Saturday, February 28, 2009

RECOMMENDATION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER

I have just finished an incredible book.

There are times when I find my faith rejuvenated by the most subtle of things. They way the sun warms my face reminds me of God. The sound of a bird singing, or the sight of my children. This week I was in church for a funeral and Father asked us all to do something important. To listen. Listen.

Last night I finished this book about Jesus as a child- as a boy of 7 years old, and Internet, I found myself listening. The messages are so simple, and surround us entirely. Believers or non-believers would take something from this book. If you are so inclined, I highly recommend you read— and of course, listen. If you have thoughts to share- I would love to hear them.

Posted by Melis at 17:10:10 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Small Thought

There’s a woman and two young girls out to dinner, at one of those fast food asian bistro places. The woman looks happy, but a little over-worked after a long week at the office. The two young girls bicker for a second, and realize their grumbling tummies are to blame. With a tray of Orange chicken, terriyake, steamed rice and some veggies, they make their way through the crowded restaurant, picking a spot in the corner.

Not far away, an elderly man sits, painstakingly working chopsticks around the fried rice and vegetables. His clothes are pressed, though he doesn’t have a warm coat on such a cool evening, and he wears a baseball cap over long brown hair. His beard is combed through, though un-even, and the woman finds herself wondering if he is homeless, or maybe living out of a shelter.

On the overhead speakers, strains of a John Lennon song play. She likes this song and mentions to the girls that the singer was part of a group called The Beatles, and hearing the music makes her smile.
The elderly man looks up, having caught this bit of conversation and smiles slowly, as if agreeing.

Dinner almost at an end, the woman wonders if she could offer him a few dollars, but not being certain, not knowing for sure if he needs it- or doesn’t and would take offense- she hesitates. The girls are passing out fortune cookies- one for each of them, and the woman leans over, and speaks.

“Would you like a fortune cookie?”
“Thank you”, he replies, taking the cookie, smiling quietly again. “My last fortune wasn’t so good”.
“Maybe this one will be better” she says, saying a small prayer inside.  He nods his head carefully, as if mulling over the possibility, then gathers his things, and walks out the door.

Posted by Melis at 01:16:05 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Monday, February 16, 2009

25 Random Things

1. I must admit to loving these random thing things, they’re fun.
2. I have been burning a rose candle all day, and it smells like someone actually got me roses for Valentines Day EVEN THOUGH NO ONE DID.
3. I spend too much time playing pool online.
4. While I love and adore the idea of an immaculately clean and organized house, ironically, I am the one that prevents that from happening.
5. Dark chocolate reminds me of Christmas.
6. Work is kicking my ass in such  a manner that I do not even turn on my computer when I get home, thus explaining why I have not posted in awhile.
7. I sometimes wonder how my kids can watch the same Disney tv show over and over again and still laugh.
8. I kinda hate those Disney shows.
9. I tried being a vegetarian and it lasted about a month and a half.
10. I found a book of collected works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez that I thought was lost for about a year. Cannot wait to read it.
11. I do not have a Facebook page, unlike lots of people who do.
12. I cannot stand it when My Tween counters every decision I make with an illogical BUT WHY???? and then flops all over the place in tween angst that makes me want to stick her in a closet.
13. I would never stick My Tween in a closet. Calm down.
14. My lucky number is 3. I love 3.
15. I love to sleep late.
16. It’s hard to fill one of these 25 Things out, without actual prompts or questions.
17. My dear friend Nic got to take her Teeny Tiny home from the hospital this week, and I have been christened Auntie M. I cannot handle how fabulous both of those things are.
18. I actually know someone who gets to audition for Cirque du Soleil. I think that is completely awesome.
19. I am in love with high end product.
20. Oh thank goodness I am almost at 25.
21. I love the guys on Big Bang Theory. They are deliciously geeky.
22. My favorite shows that I DVR these days are- L Word, Big Love, US of Tara, and Big Bang.
23. I am hungry kinda. Will maybe cook up some pasta.
24. I cannot wait to make enough money to buy a new house.
25. I want you to do a 25 Things, and if you do, let me know!!

Posted by Melis at 01:38:24 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Monday, February 9, 2009

The poet in me adores the lyrics to this song….

Posted by Melis at 16:13:42 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The random….

