padre: Your sister, i swear...
me: Which one?
padre: what do you mean, which one?
me: well, I have like 8...which one are you talking about?
padre: So anyways, your sister--
me: Which one?!
padre: (in exasperation) Stefanie! Anyways, your sister is not smart.
me: Why?
padre: I sent her a text saying 'Congratulations! I've got good news--I made you a house key' and she sent me a text back saying 'what?'
me: she's probably confused as to why you said congrats...
padre: No, she said something about a hose key! What is she smoking? Anyways, I sent her a text back that says 'what what?' (laughter ensues as padre thinks he's absolutely hilarious)
--pause for 3 minutes--
padre: oh.
me: what?
padre: I guess in my first message, I accidentally called it a hose key.
me: So really you're the moron, not Stef?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Miss California
WoW. It's been awhile er, a few days! I actually meant to post this sooner--I had it saved and just needed to write a little something but life has been busy the past couple of days! Anyways, I'm sure by now you've all heard about the Miss USA pageant and the answer Miss California gave when asked about gay marriage. I actually found an article from a previous Miss California who is now a minister and I don't think I could have responded in a better way than she did. Take a look, it's quite interesting!
Oh, and if you're new to my blog and don't know my thoughts on gay marriage, make sure you read this post before you decide to leave a comment...just a little heads up :)
Nicole Lamarche, Miss California 2003 and now an ordained minister at Cotuit Federated Church in Cotuit, Mass, is speaking out.
She says:
"As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.
In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, 'It's not about being politically correct, it's about being biblically correct.' While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.
Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!
In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.
The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
difference
Quick update--just because I'm motivated and excited and felt like sharing! haha
Now that I've been really good about eating better and exercising every day, I can definitely tell a difference in myself. It's obviously not a huge difference as it's only been about a week but I can tell a small difference. I don't really think anyone will be able to tell a difference for awhile--but isn't that how it always goes? (Actually, this kind of reminds me of Stefanie--SHE can definitely tell a difference in her baby belly but to most of the outside world, she still looks like her same old, skinny self--I imagine it'll be like that for awhile at the beginning of this process.)
Anywho, I've been noticing both physical and mental changes. Physically, I notice more muscle in certain areas. For some reason, when I work out, my calves are the first place it shows up. They've always been pretty muscular (in fact, they're the one body part I actually like--and have always liked!)...so I can definitely see the muscle building up. It also seems that my legs in general are the area I see the most improvement--I can tell that my pants are fitting a little looser on my thighs. Waist is another story! They are all still fitting about the same on my waist--and while I can't really see a difference in my tummy and arms, I can feel a difference.
Which brings me to the change in my mentality---I think now that I've kept at it for long enough to feel a difference, it changes everything. I don't want to quit. I want to keep going because I can feel it working and if I keep going, I will see it working! And I want to see it working so bad! Also, I'm more confident in the way I carry myself--and in the clothes I wear. (they're all the same clothes...) but I just feel a little bit better in them--not because someone else can see a difference but because I feel the difference. And even if someone else can't see it, I know it's there...for some reason that's helping my confidence. I don't know why but I'm not complaining!
Even when I first got the membership, I would be good for a few days and then kind of slack off. Then I would be good for a week and then I would be lazy for a week. I just had created this habit and it was so hard to break it! But now that I've been to work out AND eating healthy for a week straight, I don't want to give up yet! I know it takes 21 days to create a habit (some say 6 weeks but I'm hoping for the 21 days!) so I want to go for at least 21 days straight...I don't want to stop after that but I feel if I can go for 21 days, then I've created a habit that I want to keep...and this one is healthier than biting my nails!
7 days down, 14 to go--and no signs of stopping yet!
Now that I've been really good about eating better and exercising every day, I can definitely tell a difference in myself. It's obviously not a huge difference as it's only been about a week but I can tell a small difference. I don't really think anyone will be able to tell a difference for awhile--but isn't that how it always goes? (Actually, this kind of reminds me of Stefanie--SHE can definitely tell a difference in her baby belly but to most of the outside world, she still looks like her same old, skinny self--I imagine it'll be like that for awhile at the beginning of this process.)
Anywho, I've been noticing both physical and mental changes. Physically, I notice more muscle in certain areas. For some reason, when I work out, my calves are the first place it shows up. They've always been pretty muscular (in fact, they're the one body part I actually like--and have always liked!)...so I can definitely see the muscle building up. It also seems that my legs in general are the area I see the most improvement--I can tell that my pants are fitting a little looser on my thighs. Waist is another story! They are all still fitting about the same on my waist--and while I can't really see a difference in my tummy and arms, I can feel a difference.
