Mele Family

Irish Dancing

2009-03-10T17:39:00.001-05:00

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One more...Just the "girls"

2008-12-23T15:40:00.001-05:00

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Fun With "ElfYourself"

2008-12-23T12:58:00.002-05:00

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"Who would've known" for the Week

2008-11-05T06:25:00.001-05:00

Who would've known that those poll monitors would get so upset when I simply showed up to vote. Who cares that I was still in my Halloween costume, and who cares that I dressed up as Obama dressed as Brittney Spears dressed as Tiny Faye impersonating Sarah Palin. Other than my hairy legs sticking out from under a very short, plaid skirt, my costume was nothing but tasteful.

"Who would've known" for the Week

2008-11-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Who would've known that those trick-or-treaters would be so ungrateful after receiving my thoughtful Halloween gift? You know, Richard Simmons' Deal-O-Meals are not easy to come by, nor are they cheap. Listen up you chubby, little brats: After your Bat-Man underoos don't fit from eating all those King-Sized Snickers bars, you'll thank me. Just wait until next year when I hand out Slim-Fast shake packets!

Favorite Day

2008-10-28T05:00:00.007-05:00

Exactly 14 years from today marks my favorite day in the history of my life. 14 years ago I went on my very first date with the love of my life. However, the first-date itself is not exactly why it's my favorite day. Let's just say that it serves as a key reminder to me that God is in control, and His will shall reign over my suaveness...and lack there of. Let me set the stage...

It was a Friday evening and I was getting ready for the big night out. I had taken a shower, slapped on some expensive cologne (okay so it was a dab of English Leather), and styled my hair...which basically involved plastering it to my head with a whole bunch of gel. Having freshened up, it was time to get dressed, and knowing how important it was to impress this beautiful girl, I put on my best: My black jean-shorts, my black and white Pumas, and my best No Fear t-shirt (you know the one: "Give Blood...Play Hockey. No Fear!!!"). Don't I know how to impress the ladies?

Looking good and ready for some fun, I set out for the big date...just one catch. Me being a freshman in high school, and this being my first real date, my parents would only let me go if a friend came a long. So here enters Paul. Oh, and did I forget to mention that she had to pick us up since neither Paul or I could drive yet? No biggie.

Lizz picked us up at my house and we set off. We went to a movie (The River Wild), and in all honesty, the night went well. Nothing really eventful happened, but on the flip side.... nothing really eventful happened. As a matter of fact, I think I said a total of five words to her including "hi" and "goodnight." The fact that she went out with me again, let alone married me, is amazing in itself.

I often look back on that evening and realize that a lot of things could've happened after that date. But one thing that did happen, I fell in love...and after 14 years, I'm still falling. Every day of my life I thank God for His providence. I also thank Him for the precious gift that he has given to me in my wife; my bride; my best friend; my heart and my life. Though our first date wasn't eventful, our marriage sure has been. We've lived in a variety of places, met a ton of people, became parents to two beautiful children, and through it all we've loved one another. Never perfectly, not always easily, but by the grace of God, continually. And just like a good wine, it gets better with time. With that said...Salut!

Bella,
Il vostra amore è migliore del vino.

To My New Best Friend...Whose Name I Don't Know

2008-10-26T12:50:00.007-05:00

I just wanted to send out a big "thank you" to the wonderfully, compassionate shuttle-bus driver who jump-started my car yesterday at the Dayton Airport at 1.30 in the morning. I was so frazzled, tired, and self-absorbed that I didn't even catch your name, but I'm extremely grateful nonetheless. Although I may not know your name I'll never forget your face, and if I ever see you again I'm giving you a huge hug. At least I hope I'll never forget your face, or else that hug will be even more awkward.

"Who would've known" for the Week

2008-10-24T17:40:00.000-05:00

Who would've known that the guy next to me on the plane would get so upset after I gave him my peanuts? So what if I forget to mention that I had already sucked off all the salt and pre-chewed a few. We're living in some pretty tough economic times right now, so when you get a handout like that, you accept it and say, "thank you"!

"Who would've known" for the Week

2008-10-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Who would've known that someone would get so upset when asked to dance to an awesome song? I mean, so what if it was in the men's locker room and I only had a small gym towel wrapped around my waist. You just don't turn down "Endless Love" like that. Have a heart people!

The Glorious Flight

2008-10-16T05:21:00.005-05:00

This week's 5-In-A-Row lesson focuses on the book The Glorious Flight, which is about Louis Bleriot, who was the first person to fly over the English Channel. One of the activities this week was to make a model plane to help explain the different parts of the plane. Lizz made the model out of cardboard from empty boxes, and I have to say that it's quite impressive. Below is a video of Colin identifying the different parts of the plane.

Dennis Mele For President!

2008-10-15T07:36:00.004-05:00

Great news, Dad! I'm really proud of you. You have my vote!!!

Click on the picture below to view the full news coverage...

Google 411

2008-10-11T10:59:00.002-05:00

Here's another great tool from Google. It's basically a free 411 service. Very cool, especially when you're traveling in an area you're not very familiar with.

