Dear Don,
I know you like to Christmas shop early. Shopping is after all one of your favorite things to do. Like most men. I thought I would help you out. I'd like these tunes. I would clean my house really, really, REALLY good if I had good music to listen to.

If I had this sweater I would have the energy to take the dirty diapers all the way to the big outside smelly trash can instead of just tossing them out the back porch. I would be cheery enough to take the garbage AND recycle out and in every Tuesday and Thursday (or is it Monday and Thursday? You can see how much I currently love this job)

If I had this sweater I would greet you every evening with a smile and a plate of fresh salmon and spinach salad (not that I don't already do this).

I want this. And every other thing my friend makes.

If I had these things I promise to never leave the dome lights on in the car anymore.

And I would always be on time for church because it wouldn't take me so long to figure out which earrings to wear.

So as you can see, these things stand to benefit you as well.

Also, I might call attention to past references to a certain duvet and throw pillows.

You KNOW we need more throw pillows. I mean we must do something about you having room to sit on the couch now.

And I will be a good girl this year and not buy a single one of things and then say to you, "Oh just count this as my Christmas present" but then still expect you to buy me something else, something that you knew I would love even though I never told you I would love it...but you would know I would love it because we were meant for each other....

I promise to be patient. And I promise not to be mad if I don't get a single one of these things.

But for some reason it just makes me feel better to make a list.

They are almost as great in my imagination as they are in real life.

A girl can dream, can't she?

By the way, to print this out, copy to a word document first.

; )

My Cousin Danny

Last week was a crazy week, as I believe I already mentioned. My cousin Danny died. My cousin Danny: was/is a fantastic guy. I didn't really get to know him until I was an adult. He is 18 years older than I am (when your dad has 10 siblings, this kind of thing happens). But what I liked about Danny was that he acted like he was my age even though he was older than me. I think because 1. he is a young soul at heart and 2. he was good at being interested in what was going on in other people's lives.
I also remember how sweet he was after my mom died. I think he took us to a baseball game. He was good at being fun and making things seem normal, while also being sympathetic and comfortable talking about an awkward subject.

My favorite story about Danny happened while I was at BYU. He came out for a football game and invited me to go. So we went and then he took me to TGI Fridays afterwards. This is when I really got to know Danny. He showed me the ring he just bought to propose to his girlfriend. At 40 or so he said he was finally ready to settle down. I showed him around Glenwood, his old stomping grounds. I think he relived some good memories.

Another football game he was nice enough to give me an extra ticket. The game was the biggest game of the year. Between BYU and UofU. All the tickets were sold out and I didn't have one. Danny came to the rescue. We were supposed to meet up at the big Cougar by the stadium. Although the Melissa factor came into play, and I thought he meant the big inflatable cougar that was put up for the games in the parking lot across the street from the stadium. Although at this game the inflatable cougar was not put up for some reason. So I went and stood by the non existent inflatable cougar for 15 minutes or so. He never showed up, I wonder why! So I ran back to my apartment thinking maybe he dropped the ticket off there. I found what I thought was my ticket in my make up box and I triumphantly waved it around! And then my cousin/roommate laughed hysterically because I was waving around just a ticket stub.

Eventually I made my way to the stadium and there Danny was, standing by the cougar statue.
Back then cell phones weren't everywhere so now a day this story would never happen.
But I am glad it did, because it still makes me laugh.

Danny handled his illness with class and optimism. He made others feel comfortable even though he must have been very uncomfortable himself. His funeral did him justice and he was remembered for these qualities, and I know this is the same Danny that exists on the other side. I just hope for his sake that there is football there.

Well. This week was pretty crazy busy. And tonight I capped it off with my 10 year HS reunion. I debated going. The tickets were 60 bucks. It was supposed to be at the "Wrigley Mansion." I thought 60 bucks was a little much, even for a mansion. But last minute my friend suggested we ditch our men and go together. So that is what we did. Also, last minute the locale changed from the Wrigley Mansion to some little restaurant by a man made lake. Which you know what, was pretty nice after all. Even though I complained that it was still 60 bucks and not at a mansion.
So...my HS reunion. I am glad I went. I did have a good time. It was fun seeing some old friends.

Although I am not really digging my make up in these pictures.

High School. What an interesting time. I had moments tonight when I felt like I was back in High School. Mostly good. A few awkward. Which pretty much sums up High School for me.Mostly good times...a few awkward.
Oh and we got dinner too.

I can't think of anything else to say.

It was an...interesting...night.

Last night we had a party of sorts at my Dad's house. A lot of his family is in town so we hosted a dinner. The reason his family is in town is for today, a not so joyful occasion. My cousin Danny died. He had a long bout with colon cancer. Very, very sad. I will have to say more on my cousin Danny later. I am sure the services today will take on a very different tone than the get together last night. But last night we had a good time.