Which brings me to the change in my mentality---I think now that I've kept at it for long enough to feel a difference, it changes everything. I don't want to quit. I want to keep going because I can feel it working and if I keep going, I will see it working! And I want to see it working so bad! Also, I'm more confident in the way I carry myself--and in the clothes I wear. (they're all the same clothes...) but I just feel a little bit better in them--not because someone else can see a difference but because I feel the difference. And even if someone else can't see it, I know it's there...for some reason that's helping my confidence. I don't know why but I'm not complaining!
Even when I first got the membership, I would be good for a few days and then kind of slack off. Then I would be good for a week and then I would be lazy for a week. I just had created this habit and it was so hard to break it! But now that I've been to work out AND eating healthy for a week straight, I don't want to give up yet! I know it takes 21 days to create a habit (some say 6 weeks but I'm hoping for the 21 days!) so I want to go for at least 21 days straight...I don't want to stop after that but I feel if I can go for 21 days, then I've created a habit that I want to keep...and this one is healthier than biting my nails!
7 days down, 14 to go--and no signs of stopping yet!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
hmmm....pondering
Not that I generally hold any stock in this type of thing but...
Today I picked Seth up from school while Mom and Kerry were at a class for her knees. I was planning on just leaving right away and going to work out but they bought Eagle Eye over the weekend and I really wanted to see it! So I decided to stay, watch the movie with Seth, and then go work out. (fyi, you don't really need all of this background...in fact, I'm not exactly sure why I'm even typing it...meh) So, while we were watching the movie, Kerry brings out a fortune cookie from the Chinese we had over the weekend and he goes "Here Melanie...whatever this fortune says is about your job situation."
What did it say?
You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you.
Hmmm....cue my current state of pondering....I'm not going to pretend like this means anything or that it will actually come true (because, I mean, come on...how often do fortunes ACTUALLY come true?!) but....if you did believe in that sort of thing, that would be pretty neat...
:)
Today I picked Seth up from school while Mom and Kerry were at a class for her knees. I was planning on just leaving right away and going to work out but they bought Eagle Eye over the weekend and I really wanted to see it! So I decided to stay, watch the movie with Seth, and then go work out. (fyi, you don't really need all of this background...in fact, I'm not exactly sure why I'm even typing it...meh) So, while we were watching the movie, Kerry brings out a fortune cookie from the Chinese we had over the weekend and he goes "Here Melanie...whatever this fortune says is about your job situation."
What did it say?
You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you.
Hmmm....cue my current state of pondering....I'm not going to pretend like this means anything or that it will actually come true (because, I mean, come on...how often do fortunes ACTUALLY come true?!) but....if you did believe in that sort of thing, that would be pretty neat...
:)
weight loss update
So...I realized I hadn't posted a weight loss update for a few weeks. Mostly because I haven't lost any more. But, I also haven't gained any more so that's good! I've been hovering around the same number for a few weeks.
In all honesty, I can't say I'm surprised in the least. The last two weeks have been up and down consistently. Plus, mix two days of Easter feasts in there and...let's just say, I'm happy I haven't gained any weight! But I'm now putting my nose back to the grindstone and I'm in it for the long haul. The best thing that's come out of this is that I know I have support. Rachel has had my back from day 1 and she truly does motivate me to keep working out and eating healthy! And NOW, Caela is starting a new "healthy" lifestyle and we're going to motivate each other as well.
My goal for this week (by the end of Saturday) was to lose 4 pounds. I've already lost one pound...so three to go!
One very interesting thing that I learned this week is that you need to vary your caloric intake. The biggest mistake of people who go on diets is that all they do is lower their caloric intake. For instance, an average person eats roughly between 2000 and 2500 calories a day. The suggested amount of calories for someone losing weight is about 1200. That's quite a decrease from their regular amount. And, these people DO lose weight right away. But how often do you hear about people getting frustrated because they stop losing weight after a few weeks or a few months? That happens because your body is used to getting a set amount of calories. It readjusts to this amount of calories--therefore your metabolism adjusts.
What you should do is vary your caloric intake every day. Say, for instance, on Monday, you take in 1800 calories. Tuesday, you take in 1300 calories. Wednesday, you take in 1500, etc, etc. What this does is mess with your metabolism--don't worry, in a good way! If your body can't regulate to the same amount of calories every day, then your metabolism is always going to be working--meaning you're always going to have a high metabolism and your body will work harder to burn off calories. When your body is working harder, you're able to continue lose weight.