She's Growing Up...

2008-10-07T18:45:00.004-05:00

Anna has recently graduated from the crib to a big-girl bed. She was extreeeemely excited about it too; especially with a nice purple pillow on top. So far so good: no escapes or freak-outs.

Well Cubs Fans...

2008-10-05T08:07:00.001-05:00

There's always next year...

Don't Give Up Hope!

2008-10-02T07:44:00.006-05:00

Calling all Cubbies fans!!! Last night was a horrible night and it dredged up some bad memories, but let's not give up hope. Our Cubs are still in it and still strong. So, bust out your rally caps, pull out your jerseys, rub your rabbits feet, stop shaving, keep wearing the same underwear, suck on your big toes (okay I made that one up...I was on a roll). Do what you gotta do, but don't stop cheering! Below is a Link to a great video to get you psyched...

Cubs Fans Unite!

I've Been Converted

2008-09-28T13:43:00.003-05:00

It's official. I am no longer...a boxer wearer. After 10 years of enjoying the comfort that boxers bring, I've decided that the support of briefs is more important to me. Believe me, this wasn't an easy decision, but after a few too many "incidents" while exercising, it was clear that a change was necessary. I'm sure that this information is extremely important to you, so I've decided to include a picture as well.

Oh yeah...I've been working out...

Family Bowling Night

2008-09-27T16:37:00.004-05:00

Well, Colin and Anna just got done bowling for their first time. We found an alley just a few minutes from home and by the time we were into our 7th frame we had the place to ourselves (which was good because Anna was doing quite a bit of exploring). Colin bowled a 70...with bumpers of course. Anna bowled a 76...with the help of Mom of course. And Lizz bowled a 136. I don't remember what I bowled....I wasn't really keeping score. Anyway, I think Anna had more fun with the air blower than bowling, but that's just fine. It's about the whole experience. Or at least that's what I kept telling myself after I got my you-know-what handed to me by my wife. I think I may have to schedule a rematch.

Mushi Mushi!

2008-09-27T12:53:00.003-05:00

Earlier this month Lizz began a homeschooling curriculum with Colin called called Five In A Row. The nice thing about this curriculum is that you can make it as easy or as complicated as you'd like, and since were still testing the homeschooling waters, we're keeping things fairly light. The idea of Five In A Row is that you focus on one book a week (five days in a row...get it?), and they give you a variety of actives related to the book. Well, this weeks book was A Pair of Red Clogs, which takes place in Japan, so this weeks activities included learning about Mount Fuji, drawing the Japanese flag and wearing traditional kimonos, as seen to the left (OK...so they're big t-shirts cut down the middle and tied with scrap cloth...they got the idea). In addition, the kids got to try sushi (California Rolls), which didn't go over real well. Colin told Lizz, "I really wanted to like it, I just didn't." I give him an A for effort.

Back Up and Running

2008-09-16T19:09:00.002-05:00

Well, the last few days have been interesting to say the least. On Sunday afternoon Hurricane Ike decided to send a breath of wild air our way. In addition to ripping shingles and siding off of houses, and knocking down quite a few trees, Ike took out power from East Indiana to Dayton, OH and down to Northern KY. As a matter of fact our local power company reported on Monday that 588,000 customers had lost power.

We fared the storm quite well, aside from losing a few tree limbs and a small piece of siding. We were without power from 12.30PM on Sunday until about 2.00PM today, which was a bit challenging. However, after looking at pictures and reading about the devastation the hurricane caused down in Texas, I feel pretty ashamed for even feeling sorry for myself.

Having lived in Florida for over 10 years I never thought I'd see a "hurricane" make it's way up to Southern OH.

Camera Fun

2008-09-13T07:35:00.005-05:00

Thanks to my Dad and his plethora of America Express points, the Mele Family has a new toy: A Canon DC320 Camcorder. It's one of those nifty camcorders where you can record directly to a mini DVD. Below is one of our first takes:

The Emotional Christian

2007-11-30T16:42:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday at church our worship team played a song titled, “The Blarney Pilgrim,” which is a wonderful hymn put to an Irish tune (this hymn is also known as “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”). At the end of the song, the band continued to play for about a minute or two (i.e. no words just jam), and I for one thought it was great. Not only did it sound good, but it also had that festive feel to it that makes you want to dance. As a matter of fact, hand clapping and hip swaying did occur, which is saying a lot for a Presbyterian church. However, as I surveyed the room I quickly noticed that there were a significant number of people who seemed a little uncomfortable. Some people had that nervous smile on, which usually translates to, “I reaaaaally hope we stop this nonsense before Jesus comes back, and strikes us down,” while others simply looked peeved. Though I don’t believe I have the right to say which is right or wrong (i.e. different people deal with their emotions in a variety of ways), it did get me thinking about how the church deals with emotions in its worship, as well as in its teaching.

