Dealing With Roommates

There has been more drama in the realm of sharing my space...No, I don't have any rent paying roommates, but I did discover 2 chirping friends yesterday that had apparently decided to move in unannounced.

Becky and I kept hearing a noise yesterday as we were innocently trying to watch Anne of Green Gables. You know, we're sitting there on the couch, sighing, laughing and having a splendid afternoon watching Gilbert. Of course, I meant Anne. AHEM!

Anyway, we kept hearing this odd little noise. The noise continued for an hour or more, before finally, I decided to pause the DVD and investigate further. Sure enough, there was a half dead cricket making an odd chirping noise unlike any cricket I have ever heard. Maybe they have a death chirp? Anyway, he was in the sliding glass door track, and he appeared to be suffering. I almost felt sorry for him, and so, I quickly ended his pain. I think he must have been dying from the insecticide that the bug man sprayed a few weeks back. I'm no exterminator or entomologist, but that's my unofficial diagnosis on the cause of his chronic illness.

Of course, then I had to do a thorough sweep of the area to determine if there were any family members near by. I discovered another cricket in the dining room, but it was already dead, and so I dispatched of the remains and got back to the movie. All is quiet right now, but stay tuned for further developments.

In Hot Pursuit

For the last week or more, I've been waking up earlier than normal. At first during these early wake ups, I didn't know what to do about it. I needed sleep. What was wrong with me? I would lie there and just try to force myself back to sleep, but that wasn't working at all.

On the second or third day, I decided to just switch the light on and do some reading. Why not? I was wide awake. I started a book that I longed to read, The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. So I read a couple of chapters, read some Scripture, prayed and then got on with my day. And this has been the early AM pattern all week or more now. Today is Saturday, and it has been much the same. Now I did get to sleep in a half hour longer, but after that, I was wide awake at 5:30 AM without the alarm. And this from the girl who once was able to sleep in until noon on Saturdays...

So why the change? What is going on? I can't relate all of it, but this I will say that I've been praying and pouring my heart out to GOD and asking HIM to reveal HIMSELF to me. So I don't think it's an accident or a coincidence that I am waking up early. I think my FATHER is providing me with an opportunity that I have been remiss in taking HIM up on...getting to know HIM and establishing that intimacy that I have long desired.

As quoted in The Sacred Romance (page 81), Simon Tugwell says:

"So long as we imagine that it is we who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way about; He is looking for us. And so we can afford to recognize that very often we are not looking for God; far from it, we are in full flight of Him, in high rebellion against Him. And He knows that and has taken it into account. He has followed us into our own darkness; there where we thought finally to escape Him, we run straight into His arms. So we do not have to erect a false piety for ourselves, to give us the hope of salvation. Our prayer is in His determination to save us, and He will not give in."

Eldredge continues that train of thought:

"The story that is the Sacred Romance begins not with God alone, the Author at his desk, but God in relationship, intimacy beyond our wildest imagination, heroic intimacy. The Trinity is at the center of the universe; perfect relationship is at the heart of all reality...We long for intimacy because we are made in the image of perfect intimacy." (taken from The Sacred Romance page 73)

"The gospel says that we, who are God's beloved, created a cosmic crisis. It says we, too, were stolen from out True Love and that he launched the greatest campaign in the history of the world to get us back. God creates us for intimacy with him. When we turn our back on him he promised to come for us. He sent personal messengers; he used beauty and affliction to recapture our hearts. After all else failed, he conceived the most daring of plans. Under the cover of night he stole into the enemy's camp incognito, the Ancient of Days disguised as newborn. The Incarnation, as Philip Yancey reminds us, was a daring raid into enemy territory. The whole world lay under the power of the evil one and we were held in the dungeons of darkness. God risked it all to rescue us. Why? What is it that he sees in us that causes him to act the jealous lover, to lay siege both on the kingdom of darkness and on our own idolatries as if on Troy--not to annihilate, but to win us back once again for himself? This fierce intention, this reckless ambition that shoves all conventions aside, willing literally to move heaven and earth--what does he want from us?

"We've been offered many explanations. From one religious camp we're told that what God wants is obedience, or sacrifice, or adherence to the right doctrines, or morality. Those are the answers offered by conservative churches. The more therapeutic churches suggest that no, God is after our contentment, or happiness or self-actualization, or something else along those lines. He is concerned about all these things, of course, but they are not his primary concern. What he is after is us--our laughter, our tears, our dreams, our fears, our heart of hearts." (taken from The Sacred Romance page 91)

"It seems remarkable, incredible, too good to be true. There really is something desirable within me, something the King of the universe has moved heaven and earth to get." (taken from The Sacred Romance page 95)

"We've been more than noticed. God has pursued us from farther than space and longer ago than time. Our romance is far more ancient than the story of Helen of Troy. God has had us in mind since before the Foundations of the World. He loved us from the beginning of time, has come for us, and now calls us to journey towards him, with him, for the consummation of our love." (taken from The Sacred Romance page 97)

Spi-dar: A Gift or a Curse?

Today I went to lunch with 5 female friends (4 of whom I work with), and somebody just had to randomly bring up my dislike of spiders because they thought it was comical. Thanks a lot, Barb!

Apparently, Heidi didn't know about my anti-spider fetish yet, and so Barb was filling her in. I tried to help explain the situation by explaining Spi-dar. In the unabridged Bradley Family Dictionary, Spi-dar is defined as follows:

Melanie's talent, ability, gift or call it what you will that allows her to quickly sense the presence of an eight-legged creature nearby.

What happens is that I walk into a room and do a quick survey of the surrounding territory, and I can usually spot the enemy if there are any visible. Now every once in a while, an arachnid will still sneak up on me, trying to cause sudden death by making my heart stop, but most of the time, I am well aware of their presence at all times. Thus my family and I have termed this "gift," Spi-dar.

