Friday, January 30, 2009

Drinking and Driving.

I'm sore...I've been to the gym for 2 weeks in a row.
It seems I can only do one thing at a time. I can either exercise or I can eat right....It's impossible to do both. I can't figure it out.
I used to be able to multi task....now I'm multi- distracted.
Where did my mind go?

I leave my kitchen to run to my bedroom to get my......what was it again?
Oh, well, back to the kitchen and maybe my memory will return.

I was backing out of my driveway the other night....the car is ding, ding, dinging...oh that's right, I need to put my seat belt on. I continued to pull out while doing my belt. I looked down and I heard a crunch....I had backed right into the car across the street. AARRGH!
What a mess...

I was driving home from my mom in laws and instead of going straight up the hill...turned and went to Bountiful High. Monson was wondering what was wrong with his mother.

I'm dangerous.
I can't drink ( soda) and drive at the same time any more. I'm always spilling it. Yeah for leather seats!

Maybe I'll get my ability to multi task back one of these days, and my mind.
Now,what was I talking about again?

Exercise Buddy


Exercise partners are a must!!
I have gotten out of bed for 2 weeks now, to go to the gym, not because I don't love my bed and snuggling with my husband, but because I know Si is out in her car waiting for me and I can't leave her hanging.

Going to the gym with a buddy really helps. I didn't realize how much. I'm independent...I do my "thing" when I want, how I want. I don't want to be tied down to a schedule. Some might call this irresponsible...I call it ME. Obviously this attitude hasn't been working when it came to exercise.

Buddy power works.
Buddy power makes me stay on the treadmill longer than I would otherwise.
Buddy power makes me do the sit ups on the bosu ball, when I want to be done.
Buddy power makes me stretch out...when I would just "do it" at home. Yeah right.
Buddy power will get me to the class at 5:30am !!
Buddy power got us through 2 Half- Marathons.

Committing to working out has been good for my head too. Si and I have solved the world's problems, discussed family issues, watched parts of movies, complained about our soreness, ran through the bitter cold, and decided what's for dinner.

This whole talk of buddy, reminds me of a song, "She ain't heavy she's my brudder, or buddy or sistah....." Okay forget about the song.
The truth is, she ain't heavy....she's Si. I hope I'm not weighing her down.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Billions of Shoes.

January hits and I want change!
I look around my house and everything starts to "bug!"

I need a solution for my non-mudroom house. I'm sick and tired of coming in my back door and tripping over or stepping on shoes and backpacks and coats...winter is the worst!
I am so sick of millions, Okay, billions of shoes being stashed right at the back door. (I'm not exaggerating!) It's a hazard! I put a shoe rack there, thinking that might solve the issue, but it just made leaving shoes more like an invitation. Every week- I would tell the boys and Laila-- "you can only have one pair of shoes on this rack!!"
I wouldn't actually "tell" them, as I would "scream" at them about their shoes.
It wasn't so bad when we had "little" feet in my house--- but three size 10 and two size 13 shoes take up a lot of space! Add my shoes and Laila's to the mix, and we have billions of shoes! (Again, I'm not exaggerating)

We also have a school back pack and school book issue. Where to put all of this? My dining room has become the catch all. The table just get's piles and piles of piles put on it....and once a week, for Sunday dinner, we clear it off and put it all by the back door. Not working!

Anyway, It's a dilemma. What to do?
Solution:
I bought a cupboard yesterday to house all of this stuff. I moved everything away from the back door-- and put it into a cupboard. I chose a cupboard instead of an open shelving system, because I want to shut the doors and not see any of it.

I measured and remeasured to make sure I would buy the right cupboard for my 4 foot wall...I got a steal of a deal at RCWILLEY-- a scratch and dent. I like a bargain and I'm okay with scratch and dent furniture. When I have anything in my home for longer than an hour-- it get's scratched and dented anyway. This includes people.

I forgot about the light switches on that wall!!!! I wanted to screw hooks across the inside of the cupboard to hang stuff up, and secure the cupboard to the wall--but-- now the cupboard has to sit away from the wall so we can turn on and off the lights in the kitchen. The mess is hidden, but the whole thing is not working as well as I envisioned. I don't want to keep it away from the wall too much, but Monson and Wayne can't fit their hands behind it to get to the switches. Oh well. We'll have to have designated, skinny hand, light turner- on'rs in our family now.

I guess when I finally get the kitchen remodel of my dreams, and the little 4 foot wall is finally gone, this cupboard will move to the basement anyway.

In the mean time. My billion shoe issue is gone. On to the next room and what "bugs" me.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Courage


I took Laila to see
THE WIZARD OF OZ for her birthday. We had a great time together. I really liked the Cowardly Lion. The actor was wonderful. Funny and spunky and timid and shy-- all of the stuff the cowardly Lion should be. All the Lion wants from the Great Oz is some courage. He doesn't want to be afraid of his shadow or of life any more.

I love at the end of the show, how his courage has always been there.
The Lion just needed to act.

