Photos of Moi

Jenna was standing on her bed and took this photo of me. I had just done my make up, and I liked how it turned out. I don't like photos of me. I have gained a ton of weight (no pun intended) these past few years, and I usually look like Jabba The Hut more than myself. So this was a fun one. It reminded me that I was once pretty and possibly still could be if I lost some weight. Looking up is always a good angle. It hides the chin. Haha.

Mother's Day

Shout out to my man who made me a delicious Shepherd's Pie for dinner. He was up early with a horrid headache, but he prepped food, set up a delicious spread for our church sisters, cleaned it up and continued serving when he came home. He made a delicious meal and he did the dishes! He's a on-of-a-kind, outstanding man. Love you Kelly! Thank you for making my Mother's Day special.

Birthday Weekend for Melissa

On Friday I turned 49. I'm almost a half-century old. That's hard to believe when I still feel like some young, hawt 20-something inside. The bod is moving more slowly, and changes are happening. Mostly I've carried extra weight since my bought with depression several years ago, and I'm too tired to do anything about it. Haha! Someday I would love to have this whole weight thing under control. I'd actually like to go back and appreciate my younger body that was NOT overweight, even though I thought it always was.  Live and learn. At any rate...

Saturday was Tammy's annual Girls' Day, and this year's theme was "A Night in Paris."  She had desserts and breads and delicious food, and the decor was soooo cute.  My friend, Trisha, came and sang at the little backyard bistro. She sang in French and English, and it was so beautiful. During her breaks and after her sets were done, we would visit and enjoy the party. Michelle and Sheryl were also there, and we had a blast being together.

Sunday was a quiet church day, and Kelly and the girls made a birthday dinner for me. We had Shepherd's pie and chocolate cake and cupcakes.  I felt pampered and loved. Here's to the first 49 years. Next year is the big 5-0.  Not sure I'm ready, but I am grateful to be healthy and happy and surrounded by loving family and friends.

YW Medallions - Heather and Melissa

Heather and I received our Young Women Medallions today. Heather did a fabulous job with her Personal Progress, and it was fun to put her table together and reflect on all of the different things she accomplished. As a YW leader, I was able to receive mine as well.  Due to not having the required seminary attendance as a teenager, I was not allowed to receive mine at that time. Fortunately, the church allows us to work on them as a YW leader, or a mom with a young woman in the program. As a leader, I was able to do a table. It was a special experience for me to get my medallion, and especially great to get it along side my cute daughter. Thanks for sharing a little spotlight with your momma Heather. You are awesome!

Working on FVHS Campus

It has been fun to have a job here on the campus where Heather attends high school. The principal's secretary made a cute sign for my desk. The work keeps me busy, but is doable. I like clerical work because it feeds my need for organization and order. The staff has been very welcoming.

MCO Reflections

There are times when I'm at choir rehearsal where I stop and look at the rehearsal from an outside perspective. When I do that, I find the whole thing so impressive. The dedication, the talent, and the amazing opportunity. Life is so busy that I hardly have time to be here, but I'm so glad when I'm here and singing the gorgeous music. It's pretty surreal to be a part of an organization that has as much talent as this one does.

Easing In to the Work World Again

Took a first step back toward employment today when I turned in my paperwork to become a clerical sub for the district. I will be taking Shelly's job, and Tricia's before her, helping with state testing. It's only a few weeks of the year, but it's a start.

My Funny Valentine

Valentine's Day was on Sunday, February 14. On Saturday evening, when many Valentines were out on dates celebrating, my Valentine and I sat in an ER waiting room. We had a rocking good time. Not! Kelly had been having pain in his chest and back and could hardly move. So, we played it safe since he has heart issues.  The masks were the best--Kelly wore his because he had a fever, and I wore one to keep from getting sick. Doctor ruled out heart related issue and guesses an infection of some type that may have settled near his chest. We ended the night at Jack-in-the-Box and Walgreens for prescriptions. An expensive date, but glad he's okay. On Monday, he bought me flowers. Not a typical celebration, but one that makes a good story. Haha.

Cake and Pies

Today is my birthday! Tammy bought me this GORGEOUS cake that tasted as good as it looks! Chocolate cake, chocolate raspberry filling and chocolate ganache holding the thin slabs of chocolate to the sites.  Oh heavens it was yummy!

