The Super-Duper-Mega-Marathon Post!

You'd think I don't have access to a computer all weekend.

You'd be wrong.

I just prefer to spend my weekends focusing on The Kid. And doing housework. (Well, I don't really prefer the housework part, but it is what it is.)

So, last week Valerie did these two posts. And in one, she gave me an award. And in the other, she tagged me.

And I have responded to neither, and they're like a big blogging roadblock that I can't get past until I answer, so here they go.

Part The First:



She thinks my tractor's sexy I have an artistic blog!

Very nice, no? Apparently they're starved for "real writin'" in La-La Land, so she picked my blog as an example! SWEET!

Here's the rules:

Recipients of this award must strive to pass it along. Indeed, one good turn deserves another.

(1) Pick five blogs that you believe deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

(2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

(3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him or her the award itself.

(4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte Y Pico

So, here's where the hard part comes: picking the five blogs.

1. Amanda, the World's Most Amazing Photographer (sorry, Valerie, but she does free pics of The Kid!) I wish I had just a smidgen of her talent. sigh

2. Wendy, the girl who can take a stain on a pair of pants and make it into a work of art. For real! And don't even get me started on her imagination. See also: Butter Duck.

3. Jolene, the Super Duper Craft Diva. More than just a scrapbooker, she's into woodworking and all sorts of other stuff!

4. Lissete, who not only knows the "art" of bargain hunting, but is also a pretty avid crafter herself. Just go over to her blog, and check out her newly-acquired cake decorating skills.

5. Heather, who is both a blogging whiz and a stinkin' great writer. And did I mention she doesn't use a hairbrush? Genius!

Oh my goodness, y'all. That whole tagging thing is stressful! Moving on …

Part The Second:

Miz Susie Q. is a great fan of lists (and Brian Dennehey) so it should come as no surprise that she made up a meme all of her own.

And now, I've gotten sucked into it.

~Susie Q's "My Favorite Things" Game~

Here's the rules: you can only pick one (yes one) thing for each category. you attach the icon to your answers, pick five more and just have fun!

Sport: basketball
Game: solitaire
Color: Blue
Movie: It changes from time to time, but right now, All Across the Universe.
Broadway play I have seen: None - that's right, I live in a cultural wasteland.
Broadway Musical I have seen: My college did a few - like Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and Brigadoon. Do they count?
Song: Hey Now by Tobymac
American city I have visited: Greenville, SC
Foreign city I have visited: The only foreign city I've visited is Windsor, Canada, so I guess that'll have to do!
Book: Anne of Green Gables
Children's Book: The Monster at the End of This Book
Classic television show: The Golden Girls
Recent television show: Doctor Who
Actor: David Tennant
Actress: Reese Witherspoon
Perfume: Philosophy's Amazing Grace
Food: burgers
Dessert: cheesecake
Chain Restaurant: Moe's
Local Restaurant: Rio Lindo
Car: Pontiac Grand Prix
Condiment: Tabasco (preferably chipotle or jalapeno flavor)
Kitchen Appliance: Senseo coffee maker
Home Appliance: DVD player
Beauty Product: concealer - gotta love those dark under-eye circles!
Piece of clothing: flip flops
HGTV Show: Decorating Cents
Food Network show: Good Eats!
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - when I was a teenager, I read all the Sherlock Holmes mysteries!
Male Songwriter: The guys from They Might Be Giants
Female Songwriter: can't think of one
Holiday: Christmas
Ballet I have seen: A Very Brady Nutcracker - yes, the one Anna Marie was in!
Disney character: Winnie the Pooh
Flower: daisies
Alcoholic drink: I don't drink
Non-Alcoholic drink: Coke Zero
Magazine: Family Circle - I am such a dork!
Animated movie: Ratatouille
Television network miniseries: I don't see many of those these days, so I don't really have one.
Season: fall

(MY GOSH! ARE WE ALMOST DONE? I'M GETTING MEME FATIGUE!)

Male vocalist: Frank Sinatra
Female vocalist: Annie Lennox
Day of the week: Saturday
Household Chore: laundry
Ice Cream: Schwan's Triple Lemon Frozen Yogurt
Candy: Dove dark chocolate
Artist: Anna Marie, of course!
Quotation: It's really not that you can't see the forest for the trees; you've never been out in the woods alone - Ben Folds

That was very taxing! Therefore, I'm not going to tag anyone - I'm taking the coward's way out, and saying "respond at your own risk."

