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Friday, May 27, 2011

Ya Me Despido Oprah


Translation: It's time to say Goodbye to Oprah

I mentioned Oprah as one of my favorite shows on this post recently and I can't say that I have watched every single Oprah episode for the last 25 years like some people. (that would make me 3 years old when I started watching) I can say that my DVR has been busy at 4 pm for many years now. I am really wishing for a free night here soon so that I can just plop down on the couch and watch her 2 Day Finale show that was this week. I have heard she had lots of surprises and celebrations. 

I do disagree with some of Oprah’s beliefs, but will credit her for many unique and interesting topics on her show that no other show had. It was not just the topics that drew me to her show, but the special guest and famed celebrities that no other show could get. I don't think there will be another daytime talk show that could replace what she brought to the table. 

I joked with a friend the other day that Dr. Phil spoke at our Masters and Doc. cerimony a few weeks ago and I had the pleasure of meeting him and helping him get ready for his appearance. He was a very nice man and gave a great speach to the audience that day. When I told my friend about this, I mentioned that I felt a little closer to Oprah when I met Dr. Phil. 

As I was typing my post, I remembered that I had sent a few e-mails to "Oprah" that I might have saved. This is the only one I could find for now. So to say farwell, I leave you with an e-mail I sent in 2005, (please excuse the awful grammar) :

From:------
Subject: To Oprah
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 03:59:30 +0000

Hi,


I know this is not Oprah that is reading my e-mail. So, Hello to whoever is reading this. I wish I had your job, getting to work with or so close to Oprah. I am sure you open many e-mails that say, "Hi Oprah" like they are really talking to her. I don't think she even has time to get on the internet. But oh well.

Ok, so I was wanting to request to be on the show. I have sent several e-mails in the past asking for different things, but this time, I just want to come on the show.  I know that it is about Self-image, but I was just wondering if I could  come to the show. I could relate since I do deal with many girls who are self conscious and have low self esteem. I would love just to come to the show. I will be in Chicago from March 11-18. I just would like to come to at least one show.


I wish I was at the show when Oprah got her ears pierced. I thought that was so funny. That was the longest piercing ever, or at least the show was. Could you tell her that I thought that was funny? Probably not, but it was worth a try. 

The details: I will be in Chicago Illinois during that week for a Spring Break Mission trip. I have never been to Chicago, but I will be there for the first time and  want to see the Harpo building. I will be working with Campus Crusade and I just was willing to try to come to a show.

I know that there are millions who probably say this same things to you in every e-mail. I bet you have gotten some great e-mails from people asking to come. I know mine is not great, but I was just letting you know I will be in town. I also just wanted to give it a try and see what happens. I know that it would be so great! I have watched her so long. I used to tape her shows when I was in Middle school and High school. Oh well. You have a great job. I want to know how you get to read all this. Well have a great day. You are great for reading all of this.

Melinda Butler.


P.S. - I am embarrassed with the grammar and it was only 6 years ago.. and I was in college. And also, how many times can I say "I just want to come on the show." No wonder I never got tickets - they thought a 6 years old wanted to come.




Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Humor

It feels so good to laugh. That might be one of my all time favorite things to do. Being with people who are humorous, joyful or who have a contagious laugh is also delightful to be around. Today's picture of the day is to post a picture that makes me laugh. 


I love looking at a pictures because many emotions of the time and place are felt when looking at each picture. Here are a few family/action pictures that make me laugh. 

My family when they see the timer button go off on the camera - Part 1

Another camera timer photo -Part 2


If you look closely, Julia, our newborn niece was in the suitcase
Here my sister and her husband finally break up our plan to take her (very much acting)


Kona found this Turtle in the yard and brought it to Jonathan

Jonathan was orange picking and this orange was not ready for picking



Good memories!



Friday, May 20, 2011

Treasure Hunt

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item


Dictionary.com :Treasure
Any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized.  

With the definition above I first think about the many gifts I have received that left me feeling honored to have and of course my salvation and having the Holy Spirit in me is something that is greatly valued.When trying to answer this, I thought about the things in my house that might be something I treasure, but could not really think of anything in particular. It was not until I looked at my left hand and realized I was wearing something symbolic to someone I treasured. I love my wedding ring and the man who gave it to me. I am so blessed and  grateful to be married to my best friend. 


