Just for fun, part Deux.

I promise. I am almost done with rehashing all the old pictures. Old pictures are notoriously only interesting to one's self, and perhaps serious possible suitors who want to have a peak at what their future children might look like if they married you. Although I think this might only go one way, gender wise. Don certainly was not all that interested in looking at my old photos. Of course, he also was not the one envisioning as a 14 year old, what kind of band he wanted at his wedding or what suit he would like to wear. I digress.
Anyway...back when the first Narnia movie came out, my whole family went to see it at the theater. And when this little girl came on, we collectively looked at each other said, "That's Melissa." (Well I said, hey that looks like me as a kid)She even has bad teeth. And freckles.

Even Don said so. On his own accord. So maybe he was paying attention to my photo album afterall.

The End.

Sorry for boring you all.
And now...to bed.

And while I am on the subject...

This little trip down memory lane has been fun for me, and while I am on the subject, let me do a little plug for another one of my greatest college roommates/friend. Leisa is my talented friend. She can pretty much do any artsy thing imaginable. She used to cut my hair (for free) and she is so talented, she can cut her own hair. She also paints, photogrpahs, makes jewelry and like I said, pretty much anything that is artsy. And artsy does not give her credit-she is an actual "artist." I am her number one fan. Well, besides her husband and her kids...and probably her mom. Ridiculous 18 year olds.

And she is almost as weird as me...that is why we get along so well!

Look at her jewelry, isn't she talented?

A small trip down memory lane.

See I told you, I take full credit for Chloe's luscious thighs.

And just for fun...

This is a real classy picture don't you think? I love that we are wearing NIKE shirts and shoes. If you know me very well, and know that I can barely catch a ball, you will appreciate the irony.

Target and MJ

Hey look I figured out how to get my old pictures on my blog! Now this just opens up a whole new world of blogging topics! I am giddy! I have tons of oldie but goodie stories to tell...I just know you are all on the edge of your seats with excitement too....

Last night I took a little trip to Target...
All by myself, half hour before closing. It was very nice. Target makes me happy.
I took my time looking at the earrings, toddler clothes, and bathing suits. Which PS, why in the world are bathing suits so expensive? Even at Target! They are like fabric swatches and some elastic. Seriously. I don't get it. I refuse to go off on my tangent about bathing suits. Maybe another time, suffice it to say I have a bone to pick with swimming suit manufacturers. Anyway, I limited myself to window shopping, although I did get a pair of earrings. And I got some Claritin, which by the way...man that stuff is expensive!

I was driving home enjoying the solitude, combined with radio tributes to Michael Jackson. And then what song should come on but "Man in the Mirror."

I turned it up and sang along...and I was transported back in time, riding passenger in a red volkswagon convertable, singing with my friend. And I was happy. Really happy.

It might have even made me happier than Target.

Rachelle, this is for you.

A Day for the Pop Culture History Books

Sidenote:Read the big long paragraph if you are wondering of what significance these pictures have.

Okay, so back in the day, my roommates and I were dancing fiends. Not only did we attend ALL the school dances (read paragraph below), we held many dances in our apartment. This picture still makes me laugh because I think I made my friend go dance next to this guy because I wanted to take a picture of him, because well, I basically wanted to marry him, um unfortunately (and I guess fortunately ) he didn't feel the same. After I took the picture the guy was like, "that was weird, it looked like you were taking a picture of me but I thought you were trying to take a picture of your friend." He was confused, and well, I didn't bother to explain my conniving ways for obvious reasons. If by any chance there is some way you (the guy) is reading this, all I can say is...ya I don't know what I can say....

And apparently this is a tactic I utilized quite often...only I think I took a picture of this guy for posterity sake-he was my boyfriend I think for 2 days. The relationship took a turn for the worse when I realized he had a slight obsession with cats. As in pretending to be a cat. He meowed. No. Seriously, he did. And purred. And would rub his head against my shoulder.

Once again, if by some chance you (the guy) is reading this all I can say is...now you know why the relationship only lasted 2 days, but for the record other than that small fact, you were a really, really nice guy. I hope you found a nice girl who really likes cats.

