Black Friday- y'all are nuts!

Well happy day after Thanksgiving everyone! Some of you are probably dead to the world after shopping the graveyard shift. I do hope you got some great deals though. As usual, I chose sleep over everything else. I prefer to wait until the week after Christmas to shop the sales and weed through the ugly Christmas sweaters and other junk that has no chance of being bought. Poor junk. It must feel so bad about itself. Well, anyway...we had a lovely Thanksgiving! For one thing it rained and that was very festive.

For another thing we watched the 765th annual Macy's Day Parade! I especially loved seeing Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers and Ashanti!!! Scream of excitement!! Actually, I really did love watching the Broadway numbers. Especially the Little Mermaid. How do you make walkers look like underwater sea creatures??? Rollerskates!! I also enjoyed the male cast of South Pacific do a fantastic rendition of the song "There is Nothing Like A Dame" even though you know most of them are probably dating each other. But the best part? I am getting all high tech here, and posted a video of it, if you by chance missed. Sesame Street got Ric Rolled. Don was not too into the Macy's Day parade and kept trying to change it too football. I kept telling him, "It's tradition Don!"

After the parade the "Something or other Annual Dog Show" came on. Don said, "Oh no. This isn't tradition too is it?" They were cute and stuff but....

After the parade and after I got my cooking done, I got ready for the day. I tried on some pants that I haven't worn for 3 years or so and well, barely could button them up. I decided those would not be the best pants to wear when planning to gorge oneself. Also, I contemplated taking up running again. And not eating as much. Nah....

Totally by accident...now do you really believe that? My sister-in-law moved in across the street and I have been taking full advantage. She is probably very sick of us. I did download a picture of my pie, but I accidentally deleted it. It was a bread pudding apple pie. That I ate for breakfast. But you probably didn't care about seeing it anyway.

Don got in some football afterall. Futbol, that is.

And it is officially time to put up the Christmas decorations for which I am ecstatic. I recently inherited this little Christmas village from my Grandma. Put it up last night and thought of her. Also, that I need some more buildings. And also, please send me a comment. I am starting to get depressed. ; ) Merry Christmas!

Apparantly Chelsey is not all that amused by Chloe today. I hear Chloe jabbering and I hear Chelsey say, "Fine. See if I care."

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Thanksgiving

So it might feel like Turkey Day after all...

Arizonans love rain.

We get like an inch a year.

Also:

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT eat an entire Chipotle's burrito by yourself. Had it yesterday for lunch, woke up this morning and still felt like I ate 5 bricks. Just training for tomorrow I guess.

Also # 2:

Chloe has been taking over my bed the past couple of nights. I am glad SHE is comfortable. I kept having this weird dream that I was back in college sitting in some class but I was really, really uncomfortable because I forgot to put on underwear and I was wearing overalls that were giving me a wedgie. I think this stemmed from the fact that I was extremely uncomfortable trying to make do with 2 inches at the side of the bed...notice a certain someone's sprawl. I finally got fed up and moved to the extra bed in the nursery. But then kept dreaming about having a broken butterfly mobile in my face, that apparantly I needed to help me fly, but since it was broken I couldn't fly, and Don was getting mad because his butterfly mobile was working and could fly just fine. I woke up and realized I had a broken butterfly mobile in my face. Man, I got to stop eating those burritos. They are giving me some crazy dreams.

The Adventures of Chloe and The Hat

This weekend we took an autumnal visit to Pine, Az (by the way it is still 88 degrees here). Don took his scouts on a campout while a couple other wives and I "camped" out a nearby fully equipped cabin. I felt very sorry for the men folk upon waking up in my comfy bed shivering. Or when I didn't want to go to the bathroom because I was too cold. I would not have made a good pioneer. And since other people I know post pictures of the food they make, here you go. I didn't have any fresh flowers to place next to it, or a hand embroidered dish towel, so just try to look past that. Oh and I didn't really make it. I did however make the best mac and cheese known to mankind. A stick of butter. 3 pounds of white chedder cheese. That is pretty much all you need to know. Perhaps I should make it for Thanksgiving...even though it is not a traditional Thanksgiving side dish...but then again I am pretty sure the Pilgrims did not have marshmallows on their yams either...but they probably would have enjoyed them a lot more if they did. Instead they probably just ate bland pheasant and seaweed. I don't really know...I would look that up on wickepedia if I were you. Holy cow is anyone still reading this??? It is late. Let's continue.