Action cures Fear.

Courage:
–noun
1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

I've been impressed, lately, by how many Courageous women I know. I want to mention four of them.

I can't believe how determined my friend Laura is to get out of the wheelchair, off of the walker and on to a one arm cane. It's been 7 weeks-- and she is amazing. Willful but amazing. It took such great courage on her part just to make it home from China in so much pain. I don't think I could have done it. She struggles daily, but she wants to get back to driving, get back to bathing, and get back to walking.

I have a friend who has had such a difficult time getting pregnant and then once pregnant, she has trouble sustaining a pregnancy to full term. I -- who can get pregnant if Wayne just looks at me in that "way" -- have a hard time identifying with this. Monson was actually conceived using 99% fail-proof birth control-- he is the 1%.
But this friend has miscarried many times, has buried a beautiful baby -- and has an 18 month old who is a Miracle. It's amazing he is with us and thriving after being born at just over 1 pound. I look at the courage of this positive- fun--loving mom and I'm awed by her.

At Relief Society yesterday, one of my best friend's daughter shared what was in her heart....and how hard it is when a marriage falls apart. I'm amazed at her-- her insights about her life, her testimony and her ability to move forward. So courageous!

My mom is slowly losing her eye sight-- she doesn't complain, just moves forward with courage. She has always been a visual learner and person, and this really is a difficult thing for her. She is fiercely independent. Now she is dependent on so many. She continues to do choreography, teach drama classes, teach relief society, take care of her mother and love all of us. A wonderful example of courage.

I hope to be as courageous....to move forward with Action. To move forward with Faith in all the areas of my life where I need some added courage.
.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Birthday Season

Our Birthday season has finally ended!!!

Our birthday extravaganza begins on Dec. 29th and goes to Jan. 22-- we have 4 birthdays, in our family of 7, in that 3 1/2 week time span. It's crazy around here.
Too many presents!
Too much cake and ice cream!
Too many birthday dinners!
Too much over eating!
Too many sleepovers!
Too much money spent!

We don't have family birthday's again until the Summer!

I'm in hangover mode today. I have random thoughts flying through my brain!
(I'm using a lot of exclamation points today! What does that mean? Why am I being so emphatic?!?)

I did make it to the gym this morning at 6am!! I'm a bit bleary eyed, but many supporters tell me that once this is my habit, it's a lot easier to exercise early.
I guess I don't have any other commitments from 5:30 to 7:00am-- so my only excuse is my warm, comfy, snuggly bed.

I don't like the dreary day we are having....Another reason why I don't live in Oregon or Washington!

I haven't gotten on my scale since last Friday. I'm living in denial again. If I don't know what I weigh, then I haven't gained any weight. Right?

Pass the chocolate covered cinnamon bears, please.

I'm excited to go to rehearsal tomorrow for MILLIE. I love singing. I hope I get rid of my nasty sinus stuff soon.

We have 6 hours of b-ball to sit through tonight for Monson at Bountiful High. Just thinking about my sore bu tt is making me dread it.

Laila was thrilled with her birthday yesterday. A special visitor at school(Me) with her favorite book to read---"Do you think it's easy being the Tooth Fairy?" and doughnuts for the class. After school Laila and 2 friends went to run around, slide and bounce at Kangaroo Zoo-- then McDonald's for dinner. She opened presents and then we rushed to see "Wizard of OZ" at Rodgers Memorial. Just writing about her day makes me tired.....

Okay, that's my randomness--- I'll do better next time.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I need a nap

I got up at 5:20 this morning so I would be ready when Si honked her horn, and we could make it to the gym at 5:30.
I signed up for Gold's Gym yesterday....I broke down and put money toward my fitness goals.
"Now I have to do it!" I tell myself. "No more excuses!"
Si kept commenting as we were sweating, while watching "Dan in Real Life," "It's good to be done at 6:30 then we don't have to think about it the rest of the day!"
Who can think? I'm too tired.
6:30 is still too early-- It's before I'm even out of bed on "normal" school days.
5:30am...
What's up with that hour...Satan's hour, that's for sure! Is the Holy Ghost even up yet?

I can commit to exercise, but not to 5:30am. Maybe once or twice a week tops! Or make that once or twice a month-- now that sounds a bit better.

I was so tired that I lost all will power and when I got Laila her Birthday Doughnuts, I counted wrong and had 2 extra that I ended up eating. Too tired/not thinking straight + Birthday doughnuts = extra pounds for Melinda!

Okay, Now I have that off my chest, I can go take a nap.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Truly a Man


Truman is 18 years old today!



Ah yes, I was there the day he was born!
He was supposed to be a GIRL..but turned out to be a boy instead, so we named him TRU-MAN!

I had 2 other little boys when I was pregnant with Truman, and the ultrasound technician made all my dreams come true, by pointing out girl parts and labeling the baby in my womb a GIRL!

I was thrilled. I redecorated the nursery. Gave all my boy clothes away, and bought a new baby girl wardrobe. I put PINK and Bunnies everywhere.
I was into it. WE WERE HAVING A GIRL!

