Highly Entertaining....

i like smiling, smiling's my favorite!

Excited about plans to double - or triple - date with Yo Yo Erin and her bf, possibly jenn and matt next weekend....

What would we do? Where would we go?

Why, to see the funniest movie in the world (maybe)... Blades of Glory!

I have a Will Ferrell / John Heder addiction. L.O.V.E. rediculous comedy. I can quote Napoleon Dynamite and ELF with the best of 'em. Sad, I know. That's just how I roll. Have you seen any Will Ferrell or John Heder movies? Leave a comment and let me know your favorite WF or JH movie, maybe just quote one of your favorite lines... we'll see who is as redonculous as I am ;)

hair trauma

<--- so I'm seriously considering that this might actually be my next hair style.

really, if Sanjaya can rock it, anyone can.

maybe we can all wear this same pony-hawk to the John Mayer concert in July? Ladies, whaddaya think??

Jenn? Jayne? Erin? Anyone???

Peace out, yo.

new tori and tongue lashings....

Take a listen to the newest of the new in tori land here . Quite a bit different than her past recordings, but I do believe that's what this lady is all about. Growing. Evolving. Expressing herself through her art. Not caring what people have to say about it. (I could learn a thing or two from her ;) ...now if she'd just release her 2007 US tour dates....

Belly-button and I have had a pretty lazy day together... she napped for a bit this morning and let me get a good start on a Pirate Mini Book that will be an upcoming class at the store. We road tripped to Hy-town to stop at Pet Smart for a new collar and a comfy cozy bed for the girlie... will try to snap a cute pic of her lounging in it like a *princess*.

We also stopped by the store and Belle was able to make out with meet Yo Yo Erin after weeks of waiting ;) Seriously. My dog makes out with new people. She loves them, wants to kiss them and smell them and know exactly where they have been. It's borderline inappropriate. We may have to start charging people for the crazy tongue lashings the girlie delivers to the neck and inner ear areas. It's pretty fantastical.

Looking into Puppy Kindergarten classes.. anyone in the area know of a good program for the girlie to learn how to do good girlie things? She's turning 11 weeks old tomorrow and is *ahem* quite ready for some learnin'. That is to say, she needs to *drop* the toy she chases after and retreives in order for it to be tossed again. *sigh* I guess she'll get it eventually.

Off to sneak in a load of laundry before heading to the BBC for some workage tonight... totally not in the mood for that, but it is a necessary evil, I suppose. Hasta la vista!

i almost peed my pants...

... when Erin called to tell me that she scored *sweet* tickets to go see John Mayer in July. Woot Woot!

Yes. Un-freaking-believable!!

Let me give you the full scoop:

Who: John Mayer!!! (and me and erin and jayne and jenn)

When: July 17. 2007

Where: TD Banknorth Garden

Why: because he *rocks*

but wait, here's the best part...

Where are our seats???

Section C (to the right of the stage), ROW FREAKING 3!!

Thank you, Erin Horgan, for being a member of the John Mayer fand club, and for scoring these *sweet* tickets with your super-ultra-mega fan status. Your {bff} status has just been elevated to + 4 !!!!

this is how she rolls...

Thought it would be nice to take a walk for a coffee this morning before I had to go to work. Dunkin' Donuts is maybe half a mile from our house, and on nice days it is an easy stroll. We figured we'd take miss Belle along for the walk this morning. Funny. She was excited to see the sights and smell the smells of the neighborhood, zag-zagging across the sidewalk. She was interested in the puddles, and sticks, of course. She made it all the way to DD just fine.

Now, this is where the "walk" kind of falls apart. I stayed with her outside while Bobio went in for the cafe. Belle. Freaks. Out. Wants her papa. Wonders why we are standing on the front steps of a strange building watching loud trucks. People! Oh, there are people here! Let me down! Let me smell them and lick them and make friends!! Wait, where is papa? He was just here and now he's gone and I want him and, wait! More people! Mom, let me down {{wiggles in mom's arms}}.. let me see the people! [insert whining "dying" noise here]. Oh, good. Here's papa! WHERE DID YOU GO??!! I was all alone out here with momma and the trucks and the people! Oh, papa! Don't ever do that again!! [licks papa's face anf inner ear]

She really is a *bit* dramatic. I have no idea where she gets that from.

SHe made it about 50 yards back down the road towards home before falling apart again, faking some shivering and fussing. I picked her up and explained that we were taking a "walk", not a "ride". She didn't quite understand. It was a little chilly, and the ground was wet from the "snow" we got last night. She would up finding her way into her papa's sweatshirt half way back home. Warm and snug and looking like a flippin' kangaroo.

