Many Thanks

What I'm thankful For

by Amy Melby

I'm thankful for Macy's. Yes, Macy's the department store.

Last year their parent company bought out the company that owned Marshall Fields...therefore elminating Marshall Fields (which I dearly miss) and turning all of those stores into Macy's in the Minnapolis/St. Paul area.

In doing so....they have put an end to yet another collection nightmare. My wonderful husband collected the Marshall Fields (Dayton's) Santa Bear from when they started in 1985 (or '84?). He's only missing 3 of them.

We seriously store tubs upon tubs of those damn bears only to display them from the end of November until just after New Year's.

I hate these bears.

Twenty-years of bears, and as most of you know, they not small bears! Talk about clutter!

Well, when Macy's took over...the bear went to teddy bear heaven!

Thank You God!!

Thank You Macy's!

30 Is the New 20...Keeping Telling Yourself That!

Like I said in the last post, Friday night was night 1 of 2 to celebrate my friend's 30th birthday.

Friday night we just went bowling. It was an open invite to anyone that wanted to come. In the end, it was the birthday girl (Chris), her friends' 6 year old daughter (Mari), two of our explorers (Kate & Jackie), and then Jason, MacKenzy and I. We had a complete blast! Bowling is horribly under-rated as a fun thing to do! The worse you are, the funnier it is! MacKenzy absolutely adored it! Everyone rotated to help her as we bowled our own game. Each time she'd push the ball down the lane she jump up and yell "Yeah!!" and skip back to the machine that brings your ball back to you. Mari bowled non-stop. The way she threw the ball made all of us wince each time the ball went crashing to the floor!

Saturday night was more of an adult night. Six of us went to Uptown (Minnapolis) to Chino Latino's! If you haven't heard of it, it's a great time. Come On, their phone number is 612-xxx-PuPu! There entire menu is made up of funny names and phrases...You can order Phuket Asian Noodles! The bus boy walked around wearing a t-shirt that read, "Ah. Phuket!"

So it's not really a place to take grandma! The atmosphere is basically a high-class 70's lounge. When you walk in you're greeted with a bright orange pleather wall!

Chris is seen here attempting to eat with ChopStix.

Some menu items are:
Draino Balls
Queso Fundido
A Big Fat Cuban
Fidel's Capitalist Pig Roast
Phuket Fried Noodles
“Tune In Tokyo” Sushi Sampler

Need I Say More?

After we ate we decided to hit Major's. We had no idea there was a live act, but it turned out to be the funniest thing ever! The act was a dueling piano show. If you haven't ever been, I highly suggest it! Not only do the guys play music, usually by request, but it's all tied into a comedy act that solely requires audience participation. This particular show was a little on the rauncy side, but nonetheless I laughed so hard my back still hurts today!

The guys sang everything from Elton John (while doing a great impersonation!) to Bon Jovi! Occassionally the lyrics were altered for the comedic factor which made it even more fun! We were laughing, dancing and singing until last call! The last time I heard, "Last Call!" I was working at a bar!

The best part of the night was when Chris got called up on stage!

We had dropped one of the piano guys a note that it was "A Hot, Single Chick's 30th birthday and her name is Chris!" All I have to do is post the following picture and no details are needed:

Yes, she is sitting on a toilet!
Bt this picture is pretty good...she was on all fours prrr-ing like a kitten. (Yes, my 30th is in 7 months, and I'm going to regret my actions...)

Bowling for 30

Tonight is ONE our friend Chris' birthday parties. Her birthday is on Sunday, so it really leaves the next two nights for celebration. She's turning 30, so we certainly have to party while she still can!!!

Tonight is a family-type night. I've reserved 4 lanes at Eden Prairie's Brunswick Lanes. We weren't going to bring MacKenzy, I had a sitter all lined up, but after some begging from a certain Explorer (Jackie!) she is coming along. I've had one lane set up for Bumper bowling, so I'm sure the kids will have a blast too.

Tomorrow night, now that's more of a ladie's night. Guys are still invited, but it doesn't appear as though any are coming along. Jason is staying home with MacKenzy, and most of the guys that would totally be on board are hunting because it's the Deer Opener. We're going to Chino Latino's in Uptown. I promise to swipe a menu (they're just printed on paper, so it's not a big deal!) and scan it in for all to read. The menu items are named the funniest things.
We may stay at C.L's all night...or grace another "establishment" with our presence.

I will take lots of pictures regardless!!

More Halloween Photos

Here's the photo of MacKenzy and I that I absolutely adore! For once I can actually say that I don't look like a complete dork!!!

Here's Ozzy dressed up like Raven from Minnesota Bound!!

