LION KING

So, I just found out that Broadway's musical The Lion King is coming to Sacramento next spring. I really want to go. But I don't know if I'll be around. Just thought everyone else might like to know about it too. Don't know much of the details except that it's in May and June.

CANDY PARTY REMINDER

This is a reminder for those wanting to come to the candy party on December 17th. I rush everyone, but I need your orders asap. It's getting pretty close for me to order all the stuff. So, hope everyone wants to come. Even if you have to wait a bit to pay me, if I can just get your orders that would be great. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

WEDDING CAKE AND HUMBLE PIE

So, today I was at work doing my normal Saturday morning prep work. I was leaving early in order to set up a wedding cake and so I was wanting to get everything in order before I had to leave. Well, we normally open at 11 am. An elderly lady called up this morning around 9 am. She wanted a mini pizza and I told her we didn't open until 11. Well, she said that was fine. About 2 minutes later she called back wanting to know if she could pick it up in a couple of minutes because she was going to a funeral. So, I got really upset. It was so dumb. I had no patience with this woman. Yes it was a simple task and would only take me a minute or 2 to put it together, but I wanted to be mad at her. I however did agree but very grudgingly. I kept going off about this dumb pizza and this annoying lady!!! I didn't want any interuptions during my prep work and now I had to deal with this! Well, she came in a few minutes later and she continued to thank me so much for doing this. You see, she was on her way to her grandson's funeral. He was only 36 years old and died of a heart attack. He left behind 3 children and a wife. Hmmmm....let's just say I felt like a complete jerk. Here I was complaining about 2 minutes of my time to help someone. And all along I was just making this womans very sad day a little better by getting this pizza to a man she took care of when it was convenient for her. Wow. Those lessons you need to learn. I told her it was no problem and I was sorry for her loss. She had no idea what I had thought just a few seconds before. I really needed to learn a lesson there. So, new goal for Melanie. I sometimes get caught up in how everything affects me. So, now I realize sometimes you need to step back and look at the big picture. Maybe there is an inconvenience we must face, but really are we sweating the small stuff? Just food for thought.

Anyway, despite my pitiful morning, I got to deliver an amazing wedding cake to a client. She pretty much designed the cake herself. She saw a picture in a book, but chaged it around to look like what you see here. My wonderful friend and fellow cake decorator helped me set it up. Thanks Gena!!!

FIRST FLUTTERS

So, today was so exciting. I felt my little one for the first time. I've been wondering for the past few days to feel something. And I know it was pretty early. I'm only 17 weeks. But I still have been so excited to know that it would happen pretty soon. Well, today I was just sitting down watching tv and my tummy totally did a little flip. It was like the first dip on a roller coaster!!! I knew then what it was. It was so unique and wonderful. Yay!!!!!

I love this bedding. Pretty sure it's what I want to get when I do my registry. I just love how soft it is. It's modern (my taste totally) and still so cute and for a little baby. Love the bunnies!!

JUST PONDERING....

So, Chuch yesterday was absolutely incredible. I got to witness a baby being blessed. The talks were amazing. When Bro. Garza talked, I couldn't help but remember my mission. Sometimes I miss being there so badly. Just to have that same feeling and spirit. There is really nothing like it. I am so grateful, though, that I did have that experience. Every once in a while I open my mission scrapbook and read my letters I sent to my family. It's funny because half of the things I mentioned in them I can't even remember. But I do remember most things. I 'm so glad I made that for me and my children so they can see what a great thing it is to serve our Heavenly Father. Then Jared spoke. I really loved his talk. I can't believe he is back from his mission already. His talk really made me ponder about knowing that Heavenly Father really does love each and everyone of us as an individual. It's sometimes hard to imagine because he has so many of us to watch over. But when Jared spoke, I felt it to be true. I'm so happy to have the gospel in my life. Joe and I struggled for so long to get pregnant. I was almost to the point of becoming pretty bitter about it. Then I talked to our great bishop and he promised us we'd have children. I couldn't be mad anymore. I knew it would be only a matter of time. I didn't know the means...our own children, adoption....but I knew that my Bishop was inspired to tell me that. I knew Heavenly Father was talking to me at that point. And I know that won't be our biggest struggle by far. But it was so reassuring to feel his love. It makes me want to be a better person everyday. Most days I slip up or don't do what I plan on doing. But it makes me want to be that better person. I'm grateful for great friends who are wonderful examples. You girls know who you are. So, church was pretty awesome.

