Mel's Box of Chocolates

God Bless the U S A !! Don't forget the many people who have given some or, in many cases, all to make (and keep) our country what it is today...FREE! I would like to send a personal thanks to my grandfather, father, uncle, and little brother for doing their part in protecting our country in different armed forces. My little brother has served three deployments in Iraq with one resulting in an early return and a purple heart. He is currently deployed in Afghanistan leaving his wife, 2 yr old daughter, and 5 month old son awaiting his return hopefully later next month. He is my hero {and so is my sis in law too}.  Thanks, little bro, for all you do, and have done, to protect our country!!! A big shout out to also to all the armed forces and their families.  I truly appreciate all you do.   THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!! Because of you, my family is free to enjoy a day of picnics, beach, and not going to work . Happy Memorial Day !! SUBSCRIBE t...

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In honor of the chaos that has been my life lately, I'm going with random lessons again this week. First of all, I just have to say it, "I'm not a fan of yogurt."  I have tried many brands and many flavors and I just don't like it. This makes top of my list because I had one for lunch today and just couldn't get it down.  Do you have a yogurt you especially like that may change my mind? After six seasons, I just have to put this out there, I learned that I am still LOST!  {Enough said} I am looking for recaps though so let me know if you wrote or have read any that may shed some light for me. My next lesson is a bit of a confession too. I've learned that my addiction to my phone is interfering with my multi-tasking abilities as I devote way too much time to being plugged in.  The first week I had a blast setting it up and personalizing it, the second week I searched droid apps and installed them, and the third week I've just used it for everythin...

The balls are up in the air. They follow the juggling routine going round, round, and round. School meetings, activities, assessments, assemblies, concerts, parties, paperwork and graduation. My own children's lessons, field trips, conferences, homework, parties, performances, picnics, graduations, and just regular routines. The houses laundry, dishes, dust bunnies, cooking, cleaning, and organization. Worry about family and friends who have way bigger concerns than me.   Eventually you hit the wall. The balls drop to the floor. You attempt to grab them while they are still bouncing. Futile. They stop bouncing and become still. You stop. Stare. Cry. Then one by one, you pick up the balls and start juggling again. After all, this is LIFE! SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

I was racking my brain this week trying to figure out what I learned lately when I realized that while there may not be something BIG, there were lots of small things that I have learned or at least realized this week. So here it is. What I Learned This Week.   I learned... It's much easier to get up and get dressed in the morning when you have a new outfit to wear.  {I got two new dresses from Target while in NC and have loved wearing them this week}. I learned... The later it gets in the school year, the later I will get to school in the morning!  {No worries though, I'm always in before the bell rings}. I learned... Coffee always tastes better when other people make it and it tastes especially awesome when those other people are the Dunkin Donuts workers. I learned... sometimes it's much easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission! I learned... that while 3rd graders were clueless when I switched the word "a$$" with silly goose in Charlie a...

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My kids have always loved Play-dough and to be honest I like playing with it too.  There is just something about molding the dough and the smell always takes me back to childhood.   The other day Dylan was so excited to show me the Play-dough they made in school.  Now we have made our own playdough, salt dough, before so I was a bit surprised at how excited he was.  That was until he said his playdough was edible.  Huh?  Haven't I spent the last 9 years of his life telling him not to put the playdough in his mouth?? Turns out they had made this. Kool-Aid Playdough 2 c. water  3 tbsp. canola or vegetable oil 2 1/2 c. flour 1/2 c. salt 1 tbsp alum 2 pkg unsweetened Kool-Aid Boil 2 cups of water. Add the boiling water to the dry ingredients along with 2 tbsp oil.  Knead together until well mixed and let cool.  Store in covered container in refrigerator when not in use.  Make different colors of play dough by varying the flavo...

