Sunday, December 30, 2007

New Books!

I've just received conformation from Amazon (that I did not get to by using Scott's link...sorry Scott) that they got my money! That means in 7-10 business days I get many books that are must haves in any library that I don't have yet. I got The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Chronic-WHAT-cles of Narnia (in the original order) and Grace Eventually by Anne Lamott. I enjoyed Lamott's first 2 books on the subject of faith, so hopefully this on won't disappoint. The others I have read excepting the Grapes of Wrath. I'm looking forward to rereading these books and having them for when the girls are of age to read them as well.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Tahitian Treat

Does anyone else remember drinking Tahitian Treat as a kid? My folks brought over this 7Up that's basically carbonated juice and it reminded me of Tahitian Treat. I have such excellent memories of this delectable beverage and the sugar highs that it caused. Apparently you can still order Tahitian Treat online. 24 cans for $38!!!! The ad says you can take a trip down sugar infested memory lane which does sound totally enticing. But not for $38. *Sigh* I'll have to resort back to mixing pixy stix with mountain dew again. What a disappointment.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Where have all the cowboys gone?

A nagging question. Really. I'd guess they are wherever cowboys go. I actually really don't care where they are because I don't care about cowboys. This post has nothing at all to do with cowboys or their location. I guess if you count not caring about cowboys it kind of applies. The facts are these. At this moment young Mel has been a pastor's wife for 10 months, 3 days, 2 hours and 4 minutes (go watch Pushing Daisies and then you'll understand the phrasing). I haven't really considered myself to be a pastor's wife as such. I don't do all the things that typical pastors wives do like form knitting parties and ladies Bible studies or run the children's room or anything else of that nature. The past few months or so I've been wondering what that role means to me and to the people at Artisan. I don't know how approachable I am. I don't see myself as the warm and inviting person that I envision pastors wives as being. I'm sometimes socially awkward (mostly in large groups or around many women) and I don't always like to be around people who require me to give more of myself than I feel like giving (emotionally demanding people). Do not misunderstand me and think that I don't like people because I do. Sometimes I don't (like when I'm driving). Mostly I'm just retarded when it comes to relating to people or being able to help someone through a problem. And sometimes I'm a downright jerk and don't do things I probably should for various selfish reasons. At any rate, the purpose of this post was not to get down on myself for sucking at life and being a subpar pastor's wife but to throw it out to see what other people's conceptions are. Somewhere along the way I will arrive at a place that I can live with whether I'm comfortable or not (as I don't believe that God is always terribly concerned with how comfortable I am).

Sunday, November 18, 2007

It's been a while

I've just remembered I have a blog page! What fun. Now that I can remember how to get here I will probably start writing again. I hope no one died waiting for my next post. Its an awful long time to hold one's breath.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Satellites

I've always thought that satellites were pretty cool-taking pictures of distant planets and galaxies far far away, but I decided to check out some satellite images literally from our backyard. This totally blows my mind. If I were high I'd really be wigged out. How cool to see a picture of my house taken from freakin space. I spent some time finding the house I lived in in Cincinnati and the Hollywood Video I worked at as well as the Skyline Chili I used to eat at. Then I found my grandparents house and my moms house and I found the compound. What fun. Check out http://maps.live.com to see your house or work or whatever you feel like spying on.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Wisdom from the Stall

Mike always says that he gets some of his best ideas while in the bathroom. Apparently he's not the only one. Here are some no doubt alcohol induced epiphanies written in the first stall at Richmond's Pub.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

"Never give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about."

"If someone can make you smile without them being there that's when you know they've got you."
(Hardly "you had me at hello")

"Juuuu-dith! omg! she's like the crypt keeper"

"Always B honest even if it hurts Because you can always walk away being true to yourself"


Truly words to live by. Enjoy your newfound enlightenment!

Friday, June 15, 2007

Cara and Emily's Page

My grandmother used to take a million and a half pictures to capture memories of her family. I am terrible at this. Since I got a new digital camera for my birthday I figured I'd make good use of it! So if you get bored check out The Muscarella Chronicles for various anecdotes of the girls doings and pictures! Well, there aren't any pictures yet, but there will be shortly. Now we just have to go and do something post-worthy!

