love leggings. I got a cute dress and chunky sandals last summer I really loved. Oh, and this year I finally ended up with a haircut I love</div>
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31. What kept you sane? Adam and the boys, family and friends, books, music and YouTube </div>
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32. What political issue stirred you the most? Donald Trump is still president</div>
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33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel.</div>
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34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018. Some years are going to be nothing spectacular, and that's ok.</div>
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35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. </div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">When the sharpest words wanna cut me down</span><br style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out</span><br style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">I am brave, I am bruised</span><br style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; max-height: 999999px;">I am who I'm meant to be, this is me</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-71698781788832804232018-07-02T20:57:00.000-04:002018-07-02T20:57:38.458-04:006.28.18I'm sitting on a tiny bench in a love little oasis. A fountain in the pond burbles cheerfully. The sun is hot but a light breeze ruffles my hair. At my feet are flowers. In front of me is a birdbath. There are few toys scattered nearby.<br />
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It's a beautiful place, but it's a sad beauty.<br />
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The bench sits near the headstone commemorating too many babies gone to soon, including my Gabe. I find small comfort that I can visit this pretty place and do a tiny thing for the child I planned to do so much more for.<br />
<br />Two years ago you left us. I miss you, sweet baby boy.<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-73223532487191699972018-02-02T21:28:00.000-05:002018-02-02T21:28:02.112-05:00Not NineHe is not nine. Not my first baby.<br />
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But he is. It doesn't seem possible that I've been his mom for nine entire years. He loves to hear the story of when he was born, how it had snowed more that a foot and how we were up all night. Then when we dozed off and he started crying Adam and I had that moment where we realized we were really parents and we had to take care of this little human.<br />
<br />It's so awesome to watch him grow and change and develop. He's such a cool little person. He does great in school and chatters away about the smallest things. He makes friends easily. He's sensitive and sweet and funny. He loves computers and video games and anything technological. He is steadfast that he wants to be a YouTuber when he grows up. He is still a picky eater and still small for his age (something he is aware of and a little sensitive about). He is full of energy and fun! He loves his little brother and always wants to be affectionate to him, even when AJ resists! He wants a little sister, which breaks my heart just a little!<br />
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He had a great birthday (I'm late posting this, of course. His birthday was January 28). Friday, I took a long lunch and drove down to have lunch with him at school. The school is about a 40 minute drive from work (since traffic wasn't an issue) but the look on his face when he was me made it well worth the time! He knew I was coming, of course, but boy was he excited!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might have to zoom--Running to me with his arms out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to see me--or the McDonalds I brought with me</td></tr>
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Saturday we did our usual errands and let Tyler pick where we ate lunch. He chose Arni's because he loves their cheese fries. It poured rain all day, but that didn't stop us. Both boys needed new shoes, so we stopped at Target after lunch. AJ got yet another pair of Paw Patrol shoes (in a size 12!) and Tyler got his first pair of (SOB) big boy shoes in a size 1. I know most kids his age have probably passed this milestone before the age of 9, but not my little guy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with Target Dog (in their old shoes)</td></tr>
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I spent the afternoon running around like mad trying to find his birthday gifts. I succeeded, but it took 7 stores and paying $15 more for one item than I would have paid if I'd ordered the darn thing online, but oh well!<br />
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Sunday was his actual birthday. I baked chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting (and letter candies and sprinkles, per Tyler). We let him pick dinner and he wanted to order pizza. He got two new games for his Nintendo Switch, a game for his DS (see above note about loving video games), plus Monopoly Pokemon (see note about paying $15 too much), a Minecraft hat, several game pieces for his Monopoly Gamer board game (which is actually a pretty fun game), and a gift card(that's from us, Michelle, Angie, and her finacee Jon). He was thrilled with everything, of course!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonder what he wished for? And AJ being cute even blurry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening said loot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys love their board games. We have at least 4 versions of Monopoly alone</td></tr>
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I could tell he felt special all weekend and loved every second of it and that just makes my heart melt! I just love these boys more than I could ever have imagined possible!!!<br />
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Oh, I must include a couple random AJ pictures...He's been going through a phase of skipping his nap (yes he still naps at 5 years old. Because he can and because he is cranky by 7:30 if he doesn't! The kid also wakes up at like 5 am most days, which is annoying, but he just seems to have his own schedule)--anyway, he keeps falling asleep before bedtime. Photo evidence:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLX5hL_wmZA/WnUdiz2YiwI/AAAAAAAADA8/6lRA7RwsgpMN7wS7iZGYz5009joCeLEXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180130_195230_155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLX5hL_wmZA/WnUdiz2YiwI/AAAAAAAADA8/6lRA7RwsgpMN7wS7iZGYz5009joCeLEXgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180130_195230_155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fell asleep sitting up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id72HTqOiro/WnUdjBR_toI/AAAAAAAADBA/iLxwgbe2UBIfLIH4IGNLmy3ggjjaz7MdACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180130_195230_154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id72HTqOiro/WnUdjBR_toI/AAAAAAAADBA/iLxwgbe2UBIfLIH4IGNLmy3ggjjaz7MdACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20180130_195230_154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-bounce? Not really. He was actually pouting and fell asleep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so my baby turned nine. We aren't talking about what number comes next. I still have three hundred and fifty-odd days before I have to think of that. We are also not thinking about how I registered AJ for Kindergarten recently...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-32436847285988067512017-12-31T17:35:00.000-05:002017-12-31T17:35:00.276-05:00Wrapping up a better year!<div dir="ltr">
Wow I haven't blogged since September! This has been SUCH a busy year! I think overall it kicked 2016's butt, but let's see what the survey says (sorry Family Feud is on TV). <br />
<br />
1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before? I officially became a published author! #bucketlist #check</div>
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2.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you
make more for next year? I didn't make resolutions really. I feel like I accomplished a lot of things, especially with selling our old house, buying our new house, and getting my promotion at work.</div>
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3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My friend Pam had her baby boy, Corbin.</div>
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4. Did anyone close to you die? A few distant cousins.</div>
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5. What countries did you visit? I only went to Birmingham this year.</div>
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6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you didn’t have
in 2017? I got some really major things I wanted this year! I would like to continue trying to become more financially stable (read: I'd like more money) and I'd like to get back to trying to be healthier</div>
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7. What dates from 2016 will be etched upon your memory,
and why? February 14th when we got our book contract offer, July 13th when the book came out, and the day we closed on the houses</div>
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8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? The house, the book, and my promotion</div>
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9. What was your biggest failure? Weight/healthwise. </div>
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10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major this year</div>
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11.
What was the best thing you bought? Our house!</div>
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12. Whose behavior merited celebration? The three biggies again: book, job, house</div>
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13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ugh, Donald Trump. (Some more)</div>
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14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and the house</div>
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15. What did you get really excited about? I'm actually looking for things to calm down a little. There has been a lot of excitement lately.</div>
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16. What song will always remind you of 2017? Nothing is really springing to mind. Anything from Carpool Karaoke, since I've been obsessed with that.</div>
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17.
Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or
sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Happier, fatter, and about the same.</div>
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18. What do you wish you’d done more of? excercising</div>
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19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div>
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20.
