I didn’t get tagged for anything this last week, so I don’t have anything to post today.  I figured I’d put this up anyways just in case anyone else wants to play this week.  I think that for now I am going to put Meme Monday up every other Monday since participation has been so low as the nice weather has arrived.  So, if you played along this week sign Mr. Linky.  The next Meme Monday will take place on July 14th.

Make sure you sign up for my latest giveaway- a $70 prize package from Stubby Pencil Studio. 

I’m going to try doing Meme Monday for a few more weeks and see how participation goes. But since it has really been dropping off I might stop doing it. Or maybe start doing it every other week or something like that. Any thoughts about that?

Anyhoo, I wasn’t tagged last week so I decided to post this fun little question and answer thing I saw over on Zam’s blog a few weeks ago.

On the outside:
Name: Melanie
Birthday: October 20th
Current Status: Married
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Way too light (more about that tomorrow- do be sure to come back for a picture of me and my hair)

On the inside:
My Fear: Someone in my family being sick, spiders and drowning
My Weaknesses: Food, blogging, food, blogging
My Perfect Pizza: the kind that Rich makes

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow:
My thoughts first waking up: I can’t possibly go to church with my hair looking like this (again, more about that tomorrow)
My bedtime: usually sometime after midnight but before 1am.
My most missed memory: High school years

My pick:
Pepsi or Coke: Yuck to both.
Single or group dates: Single with Rich (and Hailey too since we don’t leave her with a baby sitter)
Adidas or Nike: Doesn’t matter either way
Tea or Nestea: The kind of iced tea my cousin Beka makes
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee: Both please

Do you:
Smoke: No
Curse: No
Take a shower: Of course
Have a crush: on Brad Pitt
Think you’ve been in love: Yes
Go to school: No
Want to get married: I’ve been married almost 8 years.
Believe in yourself: Not really
Think you’re a health freak: As far as food and exercise- no, but where germs are concerned- yes.

In the past:
Smoked: No
Gone to the mall: Yes
Been on stage: Yes
Eaten sushi: I have tried it but will never have it again.
Dyed your hair: On Saturday (more about that tomorrow)

Have you ever:
Played a stripping game: No
Changed who you were to fit in: Probably.
Done something your kids will never know about (at least till they are adults): Yes

Age you’re hoping to:
Get married: Already am
Take your dream vacation: 30 (that would be this year)

In a guy:
Best eye color: the color of Rich’s eyes- kind of greenish, blueish, hazel
Best hair color: Brown
Short hair or long hair: Clean cut
Best attribute: Sense of humor, kindness

What were you doing: (times reflected when this post was written on Sunday afternoon, not when it posted)
A minute ago: Checking on Hailey while she is napping
An hour ago: Eating a bowl of cereal
A month ago: Oh, probably blogging
A year ago: Oh, probably blogging

Finish the sentences:
I love: my family
I feel: exhausted
I hate: lying
I hide: from problems
I miss: being young and not having anything to worry about
I need: to play with Hailey, she is up now.

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Then I received this award from Chuck.

The other day she (yes, she) posted a lovely photo that she had taken and we had to guess what it was. My guess was “It’s obviously a shadow” and Chuck was quite impressed with my abilities and bestowed this award on me.

Thanks Chuck!!

If you participated in Meme Monday this week it’s time to sign Mr. Linky.

Be sure to check out my latest giveaway for a Living the Dream shirt from LTDChix.

Welcome to another round of Meme Monday.

This week Pam tagged me for the 8’s meme…..here goes!

Eight Things for which I have a Passion For:

1. God
2. My family
3. Blogging (how sad is that, my number 3 choice is blogging.)
4. Planning learning activities to do with Hailey.
5. Creating excuses for not exercising
6. Eating
7. Creating excuses for not cleaning
8. Organizing

Eight Things I’d Like to do Before I Die:

1. Know that certain family members are saved.
2. Move (hopefully in the near future, the sooner the better).
3. See Brooke and Hailey become successful and happy adults.
4. See Brooke and Hailey get married and have families.
5. Travel to Hawaii.
6. Sleep for 8 hours in a row.
7. See Rich get his dream boat.
8. Reach my goal weight and maintain it.

Eight Things I say A Lot:

1. Leave Dottie alone.
2. Don’t pull Dottie’s ears.
3. Be nice to Dottie.
4. Please don’t pull on Dottie’s paws.
5. Gentle touches, you’re going to hurt Dottie.
6. Don’t chase Dottie with your popper.
7. Yes, that is Dottie’s nose, please stop poking it.
8. Tell Dottie you’re sorry.

Eight Books I have Read Recently:

1. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
2. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
3. The Grouchy Ladybug
4. Marvin K Mooney, Will You Please Go Now
5. Green Eggs and Ham
6. Taking Care of Me
7. Silly Little Goose
8. Count

Eight Movies I Have Seen Eight Times:

1. Christmas Vacation
2. The Christmas Story
3. Father of the Bride part 1
4. Father of the Bride part 2
5. Family Man
6. Sweet Home Alabama
7. Lady and the Tramp
8. Back to the Future movies (NOT by choice)

Eight People Who Should, but are in no way obligated, Do This Meme:

1. Foster Me Up
2. Just Talk
3. Lifesong
4. Makimeji
5. Mindless Chatter
6. Mom of Three Girls
7. Not a DIY Life
8. Spice World

Be sure to check out my giveaway for a $50 Kangaroodle gift certificate!