The Sunday before Truman was born I was sitting in Sacrament meeting with my 2 year old and 4 year old. Landon (2) was having a fit, so I stood up to take him out of the meeting. My foot got caught in the handle of the diaper bag as I struggled with my big belly to get out of the pew. I fell forward into the aisle, handed off my two year old to the pew-people behind me, and fell flat on my stomach in the aisle, spread eagle. My red tent dress flipped up over my butt, and I was exposed for all of the stand to see. The congregation gasped, the Bishopric all stood up. The High Council speaker droned on. I struggled to my feet and ran out of the meeting with my crying 2 year old.

I was so embarrassed.
I wasn't really hurt, just my pride.
The Bishop came out into the foyer and checked on me. Wayne did not. HE was mortified that I had put on such a display in church. A bit later, my 4 year old Addison, with his arms tightly folded, came out to see if I was all right. He said that "Dad" had sent him. I was fuming. I was never going back into church and we were putting our house up for sale.

A week later, when my beautiful baby girl was to be delivered, Wayne's face was flabbergasted.....
Wayne: "It's a boy."
Me: "Quit teasing me"
Wayne: "No really, it's a boy!"
Me: "Let me see!"
She was a boy.
He is a boy.
I was shocked...stunned...silenced.
Truman wasn't breathing very good, so the nurses whisked him away and I didn't see him for hours afterward.
It was all very surreal.
It took a while for this baby boy news to soak in. Where was my little daughter? A third boy? Was my baby really a boy? I was in mini-mourning for awhile, then felt so guilty about it. I had a perfect little boy-- why was I sad?

When the reality finally hit me, we had to come up with a name for our beautiful son. (He actually looks a lot like my sister, Liz. He could easily be her son. We tease about this all the time. It's amazing!)
We thought about naming him Martin or King...because he was born on Martin Luther King Day....
King Cole Welch had a nice ring to it....but we didn't want him to think he had to call for his "fiddlers three" all of the time....so we gave him his Great Grandfather's name...TRUMAN.

The "girl to a boy" folklore among the ward and family members was my "falling down in church made the boy parts just pop out, so now the baby is a boy."
I just wonder what the ultrasound technician was "on" that day.

6 months later we did move out of that ward...but not because of my church embarrassment or because I didn't want to redecorate my pink, bunny filled nursery back to blue. It was just the right time to move forward.

Truman is truly a Man, and this day we celebrate him!!

WARNING: Here I go, rhapsodizing about my "perfect" children again.

What a wonderful piece he is to our family puzzle.
Tru is the middle child-- and let's me know how "put upon" he is, but usually he is only teasing.
Truman is so witty and fun! He always has something going on. He is "game" for anything, and isn't easily embarrassed. He loves to shop for DI treasures. He wears "crazy" outfits and has a flair for the neon. He dances like a maniac at the school dances, and stands right in front of the speakers.
He is always finding the latest and greatest saying or band or place to go...then when it gets "hot" and everyone loves it, he has all ready moved on.
He loves to serve and loves being involved at school. Truman is a great photographer and artist/designer. Truman has a fabulous laugh! Truman has many friends. He loves all types of music. He has a beautiful voice. He was great in "Les Mis" and "Annie." He sings in the choirs at school, and really enjoys being an SBO.
Truman has a testimony of the gospel and enjoys hanging out with his family.

I'm glad he's my BOY!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Martha Lutin King Day

Laila and Heather came running out of the doors from school on Friday so excited to tell me what they learned that day.
I love picking Laila up from school...it's when she is the most talkative about her day, and I get to learn all sorts of interesting things.
Today was no different.

Laila: "Mom do you know who Martha Lutin King is?"
Me: "You mean Martin Luther King?"
Laila: "Yeah."
Me: "I know him. Did you learn about him today?"
Laila: "Yeah...Martha made it so black people and white people could be friends. If it wasn't for him Heather and I wouldn't even like each other."

I smiled at my brown skinned daughter.

Heather chimed in, "Yeah, now you can be friends with your mom too Laila!!"

They were close in their understanding, and
I loved their enthusiasm.

I'm glad we are different and I'm glad we can all be friends too.
Today, let's celebrate!

Laughter through my tears

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

We had a tragedy in our ward/neighborhood/school this past week. A sweet 15 year old girl,Megan Pysnak, was in a skiing accident, and she ended up in Heaven.

I was just starting out as her Sunday School Teacher for the year, and I'm so sad that I don't get the chance to get to know her enthusiastic spirit better.

Megan was a special girl. Very smart. Very pretty. Very talented. Very talkative. I liked her zest for living and her spark. She was beyond her years....and really got along fabulously with adults. i will always remember her beautiful smile.

She will be missed. I've been crying for days-- and eating, of course.