It's all good. She's pooped and napping while I blog (the only way I seem to be able to do it lately!)

Update on crocus status... in bloom all over the back yard as of yesterday morning!! YES! FInally it seems Spring will, well, spring! Then, at 5:30 this morning, when we went outside to "do our business", there is a dusting of snow on the ground. F that! Snow on my beautiful little crocuses. Not. So. Much.

We'll see what tomorrow brings...

and the winner is...

Kimmie :)  email me your mailing info to bzzyfingers@comcast.net and I'll get your goodies into the mail. Hope you like them!!

While I didn't take any stellar photos last night, the Doodling class went pretty well. Lots of lightbulbs were appearing over the ladies' heads... the "eureeka" aspect of a class like this is just great. All it takes is a few helpful hints and how-to's to get the creative juices flowing. The girls all put their own spin on the ideas I gave them, and designed their own custom works of paper and ink. Love it.

Speaking of creative juice, my special "prep" work Thursday night consisted of staying up late creating CDs for the ladies who made my first-ever Doodle class  a success :) It was cute to hand them out at the end of class. wrapped in doodle-y looking fabrics. Hope you ladies get some *creating* done while you enjoy your new tuneage.

A nice day off with Griff and the girlie... Bobio is off in the wide open world bouncing around from side job to side job. Griff came home with a STELLAR report card yesterday, so we *might* have to do a little celebrating today :) Happy Saturday everyone!

sleep? who needs it!?!?

Psyched to be teaching my first Doodling class tomorrow night...

Just me and 10 ladies and paper and pens. *bliss*

Doing a little bit of surprise "prep" work for the class, hoping the {creative chicks} that are taking the class are gonna like their goodies :)

I worked all day. I worked all night. Here I am blogging and "prepping"  when I should be snuggled cozy in my bed, getting precious moments of sleep before Belle wakes up and has to go out for an outrageously early morning pee. Seriously, do you know how much it *sucks* to get up at 3:30 am to stand outside in 20 degree temps watching your dog find just the right place to do her business? Maybe you do. Maybe you have a precious pup like I do, and you would stand outside in your jammies in sub-zero temps because you love her so much. While I complain a bit, it really isn't that bad. She goes right back to sleep when we come in, and so do I ;)

However, if you've never had the pleasure of enjoying this experience, just send along your home phone number and I'll call you the next time I take the girlie out for our earlier-than-early morning pee. You can stand in you backyard and pretend to wait for a 5 1/2 lb ball of fur to relieve herself. Maybe you can even tie a scarf around the neck of a stuffed animal and pretend you really do have a puppy. Name it, feed it, snuggle it to sleep. Really, it will be a bonding experience for us. Don't you want to bond with me?? Yeah, I thought so.

I'll try to snap a few photos at the Doodling class tomorrow night to share with you.. it really is going to be a great time to chill and play and create.

no more 3x5

427.

That is how many photos are on my compact flash. A little bit crazy as they are only from the end of January. Only about 45 days  worth of pictures. I have to get better at burning them onto CDs, but then I face the dilemma of not being able to print them *on a whim* at the store . Sheesh. What's a girl to do??

On my way home from work this evening, my trusty iPod streamed me a bit o' John Mayer goodness by way of "Vultures" and "3x5". I *heart* me some John Mayer, although not quite as much as Erin or Jayne do ;) Something about the lyrics to "3x5" always get me to thinking about not having to lug my lovely Cannon digi xTi with me wherever I go. Capturing the moment is fan.tas.tic. Sometimes, though, I would rather be in the moment. Check it out...

3x5

I'm writing you to
catch you up on places I've been
You held this letter
probably got excited, but there's nothing else inside it

didn't have a camera by my side this time
hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm
in the mood to lose my way
with words

Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'
And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky
are next to mountains anyway

Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm
in the mood to lose my way
but let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's

Guess you had to be there
Guess you had to be with me

Today I finally overcame
tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame
Maybe I will tell you all about it when I'm in the mood to
lose my way but let me say

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes
it brought me back to life
You'll be with me next time I go outside
just no more 3x5's
no more 3x5's

No pictures to share with this post. Not that I will not continue to play paparazzi wherever I go, but it might not hurt to press my inner pause button when reaching for the camrea once in a while. Maybe scrap some photo-free pages. Maybe scrap photos that have been sitting around for a whle (or for a looooong time).Take some time to stop and be a part of the moment today, or tomorrow, or one day next week.