Here we have Miss MacKenzy walking up to her very first house. Kurt & Jessica (our neighbors) spolied her with tons of candy! Her eyes were enormous as Kurt filled her bag with candy.

Here she is at Kelly & Andrew's house, she couldn't reach the "Ding Dong" so she's looking to us for help.

Then there's our NOT SO LOVELY family photo!
Jason looks pretty good....Kenzy's worried about her candy, and Mommy is trying to get the kid to look UP!

Good-bye Halloween 2006........Hello Santa.

Halloween Part One

This past Saturday was our first dose of Halloween. During the afternoon we, MacKenzy and I (Jason was working), had a kid Halloween party. Our friends Jim and Jodi put on the most incredible party! There were kids everywhere and everyone was having a blast.

Prior to the party I had yet to get MacKenzy to wear any kind of costume. Last Halloween she was a rooster and she was a very unhappy one at that. This summer Jim and Jodi's daughter had a princess birthday party. All the girls were dressed up in princess gear, and MacKenzy refused to put her dress on. So needless to say, I was expecting exactly what I got, "No On!" No matter how much I pointed out the other kids in their costumes and begged her to put it on, she refused.
Finally I decided that there was no way we were leaving the party without a picture of her in her costume. With a little assistance I wrangled her down and got it on her. Once she had it on, she was completely fine! Jodi has some really cute pictures of MacKenzy and even one of me (and I always hate pictures of myself!) so I'll post those once she emails them to me.

Here's the only one I got:

Last night Jason, MacKenzy and I carved pumpkins for the first time. MacKenzy mostly observed, as she refused to touch the pumpkin's insides. She did enjoy herself though! I plan on lighting them tonight and taking some pictures, so I'll be sure to post them as well.

More Photos To Come!

Busy Days

We have been incredibly busy over the last few weeks, yet nothing interesting enough to tell you about comes to mind.

Last night MacKenzy got to play with Maiah and Cady (Muelken) for a few hours so she was in little girl heaven! Tomorrow she'll be through the roof! Jim and Jodi are having a Halloween party for the kids and as of right night its supposed to be b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. !!! MacKenzy has yet to see her costume...I plan on showing her tonight though so she can get used to the idea of actually wearing it. Last year she refused to wear her rooster costume and in August she refused to wear a princess dress to Cady's princess party.

Regardless of the costume party, she'll have a blast. She adores their Rainbow play system...so I'm sure we'll be hanging outside most of the party! After the party I have a sitter for Kenzy and my friend Chris and I are going to a party. My boss and her husband have an annual Costume Party. Jason is working...and wouldn't want to go anyway...so Chris and I are going! I'm really looking forward to it!

I'll be sure to take LOTS and LOTS of pictures...but even so, Jodi takes pictures like crazy anyway! I'll post them as soon as I can.....and then I'll be sure to get more on Tuesday night.

Baby Pumpkins

Yesterday we had Jason's grandmother, Leslie, over for dinner. She hadn't been to our house since MacKenzy's birthday....so before we had grass!

After dinner we made the trek to Emma Krumbee's Apple Orchard only to find that it was closing up for the night. We figured we'd just try again another time. At some point one of us said that we were too late. MacKenzy kept repeating, "Too late! No 'kins!"

Just outside of Belle Plaine, closer to Jordan, there's a place called JIM's. I've driven past it millions of times, but have never stopped. Well they were very much open so MacKenzy got to pick out some pumkins. She was too cute...she'd pick out the smallest ones possible! I know, give it a few years and she'll want the biggest one on the lot. When we thought we were done I came across one of those little gords that look like a miniture pumpkin and she fell in love! It's to the nicest one either....it has brown marks all over it, but she had to have it and she hung onto it all the way home.

We weren't smart and forgot the camera, but we'll be sure to take pictures when we break down and carve them! I'm sure it will be an educational experience!

The White Stuff

It is far too early for snow! The forcast for the week said there was a possibility that we could get snow this week, but seriously who takes Meteorologists seriously? If they're right half the time they get to keep their jobs!! What's the point?

This morning I could hear the rain against the windows so I knew Jason would be staying home from his landscaping job...and in turn keeping MacKenzy home too. With no one else to help get ready, I got to take my sweet time. Fearing the worst, I have a rather large sweater on today...right now I'm trying not to pay attention to the fact that my neck is on fire!! It ITCHES!!! I want cotton tank tops, not wool sweaters!!!!

On my way into work I was dumbfounded to find my windshield wipers pushing slush. I know it's better than accumulating snow, but nonetheless it sucks!

If only winter could just last a month...then I wouldn't be so depressed about it. Minnesota is one of the greatest places to live ....but can we skip winter this year?

A Little Known Fact

Our house has been quite borning lately, nothing really all that crazy going on at the Melby house. Last night we had nasty hail storm....hopefully no additional damage!!

