Just Curling Up Under a Blanket with a Diet Coke…after 11 p.m.

Nothing new…

Really. This scenario is not all that uncommon as the amount of caffeine in a Diet Coke does not affect me. And I often consume it late at night, too.

But, note to self: Blogging must be done before the weekly Monday night workout.

Because once the post-workout socializing is complete, there is still the drive home, the obligatory long, hot shower, the inevitable snack to replace some of those calories burned…and by then it’s after 11.

Anyway.

True, I do work out on Monday nights.

(Actually, I work out a lot more than that, but this workout is different.) My cool, trainer-friend, Sarah, puts together a workout…one that could rival Jillian Michaels…for a bunch of us (there are usually around eight) that makes us sweat and hurt and limp around for two days after. Kidding, kidding…well, sorta. 😉 It’s one of my favorite parts of the week…I really look forward to it.

It was a good day, despite the fact that it started a little rocky.

For once, I got up early to run on the treadmill, headed downstairs…and five minutes into the run, I knew I couldn’t keep going. I’ve been battling runner’s knee, and it’s the strangest thing. It hurts at odd times…mostly when I’m walking down stairs, but if I try to run two days in a row…um, no. I’m almost not sure what to do with it, but I guess it’s to be expected since I’m a runner and I typically run more than the suggested 3-4 days a week. Ooops. Let’s just say ibuprofin has been a good friend the past couple of weeks. Really, I just need to rest, which I don’t do well.

But once I decided that the morning run was not happening, I went on with my day and played with my girl and then picked up the house while she was watching Elmo, the new fave.

(All I can say is THANK YOU to my sweet friend for the new stack of Elmo DVD’s…I could not sit through Elmo’s Potty Time one. more. time.!!!)

Then our friend came over, and we made lunch…which is becoming another Monday tradition. We both love to cook, so we’re getting a little creative and trying some new recipes on Mondays.

It gives us a chance to drink coffee and catch up, too. And makes a Monday a little more bearable because, let’s be honest, Mondays are still Mondays. Yep, they are.

(No matter how much caffeine we add to them. ;))

And now that I’ve shared all this glorious random with you…I think I’m going to hit the hay. I still have no clue how it got to be so late, but I need some sleep.

Tomorrow’s a big day. Well…it’s a new d

ay. And it marks a year of the blog…wowsers.

Hope your Monday was fabulous!

Sig

A Thankful Moment

I had a little moment tonight.

It was sweet, it was sad, it was tear-jerking…it made me thankful.

I had to run to my (insert sarcasm) favorite grocery store to pick up a few things. Thankfully my list was short, but still…not my favorite activity to do ever.

But that’s ok…I’ll suffer so we can eat. 😉

I was trying to make it as quick of a trip as possible, and for the most part, it was.

But as I got to the checkout, I realized I’d forgotten coffee creamer…which is definitely not a good thing in our house.

So I reluctantly turned my cart around and headed back to get it.

It was then that I heard her

laugh…it was loud.

Joyful. That kind of laugh that makes you look because you want to see the child making such a happy sound just so he/she can brighten your day.

When I saw her, my heart skipped a beat. I smiled, but I had to fight back tears.

This little girl had some pretty severe burns/scars on her face.

It was sad for me to see…but I noticed something.

She was just oozing JOY.

Completely. Maybe it was because she was allowed to stay out past her bedtime to go to the grocery store

? :) As a kid, that would have made me happy!

It was one of those moments that made me smile and cry at the same time. And one that made me wish I had my sweet girl in my arms…just so I could love on her. Hold her close and be reminded that each moment is precious…

Part of me wondered this girl’s story, but I knew it wasn’t my place to ask. So I just smiled, moved on…

…and let that moment soak in while I silently gave thanks…over and over…as I finished my shopping and paid the cashier.

Sometimes I forget to say thank you for the things that seem so simple…a healthy daughter. The freedom to run and laugh. The ability to walk through the grocery store.

May I never forget to be thankful for those things.

Sig

Little Blessings (Pt. 19)

:) A video camera to record moments like Mae’s first sledding “trip” and her piano “playing”. Love memories.

:) A daughter who “sings” at the piano and a husband who doesn’t. (Tobin said that…really. :))

:) A breakfast date with

my good friend and sweet girl.

:) The fact that I didn’t burn ALL the bac on

on above date.

:) A first snowboarding lesson, and, other than a sore bum, my body is still intact.

Whew.

:) Watching my doggies romp in the powdery snow…and come inside with it on their noses. Too cute.

:) Dropping my phone about six times this week on the marble floor..and, amazingly, it still works.

