A Year in the Life of Melsworld

I won’t even begin to make excuses for not being around for over a year.  I’m ashamed of myself…really.  And I now see I’ve got to learn how to do this again!  So many new buttons to push!!  WOOHOO! 

I'm going to try and summarize what I've been up to in the past year.

Dale and I flew into Denver in February to visit his brother and go to a Rockstar Supernova concert.  We went to Cheyenne, WY, Alliance, NE, and to South Dakota.  In South Dakota we drove through the Black Hills to go see Mount Rushmore and had dinner in Kevin Costner’s bar in Deadwood, SD.  The concert was in Loveland, CO so on the morning before we drove to Estes Park where the movie The Shining was filmed.  It snowed every day of the entire trip and I was all about loving that since we hardly ever get snow. 

I also went to Nashville to meet my friend Stephanie to see a band we both enjoy.  VH1 just happened to be filming there that night and now we are stars on a video on VH1!!  We’re right there in the front – there’s a funny story about how that happened don’t ya know?!  Apparently I still have pretty good luck!

Another trip I took during this past year was up to NYC again to visit my friend Wendy for her birthday.  We had a blast!!  Much to our surprise (really) we found out the Panthers would be in NY to play the Giants in their first preseason game.  Wendy works for ESPN so we had no trouble at all getting tickets to the game.  Lots of fun stories and pictures from that trip.

Got Dale a puppy for Father’s Day and because we didn’t want Chopper to be lonely we got him a little brother 2 weeks later.  I went from living with two boys (Dale & Stripe) to living with five (edit: okay so I can't count - I meant four!)  Go ahead and shake your head in disbelief – I do it at least twice a day.  I’m an idiot.

Meet our lab puppies - Chopper & Maxim

I've got lots and lots and lots of puppy pictures I'd love to show you guys!

What else happened…my nephew Josh got married in Fort Fisher, NC by the ocean.  It was a beautiful and intimate ceremony with just family. 

My other nephew Grant (the Marine) is in Iraq until next February.  He just called me a few minutes ago and it was really good to talk to him.  Here's a picture of him taken over there.

Other than that I’ve seen a few people in concert – Motley Crue & Aersomith, Juke Kartel, Whitestarr, Panic Channel, Lukas Rossi, Element (Josh’s band), Parallel, Van Halen, Gwen Stefani.  I think that’s it but I feel like I’m forgetting somebody…

There’s plenty of good “Back Stories” to all of my adventures over the year but to keep this blog length to a minimum I won’t bore you, that is, unless you want me to.  Let me know which (if any) you want to know more about and I'll spill.

Other than those things I got a chance to talk to Juls and Neil when Pam visited with them last weekend.  That was really cool!

I got a new subscriber yesterday from an old friend.  Made my day but it’s been so long since I’ve blogged I forgot that I have to subscribe back to get updates from his website. 

Lastly something I heard on the radio yesterday ... pick three words that describe you and your life.  Mine these days are...

My Hysterical Madness

Currently Listening Them VS. You VS. Me By Finger Eleven You’ll probably move right through me on my way to you see related

Wanna see my Boobies?

It's the most wonderful time of the year...  (I'm wearing halloween socks today too! )

This is for my buddy Morgane!  See, I'll go to the ends of the earth for ya!! 

Currently Listening 15 By Buckcherry I'm a crazy bitch! see related

Good grief it took me like days to climb through all the cobwebs surrounding my site!  I hate it when I let that happen!

First I'd like to give a shout out to my Brother's today because it's his birthday!!  Also Saturday is my niece Heather's birthday.  She's the one that gave us my beautiful grand niece Chloe.  Which is what this blog is all about!  I wrote this blog just after I got back from the Caymans but before I could post it I ended up going back down because Chloe was in a baby beauty contest and I HAD to be there for that!!  Thank goodness I was because she WON and I would have kicked myself for not being there when they announced she was CAYMAN BRAC's BEAUTIFUL BABY!!!!!!!  Here's a picture of the beauty queen!

Next is a picture of her playing peep-eye with me!  Too cute!

This is my mom's favorite picture of her.

I had the absolute time of my life!!I had time to get to know my wonderful grand-niece and to spend some much needed quality time with my sister and niece.That week flew by though as they always do when we’re on vacation but I’ve got TONS of pictures and a few funny stories!Let’s start with the pictures!

Meet Chloe just a little over 15 months old.  (edit: she's now nearly 18 months - what a slacker I am!)

I couldn't let her go without Panthers wear!

Strutting her stuff!

Watching the sunset

How beautiful, huh?

This trip my sister took me to Little Cayman by chartering a boat and flew me over to Grand Cayman for a day.  It was the best trip ever!

This is Little Cayman

She's so polite and check out her cute socks

Then she runs off screaming!

I took this one at the airport just before I left...I cried for hours.  I can still see her there waving and saying, "Bye" in that sweet voice.

My favorite picture - she looks so content to me

I know many of you probably think your kids and grandkids or nieces and nephews are the best in the world but sadly I must inform you that I do believe I’ve met the best little girl in the world.She is such a complete joy to be around.I have no doubt that she can make me smile in the worst of situations. I mean it when I say words cannot describe how much I love this person.

I'm sorry I made you look through so many pictures but I couldn't decide which to post!!!!!  I love them all!