But sharing my story about this special gift of Spi-dar with Heidi just made everyone laugh more, and then Heidi started referring to my Spi-dar as a super power. She feels that I need a super hero outfit complete with a cape, magic bracelets and everything. Oh my! I don't know if I could pull off that look, Heidi.

Heidi also said she thought that an intervention might be the best route to go for a cure. All of my friends then tried to remind me of all the statistics out there, but I've heard them before. I have heard that story before about how people swallow spiders in their sleep. Nasty thought, isn't it! [shiver] But I've done my homework, people. It's just a myth.

I realize that we are outnumbered on this planet by these horrid little critters. There are approximately 2,000,000 spiders that may live in an area the size of a football field. YIKES! I don't like those numbers, and odds are there are plenty of them living in my apartment that I don't know about. But I've made a verbal agreement with them. If they keep out of sight, we can live in peace and harmony, but the second that I know they are there, one of us has to go, and it's not gonna be me! Unfortunately for the spiders, I'm usually discussing said agreement with them as I am attempting to obliterate them...

Biker Girl Rides Again

I took another long and invigorating bike ride last night. I struggled on the way to the Greenway and couldn't figure out what was wrong, and then it finally dawned on me why. I was riding against the wind. HELLO! That is a factor when you are on a bicycle, and if I am going to be biker girl, I need to remind myself of these obvious facts. Hee hee! It did however make for a better ride on the way home with the wind pushing me onward. Now that I liked.

Riding a bike makes me think of my favorite spot in Michigan, Mackinac Island. I just love it up there. My last visit was nearly 2 years ago, but I have such good memories of the island going way, way back. I like the simplicity of it. There is lots of tourist stuff, naturally, but in a way, you still feel like you are stepping back into another time or something like that. I love how there are no cars on the island so that all the traffic is by foot, bicycle or horse. And yes, following horses can make for an interesting bike ride. SPLAT! (No more details needed, I'm sure.)

I never get tired of visiting that spot, taking the ferry over from the mainland, seeing the sights, riding the 8 miles around the island, enjoying the varigated colors of the water, admiring the rock formations, etc. It's all just incredible.

OK, now I'm thinking about Mackinac fudge, and that just won't do. [sigh!] I'm off to eat my morning yogurt now. WOOHOO!!

I Love a Good Story

I especially love to hear how people meet, what drew them to each other, how they connected, how GOD worked it all out the way HE did, etc. It intrigues me. Maybe someday I'll write a book about it.

There are my friends Angie and Andy, who taught high school together for years before they started dating. I remember a particularly infamous phone message from a rather distraught Angie. She had called to tell me to forget our last conversation because she had misread Andy's feelings, and they could never be anything more than friends. NAH! She hadn't misread him at all.

I was there the night that John met Rachel. I was a guest at the same party and didn't even catch on until much later how instantly smitten my pal John was.

I watched with great amusement as my sister Barbara fought her own feelings for Jonathan. I remember one particular evening when Jonathan and I met over Frostys at Wendy's where he poured out his heart and asked me how best to handle my sister. I told him to give her some space and just wait. He did, and a few days later, she was back literally knocking on his door.

I remember watching Pollyanna and Greg get to know one another. I can still recall the excitement in her voice when she told me they were dating.

My Mom was telling me again on the phone this weekend how she met my Dad, a widower with 3 boys. She said she was rather scared by the whole idea. Sure, she wanted a family, but a ready-made family was intimidating. Somehow though, my Dad won her over, and quite frankly, I'm glad he did. My sister and I enjoy existing!

I love these stories and many others like them. I guess I don't tire of hearing them, and yes, the die-hard romantic in me would like a love story of my own to share someday. [BIG SIGH!]

However, there is ANOTHER nearby who has a deeper claim on my desires and affections. HE did after all create me, save me, redeem me. HE knew me before HE made me, and no one else knows me better than HE does. HE has been relentlessly pursuing me all of my life.

It amazes me that the ANCIENT of days, the ONE that spoke this world into existence, the SAVIOR of the world, the ALMIGHTY ONE -- wants sweet communion with me. [sigh!] You know what? That means that I am part of the greatest love story ever told. I have the love of my Heavenly FATHER. Thank you, LORD!

I love the simple lyrics of this hymn by George Beverly Shea.

"There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder the God loves me.

"O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me..."

Switching Gears

My friend Barb sent me an email this morning with just a simple line: “Wow! You are busy.” So I had to open it up and find out what the heck she was talking about. Yes, I can be pretty busy at times, but what was I up to now that I didn’t know about?

Well, the link definitely surprised me and made me laugh. Try it for yourself.

DISCLAIMER: The redistributing party of said link wishes to state the following:

“While the alleged candidate [aka she] wishes to thank her friends and family for their well-wishes and sample speeches that have been sent her way, in no way is she currently seeking political office or other office really. In fact, she’s quite comfortable in her small cubicle. She prefers to actually stay out of the limelight as much as possible, thank-you-very-much. She prefers to be behind the camera rather than in front of it. She appreciates the kind words and support that have come her way, but she will be returning all political monetary contributions to the senders promptly. However, if you would like to support her England May 2009 fund, please feel free to inquire further.”

The Love of My FATHER

There are a lot of things I am uncertain about, but one thing I am certain of is my FATHER's love. I might not understand or fully comprehend the depths of HIS love, but I know it is there just the same surrounding me.

Psalm 52:8b-9 I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

The Will of GOD

Growing up I was taught that following GOD's will was like a path. GOD had a plan for my life, and if I got off that path, it was nearly impossible to get back on it again. If I strayed from THE path, I could wind up on a lesser path, one not as fulfilling or something along that line of thinking. It was as if GOD's will was that elusive golden egg that I was to chase to find direction for my life, and it was something I could miss altogether or really screw up if I wasn't careful.