How did you spend Christmas? The family was pretty sickly this year, so we stayed home all day in our PJs and had a very nice quiet day. We had a big breakfast and a salad/baked potato bar for lunch which was delish.</div>
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21. Did you fall in love in 2017? More and more every day with my husband and kids</div>
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22. What was your favorite TV program? Big Bang Theory, Dancing with the Stars, and The Little Couple</div>
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23. What was the best book you read? I recently read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green and it was really great.</div>
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24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Carpool Karaoke</div>
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25. What did you want and get? Publish my book, promotion, new house!</div>
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26. What did you want and not get? I really got so much I wanted this year!</div>
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27. What was your favorite film of 2017? Pitch Perfect 3 which we saw last night was very funny, if corny</div>
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28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 35. I don't remember doing anything in particular. I think I had to work.</div>
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29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? hmm. Maybe a vacation?</div>
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30.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2017 ? I'm
still loving leggings and boots. Right now, whatever fits, is comfy and looks semi cute </div>
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<br /></div>
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31. What kept you sane? My hubby, my kids, my mom, my
sisters, my family, my friends, and my coworkers! Talking and writing
and laughing and music!</div>
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<br /></div>
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32. What political issue stirred you the most? Donald Trump is still president</div>
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33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel.</div>
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34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017. Hard work and perseverance do pay off!</div>
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35.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Coming up empty here lol!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-48848254459280533562017-09-01T13:10:00.001-04:002017-09-01T13:11:06.902-04:0050 Questions You've Never Been Asked<div class="entry-content">
I'm such a sucker for these questionnaire posts! Does that make me a narcissist? Taking this one from Risa at <a href="http://risakerslakewrites.com/">http://risakerslakewrites.com/.</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>01. What’s your favorite candle scent? </b><br />
I'd have to say Black Cherry. I gravitate toward fruity/berry scents. Lately I've been loving Cinnamon as well. I'm not sure where that came from.<br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">02. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Emma Stone. I just think she is so funny and would be a blast to hang around with. Although her gorgeousness would probably give me a complex.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">03. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I can't imagine having a brother. Right now I'm going to say James Cordon. I've been binge-watching episodes of Carpool Kareoke and I would just love to drive around and sing with him. And his accent is adorable.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">04. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?</span></b><span lang="EN-AU"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Well, I got married when I was 22, which was younger than I'd thought I'd be.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">05. Do you know a hoarder?</span></b><b></b><br />
Not in the extreme sense, no.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">06. Can you do the splits?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Ha. No.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">07. How old were you when you first learned how to ride a bike?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I remember getting a "real" bike for my birthday when I was maybe 5? But I couldn't ride a two wheeler until I was probably 10.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">08. How many oceans have you swam in?</span></b><b></b><br />
Just one, the Atlantic when we honeymooned in the Bahamas! I've only been to the ocean once and I can't even said I "swam". Mostly waded around and then rode a jet ski. It was beautiful and so clear, but I did wish I had watershoes, because it was super rocky to walk around in.<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">09. How many countries have you been to?</span></b><b></b><br />
Just Canada (and the Bahamas)<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">10. Is anyone in your family in the army?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">No. It's so admirable, but it was scare me to death.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">11. What would you name your daughter if you had one?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Names are so hard for me. The plan when we had Tyler was a girl would have been Abigail. With AJ, we planned on Annabelle, I think? Right now I would pick neither of those. I'm quite partial to Hannah Rose, but I'm not sure I'd actually use it because I like names with nicknames.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">12. What would you name your son if you had one?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I don't have another boys name in mind, really. Obviously we've chose Tyler, Alexander, and Gabriel.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">13. What’s the worst grade you’ve got on a test?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I probably got at least 1 F on some quiz or test.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a kid?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Probably Full House</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">15. <b>What did you dress up as for Halloween when you were 8?</b></span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Oh man, I don't really remember by year...I was a ballerina, a princess...I don't even remember very many of my costumes. The mind is going, I guess lol!</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"><b> </b></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Oh yes, I've read all three. Harry Potter was huge for me.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Oh British, I love it.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">18. Did your mother go to college?</span></b><b></b><br />
She actually got a college degree in accounting about 10 years ago, accomplishing something she'd always wanted to.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">19. Are your grandparents still married?</span></b><span lang="EN-AU"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Both sets of my grandparents have passed away and 3 out of 4 of Adam's Grandparents. All of them were married when the first of each couple passed though. My mom's parents were married more than 50 years when my Grandpa died.<br />
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">No, that's not something that appeals to me.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Child of the 80's, of course!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><b><span lang="EN-AU">22. What was the first amusement park you went to?</span></b></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I went to Santa Claus Land (Now Holiday World) when I was a tiny baby.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"></span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">23. <b>What language beside your native language would you like to be fluent in</b>?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I took many years of French class, but never became fluent. I'd probably most like to be fluent in sign language, it facinates me.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">24. Do you spell the color grey or gray?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Oh, I've probably done both!</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">25. Is your father bald? </span></b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Nope, he's very white though. And in denial about it.<b><br /></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"><b> </b></span><b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">26. Do you know any triplets? </span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I don't believe so. Lots of twins, though.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I've actually never watched the Notebook. I probably should do that. Titanic is great though. I saw it on a date with a guy in high school and he left the theater to use the bathroom when Jack and Rose were still in the water. I knew our relationship was as doomed as Jack.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">28. Have you ever had Indian food?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">No. Too much spice for me, I think.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">29. What’s the name of your favorite restaurant?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Texas Roadhouse. Yummy.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">30. Have you ever been to Nandos?</span></b><b></b><br />
