A quick hello

Yesterday I got the greatest text. A friend just wanted to say they were thinking of me and it made them smile.

Earlier this morning I said hello to a friend. I was trying to make plans to visit, but our busy schedules are causing some issues. However, we ended up briefly catching up over several texts. I saw some pics of her sweet boy and shared with her my plans for a half marathon. 

In this day and age where we all seem so "connected" by Facebook and Twitter we get a false sense of "keeping in touch". The last couple of days were a nice reminder what a quick hello or just a few minutes to catch up can mean. No relationship worth having ever suffered from a little personal touch.

Remember, those few minutes can positively impact the person on the receiving end.

The Strength of a Commitment

I try to keep politics off of this blog, but as the election is drawing closer I have a lot on my mind. One of the things that I am constantly thinking about are the four states with marriage equality initiatives on the ballot. Some states are trying to grant all citizens equal rights while other states are trying to take away rights. Moreover, we are faced with the choice of electing a president who says they support equal rights for all citizens, including those in the LGBT community, or a president who has said he supports a constitutional amendment to take away rights. What follows are just some of my thoughts on the issue.

The Strength of a Commitment

I have been with my boyfriend for nearly five years. We are not legally married, we are not even engaged. However, we are a committed and loving couple. I look at him some days and I am in awe of how much I can love one person. Other days I look at him and am enraged by how much I can love one person who drives me so unbelievably crazy. We are not perfect and I would never want someone to look at us as an example of a perfect couple (hint: there isn't one, they all have their problems). We have our ups and downs, our stresses and dreams, but we share it all. We live with our imperfections and strive to strengthen our relationship as we commit to one another and to the life we are building together.

However, when I say “my boyfriend” I get that brush off like our relationship isn't to be taken seriously. When I once referred to him as my partner I got the same type of brush off. We have chosen the life we live. Our choice is for reasons that some may disagree with, but they are our reasons and none of which have to do with how much we love each other or how committed we are to one another.

Fortunately for us, we are allowed to make this decision for ourselves. This is a freedom many, including me, have taken for granted. Unfortunately, I am saddened when I think of the hundreds of thousands of couples out there all across this country who are in just as committed relationships as my boyfriend and me with the decision made for them. They are told by their government and by other citizens (co-workers, neighbors, family members) they are wrong in the love they share with their partner, they are second-class citizens and can not share the same rights as others because of who they love, they are told their love means less than that of other couples. They are confined to the roles of boyfriend, girlfriend, and partner.

On a very personal level this is devastating to me. In a way, knowing that so many couples are prevented from legally making a commitment so they can share all the rights and benefits that come with marriage, lessens the true meaning of marriage. If I decided to marry tomorrow, how could I honestly believe that my marriage would mean anything more than couples who are just as committed as I am to my boyfriend, but just denied the right to make that commitment legal? I can't, and I wouldn't dare to make that comparison.

As a citizen of the United States of America, the discrimination of a group of individuals is devastating to the country as a whole. When did we decide that it was acceptable for lawmakers to determine that it is wrong for any two people who love each other to commit themselves to one another with equal recognition from the government? I am proud every time I hear of a new lawmaker taking a stand for equality. They will be the ones standing on the right side of this issue when future generations look at this civil rights fight and wonder why it was such a hard fought battle.

I believe that all humans should be given equal opportunities including the opportunity to commit themselves to the person they love with the same rights and protection under the government as every other person. Every couple should be given the opportunity to decide for themselves when they should marry and if they want to marry, not be told that they can't marry. No human, especially in America, should be discriminated against, ever! The day every single American is free to marry who they choose and where they choose, will be a beautiful day and will only strengthen the commitment I have made to the person I love and have chosen to spend my life with.

Hello again my love

I fell in love, really in love, for the first time over 12 years ago when I made my way to NYC. It was love at first sight. I was overwhelmed by its energy and the plethora of things I discovered at my fingertips. The city is majestic and strong, beautiful and hard. It will embrace everyone, but can give you a good kick in the butt. She is like the matriarch of a large (very, very large) family.

My time in New York opened my world to new adventures. I learned that I was strong and independent. I uncovered a passion for the fair and honorable treatment of others. I found that I loved experiencing food and the cultures it can expose you to. My views on faith and love were challenged and I learned that it was ok to question what you once believed. I learned that bruises faded, breaks would heal, and pain was never permanent. I grew up with NY, and after 4 years I guess I would say we grew apart. I needed something different. It is hard to explain what I needed, it wasn't something more or less, it was just something different.

