Year End Review 2011

2011 is coming to an end, and boy is it bittersweet. I have had some really amazing times with awesome family and friends, but it has definitely had it's low points too. Let's focus on the positive, shall we? I'm sharing my top moments of the year in pictures. Hope you enjoy!

January

Rang in the New Year with this little munchkin and some awesome friends. Hello, 2011!

 February

Cheered on my alma mater, Western Kentucky University, a lot.

This was when ESPN was filming a game, and the swim team wanted to share their spirit!

 March

Started blogging. I went from Miss Melanie's Blog to something a little more original (and fitting), Sarcasm and Curls.

 April

Celebrated my Nanny's 85th birthday at my Dad's house.

 May

Celebrated my little sister's birthday.

 Celebrated Mother's Day with a cookout for my family in honor of my Mom and her twin, Sherri.

 Hosted my very first giveaway.

 June

Went to see NKOTBSB with one of my best friends, Megan.

 Bought my very first "big girl" camera, a Nikon D3000.

 July

Visited the birthplace of our 16th president, which is less than an hour away from my hometown.

 Celebrated 4th of July with my friends.

 August

Traveled to Louisville to see the Kentucky Pros play the Dominican Republic. Amazing to see such big names from Kentucky all together again.

 September

Visited Stonehenge....or Munfordville's version of it anyway.

 Hosted a Scentsy party at my house....and had my 2nd giveaway!

 Ate at The Melting Pot for the very first time!

 October

Was a bridesmaid in a wedding.

 Celebrated Halloween, and my birthday, as Cleopatra!

 November

Ate Thanksgiving lunch with this little cutie at his school.

 Participated in my very first Black Friday Thursday by shopping at Walmart Thanksgiving night.

 December

Went to see ICE! and the Opryland Hotel lights in Nashville.

 Celebrated Christmas with my two very best friends, Meg and Whitney.

 Celebrated Christmas with the best family I could have.



Hope your year has been wonderful! Here's wishing you much happiness and good health for 2012!

Catch up!

Hey, guys! I feel like I haven't written an actual post in quite some time! Ya ready?

--> The new job is going pretty well. There is a lot to learn, but so far, I think I'm doing okay. I'm in the process of becoming a behavior support specialist for a govt. program to provide services to children on medicaid. I'm only actually working part time at the moment, and the time I'm not there, is either spent driving or preparing for it. So actually, I feel like I'm spending more money than I'm making with it. Everyone I speak to says that I should just use this as a stepping stone, and to remember this rough beginning will lead to bigger and better things.

Thanks so much to those of you that prayed and sent kind words. It is SO encouraging to read those messages after a rough day at work!

--> Our town's Arts and Crafts Fair on the Square is this Saturday and I am SO very excited! Last year I found all kinds of fall decor and gift ideas. I love home-made primitive-like holiday decor and it is overflowing. This event really starts my fall decorating and feeling. I can't wait!!

-->This Saturday is also the bachelorette party for a friend of mine. I'm a bridesmaid in her wedding, but to be honest, I dread all of it. (Maybe I'll share this story later?) This should be a happy time, but it's been nothing but chaos and one-sided friendships. However, I'm determined to make Saturday fun!!!

-->I had my carpets cleaned Tuesday morning and they look brand new! I'm so very pleased with how they turned out! The living room, dining room, hall, and my bedroom were a hot mess courtesy of my precious little Mia. How does a 2 lb. dog make such a mess? Good question. My only thought is that her bladder must be the size of a pea, and her tiny stomach can't handle a lot of food when she binges.

To keep them from becoming the same nasty mess, I've got her in the bathroom. I've taken  up all of the rugs, put down a pee pad (which she uses half the time), put her bed, food, water, and toys in there for her to be comfy. I don't like this set-up. I mean one can't even use that restroom with all of her stuff in there....but she just can't be left out. How do you house your dog when you are gone? Some people have suggested I get a large pen and keep her in the basement....but I just think that's kind of cruel. What do you think? Please send your suggestions!

I don't want to bore you all anymore, so I'm going to end here. Please send some suggestions!

New Job Jitters

Hey, lovelies! I have SO much going on, and I feel like I'm drowning!

--I had a post scheduled for yesterday morning, get home last night, check out blogger, and it did not post. Grrr. Why, blogger, why?????? When I posted it, it said "scheduled." You do this to me every. single. time.