As with anything involving my Dad, he got out his harp and made his niece sing with him. He tried to get my cousin to play the Maracas, he is a talented drummer, but my cousin declined. I wonder why. So I filled in. And I found out it does not take a talented drummer to play the Maracas. I am grateful I did not have my violin there. I got off easy with the Maracas.

My Dad played "El Candor Pasa." Also known as the Simon and Garfunkel song, "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail." No I am serious. The words go, "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail. Yes I would. If I only could. I surely would. hmmm hmmmm." Hippies were weird.

I think he needs the spanish words to the song about a bird. And than no one would understand what they were singing about anyway. Better than a hammer and nail. In my opinion.

This doll looked rather creepy to me just laying on the floor.

We took turns getting ill, in the sit and spin, courtesy of Chloe. Her hair looks like a wig in this picture, doesn't it?

A Bunkbed Story

So I put an old bunkbed on Craigslist for my Dad.

It was red and metal. Out of style, but in good shape.

I got an offer for 20 bucks.

I said, Deal!

The couple came to pick it up.

Guy says, "Where's the ladder?"

I say-crap.

I find it though. The ladder is not in good condition. But all it needs is to be spray painted red. Would take 5 minutes.

They look like they are having second thoughts.

"Would you take 10 dollars because of the ladder? I mean now we are going to have to buy spray paint."

I said, okay.

But now that I think about it, I think, wow that is really lame.

Do you agree with me?

Bwaaaaaaaaa HaHaHa

Last night I had a dream that my friend told me she hated my blog and I yelled at her. She told me I wrote about stupid stuff that nobody cared about. It was really weird. And I was relieved I didn't really yell at my friend. I don't yell at friends generally. I would like to forget about this dream. And what a bizarre subject to be dreaming about. Blogs??? Come on brain. Can't you take me on a trip to France or something? Well this would be the Halloween post.

(Oh and in case curious minds want to know if I am hiding something with my sweater, the answer is no I am not. I have just been enjoying food a little too much lately)

I spent most of Halloween helping my Dad at his house. In the evening we went to my sister in law Julie's house. We ate pizza, salad, and Marie Callendar's pie. What we ate is an important thing to record. Thinking about food makes me happy. Chelsey came along. She decided not to dress up this year because she is officially an adult. She has now entered the adult world where our joy comes from the eating part, not the dressing up part. Welcome Chelsey, welcome.

Chloe went trick or treating with her cousins which I think is a nice tradition.

The butterfly costume didn't seem to be as popular as the fairy costume from last year. If you recall, Chloe was almost the butterfly last year, but I borrowed a fairy costume instead. I personally think she looked hot. I mean, cute.
For half the night Chloe was not to into this whole trick or treating thing. She was scared of the gory costumes and done up houses. And she kept saying, "Kay You." Translation: Carry you. So for part of the evening I was lugging around a large butterfly.

And then I don't know what happened, but she had an epiphany. She must have finally realized the goal was to get candy. And she loves candy. From then on she ran from house to house, laughing as she went. "Hahahaha...candy....hahah....candy....hahaha....candy." etc.

She tripped 3 times.

So we had a good time. But I have to say. Halloween is sort of a literal nightmare afterwards. Because Chloe knows she has a whole sack of candy and is always asking for it.

I think my parents must have given up. Because I remember eating my Halloween candy all gone in about two days.

Oh, and by the way. I think people should give out more Snickers and less tootsie rolls.

Carpet

** So I posted this last night, then slept on it, and took it off in the morning. And then thought about it some more, and put it back on. It is a little personal, but I want to share anyway.


I think I found my calling in life.

I mean, I think we all have many, but I have to tell you. I love to redecorate people's houses. And I love to get rid of junk. I hate junk. I hate ugly things. I hate almost anything from the 1980's. (Except myself, friends and family born during that wretched decade). I challenge you to come up with one thing from the 80's that was not hideous (except myself, friends, and family born during that wretched decade.)

Well what is my point...oh ya.

So I have been working like I dog over at my dad's house.

Let me tell you something.
There was this nice elderly couple I knew a while back, and walking into their house was like walking into this strange eerie time warp. Whenever I went in their house, I thought, "So...this is what it would have been like to live in the 70's." I mean really. They could have rented their house out to the production company of the Brady Bunch Movies and not had to change a thing.

Well. The house I grew up in? The same thing applies. They could do a remake of "Growing Pains" there.

Forest Green carpet. Small white tile.
And worst of all. 30 years of accumulated stuff.

A miracle happened this weekend.
New carpet.
And major dejunking.
I literally cried.

Because it is not just about making things pretty.
My mom died just shy of 10 years ago.
And my house hasn't felt like the house I grew up in for almost 10 years.
But today? Today my old house came out of mourning.
And for the first time in almost 10 years, I felt like I was back home.
And I could almost hear my mom's voice and envision her walking through the kitchen and into the dining room.
And it felt really, really good.

Here's to moving forward.
And you know what, it doesn't need to take 10 years.