I don't know what that is. Should I?<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, Bookers, etc.)?</span></b><b></b><br />
No. We had a membership for one year and literally didn't use it once after the first time.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?</span></b><b></b><br />
I was supposed to be a boy. They told my mom she was having boy/girl twins. I was going to be Alex.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">33. If you have a nickname, what is it?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Liss, Lissy, Mel. Adam mostly calls me Babe.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">34. Who’s your favorite person in the world?</span></b><b></b><br />
Three way tie for my boys.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">35. <b>Would you rather live in the countryside or the city</b>?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Halfway in between. I don't want to live literally in a city, but not too far from convenience either. That's why I live in the 'burbs.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">36. Can you whistle?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Sure. I can whistle when breathing in or out.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">37. Do you sleep with a nightlight?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">No. I like it pretty dark but not pitch black.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">38. Do you eat breakfast every morning?</span></b><b></b><br />
Week days yes. I sometimes skip on the weekend.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">39. Do you take any pills or medication daily?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Yes. I take medication for my lupus, along with a multivitamin and Vitamin D.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b data-imagelightbox="g"><span lang="EN-AU">40. What medical conditions do you have?</span></b><b></b><br />
Lupus, neutropenia (low white blood cell count), coloboma (eye)<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">41. How many times have you been to the hospital?</span></b><b></b><br />
I've had I think 7 surgeries, but most of them were outpatient. Aside from being born, I've stayed in the hospital 3 times--when the boys were born and my appendectomy. <br />
<b>
</b>
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Of course!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">43. Where do you buy your jeans? </span></b><b data-imagelightbox="g"></b><br />
Old Navy, usually.<br />
<b data-imagelightbox="g">
</b>
<b data-imagelightbox="g"><br />
</b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">44. What’s the last compliment you got?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">My coworker said she liked my top today.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?</span></b><b></b><br />
If I do, it's usually because they are super strange or bad.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">46. What flavor of tea do you enjoy?</span></b><b></b><br />
I haven't tasted a lot of different types. I did have raspberry leaf tea when I was trying to get labor going with AJ and it was quite tasty.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?</span></b><b></b><br />
A lot, but I don't really wear a lot of different ones. Probably about 8 pairs I wear regularly.<br />
<br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">48. What religion will you raise your children to practice?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">Christian/Catholic</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"> </span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU">49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I don't remember a revelation of any kind, I just sort of knew.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-AU">50. Why do you have a blog?</span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-AU">I started one because Angie had one and it was funny. Over time it became a place to document things I want to remember, sort of a diary. No one reads, but I'm okay with that. It will help me remember things and I like that.</span><b><span lang="EN-AU"> </span></b></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-31872323530746997152017-07-12T21:50:00.000-04:002017-07-12T21:50:06.596-04:00Updates and THE BOOK!!!Life has been SOOOO busy! The book is coming out TOMORROW! I can't believe it, it's so surreal! The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Black Rose Writing NOW! We'll be going live on Facebook tomorrow at 8:00 pm EST to do a reading, talk about the book, answer questions, and do a giveaway of an autographed copy of the book!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8dZSPqG-fs/WWbP6lJqQKI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/eQgFvVCLk40GGgcMvifMPu-f1Qh-eKINQCLcBGAs/s1600/book.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8dZSPqG-fs/WWbP6lJqQKI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/eQgFvVCLk40GGgcMvifMPu-f1Qh-eKINQCLcBGAs/s320/book.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take cover! The book is here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our book blog: <a href="https://www.wordpress.com/positivevoicewrites">https://www.wordpress.com/positivevoicewrites</a></div>
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The book on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Edge-My-World-Kelly-Backus/dp/1612969046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499814715&sr=8-1&keywords=on+the+edge+of+my+world">https://www.amazon.com/Edge-My-World-Kelly-Backus/dp/1612969046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499814715&sr=8-1&keywords=on+the+edge+of+my+world</a></div>
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So exciting! <br />
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Live has been very busy! Time is short, so I'll stick to some photos for now!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1B7YHDcB0/WWbP8EhUQTI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/BFhS0Uvui0AAicAd0sNxpYaJIv3SvXbugCEwYBhgL/s1600/4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1B7YHDcB0/WWbP8EhUQTI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/BFhS0Uvui0AAicAd0sNxpYaJIv3SvXbugCEwYBhgL/s320/4th.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJ wasn't a big fan of the noise of fireworks, so he wore my headphones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBo5y7NoRc/WWbP72DcbLI/AAAAAAAAC-U/I7whr1AtYeQK-HUkBNOF369ubEN_jxO0QCEwYBhgL/s1600/rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBo5y7NoRc/WWbP72DcbLI/AAAAAAAAC-U/I7whr1AtYeQK-HUkBNOF369ubEN_jxO0QCEwYBhgL/s320/rock.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the one year anniversary of my miscarriage, I went to the cemetery and left a little rock with his name on it. <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAMdmhp0_10/WWbP8Z4HP9I/AAAAAAAAC-c/8_x1CQk8socIeGJpCjDB17nhdegv7fiHACEwYBhgL/s1600/sprinkler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAMdmhp0_10/WWbP8Z4HP9I/AAAAAAAAC-c/8_x1CQk8socIeGJpCjDB17nhdegv7fiHACEwYBhgL/s320/sprinkler.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys have discovered sprinklers and water balloons. They're in love!</td></tr>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-13666011861850725322017-06-14T19:52:00.000-04:002017-06-14T19:52:07.497-04:00Book Cover Reveal!Our book cover is here!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5IKRUqRfPk/WUHL3hIdiiI/AAAAAAAAC90/JPmWVBgMEhcT0fzNkHjmBq32nDQ0h7PMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5IKRUqRfPk/WUHL3hIdiiI/AAAAAAAAC90/JPmWVBgMEhcT0fzNkHjmBq32nDQ0h7PMgCLcBGAs/s320/Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Our publisher was very patient with us--we went through several drafts! We are very happy with it! One month until release!!!<br /><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-54724976878231515582017-06-08T18:00:00.000-04:002017-06-08T18:00:17.312-04:00Release Date and Pre-Order!!!!It's really happening! <br />
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The official release date for our book, On the Edge of My World is July 13, 2017! Even better, the book is available for Pre-Order from our publisher, Black Rose Writing NOW!<br />
<br />
Just visit the link below to order. Use promocode PREORDER2017 to get 10% off. Copies will be shipped on or before the release date.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1748557019"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/ontheedgeofmyworld">http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/ontheedgeofmyworld</a><br />