Though I would consider myself to be a strong opponent of making worship into a dramatic presentation or show, I don’t think it should be void of emotion. I would even go as far to say that, at times, it can be appropriate to include elements in our worship that may provoke emotions. I believe where the problem occurs is when the primary goal of the worship service is to provide an emotional experience, especially when it results in compromising the truth. Unfortunately, what many churches do to avoid this is go to the opposite extreme in order to prevent any creep of emotion into the worship. I find this to be quite sad, as I think something is lost here. I believe that one negative consequence of this is the creation of Christians who are either ignorant of their emotions, or simply don’t know how to deal with their emotions. In turn, this can cause irrational behavior on one side, and indifference on the other. I think that by understanding how and why we experience different emotions, especially in response to the truth, we can learn a lot about the penchants of our heart. I don’t mean to sound all “Orpahy” here, but it’s true. When we become defensive or upset upon hearing the truth, there’s a good chance that something exists in our life or our heart that shouldn’t be there, or at least needs a readjustment. On the flipside, experiencing joy upon hearing the truth can serve as a good indicator that we are in line with it, and can better respond in thanksgiving to God.

I recognize that at times the proper mood of our worship should be somber and calm, but I also believe it can be boisterous and joyful. Finally, though I know that we’re never going to get this 100% right in this life, I look forward to the day when, having been completely stripped of our pride, we are free to dance, sing, and cry out to our King who has set us free, without hesitation, and without regret.

Giving Thanks In Michigan

2007-11-24T15:05:00.000-05:00

We just got back from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family in Michigan. Though we're tired, we had an excellent time. The kids traveled really well, and they had a blast with their cousins. We stayed with my Aunt Gina and Uncle Don, who have to be near the top of the "Sweetest and Most Loving People In the World List." We had our Thanksgiving meal at my cousin Debbie's place, and the combination of delicious fare and wonderful fellowship made the evening unforgettable. It was great seeing my cousins who I hadn't seen in over 7 years, and a couple of them I hadn't even met before then! Lizz and I are so grateful we had the opportunity to give thanks with them this year, and are very excited that they are only a few hours away...let this be a warning to you Michiganders :).

I've uploaded a slew of pictures and videos which can be viewed by clicking on the links to the right.

Back in the Kettle

2007-11-20T14:46:00.000-05:00

Well, after about a year of leave from brewing, I’m back at it. As a matter of fact, within a week I’ve joined the AHA (American Homebrewers’s Association) and a local Homebrewer’s club (Bloatarian Brewing League), as well as started my very own batch. As I type, a 5 gallon batch of American Pale Ale is fermenting in my basement, which I’ve affectionately named: Blind Griffin Pale Ale. Hopefully it’ll turn out okay.

Skoal!

Tis The Season To Drink Grappa

2007-11-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

For those of you who may be in the market for a good “winter warmer,” I highly recommend grappa, which has become a new favorite of mine. I’ve been hunting for it for quite some time, and I've just recently found it at the best store in greater Cincinnati (Jungle Jim’s).

Grappa (which means “grape stalk” in Italian) is a type of brandy made from pomace, which is basically the “leftovers” found in a wine press (from this I conclude that wine makers are excellent stewards of God’s wonderful gifts). Similar to most liquors, grappa can be served in a variety of fashions including as a nice companion to a good cigar, or simply as an elegant digestif after a hearty meal (hint hint for you Thanksgiving gluttons).

Salut!

Synod Van Dordrecht

2007-11-13T06:30:00.000-05:00

On the wall above my home computer is a framed sketch of the Synod of Dort (similar to the one posted here). This particular synod was assembled by the Dutch Reformed Church exactly 389 years from today, with the purpose of addressing the spread of Arminianism (which, by the way, the church concluded was a heretical perversion of the Gospel of Christ). By far, this sketch is the geekiest item I own, although my John Calvin bobblehead does come in a close second. The comments that I receive regarding this sketch range from: “This is interesting….,” to: “What is this about?” However, the question I always dread is: “So why did you buy this?” I’m never quite sure how to respond. Do I go into a long account explaining what the Synod of Dort was and why it’s so important to me, or do I simply say that I was looking for a nice black-and-white for the office, and this one appealed to my tastes? In light of the Synod’s anniversary, I figured I’d take this opportunity to state the main reasons for making this purchase.

First off, I believe this sketch is an excellent representation of one of the many ways God has preserved His Holy Word throughout history. Beginning with the prophets, we have Scriptural records that document how Satan has placed false teachers among God’s people to distract them from the Gospel of Christ. With that said, I find it sad, not to mention dangerous, that we as the Church don’t pay more attention to the issues our ancestors faced. It amazes me how quickly we fall victim to the same heresies again and again. There’s not much that the church has not already dealt with, even though it may be called by a different name.

Second, I find this sketch to be very comforting as it depicts a group of church leaders who do not take false teaching lightly, and are literally engaged with upholding the truth of the Gospel. Although spending months and years discussing whether or not something is Biblically sound may seem frivolous to some, I for one am extremely grateful for church counsels.

Finally, when I look at this sketch I accept it as a charge. I believe that it is our responsibility, today and always, to seek to understand the truth revealed in God’s word, and to uphold this truth at all costs just as our ancestors did for us, by the grace, strength and wisdom of our Lord.