End of March updates

Good morning, good afternoon, good day! Wherever you are, I hope you make the best day of today.

It is time to share some pictures! Woo hoo!

Of course, I'm starting with a picture of Taj. It's what I do. But seriously, this cat is awesome! I mean look it how he sleeps. He even looks like he is smiling!

I bought these shoes for my wedding. I must be crazy I think. The shoes are super hot and super high. I think I have some heel mastering to do before we get hitched.

Poor Moose! He got an ear infection or something. Rob held him down, cleaned his ear out, tried to get the gunk off the flap of his ear and then...he taped his head. Rob's intentions were to cover the ear so that Moose couldn't scratch his ear. Yeah, the plan didn't work. Moose had the tape off within 10 minutes and besides that, he just looked goofy. The good news...the ear infection is gone!

Ferren planned a surprise wedding shower for me at work. I had no idea! Look at this cake one of the ladies made for me. Isn't that just amazing?! And just below the cake are all the tasty treats everyone brought. If I had known that everyone was going to be this excited, I would've asked Rob to marry me a long time ago.

So I got this app on my phone called Nostalgio and this picture is what it does. It takes a few of my pictures and turns them into collages. Everyone else has pictures of kids or family and then there is me. I have an overload of pictures of my animals. These rowdy pets are like my kids and I can't express enough how much I love them.

So we decided to take on painting the kitchen recently. And instead, we ended up with a bigger job. We got the kitchen done but now we have to do the shower. This picture is our pitiful shower. It's all torn apart now and will have to be re-done. Sad!

One of my favorite days at work is craft day. Usually once a month our team does a craft together as a team unity project. This month we made coasters. I made the 2 green ones to match the kitchen.

And then I made this one. Obamacoaster. It was more of a joke. I don't really care for Obama but seriously, this picture is one to share and see all the time. It's like he has this mischievous grin. Ferren is the one that found the picture and suggested that I do this. At the end of the craft session I asked if I could do one more. And with that....I did.

When I was looking for curtains, I stopped in at Pier One to see what they had. I found this hanging chair. I don't think my photo does it justice. I want this thing though. It looks like the perfect chair to read in.

Last weekend when we were painting, we had the door open. I looked over and there were these two. They probably are dreaming that they live outside. Or maybe they're watching their kingdom. I don't know. I love it though when these two hang out. Most the time Taj is tormenting Ava.

 And ta-da!!! The kitchen is done. We just need a few decorations but that will have to wait. Check it out. I love it. It's so bright and cheerful in the kitchen. I actually want to spend all my time in here now.

 Rob's War Station. Yes, you are seeing that correctly. He bought himself 2 more monitors for his computer. He said that this is one of those things that he would always want but never do and decided he would just do it. He's actually added surround sound speakers to it now. I gotta admit, it is pretty cool when you're sitting right in front of it.

 And more of Taj. Damn, I think I have a problem. I'm sorry! But seriously, you would've taken a picture of him too if you had walked in on him sleeping like this. Look how big he is! And he lays like a little person. He's just too funny!

 And last is a very random picture. We went to see Monarch's last show last night. It was a sad but happy night. When I went in the girl's room, this drawing was on the wall of the stall. I was sitting there and thought this is too cool for me to not share it. So I took a picture of it. Whoever the artist is, sorry I can't give recognition to you on the Internet because I don't know you, but your drawing is awesome!

And that's it ladies and gents. Have a great week!

Birdy - Skinny Love [Official Music Video]

Survey for School - Please answer my survey by March 31st

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March 11 - Wow it's March 2012 ... weird

Good morning!!! It is so beautiful outside. It honestly feels like spring. I can't wait to get into day clothes, get my make up on and go play outside. First, I wanted to update my blog. Nutella better update her blog today or else. MOOWAHAHAHAHAAHA!

Well to begin. I had a test on Monday in my biology class. I studied so hard for it last weekend because I was determined to destroy the test. I got a 67% on the first test, and that was my motivation to not do that bad again. I want an A in this class. I may not get an A, I might get a B, but I'm happy with that. You know why? Because it's biology! The average grade is a C. I'm to smart to settle with a C. So the picture below is my test score. I first show on top the pitiful 67% and then you see my second test score from Monday.