Yesterday "The Little Mermaid" came out on video. I don't know who was more excited, me or MacKenzy. Next to Aladdin, it's my favorite Disney movie! I put it in when I got home last night and she watched in amazement! After each song she'd say, "Again!"

In the last month she's gone from watching "The Lion King" non-stop, to now watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We're ready for the change. It's all her Nana's fault for getting her so into Mickey Mouse!!! She goes nuts at the site of Mickey, even if it's a picture the size of a pencil eraser!

I've actually had a interesting week...it's not Melby Family related, but Fahning Family related. Some of my closest friends know and of course my family knows, but I have a 17 year old sister (well, half sister). My biological father, Rick, had a child (named Marki Lea) with his then girl friend in 1989. When Marki was about a year old I stopped all contact with Rick, therefore losing contact with her and her mom, Tami. Only through the grapevine did I learn that Tami had moved on and married (which seriously was the best for her and Marki).

Over the years I attempted to contact Tami in hopes to establish a relationship with my sister. I sent cards and letters, addressed to Tami. They were never returned in the mail, so I could only assume they were being received.
I didn't know what or if Marki knew of me. I had always imagined that her mom led her to believe that she was in fact Tami's husband's biological child. I didn't want to be the person to tell her. I didn't want to be the reason her life fell apart....Yet I wasn't even sure this was the case. The last letter I wrote was while I was in my freshmen year of college. I told myself it would be my last attempt and unless I heard from someone I wouldn't try again until Marki was 17 or 18.

Well....what I'm getting at....

On Monday, out of no where I got an inkling that I should try to see if I could find a picture of her online....through MySpace. I figured that one of her friends might have a site and could quite possibly have a photo of her posted. After about 5 minutes of navogating not only did I find her picture on a friend's site, but I found Marki's personal MySpace. I can't put into words the feelings I was experiencing at that moment! I was incredibly happy to finally get to see a picture of her, scared that it would all blow up in my face, and excited for what could quite possibly come of this.

I debated on whether or not I should write her. I just didn't want to be the bad guy in all of this! After talking to two of my closest friends they assured me that even if the worst comes of it, you'll never know unless you try.

So Monday night I wrote her a simple letter. I explained who I was and told her that I was her half-sister. I said that I had tried numerous times to contact her, but to no avail. I went on to tell her about myself and my family and I also explained the Non-relationship with Rick, our biological father.

I didn't sleep Monday night, and I didn't sleep last night...I couldn't get over the "what-if's!" Well this morning the "what-if's" came to rest with Marki's reply. I am so excited to get to know her and hopefully we become apart of each other's lives.

My major issues were answered, she has known about Rick since about 8th or 9th grade but was never told of older siblings.

There are no words to express the emotions I have been feeling all day. I've wanted this so bad for over 16 years, and now here it is...

Girls Night In

Girls Night

MacKenzy, Maiah, Cady, and Jamie (oh, and Squirm too!)

Lauren Adelle

My former college roommate, Nikki, had a baby just over a month ago. I went to college with both her and her husband, Jason. When we lived together we were both dating a Jason. There was "my Jason" and "your Jason." Sounds possessive but it was the only way we could keep it all straight. We could have done last names, but her Jason's last name is Grosz (Gross) so that wasn't going to happen.

Just last month Nikki and Jason had a little girl, Lauren Adelle. For me its a realization that MacKenzy was once that tiny...actually even smaller!

This past Sunday MacKenzy and I visited with Nikki and Lauren as their Jason was at the football game cheering the Chicago Bears...which successfully beat the Vikings. MacKenzy has never shown all that much interest in babies. She likes to see them, but she's more interested in their toys! This time was noticibly different.

At first she wasn't all that cool with her mommy holding someone other than her, so I MacKenzy if she wanted to hold the baby. Her eyes lit up like she couldn't believe I what I had just said!

Over and over she held Lauren and she was so proud.

**For some reason I can't get the pictures to post to this entry....so if you want to see the ever-so-cute photos, they are posted on the FLICKR site!

Rookie!

I finally made a truck Friday morning!!!

After 2 months of trying, I made a truck in the last hour of my shift.

For those of you that don't know, I am a member of the New Prague Volunteer Ambulance.

My pager went off just after 5am. I shot straight out of bed, turned off my pager, and stared at my clock for a good 10 seconds. I was really out of it and I couldn't tell what time it was; before or after 6am. After 6am I was no longer on shift so I wouldn't have had to go, but my brain couldn't compute the numbers displayed on the digital clock. Finally the "DUH" like turned on and I ran for the kitchen, where I had my med pants and boots waiting.

