tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104167892009-12-27T10:24:55.904-06:00Tales of Valerie and VeronicaMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.comBlogger743125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-84602659806205620262009-12-26T13:37:00.004-06:002009-12-26T14:23:23.572-06:00

It's going to be Monday or Tuesday before our Internet is fixed. I've figured out that if I position my laptop in line with my kitchen window which is facing a tiny (bathroom?) window at my neighbor's house I can pick up their wireless. I guess I shouldn't complain since I'm "borrowing" it but man it's S-L-O-W!! And it keeps dropping. I can't read blogs or look at pictures. Anyway, I'm

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-37661901639101858072009-12-25T06:41:00.002-06:002009-12-25T06:44:37.386-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!! I wish the best for you and your families!~So much for Holidailes as I have to miss a few days. Unfortunately, our modem has gone kaput. We have a dial-up account as a back up, but it is super slow. I can pick up my neighbor's wireless, but it is weak and very sporadic. I'll be back once our replacement modem arrives, which could be as early as tomorrow or as late

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-55648077012776302482009-12-23T06:08:00.007-06:002009-12-23T07:10:31.362-06:00

Growing up, Christmas Eve was always spent at my Grandma's house. Everybody went - Aunts, Uncles, cousins. Everybody. I'm assuming there was food, but I don't remember much about the food, which is odd for me!! It was all about the presents then. The adults gathered in the living room while the kids scoped out the presents under the tree. After what seemed like hours, it would be present time and

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-27925835472813868922009-12-22T17:03:00.004-06:002009-12-22T17:56:22.709-06:00

Tired, tired, and more tired is how I feel!! Veronica is sick and hasn't been doing more crying than sleeping. During the day she's fine, but at night she starts feeling bad again. She has lovely strep throat, which I'm sure Valerie will come down with any day!Valerie had a GREAT birthday!! She brought cupcakes for her class at school. There are only 14 kids in her class and the cupcakes came in

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-28415529353942088562009-12-20T10:45:00.008-06:002009-12-20T11:34:55.547-06:00

How does Santa deliver a trampoline?! We're going to find out. I covered my french doors overlooking the backyard with wrapping paper. (I did both inside and out so if they peek they still see paper!) I told Valerie she could color pictures and decorate the doors with it. It's part of our Christmas decorations.With all the rain, it's pretty easy to tell them that there's too much mud to play on

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-19811458305214217782009-12-20T08:10:00.008-06:002009-12-21T14:16:19.477-06:00

Five years ago today, my life changed forever!They day before, December 20, I had a doctor's appointment. Clint was going offshore in about 2 weeks, so I mentioned it to the nurse. I was having contractions off and on but nothing was progressing. My doc asked me if I wanted to be admitted to the hospital to see if we could get things started. Off we went. I was ready to get this over with!! We

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-36764086118348950912009-12-19T16:18:00.004-06:002009-12-19T16:53:58.976-06:00

Today we went on down to the Audubon Zoo! Earlier in the year I purchased a family four pack of tickets for $25 which were about to expire. Today was sunny (for a change) and one of the only free days we have left this year.It was a PERFECT day! My Dad came with us, so I had to buy one ticket since I only had four. A family came up behind us and said they accidentally ordered 2 extra tickets

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-50526089575216423902009-12-18T09:12:00.001-06:002009-12-18T11:36:33.028-06:00

I think most of the Mommies out there are familiar with Elf on a Shelf. What a keen idea!! It's supposed to help keep the kids in check during the holidays. Nobody wants one of Santa's Helpers to see them being naughty.I really wanted to do this, but there was NO way I was paying $30 for the real deal. It's cute and all... but really, $30? I searched for something to substitute and found a bendy

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-70053015514265233512009-12-17T07:05:00.001-06:002009-12-17T14:10:03.331-06:00

We attempted Christmas pictures a while back.... failed. Well, we did get ONE decent shot. The rest... well, see for yourself.And the winner:

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-21950740071063382392009-12-16T04:00:00.001-06:002009-12-16T06:28:54.484-06:00

My first love was a boy named James. I was 19, and so was he. We had known of each other for many years. We both attended the same junior high and high schools, but our paths never did cross. Our senior year, he actually took one of my best friends to a few dances. I had never really noticed him until then. I guess maybe I liked him then and didn't know it.Once college started in the fall, I

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-37159516666900747172009-12-15T05:38:00.002-06:002009-12-16T09:57:35.186-06:00

What do you see when you look into these eyes?This has always been one of my favorite pictures. I'm not sure how old she was ~ twenty something I'm sure. I see a pretty young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Full of hopes and dreams. Bursting with youth and energy and ideas. See the sparkle in her eyes? The power of being young. Notice that sly smile, as if she had a secret or two.... and

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-91620179321361346772009-12-14T07:39:00.002-06:002009-12-14T11:14:31.175-06:00

Growing up, I always felt terrible for kids with December birthdays. Especially those right at Christmas time. To get short changed on presents? Oh no! Plus everyone is so busy with the holidays that birthdays get put on the back burner. Secretly I was glad it wasn't me! I was happy with my end of summer birthday, thank you.Now, of course my first born's birthday is in December. When I found out

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-9092291754466283292009-12-13T08:29:00.005-06:002009-12-14T14:18:21.989-06:00

Yesterday we attended Cookie Day at a friend's house. Basically she spends the entire day making batch after batch of cookies. The kids get to cut out the dough and decorate. Of course at the end of the day, everyone gets to bring home some of each kind! Valerie loved it last year and couldn't wait. This was Veronica's first time, so I had Clint on standby in case he needed to come rescue her.