BREAKING NEWS TODAY

So I just checked my favorite internet news site, and it reported that Michael Jackson died....

So I am in shock. It was just yesterday that I was talking to an old college roommate about how much we used to love dancing to Michael Jackson. We had like a half hour conversation about him and how weird he became and our theories on why he had become so weird. My old roommate was a huge MJ fan and she could bust out some pretty good moves to "Beat It" It got all the guys. This was at Ricks College where it was consistently 3 degrees Farenheit and there was nothing else to do but escape the snow by going to a school sponsored dance. That is where we spent almost every Saturday night our Freshman year. And it was awesome. I was under the misguided impression that I was a pretty good dancer, and so the first night I met Don (4 years later), I busted out some of my moves in an attempt to impress him with my "skills." And months later when he was comfortable enough to tell me, he told me he was not all that impressed by my Roger Rabbit. He thought it made me look like I was 16. Apparantly just because your girlfriends think you are a good dancer, doesn't neccesarily mean guys think you are. Perhaps this is why I didn't have any dates my freshman year. Hmmmm.

Well weird day for American pop culture. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
Farrah Fawcett was before my time but MJ...thanks for the music.

I think that I shall never see, a thing as lovely as a tree.

Tree.

Now that is a 4 letter word I can stand behind.

I love trees. I wish there were more of them here.

They are like....well...a welcome oasis of relief from the harsh sun beating down on you in a barren desert. Something like that.

They don't just randomly run amuck here like they do in other places. When I visited the East Coast back in high school I was flabbergasted to see trees growing on trees. A whole new world! And when I moved to Utah I thought it was the rain forest, and yet my east coast cousin thought she had moved to the desert. Funny how perspective works.

Anyway, down here you have to plant trees.

Actually...I have an outlier to the bell curve. Let me tell you a little story.

When we moved into our house 3 years ago, our backyard was hideous. Don tells me I use dramatic vocabulary sometimes, like "hideous," but I stand by that word. It is the perfect word for our old backyard. Well, there was this little patch of dirt, intended for something green and pretty. So we planted something or another...and I think it probably died. Because we probably forgot to water it and it was so ugly back there we thought, what is the point? Like lipstick on a pig. Well that is what I thought. Don tends to see the larger picture. I don't mean to lump him in the Debbie Downer corner.

Anyway, then one day we found a "weed" sprouting up. We let it go...and let it go...and then we started to think maybe it was not a weed afterall. Maybe it was something pretty.

And it was! It was a tree! And 3 years later look at it's gloriousness! And how fortuitous is it that it planted itself right smack in the middle of our little dirt area? That tree I tell you, is a kind (and detail oriented) soul.Thank you kindly for the shade, dearest tree of ours! We don't even care that you drop millions of pods! But our neighbor might. Which reminds me...I wonder if it is the same neighbor who was the receiver of our patio table umbrella that went flying away one day during a storm. We didn't go looking for it, for obvious reasons. "Uh sorry about the broken window, but could we get our umbrella back?"

And then there is this tree...which is about 2 years old...and well...struggling. It is a ficus. A very "pretty" tree, but slow to really bloom.

Moral of the story:

Just because you are pretty when you are a baby doesn't mean you will blossom as fast as something not so pretty as a baby, which can grow taller than you, and then become a model because they got tall really fast and skinny.

I think this is a very useful lesson, don't you?

"Chloe! Get in here...mom has a new life lesson to teach you about!"

Just kidding.

PS Chloe and the tree are the same age. So in 20 years it might be five feet tall.

Father's Day and all that jazz.