We had her funeral this morning. It was amazing. The Pysnak family all wrote farewell letters to Megan, to tell her what she meant to them, and to share some sweet and funny memories with all in the audience.
We also got to have a very special visitor-- Pres. Thomas S. Monson. He came to the end of the viewing, and Wayne and Laila and I happened to be right there.

He said he wasn't officially invited to come today, but he knew by the spirit that he was supposed to be in Bountiful. What a great comfort to the Pysnak family.

Wayne picked up Laila and introduced her to the Prophet. They talked for a bit, then the Prophet asked Laila to give him a high five. She did..and giggled. It was amazing. What a great memory. She was sooooo excited.

I came home from the funeral uplifted and teary...and I ate two giant pieces of birthday cake left over from last night. ( My eating habits have not changed.)

I don't think people go to heaven one moment sooner than they are supposed to. When someone dies I believe they are taken up and held and cuddled and they get to leave the worries and struggles of this world behind.

I'm going to SMILE the rest of this day.
Life is sweet.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Exercise Torture

I'm gearing up for the torture which will begin on Monday. I've decided, after being cajoled, harrassed and shamed into it, to join the Boot camp class taught at 5:30 in the morning at Bountiful High School.

5:30 is an awful time of day for me. Is it day or is it still night? Hence the problem.
I am so not a morning person. Morning is for sleeping...not for struggling into exercise clothes and sneaking out of the house so Laila and the dog don't wake up.
Now I will be getting up twice a week to participate in exercise/torture. I know my muscles will be screaming, and I will probably be crying next week. I may not even be able to blog, my hands could be cramping.

This is what my friend, Kimi, wrote about her first day experience in an effort to get me to go...

"Actually, I got there late, but when I got there we did sideways walking squats (I just made that name up), then in push-up position little feet-runny things and then ran to the other side. Then we went to the stairs and in pairs did little up-up-down steps to the top, then ran (I totally cheated and walked) around to the other side (it's in the field house) and then some other stair things until you want to throw up but your legs hurt too badly to get you to the bathroom. Then we went to the weight side of the upper gym and threw a heavy ball over our heads and onto the floor (that one's good for anger management) and stepped over a weight bench back to front, then did some nasty ab work (my NOT favorite!) and then the dreaded PLANK and just when I was wondering what could possibly come next it was over."

Doesn't that sound enticing??

She just makes it sound so inspiring.

Now I'm just looking forward to it sooo much. If I wasn't so vain-- and had Si not mentioned that I could possibly lose 4 more pounds...I wouldn't be going...oh, and then she said, "We'll do it together. It will be fun!"

That fun word get's me in more trouble.

"Renting scooters in China will be FUN." Famous last words......

The funny part is, everyone who goes to this class of pain, keeps recruiting other people-- they don't want to be in it alone.

I'm excited and scared and dreading it and looking forward to it all at the same time. I am a walking contradiction.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Color Code

I just took the Color Code test again, for the 100th time, and I'm still a ......Drum roll please......YELLOW!
I was prompted to do this after seeing my BLUE niece's blog.

It really is great that we are all so different, yet so much alike.

If you want to understand my "craziness" better, then read on.

To do your own color code analysis, just go to colorcode.com (It's free)

Color Code Analysis...
Congratulations, you are a yellow.
yellow: 50.31%
red: ??? %
blue: ??? %
white: ??? %
Yellows (Motive: Fun)

Yellows are motivated by Fun. They are inviting and embrace life as a party that they're hosting. They love playful interaction and can be extremely sociable. They are highly persuasive and seek instant gratification. Yellows need to be adored and praised. While yellows are carefree, they are sensitive and highly alert to others' agendas to control them. Yellows typically carry within themselves the gift of a good heart

Yellows need to look good socially, and friendships command a high priority in their lives. Yellows are happy, articulate, engaging of others and crave adventure. Easily distracted, they can never sit still for long. They embrace each day in the "present tense" and choose people who, like themselves, enjoy a curious nature. Yellows are charismatic, spontaneous, and positive; but can also be irresponsible, obnoxious, and forgetful. When you deal with a YELLOW, take a positive, upbeat approach and promote light-hearted, creative, and fun interactions.

Melinda, your personality profile indicates that you have significant portions of other colors in your overall makeup ---- RED being the most dominate.


DIET NOTE: Still only 4 pounds lost. I want to lose a pound a day. Why is this unrealistic?
Okay
I'll settle for a pound or 2 a week. I'm off to exercise....It better be FUN!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Cathy Cartoon




I read this in the Sunday Funnies, and LOVED IT!
It's a bit little on this post, so I'll write what it says:

Cathy: I haven't gained weight but I've outgrown all my pants!

Mother: Someone Hasn't been exercising....

Cathy: I know, I know...It's muscle loss

Mother: Wrong. It's memory loss . As we age, our fat gets disoriented and wanders around the body looking for a comfier spot to rest. Exercise snaps the fat back to attention and helps it remember where it's supposed to be. Also, if you exercise regularly, the fat's less likely to stray because it's always afraid you'll start jumping around again and make it dizzy. We're not even trying to LOSE you anymore, weight! We just want to help you STAY PUT!