 P.S.- Really excited about starting a new collection of blue mason jars! I got my first one yesterday!!!

 I guest these can be called hidden treasures because they are fun to find.


 


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Under the Sea

 
Day 6 -A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

  
In continuation with my 30 Days-30 Pictures,  I decided I would like to trade places with Ariel from The Little Mermaid. (I know, a little childish, but I don't believe in real mermaids) I would love to see so much more in the ocean and all the life it entails. It really is another world underwater. 

I've had a taste of mermaid life by scuba diving and snorkeling in beautiful places. My first experience of scuba diving was not the best at the beginning, but once I got comfortable and saw the amazing underwater world, I forgot about my fears, the initial choppy water and swimmers ear I had for a while after. Most of the time, we stick with snorkeling since it's much easier and less to think about while exploring. I do look forward to many more adventures Under The Sea.
Which brings me to this:




 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Oh yeah, I have a blog!


Time is moving so fast these days, I don't know if it's because of daylight savings time or what, but so much life has happened during the last week. A few things I Celebrated:

My Parents 32nd Anniversary on Cinco de Mayo
Jonathan's 28th Birthday on Mothers Day this year
Mother's Day for 2 Great Moms
Sharon's Birthday and Julia's 3rd Birthday


A little glimpse of what that entailed:

Plan A : We originally we were going to Benihana's for Jonathan's Birthday, but they did not accept their Free Meal Coupon on Saturday's, so Jonathan and I went on Wednesday instead! Love the free meal for our Birthday's!
(P.S.- If you love free food, sign up online or in the restaurant for their birthday club and they will send you a coupon for your birthday month)
(P.S.S.- So many restaurants have free stuff for your birthday, look into it and sign up! I am part of at least 8 free meal or dessert clubs. Let's just say that during the month of July, I am a happy eater!)


Plan B:

Who: Melinda, Jonathan, Sharon and Scott (Jonathan's Parents), Rory and Malcolm (my parents)
What: The celebrating for Birthdays / Parents Anniversary / Mothers Day began at Dinner
Where: Bishops Arts District in Dallas.
Why: We love this area and always like to take people to this part of Dallas. It has so many restaurants and fun little stores that stay open in the evenings.
What happened next: We had dinner at Eno's Pizza and got to sit in the window area that everyone saw as they came up. It was like we were a Manikin Family promoting the restaurant. After that we went across the street to Soda Gallery, Jonathan's favorite root beer store, and then to Hunky's to get ice cream and make root beer floats. I got a big piece of chocolate cake since that is how I roll.

 Below is a picture of my mom with her 2 scoops.
(since we were celebrating mothers day)



Let me just leave you with my 30 days and 30 pictures
 

A Picture of my engagement of course!



A very special December day 4 years ago on Cocoa Beach!

The End.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Day 4 - A picture of your night


I am very much behind on my 30 Days and 30 Pictures- it is more like 41 days and 30 pictures now.

Since we have no room on our computer to upload our digital pictures  at the moment, most of our pictures are taken with the trusted iPhone. Today's picture should be of my night, and phones don't take good pictures of darkness, so I leave you with what our typical night entails. 

Where we find her before she gets into her own bed. 

Keeping my side of the bed warm for me.


Friday, May 6, 2011

Day 3 - Reality TV is so addicting and even more with a DVR


Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show(S)

This was tough for me because I don't really have a favorite "cast" but I do have a few favorite shows. Yes, they are all reality shows. 


Currently, I would say Biggest Loser is one of my favorite shows to watch. I enjoy it even more because Jonathan watches it with me and it's "our show" to watch together. The host is good and the trainers know what they are doing and have some humor. I believe what they do works, so, I bought the Ripped in 30, by Jillian Michaels 2 weeks ago. (will talk about it more in another post)


Amazing Race is another show that Jonathan and I really enjoyed watching the first few years of marriage. We were even tempted to try out one season when they were in town taking applications. Maybe someday you will see us racing around the world. 