But I think GOD is much bigger than that. HE doesn't need me. HE chooses to use me, a broken vessel. HE knew what I would do before HE made me, and HE planned around it, in it and through it to still bring about HIS will. And don't even get me started on how my free will still accomplishes HIS will...I don't know if my feeble brain can fully grasp all that or can actually comprehend how GOD can make that work, but HE does.

Lately, I've been more than a bit perplexed. I've been seeking GOD's face regularly and asking for wisdom and knowledge in how to act. It's as if I have been waiting for a sign. I thought I was waiting on GOD, but HE's just been waiting for me to act. I haven't been following James 4:17

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

I was wanting GOD to draw an arrow in the sky to head me in the right direction. But if I already know that something is right, if I know that it is good, if I know that there is a need and it is in my power to help, and yet I choose to sit and wait for my engraved invitation to act, I'm missing the opportunity that HE has provided, and what's more is that my hesitation is sin. It's a lack of trust in HIS leading.

I think somewhere along the way, I've become too cautious. I'm not following HIM with the wild abandon I see in others. I've gotten too comfortable, too cozy in my walk, too timid. Yes, there are times where I need to stop and reflect, but if I have an opportunity to do something that is good, that is not contrary to HIS Word, what am I waiting for? HE's already given me my instructions...

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

What Does NOT Belong In This Picture?

I've had several guests over lately, and they all have wondered the same thing. Ommmm, Mel, what is with the bright child's vanity in your living room?

No, I have not decided to redo all my decor in a bright Disney theme. The child's vanity was a Goodwill find that my sister and I discovered for Barbara's daughter Grace, who will be 3 in less than a month. Barbara didn't know where to keep this rather large gift hidden from her ever-curious-one for the few weeks prior to Grace's birthday. So I brought it home to my place to clean and sanitize and to help keep it a secret. It is very cute, and I can't wait to play along with Grace once she gets it. But for now it sits as a conversation piece in part of my living room and reminds me of that mischievous curly-haired cherub in Kokomo. She is going to love it.

Sharing a Laugh

I came into work this morning and instantly smelled something wonderful. It was a slightly familiar smell to me. What was it? I wasn’t sure I could place that delicious aroma that was wafting the office halls. But even if I couldn’t have it, I just had to know. So, I walked around the corner to the kitchen, headed to get my morning yogurt, and there I saw it on the infamous party table. A white box with several delicately shaped pastries of oooooey goodness! Yes, someone had brought in a box of donuts. YIKES!

I took a deep cleansing breath, retrieved my Yoplait Light from the fridge and headed back to my desk, where I burst out laughing at the irony.

“Very funny, LORD!” I said with a smile. You don’t think HE is in the little things? Well, I think HE is.

All week I’ve been far too serious, too analytical, too much in my own head. I’ve been trying to make sense of some things, I’ve sent long rambling messages that confused even me, and I’ve been unable to concentrate fully on much. Yes, I didn’t feel well for about 3 days this week, but that’s no excuse. I’ve been, quite frankly, a mess.

So do you still think it’s just a coincidence that someone brought my favorite food in the whole wide world into the office today? I don’t. I think, GOD knew that I just needed to laugh, that I needed to stop spinning and just laugh. You see, there is a little bit more to the story...

Today just happens to be my 5-month anniversary of being donut-free. Yes, it’s true. I last consumed a donut on March 22, 2008. Maybe it’s a bit obsessive to track it like that, but like I said, donuts have long been my favorites. Now, I technically didn’t discover the anniversary until my friend (we’ll call him Kaleb) decided to blog about powdered donuts yesterday, and so naturally I felt compelled to tease him about that. And it was then that I calculated that today would be my 5-month anniversary of becoming donut-free.

See, why I’m laughing? I don’t think it’s just a coincidence at all. I think this morning was a funny moment between a FATHER and HIS daughter. HE's letting me know that HE is paying attention. I’m still here, Mel.

Now maybe you are wondering if I am going to eat one of those donuts...NAH! Donuts and I don’t have that kind of a relationship any more, but every time I walk by that party table, I smile. Thank you, LORD! I needed that...

Phone Conversations with My Sister

I'm not always a big phone talker. I'm better in person or chatting online, but there are exceptions to this rule.

1. I talk on the phone with a few friends regularly, almost every week.

2. I call my parents in Michigan quite often. (I love having lots of cell minutes!)

3. I talk with my sister (again love the cell minutes). Barbara lives an hour away, and so we frequently catch up on the phone. Now, Barbara works from home and is a mother to 3: Jacob is almost 6, Grace is almost 3, and baby Harrison is 6 months. My sister is hugely gifted at multi-tasking. And so you can just imagine how entertaining our phone conversations really are. Here's a sample:

Me: So what would you do?

Barbara: I'm not sure. Maybe you should--JACOB! That was extremely rude. Be nice to your sister. I don't know, Sis. I guess, I would just wait and see--Grace, what is that in your hands? Go put it back please. Jacob, help your sister please.

Me: I know, it's just easier said than done. [I can hear crying in the background.] Ommmm, do I need to let you go?

Barbara: No. It's fine. Grace, why are you crying? You don't know why you are crying? (trying not to laugh) Well, let me know when you figure it out, OK?

Me: Sounds like a fun day there in Kokomo.

Barbara: You have no idea. So how did that meeting go?

Me: It went all right. A bit long, but I think we got it all worked out. [I hear a loud crash in the background.] OK, now I think I need to let you go.

Barbara: Yeah. Gotta run. Talk to you later...

Never a dull moment, that's for sure.

Learning From a Fortune Cookie

I don’t usually get much inspiration from fortune cookies. In fact, the opposite is true. I either laugh it off or get ticked that I haven’t actually received a fortune but rather a statement or proverb.

Last night at PF Chang’s, Kristen’s fortune was pretty profound:

“Don’t pursue happiness, create it.”