-- As you've gathered, I'm starting a new job this week. It's something completely new, there is so much "stuff",  and I'm overwhelmed! I seriously wanted to cry yesterday.

-- I had to visit the clinic yesterday, which is two hours away. I woke up 2 hours earlier than normal, left at 6:30 am, arrived at about 8:45 am, spent the whole day learning and trying things out, spent 2 hours on paperwork, and drove the 2+ hours home last night. I got back at 8:30, and my butt was dragging. I was SO tired....mentally and physically.

-- I went to sleep early last night, and I had the best night of sleep I've had in sooo long.

-- I officially have my first session this afternoon and am scared to death. I was feeling confident until my visit yesterday. I felt like a complete idiot. It's NOT as easy as it looks/sounds.

-- Thanks so much to those that have been commenting and prayering for me. I know they have helped!

-- Even though I'm so overwhelmed (and scared), I know this is a great opportunity. Even if I'm having doubts right now, I'm sure it's because everything is new and hectic. I just have to do my best, give it a few months to calm down, and then we'll see how it goes. I mean it's not like I have to do this forever if I hate it, right?

How do you handle new stuff stress? What can I do to get this under control?

A New Beginning

Beginning today, I'm on a new journey. A new opportunity has presented itself, and I'm taking the leap. There will be lots of changes, and to be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, in that the Lord will guide me and protect me and see to it that I'm going to be ok and everything will work out.

I feel good about this. That's a good sign, right?

I want my friends to pray for me; I need the prayers of those I love.

Have you sang this song in church? It's one of my favorites because it reminds me to pray for my friends regularly, even if they don't have a "dire" need at the moment. Also, when I want to ask for prayers, I think of this song.

Anywho-  many of you know about my history of teaching and being in career limbo right now. I observed a possible opportunity yesterday for a few hours and loved what I saw. I think I could be really good at it, even if it wasn't in my original "plan."  I feel good about this opportunity.

I wasn't going to tell anyone because I didn't want to jinx anything, but I decided that prayer can do wonders, work miracles. And friends, I need your prayers.

I want you to pray that I find my "calling." I want you to pray that IF this is what God has in store for me, that it all works out. I want you to just say a prayer for ME and this situation.

Thanks, ladies.

Miscellany Monday

Hola, amigas! I had a great weekend, even though it was busy, busy, busy!

Friday- A friend of mine is moving, so I helped her move a few boxes to the new place. We then sat in the empty living room and chatted for an hour. or two. We stuffed some envelopes with wedding invites, made a late night trip to Walmart, had Mcdonalds at midnight (and omg was it delish!), went through some kiddie yardsale clothes for my cousin.....good night.

Saturday- I slept in. Really late. Aaaah. I then met the girls for a day of shopping, bridesmaid dress alterations, eating, and more shopping. I got some fabulous finds. My favorite two are below.

It's not Michael Kors, but I mean really.....$300 for a watch is a little out of my price range.
Just what I wanted and it was on sale. SCORE!

Gianni Bini "Rumer" from Dillards. On sale. SCORE!

Sunday- Slept in again. Aaaah. The mother called and asked if I wanted to look for a lake house. Ummm, yes? They have been looking for a week or two; I hope hope hope they find something. A lake house for the weekend sounds like a good time for Mel. We ate Italian at Mom's favorite restaurant, Gondolier, and I went home to take a nap. Which kept me up super late.

I can't believe it's Monday already! How was your weekend? Did you find any good deals?

Check out Carissa's link up, and be random!

Worrying

I've not been sleeping well lately. I guess with school starting again, it's left me pretty down. Especially when people ask about it. Last night, Mia woke me up about 3ish to go outside. I was awake about 2 hours before finally falling back asleep, and spent the whole time worrying and thinking and worrying about my current situation. I know worrying doesn't help, but how do you stop? They say when God closes one door, another opens. So far, I haven't seen any doors, windows, or even a crack. I'm frustrated.

I know I talk about this often, but it still bothers me. I guess it will until something happens.

Reasons

 I haven't really felt like blogging much lately. I think it's because everything I feel like writing is so negative and whiney. I've just been in a slump lately. BUT- I'm  not going to get into it. I don't wany my lovely readers to get overwhelmed with post after post of boo-hoos. Therefore, I'm going to leave you with this pretty print from pinterest (alliteration, anyone?)