So this weekend was a celebration of all things Dad. To celebrate, Don cleaned my kitchen. 3 times Sunday. And did all the laundry. All on his own accord. Which makes me feel a little guilty. And a lot grateful. And this is why Chloe has the best dad. Two thumbs up. Way up. I hope you all have equally wonderful men in your lives. I like men. They are swell. I am glad they get a special day. Where I can make them dinner and they do all the dishes, that is fair, right? Hey like I said, he did that all on his own.On Saturday we went to my sister in law Kay's house for a celebration for Don's side of the family. We had BBQ Briscut and salads, and as status quo, I stuffed myself most decidedly. And then there was swimming. And unfortunately I did not wait the full half hour and I ended up with a slight cramp. But, I survived. And then ate some more cake.The men of the hour. Hip hip hooray. For dads. Sunday I had my side of the family over. My gift to my dad was dinner, since he basically is the hardest person in the world to shop for. This must be a general man characteristic, because every man I know, I can never think of a thing to buy them. I bought Don a scout wide brimmed hat, which I was really impressed with myself for thinking of that, because he had mentioned only once that he would like one. And....I figure he has many, many...many, years of scouting ahead. sigh. Also, you know of my affinity towards hats.

I made honey lime enchiladas, rice, and strawberry spinach salad, oh and apple dumplings. I am kind of a fabulous cook. If I do say so myself. That's not conceited is it?

Oh well. we should all be able to brag about at least one thing, right?

Oh, and I am good at plucking people's eyebrows. That's 2 things I am good at.

Now you know.

What do you think I am good at?

Discuss.

Kidding.

She is Quite The Accessorizor.

Class of 99...is it worth my time....hmmmm.....

So I can't really truly believe it, but my 10 year high school reunion is coming up.

5 years ago I would have said no way am I going.... I am sooooo over high school.

I mean I liked high school but college way surpassed high school as far as fond memories go.

But 5 years later, my feelings are a little different.

Probably thanks to Facebook. And I thought, ya it would be kind of fun to see everybody again.

I was planning on going to the reunion that is until I found out the specifics. And now, well I am not so sure.

60 bucks a head for appetizers, a wet bar, unlimited pictures printed and taken from the photo booth and a DJ. Seriously, 60 bucks?
No appetizers are that good, I don't drink and I think we all have digital cameras...and come on, can't we just hook up somebody's I-Pod? This isn't 1999 afterall...

Anyway, so now I am torn.
Maybe all the cheapies out there can meet up at Denny's...or Macayos...for old times sake.

Catching Up.

Roller Derby girl. Chloe picked out this little gem of an outfit by herself. I take full genetic credit for those thighs. Don is giving her roller skating lessons every day. And I am assistant coach. It is exhausting training the next Michelle Kwan.
I tagged along with my sister-in-law and her kids to the Phoenix Zoo. I am posting this picture because...well I like it. I think it is a quintessential picture of summer. I sure like Miss Chloe's new bathing suit.
Anyway, now onto my week. I can hardly believe it was only a week. Don't get me wrong, it was a good week, it was just a very long week. It seemed like Don was gone a month, not just a week. I am glad to have him home, and to be home, and to get back to our more normal routine.
The first night Don was gone I invited my friend Marilei out on a date. We went to PF Changs and as always, the orange chicken was delicious. I told Marilei she looked like she belonged on the cover of a brochure enticing visitors to come to Scottsdale Fashion Square. So I took a picture. Don't you think it looks pleasant? Well it was. And the weather has been remarkably pleasant as well. We sat outside early evening and didn't sweat our smashing hair and make up away. You will have to excuse my old fashioned way of speaking today. I watched one too many Jane Austen movies this week...and North and South...uh have I mentioned I LOVE this movie. Indeed, I think I have.
Speaking of movies, Marilei and I saw "Easy Virtue." I think we decided we liked it, although we were a little undecided on the ending. Worth seeing? Yes...even with Jessica Biel. Jessica Biel is on my list of ten most annoying actresses (I don't really have a list, but if I did she would be on it. And so would Angelina Jolie. She seriously annoys me with all her "sexy" pouting.)
Meanwhile back at camp, Don was having a grand old time. Word has it he caught something terrible, that severely limited his fun intake. Apparently he spent a good amount of time in the latrine. Poor Don. I remained busy here...had dinner with my friend Charlotte's family, made a table, went to a swimming party at my sister-in-laws, and got ready to head up to a cabin. Oh, and dealt with the transmission people who seemed to believe fixing my car was the last thing on their to do list. Luckily my dad lent my his car.
Last Wednesday night I headed up to a cabin with my friend Maggie and her kids. We were later joined by my friends Julie and Elizabeth. At one point there were 11 kids. Which is a lot of kids. And too bad I didn't remember to take any pictures. We had a fun time relaxing, eating too much delicious food, and watching girly movies.