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I'm an author! *mind blown* Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-51462638394896119972017-05-17T20:16:00.000-04:002017-05-17T20:16:43.675-04:00Big ChangesWow it's been like two months since I've posted. In my defense, my life has been CRAZY! In the last two months:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We moved! It actually happened! We sold our house and bought a new one and everyone made it to the new place in one piece! Moving is terrible! I can't find my stuff! I have a ton of unpacking and projects to do! My new neighborhood is great, though. The house is great too, although we've already had a few hiccups. On to the next bullet!</li>
<li>We had a ton of rain and then water leaked into my mom's room in the basement. BOO! Our friend/contractor came over last weekend and he and Adam graded the ground on that side of the house--apparently it was somewhat sloped down toward the house, which isn't good. We've had a good 5 dry days but more rain in expected tomorrow so fingers crossed that it's fixed the problem!</li>
<li>We had to have some electrical work that was supposed to be done after inspection repaired, which was super annoying. Then we had our friend/contractor fix it some more. We'd asked that all the ungrounded 3 prong plugs in the basement be grounded, but the replaced them with 2 prong grounded plugs, which these days are pretty useless! Since we needed to plug in computers and the like, our friend changed them out.</li>
<li>Did I mention our neighbors are so nice? The realtor that sold the house lives across the street with her husband (who I recently found out is the dad of a guy I went to high school with). Two doors down from them is a guy around my age that works at Tyler's school. He brought over coupons for Macy's the first weekend. We also met the neighbors on both sides of us. There is an elderly lady to one side and a middle aged couple on the other. We are particularly fond of Mary (who is deaf and I'm fascinated by sign language) and her husband Kevin. Kevin found out that our mower had died (literally the week before we moved) and I looked out my back window one evening and Kevin was mowing our grass. SO NICE!</li>
<li>Where did I leave off with the book? I think I mentioned we were seeking out professional editing. Our publisher recommended a couple of people and we ended up working with a guy named Rob. His price was fair and he was very willing to edit without making huge plot changing suggestions. He cleaned up our technical writing a lot (God bless him, I hate that part) and made some great suggestions that we were able to incorporate with only minor edits and additions, but that I really feel make a big difference. And he's just all around a really nice guy and he really seemed to like the book and admire our writing. He was particularly impressed by our synergy writing together.</li>
<li>Once we incorporated Rob's edits, we sent the book back to our publisher. About a week ago, we got the edits and their smart-edit report back. This publisher offers this report on all books they publish--basically, it's a list of possible grammatical errors, commonly misused words, works that are possibly overused, and other such things that their computer program can recognize. They are very clear that you can chose to make no changes based on the report. I thought it was pretty helpful and made a good deal of very minor tweaks, most of them on the repetitive word issue. The manuscript went back to the publisher late Sunday night and now we are OFFICIALLY in the production queue! A publishing date should be coming very soon, along with their proposal for our cover art! So exciting!</li>
<li>I got a promotion at work! I've done the same job for 11 years (at least in title, although the job has changed a lot over the years) and I've been searching for a new opportunity with my company for a long time. It's been difficult. We are a large corporation, but my office is relatively small and opportunities are very limited. About a year ago, my boss helped me make a big push to take on leading the group of people that do the same job as I did. The girl that coordinated the group ended up going on maternity leave (she was the one who was due around the same time I would have been with Gabe), so I performed a lot of her duties while she was out. When she returned, she didn't really go back to doing that portion of her job. They posted the job as a hybrid-type role--someone who would have regular shipping and invoicing duties (that's what I do (did)) and also act as coordinator and lead the team--train new associates, update work instructions, liaison with other departments, develop new process, etc. I am very happy that I got the opportunity and I had a lot of support. It's a lot of work, but I'm glad to be more challenged again.</li>
<li>Unfortunately on the work front, I'm really juggling things at work now, covering for a coworker that is out on medical leave and preparing to cover for an invoicer that is leaving as of next week. Remember when I did the Canadian invoicing and then went to Ontario to train their new hire. Well, she's leaving. So now I'll be doing that again.</li>
<li>Aside from that, there has been birthdays, field trips, and not nearly enough sleep! </li>
</ul>
Oh, one last thing! Kelly and I created a separate website for author/book stuff. If you'd like to follow us there, just visit <a href="http://positivevoicewrites.wordpress.com/">positivevoicewrites.wordpress.com</a> . All of our social media is linked there as well.<br />
<br />
What a year I'm having! The book, the job, and the house have been
things I've wanted for a long time and they are all going to become a
reality in the course of a few months! It's awesome and overwhelming!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-89174021556572385232017-03-15T19:00:00.000-04:002017-03-15T19:00:11.814-04:0010th Blogoversary!!!10 years! I have been writing (on and off, but I had posts every year) here for 10 years! Granted, I have very few readers, but still, I have to give myself points for longevity. Maybe I just like to hear myself talk? LOL anyway, I'm still here and man, a lot has been documented here in the last 10 years--high points and low points. I've documented the birth of my kids, my losses, my infertility journey, the joys of motherhood and marriage, the trials over everyday life, fitness journeys, new homes (more to this coming VERY soon!), and now my journey as an author. There are posts that are merely funny and some filled with deep thoughts and self-exploration. I know not many people read my ramblings, but I go back and read them sometimes and I'm glad I have them written here.<br />
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<br />
So if you're reading, thanks. And past me, thanks for taking the time to document these memories.<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-89068587354115748982017-03-05T20:30:00.000-05:002017-03-05T20:30:12.765-05:00Work in ProcessIt's starting to feel more real! After signing our contract to publish our book with Black Rose Writing, we started researching professional editors. Black Rose does some editing, but very minor, and the recommend you consider this. We decided it was worth it to put the best product possible out there. I contacted several editors for quotes and we settled on an editor who was really excited about our story. He's working on the book now and should have his edits to us this coming week! We're setting up a call with him to discuss his suggestions--although we made it clear we were looking for grammar, punctuation, spelling, continuity, etc, not plot or character changes. He mentioned that he felt we didn't need a lot of editing compared to what he usually sees and also that he was impressed by our synergy--being able to blend our writing styles together seamlessly. I'm excited to see what he thinks!<br />
<br />
We also had some photos taken of use last week for our bio. A friend of Kelly's (my friend and co-author) did the photos and I really love how they are turning out so far (she took a ton and is still editing). Kelly and I both hate getting our pictures taken, but I think we got the best shots possible. Some of the shots were from a park right across the street from where I grew up. The rest were done at a business nearby that is covered with professional graffiti. <br />
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So by the end of the week we should have the edited manuscript back, then I need to start going over the changes. We also decided to change the setting from a fictional town in Ohio to a fictional town here in Indiana. We've been hearing so much about the issues from our book here where we live that we decided it was important to "bring it home" so to speak. I'm guessing the editing process will take me a couple of weeks. I'm hoping to get the final draft to the publisher by mid April or the first of May at the latest. That time line might have gotten more important (and difficult) as of this week, because we have an offer pending on our house. I don't want to say much yet, but things might get crazy very very soon so wish me luck to juggle all of this!<br />
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Once our publisher gets the draft back, they'll put it through their editing process and then we'll start talking cover art, publicity, marketing, etc. Wow, this is for real!<br />