Interesting huh?
In all honesty, I can't say I'm surprised in the least. The last two weeks have been up and down consistently. Plus, mix two days of Easter feasts in there and...let's just say, I'm happy I haven't gained any weight! But I'm now putting my nose back to the grindstone and I'm in it for the long haul. The best thing that's come out of this is that I know I have support. Rachel has had my back from day 1 and she truly does motivate me to keep working out and eating healthy! And NOW, Caela is starting a new "healthy" lifestyle and we're going to motivate each other as well.
My goal for this week (by the end of Saturday) was to lose 4 pounds. I've already lost one pound...so three to go!
One very interesting thing that I learned this week is that you need to vary your caloric intake. The biggest mistake of people who go on diets is that all they do is lower their caloric intake. For instance, an average person eats roughly between 2000 and 2500 calories a day. The suggested amount of calories for someone losing weight is about 1200. That's quite a decrease from their regular amount. And, these people DO lose weight right away. But how often do you hear about people getting frustrated because they stop losing weight after a few weeks or a few months? That happens because your body is used to getting a set amount of calories. It readjusts to this amount of calories--therefore your metabolism adjusts.
What you should do is vary your caloric intake every day. Say, for instance, on Monday, you take in 1800 calories. Tuesday, you take in 1300 calories. Wednesday, you take in 1500, etc, etc. What this does is mess with your metabolism--don't worry, in a good way! If your body can't regulate to the same amount of calories every day, then your metabolism is always going to be working--meaning you're always going to have a high metabolism and your body will work harder to burn off calories. When your body is working harder, you're able to continue lose weight.
Interesting huh?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
deal of the week
While Anne and I were out shopping today (I needed some plain new tops for work--apparantly old RPR t-shirts and WSU sweatshirts don't scream 'professional'! haha), we drove past the Roseville library. Now, I knew that the library was going to be closing for a year for remodeling but I was under the impression that they were relocating all of their books to other libraries.
Apparantly I was wrong!
There was a big "Book Sale" sign out front so we decided to stop in...maybe find a couple good books for cheap. Boy, are we glad we stopped! All of their paperback books were $.50, their hardcovers were $1 and all of their movies were $1! Granted, all the movies that were left were VHS but that's ok...even if you only watch the movie once, you're getting your money's worth (considering it costs $3-4 to rent one these days)!!
Anyways, I ended up getting 4 movies and 7 or 8 books and I spent $9! Can't beat that huh??
Apparantly I was wrong!
There was a big "Book Sale" sign out front so we decided to stop in...maybe find a couple good books for cheap. Boy, are we glad we stopped! All of their paperback books were $.50, their hardcovers were $1 and all of their movies were $1! Granted, all the movies that were left were VHS but that's ok...even if you only watch the movie once, you're getting your money's worth (considering it costs $3-4 to rent one these days)!!
Anyways, I ended up getting 4 movies and 7 or 8 books and I spent $9! Can't beat that huh??
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
BASEBALL!!
If you can't tell from my new blog layout, I'm pretty pumped that baseball season is here!
Just a few notes...
Just a few notes...
- I was a little concerned about the signing of Joe Crede. I mean he's got a decent glove and the kid can bat....when he's healthy. That, of course, being the key phrase...when he's healthy. Not to mention, he came from the White Sox. Almost as bad as coming from the Yankees. Almost. But I decided to give him a chance because he's not your typical White Sox player; he's actually a nice guy (AJP anyone??) and he could really help us out if he stays injury-free. Thus far, he's been a great addition...let's hope he keeps it up.
- The Franchise--Liriano's had a rough go of it the past couple seasons but if he's on par this season, he could stack up there with Johan Santana! (who I still miss if anyone's counting...)
- Starting rotation--youngest in the majors! At 27, Scott Baker is the 'veteran' of our starting pitchers...but they've all proven themselves in the past and honestly, if they all have good seasons in the same season, we could do really great!
- Matt Tolbert. Now, most people don't agree with me on this and that's okay...but I think Tolbert is one heckuva player (and no, not just because he's cute!) I mean, during spring training it was him, Buscher, and Harris all contending for the final two spots...and, had the Twins not gone for 12 pitchers, Tolbert would have made the cut. Provided our starting rotation does well and can pitch well into the game, Gardy may end up cutting back to the normal 11-pitchers and call Tolbert back up. Let's hope so!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Begin each day on purpose
Do you know what a difference it makes when you begin each day on purpose?
When you wake up in the morning and choose to be happy? Make an effort to look for the positive all day long? When you don't let the negative stuff take a hold of you?