Thursday I met up with Don at Camp Geronimo. The cabin I was at and camp Geronimo are practically next door neighbors. Visiting an all boy camp was a boost to my self esteem. Many men were eager to be of assistance. And they are all upstanding boy scouting citizens-what more could a girl ask for. Except perhaps better hygiene. As you can see, this young man helped me shoot the gun. He had to try very hard not to fall in love with me, like in Swiss Family Robinson when that one character is teaching the girl how to to shoot...you know what I am talking about?

Anyway, I was a natural of course, as I excel in almost everything I try. They told me the further you hit away from the center, the better. And I did exactly that.
Chloe was a little embarrassed by her mother's lack of propriety. Ladies don't shoot guns. (that's the Jane Austen speaking again)

I was pretty proud, but in a very humble way, of my shooting abilities. Being proud is a vice if not tempered by good manners and sincere concern for others, just ask Mr. Darcy.
Poor Chloe was having the opposite problem of her dad. While he had trouble keeping things in, she had trouble getting things out, if you know what I mean. She spent most of the day in this sad, sad position.She made a 180 degree turn in countenance once this little problem cleared itself up. About 5 times that night.
Alas, it was finally Saturday and we were officially reunited with Don, the greatest scout master in the world, Mortensen. He met up with us at the cabin and the rest of my friends headed home. It was rather fortuitous that our stay landed on the day of the town festival-"Strawberry Days." No, there were not a lot of strawberries to buy, that is just the name of the town. Isn't it a great name for a town? I think naming something "Strawberry" increases its ambiance by at least 78 percent. Except I knew a girl named Strawberry, and I think Strawberry is sort of a weird name for a human. But towns...great name for a town.

As most festivals include, there was a lot of ticky tacky stuff to buy that you would never want to buy anywhere else, but since you are at a "town fair" it becomes more desirable. Someone was selling sheets, which I thought a tad odd. We bought Chloe a bracelet and a sticky candy stick which very effectively got everywhere and sufficiently nastied up her hands. So we bought some kettle Korn so we would not feel bad about asking for a wet napkin, and solved that problem quickly.

We stayed Sunday for church and some more relaxing and then finally headed back home.

And we came to freshly cleaned carpets. Really, could life get any better....

Indeed, I think not.

Retro Love

Today Don (yes Don, as in my absent scout mastering husband... I have him back, glory, glory Hallelujah!) and I were driving home from church (we are still in Pine, AZ...more on that later) when on the radio we heard the Kenny G (I am assuming) version of "We Are the World."
You remember that? Probably not. It was in the 80's. I have some vague recollection of it. I mean, I must have been real little. Like under 5. Anyway it sparked my curiosity so I you tubed it. And...I loved it. I can't believe they got all those divas in one room to sing a song together!





Also, on my little vacation this week I watched my new favorite movie. "North and South." Never heard nor seen it before. My friend Julie introduced it to me. I you tubed the ending scene a billion times already and I would post it here...but you really have to watch the whole movie for maximum swooning. It is official. In my book at least. It trumps Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
And this is what happens to you when you are left alone for an entire week. You become a silly twitterpated girl, in love with fictional men from another century. Let it be a warning to you!

Camp Geronimo.
Those two words bring excitement for most 12 year boy scouts.
A full week of camping. No parents. Friends and lots of boy stuff to do. Plus an all you can eat soft serve ice cream machine. It's like a cruise, without the cruise.
If I was a 12 year old boy I would be excited too. I mean, what's not to love?
Ask the wives of the scoutmasters. They will tell you.

Those two words are not my favorite words.

Did you know my husband went to Camp Geronimo less than a week after Chloe was born?
Ya.
I will spare you that tangent.