I really like this. Yes, I know, it’s not a fortune, but I liked that statement nonetheless. I should be creating happiness around me today instead of pursuing it elsewhere. No matter what is going on in my life or in the world around me, I have THE SOURCE of true joy dwelling in me, and I need to share it.

Psalm 68:3 "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful."

Today Started Off a Bit Rough...

I’m not feeling 100%. Just a bit under the weather, I guess. I found myself pulled into an office politics debate first thing this morning. I don't like that. And then I got a splinter in my finger during my 9 AM meeting, and I had to do minor surgery at my desk afterwards. OK, seeing that typed out in black and white makes me laugh at myself...sounds rather sad and pitiful, doesn’t it? It’s amazing that I survived it all, but I did. HA!

Anyway, my day just got a whole lot better when I realized that...

1. Diet Girl is officially down 45 pounds from April 1st when my sister and I started on this get-healthy journey. My sister has lost 33 pounds, and so together we have lost...well, we have lost a female Olympic gymnast. That sounds crazy, but I’m just trying to help you visualize what we have accomplished so far. Thanks, Sis!

Philippians 4:13: "I [we] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me [us].“ Sis, don’t you just love how those verses we memorized as kids now always have to be quoted in the KJV? It just rolls off the tongue better or something.

2. I’m only 5 pounds away from my first big goal that gives me self-appointed permission to purchase a bicycle of my own. WOOHOO!! That just makes me smile. I’m on my way now. I went for another LONG bike ride last night and lived to tell about it, i.e. very little gravel or stones, but I did just narrowly miss getting hit by an SUV in Becky's complex. YIKES! OK, Becky, I get it. I'll go bicycle helmet shopping soon.

3. I’m having dinner with Kristen at PF Chang’s tonight, which I love. I just discovered their chicken lettuce wraps a few months ago, and I am seriously craving them today. YUM!

4. In 9 short months, I will be in England walking through Hampton Court Palace and rambling through the gardens or getting lost in the hedge maze, or I'll be found meandering through Chatsworth and enjoying the picturesque Peak District. [Sigh!] I just can't wait.

5. GOD is so good and patient with me. I seem to be learning the same hard lesson over and over again lately. I know HE must get frustrated with this willful child, but I'm glad HE hasn't given up on me. FATHER, thank you!

Seeing Hope

It is not the despair that hurts one, it is the hope.

I jotted this line down from the mini-series Cranford that was on on PBS Masterpiece this spring, and it has stayed with me.

Hope can be a dangerous thing. And yet a world without hope is empty, hollow, irredeemable...we need hope.

One of my favorite passages is Jeremiah 29:11-14a. It is a part of the letter Jeremiah sent to the remaining exiles in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. It is a letter of hope, and the words resound in my head tonight.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you..."

I am ever seeking hope, and I tend to rise too quickly on the wings of anticipation when I spot it just there in the distance. I get excited and all riled up when I really just need to take a back seat, breathe calmly, and see where GOD is leading.

Tonight was another reminder that I need to continually turn my eyes back to HIS, look to HIM constantly instead of getting confident in my path and sure that I am headed in the right direction. I tend to let go of HIS hand too quickly to show that I am a big girl and can handle it myself. HE gently waits, HE knows what is ahead, and sure enough, I come running back wanting to know why HE didn't keep me from danger. All part of that delicate balancing act between CREATOR and HIS creation, between MASTER and servant, between FATHER and daughter...I want to trust HIM, I need to trust HIM, and yet so often I fail to do so completely. Why do I linger in thinking I know best, that this one time I can see things more clearly than HE? HE has been right every time in the past, and HIS wisdom and guidance has yet to fail me. Why do I doubt HIM?

LORD, I believe, help my unbelief.
LORD, I hope, keep my hope in YOU.

Sarcasm Is My Gift. What Is Yours?

I enjoy the Flair* application on Facebook. It’s just about the only application that I enjoy. The other applications on Facebook I could definitely leave behind. They just clutter my space and sometimes annoy me. But with Flair, you get to select your Flair (i.e. your slogan pins to display), and there are a million to choose from, and they keep me laughing.

My current favorite piece of Flair reads:

Sarcasm is my gift. What’s yours?

I love that line. Sarcasm really can be a gift, but I continue to learn that people have their own levels of sarcasm tolerance...

My Dad is really sarcastic, and as a teenager, I didn’t always appreciate it like I do now. I thought he was spiteful, and his words stung. Now case in point, I was probably one of THE most moody adolescent/teenage girls ever. [Yes, that just might be my claim to fame: Melanie put the melan in melancholy!] I was always reflecting and over-analyzing life, retreating into my bedroom to read books, riding off on my bike alone, journaling about my future dreams, sobbing over the poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, brooding over the Bronte sisters’ writings, day dreaming and writing romantic stories. Yeah, I was quite a piece of work, let me tell you. A real social butterfly.

So throw a sarcastic Dad into the mix with this jumbled ball of emotions that I was, and you can just imagine the scene. I was overly sensitive about everything. I would cry at one harsh word. I was always running from the room and back to my haven (my room) or running outside to escape on my bike, sure that my parents could never understand what I was going through. At times, I would get quite mouthy with my parents, too. And do you know how my parents would punish me? They would take away my library card. [Key up the sad music...] Nothing but pure torture for my little dramatic soul. My lifeline was removed, my best friends (my books) were confiscated, and I was forced to join the rest of the family to play Yahtzee or Scrabble. Life was cruel.

So let’s flash forward twenty years...I am really NOT that girl any more. Yes, I can be dramatic. I can be intense. I can be reclusive at times. I can get wrapped up in a book and forget the rest of the world for hours. I can lose myself in a BBC production and reemerge convinced that true love will forever elude me and be melancholy for about a minute before bouncing back. Gone is the girl who cried over sarcasm or spilt milk. In fact I use sarcasm regularly, maybe too much. [Have you guys noticed?]