It is absolutely amazing to me how much your perspective on life changes when you wake up and tell yourself that you're going to make the best of it. As much as some people argue otherwise, I truly feel that putting a simple smile on your face can change everything.
That's all. :)
When you wake up in the morning and choose to be happy? Make an effort to look for the positive all day long? When you don't let the negative stuff take a hold of you?
It is absolutely amazing to me how much your perspective on life changes when you wake up and tell yourself that you're going to make the best of it. As much as some people argue otherwise, I truly feel that putting a simple smile on your face can change everything.
That's all. :)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Melanie, I made a rhyme!
dad: Melanie! Tell christie to get a puck! Tell her to get a puck from Cal Clutterbuck!
--sheer amazement crosses dad's face--
dad: Hey, I rhymed! I made a rhyme! Look at that!
(dad thinks he's right about something again...)
dad: so put that in your brassiere and have a C cup!
me: dad, if i put anything in my brassiere, i would have like an F cup
dad: MELANIE!
Also, I told dad about the blogs about him...and after that last conversation, this is what ensued:
dad: I'm going to put that in MY blog!
me: you don't have a blog
dad: Well I'm going to make one
me: ok
--30 second pause--
dad: now, how do you make one?
--sheer amazement crosses dad's face--
dad: Hey, I rhymed! I made a rhyme! Look at that!
(dad thinks he's right about something again...)
dad: so put that in your brassiere and have a C cup!
me: dad, if i put anything in my brassiere, i would have like an F cup
dad: MELANIE!
Also, I told dad about the blogs about him...and after that last conversation, this is what ensued:
dad: I'm going to put that in MY blog!
me: you don't have a blog
dad: Well I'm going to make one
me: ok
--30 second pause--
dad: now, how do you make one?
Padre ramblings III
Padre is giving me lots of fodder for tonight...who knows, by the end of the night we may already be up to Padre ramblings X!
dad: Melanie, text Christie and tell her the wilds are tied
me: dad, she is AT the game
dad: yeah but maybe she's not aware!
excuse me as I head back to the computer...
dad: Melanie, text Christie and tell her the wilds are tied
me: dad, she is AT the game
dad: yeah but maybe she's not aware!
excuse me as I head back to the computer...
Padre ramblings II...already
dad: oh! I wonder if I should hide their baskets? What do you think??
(*note* "they" being Cole and Kennedy)
me: I think Kennedy might have a little trouble finding hers...
dad: (creepy laugh) Well they would both have trouble finding them! I would hide them good!
(*note* "they" being Cole and Kennedy)
me: I think Kennedy might have a little trouble finding hers...
dad: (creepy laugh) Well they would both have trouble finding them! I would hide them good!
Padre ramblings
So, as you all know, I live with Padre Swanson. A few days ago Stefanie mentioned how she thought it would be fun to live with dad. Well, frankly...it is. So I've decided to start providing you all with entertainment via my conversation with padre. I had a few real good ones from tonight but now that we're home and I'm sitting here trying to think, they're just not coming to me....so if these ones aren't humorous to you yet, I'm sorry...but I promise they'll get better! Enjoy! (also, sometimes you just have to know my dad to understand some of these...)
*edit* As we're sitting here, dad just turned me to and said "do you want a pizza Melanie?" (Keep in mind, we just got home 15 minutes ago from dinner). "No, dad..." "Are you sure?" "yes, I'm sure." "Ok...cuz if you wanted a pizza, I'd order you one." Does anyone else besides me wonder where he gets it from sometimes?!
--on the way home from dinner at Zantigo--
dad: Oh Melanie! We could have gone to White Castle for dinner!
me: That we could have...
dad: well, we could still go
me: dad! we cannot go to White Castle right now
dad: why not?!
me: we're trying to be healthy!
dad: so?
me: so a) White Castle is *not* healthy and b) we JUST ate dinner
dad: White Castle is healthy...they steam their burgers...
me: ok even IF that were true, we JUST ate dinner
dad: once again, your dad is right
me: why? because you decided?
dad: no...because i'm right
me: dad, you could tell me the sky is pink and believe it
dad: but the sky isn't pink, the sky is blue
me: right. that's my point.
dad: so why would i say the sky is pink when the sky is blue?
me: what i'm saying is, if you decided that the sky was pink even though it's blue, you would tell me it's pink and think you were right
dad: Melanie, the sky is blue right now. But sometimes the sky is pink and if the sky was pink, I wouldn't say the sky was blue but I would say the sky is pink. But since it's blue right now, I would say it was blue right now and then I would be right. So I don't think your theory works.
