Remember how I said I was going to do redo my bedroom?

Well I did. Shame on you Melissa for forgetting to take any before pictures. All I could find of a before was this one:
My room was basically white, blue and black. I wanted something a little more soothing...I am pretty happy with the result, although I have some finishing touches to make.

The new focal point of the room is the 3x3 wall art. I printed off some pictures taken by my brother (thanks Adam) and framed them. By the way, it is hard to get 9 frames perfectly in line with one another. Especially if you are measurementally challenged. Let me just say, there was a lot of trial and error. And a lot of new holes in the wall.

I'll have you know Chloe has put this dress on the past 3 days in a row. Too bad it is for a 3 month old.

I'm partial to that corner too.

People that make me mad they are famous.

Okay, okay, you're gorgeous we get it. Stop with all the pouty lips already.

And same goes to you.

I used to be a huge Jon and Kate plus 8 fan.

I would watch the show while I was nursing little newborn Chloe and would say to myself, ya one baby is not so hard after all.

But now....

what can I say.

Besides this. Jon: you are not 16. And Kate: you are not Oprah.




So apparantly the Miss Universe Pageant is the lamest Pageant not only in the world, but in the UNIVERSE. Heidi Montag?? Although it seems universally agreed that pageants in general are lame.
Eh, sorry to any friends out there who participated in "Scholarship Programs."

Okay. So question.
Do you know how many people in the world can sing?
They should get a break instead of these already famous people who have no talent except for being on a reality show.
I have an idea.
Someone should start a tv show to find the next pop idol based on talent, not just looks.
Isn't that a good idea?

Oh I guess someone already had that idea. Who knew?

This past weekend Don and I got invited to a Murder Mystery Dinner Party. "Pasta, Passion, and Pistols."
Don was "Rocco Scarfazzi" character description? "tough talking no-nonsense Italian business man" involved with "real estate, vineyards, and a "laundering business." To tell you the truth, I don't really know what a "laundering business" means, except that it is shady.

I was Tara Misu. "Rocco's vivacious young fiance. Tara is dressed to kill. She knows the effect he has on men and flaunts her charms shamelessly."

I won't lie, my head swelled a little when I read my character description, apparantly I must fit the part in real life.

People, I am totally kidding.

Although I did think Don was Italian when I very first met him...and he is sort of sketchy in real life too.

It was a fun evening and our hosts did a great job, in fact, there was even a REAL thunderstorm in the background.

I did however realize that Don and I are equally lame when it comes to acting.

No wonder I only ever made one play in junior high and high school.

I had one line. "What a beautiful day for a wedding."

I still remember it. It was a shining moment for me.

Summer Trip '09

How did I not take many pictures of this trip? I guess I don't think we are as cute as Chloe so no need to get out the camera. Did I mention I really, really missed Chloe on this vacation? Chloe, I am not sure I am going to let you go off to college or ever move out of the house. Sorry.
So what did we do?
Well we did a lot of eating. A lot. I never thought I could get sick of eating...but there is only so much you can stuff into such a "petite" frame. wink wink.
I got to know my sister and brother in -law in California better, and decided they are totally awesome. They treated us exceptionally well and we are exceptionally grateful for their hospitality. We'll try and make it up to them...but I am not sure if that is possible. I mean, they are the ones that live in heaven. I totally understand why everyone lives in California.

List of activities (with no pictures to accompany)
*Don interviewed people to join his company.
*I went to "500 Days of Summer" with my sister in-law. We gave it mixed reviews. Not sure I liked the moral of the story, or the girl. Or the way the girl dressed. Or her hair. But then realized my hair is sort of the same.
*Stuffed myself at Olive Garden, MiMi's, and a local Mexican restaurant with fantastic enchiladas but terrible fried ice cream.
*Sat on the beach and watched husbands catch some waves.
*Gossiped about "Jon and Kate plus 8."
*Took a long bike ride and killed my legs.
*Went for a long walk.
*Disneyland (obviously)
*Watched "The Illusionist" (see it!)
*Forced against my will on the "California Scream." I hate large roller coasters. But the company I kept were determined to make me overcome my fear. And it was actually a really good experience for me.

And now for some pictures:


Waited in a lot of lines at Disneyland...Is it just me or is the Matterhorn and Space Mountain always breaking down?

Naively sat in the front on "Splash Mountain." This is where the "splash" comes into play. Thank you Mike.

Hung out with these good peeps at Disneyland. Don's cousin Mike and 5 of his daughters came along. Thanks to Mike, we got in to Disneyland for free. Yes, free. I know, you all want to kill me. Mike=awesome.

Mike owns a shaved ice store in Anaheim. We got free Italian ice and ice cream. You probably want to kill me again.
Our terrific hosts.

Our awesome Beach Bods. We work out.

I have been staring at Chloe all day trying to figure out who she looked like with her new haircut.

And I think I figured it out.

We picked Chloe up yesterday from my in-laws. She had a great time and was treated like a queen, however my heart could barely handle being away from her for so long. When we were reunited Chloe started crying/laughing, and I as well started crying/laughing. I guess the feeling is mutual. Thank goodness. I thought for sure after a week on a real life farm she would be saying "Mom, who?" She is good for my soul.

So we went to Disneyland....

Enjoy.