I will often reflect on my time there with the shoulda, coulda, woulda I often associate with relationships and then get anxious and nervous when it is time to go back. I wonder how much may have changed and if I changed enough or too much. After being back in the city I always remember why I left.

Every year or two (sometimes more) I like to reacquaint myself with this place. This was one of those years. I went and stayed with my ex-roommate, Curtis. I am so proud of what he has accomplished. (You can find him on Huffington Post if you ever want to read something from one of my favorite writers/journalist.)

That Wednesday morning, my train from Providence arrived right on time. I made my way from Penn Station, passing the building where I once spent every Monday - Friday on the 25th Floor, and headed to the Huffington Post office. First up, a tour of Huffington Post, courtesy of Mr. Curtis Wong. Once back in Astoria where I called home for 4 years, it was time for dinner at Thai Pavilion, the greatest Thai restaurant in Queens. This is the first Thai restaurant I ever went to and enjoyed! And now because of my experience there, Thai is by far one of my favorite cuisines. Dinner was followed by a bottle of wine plus some at Brick. Brick was where my mom took Curtis and I for our first Thanksgiving dinner in New York. It was a night of reliving firsts ;)

My second day in NY, I got to see my friend Katie. You may or may not know her from Gleim or from previous posts about LDN. She was once my regular LDN date. We met up at her apartment, then ate, got pedicures, shopped, drank, ate some more. That definitely sounds like the Katie and Melissa days together! Love her! Curtis joined us just in time for our drinking and second meal :) 

On Friday, I had my first reminder of why New York and I were just never going to work out. I was an hour late meeting my wonderful friends Laura and Eileen because of train delays. An HOUR! I was so anxious to see these ladies, yet the subway in front of us had to pull the emergency brake. UGH. Finally, I arrived in Union Square to see these friends of mine. It was like no time had passed. Eileen is the oldest of all my friends in age, but the youngest at heart. She is the prime example of "age is only a number." I hope to be her age and living life with the same amount of vivacity. Laura is organized, great at keeping in touch, and always appears to be in control. Maybe I would like to be a combination of these two wonderful ladies. They are very dear to me and that lunch was amazing not because of the food, but because they represent so much of what made my time in New York incredibly special. I love them and hope I get to be a part of their lives for many, many years to come. To me they are perfect examples of true New Yorkers. 

After lunch, Curtis met me so that we could make our way to Jenn's apartment. It was great to see and catch up with her. I feel like every time I see her she is going through a life event. The first time I saw her after I left New York she had started dating the guy who would eventually become her husband. The next time I saw her she was engaged and contemplating a job offer from Martha Stewart, and the third time I went to NY she had gotten married and was working for Martha Stewart. This last time I visited her she was pregnant, but no longer working for Martha Stewart. Life never seems to hold still with her. It always makes for an exciting visit. I look forward to the next time I see her as she will officially be a mom to Baby Mac. Congratulations friend!

The next day Curtis and I made our way to Brooklyn for a pool party hosted by Penn Badgley. One of the perks of Curtis being one of my best friends. The highlight was the open bar and music. Thanks Curtis! We then went to a very typical Williamsburg restaurant and ate on the rooftop. Wow, those are the days where I miss New York. It was a beautiful, hot, sticky, but everything I love about New York days.

On our way home we walked The High Line which has amazing views and greenery all around. It is lovely. We stopped for cupcakes (hello, a trip anywhere with no cupcakes is no trip at all). On our walk to the subway we passed the Hotel Chelsea. I am slightly obsessed with Hotel Chelsea. If you want to watch an interesting documentary check out the one not surprisingly titled "The Hotel Chelsea."

My last full day in New York was jam packed! First, Curtis and I went back to Brooklyn. We had breakfast with Jyssica and her boyfriend Geoff. It was delicious and obviously a hipster breakfast, which I would expect nothing less from Williamsburg. We were in Williamsburg for breakfast because we had to go to the Flea Market. And, yes, I mean to say we "had" to go. The Flea Market was fantastic. I found some gifts for some people, I found a map of Queens to frame, I found some awesome old pictures, and then a great T-shirt for Nuri. I also got a magnet with a shark, whale, and dolphin approaching an oil rig in the middle of the ocean with weapons. It says, "Wetlands, not oil lands." It is such a fantastic image.