You might also want to take a vacation day before you begin.

Now that this monkey is off my back, maybe I can blog about other stuff!

Dang that Heather!

No sooner do I send out a Tweet (you know, on Twitter, hie thee hither y'all!) that I need to concentrate on getting a couple of things done because I'm leaving at noon, and then she goes and tags me.

Sigh.

So, here it goes.

It's all true

Favorite person (outside family)? This is hard! I have so many favorite people,
like my GM Shirley, or our office manager Faye, or, well, I'm just not going to narrow it down!

Favorite food? At this point, I'm sure you've realized it's whole wheat couscous. And that I'm topping it with lots of different things that are yummy. And that you're tired of me talking about it! But that's it. I (heart) whole wheat couscous.

Quirks about you? I have to open packages per the manufacturer's recommendations. I've always been this way - don't just tear into that package of batteries! There is a little tab on the back and some perforations for a reason! Use them!

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? Fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. (Ok, so this was Heather's answer, and it rocked so much I stole it!)

Any regrets in life? That I waited so long to get my health in order; that I didn't seek help with my postpartum depression, which hurt the people I love most; that my big mouth has hurt some of the people in my life.

Favorite Charity/ Cause? I can't really think of one. I suppose it would have to be missions, both at home and overseas, because while I can't be everywhere at once, I can give to different folks who are out there with the Good News.

Favorite Blog recently? Nope. Not going to play into that one!

Something you can’t get enough of? Anna Marie's hugs. And kissing her little kissable cheeks. They're just delicious.

Worst job you’ve ever had? Hands down, front counter at a discount dry cleaners. I have a really weak stomach, and some of the stuff on those clothes would make me gag. Throw them away, people - don't bring them to me! It was also hot, and I was on my feet all day, and the only way you could get a break was if you smoked, which I didn't. Not even a lunch break! I quit after four days.

What job would you pay NOT to have? Anything dealing with washing dishes. If I didn't have a dishwasher at home (or a husband who likes to clean) we'd be eating off paper plates!

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? In the daily lives of some of the bloggers I read. I'm just nosy that way.

Favorite Bible verse right now? In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) When I see the turmoil in the world, I have to remember this!

Guilty Pleasure? British reality shows, like You Are What You Eat and How Clean is Your House? Odd choices, I know, for someone with a weak stomach!

Got any confessions? I don't always exercise like I should!

If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? Probably a new mattress, because ours is 10 years old. Although that wouldn't only benefit me.

Favorite thing about your house? The old fashioned glass doorknobs. And the fact that it's walking distance from my job!

Least favorite thing about your house? The fact that the washer and dryer are in the kitchen.

One thing you are bad at? Being consistent.

One thing you’re good at? Grandiose schemes. You should see some of the ideas bouncing around in my noggin.

If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I'd be doing something that would allow me to work from home.

Who would you like to meet someday? Bloggy friends.

What makes you feel sexy? The way my husband thinks I'm beautiful, and always has, even when I was 90 lbs. heavier.

Who is your real life hero? Does it sound corny to say my husband? Yes, he's imperfect, and there are things that annoy me about him, but he's a great dad and a very hard worker, and best of all, he's put up with me for a very long time.

What is the hardest part of your job? Reporting difficult stories, like crime or problems within the community, and keeping "above the fray."

When are you most relaxed? Laying in bed watching something on TV, especially The Golden Girls on the DVR in there.

What stresses you out? Lots of stuff. I'm constantly battling with worry.

What can you not live without? God. I don't know how other folks do.

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? I think some are, and sometimes I think I am, but I think most of us just want to share and read what others have shared about our struggles with life.

Why do you blog? I like to write, and it helps me to "talk" things out on here.
Plus, the world needs more pictures of little red heads.

Now, the hardest part - tagging others!

• New/ newer bloggers (or at least new to me): Rachel and Wendy

• Bloggy friends: Linda and Valerie

• Bloggers you’d like to get to know better Paige and Steff

• Bloggers you don’t think will respond, but you hope will Sheila and Amanda

And, if you feel left out, well then just jump right in. Go on. I don't mind, I promise.

Now, it'll take me the rest of the day to notify all these tag-ees.

Sure, I'll play along

I got this from the irrepressable Valerie.

The object of the game is to bold the things you've done.