The YW activity for the evening was having Sister King teach us about pie making. And of course there was pie tasting. So fun to be in her home and learn about her passion for pies.

Things One Does Not Normally See

 9•15 Curls on my longer-length hair...styled by Tracy at the salon

9•17 Jenna in a hot dog costume...she tried it on at Target. We were having a silly time.

Birthday Time for Melissa

I love birthdays. I love my own birthday. Not so much because of the presents, but because it's the best time to celebrate with friends and bask in the blessing of being alive, healthy and graced with such special people in my life.  This week I  had lunch with friends who surprised me by taking turns telling me things they liked about me (unnecessary, but kind of nice), dinner with my family, and presents included some chocolate from a specialty chocolate shop in San Francisco as well as a much needed washer and dryer pair. Yes, I'm old enough to be excited about appliances for my birthday. Let's face it--jewelry is pretty, but it can't get your family's clothes clean! Hahaha.  On my actual birthday, I went over to my friend, Nora's, house to meet her 4th baby, Thomas.  What a cutie. Thomas is my new baby friend.  I'm finally old enough and in that in-between stage where I like to hold babies because I miss it.  It reminds me how grown-up my daughters are. Time going to fast and all. Thanks to everyone who made this an extra special birthday.

Girls Night Out

My neighbor who is also my friend and boss, hosted a Girls Night Out for her friends. We met at her house and were transported via a limo bus to two lovely locations.  The first location was The Cliffs in Laguna Beach where we enjoyed appetizers and beverages.  The second was Mastro's Ocean Club in Newport Beach for dinner.  We had a private room overlooking PCH and the ocean which was simply stunning.  The menu and table decor that Tammy planned was so beautiful and made us all feel very pampered.  Dinner was delicious, and I got to know some of Tammy's friends better.  Since Tammy entertains a lot, it was great to get to know some of the special people in her life.

Party Planning

My most recent assignment as a personal assistant was to help organize a birthday party for my boss' mom.  It was really enjoyable to work on this project which involved organizing the vendors for flowers, cupcakes and catering.  My friend, Shea, ordered and arranged the beautiful lilacs, and another friend, Dina, did the cupcakes.  I was able to use my skills for the card collection area and the candy table arrangements.  The party was a huge success, and I can't wait to help with the next one.

Mia Maid Activity - Homemade Bread

Our Mia Maid class decided to have an activity where we would learn a new and helpful skill.  The Davis family makes bread on a weekly basis for their family of 9, and we heard the bread is phenomenal.  Kelly makes fantastic salsa, and the girls decided to combine the two skills into one night.  Karen and Cora Davis taught us to make homemade, half wheat, half white bread.  Kelly and Heather taught us how to make salsa.  The girls wrote the recipes down, and then recorded what they learned in the Personal Progress books.  The bread was so delicious, and the girls loved the salsa too. We can't wait to try making this bread at home!

Melissa's Birthday

What a wonderful birthday weekend.  Turning older just means more celebrating, right?  On Friday before our trip to Arizona, my girlfriends and I went to Corner Bakery for some lunch.  My friend, Kim, made the most scrumptious, fudgy brownies.  So delicious.  There was lots of chocolate including a piece of Russian chocolate.  So cool!  My friend, Sheryl, put together a yummy travel-munchie bag which came in very handy on the car ride.  As I mentioned in my Arizona post my family and I visited Frost and Caketini on Saturday, and then on Monday, some other girlfriends and I went to breakfast.  There was more chocolate, but not just any chocolate.  My friend, Michelle, bought a custom half-pound of See's (yum!) and my friend, Shea, brought chocolate back from Paris.  Yes, France.  I was floored.  My friend, Trish, bought me two dance classes at DeFore where we used to take class.  I was feeling the love!!! I found more chocolate on my porch throughout the day Monday from other friends, and I had to take the chocolate picture.  What better birthday could there be than a chocolate birthday?  Not pictured were the chocolate covered Strawberries from my brother and sister-in-law, and the See's gift certificate from my sister.  I was spoiled with other gifts as well, but I couldn't resist the chance for a chocolate post.  I'm off to put my new iPhone cover on my newly upgraded iPhone (birthday from hub).  It's been a great year, and my heart is full.