So me and Camp Geronimo...we didn't get off to so great of a start.
We are totally not BFFs.

Scouts is the "other woman."
I know I should have a good attitude and all but...

Well tonight Bad attitude Melissa is winning.
You know what I mean?
Thanks for listening.

Validation

A friend told me about this video today. If you've got 15 minutes, you should watch it-it will make you smile!

A Chloe Story

Today I told Chloe to go get a diaper and she interrupted me by putting her finger to my mouth and said "shhhhhhh." Where in the world did she learn that! I didn't think we even shhhhh'd around here-we are all too loud for that!

Camp Geronimo and the Lonely Wives Club

Well Don just left with his scouts to good old Camp Geronimo.
He will be gone a week.
Boo hoo.
And I am car-less at least until Monday. Dang transmission again.


Actually, this week I have made plans and "busied myself up," as Chelsey would say.
My dream to go to Disneyland did not quite pan out, but I have not given up on that dream yet.
But I do have got some super-d-duper things planned.

All this got me thinking...I miss going to camp. I loved Church Girl's Camp. Although it wasn't really camping. We had a cafeteria and cabins. I wasn't one of those girls that cried because I missed my boyfriend and my hair products. I didn't have a boyfriend, and I was used to bad hair. It was great because we basically didn't have to do anything but hang out. Sometimes we made a little dippy craft. It definitely was not like Boy Scout Camp (thank goodness!) They have to do the Polar Bear swim and jump into a freezing cold swimming pool before dawn. Everything is scheduled down to the minute, I guess to keep the boys out of trouble. Good attitude Melissa is glad my husband can be a good role model for his scouts, even if it means we get ditched quite often. I hope the boys will remember their good experiences with scouts and hopefully pay it forward when they are adults. Boys need good male role models...and so do girls. But boys...they really need good men to show them what it means to be a good husband and father. Bad attitude Melissa hates sleeping alone.

Anyway, that is all.

Advice to the Single Ladies out there.

Liz.
Here is some sound advice.
This is how I snagged my man.





As you can see, I am the picture of femininity.

A conversation with Chelsey that made me laugh:

Don: "Pin a Rose on your nose, chelsey." (He was just joking)
Chelsey: sigh of disgust. No! I would never do that! Heavenly Father wants me to respect my body and not get piercings and tattoos....another sigh of disgust...No way!

I was perplexed at where this sudden tirade had stemmed from...and then I remembered Don's comment, which she apparently took quite literally.

*No offense to anyone with tattoos or piercings.

So I started a food blog.

www.mottsyskitchen.blogspot.com

For Rachelle

I am considering making a food blog. But everyone has a food blog, so what's the point, you know? They are probably all the same recipes so I might just be repeating the obvious. However I want to share this recipe because it is easy and yummy. I should know, I got up at 11:30 PM from a deep sleep to eat the leftovers. Sigh. And I wonder why my pants are inexplicably tight. Oh well. I stole this recipe from sisterscafe.blogspot. If you haven't heard of it, it has some great recipe ideas. I am changing the name from Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas to...
Honey-Lime Chicken Burritos-Enchilada Style. You shall see why.

So here's the deal-Cook some chicken. I baked mine, then I cut it up.
Then marinate for like a half hour if you've got the time, in this little diddy:

6 TB Honey
4.5 TB lime juice
1 TB chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Then, take your flour tortillas, put some chicken and some cheese (jack or colby) in the middle, roll them up and put them in a pan.
Bake them at 375 for a few minutes, make sure you watch them so they don't burn, and make sure the cheese melts.
THEN, add the Green Enchilada sauce (I used and liked Las Palmas brand) on top. I warmed the sauce up and added after I got enchiladas sort of crispy and the cheese melted because if you cook the enchiladas with the sauce, the flour tortillas get all mushy and nasty. And thus, this is why I call them a burrito instead of an enchilada. If you like mushy flour tortillas feel free to cook the enchiladas in the sauce. I ain't gonna stop you.
Garnish with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese for the full on burrito-enchilada style effect.
I call this Mormon White Girl Mexican Food Casserole.