01. Bought everyone in the pub a drink (Well, I don't drink, and never been to a pub, so I guess not.)
02. Swam with wild dolphins (We're rather landlocked here in the Swamps of Mississippi)
03. Climbed a mountain (Only if you count mountains of laundry.)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive (I can't drive a stick - do they come in automatic?)
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid (I've never even been inside the Great American Pyramid in Memphis.)
06. Held a tarantula (You're kidding, right?)
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone you love (Only if Anna Marie counts, and it wasn't candlight, it was the flourescent lights in the hotel room)
08. Said 'I Love You,' and meant it.
10. Hugged a tree (We ain't got no use for tree huggers 'round here!)
10. Done a striptease (Hahahahahaha!)
11. Bungee jumped (No way! I have no insurance!)
12. Visited Paris (I think I may have been to Paris, Tennessee once.)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (Nope.)
14. Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Touched an iceberg (I live in the Deep South - ice doesn't last long around here.)
20. Slept under the stars
21. Changed a baby’s diaper (More times than I care to remember)
22. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
23. Watched a meteor shower
24. Gotten drunk on champagne (Never been drunk, so no)
25. Given more than you can afford to charity
26. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
27. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (Usually at funerals - doesn't everyone?)
28. Had a food fight
29. Bet on a winning horse
30. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (But we're allowed to use them interchangeably)
31. Asked out a stranger (I've never asked out anyone!)
32. Had a snowball fight
33. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier (I wouldn't want to break the poor thing!)
34. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (I'm a pretty jumpy person!)
35. Held a lamb (In New Mexico!)
36. Enacted a favorite fantasy
37. Taken a midnight skinny dip
38. Taken an ice cold bath
39. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
40. Seen a total eclipse
41. Ridden a roller coaster (Back in my wilder days - not so much now!)
42. Hit a home run
43. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days (Do it all the time. It's called MY JOB.)
44. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (luckily, I was in my living room, so I only had to worry about Jason)
45. Adopted an accent for an entire day
46. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
47. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
48. Had two hard drives for your computer (We have two hard drives now. And two monitors. And two CD drives.)
49. Visited all 50 states
50. Loved your job for all accounts (Well, talk to me again at the end of June, when I'm sunning myself on the white sands of Biloxi beach.)

That took WAY longer than I thought it would - and for a minute there, I was afraid I hadn't done anything! How depressing is that?

Go ahead, if you've got a minute or 20. Give it a shot!

A meme

Boy, I hope y'all like irony.

(You know, irony, as opposed to something being merely unfortunate like in that Alanis Morrisette song of a few years ago?)

(Case in point: rain on your wedding day isn't ironic. It's merely unfortunate.)

(Full disclosure: it rained buckets on my wedding day.)

Anyway - where was I? Oh yes. The meme.

Here are the meme rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.

4. Tag five more blogs with links.

5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Ok, here goes.

1. She put it off yet again.

See! See! That's the ironic part! I'm a horrible procrastinator, and I'm just now doing this meme a week after I was tagged! And that's my memoir - She put it off yet again.

2. Post it on your blog. Check. (For an illustration, just see my entire life.)

3. Link to the one who tagged you.

Hi Valerie!

4. Tag five more blogs with links.

Ok. This is where I'm getting lazy, as opposed to just procrastinating, because I think I'm coming down with something and just the work of typing this thing is almost more than I can bear.

So therefore, #5 is out of the question.

What do you do, oh blogosphere, when you were the sole well person in your house, and then you start to fall too? When you can't ask your husband to cook dinner, because he's sick too, but you don't feel like doing it yourself? And you're trying to eat healthier, so ordering a pizza is out of the question?

This is one of those days when I really, really wish I'd started my crock pot before I left home.

But hey - I'm taking off tomorrow to spend the day with AM since she's on spring break. That's the only thing keeping me from going home already.

Hopefully, I'll feel like doing more than just taking us to our beauty shop appointment in the morning.

I think I can, I think I can

Get through this tag.

Compliments of Valerie.

Ten things I did this weekend:
Folded about a bazillion napkins for a catering job - took AM to Nutcracker - bought more medicine - walked through a scrapbook store, but bought nothing! - ate at Quizno's for the first time in a while, because the one here closed - watched High School Musical 2 (again!) - played Old Maid with the little one - stayed in my PJs all day on Sunday - convinced Jason to drive through and bring something home for lunch, so I could stay in the PJ way - played checkers with AM.