Cathy: I have to get out of here mother!!

Mother: EXCELLENT! Even a brisk walk away from the truth will help keep the fat on it's toes!


I'm off to Exercise!

I've lost 4 pounds this past week!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Chip off the Ol' Block!




Laila is FABULOUS in ANNIE--and I'm not just saying this because she is my daughter. She is really, really good.
Laila knows all of her lines, never misses a cue, speaks loudly and with appropriate emotion, knows the songs and dances, rarely searches the audience-even when she hears my laugh, and sings on pitch. All really amazing for any 6 year old.

It's been so fun to have this show at BHS so Laila can be in it with her brother's Truman and Monson. THey are good on stage too, by the way.

Laila loves the high school and loves the high school kids, particularly the boys. The kids are all so sweet and kind to her. It's a good thing she only weighs 40 pounds, because everyone wants to pick her up.

I love watching my boys perform too. They all look different-- light brown hair, red hair, dark brown hair, curly, straight. They really have never looked much like brothers. But, I can see myself and Wayne in them..... in the way they say certain things, or when they give me that "look." One has my eyes, another Wayne's smile... You get the idea.

Laila and I don't look alike AT ALL..., she's hispanic origin-- black curly hair, dark brown eyes and beautiful brown skin. I'm fake blonde, freckled and green eyed....but she always reminds me that "it's okay, because our hearts match."

When Laila is on stage doing her "thing" we look alike. I've been overwhelmed with this thought throughout rehearsal, but it really hit me on opening night. We resemble each other..... finally.

I've always felt that Laila and I were meant for each other....she was supposed to be in our family from the beginning. She is such a "Mamma's girl." She needs my shoulder to stop her tears and my song to get her to sleep at night. I love this little child of God, so much. I'm so glad we adopted her.

ANNIE is about an orphan being adopted by Daddy Warbucks. Laila loves this show. She loves that they find each other, and Annie gets to be in a family. She used to get teary watching it on the video, and snuggle up to me real tight, pet my cheek, and tell me how much she loved me.

I actually used the "ANNIE" tune for her "LAILA" song. I would sing this song over and over to her when she was just a babe. The boys learned it and would sing it to her too.

"Laila, Laila, Laila, look what you've done for us.
Laila, Laila, Laila, turned on the sun for us.
Since you came our way, it's Christmas! Christmas every day.
Oh, Laila you're gorgeous, funny, happy, adorable too. Oh Laila,
We all love you."

She would laugh, and smile and hug us tight.

ANNIE is a great show for our family, and a great reminder for me of how the Lord works. How he watches over us and knows our needs. He really brought me the "perfect" little theatre girl.

We, both love the stage. We, both love performing. We, both love the fun of the rehearsal and the joy of the audience.
We both love each other!

We finally look alike...and our hearts match!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Marley and Me


We had an outing yesterday. A couple of girlfriends went to see the movie, "Marley and Me". This was no small feat. Laura was venturing out with her walker and wheelchair.
We helped Laura get her walker to her car,the car to the cinema,the wheelchair through the parking garage, then the wheelchair to the front row of the megaplex.....and let's just say, the handicap section is not that great. I had total willpower when it came to the theatre popcorn (4 days of good eating and counting).. and it was good to be out.
It was fun!

I cried my eyes out!
Man, that was a sad movie....I knew it was about a family and the life of a dog, and dogs don't live that long...but I cried none the less. How do vets do it?

In the middle of the movie, the Jennifer Aniston character has just had 2 babies, close together, and her "worst dog in the world' is not helping things. He destroys couches, blinds, makes huge messes, tips her toddler over etc....she begs for her husband to "get rid of that dog!" He takes it to a friends home, and then the dog comes back.
I screamed out in the middle of the movie the same thing, "get rid of that dog!" I could totally relate.

I love dogs.... as long as they don't destroy anything. Poop or pee on my floors. Don't get sick, or do any thing "disgusting." Seriously, I love dogs...I have a little maltese on my lap as I type this.

My sister jokes that we only have 3 year dogs. It's true. At about year three, the puppy who was "so adorable" and "the perfect thing for our family" is totally on my nerves. One wrong move and that dog is out of here. I've given a Millie-dog to my brother, a Stephi dog-to my friend, and a Sierra dog to my cousin. I have also taken a Lucky-dog from my cousin, ....an old English Sheep dog. What a crazy dog!

I would nominate Lucky as "the worst dog in the world." Lucky did not like me. She would obey everything Wayne said. He was the alpha dog .....but not me.
I was definitely the last one on that dog's totem pole.

As I watched this movie, I was taken back in time to when I was pregnant with Addison and Lucky arrived. She was adorable, but very hard to brush and take care of. She would get out of our backyard and chase chickens. For some reason West Bountiful had a lot of chickens at the time....Lucky found every one, and tormented them. We got many a call from the police/dog pound on this issue. ( Wayne actually received a jail sentence because of this, but that's another story) Lucky was an escape artist.... she would be bounding up the street and turning the corner before I would realize she was gone. I would jump into my car, and try to find her. Hours later , she would be back in the backyard, chained up this time, and I would be crying and exhausted in my house, telling Wayne to "get rid of that dog."