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-3310381886245647242009-12-12T06:45:00.002-06:002009-12-12T06:45:00.437-06:00

I love shopping this time of year. Not even buying things, just being out in the hustle and bustle. I love to look. Window shop. I love seeing the Christmas decorations. The music. The gift sets lining the aisles. Candy! The overflow of toys. I love seeing people walking the mall loaded down with bags. I love it all. I know it annoys the heck out of some people, but not me. It's fun being out in

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-8414787708604164282009-12-11T04:42:00.001-06:002009-12-11T12:33:56.970-06:00

I'm a grinch when it comes to Christmas cards.There, I said it.For years, I took the time to design our card myself. We'd sit pretty in front of the tree and use the remote to snap our family picture. Then I'd scout all the online places for the best deal to get them printed. I'd address them by hand and buy Christmas stamps and address labels. Then 40 or so cards would go in the mailbox.Come

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-49207065908801184682009-12-10T07:20:00.001-06:002009-12-10T07:38:13.447-06:00

There is an entry way closet at my Dad's house. It used to be filled with junk, but at some point along the way my Mom turned it into a linen closet for towels and laundry baskets. The junk is still there though - stacked up on the high shelves. It's mostly odd and end stuff, holiday decor, candles, and nick-nack sort of things.The other day while we were there my Dad decided to get out the

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-66232890336067427672009-12-09T06:23:00.005-06:002009-12-09T11:32:04.171-06:00

Yesterday was rainy and dreary. We were pretty much stuck at home inside all afternoon. Rain = bored and cranky kids. I had been wanting to make a gingerbread house, so I decided it would be a good day for it.A few years ago someone gave me a Pampered Chef gingerbread mold. It is super easy to do, and I figured I would make two houses. One for the kids to decorate and one for me. The first one

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-52887835407626361112009-12-08T06:56:00.000-06:002009-12-08T06:58:39.532-06:00

Saturday (even though Valerie had the flu) I took the girls to the mall for their Santa picture. Some kids cry when they see Santa, but not mine. When she first saw him, Veronica yelled out "SANTA!!" And jumped up and down. Valerie followed with "I see SANTA!!" Then Veronica kept trying to run to the front of the line. Leave it to my kid to shove everyone out of her way to get to Santa first.

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-69056609153783607942009-12-07T04:43:00.002-06:002009-12-07T04:43:00.824-06:00

And so it begins... today is the first day of Holidailies! Last year I did surprisingly well and posted every single day. I even had a few entries chosen for "Best of Holidailies." This year... who knows!! My kids have suddenly turned into very needy life forms. I need time to think in order to write. Or make that write (fairly) well. And lately I'm lucky if I can eat or sleep in peace. And who

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-51740105784798339192009-12-03T13:55:00.004-06:002009-12-03T14:04:27.474-06:00

I am just sitting here on the verge of tears. Valerie has the flu. Again. The doctor took one look and said either she has the flu or mono. The flu swab came back positive.So no birthday party on Saturday. I had this fab party all planned out. After all, turning five is a big deal! I rented an awesome princess castle bounce house. All of Val's friends were coming. I had a castle cake all

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-28877720925632593092009-12-03T07:09:00.004-06:002009-12-03T07:17:51.309-06:00

Poor Val. She is so horribly sick!! Sicker than when she had the flu. We were up all night with her. We'll be heading to the doctor in a couple of hours.The most awful part? Her birthday party is Saturday!!!! I've been planning it for over a month. She is super excited and has been counting down the days. I admit I have too! We have tons of family and friends coming. I started on the coolest

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-1282316140327564962009-12-02T00:14:00.000-06:002009-12-02T00:14:00.195-06:00

It's that time of year.... time for Holidailies!! I'd like to invite all of you to join in this year. Basically it's a blog project and you are supposed to post daily for a month. If you're not quite up to that challenge, there is a section called Holidailies at Home for less frequent posters. Writing prompts are offered to help with ideas if you get stuck. It's a wonderful way to find

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-17090327390369644332009-11-28T16:15:00.003-06:002009-11-28T16:23:03.205-06:00

Fess up. Who went Black Friday shopping? I did not. I used to go every year. It was a huge deal. My Mom and I would get up at the crack of dawn and head to Wal-mart. And there we would see everyone in town doing the same thing. Some of them were even made up like they were going to a party. Really, who gets up at 3am and puts on make up? (Who knows.... maybe it was yesterday's make up

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-57781902056874528282009-11-25T17:54:00.002-06:002009-11-25T18:14:05.578-06:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for. A kind husband, beautiful daughters, a home, and that we do not lack anything or want much. And I am thankful for all of that and much more.I wouldn't say that I'm sad. But the holidays are just so different. Actually it does make me sad for my daughters that there is no more going to Grandma's. No holiday

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416789.post-20621200166758246162009-11-24T10:46:00.002-06:002009-11-24T11:11:26.083-06:00

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13326877964335163431noreply@blogger.com1