We met up with the boys in the morning and did some very rigorous hiking at Tonto Natural Bridge with our 4 toddlers in tow. Chloe had the time of her life. (insert soundtrack from Dirty Dancing "I've had the time of my life....and I owe it all to you...(aka mom)"
On the hike A certain hat made a special appearance. It is VERY sunny in caves and underneath bridges. That is why I am very careful to protect my delicate flesh.

The hat...

The Hat again...

The Chloe Jean...

The Chloe Jean posing for her shot...

The hat and some other nice people...

You get the picture about this whole hat thing....

Oh okay, so there was this nasty herd of javelinas just roaming free. They disgusted me. They look like hairy pigs but as I read on a nearby sign, they are in fact not hairy pigs, they are "-----". I am sorry I cannot remember what the sign said. But I was afraid of them and their large snouts and that they were going to come carry off my child into the wilderness and either 1. eat her or 2. raise her as their own like in the Jungle Book. And she is way too cute to fit in with a herd of javelinas so they probably would have just eaten her.

she's thinking...I could definitely get used to this.

We picked up this little one from Whooseville. We will return her for Christmas though.

It was a swell time.

Rubbing it In.

While some people in the country are doing this,

I took a 15 minute this. Outside. In my hanging chair. Are you jealous? Well...you can rub it in come August when I am holed up in my house.

And oh yeah, where has time gone!

Thank You.

Today the First Presidency issued this statement about the democratic process:
Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on November 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism. People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.
The Church is keenly aware of the differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive matter. The reasons for this principled stand in defense of marriage have already been articulated elsewhere. However, some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing.
Attacks on churches and intimidation of people of faith have no place in civil discourse over controversial issues. People of faith have a democratic right to express their views in the public square without fear of reprisal. Efforts to force citizens out of public discussion should be deplored by people of goodwill everywhere.
We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other.

I hate mean computer nerds.

So today I spent $138.45 to fix my computer after somehow catching a virus and then the same crooks that gave me the virus tried to get me to buy their program to get rid of the virus that they gave me. Ingenious. And wrong. Very, very wrong. And I'm mad. Really, really mad.

It's A Baby!

(Do you want to see Don and his snazzy sports jacket on tv?)

No, No, No I am not having a baby. But Don did. He officially "gave birth" to his baby, his Business Expo that is. This baby required a lot of time and an insane amount of work. And Don looked surprisingly well during and after the birth. He was just very tired after it was all said and done. And I am the proud...(what would go along with this weird analogy?) dead beat dad??? Anyway, Kudos to Don. I was amazed when I got there at just how much had gone into this. And...I had a slightly humiliating experience as well which I shall leave at that. Don was interviewed live twice for the news and then another news segment was done for the 5 o'clock news. Have I ever mentioned just how famous we are?

So famous, that these people came:

And here is the famous Don Mr. Light Rail himself. Eating pancakes. I am a very proud wife, but in the humblest way possible.

In other news-Chloe discovered the art of taking self portraits. And it appears I have not discovered the art of make-up.

The End.

Let's hear a shout out for THE DON-INATOR!

So awhile back I talked about Don having a career expo/job fair for his business. Well it is tomorrow. If you are in town, please come and support. He has put a lot of sweat and blood into this. And I have contributed a lot of tears. (kidding...kind of).

Also if you want to view a fancy video....

LightRailConnect.comJob Fair & Business Expo Thursday, November 13
Crowne Plaza Hotel 4300 E Washington St., Phoenix (SW corner of 44th St. & Washington St)
11am - 5pm

www.lightrailconnect.com

JoJo

"JoJo" or Jourdan (her grown up alias) came to visit me this past weekend. Well she was here for a wedding, but I prefer to think the real reason she came was to see me. We were childhood friends and lost contact for awhile but isn't it funny how with some people when you get back together it is like no time has passed at all? I wish the Bluths still lived just around the corner!