I remember one time in particular. It was Christmas break. As a school teacher, Christmas break is long looked forward to, and over much too soon. I was up one morning, stripped and getting in the shower when Wayne called and said he forgot to feed the dog. Oh brother! I grabbed my robe, headed to the basement and scooped up the dog food. Lucky was in the garage at this point. I opened the garage door, leaned out to fill her bowl. Lucky jumped up on me, I lost my balance, the garage door slammed shut, and I was locked out of my own house..in the middle of winter...pregnant sick... and nothing but a thin robe. I was not happy. Lucky was thrilled. She thought I was there to play with her. SO wrong.

I didn't have many neighbors at this point. Ours was the farthest north street and many houses were still going in. I lifted the garage door a little to see if there was anyone outside who could help me, Construction workers every where. I'm in my robe. Not going to happen. I race to the front door...locked...I race back into the garage. No shoes on mind you. I end up sitting in the broken down, gross, mouse infested freezing car and waiting and crying for over an hour.
I ha ted this dog more at that moment than I have ever ha ted anything in my life.
I felt like puking. I was puking! I was freezing!
Finally, I hear a car pull in my drive way and one of my high school students shows up....I crack the garage open again and ask her to call Wayne and tell him to come home and let me in the house.

She does. He does.
I tell Wayne, Lucky is his dog, and I will never feed her again.
Lucky stays. Lucky has 13 puppies-- weird looking puppies -- we wondered if she bred with a chicken. Addison loves Lucky. Lucky loves baby Landon.
Lucky continues to plague me for the next 3 years..

The last straw comes at Christmas time, again. I come home with 2 1/2 year old Addison, and 6 month old Landon to find our Christmas tree destroyed and a cherished Santa's head bit right off.
I'm crying.
The boys are crying.
I remember telling Wayne,
"I can't take it! Either the dog or the kids have to go...you choose."
Wayne came home and took Lucky to a "farm."
Good Choice.

My nickname from Wayne is "Lucky"- I was "La", then I changed to Lucky. I call Wayne Dr. WooWoo-- but I digress. Maybe he calls me Lucky to remind me of this dog, or maybe he's just lucky to have me. Whatever....Lucky wasn't very lucky...
She won't have a "Marley and Me" movie made after her.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

My Wayne

I love the way that sounds....My Wayne.
He has always been mine.
We met as Sophomores at Bountiful High school, and I knew at 16 that I would love him forever and he was the guy for me. It sounds like a fairy tale or a movie line, but it's true.
He is the best part about me...
Melinda and Wayne
Wayne and Melinda
Like two peas in a pod.
We actually aren't that alike at all. I'm sarcastic, he's sincere. I'm flighty, he's grounded. I'm ready for anything, he's more wary. I'm in the world, he's spiritual.
I'm planning and list making, he's more go with the flow. I'm let's go, go , go ...he's I just want to sit and watch my HD TV.

Today is Wayne's 47th birthday. We have been together for 31 years, and we have definitely rubbed off on each other. He's knocked off my rough corners, and I've gotten him out of his comfort zones.

I love that he's my Forever Family.

Wayne says he is a jack of all trades, ruler of none. That's how he would describe himself. He really is intelligent, and knows a lot about a lot of things. Wayne
is an amazing business man. He swings deals and sells restaurant supplies around the world. He has a great head for figures and deal making. He is very loyal and wants what is best for every customer....
Here's the curious part,
The boys (Addison, Landon, Truman and Monson) don't really think he is in the restaurant supply business...... at all.

The boys think he is a "spy' for the government....or whoever people spy for. He has a "skill set" that only help support this notion. He is "McGiver-ish." He can do anything on a computer-- even hack into one, drive any vehicle- motorcycle being his favorite-- has even been known to fly a helicopter and airplane ( not by himself of course.)
He scuba dives.
He speaks English, Spanish, and some Chinese.
He travels a lot, for "business", to interesting countries in South America-- Mexico, Hondurus, Peru, Columbia-- where there is considerable unrest. Add to that China, India, Thailand, Korea, and Germany and the brothers are wondering what their father really does for a living? He can't just be selling pots and pans can he?
His passport is full and overflowing! He actually was allowed to have 2 passports at the same time....hmmm? He had to personally fly to San Francisco to figure this out.
He owns many guns and has his conceal carry permit.
He receives monthly packages from interesting businesses..... They all seem to hold "Sunglasses", and "GPS systems" and other unknown gadgets. Hmmm? Mission Impossible anyone?
He knows all about world events and what's happening in the stock market and news.
He has a lot of foreign money stashed away.

It all seems to fit.

This mild mannered, slightly overweight- but working on it - guy is DEFINITELY A SPY!