1. I wish I was crafty. I scroll on-line through pages and pages of darling ideas for cute little valentines, home decorating, nursery inspiration, you name it. I grab decorating magazines, and drool over ideas that sound like perfection itself, yet when it comes all down to the execution, Internet, ….nothing.
Am I lazy? Do I have a mental block? Is it a case of the notion, the very idea, being so much more appealing than the actual effort and subsequent result??? Thank God for Etsy, no matter the case!

2. I connected with two darling friends today, who read my blog and exclaimed with joy that they loved it and it was by far their favorite blog in the whole wide world! Or web, as the case may be. OK so they didn’t really say that, but they did like it and I’ll take my kudos where I can get them. (Hi Bel! Hi Lib! Love you!)

3. I have a thought I want to share about relationships. There’s a lot of heartbreak going around these days- and an incredible amount of pressure to be coupled. And it’s everywhere I look- online web sites, tv commercials, you name it. Find the right one for you! Be happy with someone! Yet the appalling staggering statistics show that 1 in 2 marriages end in divorce. And the fact is that finding someone is sometimes not as complicated as keeping someone. So I ask you. Why can’t we be encouraged to fall in love with ourselves? Why does the notion that someone has to “complete me” in order for me to be complete prevail in today’s society?

I don’t pretend to be immune to the hype. Make no mistake, I have had my share of succumbing to the very persuasive eH ad on tv, that makes it look like finding someone compatible is easy as pie. But I resent the implication as a whole, that we cannot be happy unless we are involved with someone. Maybe it’s all about finding balance??? What do you think?

(Yes that was me encouraging comments. Lurkers….come out come out wherever you are!)

Posted by Melis at 21:11:29 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Saturday, January 31, 2009

My Grace post today:

1. Having important conversations with people I love.
2. Hanging out with my oldest daughter and laughing.
3. Waking up to snuggles.
4. Knowing I can deal with tough situations.
5. Orange Crush soda.

With that, I leave you. Good luck, and good night.

Posted by Melis at 06:01:13 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Friday, January 30, 2009

This footage comes courtesy of a co-worker who really does amaze me with these endeavors. I say endeavors but what I really mean is insanity. I would categorize him as a storm chaser- those guys that get a kick out of filming mother natures telling the rest of us to pack sand.

I tried to embedd the highly recomended HD clip- but if you don’t get it you can go here.

Also, my Grace post today consisted of the following:
1. Lunching with my amazing friend who I share not only the intelligent insightful conversations with, but also, the ridiculous and hilarious.
2. OMG the incredible espresso chocolate brownie that I bought from Starbucks. Orgasmic!
3. Watching my grandmas face light up when I walk in the door with flowers for her.
4. Suprising my mom with flowers, too.
5. Buying my girls treats and hearing them giggle with happiness.

Posted by Melis at 04:33:16 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Do you know the Proust Questionnaire?
It’s something like those emails you get at work, random-like, that require you to fill in the blank. This one actually started out as a game among the rich and well to-do at the end of the 19th Century.

My answers….

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

hmmm - to get all granola earthy crunchy on ya- WORLD PEACE.

What is your greatest fear?

Drowning.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I am the queen of procrastination. I am messy and disorganized!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Mean-ness disguised as dry witty cynicism.

Which living person do you most admire?

My brother.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Organic produce and sushi and product!

What is your current state of mind?

Funky! I am in the customary January funk. It’s cold and I am cranky and I would kill for some chocolate. (I even raided the sad little dregs of the now defunct halloween candy jar AND THERE WAS NOTHING BUT A DAMN DRY TOOTSIE ROLL IN IT. Teeny. And inedible!)

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Hmm. Good one. I think extreme self sacrifice for the selfish is WAY overrated.

On what occasion do you lie?

I try not to, but if I did have to lie, it would be the teeniest tiniest lie ever on a very insignificant occasion.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Oh gosh this is an honest one. My hair. I cut it short a long time ago and I miss my locks desperately.
Which living person do you most despise?

Ignorant people, aware of their ignorance, and committed to it regardless. .

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Sweetness

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Friendliness

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Seriously? Seriously. Seriously!

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My daughters

When and where were you happiest?