Yes you read the test right! I got a 93%! I was SO happy. I even got a high five from my teacher. The students in the class asked how I did that and I simply said, "I studied my ass off." And it paid off. Only 2 people in the class got above 90, me and super smart kid that gets 100% for everything. Don't say, "wow, he's smart." He's the kid that takes one class at a time so he actually has time to focus his energy on the class he is taking. I'm just bitter that he's super smart. You can't tell, right? He is a smart kid...I'll give him the credit. But the moral of the story, if you study for the grade you want, you will get the grade you want. I'll be bragging about this for awhile.

The next picture are my new purple shoes. I shouldn't be buying anything but for some reason, I keep buying shoes. I bought these for my wedding, but I found a blue pair that I'm going to wear instead of these. But these are super duper cute!

So I wore these shoes last night to break them in. They are very high, I think they're 5 inches. They're really "hot" as some might say. I have to practice wearing them though so I don't stumble when we get married. They're like stilts, if I spelled that right. They are comfortable. The only part that hurt my foot is where I'm getting a bunion. I know that's gross but it's true. Many people get them, so don't make the EWWW face at me.

It's Fred! She's at 24 weeks now. Look at the baby grow. I seriously cannot wait to meet the little bambino developing inside there. I bet he's gonna be sweet, and cute, and chubby, and friendly, and...and...and.

She's more than half way done now too!

Okay, the next 4 pictures I'm sure you can't appreciate, but I can. Yesterday I detailed my car. I seriously went to town and washed everything on the inside and outside of Vanna. It took me 4 hours to get to a point where I was okay with being finished. My little Vanna white looks beautiful, like the first day I bought her.

Is it weird that I actually enjoyed detailing my car? Am I like a man? There is something about being focused on a task that has a finish line in close view, listening to music, taking my time, being alone, that just made me feel good. It was really relaxing. But today, I'm paying the price. I'm pretty sore. Hmmm, maybe I can get some muscles from doing this every weekend?

That's it folks. I don't have any pictures for the rest of the week. Have a great coming up week and I'll see ya later!

CIAO!

Wedding Count Down

So last week, I totally failed at taking any pictures. That's okay. I was focused on my upcoming nuptials. With that, I have many thoughts and feelings about it. I figured I would share with all of you seeing how I want to be a better writer and hope to one day be a published writer. Not just in the school paper but have my own novel or something. Anyway, here are some reflections on all these great things coming my way.

First, we decided where we are going. SHHH can't tell you just yet, but it's awesome. We have to budget everything in before we get everything set in stone. Honestly, what we have planned is everything I have ever wanted. It's going to be the perfect way to officially start this journey together. We started a long time ago, but now there will be this binding contract, called a marriage license, that will remind us that we promised to be together through everything. Ya know though, it will be easy with Rob. No one compares to him. It's me that I worry about, I'm a pain in the ass. Thank god he is patient with me. I'm excited as a kid getting an icecream cone from the icecream truck about getting married and having little RobLissa's running around. Yeah, I just went all paparazzi on ya with the name. We could even be called MelBert. HAHA! Okay, that's just funny.

Oh, I fell down the stairs on Friday. Yes, complete dorky thing to do, I know. It was how Rob reacted that reminds me why he is special. He came out of the room to check on me. And before I laughed, he got me water and tylenol for the pain. Then we laughed together. I know it sounded funny when I fell. It was like thump, thump, thump, MEOWWWWWW,thump, thump. I fell about 4 or 5 stairs and when I said OW it sounded like a crying kitten. It wasn't super loud but more sad sounding. Anyway, it hurt like hell, and Rob tried his best to make me feel better.

So four years ago I accidently drove through his closed garage. I thought I hit the break but really I hit the gas. Yep, destroyed the garage door. And if it had been anyone else, they probably would've yelled at me. Not Rob. He came out of the house with a look of fear first and then started laughing. He wasn't mad at all. He was worried about me and then took the attitude of, "It's okay, let's fix it." I need to learn this. I struggle with that mindset and hope that I can figure out how to be calm and collective like him.

It's things like that that reinforce his true character. It's those qualities that prove he will not only be the perfect husband for me, but the best dad for our children. I know wherever I lack, he can pick up the slack. And I know that when he needs my advice and opinion, he will ask and honestly consider it. Some people are not that way.