Wayne came home from a China trip about 3 years ago and was totally throwing up sick and dizzy-- some weird virus attacked his middle ear and he couldn't walk, sit up, keep his eyes open. It really was tragic. Wayne has learned to live with this Dizzy , but still suffers every day with a spinning world.
The boys know this is from some sort of spy torture that happened to him ( aka Jack Bauer) and not a virus at all. It was all too fishy for them.

Any operation he has-- a cyst removed, etc....the boys believe it's bullet's being taken out of his body, or a wound received while Spying--that needs to be dealt with.

It really is funny. With this body of evidence, and their great imaginations, the boys have decided that Wayne is a genuine spy, oh, and our neighbor Mario Nickl is too.
( Now, Mario I can actually believe.)
I think Wayne likes it. He doesn't deny it. I may be blowing his cover just writing about it.

Wayne's like Superman.....mild mannered, easy going, glasses wearing, dad during normal hours.... then he becomes Super-Spy when he leaves the country.

Anyway, My Spy is having a birthday..... Happy Birthday Wayne!
He is "the Spy that loves me".... Aaahhhh ( Sweet Sigh)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Day 2

I'm on Day 2
Down 1 pound.

Wayne is doing great--- down 3 pounds.
Once again I marvel at the ability of men to shed pounds so much quicker than women.

We are doing a 4 day " Anti- Bloat Cleanse", before we start the MUFA eating program. It's just one of those health things that is advised to do after one has OD'd on sweets and chocolate and crazy Holiday eating.

So, What am I eating today?

Rice Krispies and milk for breakfast
pineapple in own juice
sunflower seeds
tuna
carrots
string cheese
pineapple smoothie
chicken breast
brown rice
mushrooms
LOTS OF WATER
When I look at the list, it doesn't sound too bad..... and it looks HEALTHY.
Now I just need to keep this "deal" I have made with myself.
That's truly what a diet is....an eating deal made with myself, for myself. No one else cares or is interested, except, maybe, Wayne.

I worked out today....treadmilled it then some situps and weights....a little bit here and a little bit there.
Feeling Sassy!

Side Note:

Laila "prayed" me last night, that I wouldn't get so mad over the little things she does.... I wonder what I'm doing that's so crazy? I need to remember my New Years Resolution and Laugh more! Seriously, I do.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Diet 2009

This morning was great!
The New Year is off to a fabulous Monday morning start. It's so good to have the boys in school again and working...and not just staying up too late, partying, playing and sleeping in. NO MORE!

We got up by 7, had family scriptures, prayer and then I exercised and got showered and dressed and Laila dressed and off to school, all before 8:45!!
AND......I'm starting my next, greatest and latest diet.
(I wonder how many diets this makes on my life time diet count?)

The Flat Belly Diet.....I read about it in the First magazine and thought it was an interesting concept, then I was at Costco and it caught my eye. It's a bright yellow book and hard to miss.
When was the last time I had a flat belly? As a 10 year old? No....10 years ago?
It's from the Prevention magazine editors...and sounds like a doable idea.
It's all about MUFA's--- monounsaturated fatty acids.... love them..... nuts and semi sweet/dark chocolate are totally MUFA's.
I bought the book. Shopped for the food. Talked Wayne into doing it with me. And today's the day...
Okay, I've weighed myself (heavy sigh) and I'm ready to do my month of "good" eating in January. I have a show coming up and I'm excited and crazy all at the same time.

It's just "Healthy eating"...I tell myself.
"I'm just going to eat healthier," I'll tell other people.

It's still a diet...I'm changing my bad habits, and trying to establish good ones...better ones.
Just wrapping my head around it is hard enough for me.
Just getting on the scale was huge. (The stepping on was "huge", not me, necessarily.)
SO...I know this will be a boring blog in January...all about weight and losing weight and eating the right foods, and having will power and making food choices...... oh wait, this is what this blog was always supposed to be about.

So for the month of January I'm posting a BLOG WARNING:
Dieting in progress....Not responsible for "weighty" material!

I'm counting the hours until my first chocolate chip!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

I'm in a Show.....finally!

I'm back on the stage again after a 5 1/2 year hiatus. I got asked to be Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. I am excited. Of course I said Yes. I didn't have to audition. I get to sing 2 great songs. Not too many rehearsals...and I get to be on stage and perform and sing....LOVE IT!
My last show was 42nd Street at RMT-- this was right when Wayne got put in the Bishopric...and now he is out and I'm BACK!
I'm excited and a bit nervous. I've got to get my voice back in shape. I've got to get my body in shape.
I'm hoping this is the "Kick in the butt" I've been needing to really get myself back in shape and get rid of this 20 pound-middle-chub I keep carrying around.
Muzzy is a night club singer and has the "end" of the show. She has to look fabulous. Wish me luck.
Landon is in it too, he is playing a chinese brother....and Megan( my neice) is Mrs. Meirs-- the villain of the show. It's a family event.