:) $5 purse. (Yes, pursE…only onE. ;))

:) Hugs and kisses from a certain little girl.

Pretty sure there’s nothing better.

:) Dark chocolate and a friend to share it w

ith.

Sig

In My Imperfect

I had a moment today.

The kind I wish

or~~ –>

I could take back, the kind that makes me cringe and shudder.

The kind worth blogging about…for just those reasons.

It wasn’t a bad day…just one tainted by that imperfect

moment when the human in mommy comes out in front of the daughter.

Something happened, and it made me mad.

(Someone hacked my blog again and posted some inappropriate stuff, just so you don’t speculate too much.

:)) A brief phone call trying to figure it out…followed by a few choice words uttered by yours truly.

I’m sure she didn’t hear them, she didn’t repeat them, they didn’t faze her whatsoever.

But they fazed me as I tossed them around in my head, over and over, wondering why I’d chosen them.

A few moments later, I moved on.

Yeah, I said a couple bad words.

A million will judge, and yet ONE loved.

He didn’t say it was ok; he simply died to save me…despite my imperfect.

It was a good reminder today. That I am not perfect. That I will make choices I shouldn’t…and need to accept the forgiveness of which I am so undeserving…and move on.

He is Love, He is Forgiveness, He is Life.

And He is all of those to me though I am imperfect.

Sig

Blog Reflection, #2: Recording Moments

Not too much wisdom today, just a reflection.

A little one.

I really started this whole blog to have my own space to share my life and moments and the inner workings of my brain.

I’ve definitely done that… 😉

But I’m also so thankful that I chronicled, in detail most of the time, an entire year.

Because my life with Mae was the majority of the year…and so a lot of the things she did and said are recorded now.

(insert evil laugh) Won’t she love me when she’s a teenager?!?!

I also love it that we took lots of pictures of her…especially since somewhere between then and now, she turned into a little girl.

Moments like this one are priceless…and make every late night, every rushed blog post, every.

single. word…worth it.

Completely.

Sig

It’s 11:30 p.m…

And I should probably blog, huh?

I mean, I have about ten days (or less) left of my Blog 365 challenge.

It would be tragic if I failed it now.

I had another distracting day.

The girl decided not to nap at all which made our afternoon less restful than what we like on Sunday afternoons.

I was editing something else that I’m writing, making jewelry, wasting time on my Kindle…letting myself do anything but focus.

I find this is true with a lot of things, but when the end is in sight, it’s so,

so easy to give up.

And I don’t want to…and I shouldn’t.

This is by no means an end to the blog, but once January 24th hits, I no longer have to blog every day. (Freedom!!! Mel sings…)

But for the last days of this, I want to actually share wisdom…not just make excuses on why I don’ t have any deep

thoughts for the day.

So, I guess I set the bar pretty high for myself, huh

? Mel’s wisdom, coming up tomorrow.

😉

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

Sig

Little Blessings (Pt. 18)

:) Full-on laughing with (at?) the girl when we caught her in the bathroom looking in her hand mirror and pretending to put on powder, just like mommy.

We LOL’d…totally.

:) A creative streak that produced three new pieces of jewelry this afternoon, one of which I am going to have a very hard time selling. Perhaps I will wear it tomorrow…just once to “try it out”!

:) Snow…and the pretty that comes from looking at it from inside the house.

(Looking on the bright side here…)

:) A fun night out last night with friends.

:) Returning boots today that I don’t need…only to be told that I could rebuy them for 70% off. I totally did.

$15 for a brand spankin’ new pair of too-cute boots that I’ll wear next year? Yes, please!

:) A hubby who is finally not in so much pain.

Thankful for meds but even more thankful that he doesn’ t need

them anymore.

:) Neighbor boys who shovel sidewalks for us just because they’ re cool like that.

(Have I mentioned how much I love my neighborhood?)

:) A bathroom scale that forgave me this morning for the piece of cheesecake I ate last night.

That one’s worthy of two smileys. 😉

:) W atching my d

aughter grow and change a little more every day.

She truly is the sunshine of my day.

:) Sunday tomorrow. I love Sundays.

(And the naps that usually come with them!)

What’s your blessing today?

Sig

Random Realizations

Aka: The post Mel types really fast after being out late with friends.

:)

Some things I’ve been reminded of lately…

1. I stay up too late.

Unless I accidentally fall asleep watching TV, I am never in bed before 11:00.
2. I am also a star at sleeping ’til 7 a.m. Thank you to my fabulous daughter who sleeps ’til 7:30 or later most mornings.