Currently Listening You're Beautiful By James Blunt My life is brilliant. My love is pure. I saw an angel. Of that I'm sure. You're beautiful, you're beautiful. You're beautiful, it's true. see related

So last weekend I went with my niece Misty and her boyfriend to Carowinds.  While we’re standing in line for the Drop Zone a man asks us if we’re related to which we reply yes.  He says he could definitely tell.  A few minutes later he says, “You’re not her mother are you?”  Misty immediately says no she’s my aunt.  I imagine the look on my face wasn’t a pleasant one but at least he tried to save himself by saying, “I must say you guys have good genes.”  Whatever, the damage is done buddy.  Sad thing is I could be her mother if I had gotten pregnant at 14.  That’s scary.

I’m flying down to the Caymans for a week on Sunday to visit my sister, niece and GREAT niece.  I’m very excited!!  However, I found out over the weekend that I’ll have to give up my phone or pay $1.99 a minute and 50¢ a text.  Considering I talk to Pam a couple of hours a day and a text or two a night this could be difficult.  Try and keep her busy while I’m gone since she’s like me and tends to get herself in trouble when she’s bored.

I had a few other things I wanted to say here but to get out of work before midnight they’ll have to wait for me to get back.  I’m sooooo sorry for not ever getting around to you guys but I will I promise when I get back.  Think about me.  That is if you still remember me!  I love you guys very much!!!!!

Something I bet you didn't know...Capn' Crunch is left-handed.  By golly it is the truth!!

How funny is that?  Now miss me please!

Currently Listening Spin By Lifehouse Spinning Turning Watching Burning/all my life has found its meaning/ walking crawling climbing falling/all my life has found its meaning.....and I wouldn't change a thing. see related

Let me say this before you do...when it comes to updating my site to keep you guys in the know of the happenings in Melsworld I just plain suck.  AND then when it comes to getting around to you guys to see what you've been up to I really suck ass.  If it makes you feel better though I do kick myself often for this.

Now what all has been going on?  This blog would be 7 miles long if I tried to tell you everything so I'm gonna try and keep it to a minimum.  Try...you understand.

Getting back to...oh a little over a month ago.  In NYC we did meet the boys of the Lovehammers.  They were more than friendly and we were able to spend some quality time just hanging with them in their hotel lounge.  It was very cool because not only did we talk to each of them individually we also met the guys that are making their tour possible.  I made friends that night I still talk to almost daily so once again being in the right place at the right moment and actually realizing it and making the best of the situation paid off.  Not only did it pay off but it got me tickets to the Charlotte show the following week and even more quality time hanging with the band on their tour bus.  Oh the stories to be told.  But of course you wouldn't want me to bore you with details I'm so sure. 

Anyway these guys are awesome and put on a show that I must say is one of the best I've seen if not the best and as you know I've seen A LOT over the years.  I'd link to all the pictures and blogs but as you know I'm too damn lazy.

Some things overheard or said during both evenings.

- OMG, that was YOU guys??    Um, yes it was.
- Hold my beer I want to show you something. 
- What the f#$! is that? 
- He thought he ordered a chocolate shake but it turned out to be an $85 shot! 
- He can't get you into the show in Charlotte but I can.
- I need to grab my coat- it was nice talking to you (thinking he wanted an out)- no, no, I'll be right back. 
- Cheers!
- How can I say no to you? 
- Nice tattoo...upon further inspection ... Nah, that's not real!!
- Well you should have it since I placed it right in your hand.
- You're not leaving so early are you? (Probably 1:30am)  I know your hotel is only a block away.
- Why didn't you save me?  Well if I'd known you were in need of saving I definitely would have.

Bobby coming up to us to talk in NYC.  Dear lord the man is hot.  Pam swears I was even forming real sentences when talking to him which surprises the hell out of me.

Dino tells me he kept thinking he'd see me right after the show and I tell him that I was right here (on the bus) and he says but I didn't know you were right here.  Probably a good thing in hindsight! 

The following day Dan (the guy that got me in for the Charlotte show and in the picture below on the bus) calls me and needs a favor.  He said one of the guys left their IPod at a Wal-Mart in Charlotte.  He wanted to know if I'd get it for them and send it.  Well let me think about it- kidding!  Absolutely I'd LOVE to help the band anyway I can!  I thought it was so sweet that he thought of me and trusted that I'd take care of them!

Pictures!!!  I will later show you some of the AWESOME pictures I took during the concert in Charlotte.  I was front row against the stage so they turned out great. 

Oh and the beer?  It wasn't just a prop can you believe it?

Now I've got something funny to tell you.  Remember when I posted this?

Wanna know how stupid I truly am?  Okay conversation between Bridgen and me with other co-workers listening...

M:  I either like pork on the grill or baked.
B:  You can also broil them.
M:  I don't have a broiler.
(laughter erupts)
B:  You have an oven don't you?
M:  Well yes.
B:  Then you have a broiler, Mel!!
M:  Oh.

True story.

Well ...Monday night I sent the following text to Pam.

Smoke alarm twice, fire blazing, smoke has begun to clear, calling in pizza.

As you may imagine it was quite an eventful evening to say the least.  I want to tell you all about it but once again time has gotten away from me but I promise (no really- I mean it this time!) I will give you a full report very soon!  Let's just say it's got something to do with my new found broiler and I've got pictures!

Currently Listening Marty Casey & Lovehammers By Marty Casey & Lovehammers Straight as an arrow time to get the hell out I can never leave you alone… See a pretty face kiss is like a handshake see the pretty face kiss is like a handshake… What about me, so what, so what see related