Even if I don't have a clue what that reason is, I really do believe this.

Walk it out.

How many of you are rapping it out now?

I decided to get my butt up off the couch and get to walking. I'm tired of being the fat friend, so maybe this walking thing will help squash that. Hopefully?

I'm only on day 2, and I absolutely hate it while I'm doing it. I hate sweating. I hate feeling like I need an oxygen tank. I hate that burn in my chest. I hate that my legs feel like lead towards the end. I hate that I feel like I'm dying when I get home and collapse on the floor. And I really hate the dang blister that I got tonight.

I promise that's not an amputated leg. Just the back of my heel.

But ya know what? I like how I feel after. I feel like I've accomplished something. No, I'm no marathon runner; heck, I can't even run yet...I'm barely walking....but I doing something, which is better than nothing, right?

And after going through all of that "UGH", I don't want to waste it on that milkshake or cookies before bed. So it's kind of two-fold. Yay!

How do you motivate yourself?

Complete randomness

After being on a 3 day weekend, I am worthless today. Completely worthless.

First, I couldn't wake up.

Next, I didn't feel like breakfast this morning and am STARVING. Only 3.5 more hours until lunch.....

And I'm not exactly pissy, but people seriously annoy the shiz-nit out of me. More on that another day.

 And do you ever have something on your mind that you think about constantly? (For instance....a particular cute boy that you can't stop thinking about?????) Yeah. All weekend long my thoughts have been about nothing but him. I need something (or someone) to take my mind off of him.

As for entertaining and blog-worthy? I have nothing.

The weekend was good...blah blah blah.

Maybe something better later. Or maybe not. We'll see.

Happy Monday Tuesday to ya!

Currently

Good morning, lovelies. I saw this on a blog I follow a few weeks ago, and saved it for a rainy day when I had nothing (i.e. today!) I apologize to the blogger, I would link back to you if I could remember who it was. :/ Oops.

{Current Book}
Not Afraid Of Life  by Briston Palin

{Current Playlist}
I just downloaded some stuff last night. Most of it's been around,
 I just haven't dl'd in quite some time. Here's the list.

Dirt Road Anthem--Jason Aldean
Just a Kiss--Lady A
Jar of Hearts--Christina Perry
Price Tag--Jessie J
The Edge of Glory--Lady Gaga
Last Friday night--Katy Perry
Somewhere Only We Know--Keane (My favorite right now! Winnie the Pooh, anyone?)

{Current Color}

Teal, turquoise, aqua...ya know...all of the fun blue shades

{Current Drink}

Tropical Punch Kool-ade
(Remember Tracy? Koolade hair?)

{Current Food}

Fudge Round
Breakfast of champions, right there
.

{Current Favorite Show}

Pretty Little Liars

(Show is tonight on ABC Family at 7cst.)

{Current Wishlist}

There are so many....
Tory Burch flats
 some of my favorite tv shows on dvd
 some nude heels I can actually walk in.

{Current Need}

A job

{Current Triumph}

Not sure if I have one. Sad, huh?

{Current Bane of My Existence}

Humidity! Seriously, it's like a sauna outside.

{Current Celeb Crush}

So many....

Mark Wahlberg

Cam Gigandet

Ryan Gosling

{Current #1 Blessing}

My health and my family

{Current Indulgence}

Did you see what I had for breakfast??

{Current Outfit}

Dark jeans, brown scoop neck tee, big necklace, teal flip flops

{Current Excitement}

3 day weekends excite me.

{Current Mood}

Blah. I tend to focus on negative things and let them bring me down. Like in the job situation. People that don't have time for you.

What are your currents?
Comment with a link to your current list; I would love to see it. :)

It's Monday already?

Link up with Carissa at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday. Whoop whoop!

• Friday was game night. I love game nights because as I mentioned on Friday's post, there was lots of yummy food (which I ate too much of), tons of laughing, and an awesome time with awesome friends!

• Saturday morning was an early one. 3 of us got up before dawn and decided to yard sale in BG. It was all fun and games until the sky turned black, the thunder rolled, and the torrential rain poured down on us. Needless to say, after about 5 stops, our yard saling for the day was over.
• Luckily, I grabbed this little charm for a measly $2 bucks. Score!