My favorite part of the weekend? Watching Britney Spears do Jourdan's make-up. (Isn't Britney looking great these days??!!) pplllleeeaase. Jourdan ALWAYS looks great. (Geez how cheesy am I going to get here??)


Thanks Jo for taking some pictures of Chloe. I believe this picture right here could get her a gig with Fisher Price...at least Wal-Mart. But we're really going for Gymboree. She had a little boo boo thanks to the irresponsibility of her parents who prefer to watch her get hurt, rather than to prevent a clearly impending accident.

For all of you who tell me "Oh Chloe's hair is getting darker (aka not red anymore), here is proof otherwise. Those comments make me very sad. I will love her no matter what, but I probably will love her more if she stays red.

And what would be my blog without a Chelsey story. Here is her outfit today. Skin tight dance pants and a christmas tree shirt. I laughed when she came out and she got mad. So I came up with an excuse that I was laughing at how fabulous her legs looked and wished mine looked like that. She replied "Well Ya, I do work out. And jumping on the trampoline counts. Do You think I should be a fashion model? Oh wait. I don't want to move."

Shucks. Well everyone, get jumping if you want these thighs.

Can you come to this...Please?

I am in this choir. And as you all know, if I am in it, it has to be good. Because afterall Chelsey did tell me the other day, "Melissa you are a pretty good singer. Not great, but good."

Thank you Chelsey.

I beg to disagree.

In case you didn't know.

In recent news:

1. Barack Obama was elected president, in case you hadn't heard. You can purchase your very own commemorative plate or mug. I would hurry. Otherwise you might have to settle for a dinky old coin for your collection instead. I've got all the plates back to George (George Washington.)

2. Happy Birthday Mom.

3. I stayed up until 3:30 AM talking to my friend.

4. I consequently am unable to function properly today and therefor, Chloe is available for purchase today for a mere 5 dollars.

5. I still want to cut my hair.

6. Come to my choir concert this Tuesday night at the old Mormon church in Downtown Mesa.

7. I. Need. Sleep.

I try to do short posts, but I just can't.

Well...before I get to my Halloween let me first address some other happenings.

I would like to give "Bounce U" a big cyber round of applause and a blue ribbon for: 1. Keeping 20 year old Chelseys entertained and 2. Keeping 18 month old Chloes entertained.

This is truly a feat. And best of all Chelsey was free because she is an adult, an adult that had way more fun than all the kids. Although it took her almost 2 hours to summon up enough courage to go down the 7-foot long slides. She was mad however that she was not included at snack time when they were handing out fish crackers and water. She threatened that she would "never let you (me) take me to this place again." But...guess she forgot about that rather quickly. Insert your own joke for the above picture.

Don and I strongly encourage toddler therapy sessions. Chloe lays on the couch and thinks about all her problems. Yes thinks, she can't talk about them yet because she can't talk. But when that time comes when she can talk she will be all ready for help with her "issues." Like not being able to talk.

So now the time you have all been anxiously sitting at the edge of your seats for-HALLOWEEN PICTURES!!! Try not to be too jealous of my incredibly photogenic child. As you can see, and I am sure were in suspense to find out, I decided to chose the Flower Fairy costume. Chloe will probably be a Fairy or other winged creature for Halloween up until the time that she becomes conscious of her ability to chose otherwise. (I shall keep her in the dark on this fact for as long as possible). I cannot help it. I love LOVE winged toddlers and babies. I was sad to return the Butterfly costume, but I figured I could save myself 20 bucks. I ran into

a moral dilemma however, when I returned the costume and was told by the cashier "If you buy another costume today they are half off." Hmm, I thought. Is it dishonest to return something only so you can repurchase it again at a lower cost? I'll leave you to ponder that one.

