A Game of "would you rather":

Some decisions are impossible to make. I have listed just a few.
Like, how do you pick between cute...

And also cute. (Why are little kids so darn irresistible in wings, especially your own?)

Or delicious,

Or equally scrumdid-

iliumptous

Well, some decisions are not that hard to make.
(P.S. Is anyone else wondering what is up with this new plot idea to separate and alienate Jim and Pam?)

Went to Wal-Mart Today...

...And got my eyes checked.
My prescription went up. I was perplexed, had the same prescription since forever.
I inquired, "Is that strange?"
Doctor asked,"Do you work at the computer a lot?"
Me: "Yyyyyyeeeeessss....yes, I do. I "work" at the computer A LOT."
Doctor: "Oh that could do it."
Conclusion? I need to get a life.
(It could also be Chloe's fault. She also made me lose my hair.)

...Also in the market for a new vacuum (literally and figuratively. what a great expression that is). I used mine so much (AT LEAST 3 times a day. sigh of disgust for anyone that doesn't.) that it went to vacuum cleaner heaven. Actually, I ran over the cord a few too many times. I actually shorted out the circuit in our bedroom, or something technical like that. Glad I wasn't killed in effort to keep my carpets fluffy. That would be tragic. Anyway, picking out a vacuum is hard. Reminded me of shopping for a stroller back in the day (that was a 2 day shopping event, don't get me started on that). Too many choices and gadgets and gizmos. And the more expensive they got, the more they looked like space ships. We are now the proud owners of a Bissel Powerforce Turbo Bagless Upright Vacuum. Which sounds more like a power tool. Who are they marketing these to anyway? Evidently Trekkies and manly man types. Does your man do all the vacuuming? Just wondering. Cause mine does.

Chelsey Day and other stuff...y'all ready for this!

Remember that song that goes " Y'all ready for this? Da da da da da da da da....etc. etc". I can hear it in my head. Beware! There are a lot of random references in this post....

So Friday my dad had to work, you know delivering babies, saving the world and what not, so I had my little sister Chelsey with me all day.

The day started off with us going to MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). It is a really cool organization that meets twice a month. We eat breakfast, get our kids babysat, and have an all around good time. This morning I had three people to get ready (me,Chloe, Chelsey), and a breakfast casserole. I didn't have to bathe and dress the casserole, so that was good. Anyway I was combing Chelsey's hair and I asked:

Me: "Would you like me to put a clip in your hair?"

Chelsey:"No, we are just going to your support group, I don't need a clip for that. It's not like we are going back in time to London, England or anything."

I have a pretty hectic schedule, Thursday-AA, Friday-MOPS. You know....

So after the meeting we are driving home and she said:

Chelsey:"That is the last time I am ever going to that."

Me:"Okay. I won't invite you until you are married and have kids."

Chelsey:"No!!! That is NEVER going to happen. I never want to get married!"

Me:"Why?"

Chelsey: Because! It involves things like making out...and...(insert loud sigh of irritation) I don't want to talk about it!!!!!

I promised her awhile ago that I would take her to the premiere of HSM3 (High School Musical 3 for those with a life). So we also did that. And I am not going to lie. I loved it. It actually made me want to go back to High School (I have been feeling so ancient lately). Although I don't why, it is not like High School is really like that! Except for a few things were pretty accurate. Like me dating the High School Basketball star/best singer at the school yet still hot/popular yet still nice to nerds, guy. Also the whole part about me having 3,000 dollars a week to spend on my wardrobe, that was true too.

Later that night I also took Chelsey to a Halloween party at the Pindars. Here is Don wrapping a girl, that is not me, with toilet paper. And while I was not looking, Don told me Chelsey found the cream cheese dip (a block of cream cheese with salsa on top) and put the whole block on her plate and started eating it like a candy bar. Sorry.

Saturday Don and I finally cleaned my house. Don asked me if I was interested in hiring a maid. This was not a joke. Would I be a bad house wife to accept?

