Show & Tell With Mel, Sunday, October 26th

So I turn 40 next month. I figured that was worth something special and since I usually end up picking out my own "presents", this is what I wanted with which to mark the occasion:



Some of you may recall my previous Show & Tell on the subject of reading and Margaret Mitchell's well known novel in particular. At the end of the post, I mentioned wanting to read the book again. Well, time passed, and I forgot about that desire in the busy pace of summer. My first Sunday home following discharge from my surgery, I lay on the couch and watched "Gone With The Wind" while my family was at church. Selznick's GWTW lasts longer than church and my family found me, still on the couch, watching the movie when they returned. Again I thought, "I really need to give this book another go through." Yet again, this desire got relegated to the back burners of my mind, until desperate for some sort of useful household type activity, I decided to dust the bookshelves - since I still am not allowed to push a vacuum. It was there I came across my copy - dogeared and battered and missing the last several pages. This was the moment when I decided it was high time I got a new copy and hardcover to boot. So I let my fingers do the googling and I am now anxiously awaiting my "new" book. There are many, many different versions to be found, from the leatherbound to the anniversary editions to the first editions. I chose this one - I liked the red toile slipcover. The birthday thing was a very convenient excuse.

You can see more pictures at this e.Bay auction. (Note: This is not ** the one** I purchased - just had some more purty(sic) pictures. )


For more Show & Tell - click here

My Parents Held Me Back a Year So I got Stuck With 1987

A.) Go to musicoutfitters.com

B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function box at the top of the page. The first thing on the list should be a link to the list of the 100 most popular songs of that year.

C.) Cut & paste the list into your blog. Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you REALLY hate.