After the Flea Market, we made our way to Central Park. Curtis and I rented bikes, road around the park, and then made our way to the West Side Highway. We rode up the Hudson toward the GWB. It was a great ride, but it ran a little long and we were very rushed to meet up with Katie for our scheduled LDN-New York style. We had a great dinner at The Smith and then went out for some drinks.

Finally, we decided we needed to head home. Curtis was obviously tired, but I promised I wouldn't share the photographic evidence.

The next day, Monday/Labor Day I was leaving. In some ways this made me very sad, but in other ways I adequately reminded myself why I had somehow made a new home with a new city and left this one in the past. New York will always be a special place for me. It will be a place that I will love and cherish the rest of my life. I love that when I go back I always seem to meet up with very old and also much newer friends. It is a place that is always evolving, always welcoming, and always, always generous.

The New England Excursion Finale

On Tuesday, the last full day of my trip to Rhode Island, Danielle and I decided to go somewhere I had been many times, but constantly think about. The two of us had a girl's day in Newport, Rhode Island. If you haven't been there, you don't know what you are missing. If you have, then you understand. However, since the theme of the trip was to do stuff I haven't done before we did three firsts (well at least for me they were firsts).

First up, while it was still cool out we did the Cliff Walk. Now, for you beer drinkers I actually took this picture of the sign because it reminded me of my friend who brought Narrangansett over the other day. I informed him that it was indeed from Rhode Island.

The Cliff Walk is a beautiful path along a cliff that overlooks the water. You are able to see some of the Newport mansions on your right and the "death by falling" on your left. One of the things different in Newport since the last time I went was the presence of wind turbines. I know a lot of people argue that they aren't pretty, but to me there is something very beautiful about them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a really good picture of them due to the fog and clouds.

The second thing on our list of firsts (which I believe was the only first for Danielle) was to visit St. Mary's. This is the church that JFK and Jackie were married. I can't believe that all times I have visited Newport before I never stopped by the church. We stopped, we took pictures, and they wouldn't let us in. They wouldn't let anybody in, and I was very disappointed.

The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping, eating, doing some more shopping. During our shopping I learned that Newport and the University of Florida campus has something in common. If you are walking, JUST CROSS. Cars have to stop and pedestrians can just keep on moving. As a pedestrian, I kept reminding myself about the other drivers, like me, who exist. The drivers who get annoyed by the pedestrians with no common sense or common courtesy. They just cross when and where they feel and take as much or little time as they please! So, by all means cross, but do try to not walk slowly and please find a crosswalk.

Then, finally we went for a drive down Ocean Drive. The scenery is beautiful and there are more mansions to see than just the ones along the Cliff Walk. I sent pictures of the scenery and told Nuri that in the background he can see our future home ;) 

We did try to find Jackie's childhood home and thought we had hit the jackpot, but it turns out it was the wrong house. We had gone down the wrong part of the road. Meh, that's OK, it just an excuse to go back another time.

This was definitely a day for sightseeing and quality hang out time. As the day was winding down I was sad to realize my trip was coming to an end and the next day I was leaving. But, I wasn't going home just yet...next stop NYC.

The New England Journey

My New England Excursion, Continued...

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have spent quite a few weekends in Rhode Island. This time when I came to visit, we tried to think of things I hadn't done before. Danielle presented the idea of going to Salem, Mass. I had never been and I love this type of thing. 

With Danielle at the wheel, me navigating, and Mrs. Heatherton (Danielle's mom) in the back entertaining the children and pressing play and stop on the DVD player at the appropriate times, how could this trip not be a breeze? That's what we thought, until we got stuck in traffic from what I believe were lots of rubber neckers followed by a quick "detour". Luckily, no men were with us so we were able to stop and ask for directions.

Going to Salem was a brilliant idea. As we arrived in this historic town whose economy is fed by embracing what has made it famous reminds me of where I went to college and by chance met Danielle. Salem definitely reminded me of St. Augustine. You have the Salem Witch Museum instead of the Fountain of Youth. You see people dressed up as witches instead of the 18th century Spanish inhabitants of the oldest city. 

And, you have the students at the local college working their way through school as a waiter, coffee shop barista, retail shop clerk, and tour guides. It is a New England, witch-infused version of St. Augustine. If only there were a beach and a Ripley's Believe It or Not.

First stop was the before-mentioned Salem Witch Museum. It had just the right blend of cheese and history. Would I go again, probably not, but glad I did at least once. 