And then that night I went to my long lost friend's Wedding Open House. This is one of my friends from High School. She dated the back up star on the Basketball team. She and me liked to break out in song at the lunch table and do fancy routines that the whole school also got involved in. And then Don and I went to the Mindy Gledhill benefit concert for the couple injured in the plane crash two months ago. Notice my link above to a story done on them by the AZ Republic. The concert was a bigger tear jerker than an episode of Oprah (um, if I watched Oprah). And when the little girls (the injured couples daughters) got on stage to sing "Golden Slumbers" written by the Beatles, you would have to have a heart of stone to not be moved. The words:

Once there was a way,

To get back homeward.

Once there was a way,

To get back home...

Sleep, pretty darling,Dot not cry,

And I will sing a lullaby.

Are you crying yet? They are the cutest little girls, and I am not ashamed, I cried through most of the concert. And sometimes I need a good cry. Don said he was crying inside, but nobody knows it but me (thank you Boys to Men for giving my husband words to express his feelings). I wonder if any of these jokes make any sense to anyone but me? Anyway, I am so glad I went. It really inspired me to shower the people I know with love (thank you James Taylor).

Well chloe needs a diaper change. Bad. I gotta go.

Pictures

So with the economy being what it is, and the world going to heck in a handbasket (what does that expression mean anyway? Think I'll google it), what better thing to do than to get that economy ball rolling (Reganomics anyone? Sorry don't mean to get all political...) and SPEND MONEY!!! And is there a better season than the season to be jolly, to do this?

What is my point, I know I have one.

Anyway, my friend from BYU is a fantabulous photographer and I asked her if she wanted to come down to AZ to take our Christmas pictures, and she said "See if any of your friends want to get some taken too, and we can work something out." So there, that is my main point.

If you are interested, let me know. To see her work look here: http://threewinksstudio.com/

Also, Chloe is for sale today. 5 dollars.

I'm getting that itch...

...You know, that itch to leave Don for a famous (and weird) and way older, shorter movie star with emo-hair. No, no, no, don't worry, nothing like that! Nice side bangs Tom!

Actually, I am getting that itch to cut my hair. What should I do? I am held back by a few talking points, being:

1. If I cut it I will never have the patience again to grow it.

2. One must be careful to avoid this:

Or this:

Wow, no wonder I get these ladies confused! Hello Janet(s)!

3. One time I got my hair cut short when Don and I just barely started dating and the only thing he had to say was, "Oh. You got your hair cut." That was really not all that encouraging.

In the grand scheme of things, I realize this is a very trivial matter, but a year of bad hair, makes for a very grumpy Melissa.

I might have to sleep on this one.

It's Official:

I have personally decided that-

Dunkin Donuts is not anywhere as good as Krispy Kremes. I should know, I ate a whole box.

I have also personally decided that that is not such a good idea.

Also, I wish I could fit into this bucket.

Now you see me...Now you don't.

And finally, I realized why the pumpkin bread I made yesterday would be better used as a ship anchor-I used twice as much butter as needed, that would be two sticks. So my theory of the more butter the better, not true my friends, not true.

I'm Glad I live in Mesa Because...

I am going to this!

Jealous?

We're Gonna party like it's 1999

Well we had a crazy whirlwind of a weekend. When it rains it pours. Now I am looking forward to the spookiest night of the year-November 7th! Just kidding silly, Halloween of course. Got Chloe a costume. It is waiting to make its appearance on some future Halloween themed inspired blog, which promises to be fabulous. I bought the costume at Marshalls (great shoe department, FYI). I chose between the butterfly and the ladybug. It was an easy choice. The ladybug was like "Burlesque Ladybug Baby." I think trying to look sexy on Halloween has gone a little bit too far when it hits the baby section. Just saying. So like I said, the choice was easy, she is going to be a Burlesque Lady (Bug) this year. Well anyway, back to my weekend.
The fun all began on Thursday when my Ricks College roommate/Michael Jackson back up dancer/ beloved friend Rachelle came into town from Iowa. She is the one in the middle. Oh wrong picture, anyway, her little girl is on the left. The dog was put in the picture to up the cuteness level. Think it worked. Not my house, or my dog by the way, although they are both lovely.
"Do you know How to play 'Heart and Soul'?"
"Yes, and I can also play it sideways."

