Dear Freezing Rain

I don't like you. Period. Because of you, I had a two hour and ten minute commute to work this morning because you closed highways. Thanks. Oh and PS - I'm going to call Sir Spring and have him come after your a**. You best run.

Joy of Love - Nieces Part Dos

As a continuation of my theme of the month and this post, I wanted to take a wee bit of time to talk about my girls.

I am so very blessed to have four beautiful nieces:

Gabrielle "Gabby" - My first niece! What a special girl she is. Gabby has always had a quirkiness about her. She's very serious and extremely intelligent. She's a girly girl and loves pink (seriously, you have no idea about this, the girl is pink everything). At only five years old, she was ready to take on kindergarten just six short months ago. She's extremely sweet, thoughtful and independent. She was so excited when she found out I was pregnant and "supplying" her with her first cousin. My sister took a picture of both girls the morning Mia was born and here is Gabby's. I just love it. She makes my heart melt. I enjoy every moment I get to spend with her, I just wish there were more of those moments.

Graysen "Graygirl" - #2 - My buddy. I could just leave it at that, but I think we all know by now that I am not short with my words. There was a special connection with Gray and I from the very beginning. I remember that well and although specific details about how that started I can't recall, I can however recall how large that special place in my heart is for this little girl. Now at three years old, she has such a fun spirit and makes me laugh every time I see her. She's a hugger too! She too loves her cousin and was thrilled when my sister told her the morning Mia was born as demonstrated here. Graysen is similar to me. I think she'll be an athlete. She is so special and I just love her little self to pieces. I can't get enough of her, I just wish I could spend more time with her.

Upon my union with hubby, I was lucky enough to get two more special ladies in my life as well:

Lindsay - the oldest of all of the nieces - she is becoming quite the young lady. I look back on pictures of her when I first met Mark and wow how much (and how quickly) she has grown up. Lindsay is very sweet and loves Mia like crazy. She loves to hold her and doesn't want to leave her side when they are around each other. Over the holidays I captured this sweet picture of the two of them reading together. She's very creative and will definitely be the performer of the family. She writes plays and her Uncle Mark will often videotape them. They will make for great blackmail once she starts dating!! Haha!! Unfortunately we don't get to see each other enough, but I am certainly blessed.

Samantha "Sami" - What a cool kid Sam is! A lover of vegetables and fruits, this little fire cracker has really come out of her shell the past couple of years. When I first met Mark, she was just a baby and now she has transformed into a such a little lady. She too loves her cousin. One of my most recent and favorite pictures of her reading a book to Mia. Sam is very laid back and relaxed most of the time. Like Lindsay, I don't get to see her enough, but I have been certainly blessed by her as well.

To all my girls:

I love you each more than I can ever express to you in words. You are each very special to me in your own different ways. Thank you for being a part of my life and always bringing a smile to my face.

Love Always,

Aunt Melly/Melissa

Products Anonymous

Seriously, It Should Be A Club And I Should Be President I'm a product junkie! There is just something about buying a product - a candle, a new lotion, a new eyeshadow or a new lipstick, among many, many other things. I love buying new stuff to try for my body and mostly my hair. I love hand lotions, face lotions, face masks, scrubs, body wash, anything that makes me feel super clean, soft, smooth, you know the I'm still in my 20's type feeling. A few issues to point out: Issue #1: Serious problem = Bath and Body Works...serious. I have more body sprays and lotions than any one person should every own, but I get bored easily and changing what I smell like helps this "small" issue of mine. Issue #2: Grounded - I recently put myself on restriction from buying any more hair products mostly due to the fact the my bathroom cabinet is practically overflowing with shampoo and conditioner. So for a few months now I have been using what I have instead of buying something new or more of my absolute fav - go me! My husband is thanking me. He doesn't get why my hair products have the price tags that they do, but they do and they are worth every penny hunny promise, k? Issue #3: MAC eyeshadow - nuff said. Other than those three, I am pretty normal (I think???). Several other bloggers I follow do product reviews and I enjoy reading and hearing about what other people like and try. One I enjoyed recently was Hi, My Name is Kelli. New product of the week (oops) - TreSemme Dry Shampoo. OK here's the dealio with this one. I wash my hair every other day, but lately I have noticed that by skipping that day my hair is getting a little more oily than I prefer. I'm trying to save time in the morning, not gross out my co-workers and husband. This time saver is not intended to be obvious (i.e., snooty girl alert by stating this forthcoming comment, but you have been warned - a co-worker had a super greasy scalp that I was very easily distracted by in a meeting last week. I thought to myself, "I hope that is not what mine looks like.") Anywhooooo....I saw the commercial for this stuff and figured I would try it. Gave it a shot this morning and I like it. The shampoo didn't have a huge odor, which was a concern of mine and it didn't cover my hair with a pastey-like substance which was another concern of mine. A few sprays, wait a few minutes, brush and done. I even curled my hair this morning and it has helped keep the curls curlier too. Most importantly, it was only $4.79 at Target (Yay! Woo! Love! Let me count the ways!). Way, way cheaper than what I would have found in my normal hair product store. Again, go me!! After my girls weekend this past weekend (more about that later this week) my husband might take away my wallet, so every little saved penny helps. Let me know what you think. Have you tried any dry shampoos? Any other must have products that you love? Do tell, do tell!