After stopping for a bite to eat at a restaurant, which was recommended by what I imagine to be a student dressed as a witch, I decided I was ready to take a break from hunting witches and enjoy some Nathaniel Hawthorne. Danielle and I left the two girls with her Mom to play in a nearby location while she and I checked out The House of the Seven Gables. I know Danielle was probably not as thrilled as I was with this, but I was definitely loving it. There were beautiful gardens, plenty of literary history, and a tour of the house that inspired his novel with little tidbits about the author and his life. 

The one downer about the tour of the Hawthorne house was that there was a mother/daughter duo that drove us crazy! They had to comment on everything and ask the most ridiculous of questions. There is one in every group, unfortunately for us, this time there were two!

Almost right on cue, right after we toured the second building on the property (the home Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in) we got a call from Mrs. Heatherton. You could hear in the background the kids were ready to go. They were tired and hungry and had been such good sports all day as they all indulged in my love of history, literature, and cheesy portrayals of such things.

Our day in Salem came to an end and we were pretty exhausted after the drive home. I was ready to curl up with my book and Scotty (the Bishop's Collie who I am just in love with).

The following day I woke up and went for a run with Steve on a cross country trail. Here in Florida our hills are just little inclines, these hills were much more difficult to run up (and down). The sand was also much looser with piles of horse manure I had to dodge. This was no easy 2.5 mile run. After the run, Steve and I just hung out and chilled until Danielle got home from school. 

Scotty missing me...wishing I was on the couch showering him with kisses and hugs.

That night, Danielle and I went to dinner, had delicious pasta, good drinks, and a wonderful dessert. We tried to go to the dessert place everyone talks about, Pastiche, but of course it was closed on Mondays. Just our luck!

The night came to an end too soon, but the next day was going to be a big one with a very special trip planned so we had to make sure we got some sleep.

Next up, another New England excursion...

The Island Life

After a series of very unfortunate events in my life that occurred between August of 2011 and March 2012, I made a decision to turn the year around. I realized it had been 4 years since I had seen one of my closest college friends and had never met either of her two beautiful daughters. I love New England and thought I would try to escape the Florida summer, so I booked my flight and took off to a state that may be small in size, but big in heart. I love Rhode Island, I spent many weekends here during my four years in NYC. Rhode Island and Vermont were my places of choice when I needed a quick getaway from the city life.

Since leaving NYC 7.5 years ago, I had seen Danielle a total of 3 times. Once at her wedding to Steve, once when she visited her parents in South Florida, and once at a mutual friend's wedding in Vermont. When I said goodbye to her in Vermont after our friend's wedding 4 years ago, I never imagined we would let so much time go by without seeing each other. 

When she came to pick me up at TF Green airport she almost missed me. My hair was shorter and much darker and well, I am short and can sometimes get lost in the crowd of usually much taller individuals. But, in no time it felt like two old friends talking and laughing again like we use to. I really missed that and I definitely missed her.

First up, meet the children, beautiful and well-behaved. I should expect nothing less. 

My maternal instincts and child-grooming skills on full display. Hmmm, maybe I should hope for boys?

Later that night we went out in West Warwick for some beer with no plans of eating, but when I saw Stuffies on the menu, I was intrigued. How could I have spent so much time in Rhode Island all those years ago and not know what this was or ever have tried it before? Turns out it is just a stuffed quahog (sounds exactly as it is spelled and perfectly suited for the Rhode Island accent), which is a shellfish that looks like a larger version of a clam. Ate it before I took a picture ;)

Oh wait, and how can I forget one of the best things about the night, I got to see Danielle's mom when she came over to watch the babies. I am very fortunate that I have gotten to know the parents of my closest friends. I love these families almost as much as my own. I was equally as excited to see Mrs. and Mr. Heatherton as I was to see The Bishop Family. 

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog...

I had an entry about my recent vacation written and ready to post, but then something very exciting happened today. Nuri gave me my birthday present! My birthday is not for another 2+ weeks! I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that he will never be able to wait to give me the gifts he gets for me. Why would this year be any different?

This year he got me a MacBook Air. I needed a new laptop and was expecting to buy myself a netbook or something, but nope, instead he got me this wonderful, light, beautiful machine.

My old laptop was definitely much heavier, a bit old, and the battery didn't hold a charge. That computer is part of why I am behind on this blog. With the old laptop, if I can't be plugged in, I can't do any work.

Nuri, thank you from the bottom of my heart! This year I will forgive you for not being able to wait. I will definitely get use out of it the next two weeks waiting for my actual 33rd birthday to arrive.

Find some scallops, maybe?