(This wasn't the best weekend to cover!)

9 things on my agenda this week:
Grocery shopping - take car through a car wash - ask the teacher why AM got in trouble for going to the bathroom yesterday (I've asked, but haven't gotten an answer yet) - go with Jason to a food service appreciation party tomorrow - get AM well, by any means necessary - send off a couple of get-well and thank you cards - upload fall pictures to get printed - drink more water - call the restaurant to reserve the room for our church Christmas party

8 shows I watched last week:
Clean House - SpongeBob Squarepants - Mission Organization - Doctor Who - NCIS - CSI NY - Best Week Ever - the news

7 things i cooked this week:
Spaghetti - grilled turkey and cheese - soup - toast - Kraft Macaroni and Cheese - green beans - pumpkin fluff

(Again - not home much, not a good week to ask!)

6 things I read this past week
The newspaper (duh!) - a Fingerhut catalogue (no, I'm not kidding!) - a Current catalogue - lots of blogs - the Bible - tons and tons of email

5 Reasons to be happy today
diet hot cocoa - I won a Barbie DVD and a Target gift card in the Fall Y'all giveaway! - I'm wearing some earrings I got last Christmas but haven't had an outfit for - hopefully, AM's other medicine will be in today and we can get on the road to recovery - I'm about to go to lunch (food always makes me happy!)

4 things I need to buy
trash bags (doesn't everyone?) - bread - fresh veggies - the stuff to make more pumpkin fluff

3 people I saw this weekend
Marcia - Luke - Amanda

2 things I am thankful right now
That Anna Marie is getting better, and that hopefully our bank crisis is coming to an end

One final thought: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - especially at the holidays!

Man, this was hard! And now, I pass that difficulty on to you. Have fun!

She's making a list…

And checking it twice!

No, it isn't Christmas yet, no matter what the stores want us to believe.

I have so much to say from this weekend - and so much I really want to forget - that I thought I'd just take dear Susie Q up on her tag.

Because I'm all kinds of lazy, and I need a bit longer to sort through my weekend.

Jobs I have had:

Babysitter, fast food worker, daycare teacher, tutor, office assistant, office manager, retail worker, editorial assistant, soup kitchen manager, college professor (yes, me!), and news editor.

(I won't include that three-day stint as counter help at a cut-rate dry cleaners, because I'm trying to block that out of my memory.)

Movies I could watch over & over:

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Princess Bride, The Wizard of Oz, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionare - oh, I'm sure I could think of more if I thought long enough!

The *Secret* TV shows that I watch:

Clean House, Dr. Who (Ok, that one's not so secret, is it?), Are You Being Served and other Britcoms (thanks to my dear husband), America's Most Smartest Model (I love Ben Stein!)

I have lived:

Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Favorite Foods:

Chocolate, Mexican of most any sort, mashed potatoes, and peanut butter.

(Man, I guess if my favorite foods included "lots of salad greens" I wouldn't have nearly the weight problem that I do!"

Favorite colors: Dark blue, brown, lime green

Places I would love to be now: Home in bed. No question.

Names I like but would not use for my children:

Andrew, Trusty, and Madison - I had Andrews and a Trusty give me major problems at the daycare, and there are way too many Madisons in the world these days!

So, gentle readers, there you have it. Let me leave you with a little picture that was taken this morning, of a tour group from one of our high schools:



Yes, that's me in the front row. Yes, that pose makes me look heavier than I am. Yes, I really need a new bra! Yes, those kids did ask some inappropriate questions, such as how much money we make.

And no, they did not really want to be here. Makes two of us today!

Great "Google"-y Moogley

I have no idea whether or not the last word in that title is spelled correctly.

Anyway.

For those of you who have a blog-visit tracking service, like Site Meter, here's an interesting exercise.

Look under the "referrals" and see how people get to your site.

Now, many will come from other blogrolls, or just directly to your site if they know you.

But some will come from Google searches.

Here are seven Google searches from the past few days that have brought people to Melz World. They are by no means the oddest, just the most recent.

1. Amanda back

Now, I must admit, many of the other sites that Google came up with involved Melrose Place, but they mean nothing to me, because I've never watched a single episode of that show.

2. I put happy birthday on the movie theater screen

I have never, ever done that. I've never typed that. How they got that result is beyond me.

Such is the reasoning of Google.