Everyone in my house is in a show right now except for Wayne. Truman, Monson and Laila are in Annie at Bountiful High. Addison is in Peter pan at Weber State and then Musical of Musicals in Salt Lake, and Landon and I are in Millie.

Theatre is so much fun for me!!!
I love being in the audience. I love talking about shows. I love dissecting performances. I love going to NYC. I love little kid theatre and professional theatre. I love choreographing and/or directing shows.
I especially love BEING ON STAGE!

I'm excited....
Wish me luck!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Top 10 List for 2008

There are so many Best and Worst lists out in the media at the end of each year. You can't watch the news or pick up a news paper or magazine with out seeing a list of some kind.
"10 phrases to get rid of."
"10 Best movies"
"10 Worst movies."
"10 Worst dressed."
"10 Best cars to drive"
"10 Political moves."
"10 Money mistakes."

I'm going to add my own "10-lists" to the mix.

TOP 10 BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN 2008 from Melinda's perspective.
1. Monson - no good diagnosis about his painful right wrist, even after his second operation
2. Laura Belnap in Head on Collision in China-- many broken bones and torn ligaments
3. Laila serious Head Injury
4. I couldn't lose weight...again--- my weight is on the rise!
5. Monson has athsma and a heart condition
6. Wayne cancer scare and operation
7. Gas almost reached $5.00 a gallon
8. Lindsey moved to Reno

(Hey that's pretty good I can only think of 8--- now on to the Good stuff)


TOP 10 GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN 2008 from Melinda's perspective.
1. Laila had a MIRACLE recovery from her head injury...what could have easily been a month in the hospital,or worse, was only 4 days.
2. I finally got to go to China with Wayne after talking it into existence for 3 years.
3. Bathroom finished in the basement! The boys can potty and shower downstairs!
4. Wayne cancer free after operation
5. I'm skin cancer free-- and no big scar
6. Laura got home from China with a blessing and a prayer so she could recover at home and not in ASIA
7. Got a new car...a Prias, that I love to drive.
8. 25th Anniversary cruise with my Wayne!
9. Sharkey's came from Scotland for an extended visit
10. New York Trip with Lindsey, Truman and Monson

( I can't stop at just 10-- I'm on a roll)

11. Great family and friends who love and support me and mine.
12. Testimony of the gospel and power of the priesthood grew and grew!
13. Grandma Butters is still alive and kicking
14. Addison got his college scholarship back...out of the blue
15. Truman made Student Body Officer at BHS and really enjoys it
16. Monson was soph football team captain, and is on the BHS basketball team too.
17. Laila learned to read!!!
18. Landon got a great job helping troubled kids at Beacon Heights Elementary school, in a lock down unit. He loves his job.


Okay...things are good. I actually started out this blog just thinking about the 10 worst things about this past year, and I couldn't do it. Once again, the good outweighed the bad.
Life is sweet.
On to 2009!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Resolutions for the New Year

We had a fun party at my sister's home last night. We had "Fondue Fun Night" and it was great. Marcie and Gary are always the perfect hosts for a New Years Eve...... We partied like it was 1999---oh yeah, 2009.

We played a fun game where we wrote down 3 of our real resolutions anonymously and put them in a pot. Then we drew out a resolution and had to guess who's it was. It was insightful.
"Lose 92 pounds."
"Finish school."
"Have Meryl Streep play my mother in a movie."
"Read a book a month."
"Read the Book of Mormon every week--atleast a verse."
"get laser hair removal."
"Lose 3 pounds" (This was actually written down by 3 different people at the party-- it was a popular resolution.)

Resolutions are interesting.
I'm not opposed to them-- just I seem to set the same ones year after year...and never get any closer to realizing them.

Last year, my mom gave me a new insight with New Years Resolutions.
She set some that she could and would actually accomplish.
1. I will over eat on holidays and birthdays
2. My house will be messy.
3. I won't exercise
4. I will stay up too late, and sleep in too much
5. I won't begin any new projects
You get the idea.
She said if she didn't accomplish these resolutions, that would be a bonus....She wouldn't be sad about that, but glad!

This mixed up, messed up thinking really says something to how I was raised, and why I am the "weirdest" person that many of my friends know.

How about these resolutions: Laugh More! Eat more Cookie dough! Goof off! Now these are resolutions I can get excited about!

What I do like to have my family do on New Years is write Predictions about the coming year. Things about themselves, family, friends, the county, world. Whatever.
It's interesting to pull these out on New Years day and see what predictions came true from the past year.

If you predict that your sister will get married year after year; 7 years later it comes true and you feel like a real psychic!

We have predicted marriages, missions, moves, trips, grades, deaths, elections and crazy weather around the world.....you could possibly blame Hurricane Katrina on the Welchs.


I could not have "predicted" that I would be blogging this time last year. I have enjoyed "throwing up" my random thoughts and boggled brain on to the page.
(Thanks for reading)

Maybe this year my resolution will be to ..... GET MY ACT TOGETHER!
I predict....it won't happen any time soon though.