Earlier this summer I decided that I was going to make sure this year was full of new adventures and visits with old friends. So, when about a month ago we were invited to go scalloping with some friends, Nuri and I couldn't resist the opportunity.

As the date approached, I got excited, but also a little anxious not knowing what to expect. All that really means is that I over-prepare and drive Nuri a little nuts with questions.

The day before, I planned meals, made sure I had sunscreen, and most importantly made sure I had beer in cans. My friend discovered one of my favorite beers in a can and on sale at Ward's.

Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA is a gift from the beer gods!

Two boats full of people just wanting to have a little fun, enjoy some sun, and find scallops! Well, with Torpedo, fun people, and food, I can say that I at least found fun. Now, the sun and scallops those were less cooperative with our plans. The day started out nice and we made our way to the first spot to try and find some scallops, but there were few to be found. Next spot, still no scallops, and the next, and the next, it was the same story over and over.

Joon coming back to the boat with no scallops :(

Nuri tirelessly searching for those delicious creatures

Our search soon came to an end. Was it just because we got discouraged or was it the rain? I'm not entirely sure, but the rain did finally come and it was miserably fun. The rain was cold and I truly wish I had taken pictures of the few who were huddled down between the seats of the boats, but it just didn't occur to me. Major failure on my part.

Finally we stopped, drank some more, and all got in the water as it was warmer IN THE water than out of the water.

I don't quite remember the number of scallops we found, but there were so few we just threw them all back. I think saying we found 15 is being generous. Oh well, I guess I will just have to go next year and maybe actually find my first scallop!!!

In my book anytime I get to hang out with people I enjoy, drink Torpedo, and be in close proximity to the water, I will count it as a success. At least I had fun (I hope others will say the same), and returned with no major injuries only a few cuts and bruises from the oyster beds and no sunburn.

Until next year...

In Her Honor

One year ago today I said goodbye to my grandmother - the most amazing woman I have ever known. She taught me many things in life, but the most important was unconditional love. To love without question, to love enough that even when you don't agree with the choices one makes you support them. You help the with their goals, you hold their hand, provide a shoulder, or do whatever it takes to  be there for that person, unconditionally. She was all that to me for 32 years.

The rest of this post is in her memory. This is me not being sad about missing this special lady, rather honoring her by sharing these memories of a house filled with love.

Anybody driving by the yellow cinderblock house with brown trim on the corner of Harris Street would think it was an average looking house with a Caprice Classic (the tank as us kids liked to refer to it) sitting under the carport. Go inside and it was the standard 3 bedroom, 2 bath house, but it was full of hidden treasures. I always said there were two living rooms, but technically one was a family room and one a living room but I never cared to know which was which. The parents would sit in one while the girls (Tracie, Stephanie and I) would play in the other. Keep in mind our other cousins (Matt and Lorene) lived far enough away we didn't see them often enough.

Under the couch was Candy Land which we would play for hours and hours and to this day I love watching Aubrey play it because it brings back so many fond memories. When I have children I will buy my mom Candy Land and require that it be kept under her couch!

Down the hall and in the closet was a big plastic bag that at first glance you would think was a trash bag. In this bag was the jackpot! Plastic dishes, perfect for 3 girls to play. I remember there was a footstool that you could plug in to heat up. We would try to sneak water into the "teapot" and heat it up on the footstool. This was a no-no as we weren't allowed to have food or drink in that room. But leave it to Stephanie to give it a try anyway :)

In the "other living room" my cousins and I would sit and watch Miracle on 34th Street (in black and white) on Thanksgiving day.

But the kitchen is where I wanted to be and was where you would most likely find my grandmother. The top cabinet to the right of the sink had all the good stuff, including "pink chocolate milk." It turns out it was strawberry Nesquick :) The microwave was multi-functional as it didn't just heat things up, but it doubled as a storage area for a pie of some kind, chances are it was a pecan pie.

The yard!!! The front yard had a tree perfect for climbing and another tree we called the paper tree, which was perfect for peeling bark and calling it paper.

The best part about this house was that it was my grandmother's home. It has some of the fondest memories filled with love and laughter. It is where my cousin, Tracie, became my best friend. It is where I learned what family really means. My grandmother's life is not defined by her house, but her life could be defined by the fact that in that house was an incredible amount of love. You can see her love in the children she raised, the grandchildren and great grandchildren she adored, this unbelievable quality to make anyone feel like they were home and part of her family when in her presence.