3. Weight Watcher POINTS IHOP Garden Scramble

I get tons of this search. And no, IHOP doesn't seem to post any nutritional information about any of their food.

There's probably a very good reason for that, folks.

4. High School Musical birthday cake

If these folks had any idea how far behind I was on planning something for Anna Marie's impending 6th birthday, they wouldn't be directing folks to this site.

I'm no help whatsoever in that department.

5. Dimetapp carding

Apparently, I'm not the only one this has happened to.

6. Sam's Club gingerbread house kit

No, that kit didn't come from Sam's. Guess someone didn't get the message.

7. What it means to have friends

Well, apparently someone thinks I have the answer to that question!

So, I hereby issue a challenge to you, the blogging public. Check out your Google searches! See what impression you're giving folks!

Then let us know all the sordid details.

So that's what the kids are calling it these days.

Blagging.

You know, being tagged on a blog. People are so clever these days!

This one is courtesy of Heather.

Eight Jobs I've Held In My Life

1. Babysitter. Naturally. I watched the two kids across the street (ages 6 and 10) every day after school for $50 a week. I was 13. Man, that was some major bank for a 13-year-old!

2. Fast food maven. For about three months. At Wendy's. Is there anyone who hasn't worked in fast food, besides my sister? They only worked me on weekends, and then I made the mistake of complaining about not getting any hours any other time. They gradually cut my hours down until I quit. I think they did a mass hiring, and needed to weed some folks out. Suited me just fine!

3. Daycare. Courtesy of my BFF Marcia. We spent our senior year of high school working every day at a daycare run by a church. She got me the job, and I worked right up until I left for college.

4. Writing center tutor. It's what I did for work study in college. I also worked as an office assistant for the professor who was in charge of the writing center. It was a sweet gig. She was like a second mom to me, and she'd gone to college in Memphis so it helped to have someone to discuss M-town with when I was homesick. She was supposed to come to our wedding, but the school scheduled some dumb early-orientation thing that week. She fussed at the dean for making her miss it.

5. Soup kitchen manager. I did it for 4.5 years in South Carolina. Not the greatest job (mostly because of the boss) but it was only four hours a day and I got to take AM to work with me after she was born.

6. Editorial assistant for the Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America. Yes, I said Islamic. They were a group of doctors who happened to be Muslims. Most of the articles were the same you'd find in the mainstream medical press, but with an Islamic worldview. We worked out of the office of their editor-in-chief, who was a high-risk neonatologist in Augusta, after hours. We (the assistant editor Catherine and I) didn't really see the Dr. too much. It was just the two of us three hours a week. I LOVED it. The office was in a hospital, and the cafeteria had great food. It was also the nicest office I've ever been in - three exam rooms, each decorated in a different theme, with PAINTINGS on the ceiling. Genius. Something to look at during those uncomfortable girly exams. A well-stocked breakroom, including a Coke fountain machine that dispensed free drinks and the leftovers of whatever the drug reps had brought by that day.

I was in charge of typing the submissions and making corrections to the ones that Catherine had edited. Also, calling authors (some overseas) to talk with them about the status of their writing, and send them copies of the journal once it published.

Alas, it was not to last. The powers-that-be angered the good doc, he resigned, and they moved the operation to Chicago to their headquarters. Bummer.

7. College professor. After I was fired from the soup kitchen (it's a long, painful story that probably should've landed me in therapy) I taught night school at a local technical college. Developmental English on two levels - those students who couldn't write a sentence, and those who couldn't put those sentences together into a paragraph. I held this job during what was probably the most stressful time in my life, but I loved it anyway. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. And no, I don't have a Master's degree, but since these courses weren't for credit, I could teach them.

8. What I do now - news editor. I've just started my second year in this position, after being the page editor for two years and the office manager for about six months. Yes, I've held nearly every job at this paper! Now, if my pay could just reflect my experience and ability…

Well, there you have it. I've left out some jobs, like the four-day turn at working at a dry cleaner (yes, four days. I quit.) and various and sundry retail jobs (Lane Bryant anyone?). Feel free to play along!

In honor of High School Musical 2

Which Anna Marie somehow coerced me into watching with her last night, and courtesy of Sheila the Worlds Biggest Beatles Fan, I offer for your reading pleasure:

A HIGH SCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE

~Everyone who reads this is officially tagged and I hope you'll post your answers on your blog ~ let me know if you do so that I can come over and check out your answers.