Share with me one of your moments :) Share with lots of people. Sharing is caring ;)

p.s. don't forget to leave a comment on the *spring* post to be entered to win the pre-easter basket!!

happy spring!!

Good Lord, can I not wait for the weather to warm up!

This morning, in the sunny 25 degree weather, I snapped this photo of three lonely crocuses in my back yard. Amid a scattering of dead leaves and grass, a little bit of Spring time goodness. Lots of buds are popping out of their winter homes underground and teasing me with the prospect of colorful and cheery blooms... I just don't know how much more of this I can take!! Seriously, it's almost the end on March. Enough is enough!

Belle is loving waiting for the bus with Griffin in the morning :) She rolls around on the crunchy dead grass in the front yard and chasing leaves and seed pods from one of our trees. Our morning routine is working out well - she plays hard right before Griff leaves for school, which gives us just enough time for a quick snuggle on the couch before tucking her inside her crate as I head off to work. She is now more willing to trot herself into her crate and curl up for a nap than she has previously been. No more trying to howl or fuss. She pretty much has it figured out that crate = nap. This makes me happy, as I don't have to feel guilty about "desserting" the little pup when I'm driving to work.

Calling all *cool* chicks! Attention, attention! Calling all *cool* chicks! Attention, attention!!

In honor of the first *full* day of Spring, 2007, I think I'll have a little blog contest ;) Leave a comment on this post and you'll  be entered into the RANDOM selection of a winner for some *sweet* blog candy... how about a  pre-easter "basket" full of goodies? Some scrappy, some sugary, some cutesy... it will be well worth the time to post!! I'll give you until midnight on Friday 3/24 to leave me a comment. Make sure you check back on Saturday to see if you've been picked!

**melissa**

strawberry fields forever

While copying photos to a CD this morning (I know!! So tech-y of me!!), I came across this picture that was taken of my best-friend-since-kindergarten, Tania, and her brother, John.

This photo was taken on March 3, 2007 at a benefit dinner/dance/auction/good time in John's honor. John suffers from a mysterious illness that has completely taken over his entire body. Testing has ruled out a multitude of genetic disorders, although his symptoms had led doctors to believe he had suffered from Juvenile Parkinson's Disease for a matter of time.

The entire Rebelo family has been through so much together in the past 9 years, trying to understand and cope with John's ailment. I really can't imagine having had to struggle like that for so long. Details come to me few and far between, and honestly, I try not to bother asking too many questions. I have always tried to be the kind of friend who is there when you need to talk or have someone listen. Being pushy is not my forte.

Really, I couldn't tell you what inspired me to post about this today. Although it certainly isn't the best photo I've ever taken, it is definitely one of my favorites. It shows me what it really means to truly, unconditionally love someone.

Tania has always been my strong friend. My reality check friend. My Melissa-why-do-you-let-people-walk-all-over-you friend. My you-don't-have-to-do-this-lets-just-get-in-the-car-and-drive-and disappear-for-a-week-you-know-your-mom-will-take-care-of-griffin friend. My Melissa-will-you-just-help-me-with-the-first-and-last-paragraphs-of-my-thesis-that-is-due-fifth-period friend. She is honest and blunt and hilarious and loyal and dedicated. She is the friend I know will always be there, no matter what stupid choice I make. While she might think I'm being an absolute lunatic, she'll let me know, in no uncertain terms, her opinion - and let me make my mistakes. She lets me be me. She doesn't ask for anything in return (except maybe a pedicure or a hair-do once in a while :). She has seen me through all of my ups and downs, and will see me through many more.

Tania, above any other friend, has led me to realize a lot about life and the way it should be lived. Life lessons, I guess you could call them.

Don't care about what other people think about you (I'm still working on this one!!)

Don't waste your time trying to be something you're not (I've really made progress with this)

There isn't much that a trip to Friendly's for an ice cream won't fix (there are actually a lot of Friendly's-related lessons that have been learned, but they're much better kept between Tania and myself!!)

The importance of retail therapy :)

There are so many things I could say about this amazing person in my life. Maybe I will dig a little deeper into my stash of old photos and find some more embarrassing images from our journey together. Maybe I will post more stories about my best friend. Maybe I will call her and tell her how much she means to me, for no apparent reason. But for now, I will leave you with this most important statement to my best-friend-since-kindergarten:

Thank you.