JOE'S ADDRESS

Thanks to everyone who wants to write Joe. Here is his address. I thought this would be easier.

AB ARCHULETA, JOSEPH WR
320 TRS/FLT 053 DORM B6
PSC 3 1320 TRUEMPER ST
UNIT 369550
LACKLAND AFB, TX 78236-6095

Thanks for all your support

JOE UPDATE

So, I heard from Joe again on Saturday. I never know when he's going to call, so I've been really happy that I've received the last two calls from him. He said he will probably get to call every Saturday if they are on good behavior. Sounds like he's in prison (ha!). Well, he's doing great. I'm so excited that two weeks are down. Only 4 1/2 more to go. He was the dorm chief, but asked to be released because the other two guys he worked with were pretty much goofing off. He wants to concentrate on getting through it and actually graduating. So, now he's part of the latrine crew (lucky Joe) and the crossing guard. Yep, sound like a step down from dorm chief if you ask me, but he's happy about it and that's all that matters. Every time I talk to him, he sounds so excited to hear my voice. He is just so happy in the decision he's made. Well, it was a short conversation, so that's about all I know. If anyone wants to write, I can give you his address.

SOCCER SATURDAY

Okay, for those of you that don't know, D'Boni's Pizza is pretty much the only restaurant in town big enough to hold a big crowd. Well, every year around this time we get all of the little soccer teams because it is their last game. They eat pizzas, play games, get awards....fun fun fun. Well, for them anyways. Let's just say it's one of the most hectic times of the year for us. When I came into work at 9 this morning we had 5 parties scheduled throughout the day. By the time I left around 4 pm we had finished with 11 parties. Yeah, crazy. It's like a well rehearsed play that goes completely haywire. You think you have it under control until you get those few people that "forgot" to make reservations and were hoping you could just squeeze them in some where between the zillion other people there. But, we never turn away business. We made it through. I must be crazy because every year I get all pepped up for this day-like it's going to be fun or something. Yeah, never is. But I made it through and I even got to see some of my favorite people (Luv ya Lorilee and Ashlee). By the way we thought it was pretty funny that the soccer team that Pizza Plus sponsered came to our pizza parlor for their soccer party. Pretty awesome. We won't forget that for a while.

HALLOWEEN AT D'BONI'S

Every year my work dresses up for Halloween. And every year the costumes seem to get better and better. This year most of us stuck with a theme of musician. We had a few other costumes. All together we had a bumble bee, Tina Turner, Janice Joplin, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendricks, Freddy Mercury, Madonna, Dolly Parton, an 80's rock groupy and a greek goddess. We had a blast hanging out and dancing when we could with the band that plays for us every year.


Here are some of the people I work with. They are all fun and really great people.

This is my friend Jane. I loved this picture of her. She's pretty shy and so this is a great photo of her letting loose! Go Michael.

And this is Jon, Jane's boyfriend. He's even more reserved than Jane so when he walked in with these awesome silver metalic pants we all about died of laughter. And the fake chest hair just added to the madness.

And this is me. I got quite a few looks last night. Not sure what everyone was so fascinated with. Maybe it was my long blonde locks....probably not!!!

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE....

I love going to the temple. I honestly don't go as often as I should or want. I am so glad I have friends that love to go too. The trip with Carissa and Lorilee was great. The session was small and peaceful. I have to admit I was pretty sleepy and almost fell asleep (wink wink Lorilee). It was so nice to just sit in the celestial room and be with wonderful people who I love dearly. It was a first for me...I ate at the cafeteria. We all looked pretty confused but we figured it out. I hope we can go back again soon.