1. Who was your best friend?
I had two, one at school (Kendra) and one at church (Marcia).

2. Did you play any sports?
Not if I could help it.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
A 1983 Buick Skylark. I drove it for 10 years. I still miss that car!

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
Either at Marcia's spending the night or at Kendra's with other folks watching a movie.

5. Were you a party animal?
Nope!
6. Were you considered a flirt?
Gosh no! I was (and still am) so shy! I never dated anyone in high school.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Nope.

8. Were you a nerd?
I was on the Knowledge Bowl team (you know, questions and buzzers and lightning rounds, oh my!). I don't know if that makes me a nerd or not.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
Nope.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
We didn't have one.

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
I had two - Mrs. Reid and Ms. Mozingo. They were my Knowledge Bowl sponsors, so I spent most of my time with them.

12. What was your school mascot?
An eagle.

13. Did you go to the Prom?
Nope.

14. If you could go back, would you?
Not to high school. College maybe.

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
My parents threw me a big open house at the beautiful home of one of their friends. It was lovely.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
At school - I didn't like to miss.

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yes, I worked at a daycare with Marcia.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Usually some fruit - I rarely ever bought the lunch there. I'd come home after school and have a snack. My senior year I got out early so I just ate when I got home.

19. Have you gained weight since then?
No, I actually weigh less.

20. What did you do after graduation?
Went to college 500 miles away in Georgia.

21. What year did you graduate?
1994

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date?
Hello! Didn't you read #13?

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion?
I did, to one of the events - a family picnic. It was fun, and I hope we do another for our 15 year.

Your turn!

Dang it - I've been tagged!

Just when I needed something else to blog about - you know, besides a certain newly minted kindergartener?

I've been tagged by Heather at Desperately Seeking Sanity. (Sorry, don't have my handy-dandy link code crib sheet with me!)

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Let's see if I can pull this off.

D is for the double chin that I don't have any more!
A is for Anna Marie, my one-and-probably-only youngin'
R is for Raney, my maiden name.
L is for logical, which I most definitely am not!
E is for English, of course - my college major.
N is for nosey - good gracious, it's one of my worst traits!
E is for Emmanuel College, where I met Jason.

My middle name, Darlene, comes from my ex-aunt. I guess that's what you'd call her - she was married to my mom's brother, but they divorced about 12 years ago. At the time of my birth, my parents were really close with my aunt and uncle. We remained close off and on over the years, and she was one of my favorite aunts. In fact, mom told me recently that before her own daughter was born when I was about two, my aunt treated me like Amanda treats Anna Marie. Too bad I was too young to remember!

My best friend in kindergarten was also named Melissa, but her middle name was Kay. I had another Melissa as a friend in junior high and high school, and I think her middle name was something like Claire. I haven't met any other Melissa Darlenes.

So, now I need to tag some folks.

Valerie
Lissete
Linda
Suzie Q
Sheila
Steff
Paige

And, if you aren't on the list, don't despair - I had to narrow it down to seven names for the seven letters in Darlene. You can play too - honest!

Have fun!

An iPod meme

Borrowed this from Susie Q.

(And it's been in my drafts for about two weeks. Sorry Susie. I'm bringing it out now because I'm leaving for Georgia in the morning, and I don't know how long it'll be before I can get back online. Except for Saturday night, because I'm having to miss our state's press convention for this wedding, and I've won something, and I have to wait until then to see it posted since I'm missing the awards luncheon.)

(But anyway.)

Know what? It's harder than it looks, folks.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Put your music player on shuffle. 2. Press forward for each question. 3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today? Grey - Barlowgirl

(Not today, so much)

What's your outlook on life? Diverse City - Tobymac

(Why, I guess if you looked at my music library, it might be called "Diverse City" so I guess my outlook may be too.)

What does your family think of you? Take it to the Streets - Matt Redmon

(Well, I guess I know when I'm not wanted!)

What do your friends think of you? Jingle Bells - Jaymz Bee & Royal Jelly

(I honestly have NO idea where that song came from!)

What do your exes think of you? This Week the Trend - Relient K

(Know what? I don't have any exes! Jason is it! How's that for a trend?)

How's your love life? Breathe - Anna Nalick

(Guess I need to relax?)

How will your love life be in the future? One Girl Revolution - Superchic(k)

(Ok, I don't like the sound of that one!)