Its hard to target a specific time- I am happiest when my daughters are happiest.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to follow through. (In line with the procrastination answer). Or the ability to make anyone sad or confused have instant clarity and happiness.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would give myself more patience and focus and some kick-ass organization skills.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Raising (and the continued raising) of two talented, secure, educated, happy girls.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I would come back as myself, with more wisdom, and less drama.

Where would you most like to live?

Where I live now. I just want a nicer house.

What is your most treasured possession?

I don’t think I have one.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Suspicion. Worry.

What is your favorite occupation?

Writing- creating.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m always almost late, but once I get there, it’s all good.

What do you most value in your friends?

Understanding.

Who are your favorite writers?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Cornelia Funke, Gregory Maguire. Isabel Allende

Who is your hero of fiction?

Eliza Sommers, in Daughter of Fortune

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I’d like to identify with Frida Khalo- she had such fierce ideas about beauty and art- and passion for love and freedom in equal measures.

Who are your heroes in real life?

The women I am closest to- we all have our challenges, and rise to meet them in such incredible ways.

What are your favorite names?

Mateo - Melia - Analise - Adriana - Elena

What is it that you most dislike?

Doing dishes. Or laundry. Anything domestic really. I’ll cook as long as someone else cleans….I despise also, my messy messy house. Ironic, isn’t it?

What is your greatest regret?

Not standing up or fighting for something/someone when I should have. I will never make that mistake again.

How would you like to die?

Peacefully, knowing I did all I could to love and be kind, and create good memories.

What is your motto?

It is what it is. If you can change it, do. If you can’t, accept and move on.

Posted by Melis at 03:29:05 | Permalink | No Comments »

Sunday, January 25, 2009

My Grace post today:
1. Looking forward to my Grace post.
2. Home-made french fries and hamburgers
3. Sleeping LATE
4. Little girl kisses
5. Knowing I still have one more day off.

And…that’s all I have. You would think there’d be more, but….nope. I got nothing.

Have a good weekend!

Posted by Melis at 04:07:28 | Permalink | No Comments »

Friday, January 23, 2009

HOW MUCH DO I LOVE MY BROTHER?

My brother is a techie. Loves gadgets, and computers and audio and tvs… all of it. Love love love. You know those geeky tech shows? Not only does he watch them, I think he dvr’s them. Pure tech junkie. Last week he bought his second (second!) 47″ plasma HD blue ray HDMI tv goodness, and it arrived today. When I get to his house he asks in his sweetest voice possible if I will help set it up.  (He’s a quad, brilliant, but naturally needs help with some physical stuff).

How could I say no, right? And really, these new tv’s are light and stupid-proof, how hard can it be?

Well, let me tell you. The first obstacle is getting the current tv, an 800lb behemoth, off the tv stand. It weighs a bloody ton, and our 55 year old uncle with the bad back is trying to help. If his sweet tempered delicate girlfriend hadn’t been there, there would have been some profanity folks. That’s all I’m sayin. And when The Behemoth finally comes down, and we get it out of the room we have send Uncle and Girlfriend home with a bottle of analgesic for their aching backs….

So we open the box. Angels sing. Brother tells me, and I quote, “easy peasy, all we need to do is screw the tv to the stand”. In my mind, I’m thinkin sweet, no worries. I’m a handy girl, I can do this.
But then I lose a screw. IN THE TV. And then I bend a bracket ever so slightly so that the remaining screws refuse to screw in. We get the flashlight. No screw. We tilt and lift and can hear it taunting us from within, but no matter what, that screw is lost. I look at him, thinking holy crap he is gonna lose it, but he is remarkably calm. He is channeling the zen of the newly purchased television gods. “Lets just put in the other three”, he says. “It’ll be ok”. Oh Brother, I love you!

And then, miraculously, the bracket unbends. The screws screw. The set up is complete!
There was even laughing!

I am home now, and Brother is most likely geeking out on all the settings, and blue ray diagnostics thingies. Which is good, because when I cave in and get MY tv, he is gonna totally hook me up, and I won’t have to mess with settings or anything! All I have to do is manage to NOT lose a screw!!

PS: My Grace post today:
1. Laughing with your best friend in the whole world.
2. Eating spaghetti with your family.
3. Teasing your brother about what you are going to write about him in your blog.
4. Watching re-runs of the Cosby Show with your kids.
5. Goodnight kisses. 

 

Posted by Melis at 04:52:01 | Permalink | No Comments »