My grandmother, Anice C. Bearor, may have left this world and joined her one true love, but I can feel her every single day. She is part of me and I believe that as long as I never forget the lessons of love, acceptance, and generosity she taught me through her own actions she will always be with me. She is the kind of woman I strive to be, but in my own way (exactly as she would want it).

Surrounded by her grandkids! I am glad we were all there together!

All her great grandkids!

I am very lucky because not only was my Grandmother so incredible, but I am surrounded by amazing women. My mom for one, but also my cousin and many of my friends who continue to amaze me with their strength. My grandmother was of a different generation, but I am truly a better person for having all these wonderful, strong, loving, and kind women in my life. 

Preview of a Future Post

What will today bring? I'm looking forward to finding out.

In the middle of a very crazy, busy time in my life I have taken the day off and will spend it with my Mother. It is a beautiful Florida day out and after a gloomy weekend I think mother nature is smiling on me. Lunch, shopping, booking our flight for NY to visit family. Today will be amazing because I get to just visit with my mom. She and I don't always see eye to eye and have different views on the way the world is and the way we believe it should be. However, she handles my willfulness like a champ and just sets me off on my own to explore the world as I want and on my own terms. That is one thing she undoubtedly learned from her mother.

She'll be here soon and I must finish preparing for her.

Sending out nothing but love today!

Melissa

Positivity to those who live positively

Positive energy brings about more positivity. That is what this blog and this year, 2011, is all about - maintaining positivity and enjoying life to the fullest (every little moment)!

That was the closing paragraph of my first post of my very first blog ever. January 2011 seems so far away. I stopped blogging last year as things started getting hectic and I stopped taking a moment to look at the beauty around me. Since my last blog post, I got a promotion, passed the first part of the Certified Management Accountant Exam, and well...stopped blogging. 

So much has happened since then. While getting ready for a friend's rehearsal dinner I got a call from both my cousin and mom that my grandmother probably wasn't going to make it through the weekend. I was a four hour drive and I decided with the storm outside, it being late, and the overwhelming sadness I felt that I shouldn't make the trip. That being said, I woke up at 3 am knowing I needed to be with my family and I was going to miss the wedding. I then woke up about every 20-30 minutes after that until I got the call that she was gone. 

Let me back up a minute. My grandmother - she was not a beauty queen, she wasn't a woman seeking power in a room filled with men, she didn't dream of fortune or fame. She was just pure love and strength. I learned so much from her about what it meant to be strong without needing to be the center of attention, to love without question or judgement, and to be kind to others. She is my hero, she is the most amazing woman I have ever known and for that I will be forever grateful. And now she is gone.

So, the wedding would continue on, but I was going to Lakeland. I have to admit, I felt kind of bad as a couple of the other groomsmen came to get Nuri and they found me outside our room crying my eyes out. I don't think they knew what to do. I don't remember much about that day. I just remember loving Nuri beyond a question (he was selfless that day and the days to follow), needing to be with my mom and my Tracie, and having this feeling that I was going to crawl out of my skin.

From that point on, I had to deal like my grandmother showed me how to do so many times. Let me point out that I am not a weak woman. I have had my share of trials and sadness and probably too many to share on this blog and too many before I was even 18, but this was a blow. 

The holidays came with sadness. New Year's Eve came and I had LDN with Katie and a party at a friend's house. I remember discussing how Zelda was lethargic and maybe she had heartworms. The next day we took her to the Emergency Vet and within a week we had to say goodbye to prevent any prolonged suffering for her. She was my joy and my comfort whenever I was sad. What do you do when the cuddle that can bring a smile to your face no matter what is gone. A few weeks went by and then came a terrible cough, a knee injury, another cold, Nuri's PhD threatened by a crazy power-hungry woman, and my grandmother's sister who I am very close to having a major stroke...2012 is one year I would like to forget. Hmmm...kind of reminds me of 1992 (maybe ever 20 years I need to hibernate). 

Okay, okay...this is depressing and this is not meant to be depressing!!! The other day Nuri asked me why I was being so positive. As I said last year and reposted at the top, positivity brings about more positivity. I am going to turn all sad things into a positive.

This year - I will blog again and more often. I will volunteer at an assisted care facility and the humane society to service two demographics that have been very influential in my life. I will read more. I will exercise more. I will make an effort to see those friends I don't see often enough. I will live life to the fullest. I will rescue another puppy who needs all the love I have to give. I will enjoy more wine and good beer (shout out to Tipples). I will cook, bake, make doggie treats, and experiment more. I will remain positive that good things come to those who live positively.

Love,

Melissa