I have a couple of friends that actually think I am down on myself when I laugh or make fun of my own antics. This is totally not the case. I’m not depressed. I don’t have low self-image just because I can mock myself well. My use of sarcasm is a coping mechanism. By choosing to laugh at myself, I am overtaking the drama of the moment and not wallowing in self-pity or anger. Laughter is my antidote, like breathing. It is my attempt to keep sane amidst the highs and lows of this treasured existence GOD has given me, life. [And I'm NOT being sarcastic here. I do treasure life!]

Now I recognize that there are sad or tragic moments that we all must face, and I am well aware that there are moments when sarcasm is not appropriate. I’ve been guilty of that a time or two...trying to diffuse the moment and get someone to laugh when they just aren’t there yet. As Proverbs 14:10 says:

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Yes, I still believe that sarcasm is a gift. [Thanks, Dad!] BUT it is a gift that needs to be used wisely, cautiously, sparingly and sometimes not at all. Like I said I'm still learning...

*NOTE: For those of you familiar with Office Space, I am pleased to report that I have more than the required 15 pieces of Flair. I know, I'm an over-achiever. Hee hee!

**UPDATED: In the News...

This story made me laugh. Who am I to stay that Bigfoot is just a legend? It could be real, but it also could be a huge whopper of a tale. I'm gonna stay on top of this story and let you know.

This has been Mel Bradley reporting.

UPDATE: Well, sounds like this was just another hoax.

Getting Political, Are We?

I don’t usually voice my political opinions, and I’ve certainly been quiet about the upcoming election. Most are shocked to know that I once followed politics with quite a relish. It’s true. I wrote papers and “editorials” in grade school. I read them now, and I laugh. Republicans were always right, democrats were of the devil, etc. Oh the naivete!

High school and college were more of the same, I wanted to become a page on Capitol Hill, but my parents nixed that idea, and I think it was for the best. I minored in Political Science and got a degree in journalism. And somewhere in the middle of my studies, I got disillusioned. I decided I didn’t want to pursue politics, and I wanted to write more than “just the facts, ma’am." Instead, I wanted to stir hearts. I wanted to move people...

Recently a fellow Jane Austen fan shared this political editorial with me. I’m a bit late in posting it, since it is a week and a half old, but here it is anyway. I don’t completely agree with this editorial, but it made for an interesting read and rekindled a lingering interest in the current state of affairs.

1. I don’t appreciate Maureen describing Jane Austen as “chick-lit.” It sounds like fluff or silly school girl stuff that only a woman would dare to read, but Jane Austen wrote quite to the contrary. There is no bodice-ripping, bicep-bulging and the like in Pride & Prejudice or my personal favorite Persuasion. There is so much more to Jane Austen’s deep pen.

OK, don’t get started, Mel. Just let it go...

2. I know for a fact that all women do not base their political decisions based on whether or not a person has enough “meat on their bones,” or whether or not someone is likable or “handsome enough to tempt me.” I know Maureen isn’t saying this in her editorial. I am just disappointed that these are the faces that the media capitalizes on: these women who refuse to elect another man into office or the women that feel a candidate needs to be “less svelte.” I sense that there is this misconception that these women speak for all women and that we have to stick together, we band of sisters.

But don't you believe it... These women don’t speak for me. I have a mind of my own, and it’s not made up yet. Personally, I’d like a third candidate to select from. So, I'm praying for wisdom.

Random Updates

For some reason, I am still wide awake after 3 AM. Not sure why, but I'm just going with it, and so I'm blogging...randomly.

1. No crickets sighted since the latest run-in on Saturday. WOOHOO!!

2. For those concerned about the possible haunted family heirloom now residing with me, I am pleased to report that there have been no incidents of suspicious activity surrounding the rocking chair.

3. My nephew Jacob had his first day of full-day kindergarten in Kokomo on Wednesday. He is my sister's oldest and a major source of amusement to his Aunt Mel. I just love the way he thinks. I can't wait to have him tell me all about his school days in between Wii games, of course. I need to challenge him to another skate-off. He got me hooked on this skateboarder game. I can't figure out all the tricks, but it's really wild. I love it.

4a. In 9 months, I should be in England. I'm quite excited at the prospect even though one of the attorneys I work with is still threatening to prevent my overseas travel by confiscating my passport, having me put on some list (he has a friend in National Security), or some other type of mayhem. He is still convinced that I am going to England to find a job. Maybe I should take my resume along. You never know... Just kidding, I think.

4b. Anyway, back to England, I am meeting up with Becky and Jessica this weekend to finalize more of our itinerary. It's fun planning things out, but I think it's time to start eliminating things to see. We're only going to be there for 12 or 13 days, and I think our list of 60 things is still a trifle ambitious...

5. I'm still enjoying the Olympics. I'm trying NOT to watch too much since it just gets me worked up and excited. Hmmmm...perhaps there is a direct correlation to my Olympics viewing back to my sleeplessness. It's one theory.

Happy Thursday, All!

How Many Girls Does it Take?

Tonight, Becky came over for a little while to help with an attempt to get the borrowed bicycle from my sister into the trunk of my car. I've been trying to figure it out for over a week now, and it just seemed like it had to fit. We emptied the trunk, maneuvered the bike into several different positions, but to no avail, that bike does NOT want to fit into my Honda. So we reloaded the trunk and went for a walk. It was another gorgeous August evening, and we certainly didn't waste it.

Just a couple of additional comments about the whole bike thing...

1. To my baby sister Barbara: Thanks! I'm loving the bike. Still chicken to get the bike out on gravel or dirt, near water or trees, etc., but you know better than anyone else why I have my reservations regarding that. Watch out for that...TREE!!

2. To my dear brother-in-law Jonathan: AHEM! Thanks for the tip about how the front wheel supposedly pops right off and then back on again. That would be awesome...if only we had a demonstration of such or knew how it worked. Both Becky and I wanted to know if there was a manual you could send us because as women we do actually read those things. Hee hee!!