Kid Tested, Mother Disapproved

Did you know that Kellogg's cereals are a contributing factor in childhood obesity? It appears that some upset moms of obese children have targeted Kellogg's saying the sugary cereals aren't healthy enough for their kids. I'm sorry but the whole point of the cereals in question is that they are sugary. And if the cereal wasn't meeting health standards it would not have been approved by the FDA. Forgive my insensitivity for a moment here but this is what I hear after reading the article: "Heeeeyyy! I finally just realized that my kid is severely overweight! Never saw that coming! It must be all that sugary cereal Kellogg's has been marketing to my child!" At this point a few questions come to mind. Don't you, as a parent, buy they cereal from the store? Or am I supposed to believe that the youngster went to the store by him/herself and purchased the contraband cereal without your knowledge? What? Did little Timmy use his allowance or did he just steal a 20 from your wallet? If that's the case then you probably have more serious issues at hand here. Okay, so you bought the cereal. But you had to because little Timmy saw the commercial on TV and wouldn't stop begging you for it. And you had so little self control and wanted to give Timmy everything his little heart desired because he's your little angel! Whatever happened to "No"? It's true that childhood obesity is on the rise. While this is certainly regretable why is it Kellogg's fault? Obesity is not something that you wake up with the next morning. These parents have to notice that something is wrong. And I hardly believe that eating Kellogg's cereals and other Kellogg's products are to blame here. Turn off the video games or computer and make your kids go play outside! Somehow we seem to have forgotten that as parents we can control what our kids eat and how much exercise they get. And I'm not talking about exercise in the sense that they should join Bally's but how about an old fashioned ball game with some kids in the neighborhood? Heaven forbid your child should ride a bike to a friends house or just around the neighborhood. If, as a concerned parent, you believe that Kellogg's products aren't healthy enough for your kid, then don't buy them. Where has common sense gone?

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Summer Days




Even though summer doesn't officially begin for another 18 days or so, it has officially begun at our house! The girls have already played in the sprinkler at Oma's house, been to a parade, flown kites and planted some flowers and been to the Dairy-An for some "iyth peeme" (better known as ice cream). Good times!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

A Sad Day

My first car was a 1987 Chevy Cavalier. First cars usually are associated with some great memories most often about crazy high school capers and shenanigans=good times. I finally had the car towed away today to its final resting place in some guys garage being stripped for any useful parts. As the tow truck guy was dragging it up onto the truck bed I saw my East High School parking sticker in the window and was reminded of some fun adventures full of teenaged stupidity. However my most favored of memories are of sitting in the backseat drinking Sprite from a glass bottle (no plastic containers then) and eating Fun Dips, Rolos or Big League Chew while playing air guitar (or drums) with my brother. My father would listen to the oldies station (Pittsburgh's 94.5 3Ws) and we would sing and play looking like retards. Sometimes he would throw in the Kenny Rogers tape so we could listen to The Gambler, and even better was listening to the theme song from Great American Hero. Good times. I remember when my dad got that car brand new. I was 8. We used to wash and wax it together in the summer. I remember him keeping lists in the glove compartment of his gas mileage (which I found when cleaning out the car). I got the car from him after he passed away a very short 7 years later. I drove it until repair work exceeded the worth of the car in 2002. 15 years of memories. It's crazy how fast they all came back (even the small inconsequential ones) in that one moment of watching this ugly truck haul away a piece of my history. At least the tow truck guy was sympathetic and allowed me to take my time cleaning out the car before taking it. I sat in the drivers seat for the last time and in the backseat while retrieving 2 snowbrushes and the rearview mirror and found my first drivers license and first license plates and one of my dad's old fishing poles in the trunk. So, here's to a sad day but good memories. Cheers!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Funk-free teeth

Hello esteemed readers! I need to clean some teeth this semester and am left with the job of finding my own patients. If you have tartar on your teeth (or know someone who does) that is in dire need of being removed (and all tartar is in dire need of being removed) I need you. Cleanings are free so please don't hesitate to contact me if you need a cleaning. I have several requirements which I won't go into detail here but I can fill you in on if you respond. The semester starts the 22nd of January and I think I will be getting right to work the next week. I will know lots of details then. But for now I'm just spreading the word. Pass along this information to anyone you know. Also, please respond to stoner5279@yahoo.com so that I can keep all inquiries located in one place! Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!!