I was doing some homework today and had this great epiphany. I knew this stuff before, but didn't accept that I knew it until today. But in a marriage, teamwork is vital to making the relationship work. I know, that's so lame I'm saying it because it's so obvious. But seriously, how often do we think about the importance of teamwork? We all know the value but do we actually make it a conscious thought? I know that sometimes I put it at the back of my brain and only later wish I had actually followed through on it.

So with this wonderful news of getting married, the fact that I know I love Rob, and the sudden epiphany...does anyone know how they make their relationships work? Do you think about how it works? Or does it just work? What works for you?

I'm more than thrilled to get married and start a family. I want to be the best wife ever to Rob, the one that he deserves. I don't want my downfalls to get in the way of what we can do together. How does a person accomplish all of this for the next 80 years? Okay, we may not live 80 years together, but we will be trying for that long. In this day and age, it's not often we hear about long-lasting, loving relationships. We're surrounded by people who are divorced or either unhappily married. I don't want that. I want to remember for the rest of my life why I married Rob, why I wanted to be with him forever, and what makes me so happy about being with him. What's the key to that?

Well, I'll stop writing for now. I just wanted to share my thoughts and reflections about where I'm at.

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars (Cover by @KarminMusic)

Update for February

February was a rough month. Okay, so it wasn't literally. February was a great month. I was just so lazy that I haven't updated my blog. So I'm updating today for the last few weeks. There are lots of pictures. I hope you like!

Oh Moose, he is a sweety pie. I know I don't look good but I had to take a picture of Moose cuddling with me. He really is the sweetest dog. I wish he would live forever.

When Rob got his smoker, I knew he was excited. I didn't know he was this excited. He smokes food almost every weekend. It is some of the best food I've ever had. Rob is a good cook anyway, but the smoker has taken it to a whole new level. So this picture is him taking notes while he smokes. He writes down everything from the rub he used, the times he checked it to when it's finished and it's temperature. Now that is someone who wants to perfect his cooking skills! I wish I was more like Rob in this sense.

This fancy picture of food is shredded pork. Rob made this for the Superbowl party. It was fantastic. There was so much that he wanted to give it away but I didn't want to. I wanted to keep it all for myself.

Here are some ribs he smoked the following weekend. They were good. His first set of ribs were better. They fell off the bone. These were good too. I hope he makes some of these soon!

My dear friend got some flowers from her mom for her birthday. They showed up after she left work already on a Friday. She said that it would be okay for me to take them home for the weekend and babysit them which made me happy. I love flowers. I wish someone would send me flowers too.

So Monday when I took her flowers to work and we were looking at them because they were so pretty, we noticed a petal and the leaf were combined. Weird. Have you ever seen this?

On one of the days I was driving to school I passed the trax station. Now you wouldn't notice it at first but this picture is really of the bag sitting on the bench. Someone forgot their bag of groceries after getting on the train. I felt kind of bad for this person imagining the frustration and annoyance of realizing you left something behind. I hope that someone who needed the food found this.

On another night at school, when I was walking to Sociology, the moon was rising. It was so full and so pretty. In this moment I wish that I had a better camera so I could take a picture of it more close up. This picture doesn't do the scene justice.

Since joining craft websites, I feel like a junky. I can't get enough crafts. I saw this awesome heart pillow pattern and decided I would try it. Sadly, when I tried to crochet it, it was very difficult with the yarn it called for. So rather than giving up, I decided to make a little pillow still using my loom knitting stuff. This is it. I absolutely love cuddling with this.

And of course I have to have a picture of one of my cats. Isn't she stinkin' cute!

This is just to funny! He drags this bone around everywhere.

Ferren! I believe she is 20 weeks along in this picture. Almost time for another picture! It's pretty exciting going along with her pregnancy. Counting the weeks, wondering how big the baby is. I can't wait to meet the little boy growing. Ferren and Ken will be great parents. But I'm gonna be the most awesome, special auntie Melissa!

What is this?, you ask. Yes, that is my engagement ring. I am engaged. Sorry everyone, off the market forever! Actually, I've been off the market for a long time but now it's official. There is no special story about how he proposed, not yet at least, but I can tell you we are both excited. It's weird, I was starting to wonder if I would ever get married again. I was okay either way but this is exciting. It's almost like I don't know what to think about it, is this real type of thing. But it is real. And we're really ready to start a family. That's my main goal in life, to have my own family. And now it's all happening. Ahhh now this is what makes me giggle and feel joy. Anyway, I'm thinking (actually I'm pretty sure) that we are eloping to the Virgin Islands. Doesn't that sound awesome! So if you want to meet us there when we decide to go, you're more than welcome. But the cost is on you.