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Here are a few of the best shots from our photo shoot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUNIeK2uae0/WLy6m5UgcLI/AAAAAAAAC4o/NbOptBXSCY8T8KYWgh2810mvXPqjC8T8ACLcB/s1600/KM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUNIeK2uae0/WLy6m5UgcLI/AAAAAAAAC4o/NbOptBXSCY8T8KYWgh2810mvXPqjC8T8ACLcB/s320/KM1.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besties and co-authors.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeSK7OG3-o/WLy6m0u12lI/AAAAAAAAC4w/7Xbpw0AaqqgAOKL-YTiWAKIj0M2wf1d5QCLcB/s1600/K1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeSK7OG3-o/WLy6m0u12lI/AAAAAAAAC4w/7Xbpw0AaqqgAOKL-YTiWAKIj0M2wf1d5QCLcB/s320/K1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly - The creative mind that came up with our novel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3HkYTKTYlA/WLy6m5kbQLI/AAAAAAAAC4s/QtKj1WhZkAc8sLYsmDaLi7BkjtqrULzsQCLcB/s1600/KM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3HkYTKTYlA/WLy6m5kbQLI/AAAAAAAAC4s/QtKj1WhZkAc8sLYsmDaLi7BkjtqrULzsQCLcB/s320/KM2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a cool background!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9wCxxBMdsU/WLy6nP7xO4I/AAAAAAAAC44/A9E-2cUaLfcN0UroIc1hkxE85hbfFBjZQCLcB/s1600/KM4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9wCxxBMdsU/WLy6nP7xO4I/AAAAAAAAC44/A9E-2cUaLfcN0UroIc1hkxE85hbfFBjZQCLcB/s320/KM4.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us in black and white</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGA90Hkyd4/WLy6nOEomHI/AAAAAAAAC40/F1s7J0LOSJkGU2pGtAUbuBf6G7kZQ4R3gCLcB/s1600/M1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGA90Hkyd4/WLy6nOEomHI/AAAAAAAAC40/F1s7J0LOSJkGU2pGtAUbuBf6G7kZQ4R3gCLcB/s320/M1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is probably my favorite single shot</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfHgpj4gKM8/WLy6nHp2bFI/AAAAAAAAC48/TSK2_jhMNHY2Z_Gu-b3SfoPwq-VrwlpZwCLcB/s1600/M2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfHgpj4gKM8/WLy6nHp2bFI/AAAAAAAAC48/TSK2_jhMNHY2Z_Gu-b3SfoPwq-VrwlpZwCLcB/s320/M2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just me</td></tr>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-64912771004503285182017-02-20T19:00:00.000-05:002017-02-20T19:00:10.344-05:00Belated EightBad Mommy! I missed doing Tyler's birthday post! In my defense, it has been BANANAS lately. Work is busy, we've got the house listed and we're house shopping, etc etc, etc. Anyway, I missed it. My baby boy turned 8 on January 28th and I have to mark the occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUQQpSYBis/WKtccuSQHAI/AAAAAAAAC3k/ewtw11ZA10YyeakT2V4_uUril_NyEJwxACLcB/s1600/20170214_161422.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUQQpSYBis/WKtccuSQHAI/AAAAAAAAC3k/ewtw11ZA10YyeakT2V4_uUril_NyEJwxACLcB/s320/20170214_161422.jpeg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toothless cutie!</td></tr>
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This year, Tyler's birthday was on a Saturday, so we ate lunch with him at school on Friday. I also brought M&M cookies for his class. Saturday, we had a nice lunch with my dad. Angie and her b/f Jon also came. We had O'Charley's, Tyler's favorite. We went home and I planned to make cupcakes. I turned on the oven to pre heat it while I mixed the batter. When I went to put them in, the oven was still stone-cold. <br />
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Of course.<br />
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Long story short, something in the oven had stopped working. We were able to fix it after a couple of days, so no big deal in the end, but we had to make due with store bought cupcakes.<br />
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Gifts and his Gaga's favorite potato soup finished the day! Almost. After he went to bed, he actually started throwing up! :( Poor guy. He actually had a stomach bug (or something) twice in two weeks!<br />
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So who is Tyler at 8 years old?<br />
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He's a smart cookie. He is a solid A student at school, maybe one B in handwriting (he got that curse from me). He was slipping on his reading tests a little, so we started working harder on reading comprehension and now he's right back to his high scores.<br />
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He still loves all things electronics. We used to limit "screentime" with him, but we've slowly let that go. It's just what he likes. He's no couch potato and he does play games and read some too, but he's just not into toys too much.<br />
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He does love a collection. Yo Kai Medals, Pokemon cards, and stuff animals are just a few of the things he's collecting right now. We just got him a new bed to help fit all his animals! He insists on toting a bunch downstairs every day, so we got him a little grocery bag (TMNT of course) to carry them in.<br />
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Still a picky eater! That really hasn't changed much. I'm still hoping that he'll expand his food likes someday.<br />
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He weighs 52 lbs and is 4 ft tall. He's smaller than average, but right on track for him.<br />
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He tells a great story, he's so darn cute! Especially right now, because he's missing a couple teeth (see evidence of this cuteness in the pics).<br />
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I love him to bits, that sweet, sensitive, smart little man!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TbZYOF-1ro/WKtccV8CyEI/AAAAAAAAC3g/0g-F96nyZ08AInCw4fvvh3rwvy1gze5NwCLcB/s1600/20170128_171224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TbZYOF-1ro/WKtccV8CyEI/AAAAAAAAC3g/0g-F96nyZ08AInCw4fvvh3rwvy1gze5NwCLcB/s320/20170128_171224.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out his bday loot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSjgYqMpIV8/WKtccanWtUI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/aZdCVxkIjc4-CBUjD_MiIeDTuR4f49T2ACLcB/s1600/20170128_064244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSjgYqMpIV8/WKtccanWtUI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/aZdCVxkIjc4-CBUjD_MiIeDTuR4f49T2ACLcB/s320/20170128_064244.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heartbreaker!</td></tr>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-85834472205545902382017-02-17T19:00:00.000-05:002017-02-17T19:00:19.832-05:00I'm going to be an author...for real, this time.We got a contract on the book! On Tuesday (Valentine's Day), I got an email from Black Rose Writes, a publisher based in Texas. They were offering us a contract to publish our novel! I saw the email on my phone--I was at work at the time. As a matter of fact, I spent the work week training a new hire, which meant long days and juggling the training while still trying to keep up with some of my work. I couldn't do much until I got home in the evening, so I spent Tuesday night doing research on the publisher (I had done some research when we sent the query to them, but this time I was digging for anything that might make us wary of signing with them). They are a fairly young publisher and they're small--but really, that's fine with us. I read through the contract and asked a few other people to do the same. Kelly and I emailed back and forth and after much consideration, we signed the contract on Thursday.<br />
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So it's really happening. We will officially be authors. Our "book" will become a REAL book, with pages and a cover and our names on it.<br />
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Holy crap.<br />
<br />
Once we signed on the dotted line, our publisher (eeek) sent us a bunch of documents going over the steps in the process. This will all lead to a publishing date of sometime in July-August.<br />
<br />
So it's really happening. I remember sitting in my creative writing classes in college, reading a rejection for the school's literary magazine, and vowing that someday I'd be a published author. For me, it's not about royalties or best sellers lists. It was a goal, and one I wasn't sure would be reached. This is a big deal.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'll be documenting this process here, but I'm also including our social media information below. A good author markets herself every chance she gets!<br />
<br />
If you're reading this and have any experience in the professional literary field, we'd love to get a review or quote from you to go on our book cover! You can contact me via our Facebook page listed below! <br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">www.facebook.com/positivevoice02</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Book Trailer</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lwll2zu64A" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lwll2zu64A</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twitter:
@positivevoice02</b></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-49717947671541230142017-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:002017-01-14T09:05:49.269-05:00Dear GabrielDear Gabriel,<br />
Today I should be holding you in my arms.<br />
<br />
Well, logically I know you'd have been born before today. Since your brother Tyler was an almost failed induction (and a three month recovery from the "success") and your brother AJ was born via C-Section, we were going to schedule your birth. But still, by today you would have been here with all of us. And you're not, which makes Mommy very sad today.<br />