Chelsey was excited to go trick or treating and she wore a 50's girl costume bought a few years back. She told me "ya, I can't believe this still fits me." It was a much better costume than I was expecting. She had told me earlier that she was going as a princess, her costume consisting of a "long skirt, shirt, and crown from the Pretty, Pretty Princess game." I asked her if she needed help finding a fancy dress and she said, "No, no. I am just going to wear my skirt I wear to church." I think I am going to try that next year. I will wear some jeans and a shirt and when people ask what I am I will say "Sleeping Beauty."

But Chloe's costume was a hit and she was probably the cutest kid on the planet (sorry to break it to you all). She carried her flower wand and candy carrier all night. She knows how to work an outfit.

A weird picture of her...

And an even weirder picture of me.

After the night was over the tiny Flower Fairy turned back into a regular little girl, and the mother of all Flower Fairies, said "Job well done, I shall return every Hallows Eve, and for one night only you will turn into a lovely flower fairy to spread goodness and love through all the land and take all the villagers candy as a token of their gratitude for your cuteness-this will be your gift oh little one...until you become conscious of your ability to chose otherwise.

I know no one actually reads these things...

But I do like to talk about myself, so here goes! I hope no one thinks that is entirely true. Although let's admit, we all like to talk about ourselves just a little bit don't we? Otherwise none of us would have blogs. True? True.

TAG!! You're It!
Eight favorite TV shows:
1. The Office
2. The Office
3. What Not To Wear
4. Jon and Kate plus 8
5. Project Runway
6. The Office
7. I don't watch t.v.
8. I would never waste my time watching t.v.

Eight Favorite Restaurants:
Favorite? Or Most frequented? Tough call.
1. McDonalds (Okay okay, so I love their apple pies, cookies, and the hamburgers with the little diced onions)
2. Panda Express (most frequented)
3. PF Changs, Pei Wei's (same thing) (favorite)
4. Olive Garden
5. Manuels (they've got great chinese...or is it Mexican, I can't recall)
6. Chipotle's
7. Breakfast Joints. Anything that sells cream cheese filled crepes. And a side of bacon.
8. My kitchen of course. I am a fabulous cook. And you know what I say "Nothing tastes as good as when I make it."

Eight things I did yesterday: (are you yawning yet? But now that I said that, you probably are. Oh my gosh I just did.)
1. talked on the phone. a lot.
2. checked my email. a lot.
3. looked at facebook. a lot.
4. looked at blogs. not as much. (good job melissa)
5. took back costume got 20 bucks back.
6. Bought shoes with 10 of the 20 bucks. That don't fit. No wonder they were on clearance for 10 bucks.
7. Ate. a lot.
8. wished I hadn't eaten...a lot.
9. Oh and then there was that whole Halloween thing.

8 things I love about the fall:
okay first off, what is "fall." 8 things I love about the fall... as in THE fall? Weird question. The apple, everything has to die...having to work and toil...must be a different fall. Okay so I googled it, so now I know, I saw some awesome pictures of it on the internet, these are all hypothetical of course:
1. fall leaves
2. cooler weather (oh how I wish)
3. wearing cute sweaters without sweating.
4. FOOTBALL. (Oh wait, I was looking at Don's list, sorry)
5. I look better in fall colors.
6. The Office has new episodes.
7. The Christmas decorations start to go up. Forget about those other LAME Holidays.
8. Chloe looks better in fall colors.

8 things I look forward to:
1. Not being hot.
2. Wearing long sleeves.
3. Lunch.
4. Dinner.
5. Breakfast. (and in that order)
6. checking comments on my blog
7. world peace
8. not getting any more phone solicitations for Politicians A, B, C, etc. etc.

8 things on my wish list:
1. I'm going to have to say world peace again.
2. For leggings to go back out of style. Forever. Dead and buried.
3. For Chloe too stay little forever.
4. That all the dogs and cats would get adopted at the pound. especially the really mean ones that are all mangy and hissy. I always feel most sorry for them.
5. That someone would really invent some of the stuff on "The Jetsons."
6. That I had a personal stylist and hair dresser who got me ready every day. Or the machine on "The Jetsons."
7. When we said "let's come together after the election, no matter who wins," that we really meant it.
8. To appreciate what I already had.

8 people I tag:
I tag all the thousands upon thousands of my adoring fans!