3. I drink far too much Diet Coke and not nearly enough water.


4. I worry about things I have zero control over.


5. I kinda like shoveling snow, especially if I can count it as my workout for the day.
6. I need to limit my trips to Target to one per week…or less.
7. String cheese is the new favorite food.

(Just so you know, I felt five years old typing that!) 😉
8. I haven’t been to a movie since Indonesia, and there’s a super girly chick flick coming out soon.

The Vow. I am thinking I’ll be dragging a couple lucky friends with me to that one!
9. My daughter is 19 months old.

Where did time GO? Seriously.
10. Naps are wonderful. Especially when they’re taken by both my daughter AND by me.
11. It’s Friday the 13th!

Well, for twenty more minutes…

G’nite, friends! And happy weekend…woo hoo!

😉

Sig

No Coffee…Just Diet Coke

Golly gee, I’m tired.

I shoveled snow today for the first time in, oh I don’t know, my LIFE.

Kidding, kidding. It’s just been quite awhile. See, I have a hubby who usually does all that kind of stuff…and there w as

no way I was allowing him to attempt shoveling, though I’m sure if I hadn’t done it, he would have eventually. But he really needs to rest his arm, and we both know it.

So, enter Meanie Mel, who will be enforcing doctor’s orders for the next week. Trust me, I can be one stubborn, hotheaded woman if I have to be. (Ask Tobin next Friday if he’s sick of me yet.

Better yet, ask him tomorrow.

;))

So I decided that tonight I’ll have a step closer to a coffee date with you all and drink Diet Coke while I chat. If we’re being honest, there’s been far too much of it flowing through my veins lately, and I know a certain reader of my blog who has given up pop for the year.

So I won’t rub it in too much that I’m drinking SODA. Mmmmm….

Ok, enough. Really. :)

It was a really good day. I love Thursdays. Wonderful Bible study. Good chat with friends.

Lunch out and time at the mall play place…and for once it wasn’ t overcrowded wi

th kids. Home for Mae’s nap and time to get a few things done.

And you may have heard that we are finally getting some snow in this part of the country. Thankfully God decided to send us a real snowstorm…because I find 1-2 inches just. plain. annoying. Enough to slick up the roads and bring out the less-than-bright in so many drivers, but not enough to actually play in or build a snow sculpture of the Eiffel Tower or whatever.

Yeah, can you tell what’s on my mind?

I spent a fair amount of time tonight attempting to find hotels for our trip. I am thoroughly annoyed with the fact that our excursion to one of my top three dream locations EVER is complicating plans. Let’s just say it’s hard to book a hotel in Tangiers when we’re not exactly sure we’ll be able to go on the days we want. So I’m debating whether to book…and trust that it’ll work out. Or to book just our first night somewhere and hope that there will be open rooms for the rest of the nights.

This is the part of trip planning that I don’t enjoy. And yet, I’m really trying to focus on the fun.

We get to take a pretty cool trip for our 10th! And, it’s alone time for us…which we really need. It’ll all work out, even if we have no hotel room and

have to sleep on the beach. 😉 More money to spend on purses in Morocco that way.

I read a fabulous blog post here that just made me smile. I love her writing style…and this particular topic hit close to home. Please click over and read…I promise you it’s worth your time.

And I love that she wrote about laundry because, well, I can relate.

Says Mel, 20 minutes after starting the first of four loads for the night.

So I had kind of an aha!

moment in the waiting room yesterday.

At the time it seemed so pressing to share it with you all, but today, I actually feel the need to process a little more. So you’ll have to wait another day or two.

Hope your Thursday was wonderful…mine was. Completely. :)

G’nite!

Sig

Really Short and Sweet :)

Ok, so I’ m learning that

making plans is often useless.

Don’t worry, surgery went fine and Tob did great.

But recovery has been rough…and I’m sitting here in his hospital room blogging from my Kindle instead of sitting home at my computer like I thought I’d be do ing at four

in the afternoon.

:) The doctor ended up doing a far more invasive procedure than we were expecting, including a bone graft, so he is in quite a bit of pain.

I laugh because I had envisioned today being a quick, in-out-and-home-by-3 surgery.

But I guess when they put someone completely under, things are never that easy, huh

?

We’ve been blessed with some pretty amazing friends who took care of Maelie, picked up prescriptions, made us dinner.

And prayed…those prayers mean so much to us.

Tomorrow I’ll tell you all about my day in the waiting room and how God used it to change my perspective on a few things.

Though it wasn’t an easy day, it was defin

itely good. And I’m looking forward to sharing with you.

G’nite!

Sig