"Smart?" I Think That May Be Questionable

How are these safe? Can someone please explain? I understand the purpose and I, as should everyone else, try to do my best to lower my carbon footprint, however these cars are crazy and to be perfectly honest they kind of freak me out. I also am first to point out that I am not a small person. I'm not quite sure my almost 6'3" frame could squeeze into one of these babies. Each time I see one driving down the highway my heart rate quickens and I start taking shorter breaths just thinking about what would happen if they got into an accident (worry wart, me??, well kinda). I keep seeing more and more of them, typically driven my those 50+ (mostly due to the price tag I would venture to guess). What are your thoughts? Would you buy one if price was not the issue, you didn't have children or tons of stuff to lug from point A to point B? However, should I ever choose to purchase such a vehicle, it would most definitely have to be pink! Sidenote - I am super jealous of Paris Hilton's pink Bentley. It's a secret, so don't tell k? You should google it. I really, really heart pink. I'm just fooling you, I'm not 32, I'm still 5, but I can drive. Amazing, huh? Is it a coincidence that when "googling" a picture of a smart car, that a website/blog titled "1000 Ways To Die" popped up? I think not! My point exactly.

It's What's For Lunch

Seriously, ick! Why, why, why?

I try to network a decent amount. I like getting out, meeting new people and staying on the up and up of the news and other happenings in my industry. I think it's a vital part of being a professional business woman and part of my job, but mostly I really enjoy it.

However, several of the luncheons I attend throughout the year do not offer edible options for lunch and I end up eating the vegetable and dessert and am starving by 3:30 pm. The veggie cancels out the fat and calories in the dessert, just FYI.

Today, in example, the event offered salmon. Every year, salmon. I'm not a fan of seafood and even if I was, I think it's a weird thing to offer for lunch. The smell alone that permeates the room for the remainder of the presentation is enough to make me sick. I remember when I attended this function and was pregnant I had to leave early. I hate leaving early. I'm a strong believer in the simple courtesy that if you plan to attend a function, if you cannot stay for its entirety you should not attend at all. I think it's rude and disrespectful to the organizers and most importantly the invited guest speaker (we are trying to represent STL in a positive manner, not in an "armpit of the US" manner). Also, turn off your cell phones during the presentation, shall I continue...

Stick with chicken. I think chicken is safe. What do you think? As a non-seafood eater am I overreacting about this?

I'm a strong believer in Chick-Fil-A (seriously could the food or service get any better for a fast food option) and I must say, they are right...Eat Mor Chikin!

Today in Pictures

So I am utterly annoyed today, so I shall express my day in pictures:

This is what I feel like doing...I could really use a punching bag kinda like this lady (I'm not violent, I promise)...

Dude, I completely get it and I'm right there with ya...

This one is mostly due to the fact that I just couldn't help myself, it makes me laugh and I look forward to the day that I may have the actual nerve to do something such as this during said annoying escapade interrupting my day to day. Most likely it will never happen, but a girl can dream (and pretend)...

Now I'm off for a very special date with a very special blonde haired, blue eyed girl. She's not annoying.

I Heart Him, I Really, Really Heart Him

Clearly, if you've been following along, you know that I really, really love my husband. I have referenced this here, here, and here.

On this Valentine's Day here are some of the many reasons, in no particular order, why he is the best one for me:

1. He makes me laugh. He called me this morning to wish me a Happy Valentine's Day, but said Happy VD instead.

2. My hubby has an old soul and a young spirit, therefore most of the time when he references certain shows or songs, I have no idea what he is talking about, but I like to listen and make fun of him anyway. There is a 7 year age difference between the two of us, so there is a huge gap in what we both grew up watching and listening to (Example #1 - me - New Kids on the Block and 90210, Mark - Ozzy and Andy Griffith).

3. His cooking....Mmmmmm, yummy! Thank goodness he does cooks otherwise it would be PB&J's with mac n' cheese every night.

4. He will watch The Grammy's, The Golden Globes and the Oscars with me even though I know he would rather not. He even sometimes tolerates my reality TV junkie self.

5. He'll laugh with me, even when I'm not as funny as I think I am.

6. He can clean (and he's detailed about it!) and does laundry.

7. He keeps a pretty strict poopy diaper count on the weekends. He doesn't want to overexert in this category. He is so much better now, but I remember when we first brought Mia home and for the first several months (wow, I'm covering poop here, go parenting!), Mark would hold his breath so tight when he would change her poopy diapers. I'm not sure how he held his breath that long without passing out, but he is now the diaper changing champion. He fears no smells :)

8. He's such a great dad! Nuff said there.

9. He will go get me wine when I run out :)

10. He's adorable, handsome and still gives me butterflies in my tummy.

Happy Valentine's Day to my man! MMMMMUuuaw!