And last but not least, I will confess that I have been an occasional viewer of Oprah for years now. It helped to have a partner in crime who loved watching Oprah and understood Oprah's humor or crazy sayings too. Me and Kate M. would record the show and save our favorite moments to watch together so that we could laugh about it together or just re-enact the scene. Since it is Friday, I leave you with a SNL skit that makes fun of one of her most famous shows "Oprah's Favorite Things" - If you don't know what that show is about, don't worry about watching it. 

 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Band-Aid and Day 2


Kona has gone through many toys since we've had her. Above, if you can't tell, is a stuffed dog. This toy dog was given to her from the breeder when we got her as a "going away toy" and it also smelled like her mom and siblings. For the first few weeks, we would let Kona sleep with "Stuffie" so that she would have a scent of her family with her and help with the transition. We had to take Stuffie away when her teeth became stronger and when she discovered that there was stuffing inside that was fun to take out. I decided to put Stuffie on the shelf in the laundry room until I learned to sew. 

Over time, the laundry shelf became filled with other ripped and chewed toys that I wanted to sew up, but did not have the tools to do so. So, after staring at the chewed up "money" in the laundry room, I decided that I was not going to buy anymore toys until I tried to sew at least one back together. I felt so bad when I would catch Kona laying down by the laundry room door because she knew Stuffie and other toys were inside.

One rainy day I felt so bad that Kona could not be outside to play, so I opened up the junk drawer and grabbed my duct tape. Kona followed me and the duct tape to the laundry room and I had her wait outside patiently. I then came out with Stuffie looking like the picture above. Here are a few of her other toys that we have put a "band-aid" on.

This little piggy did not go to the market, it went to the laundry room.
Since that day, I have continued to tape up her toys so that she can play with them for a few minutes. Then about 5 minutes later, after she has torn the toy in a different area,  I take it and put it back in the laundry room. What I do reminds me of a band-aid because I am putting it on a boo boo until it can heal (sewn up) 

Here is a clip of what she likes to do with her dog




A few questions you might ask:
So do you not buy toys anymore?
Yes, we buy Kona toys often, but we can't every week. We do need to pay for electricity and food too. 

Do you just buy stuffed toys?
No, we buy her other things like Nylabones, Kong EXTREME toys, and other stuff recommended.  We have also gone though at least a dozen tennis balls.

Have you changed the way you pick out toys?
We don't believe dog toys packages when they says things like: indestructible, tough or strongest toy.  We really like recommended toys, so please share the knowledge. 

P.S. - Kona turns 1 on June 8th! Lifetime warranty toys are greatly appreciated.

 Something to Celebrate: Jonathan and I love watching Kona get new toys. We both like to be present when she gets something new to play with so that we can see her excitement. 



More Below: 



Today is Day 2. For those who don't know what this means, you can start here: 30 Days


Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

I would say my sister. We have known each other for almost 28 years. We became friends in College and I am an aunt to Julia and Hudson. Even though she is across the world, I feel like we grow closer every time we talk. Love you Christine. 







Tuesday, May 3, 2011

30 Days or 30 Pictures

Since I am new to this blogging thing and limited with pictures at the moment (except from the iPhone) I might do this 30 Day Challenge that  is going around town. I will still post things, but I wanted to also do this challenge as a side thing if I have nothing else to post. Here is what it entails:


Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture of when you were little
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss


You should join me!


And here I go!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
A live shot of me right after I typed this.


Ten Facts:

1.       I keep water by my bed every night.
2.       I get so paranoid with turbulence on airplanes.
3.       I love Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. And I could eat a whole box to myself.
4.       I never wore any rings on my fingers until my wedding ring.
5.       I don’t like to sit in the middle of a long aisle. (in case I have to go to the restroom)
6.       I used to have a really wide gap between my two front teeth. Thanks Braces.
7.       I have a TMJ disorder and my jaw pops all the time. I am sure you have heard it if you have eaten with me.
8.       I really enjoy my job.
9.       There are 4 people in my life that can make me laugh really hard. My husband being the funniest
10.   I kept my grandmothers false teeth after she died for a few years. I don't know why I did this. 

Thanks, and please still be my friends.