<br />
My little boy. In the months since you had to leave us, I've thought of you every day. I've watched other mommies as their time came near and now I've watched as they brought their sweet babies into the world. I'm so happy for them, but it's a sad reminder that you and I will never share that moment.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful for the time we had together. You were such a surprise to me, I really wasn't expecting for you to come into my life when you did. You were a gift for me, the day before Mother's Day. It seemed meant to be! For the first time, I got to surprise our family with the news that you were coming. Daddy laughed, Gaga screamed, and Aunt G cried! Your big brother helped me make little owl crafts--one from Tyler, one from AJ, and one from you. We gave them to your Gaga for Mother's Day to tell her about you.<br />
<br />
I carried you for just 11 and a half weeks. That doesn't seem so long, and it seems unfair that it was your entire lifetime. I'm so sorry for that. I feel as though I failed you, that my body failed us both. I wish I could have done more to keep you here.<br />
<br />
You were strong, my Gabe. Everyone said so. When your life was threatened at 8 weeks, everyone said you were strong to still be with us then. And I'm so glad I got to see you. Four times I got to see you on the screen, watch your little heart beating--so fast! Your Daddy and I got to see you wave your arms and even nodd your head! It was a special moment, and one I cherish, so thank you for that. I know in the end, it was just too much.<br />
<br />
We miss you, Gabe. Mommy misses you. Daddy and Gaga and Tyler and AJ and Aunt Chall and Aunt G, we all miss you. People knew about you. I tried to make sure of that. You were loved, you will always be loved.<br />
<br />
Thank you for coming into my life, however briefly. I will always remember you and love you. As the boys grow older, I'll remind them that they had another brother. They will know you. I'll show them the little purple box (sorry, I didn't know you were a boy when I bought it and you know I love purple) and it's contents. They'll know of you as I know of your Aunt Nicky. <br />
<br />
Watch over us with her and Butterfly, will you?<br />
<br />
Love you always, to the moon and back.<br />
MommyMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-50095342329297774582016-12-31T16:55:00.002-05:002016-12-31T16:55:35.924-05:00Ready for 2017!<div dir="ltr">
After my last post the whole house got sick! BOO! But we got everything done and the kids had an amazing Christmas. It was quiet and simple and great. </div>
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Obviously 2016 was not all I'd hoped it would be. On the bright side, I'd like to think I'm stronger for it. And hopefully good things await in 2017! </div>
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1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before? I made my first strides toward becoming a published author</div>
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2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you
make more for next year? I didn't make resolutions really. We did finish working on the house and Kelly and I sent the book out. </div>
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3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No one super close to me.</div>
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4. Did anyone close to you die? I lost my unborn son, Gabriel in June.</div>
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5. What countries did you visit? I didn't get to travel at all this year.</div>
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6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you didn’t have
in 2016? I would like to be able to buy a bigger house that suits my
growing family better! (same answer as the last three years). I'd also love it if the book was published</div>
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7. What dates from 2016 will be etched upon your memory,
and why? May 7th (found out we were pregnant) and June 28 (found out he was gone)</div>
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8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? The house and the book.</div>
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9. What was your biggest failure? Just didn't make the strides I'd hoped for.</div>
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10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Miscarriage and D&C</div>
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11. What was the best thing you bought? Didn't have the funds for much this year. I guess it was a good investment to work on the house. Hopefully, anyway.</div>
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12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I give us all major props on surviving this year.</div>
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13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ugh, Donald Trump.</div>
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14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and the house</div>
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15. What did you get really excited about? Actually getting to house hunt was fun.</div>
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16. What song will always remind you of 2016? Beam Me Up by Pink</div>
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17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or
sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? This year was a downer, honestly. So sadder, fatter (I need to delete this question), and poorer. But hey, it can only go up, I hope.</div>
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18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Finding ways to be positive</div>
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19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing out</div>
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20. How did you spend Christmas? We hung out at home. Angie's b/f came over, we did gifts and breakfast and just relaxed all day watching the kids enjoy their gifts and letting Tyler ride his bike outside since it wasn't to cold.</div>
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21. Did you fall in love in 2015? More and more every day with my husband and kids</div>
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22. What was your favorite TV program? Big Bang Theory, Dancing with the Stars, and The Little Couple</div>
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23. What was the best book you read? The Martian</div>
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24. What was your greatest musical discovery? My loss playlist. It brought me great comfort.</div>
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25. What did you want and get? To finish the house and book</div>
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26. What did you want and not get? A promotion, publication, and a new house!</div>
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27. What was your favorite film of 2016? The Martian</div>
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28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 34.
I actually had the day off. I don't remember doing anything much, but it was nice and low key and I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORK!</div>
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29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If there hadn't been quite so much to overcome.</div>
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30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2016 ? I'm still loving leggings and boots, especially my Candian boots and the new brown ones my mom got me. And I got a pair of "jogger" sweats yesterday and I think they might be my new lounge go-to.</div>
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31. What kept you sane? My hubby, my kids, my mom, my
sisters, my family, my friends, and my coworkers! Talking and writing
and laughing and music!</div>
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32. What political issue stirred you the most? Donald Trump is really going to be president.</div>
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33. Who did you miss? My sister, my grandparents and my great aunt and my little Gabriel.</div>
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34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.</div>
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35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "I hear your voice and I break in two and now there's one of me with you." Pink "Beam Me Up"</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-87957671829943991322016-12-12T20:00:00.000-05:002016-12-12T20:00:09.127-05:00All about Christmas!I'm so predictable. I nearly vanish in November and December every year. I suppose it's a busy time for everyone. My job is EXTREMELY busy around this time of year, and this year is, if anything, more so! I'll be covering for the maternity leave for a coworker (well, a coworker from Birmingham) who is the go-to for all things for my group. Side note: It's a little hard to swallow, as we were literally due the same week. Anyway, I'm fielding lots of questions on invoicing and year end stuff. It's interesting and different, but can make getting my normal work done a little challenging.<br />