Will you get married? Go Power at Christmastime - James Brown

(Is that all it takes to snag a man - go power?)

Are you good at school? Let Your Voice, Becky Cruse

(Why, yes, I do talk a lot, even in school)

Will you be successful? She Walked Away - Barlowgirl

(Guess that question was too hard for her!)

What song should they play on your birthday? The Weight - Aretha Franklin

(Oh, uh uh. That's not the least bit funny!)

The Soundtrack of your life? O Holy Night - Truth

(I do spend a good deal of time at church!)

You and your best friends are? All I want for Christmas (is to get crunk) - Dirty Boyz

(Ok, Amanda gave me this one from her iTunes. Honest!)

Are we crying because we are sad or because we are laughing so hard?

Happy times: I Don't Know - Third Day

(Sometimes, I don't know, I think we have to laugh to keep from crying.)

Sad times: Just Between You and Me - DC Talk

(I've had some sad talks that began with that phrase!)

Every day: He is Exalted - Shane and Shane

(Good plan, don't you think?)

For tomorrow: Look Away - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

(Is it that bad, that we have to look away?)

For you: Jingle Bells - Smokey Robinson

(I'm not that big a fan of that song, it's just on a lot of Christmas CDs!)

What does next year have in store for you? Rise Up - Third Day

(Cool! I can agree with that!)

What do you say when life gets too hard? Entertaining Angels - Newsboys

(That's what I need - more angels like y'all in my life!)

What song will you dance to at your wedding? Down in my Heart - Veggie Tales

(I happen to have some of Anna Marie's CDs loaded on my iPod - but the title sounds like a good wedding song!)

What do you want as your career? Bridge Over Troubled Water - Aretha Franklin

(A bridge builder! Cool!)

Your favorite saying: All Around the World

(I'm destined to be a world traveler, I knew it!)

How will you die? Frodo - Flight of the Conchords

(Not quite sure to make of that one!)

Phew! Glad that's over! Now it's your turn!

I've been tagged! I've been tagged!

Well, I've been tagged. By Valerie. Is anyone surprised?

Kidding, Valerie!

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

These Are The Days

Steff

College

Random Thoughts

Melz World

Next, select five people to tag:
Sheila
Susie Q
Lissete
Heather
Paige

What were you doing 10 years ago?
About to enter my senior year of college, and being "engaged to be engaged" (i.e., everyone knew except his mom, and I had no ring.)

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Doing our busy summer special edition season with no intern, thanks to some "magic brownies" and a failed drug test.

Five Snacks You Enjoy:
dark chocolate
grape tomatoes
yogurt
black bean salsa
string cheese

Five Songs That You Know All The Lyrics To:
Border Song - Aretha Franklin's version (sorry, Elton, hers is better)
Blue Skies - Frank Sinatra
Philosophy - Ben Folds Five
Jenny - Flight of the Conchords
Boomin' - TobyMac
And lots, lots more.

Five Things You Would Do If You Were a Millionaire:
Quit my job
Fix some problems for my mom
Take Anna Marie to the beach
Buy Jason a new truck
Buy a house

Five Bad Habits:
Biting my nails
Twiddling my thumbs
Tapping my fingers
Biting my lip
Spending too much time on the internet

Five Things You Like To Do:
write
read
scrapbook/do crafty things
hang with the Husband
hang with Anna Marie

Five Things You Would Never Wear Again:
leggings
tunic tops (for the leggings, natch)
shorts
horizontal stripes
gauchos (but I never wore those in the first place)

Five Favorite Toys:
my camera
my iPod
the laptop
the Internet
dvds

Your turn now!

Tagged and bagged

Well, maybe just tagged.

I've been tagged by Jolene. Actually, she tagged me like, um, last week. I've just been a slacker.

SLAAACKERRR!

Anyway. Here's the deal.

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to blog about their seven things and post the rules as well . At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Thus the reason for my slacker-ness. I don't know if I can come up with that many random facts, but I have lots of bad habits, so maybe that'll help.

1. My musical tastes are very varied. I mostly listen to Christian music, but I've moved from contemporary (Steven Curtis Chapman, etc.) to rap/rock.

Yes, like I'm 15 years old or something.

As I type this, I'm listening to Tobymac's latest, Portable Sounds. I bought it from iTunes the day it dropped.

It rocks.