2. To my supportive pal Becky: Thanks for helping me entertain the neighbors this evening! I'm sure they found it rather amusing to watch as we attempted to get that darn bike into my car. How many girls does it take to get a bike into the trunk of my car? Apparently, more than 2, but I think we should get points for all our efforts. Thanks for trying!

Revised Serenity Prayer

GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it's me.

That stings a little, but I like this rendition of the Serenity prayer anyway. How often do I think that someone else needs to change their behavior or alter their attitude when it is I that need to step back and adjust my own heart.

Mental Post-it: Melanie, don't forget to read this prayer every day...

It Is Happening Again...

I have become the “expert” on a couple of new database programs here in the office, and it still makes me laugh. Let’s face facts:

(1) I’m not an expert, at all. I just happen to use these programs more than others because of my caseload.

(2) I happen to be a magnet for quirky programming issues which quickly become a puzzle and finally an education to me and the IT gang to get it working correctly, i.e. I’m that girl--the one that notices the problem, calls it in, and then gets asked how I got it to happen in the first place. So I repeat my problematic performance demonstration, and then they say: “We’ll have to get back to you on that..." It's a vicious cycle.

(3) I’m a learner, a novice, a wanna-be expert at something but NOT master of anything (other than the remote control in my own apartment. WOOHOO!!)

(4) See number 1.

And even with all of the above disclaimers and the repeated explanations to my co-workers about my ignorance, I still hear things said just around the corner from me. Things like: "Just ask Melanie about that. She’s the expert" or "Mel could discuss the parameters of that at our next meeting. She knows what she is doing..."

Ommmmm...do I have a say in this, at all? I mean being self-taught on a subject because it keeps crashing on you, does not mean that you are prepared to break it down and educate others. Is the new slogan of the day: Those that crash the system should teach it? I don't think so. And while I am glad that my cohorts have such confidence in me to solve a problem, I cringe at that “expert” terminology that gets thrown around. (See Accidental Brilliance)

Biker Girl Update

Saturday, I went for a long invigorating bike ride. I loved it!

Since there was a little jaunt there without a sidewalk or bike path, I risked it and rode my bike on the road. No, I didn't have my helmet on. I can still hear Becky yelling at me from last time. HA! Truth is that I did find my bike helmet, but I just couldn't wear it. I grew up riding everywhere without one, and I when I tried it on this weekend and walked around my apartment with it on, I started to feel claustrophobic, like it was choking me. So I left it home. At least I considered being smart, Becky!

I'm starting to rethink my whole "motorcyclists must wear helmets" mantra. I remember shaking my head in disappointment when Tony would show up for Bible study without his helmet. It just didn't seem safe, and it probably isn't, but I understand now why he likes to ride without the helmet. I suppose there is a difference between me riding (maybe?) 5-7 mph on a 5-speed bicycle vs. Tony going 90 mph on his Harley. AHEM! So maybe I still think helmets are smart for motorcyclists even though I get a few of the reasons why they dislike the helmets.

As for me, it feels wonderfully free to be zooming along with the sun and wind on my face. WAIT! Can I say zooming when I was only going the aforementioned 5-7 mph? HA! Anyway, it was fun, and I gotta do more of this.

To Live Forever

As an IMA volunteer, I like to get in to see the new exhibits promptly so that I can be informed about them and answer questions. Sadly because of my crazy summer, it took me a few weeks to get a chance to see the new To Live Forever. This is the traveling exhibit of Egyptian treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, and I would recommend that you spend the $12 per adult ticket from now until September 7th. It is a must-see, even if you aren't an Egyptian history fanatic like some.

Personally, I've loved anything ancient Egyptian since junior high. Not sure what started my fascination with the culture, but for a few years I read all I could about ancient Egypt, and I even considered archaeology as a prospective field of study. I think it was the realization that I might run into a spider or two on a dig that finished off those career plans. AHEM! Anyway I digress.

The IMA does not have a large Egyptian collection themselves. However, next time you are on the 2nd floor of the museum, head to the African galleries and just inside you will spot a standing sarcophagus (hard to miss), some jewelry and a few canopic jars that are on display regularly.

To Live Forever has over 100 objects to enjoy and is rather impressive. I'm sure it is nothing like touring the Valley of the Kings, but it was still pretty awesome...and spider-free. It was an incredible taste of ancient Egypt to this curious one who has yet to collect that Egypt stamp in her passport. If you are in the city, check it out.

I'm Sorry to Report...

But I had my third incident with the crickets this afternoon.

Let me set the scene for you. I was innocently pacing the floor in my apartment, chatting on my cell with my sister while trying to cool down after my overly-ambitious bike ride...I came back with a face the shade of a nice ripe red tomato. AHEM! I might have just overdone it a wee bit. Just a smidgen perhaps...

Anyway, it was at that moment that I spotted one of the alien residents hopping around in the dining room. Let me point out that this is day 13 after they sprayed my apartment inside and out. And yet, this was another healthy male who seemed quite happy and in his prime. I groaned, gave my sister the scoop and got off the phone to deal with yet another intruder. The broom method is still the best weapon in my ongoing cricket combat.

Now I know this is only the third cricket of the season in comparison to last year's bout of 49, but still I wonder...where are these crickets hiding, and more to the issue why are they coming in and HOW? I want to always play the hospitable hostess, but I'd really rather have more of a choice regarding the guest list.

I Am Not a Sports Nut by Any Stretch of the Imagination

And so that means I’m just in the wrong city.

Indianapolis has the Colts. Do you even want to know how much I hate football? It still bugs me that my Dad and 3 older brothers spend every major family holiday watching the TV and not spending time with their kids, the nieces and nephews, and the rest of the family. So maybe my hatred of the game isn’t so much directed at the sport as it is pointed at the way it makes my family behave. I actually went to a game once. No really, I did. It’s not so boring in person. And I used to go to high school football games in my home town, but that was just a social event if you know what I mean. I was one of those private school kids trying to fit into mainstream America, too.