"I think they liked it, don't you?"

After some lovely concertos, we went out to eat. Ahhh...there's my friend Rachelle and her sister. Had the BBQ chicken wrap at Red Robin. Pretty good, but next time I think I will go back to my never fail Teriyaki Chicken burger.

And I liked the picture so much here it is again. Can someone please tell me how to delete pictures. I am serious.

"Encore! Encore! My compliments to the chef!" Come again Rachelle!

After I left Rachelle, Friday night we had a big Mexican Feast at my sister in laws. One of the benefits of marrying a Mexican. Family was in town for the next night's open house for Don's newly married off brother. After much preparation the open house was upon us, and so was 45 mile an hour winds. AND it was freezing cold! Something us Arizonans are not accustomed too. You would think we would be enjoying the lack of sweat, but of course we moaned and groaned about the horrific conditions. And thanks to some prayers, the wind died down just in time for the reception. We still complained about being cold, of course.
Oh, and by the way, my camera is up to its same old tricks, breaking down on me that is. Notice how I look rather hazy and ghostly, that is not for artistic expression.

After the reception, the next morning was my sister in laws baby blessing. Little Walter Davis and his namesake (former 70's Phoenix Suns Basketball Star) are somewhere in the upper left, although I can hardly see them through the haze. man, I love my camera.


Hazy....

and hazy.

So it was a busy and pretty great weekend. And this is how we all felt last night.....

Epilogue:
For you Melanie-Has anyone else heard of Walter Davis?

Oh an thank you Lauren for diagnosing my camera problem-a fingerprint, most likely left by you know who...feel a little ding batty. I was about to go return it to Wal-Mart. thanks for saving me from the horrendous customer service line.

Have you ever wondered what you look like when you sneeze?

On Why I love My Job and a Chelsey Story:

I have the best job in the world. And these are the reasons why:

My boss is-
funny
doesn't care if I ever get dressed
leaves me alone for 2 hours out of the day
cannot talk
completely unprofessional
loves me best when I don't get any work done

Also-

Chelsey is over at my house today and we have been discussing what we are going to do today so that she is not "bored out of my (her) mind."

I had her write a list. She had one thing on her list: "Play on an indoor playground."

Since the only indoor playgrounds I know of are attached to indoor fast food establishments I suggested we do that, and I hear from the other room:

(In a gruff voice)

"Well what do you want me to say??!! Cha cha cha, ah cha cha, cha cha cha, ooh la la, cha cha cha the bear cha cha cha???!!" (apparantly this is a song from a show that she hasn't seen since 2000-2003. The show was called Bear in the Big Blue House)

I replied, "Chelsey, what did you just say? Did you just say that?"

Chelsey: "ohhhhhh. Note to self. Do not talk to myself outloud."

And I think that is pretty good advice for all of us.

What's In Your Wallet?

Getting your clothes peed on as you walk into a restaurant-Free.

Terryaki Chicken Plate at Moki's Hawaiian Grill- 8 dollars.

Money paid to restaurant employee to clean up pile of liquid excrement on restaurant floor left by 16 month old child-5 dollars.

Emergency trip to next door Bashas for diapers and wipes because conveniently, you have none in your gargantuan diaper bag- 12 dollars.

Gas wasted driving to babysitter's house in attempt to see movie, only to have plan foiled by lack of found car keys, which "someone" lost in couch cushion- 3 dollars.

Going to sleep and getting to try the whole day over again tomorrow-Priceless.