Observe:



Anyway, I've also gotten into Barlowgirl and Superchic(k). Other than that, I like classic soul like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Preston.

Yes, like I'm 50 years old or something.

I just really don't like most of what's played on the radio these days.

2. I write songs in my head all the time. All the time! It's like I can't help it. The problem is, I don't usually write them down, so they're lost. I made up one for Anna Marie one night when we were coming back from Georgia, and our alternator had gone out so we were limping home with no lights or sound, called "I See The Moon." It was just meant to keep her occupied, but it's one of her favorites still.

3. I've never had a cavity. Which is really interesting, since I never went to the dentist on a regular basis until I got the job here at the paper. I did, however, need major periodontal renovations when I did start going back. But, thanks to Crest Pro Health, everything seems to be hunky dory now.

(I'm almost halfway done! Yay!)

4. Bad habit alert! I twiddle my fingers all the time. Drives Jason buggy.

(Downhill from here!)

5. I love writing editorials. I did one in a college class, and I was hooked. Thanks to Amanda, my publisher knows this, and he "lets" me write one each week. Problem is, in our small town, I don't always have one, so sometimes I'm really grasping at straws.

6. On that note, my dream job would by syndicated columnist. I could work from home, and just email my column in to my syndicate. I have lots of important things to say, people! Believe it! I guess this blog is sort of an extension of that.

(Just one more!)

7. I can't cook. Well, maybe I could if I tried, but my skills are really limited to a few basic dishes. My main problem is that if I see a recipe has more than one or two ingredients that I don't already have on hand, I just pass it by and make spaghetti.

There! I did it! Now, for the "tagging others" part. I've lost track of who has and has not been tagged. So, I'm doing the poor man's tag, and tagging all readers.

Too late. You're it.

A Wikipedia Meme

I got this one from Heather over at Desperately Seeking Sanity.

Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday month and day only.

• August 6

List 3 events that occurred that day

• 1945 - World War II: the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
• 1984 - Pop star Prince releases Purple Rain, the album which would launch him to superstardom.
• 1997 - Microsoft buys $150 million worth of shares of financially troubled Apple Computer.

List 2 important birth days. (Besides mine?)

• 1809 - Alfred Lord Tennyson, English poet (d. 1892)
• 1928 - Andy Warhol, American artist (d. 1987)

List 1 death.

• 2004 - Rick James, American musician (b. 1948)

Holiday or Observance. (if any):

•Jamaica - Independence Day.

I was kinda bummed that I could only list two births, because there were LOTS of others - Lucille Ball, Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert Mitchum, and Jon Benet Ramsey. I actually already knew (thanks to Entertainment Tonight) that I share my exact birthday with Soliel Moon Frye - a.k.a. Punky Brewster.

Man, I'm such a sucker for these types of useless knowlege posts!

I'm it.

I've been tagged by Corina. She said I had to name five weird things about myself, and then pick two others to tag.

I answered a post like this one a long time ago on this blog. Funny story about that - I was new to blogging, and had just "met" Valerie, and she tagged me, but I didn't know it was "me" she was tagging. I thought it might be some other Melissa, because no one ever picks me for anything.

I was wrong. She picked me!

Valerie's great.

Anyway, here are my five things. I may have posted them before, but some of you weren't here then.

1. I'm a pretty bad insomniac, and while I lay awake at night waiting for my brain to slow down long enough so I can sleep, I write letters in my head. Although, now that I have this blog, I also write blog posts in my head. The letters part sometimes serves as a therapy for me to get out frustrations, but sometimes it just makes me more agitated.

2. I HATE washing my hair. Actually, I hate drying my hair. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy being clean as much as the next person. But the time it takes me to dry my hair seems like a waste of 10 minutes. Silly, I know.

3. Although I wouldn't consider myself a fidgety person, I am constantly moving my fingers. Like last night, as I was trying to get to sleep, I realized I was playing a song in my head and moving my fingers in time to the music. My fidgety fingers drive Jason up the wall!

4. Being the nosy person I am, the internet is a boon to me. I can read newspapers from all across the country, even if I have no connection to the place. I just like reading what is going on in other places.

5. I can't whistle. I think this leaves the category of "weird" and heads straight into "sad." Other people act like it's the most natural thing on earth, but I just don't get it.

Ok, so those are my five things. I now tag Sheila and Suzie Q. I only had to tag two, but if you'd like to be next, feel free to tag yourself!