<br />
So yeah, busy. I need to finish my Christmas shopping too. This weekend we took the kids to see Santa. We went to the mall this year. The last two years we attended an event at Tyler's school, but they didn't have it this year. The kids did great and were super excited--a change from last year when AJ was afraid of Santa.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgdTJEPDlP4/WE8CuSr1vqI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/SfHjsq3g1zUvqhJyCbi_VhC_4rvsEQ0BgCLcB/s1600/20161210_102237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgdTJEPDlP4/WE8CuSr1vqI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/SfHjsq3g1zUvqhJyCbi_VhC_4rvsEQ0BgCLcB/s320/20161210_102237.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line! Blurry because they couldn't stand still from excitement!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8o_cTfUHiCY/WE8CufY4XVI/AAAAAAAAC0g/emQ_P5RNXmskcJaKn6spqTp1xuKxN7YFgCLcB/s1600/20161210_102523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8o_cTfUHiCY/WE8CufY4XVI/AAAAAAAAC0g/emQ_P5RNXmskcJaKn6spqTp1xuKxN7YFgCLcB/s320/20161210_102523.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They've been (pretty) good this year! AJ looks so deceptively innocent here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We continued the Christmas preparation weekend by putting up the Christmas Tree. I remembered that I planned to do a blog post about a few special Christmas ornaments, so I snapped a few photos after we'd finished.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZBKWP16thw/WE8CuUFRKTI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/NxfwnAlvQ38TvBR9Eqw75sgTZOgCTfeCQCEw/s1600/20161211_150734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZBKWP16thw/WE8CuUFRKTI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/NxfwnAlvQ38TvBR9Eqw75sgTZOgCTfeCQCEw/s320/20161211_150734.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Christmas Tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3noqntSew8/WE8CunCh5MI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/252VDLCmjz8mZEcgVvDsw1iZpUCSVgeEACEw/s1600/20161211_200720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3noqntSew8/WE8CunCh5MI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/252VDLCmjz8mZEcgVvDsw1iZpUCSVgeEACEw/s320/20161211_200720.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles! Tyler's friend made him these!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaG92AQyktY/WE8CuyQwv2I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/YlYQLa3cES0ocK99q1EanhLqy6zcZpidQCEw/s1600/20161211_200743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaG92AQyktY/WE8CuyQwv2I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/YlYQLa3cES0ocK99q1EanhLqy6zcZpidQCEw/s320/20161211_200743.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see tiny little me? Circa 1989</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0__FhxZQow/WE8Cu3fjUnI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/i1UFJu0OCksGI8emF83gO_r6Tx1K5vPHACEw/s1600/20161211_200813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0__FhxZQow/WE8Cu3fjUnI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/i1UFJu0OCksGI8emF83gO_r6Tx1K5vPHACEw/s320/20161211_200813.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This used to be a rocking horse, until our sheepdog Shasta knocked over the tree one year and gnawed off a leg and the rockers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO1n-3EDSZk/WE8CuyaiXyI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/0d_7e8Wfd1gfyme8tBGxHxQ_E89Rd1wnACEw/s1600/20161211_200842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO1n-3EDSZk/WE8CuyaiXyI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/0d_7e8Wfd1gfyme8tBGxHxQ_E89Rd1wnACEw/s320/20161211_200842.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's obligatory Christmas Craft!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIFvwINZ2iA/WE8CvI3N9lI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/WqnqMHxVd3okbo9kFHY6s3okY9G1kLqVACEw/s1600/20161211_200913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIFvwINZ2iA/WE8CvI3N9lI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/WqnqMHxVd3okbo9kFHY6s3okY9G1kLqVACEw/s320/20161211_200913.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler's first ornament! He loved that toy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqZgSv4FKs/WE8CvFurihI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/VHyPB1p8a3gkzxp7T_R2_kSdzhRZKnmFwCEw/s1600/20161211_200945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqZgSv4FKs/WE8CvFurihI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/VHyPB1p8a3gkzxp7T_R2_kSdzhRZKnmFwCEw/s320/20161211_200945.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJ's first ornament, complete with his footprint!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeSTxEkpEac/WE8CvKY9mLI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/R8wx6xE2AIMUAw4eek2qr41Fv3Do2pobgCEw/s1600/20161211_201025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeSTxEkpEac/WE8CvKY9mLI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/R8wx6xE2AIMUAw4eek2qr41Fv3Do2pobgCEw/s320/20161211_201025.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ornament I bought the first year Adam and I were together 2002.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkIBplTR9E4/WE8CvVUEs1I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/qMQo-ckdEFYOgXsQtskqrdmJIzTYWiAqACEw/s1600/20161211_201315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkIBplTR9E4/WE8CvVUEs1I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/qMQo-ckdEFYOgXsQtskqrdmJIzTYWiAqACEw/s320/20161211_201315.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first ornament! 1982</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErmN7N1ekUs/WE8CvSE_6WI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/xkoJCUgBno41HoegK41E8gpNi0lUbDkbQCEw/s1600/20161211_201508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErmN7N1ekUs/WE8CvSE_6WI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/xkoJCUgBno41HoegK41E8gpNi0lUbDkbQCEw/s320/20161211_201508.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our nativity scene--we put it down low where the kids can play with it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHX4BoQiir0/WE8CvoSrYOI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/3aBF7ldwpxkgi3ZwgdV-qoeYWvuec51kwCEw/s1600/20161211_201519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LHX4BoQiir0/WE8CvoSrYOI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/3aBF7ldwpxkgi3ZwgdV-qoeYWvuec51kwCEw/s320/20161211_201519.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We usually hang the stockings on bookshelves (no fireplace), but we put the shelves away this year, so command hooks it is!</td></tr>
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Busy weekend and now it's the week again! Any guesses on if you'll get another blog post before my New Years Post???Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-66203719096262605002016-11-03T20:00:00.000-04:002016-11-03T20:00:02.827-04:00It's fall...right?It sure doesn't feel like November!! It's been in the 70's here lately! The kids enjoyed trick or treating without the usual worries about layering under their costumes! In fact, I wore a light jacket and wound up SWEATING!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bivywrFdYQ/WBuEUXJScNI/AAAAAAAACzI/NI_wZ1zMHu4cJOP1LtthilK66rNj37giACLcB/s1600/20161031_175519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bivywrFdYQ/WBuEUXJScNI/AAAAAAAACzI/NI_wZ1zMHu4cJOP1LtthilK66rNj37giACLcB/s320/20161031_175519.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsIcdcsNCJ0/WBuEUe1AuKI/AAAAAAAACzM/hm-ITKl2vyIUpkRLsrgdVUMxxRzw-u90ACLcB/s1600/20161031_175527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsIcdcsNCJ0/WBuEUe1AuKI/AAAAAAAACzM/hm-ITKl2vyIUpkRLsrgdVUMxxRzw-u90ACLcB/s320/20161031_175527.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out their tails!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVLejODGGaw/WBuEU36CCLI/AAAAAAAACzY/DkEoGGTPPiwpN6d1JjAHLAAnA9Zp169aACLcB/s1600/20161031_180243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVLejODGGaw/WBuEU36CCLI/AAAAAAAACzY/DkEoGGTPPiwpN6d1JjAHLAAnA9Zp169aACLcB/s320/20161031_180243.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bucket ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dnxkSMCDCo/WBuEVNE_oYI/AAAAAAAACzg/7vSHDljFb7UemhnLiyFAC5tOadXKBlayACLcB/s1600/20161031_183134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dnxkSMCDCo/WBuEVNE_oYI/AAAAAAAACzg/7vSHDljFb7UemhnLiyFAC5tOadXKBlayACLcB/s320/20161031_183134.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJ was totally into it this year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb0vDc3y9-E/WBuEVmrD0pI/AAAAAAAACzk/xlhAQQma9Moc7XUqeaPk21ZkNtzMckITwCLcB/s1600/20161031_183146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb0vDc3y9-E/WBuEVmrD0pI/AAAAAAAACzk/xlhAQQma9Moc7XUqeaPk21ZkNtzMckITwCLcB/s320/20161031_183146.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler's head got a little crooked here</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUDdnnm3Wr8/WBuEV4D37VI/AAAAAAAACzo/euRwx-ko5BAn7Zhv8640gjZlzE-n_-YUwCLcB/s1600/20161031_183150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUDdnnm3Wr8/WBuEV4D37VI/AAAAAAAACzo/euRwx-ko5BAn7Zhv8640gjZlzE-n_-YUwCLcB/s320/20161031_183150.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJ kept tripping, I think he fell 3 times!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Aren't they so cute?? AJ wore last year's rejected costume (last year he was terrified and refused to go out, this year he's been obsessed with it for weeks)--Marshall from Paw Patrol. Unfortunately, a year went buy and I couldn't find his hat, so several people confused him for a cow. Tyler was Yoshi from Mario.<br />