Indianpolis has the Pacers and the Fever. I went to a Pacers game twice, I think. Sure, it’s fun in person, and I do understand the game more than football, but I find it boring on TV. I don’t consider myself a fan.

Indianapolis has 2 major race tracks: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the O’Reilly Raceway Park. And where do I live? Smack dab in between the two of them. I can often hear the cars on one of the tracks between May and September, but I don’t mind that really. I’m just not a fan of the race track traffic. On big race weekends, I am often found huddled up on my couch the whole weekend. I do all my errands on Friday night so that I can stay home and relax. I wouldn’t call me a fan of racing, but I like it lots better than football.

Indianapolis has the NCAA Hall of Fame, the Indianapolis Ice minor league hockey (which I like), the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball (which I love), and I'm sure there are other sports I am forgetting. You get the point. I'm in a haven for sports, and I couldn't care less. I get to maybe 1 or 2 Indians baseball games every year, and I'm fine with that. I just am not a big sports fan.

HOWEVER, every couple of years a global event takes place on this sphere we call earth, and suddenly the competitive girl in me reemerges, and I take an interest in all things sports. Yes, the Olympics are nearly here, and I am pretty darn excited! [I must be excited I actually said DARN! HA!] Now, I won't watch every event, but I'll be tracking it furiously online and on my AT&T U-Verse.

I love the spirit of the Olympics and the national pride that emerges. I like to root for the underdog, and I get swept up by the drama of the stories/lives portrayed. Stories about the male diver from Antartica who trains by diving off the glaciers into the brutally frigid waters in the subzero conditions of his frozen continent without a coach, or the female gymnast from Idaho that is still competing in these games despite the recent heartbreaking loss of her hamster, Gabriel. I just made those up, can you tell? Hmmmm...does anyone live in Antartica? I don't even think they are represented in the Olympics, which is sad really. But you know what I mean--they showcase these inspiring stories about people overcoming insurmountable odds to get to the competition--I'm a sucker for those. I catch myself tearing up just thinking about them.

Now, I probably won't start yelling at the TV like my brothers do during football season, but you just might catch me getting animated, agitated and anxious during the women's gymnastics. I have been known to argue with the announcers from time to time, which is why I'll probably be surfing the web for the results earlier in the day and then watching the replay in the evenings. I won't be biting off any more of my finger nails waiting for the results, thank-you-very-much. I also become a bit sentimental during the medal ceremonies, too. Somehow that doesn't get old for me. Seeing someone with national pride as they hear their national anthem--now that is pretty priceless.

Yes, I'll be cheering on my fellow Americans, the Israelis, the Brits, the Canadians and all the rest from the comfort of my living room. It's time for Mel to enjoy sports for 2 weeks again. WOOHOO!! It's Olympic time!!

I Have Slowly Become An Office Scrooge...

when it comes to pitch-ins. We have treat days for birthdays, holidays, company anniversaries for 5-10-15-20+ years, employees of the month, baby showers, wedding showers, the birth of new puppies, surviving an ingrown toenail, etc. OK, so I made the last couple up, but you get the drift. We have these soirees more than once a month. And it’s not that I don’t want to celebrate with these people. I think they deserve the recognition for their achievements, growing families, etc. It’s a special thing, and I can appreciate that, but...

1. I tire of having to bring in food all the time. It seems like there is always another celebration or party table in the works. They started planning the big Christmas luncheon pitch-in in early July. It’s always a lot of fun, but part of me dreads it all the same.

2. I don’t like having the temptation of delicious food sitting just down the hall from me. The cheesecake, cake donuts, banana bread, ice cream, donut holes, Swiss chocolates, pies, Hostess Twinkies, carrot cake, cream-filled donuts (did I mention donuts already?)--are you kidding me?? These items are sheer torture and a test of my determination. I’ve already blogged about how I don’t like it when one of my attorneys puts a box of Panera Bread bagels on my countertop for all to enjoy...well, it is also hard having tasty morsels placed anywhere nearby. Diet Girl has some will power, but let’s not forget, she is still just a human wearing a hypothetical mask and cape.

3. I want to know why is it that the office assistants, the low women on the totem pole, are always the ones relegated to bringing in treats. It’s like someone had a brilliant idea one day...I know, let’s have those that make the LEAST amount of money and work the MOST hours bring in the food. Seems totally logical, right? WRONG!!!

AHHHH HUMBUG!!!

All right, I’m done whining about this now. I’m going back for a second helping. GOTCHA! You didn’t really think I was going to do that, did you? Nah. Diet Girl brought in fresh fruit (courtesy of Marsh) and a nonfat yogurt fruit dip, and that is all Diet Girl is going to consume for breakfast. I am content...

Diet Girl Transforms into Biker Girl

I used to be quite the biker. I know, now all of you are trying to picture me with a black leather jacket and boots straddling a Harley. HA! NOT that kind of a biker. We’re talking a bicycle, such as a ten-speed. You know the thing with 2 skinny wheels and a wedgy seat. That was more my style.

I saved my babysitting and lawn-mowing money and bought a 12-speed bicycle probably before I started junior high. I can't remember exactly when, but my Dad took me up to the local Ace Hardware where I had my bike all picked out, and I forked over my life savings and road the bike home from the shop, all 3.5 blocks.

From then on, my bike and I were inseparable. I rode my bike all over town and then some. In fact, me, my sister and our friends Shelly, Curt and Topher were known for taking LONG bike rides to Lake Huron (about 11 or 12 miles roundtrip) or discovering new routes to get from here to there. Yes, even then I liked to have 15 different ways to get somewhere. I’m big on having escape routes, I guess.