me: do you even know what you just said?
dad: melanie, want to come take my socks off for me?
me: no.
dad: melanie, i'm asking nicely.
me: and i'm declining nicely.
dad: alright, i guess i'll just have to throw them in your face.
me: if you do, i'll go get my sweaty sports bra and throw it in your face.
dad: Melanie, come try this herring.
me: ew dad, I don't like fish.
dad: you made me try those pita chip things and I didn't like them!
me: first of all, they were veggie chips...second of all, you DID like them...and third of all, they were a form of chips and you like regular chips so its not that much of a leap. I don't like fish.
dad: here, come eat some.
me: no!
dad: herring gives me gas
me, on a regular basis: do you even understand what you're talking about?!
*edit* As we're sitting here, dad just turned me to and said "do you want a pizza Melanie?" (Keep in mind, we just got home 15 minutes ago from dinner). "No, dad..." "Are you sure?" "yes, I'm sure." "Ok...cuz if you wanted a pizza, I'd order you one." Does anyone else besides me wonder where he gets it from sometimes?!
--on the way home from dinner at Zantigo--
dad: Oh Melanie! We could have gone to White Castle for dinner!
me: That we could have...
dad: well, we could still go
me: dad! we cannot go to White Castle right now
dad: why not?!
me: we're trying to be healthy!
dad: so?
me: so a) White Castle is *not* healthy and b) we JUST ate dinner
dad: White Castle is healthy...they steam their burgers...
me: ok even IF that were true, we JUST ate dinner
dad: once again, your dad is right
me: why? because you decided?
dad: no...because i'm right
me: dad, you could tell me the sky is pink and believe it
dad: but the sky isn't pink, the sky is blue
me: right. that's my point.
dad: so why would i say the sky is pink when the sky is blue?
me: what i'm saying is, if you decided that the sky was pink even though it's blue, you would tell me it's pink and think you were right
dad: Melanie, the sky is blue right now. But sometimes the sky is pink and if the sky was pink, I wouldn't say the sky was blue but I would say the sky is pink. But since it's blue right now, I would say it was blue right now and then I would be right. So I don't think your theory works.
me: do you even know what you just said?
dad: melanie, want to come take my socks off for me?
me: no.
dad: melanie, i'm asking nicely.
me: and i'm declining nicely.
dad: alright, i guess i'll just have to throw them in your face.
me: if you do, i'll go get my sweaty sports bra and throw it in your face.
dad: Melanie, come try this herring.
me: ew dad, I don't like fish.
dad: you made me try those pita chip things and I didn't like them!
me: first of all, they were veggie chips...second of all, you DID like them...and third of all, they were a form of chips and you like regular chips so its not that much of a leap. I don't like fish.
dad: here, come eat some.
me: no!
dad: herring gives me gas
me, on a regular basis: do you even understand what you're talking about?!
Friday, April 3, 2009
April 17, 2010
I realized today that I haven't mentioned something incredibly important on here yet...
My best friend is getting married!
I am so beyond excited for Caela and Nic! I can still remember the beginning of their relationship like it was yesterday even though it was like 4 years ago! Nic is such a great guy...I love him to pieces (part of that may be due to the fact that he let me in on the ring-buying process even though he always said he wanted to do it on his own)!! But in all seriousness, the thing I want more than anything in the world is for my friends and family to be happy. And just looking at Caela, you can tell that she radiates happiness.
They are getting married April 17, 2010--which, by the way, the date was already picked out before they got engaged...I have actually had that date saved in the calender on my phone for months now :) Caela also asked me to be her maid of honor and I am so--is this a cliche (and redundant) word?--honored! Their wedding will be such a blast!
Now if I can only manage to not spill champagne down my dress during my speech...
My best friend is getting married!
I am so beyond excited for Caela and Nic! I can still remember the beginning of their relationship like it was yesterday even though it was like 4 years ago! Nic is such a great guy...I love him to pieces (part of that may be due to the fact that he let me in on the ring-buying process even though he always said he wanted to do it on his own)!! But in all seriousness, the thing I want more than anything in the world is for my friends and family to be happy. And just looking at Caela, you can tell that she radiates happiness.
They are getting married April 17, 2010--which, by the way, the date was already picked out before they got engaged...I have actually had that date saved in the calender on my phone for months now :) Caela also asked me to be her maid of honor and I am so--is this a cliche (and redundant) word?--honored! Their wedding will be such a blast!
Now if I can only manage to not spill champagne down my dress during my speech...
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