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.

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!

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.

 

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:

 

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
 

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

A Picture of my engagement of course!

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

The End.

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.

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.