misadventures in Mel-A

Emotional Pack-Rat

2008-08-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

I'm an emotional packrat. I'm a keeper of feelings, memories and moments, even the scrappy ones that should have been thrown away years ago, or never kept to begin with.

Lately, I've began to clean house.

Today, I threw a huge cumbersome piece of "furniture" that has been carried with me for well over three years, into 3 states and frankly, has been hurting my back. It's accumulated dust and gotten moldy-- far worse than it ever was to begin with.

Dear Mr. or Ms. Car Window Breaker

2008-04-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir(s) or Madam(s)

This letter is in regards to the window you broke sometime Saturday evening or Sunday Morning. I admit that my initial feelings were of rage followed by a temper tantrum resembling that of my 2 year old nephew.

Now, after some time spent reflecting on this, I cannot say I blame you. I mean, sure, my little Hyundai was an easy target. If I was of criminal mindset lurking down Poinsettia Place and happened upon a car that had sitting in it's front seat a backpack, sure I'd be tempted to find out exactly what was in that backpack.

Well, here's what you were gambling on. The possibilities are endless.
One Backpack.
One small cardboard shipping box.

Here's what you got:
500 Business Cards $10 (thank you Vista Print)
1 backpack $8.88 (Steve & Barry's)
1 pair jeans (borrowed)
my favorite t-shirt (Ah Muna Eat Choo)
*note- those that know me may know I don't value t-shirts very much, EXCEPT THIS ONE*
1 pair not too cute Target brand undies, possibly dirty
1 red bra with one hook messed up
1 pair of white socks (that I may have borrowed from my boyfriend)
1 ace bandage- used
1 first aid kit- used
1/2 thing of hand sanitizer
1 hair dryer
1 round brush with my hair in it

I suppose the joke is on you. Enjoy, Mr/Ms. Car Window Breaker. Next time, pick a nicer car to break into. They have better stuff. Here's a clue: Hyundai's= affordable cars= cheap owner.

Below you will see the recovered business cards, ran over, and smelling of dog pee, recovered near Runyon Canyon after a nice gentleman called me to tell me they were flying all over the place.

I'm sure some of my new business cards are still flying around near Runyon Canyon if you'd like to do me the courtesy and either pass them out or pick them up. That would help me recoup the $260 cost of replacing the window.

Below I offer you a few visuals.

This is me- and how bummed I am that you took my backpack. Now, you can have a face to put with your crime. Note my hair- I would have LOVED to have DRIED it with my hair dryer.

This is my boyfriend, T.J. He is very disappointed that you littered my cards everywhere. He's not mad, he's just disappointed in you.

In the future, please leave my car alone. If you needed some hand cleaner, just ask. Please enjoy the soft curls my hair dryer produces. And-- Wear my t-shirt with pride, as it is, again. MY FAVORITE.

Sincerely,

Mel

My Most Favoritest Toys

2008-04-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite stories regarding my niece, Presley.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Most Favoritest Toys

With my family being across the country, I rely heavily on phone conversations to feel connected. The longer I've been away from home, the more I find that it's not how often you call but what you say that makes the difference.

I called my sister after an exhausting day of work. It was one of those days where nothing seemed right. Everything seemed off- mainly my attitude. Not sure if it was the pull of the moon, some weird planetary alignment or just pre-pms. I felt uncomfortable and grumpy for no apparent reason. Work was long and exhausting. My four year old niece Presley answered the phone with an up beat banter "Hi Aunt Mel!" We chatted about her day-- how school was and what she'd been up to. The joys of being four- snow angels in fresh Kansas snow, dinner with her grandma and grandpa, getting to stay up late and spend time with her mom and dad while cooper, her little brother was fast asleep.

When she asked about my day, for one of the few times in her young life, i didn't give her a candy answer. "Pres " I said, "I'm feeling a little grumpy. Do you ever have days were you just feel grumpy and you don't know why?" "Yes, Mel, sometimes there are days I have when I don't even want to play with my most favoritest toys."

I sat stunned at her insight. It brought a tear and a smile instantaneously. Sometimes I forget how smart she is. Her depth for understanding amazes me. She took these very complex emotions I'd been struggling with all day and summed it up in to the most basic statement. She was right, today was one of those days Where I didn't feel like playing with even my most favoritest toys. It took a four year old to remind me that it's okay though.

Operation See You Cellulite One Week Status

2008-04-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

On April 1st, 2008 I embarked on the See You Cellulite adventure...

So far, one week in I have found the following to be true

1. 5:30 in the a.m. IS an actually time. I've been awake at that time recently. It's good.

2. 3/4 Mile is how much I can run without wanting to stop at 5:30 in the a.m.

3. 1600 is the number of calories I should be injesting each day to get to my desired state of sexy.

4. 5 cubes of Laughing Cow cheese curbs my cheese desires... which is AMAZINGLY only 35 Calories..

5. 200 is the number of crunches my trainer (aka the ziegler) says I should do after my run

6. 80 is the actual number that gets done (okay GOT done. Once.)

7. 12,19,26 the remaining days of the month I can eat whatever the hell I wanna and not feel bad.

8. 10 is the size of pants that will prove to me I've reached my fitness goals-- they are on a hanger in my front closet- and my current motivation to get fit and f'in fabulous.

9. 9- is the number of miles we hiked yesterday. BOO-mother-f'in-YA.

So far, so good.

My Berfday

2008-03-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Above are pictures of the best cupcakes ever! made by Charity B!! note the naked ladies...

Yippee. I love birthdays. Love 'em. I think birthdays are wonderful days to spoil the people we love and be thankful for them being around. It's the one day when I get to be as Mel-centric as I desire. It is, and rightfully so, all about me-- and that brisk day one Kansas Spring when my mom gave me birth at 1:21 am on St. Patricks Day. I came into the world fast and easy, says my mom.

My sister recalls being nonetoo thrilled about my arrival at the realization that the thing she'd been jumping on for the past few months made noise-- lots of noise.

Here I am, 27 years later. Things that are still the same.

1. I still make a lot of noise

2. I still love boobs

3. I still find it most comfortable to be in warm places, curled up and napping.

The weekend leading up to today was nothing less than perfect, filled with friends, my babe of babes, and lots of moments of thinking "wow- i'm the luckiest girl ever.."

Its the first time I really feel like I am home here. One moment I looked around at my birthday party and thought "wow, they really like me. I am finally home.."

That-- that is good.