Jen tweeted me last night and asked how many Mondays were left before the end of the school year.  I then realized that I only have 2 Mondays left until summer vacation.  OH YEAH!  I figured if something was ever title worthy it was this realization! So another weekend came and went. The kiddos and I ran away to North Carolina to hang out with my sis-in-law, niece, and nephew.  Two moms, four kids...endless fun and complete exhaustion!  But, I got to watch my sil run her first 5K, visit the beach, enjoy a bbq, and watch the cousins have a blast playing with each other.  Priceless.  Check out the pictures of all our fun! The highlight for Dylan was capturing his new pal.   Mr. Green, which we thought was a gecko, but rethinking our classification as it keeps changing colors and is missing the webbed feet, is now happily crawling around in a aquarium in Dyl's room.  I always swore that we wouldn't have any lizard or snake-like pet...

After hearing all the chatter about Glee, I had to see what it was all about.  I've watched it sporadically the last few months.  OK, 2 or 3 times.  But, I never could get into it.  So I gave up. Until this week, when it happened to come on after Idol and I was too lazy to get the remote to change the channel.  So I watched it.  And I actually enjoyed it.  The premise was that every member of the Glee club had to perform a song that portrayed who they were or what they were experiencing in their lives at the present moment. As I was watching the show, I couldn't help but begin to think about which song would describe who I am and where I am right now.  Now first I have to admit that I'm not a huge music person.  I love listening to it, but couldn't tell you what's hot, the words to the most popular songs, or who sings what.  But, I did come up with a few songs that sums it all up right now. Livin on a Prayer Life is a Highway Bu...

 Grandpa had his hands, or should we say wheelbarrow, full of grandkids.  The cousins had a blast!   SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

It's Monday and I'm not ready. I swear for every one thing I cross off my to do list, I add three.  This weekend went by so quickly. Saturday was a whirlwind as it began with the March of Dimes walk, then a couple hours spent on the tennis courts watching Dylan kick butt, then a run-in with a migraine that required a nap, and ended with a surprise party for one of Dave's coworkers.  By the end of the day I was quite exhausted and looking forward to Mother's Day especially the sleeping in part. Now I know there are many who argue the holiday of Mother's Day, saying there shouldn't be such a thing.  While I agree with their idealistic belief that everyday we need to appreciate our moms, let's face it...it doesn't happen.  I, for one, enjoy the idea that I have such a day when I can milk it for what it's worth and not feel guilty for ignoring the dishes, the dustballs, the weeds, and any and all kinds of housework.  My Mother's Day wa...

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After running for a year {NEVER thought I'd ever be saying that} I've learned many things that I like about it and a few that I don't.  After running my longest distance this past weekend I thought this would be a perfect time to share.  About running. I've learned, that I really like... the sound of my feet hitting the pavement the sound of my shoes running on soft gravel that a mile doesn't seem nearly as far now feeling my pony tail swinging behind me watching my shadow run beside me feeling stronger with every run watching my pace time get better and better being part of a running community running 5K's but I've also learned, that I could live without all the sweating {I hate sweat} the last mile taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. running in humidity running next to or behind runners who look so graceful, while I'm more of a plodder myself not having something carry water and my cell with me {I must remedy this soon...any suggestions?} oh a...

I've always been one to have a lot of friends. I like having friends. It's always fun to get together with a big group of friends and just shoot the breeze and sometimes its just as fun to get together with just one friend and take time to simply catch up. However, these times are few and far between as everybody is so darn busy.  Lately I feel that I don't have time to connect with anybody. I find myself feeling kind of lonely actually, yearning to sit down and just chat with my pals. I know I am to blame in part for this loneliness though because to be honest I don't feel that I've been doing so hot at being a friend.  For some reason I've been finding it difficult to just talk.  To check in, to see what's new, to find time to have people over in the evening. I want to be that friend that remembers the birthdays, the special occasions, checks in to see how the days going, sends a little notecard just because, but it just seems like I keep ...

It's May 1st, and going to be 87 degrees. I love gerber daisies, think I'll get some today. There are only 24 days left of school, 8 days till Mother's Day & annual visit to the crab house, 35 days till my birthday. Summer is just around the corner. I'm very happy! That is all.