I decided to go try on dresses. I want to look pretty when I get married. The only part about dress shopping that I really didn't like is being the center of attention. Not that I don't like making people smile and stuff but this was awkward. I also didn't like feeling bad for the sales girl because she wanted me to buy a dress and I had no intentions of buying a dress.

I really like the tea length dresses but I was worried that they would make me look shorter than I already am. But when I tried this fun dress on my mind was changed. The dress is fun and it totally fits my personality. So with that said, I will probably get a tea length dress.

I love lace. This dress was beautiful. It was classic, simple, elegant. And I didn't realize it made me look wide in the hip area until seeing the picture. I was really sad that this dress didn't complement me that well. I am wondering though, if the lace was a different pattern, would it look better. I think I'll be trying more dresses on. Maybe I can get a pretty lace dress in a tea length style.

Here is another lace dress. I really like lace. I was if-y about this one. It is really pretty but I don't think it is my personality.

I think this flower hair clip is awesome! My neighbor showed me how easy it would be to make my own, so I probably will. It's just so neat and different. So now the question is, what color should I make mine?

Alright folks, that's it for now. I can't believe we are about to start March. Which means, I've had this blog for nearly a year. I've had active times, down times, completely stagnant times with this blog. I hope to keep going with all the pictures and updates. As time goes on, I may not post pictures every week, but I may be posting updates about the exciting new adventures I'm about to embark on -- wedding details, TTC details, my friend's pregnancy adventures, school drama. I can honestly say that I am the most happy right now than I think I've ever been. I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be in my life and it feels good. Goals are being accomplished, new joys are coming my way, I feel crafty again, and making new goals seems to be easy. The rocky road I was on has come to an end. That's not to say I'll never be on another rocky path but next time I'll be prepared to OWN IT!

BTW, does anyone know any bloggers who get paid for blogging? I would honestly love to start blogging more and getting paid for it. If I could blog about fitness, family planning, depression, obstacles in life, crafts, or anything (even fiction) and get paid to do it, I would really love that. If  you have any suggestions about how I can get started for this, let me know.

Love y'all!

Plants, animals, and pork

Good morning! Happy Super Bowl day!!!

I have a very busy day today. Beyond watching football and cleaning pre-game, I have tons of homework. Today's post will be short, sweet, and full of love.

This is the terrarium I made at work. I'm very happy it's doing well. The one that I made at home is not. I'm not sure what I did wrong at home but the poor guy is dying on me. But the one at work is very happy.

Earlier this week, Natalie and I were talking about Sons of Anarchy. We were both laughing how Clay looks like an ape. So when I came across this picture in my biology book, I had to send it to Natalie. No doubt, this is Clay down to the bones.

Don't mind the dirtiness of the walls, it's an old house. Taj on the other hand can't stand to be left out of anything. I was in the bathroom and he wanted in. I probably stood there for 5 minutes watching him bat his paw under the door. He was meowing and even paused for a minute to paw at the door. Nosy cat has to know what I'm doing at all times.

Ever see a dog hold his toy upright? Yeah, Moose does this pretty often.

And then once he had the toy where he wanted it, he started cleaning it before chewing on it.

Rob is smoking pulled pork for the super bowl. I'm so excited!!! I think he smoked about 16 pounds. I can't wait to have some!

I know this is an odd picture, but I had to put it in here. My neighbor made 7 layer bean dip for the super bowl. She made so much she didn't have room in her fridge for all of it. So she asked if it would fit in my fridge. I sent her this picture and said, "will it fit?"  Needless to say, yes it fit. Her husband will bring over the rest of it today. There's gonna be lots of food today. I can't wait to eat my heart out!

That's it for this week. Hopefully next Sunday I will have better pictures. This week was sort of chaotic. I have two tests tomorrow, a rough draft due by Wednesday, another assignment due Wednesday and some birthday stuff to plan. Geez...the life of a college student that works full-time is insane. I'll for sure be taking some pictures today of the awesome food, pictures tomorrow of the school, pictures Wednesday of IDK yet...and some point this week I'll take a picture of Natalie's terrarium that is going to live because I demanded it too. That's it! Have a great week! And I'll see y'all next week!

CIAO!