And now sign Mr. Linky if you participated this week.

Wondering what Meme Monday is? Get the details right –> HERE <–

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A long time ago Bethany tagged me to tell you 6 random things about myself.

Last week Rachel tagged me to do 7 random things about me.

So, I think if I just do 7 that should cover both tags, right?

• I love to read.  In fact I used to always have a book in my hands.  Not so much now.
• I don’t like to watch TV.  I think it’s boring.  I will watch it if I have something else to do at the same time- like blogging.
• I love how Playdough smells.
• I am scared of spiders.
• I did not want my own laptop for Christmas.  Now, I can’t imagine how I used to share one with Rich.
• I hate folding laundry and putting it away.  I’d rather clean the toilets than put the laundry away.
• I love the smell of new tires. 

I know a lot of you have already done this one, so I won’t be tagging anyone this week.  But, if you want to play along, please feel free to do so!

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I received this very special award Sharing the Love from Crystal at Memoirs of a Mommy.

This award is extra special because Crystal created it in honor of the donor who saved her sons life.  Her son Noah had to have a heart transplant when he was just over a month old.  This award is supposed to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

So, here are the rules Crystal gave:  

“The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that “fit”. I didn’t want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??

I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.”

I know I don’t usually pass awards on but this is a special award and I think it’s important that I pass it on.  So, I am giving this award to:

• A Simple Life
• Common Mom
• Foster Me Up
• Happy Baker
• Just Talk
• La Bellina Mammina
• Lifesong
• Makimeji
• Marni’s Organized Mess
• Max’s Mom
• Mindless Chatter
• Mom of Three Girls  
• My 4 Kids
• Not a DIY Life  
• On The Upside
• Our New Little Family
• Ramblings of a Crazy Woman
• Random Thoughts
• Regina’s Family Seasons
• Shortybears Place
• Sit With Me While
• Spice World
• Talk To Grams
• The Laughs Will Go On

(Some of you may have already received this award from Crystal but I just want to make sure I don’t miss anyone.)

Ok, so now sign Mr. Linky if you participated this week.  And don’t forget to check out my latest giveaway- a shirt from From*me Tees, before you go.

Here we are with another Meme Monday.  Due to low participation recently I asked a little while ago if people still wanted me to host Meme Monday.  I got a few comments and some emails from people who want me to still do it.  So, for now I’m going to continue hosting Meme Monday.

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I saw this one over on Dana’s blog at Just Talk.

1. What was the last movie you saw? The Bucket List 
Was it good? It was excellent.
What made it good? The story line. It made me laugh and it made me cry- and any movie that can do both I consider to be great.
What made it bad? I felt kind of sad the rest of the evening after I saw it.
Why did you choose this particular movie? Rich and I were visiting my parents and they offered to baby-sit Hailey while we went out. The Bucket List was the only movie that sounded good.
Would you recommend it to a friend? Definitely
To your mom? I already did
To your significant other? Yup.

2. What three words do you think of when someone says ‘Saturday’? Clean the house

3. Do you tan? Not anymore. I did before I had Hailey.
If so, how many hours a week do you tan? Zero
If you don’t tan, why not? I have to watch Hailey and I can’t just lay around in the sun while she goes crazy. Plus I try to keep her out of the sun.
Do you tan easily? The first time I go out in the sun after being inside all winter I usually get a little burn. After that I tan pretty easily.
Do you burn easily? Just the first time I am out in the sun after winter.
Tell us about the worst burn you’ve ever had. When I was a teenager and we went to FL on vacation. We spent the day at the beach and I didn’t use any sunscreen. I ended up with blisters all over my face and sun poisoning. I learned my lesson though.
How many hours, in the summer, would you say you spend in the sun? I take Hailey outside to play but I try to keep her in the shade.
What sort of sunscreen do you use? Probably whatever I bought the year before on clearance.

4. If you had to wear a sign around your neck all day today, what would your sign say?  Will someone please clean my house? 

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I received this award from Jade at Life and Me.

Art y Pico Award Rules:

1. Pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging atmosphere (regardless of what language).
2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.
3. Award winners to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award
4. Please include a link to the “Arte y Pico” blog so that everyone will know where the award came from.

Thanks Jade!  I think your blog is creative and interesting too.

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 Then I received this award from Dette at Dance of Motherhood.

This is what she said about me:

“Melanie is the host of the Blogaholics Anonymous Club as well as Meme Monday. On top of which, she also manages several blogs:

• Livin’ With Me
• Our Happy Happenings
• Our Crafts ~N~ Things

Mother of a beautiful daughter, Hailey, Melanie is also the loving and supportive wife of a hubby who’s left the old job to find something in his niche. Something he enjoys.

All that and STILL working to provide for her family and being a great Mom on top of it all. Drop on by to give her a visit - you’ll be delighted. :)”

Thanks Dette!!  You are so sweet!

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If you participated this week then be sure to sign Mr. Linky and visit the other participants.

Oh- and check out my latest giveaway for a momAgenda before you go!