Cast Iron 3-Tier Stand

• We grabbed a drink, some candy, and sat in the Target parking lot until they opened. Yep, we were those people.
• We shopped around good ole BG, had lunch with our 4th, and headed home.
• I have to admit, I may have not been regular old Mel. Getting up 2 hours earlier than normal had taken its toll  on me. I went home and crashed. Nothing like a 3 hour nap!
• When I woke up, I cleaned and settled in for He's Just Not That Into You. Wowza--it was good that I watched this again. It reminded me how NOT to be, because honestly, he's just not that into me (according to the movie, which I fully believe).
• Yesterday was spent sleeping in, visiting the real dad and my nanny, and then heading home and cooking supper for my family (mom, step-dad, sister, and b-i-l). I cooked my papa's mexican hamburgers, slaw, baked beans, and Symphony brownies. Good times.
• I picked these lovelies off my hydrangea bush in the backyard. Love this color! Fresh flowers just make me happy!

What's up with you on this Monday morning?

Weekend Awesomeness

Happy Monday, y'all! Question of the day.....Where did that weekend go? It totally flew by, right?

I'm linking up with Carissa @lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

My Friday was completely laid back, which is nice sometimes. I cooked a pizza in the oven, watched The Ugly Truth, or at least part of it until I fell asleep, and read a ton in my book.

Saturday was WORK DAY. Mia woke me up at 7ish, I finished reading my book, fell back asleep for an hour or two, and then got up and got ready to do the horrible, awful, terrible, no good, very bad thing (know what this is from???) callled yard work. Blah.

Mom and I made a trip to Lowes, picked up some of that edging block stuff, came home and got it laid down. Then we went to get some gravel for it. We took about a million gazillion breaks, and actually had one of the guys to finish it. It was hot, my friends. And hard to rake/shovel/push that heavy load of rock around. A few hours later, we called it a day. (Pictures later).

I showered, changed, sat around for a bit before getting bored. I headed to UGI, a local gift shop, and picked up a Vera e-reader sleeve. LOVE it! I had a leather thing, but didn't like it as well. The top of the thing didn't secure the Nook, and it kept sliding out. Not good for this klutz!

I love this pattern!!

 I met my parents for dinner, then my sister and bil picked me up for some house/land hunting. They are moving a county over sometime within the year, so I rode along to look for some possibilities. I swear, we had a good time. I've not laughed that much in a long long time. I think it was one of those, "you had to be there" moments, but it was fun.

After stopping to feed their pets, a storm came in, so we waited it out before they took me home. Insert game time. We played Phase 10, which is fun....except it took like 2 hours, and we were all pretty tired. So glad to see that game end! I do love games, though!

Sunday, I got up and went to church. I am looking for a "home" church, if you will.  I belong to a church that I grew up in, but it's not really for me anymore. I've been visiting my sister's church, and like it, but I don't know if it's "the one." Anyway, I stopped for lunch, the stopped to rent Pride and Prejudice. If you've been reading, you know I've been trying to get through that book for about 3 years now. I'll read, then get tired and put it away for months. I just can't get through it. So after some readers commented on renting it instead of reading it, I did. The movie was hard to get through as well. I did like the whole love story thing...."You've bewitched me, body and soul." That was a pretty good line, right, Mr. Darcy?

The weather was beautiful yesterday, so I got out and ran to a few stores. Found some awesome goodies at Burkes. Do you all have one of those? I've never found anything in there, but after taking my time and digging, I bought like 6 items for under $60 bucks. Can I get a whooo-hooo?

Speaking of Vicki, did you all see the RHOOC Reunion last night? Vicki is so classy, all the time. Love her. Tamra and Gretchen get on my  nerves. Get over everything. It's annoying. Alexis is a psychopath. I mean, really? "The problem with liberal America is that women can do everything a man can do. Women can run for president and work." Ummm....hello? I'm probably one of the most conervative people I know, but c'mon Alexis. You are an idiot!!! I did like Vicki's reaction, "I could run for president. And do a better job than the current one." ....or something along those lines. I just love her! And I really like Peggy too. She seems like a genuine person. I can't wait for next weeks epi. What did you think?

So there is my random rundown of the weeknd.  How was yours?