One particular afternoon, we just started riding and decided to go to the lake and take a new road on the way back home. We went over 16 miles on our bikes that afternoon; however, our parents were not overly impressed with our exciting feat. We had forgotten to fill them in our all-day bike riding plans, and they were more than a little worried. Some days you don’t know where your bike will take you, I guess. Don’t know where that stamina and endurance went that allowed me to pedal so far all at once, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t have those same calves any more!

Now I’ve been talking about getting a bike again for a while now. There is a large city park about 3 miles from my house and a greenway with a bike path about 1.5 miles from me. But sadly, my old 12-speed is at home in my parents’ garage and in pretty bad shape. I told myself (aka Diet Girl) that once I lost 50 pounds or more, I would allow myself to get a new bike as a reward. I’ve lost 39.2 pounds so far, and I’m inching ever closer to the benchmark.

This past weekend, my sister Barbara brought me her 5-speed bike to borrow for the rest of the summer so that I could reacquaint myself with a bicycle and see if I really wanted to get one for myself. [Thanks, Sis!] So last night, I took her bike out for an initiation ride. I was slightly safe. I called Becky to tell her I was going on a bike ride, and I loaded up my cell phone and ID in an old camera bag and swung the strap over my neck. I couldn’t remember where my bicycle helmet was, and so I went without it, albeit with a stern lecture from the aforementioned friend Becky. And away I went.

What a workout! I’ve rediscovered some muscles I forgot I had, but I discovered that I’ve realy missed riding a bike. I can still feel the wind on my face as I pedal faster and faster and stand up on the bike from time to time. What a rush!

Yep, I think I’m gonna be a biker girl again. I just need to figure out how to get the bike in my car so that I can take it to some of the bike paths around the city. I know, the closest path is only 1.5 miles from me, but Diet Girl isn’t quite in shape yet, and while I could make it to the path all right, I’d collapse in a heap soon after. HA! But it's a start in the right direction.

Hmmmmmmm...maybe Lance Armstrong wouldn't mind dropping by to give me some personal tips? Come on, it could happen!!

Mamma Mia: Thank You for the Music

Last Friday night, Jessica, Becky and I had dinner and a movie and got to see the much-anticipated Mamma Mia. Now everybody knows that I love ABBA. I do, I do, I do, I do...and so naturally, you would think that I would enjoy the musical movie featuring LOTS of their original songs.

However, when friends have asked for my review of the film, I've been quietly responding, "I loved the music." And that is the truth, I really did. The music was excellent. Amanda Seyfried, who played Meryl Streep's daughter, had an incredible voice. Meryl Streep did all right. I like Meryl Streep, but I've seen her do lots better acting. Pierce Brosnan did all right, although he was just nice to look at. Ditto on Colin Firth. Christine Baranski surprised me with her voice, as did Julie Walters.

I liked some of the chemistry and interaction between the characters. I enjoyed trying to determine which song was coming up next based on the dialogue. I loved the beautiful Greek island location, and that romantic church on the hilltop was indescribably picturesque.

BUT I don't have much else that is good to say about the film. Call me a prude or what you will, but I just think that a constant barrage of sexual innuendo is tiring. It was trashy in some ways, and maybe I felt it more so because it was on the big screen. I left the theatre feeling a bit dirty and not at all refreshed or in my happy place like ABBA songs usually leave me.

I know ABBA's music is all about romance, sex and love. I get that. I knew I wasn't going to see another Jane Austen book brought to life on film, only with ABBA songs thrown in along the way. So I expected the film to be a bit oversexed, but not quite like this. I found it raunchy more like a Florida spring break movie. I think I was naively looking for something cleaner and brighter.

I kept looking for that nugget, that ounce of truth or wisdom that the main character is looking for, that moral that the film is striving to move the audience toward. Mamma Mia doesn't have that. Some would argue that the young girl's search for herself and her father(s) is just that -- that nugget or moral she is striving for. Or perhaps others would argue that as the film ends and the young girl and her boyfriend decide NOT to get married and instead travel the globe together, that she gained wisdom there by not just getting married because it was the thing to do. OK, maybe?!?, but it's still a hard sell for me. I guess in a perfect world, I wanted more.

Thank you for the music, but I liked little else.

Diet Girl Celebrates Her 4-Month Anniversary

CURRENT WEIGHT: Yeah, as if...
WEIGHT LOST: -39.2 pounds since April 1st
SIZES: Down 2 sizes
SPIRITS: High
NEW FAVORITE FOODS: (1) Meijer Baked Tortilla Chips with Taco Bell Mild Salsa (2 points per serving) and (2) Skinny Cow Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 points per serving)
LAST DONUT CONSUMPTION: March 22, 2008 [sigh!]

As Diet Girl, I have officially been on Weight Watchers now for 4 months, and I'm ecstatic about the results. WOOHOO! It's been challenging at times, but I'm carrying on with it and keeping my head up.

I have a goal in mind, and no it's not one that will land me on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, thank-you-very-much. Realistically, I just want to get to a healthier place and be more active. I am already noticing a difference in my energy levels and in how I feel, and it is GREAT!

My sister has been a huge source of inspiration and encouragement to me. She is also on the Weight Watchers plan and is doing really well. In fact, she and I are going consignment shopping tomorrow in hopes that we can find some gently used clothing to wear for a few months before it is time to go shopping all over again. It's a fun problem to have, I suppose. But I've never been a real clothes horse or a die-hard shopper, and so it is quite an adjustment for me -- just knowing that I'm going to have to do this all over again in a month or two. UGH! It's sure worth it though.

Today, I'd like to thank my friends and family who have been so helpful and encouraging to me on this journey! I'm excited to have reached this 4-month anniversary and to be able to share this moment with you. THANK YOU!

Weight Watchers Monthly Plan: $16.95 per month
More frequent trips to the grocery store: $150.00 per month
Turning George Clooney's head: PRICELESS