1. Walk Like An Egyptian, Bangles
2. Alone, Heart (still gets a great deal of airplay 'round my house!)
3. Shake You Down, Gregory Abbott
4. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), Whitney Houston
5. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, Starship
6. C'est La Vie, Robbie Nevil
7. Here I Go Again, Whitesnake (I liked the car in the video - my brother would say he liked the girl. Oh, Tawny Kitaen made me want to be a redhead in the worst way!)
8. The Way It Is, Bruce Hornsby and the Range
9. Shakedown, Bob Seger (I like "Turn The Page" wayyyyyyyyyy better; always enjoy Seger's voice though.)
10. Livin' On A Prayer, Bon Jovi (It took me a while to warm up to these guys - had a real issue with guys whose hair looked better than mine!)
11. La Bamba, Los Lobos
12. Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Wang Chung
13. Don't Dream It's Over, Crowded House
14. Always, Atlantic Starr
15. With Or Without You, U2
16. Looking For A New Love, Jody Watley
17. Head To Toe, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam ("Lost in Emotion" was better)
18. I Think We're Alone Now, Tiffany
19. Mony Mony, Billy Idol (They played this ALL the time at school and church dances.)
20. At This Moment, Billy Vera and The Beaters
21. Lady In Red, Chris De Burgh
22. Didn't We Almost Have It All, Whitney Houston
23. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, U2
24. I Want Your Sex, George Michael
25. Notorious, Duran Duran
26. Only In My Dreams, Debbie Gibson (Okay - now I can't stand her, but at the time she was okay - same with Tiffany.)
27. (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (All I can say is "Dirty Dancing"; ' nuff said)
28. The Next Time I Fall, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant
29. Lean On Me, Club Nouveau
30. Open Your Heart, Madonna
31. Lost In Emotion, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
32. (I Just) Died In Your Arms, Cutting Crew (One of the few dh and I agree on music-wise)
33. Heart And Soul, T'pau
34. You Keep Me Hangin' On, Kim Wilde
35. Keep Your Hands To Yourself, Georgia Satellites (This song always cracked me up! The rest of their stuff was pretty lame.)
36. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), Aretha Franklin and George Michael (I like Aretha - just not this duet!)
37. Control, Janet Jackson
38. Somewhere Out There, Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram (Another movie - who doesn't love a cute mouse?)
39. U Got The Look, Prince (Yes, I like Prince - I think I actually wore my "Purple Rain" cassette out!)
40. Land Of Confusion, Genesis (Did anyone else think the video with the puppets was just plain strange?)
41. Jacob's Ladder, Huey Lewis and The News
42. Who's That Girl, Madonna
43. You Got It All, Jets
44. Touch Me (I Want Your Body), Samantha Fox
45. I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett
46. Causing A Commotion, Madonna (This is the one I liked best off this list. Embarrassing secret? I had EVERYTHING she put out in the 80's and early 90's including the cassette that she put out that smelled like Patchouli. I wore the rubber/stacked bracelets and lace gloves - though skipped the "boy toy" belt and bustier. Didn't have much to hold that up with then! lol)
47. In Too Deep, Genesis
48. Let's Wait Awhile, Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson, if you're nasty - she had better songs off this album - "Control" for one)
49. Hip To Be Square, Huey Lewis and the News
50. Will You Still Love Me?, Chicago
51. Little Lies, Fleetwood Mac (Been a Mac fan since the 3rd grade and my teacher Mr. Denman use to play their albums for us during class.)
52. Luka, Suzanne Vega ("Tom's Diner" was on my playlist a lot when I deejayed)
53. I Heard A Rumour, Bananarama
54. Don't Mean Nothing, Richard Marx (my gal pals and I thought he was so cute)
55. Songbird, Kenny G
56. Carrie, Europe
57. Don't Disturb This Groove, System
58. La Isla Bonita, Madonna
59. Bad, Michael Jackson
60. Sign 'O' The Times, Prince
61. Change Of Heart, Cyndi Lauper
62. Come Go With Me, Expose
63. Can't We Try, Dan Hill
64. To Be A Lover, Billy Idol
65. Mandolin Rain, Bruce Hornsby and the Range (He does a version of this with Ricky Skaggs and it is AWESOME!)
66. Breakout, Swing Out Sister
67. Stand By Me, Ben E. King (Movie soundtracks made up a large part of my music collection - this one no exception - Ben E. King's voice is smooth and exceptional)
68. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight, Genesis (I like Genesis, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel - what can I say?)
69. Someday, Glass Tiger
70. When Smokey Sings, ABC (Thought it was interesting Smokey Robinson and this song were both on the list this year)
71. Casanova, Levert
72. Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine
73. Rock Steady, Whispers
74. Wanted Dead Or Alive, Bon Jovi
75. Big Time, Peter Gabriel
76. The Finer Things, Steve Winwood ("Chronicles was one of my fave albums; "While You See a Chance" I listened to a lot)
77. Let Me Be The One, Expose (I have this album - my daughter listens to it now.)
78. Is This Love, Survivor
79. Diamonds, Herb Alpert (Last station I worked at had a nostalgia format and his Tijiuana Brass stuff is pretty good - this really doesn't show him off that well - it's mostly Janet Jackson.)
80. Point Of No Return, Expose
81. Big Love, Fleetwood Mac
82. Midnight Blue, Lou Gramm
83. Something So Strong, Crowded House
84. Heat Of The Night, Bryan Adams ("Everything I Do" is mine and dh's song - this one was okay.)
85. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You, Glenn Medeiros (I had a boyfriend when this was getting a lot of airplay :0)
86. Brilliant Disguise, Bruce Springsteen (Maybe it's un-American, but I have never really cared for Bruce - just "Pink Cadillac" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town")
87. Just To See Her, Smokey Robinson
88. Who Will You Run Too, Heart
89. Respect Yourself, Bruce Willis (Uhhh, no, just no)
90. Cross My Broken Heart, Jets
91. Victory, Kool and The Gang
92. Don't Get Me Wrong, Pretenders (Chrissy et al had better ones than this)
93. Doing It All For My Baby, Huey Lewis and The News (overkill on the HL&theNews here)
94. Right On Track, Breakfast Club
95. Ballerina Girl, Lionel Richie
96. Meet Me Half Way, Kenny Loggins (Interviewed him on air and he sounds amazing with just an acoustic guitar and without the sound guy/mixer.)
97. I've Been In Love Before, Cutting Crew
98. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right To Party, Beastie Boys (My parents HATED this song! My brother loved it!)
99. Funkytown, Pseudo Echo (I just couldn't help myself! It was hard not to like this one.)
100. Love You Down, Ready For The World

I had more of a leaning towards classic rock at this point in time thanks to older boyfriends: Chicago, Bosten, Def Leppard, Foreigner, Survivor, Reo Speedwagon, Icehouse, Styx, Kansas, Journey, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Cars, Scorpions, etc.

This was fun. If you decide to do it too - link up in my comments section and share with the rest of us. As a former record spinner with a music collection that runs a broad spectrum of genres and decades - this is a lot of fun for me!

Great Scott Madam! I've Been Tagged!