Gone Fishin'

Maybe...Definitely... Getting him to myself...finally!Restauranteering...my favorite! Picture Don and me. Don't we gaze like this?This......Uninterrupted....bliss...

...but still missing this one's interruptions...but hearing she is doing just fine without us. Sob.

That's right, we've flown the coop...gotten out of Dodge...recapturing our youth...reigniting the flame....
Of course Don has got some business stuff going on the side...always the entrepreneur.

We got in to Oceanside after midnight and are staying at my sister in law's 5 star bed and breakfast.

We had quite the interesting drive. Our GPS system must have a Dr. Seuss route option because we got taken on a wild goose chase to get here.

Our trip even included a friendly stop by the California State Patrol. I fell asleep and was awakened by Don pulling over and red lights glaring behind us.

One officer came to Don's side and talked to him, and being in a state of confusion, I looked to my side of the car and saw a mysterious man staring at me through the window. I thought he was some man who emerged from somewhere in the woods and was waiting for the officer to leave so he could pull out his gun and kill me. and then steal my car. I seriously did. I started whispering, "Don, Don..."

And then he showed me his badge.
Phew.
But if you saw where we were driving, you would have thought the same thing.

We didn't get in trouble by the way. Just a registration check.

So bye for now.
I am going to enjoy the temperature intended for humans, not the one intended for rattle snakes.

A story to brighten your day!

On second thought...

Perhaps my sadness is wearing off a little bit...

Came home from the store today to find Chloe awaiting me, a contact on her finger, attempting to insert it in her eye.

"Where did you get this?" I asked.

Surely she couldn't have figured out how to open my contact packages.....

Surely she did.

6 of them.

6 perfectly good contacts lying broken and discarded on the bathroom floor.

Chloe. You owe me 20 bucks.

Apparantly I need to teach my Dad this lesson, the one I have to reteach myself every day: Child in other room making no noise...Beware.

Oh, and she also had a dirty diaper.

Sending her off might not be so hard afterall.

PS I forgot to mention as I was counting the empty contact packages and repeating over and over again, "Chloe!" she rubbed my back and said "Sorry Mommy....Sorry."
She is indeed very hard to stay mad at.

Bittersweet

I am sending my little Chloe doll to her grandparents for a week today.
I have been fantasizing a childless vacation for forever...but now that it is here...I feel sad.
Truth is, I like Chloe.
Truth is, I like, like Chloe.
Truth is, I love Chloe more than all the things that I love in the world combined (excluding Don, Don has own love category)
What's not to love about a curly red head who says "thank you, you're welcome, and sorry mommy" continuously through out the day.

Wish me luck!

A cautionary tale.

Remember last 4th of July weekend I told you we got a grill?

Flashback....

Melissa's Dad: "Hmmmmm....Grills are dangerous. You have to be really careful, especially with Chloe around."
Melissa: "Ya, ya, ya Dad." (I am VERY used to cautionary tales from my dad. He told me once I might reconsider flying to Utah because the plane might crash.)
Melissa thinks to herself, how dangerous could they be? Everyone has one....

Apparently grills are not as dangerous for little Chloe's as they are for big mommies, aka: me.

I turned the gas on tonight, pushed the red button a billion times before it lit, and then BOOM!!!!
And as usual I was smart enough to have my hair and head right next to the grill as I was lighting it. My brilliance amazes even me sometimes.

I am not even sure if my hair flamed or was just singed instantly. I think it just singed. After I dunked my head in the kitchen sink and said a few choice words... and after I assessed that I was not burned anywhere, my thoughts turned instantly to my hair and how depressed I was that I was going to have to chop it off after months of trying to lengthen it.

Luckily, and I am not even sure how, you can't really tell.
Thank goodness because I just spent $$ on a hair cut (trim). Although I am wondering if they offer complimentary trimmings of singed hair.

I am not even sure of the lesson here, other than, I am now scared of grills, as maybe I should have been in the first place.

Another good lesson...Don't put your head/hair near a grill with a current or planned flame. Also, one would benefit in general, by keeping a good distance away from a flame.

And lastly...have someone more expendable light the flame.
Like your child.
Or your husband.
Or your neighbor.
Or someone not trying to grow out their hair.

Just kidding.

Oh and despite my sarcastic tone, I am VERY grateful how it all turned out.

So I basically love the internet.

My In-Laws have offered to take Chloe next week (mixed emotions-excited and missing her already!) and I'm thinking it is time for my bedroom makeover. Painting with no little "helping" hands sounds nice.

And good news...I found a website that sells a less expensive verison of my dream duvet.

Have you heard of westelm.com?
I never have, but I might just be their newest fan!

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb437&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1BEDDUV&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1BEDDUV

Lipstick mess #3,756.

Neither Chloe nor I seem to learn our lesson.

Someone.

I guees someone only likes the Peanut Butter, not the crackers. That same someone also likes spreading my face mask all over herself and the carptet.

It's a good thing someone is cute.

Pop Culture

So this commercial has been around for awhile and I have to tell you, I really don't like it. In fact, I am bordering on hate. Beyonce's dancing really bugs me. That's why when I saw this local commercial, I said, "Well done." It's funny. Really funny. To me at least.





PS This weekend I saw "Up" and holy cow that is a sentimental movie if I ever saw one. Good luck not crying! I liked its message though: The simple things in life and the relationships we have are the source of our true and most meaningful
adventures.