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What else is new? Work is getting ready to get super busy. We took the house off the market--did I mention we'd listed? Well, we did, for a month or two. We didn't get too much activity. A few people didn't like that the interstate runs behind our house (even though there is a sound barrier wall and the yard is huge). One couple was very interested, but after dragging their feet for two weeks, ultimately decided to pass. Keeping a house filled with 4 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 2 cats show ready all the time is tough and a pain, so with that coupled with the fact that the weather is turning and the holidays are coming, we decided to call it quits until the spring. Hopefully we'll have better luck then.<br />
<br />
Not much else going on. Adam and I are frantically trying to do extra to come up with our Christmas fund. He's working Ebay and I'm doing some at home transcription work. We're keeping busy!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-30763433192096964152016-10-15T19:34:00.001-04:002016-10-15T19:34:50.095-04:00Wave of Light<p dir="ltr">In June of 2011, I had a miscarriage. A tiny baby I think of as Butterfly flitted in and out of my life in a matter of days. And suddenly I was the one in four women that has lost a child.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This year I experienced that pain again. This time I carried my sweet little boy Gabriel Wyatt beneath my own heart for 11 weeks and 3 days before we found out his own tiny heart had stopped. This was a familiar pain, but in a far more profound way than I had experienced it before. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Today, participating in the Wave of Light, I remember both of the babies that I'll never hold in my arms. Tonight I said a prayer for them, and for all the sweet children gone far too soon. May comfort come to all those who light their candles tonight.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YC521qx3njE/WAK9GfJMqmI/AAAAAAAACyc/tCUzL-aODqs/s1600/20161015_191753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YC521qx3njE/WAK9GfJMqmI/AAAAAAAACyc/tCUzL-aODqs/s640/20161015_191753.jpg"> </a> </div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-11519472169876257262016-10-12T16:36:00.001-04:002016-10-12T16:36:38.733-04:00Forcefully FourOctober 12th is here again already! My not-so-little AJ-Bug is four years old today! I can't believe it!<br />
<br />
He is going to wake up from his nap any minute, so we're going with bullets here! Here's what AJ is like at FOUR!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>He's my rough-and-tumble boy! He's constantly jumping, rolling, bouncing and taking risks. I see ER visits in our future. So far, no major injuries, but he did dislocate a bone or tendon in his elbow a few weeks ago--and it was just a minor fall! Luckily the immediate care doc figured it out quickly and within minutes he was saying it didn't hurt one bit!</li>
<li>He's talking a lot these days--and MOST of it makes sense! He still has some speech issues, namely he can't say "l" sounds and a few others. It's cute to hear him talk, but I hope it works itself out eventually so he doesn't have issues in school.</li>
<li>He is an EATER! Sometimes we have to MAKE him stop eating! I wish he'd eat some veggies, but he loves fruit and he eats way more meat than Tyler ever has! We have a lot more things to choose from with AJ.</li>
<li>He is definitely not a laid back child. He has quite a defiant streak that we are struggling with lately. He will completely ignore instructions, or do something again that you've just told him not to. We are doing our best to be consistent and stop these behaviors, but it's rough sometimes!</li>
<li>That said, when he's good, he's so good and sweet! </li>
<li>His favorite thing in the whole wide world is to be TICKLED! Seriously, it's my part time job.</li>
<li>His favorite book is "The Book With No Pictures". It's hilarious and he knows it by heart and can recite it.</li>
<li>He likes to watch Paw Patrol, Blaze, and Loud House.</li>
<li>He loves to play board games. We've been playing a lot of Chutes and Ladders and Candyland, along with a few others. He is getting at least 4 new games for his birthday!</li>
<li>His best "buddy" is our old fat cat Tippy. He just adores her.</li>
</ul>
Tyler's on fall break, so I took a few days off work. Adam will be off tomorrow and Friday too. Mom and I took the kids to Conner Prairie (a living history museum) and had a good time. As predicted, he woke up and after some tickles is now playing with a birthday gift, so I'll leave you with some photos of his birthday cuteness!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-bGVLD1AGg/V_6eWYj6FJI/AAAAAAAACxw/XfprsNUfosUQlYYHE__EOjXYC7PD5vNUACLcB/s1600/14590500_10154606223272290_1602917705254565906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-bGVLD1AGg/V_6eWYj6FJI/AAAAAAAACxw/XfprsNUfosUQlYYHE__EOjXYC7PD5vNUACLcB/s320/14590500_10154606223272290_1602917705254565906_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a covered wagon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEmN8m8gDvg/V_6eWgiYrYI/AAAAAAAACx0/1vxK_FO2ID8CcfoSBCy9dyeV89cGxdmigCLcB/s1600/14642080_10154606223057290_1819328170664609641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEmN8m8gDvg/V_6eWgiYrYI/AAAAAAAACx0/1vxK_FO2ID8CcfoSBCy9dyeV89cGxdmigCLcB/s320/14642080_10154606223057290_1819328170664609641_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewgg_c8mKfE/V_6eWhZFleI/AAAAAAAACx4/P5a1LwoAo0sBrUz8D4MxXDhoMzZwcsNVwCLcB/s1600/14671303_10154606223102290_6354842856189733765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewgg_c8mKfE/V_6eWhZFleI/AAAAAAAACx4/P5a1LwoAo0sBrUz8D4MxXDhoMzZwcsNVwCLcB/s320/14671303_10154606223102290_6354842856189733765_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aw he looked down!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DQLpZTEa50/V_6eW_aLSoI/AAAAAAAACx8/FXUeKZhj5eEFDOEQqfmRhVI60YK2i1mwgCLcB/s1600/14681747_10154606223397290_8905817989812658669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DQLpZTEa50/V_6eW_aLSoI/AAAAAAAACx8/FXUeKZhj5eEFDOEQqfmRhVI60YK2i1mwgCLcB/s320/14681747_10154606223397290_8905817989812658669_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling a canoe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gys79QogAUg/V_6eWxQmiiI/AAAAAAAACyE/JyIaUQKI1YoU7pc8R3KU2cXLuIHzcI8YACLcB/s1600/14708162_10154606223337290_3824081712056502100_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gys79QogAUg/V_6eWxQmiiI/AAAAAAAACyE/JyIaUQKI1YoU7pc8R3KU2cXLuIHzcI8YACLcB/s320/14708162_10154606223337290_3824081712056502100_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler taking a turn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYJw8ufXT0w/V_6eW6LzipI/AAAAAAAACyA/mL3Izx27IcIa4ZgZXOcuDTBS5_ixfbOLQCLcB/s1600/14708261_10154606223167290_6674556212967788224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYJw8ufXT0w/V_6eW6LzipI/AAAAAAAACyA/mL3Izx27IcIa4ZgZXOcuDTBS5_ixfbOLQCLcB/s320/14708261_10154606223167290_6674556212967788224_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Tyler-man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9081761016321383406.post-82653169338578177552016-10-07T19:30:00.000-04:002016-10-07T19:30:15.031-04:00Song Lyrics for Loss: I Will Carry YouThis song is all kinds of heartbreaking. It reminds me to be grateful for the time I had with my baby. It's more religious/spiritual, but I just love the message.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"<a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/selah/iwillcarryyouaudreyssong.html">I Will Carry You</a> (Audrey's Son)" Selah</i><br />
<br />
<i>There were photographs I wanted to take<br />
Things I wanted to show you<br />
Sing sweet lullabies, wipe your teary eyes<br />
Who could love you like this?</i><br />
<i>People say that I am brave but I'm not<br />
Truth is I'm barely hanging on<br />
But there's a greater story<br />
Written long before me<br />
Because He loves you like this<br />
<br />
So I will carry you<br />
While your heart beats here<br />
Long beyond the empty cradle<br />
Through the coming years<br />
I will carry you<br />
All my life<br />
And I will praise the One Who's chosen me<br />
To carry you<br />
<br />
Such a short time<br />
Such a long road<br />
All this madness<br />
<br />
But I know<br />
That the silence<br />
Has brought me to His voice<br />
And He says<br />
<br />
I've shown her photographs of time beginning<br />
Walked her through the parted seas<br />
Angel lullabies, no more teary eyes<br />
Who could love her like this?<br />
<br />
I will carry you<br />
While your heart beats here<br />
Long beyond the empty cradle<br />
Through the coming years<br />
I will carry you<br />
All your life<br />
And I will praise the One Who's chosen Me<br />
To carry you
</i>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420005753297839567noreply@blogger.com0