Courtesy of Loribeth at The Road Less Traveled:




31 questions - one word answers. Then, turn around and tag seven (7) other bloggers with the award and questions. Ready? Go!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Where is your significant other? Loveseat

3. Your hair color? Brown

4. Your mother? Creative

5. Your father? Trustworthy

6. Your favorite thing? Books

7. Your dream last night? Unknown (I was under the influence of Ambien . . .)

8. Your dream/goal? Vacation

9. The room you’re in? Livingroom

10. Your hobby? Sewing

11. Your fear? Loss

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Content (do states of being count?)

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. What you’re not? Sane

15. One of your wish list items? Travel

16. Where you grew up? Colorado

17. The last thing you did? Munchies!

18. What are you wearing? Clothes

19. Your T.V.? Whodunnit

20. Your pet? Dumb

21. Your computer? Addiction

22. Your mood? Weary

23. Missing someone? Always

24. Your car? Voyager

25. Something you’re not wearing? Glasses

26. Favorite store? Fabric

27. Your Summer? Long

28.Love someone? Insanely

29. Your favorite color? Sage

30. When is the last time you laughed? Tonight (Third Rock from the Sun reruns - need I say more? :0)

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

Now for the tough part, choosing seven others.

Hmmmmmm, I think I will cheat and say - if you're here reading this, "Tag! You're it!" Link up in the comments section so we can read your answers.

(I know, I know - awfully lazy of me - isn't it?) :0)

Show & Tell with Mel Sunday, October 19, 2008

Having exhausted my interest for making book thongs, I have moved on to other creative things to entertain my convalescing self with that do not flaunt any restrictions I may be under. My question: who does not like sparkly things? I happen to like sparkly things - I particularly like sparkly things with meaning. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness got me thinking about how I will never have another loss again, though no new living children either, since I am now sans reproductive capabilities. Something I have always wanted is a piece of "mother's jewelry" - something all mine, but not cheesy and trite, and now that I won't be "changing things up", seemed like a good time to commit to something. While I am pretty certain a career in jewelry making is not in my future - I did manage to come up with a bracelet that I am fairly happy with and, dare I admit it - gasp, proud of? I know, I know - it must a character flaw.

But, see, looky what I did!






I could not make a Mother's Bracelet though, without including my angels somehow. Here is what I came up with:



There are seven little silver butterflies around the bracelet - the seventh little one on the dangle. The crystal on the dangle is my husband's birthstone - seemed appropriate since he was at least 50% responsible for the lot. I figured I was wearing the bracelet - so adding my birthstone was more self-indulgent than necessary. (We won't mention the birthstone necklace - my birthstone - I wear all the time. :0) Hey, I figure you can never have too many sparkly things with meaning.) The other birthstone crystals are, of course, my living children.

Here is me wearing the bracelet with my Loss Awareness bracelet. I found the Awareness bracelet at a certain shoe store (Hey, a girl can't have too much footwear either!) and thought that it would look neat pink and blue instead of just pink, so I fixed that and started wearing it on the 15th. (Lest any of you think I am neglecting awareness for Breast Cancer - I have a sparkly pin for that. Again, I like sparkly things with meaning, can you tell?)



I hope you all appreciate the effort I went through to take a picture of it on my wrist. That was not easy. I tried to take a picture of it on my right wrist just as I wear it. Trying to snap a picture of the hand that you typically snap a picture with was sheer folly. So, after a moment of wishing I were left handed - I had the brilliant idea of switching wrists. Yeah, I'm a little slow sometimes.

I have no idea why the tube beads look tarnished in the photos - trust me, they are much shinier in person, and definitely sparkly.

For more Show & Tell with Mel Sunday - see here.

The Heart Never Forgets

In June 0f 1995, I joined the millions of women affected by pregnancy and infant loss. Since that time I have endured 6 more losses - and while so very early on in pregnancy, were no less devastating due to their brevity.

In 1986, then President Ronald Reagan signed his name to a proclamation stating the month of October to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. (see sidebar) Following suit in 2005, Congress passed a bill proclaiming the 15th of October to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. In current years this day and month are marked by Remembrance Walks, Prayer Ceremonies and many other rituals meant to help healing, spread awareness and engender compassion.

Please join my sisters and I in remembering our little ones, particularly today. Anyone touched by the tragedy of losing a child - whether in infancy, at birth or before knows how life altering and devastating the experience is.

I invite you to enter the name(s) of your little ones in my comments section so that we might remember them with you also today. At your request, I will add them to the list at the end of this posting.



Remembering . . .

Zach, Hannah, Aiden, Caelan, Carena, Matthew Thomas &
Lilith "Lily"
David Merlin Avatar Porter 3/22/1998-5/22/1998
Lawrence Peterson
Bryan Nathaniel 10/1/80 & Travis Seth Green 5/1/82
Emma Grace
Kieran, Noillag & Little Ones
Hannah
Ethan Jakob & August Elizabeth
Baby K
Jack & Rose
~i~

Not Quite Basket Weaving, but Getting Close . . .

So I have made several crocheted bookmarks now. The winner of my giveaway should be receiving the one I made for her in a week or so (US to Canada you know). I think I am sick of crochet thread and beads. I need a new hobby - one that weighs less than 10 lbs (I graduated up from 5!) and is not strenuous.

For those of you who have expressed an interest - here is the link to the pattern I used:

http://crochetme.com/patterns/book-thong

It's called a "book thong" tee hee!

When people ask me what I've been doing the last couple weeks since my surgery, I can cheerfully reply "I've been making book-thongs!"

The Title of This Post Could Be: "Change in the Weather"

OR "Getting Used to My New Climate".

So I have been recovering pretty well. The usual aches and pains as one would expect and I get tired easily - but I am beginning to feel like I am getting my feet back under me again. The lifting restriction still remains in force - which is kind of a nuisance, but I am glad that is the extent of my limitations.

I have had plenty of help around which has been very welcome. When all you're able to heft is 2 pillows (can you believe two of them weigh 5 lbs??), having someone else around to do stuff like put your large glass serving bowl away is kind of handy.

I have no qualms about saying that while I have a fairly high tolerance for pain, I have been "hitting the bottle" on a somewhat regular basis. Pain is exhausting and counterproductive sometimes when it comes to healing, and while not a wimp, I don't see the need to feel pain if I don't have to. They sent me home with Percocet and Motrin, which was just groovy with this gal. By the end of the first week (and I have been on Perc before without this interesting side effect) I noticed something odd. I was beginning to think in rhyme. Yes, rhyming thoughts - like some Dr. Suess monologue playing in my head.

I do not like to lay. I do not like to lay all day. In my bed I stay, stay, stay. In my bed I lay, lay, lay. I do not like to lay I say, I really want to play, play, play.

You get the idea. This was somewhat disconcerting because my thoughts usually tend not to rhyme, be repetitive or come in Iambic pentameter. Once I reached the bottom of the percocet bottle the rhyming thing seem to clear up. When my Doctor asked me about any "unusual symptoms" at my 2 week check I thought this might qualify - but felt somewhat reluctant to admit it. She was stunned enough by my extensive cervix that the rhyming thoughts might have been a bit much to process and I didn't want her to think me an even bigger freak than she already did. I didn't want her questioning my mental capacity as I really wanted her to say I could start driving again.

About the time the hot flashes/fever cycles started leveling off I noticed something really strange one day. My arms were covered in flesh colored bumps. I showed them to my mom. At first she was as stumped as I was. I thought - surely I could not be having some allergic reaction to the Ambien I had just started taking. Could this be some strange side effect, withdrawal from losing my uterus? I was actually quite concerned. My daughter also examined these strange new bumps on my arms and pronounced them "goose bumps." Goose bumps! I have had goose bumps before and while these were similar, in fact, exactly like them - nothing eerie or supernatural had happened to cause them to crop up. Then it hit me - I was cold. Now, this may seem pretty dumb to the rest of you. Just let me say that I usually have one temperature setting - hot. My internal thermostat has up to now been perpetually stuck on high. I just do not understand cold, at least not in the sense that my body feels cold and reacts by breaking out in goose bumps. Though, here I was - broken out in just that and I was cold. I have a sweater - but no idea as to where it might be as I never wear it. I had to buy myself a new sweater because I was cold. I have worn it more in the last couple weeks than I have ever worn a sweater before in at least 15 years. I am usually the person people look at strangely because she is walking calmly into the store wearing sandals and a short sleeved tshirt when it is 40 degrees out, and I am comfortable. Last winter here did get brutally cold and I condescended to wearing a light coat, closed toe shoes and covering my digits, but once inside, short sleeves and sweating whenever the heater came on. Feeling the need for a sweater, particularly while indoors is very new to me and the fact that this is happening frequently now and not because I am spiking a temp is quite novel. So novel in fact, that I keep misplacing my sweater and become almost frantic in tracking it down when I feel chilled. So, changes I have noticed since losing my uterus - I think in rhyme, am easily confounded by common phenomenon such as goose pimples and can't keep track of my possessions.

BUT - I can drive!