The call was nothing over the top, but it did force me to stop out of the box and take charge of getting certain information from family members. Riding as a 4th crew member you're technically an observer, however since everyone knows that I am an EMT (you don't have to be to ride as a 4th, nor to be on the ambulance...they'll send you through EMT training) so they look at me as if I know what I'm doing. As far as knowing what I'm doing, I'm rusty but most of all I need to get a feel of how they do things. Not every ambulance service runs their scenes the same...and that's what I'm observing as a 4th crew member.

Well, after one call I think I'm feeling a bit more confident. I plan on riding as a 4th for at least two more calls...where I make a truck!...but thereafter I will go as a 3rd and that will make me an ACTIVE crew member.

"Procedure"

Yesterday both Jason and I were off of work because MacKenzy had a "procedure" done. I hate to call it suregery because seriously, it was the fastest and most painless surgery there is!

From November to May of last year MacKenzy had 7 ear infections. She'd literally start feeling better from one, and she'd start all over! To see that child without a runny nose was extremely rare. We knew a good part of that was being in a daycare center, but when we'd keep her home it didn't cure it.

Jason was all for the tubes; he had them as a child. I was at first very against them. All the women in my family have troubles with hereditary hearing loss. I struggle with it and really was trying to safeguard MacKenzy the best I could. Slicing a hole in the ear drum does cause hearing loss. Dr. Johanson, her pediatrician, convinced me otherwise saying that the ear infections could cause way more damnage than a tiny slit.

MacKenzy was such a trooper. I really think she has no clue that something was done. We were one of the first surgeries of the day so the no eating and drinking thing wasn't much of an issue. MacKenzy normally could go without eating, she'd rather have her apple juice and watch her shows. She did ask for it once, but I managed to "not hear her."

Since MacKenzy thinks medical equipment are toys, she could have cared less about her blood pressure being taken, etc. We put a cuff on Jason and the nurse took her BP. Jason went with her to the operating room and he said she didn't even blink when they put the gas mask on her... a couple breaths later she was out cold.

We waited in the waiting area for about 25 minutes when they called us back in. She was half a sleep in a nurses arms. They had me hold her to comfort her and try to wake her up more.

"She's like her mommy...she LOVES to sleep!"

It took us quite awhile to get her to keep her eyes open. We basically had to try and tick her off! Jason kept asking her if he could hold her and she'd whine back, "no mommy!" After about 15 mintues of that, she was wide awake and ready to party!

We were on our way home by 9:45am!

When we got home we (Jason and I) so excited to get to take a nap...to our surprise, Miss Melby was wide awake and wanting to play! Ugh!

She's doing just as good today! We're excited to see the tubes start working and finally have a dry-nosed kid!

Did You Know:
Jason had tubes as a kid. Everyone knows that kids with tubes couldn't go swimming and had to wear wax in their ears when they bathed or showered. NOT ANYMORE! The only thing I can think of is that they're a one-way valve now...nothing can go in, just out. Whatever it is, it's no longer a complete pain for a kid to have tubes.

That's A Good Boy!

Ozzy has yet to grow on me and it has a lot to do with his barking.
Up until maybe this last week (and he's 6 months old) he would start whining and barking every morning anywhere between 4am and 5:30am.

Jason is forced to deal with it when he was home...but when he's on shift I have to...and have I mentioned that I'm NOT a morning person? You couldn't just take him out to go pee, you had to feed him too....oh and then take him out again to do his business. Just when I'd fall back asleep, it was time to get up! UGH!

"Barking is that noise the devil makes; he's telling you to strangle your dog! "

Well the last few nights have been noticably different...in a good way! Ozzy has figured out that I don't like getting up that early and that I'd prefer to feed him once I've decided to get up; not when HE decides its time!

We've had a hard time taking pictures of him, if you were all one color it would be hard to take a picture of you too!

Jason and Ozzy went hunting yesterday and Jason managed to get some shots of Ozzy!!

A New Roof

It's less than a year old, but it has to go!!!

We hadn't even signed our purchase agreement a year ago!!!

We got the official go-ahead from our insurance yesterday, so here we go!!

We are fortunate and know someone that we can trust to do the job. When catastrophes hit a lot of people knock at your door or send you mail...it's better to stick with someone local and that you know will be there next month if there's a problem!

We actually had our roofer out before the insurance adjuster and he warned us that we did in fact have damage. We were waiting for the adjuster to say, "Nope, your roof is fine!" to see if they'd lie.

So now that we've FINALLY got our yard all in and looking as it should, now we'll be under construction!!!

Seriously, what's next????

Lake Melby -Update

Yesterday we finally got our sod, again. Our yard looks FANTASTIC! Over the weekend we laid down mulch, and yesterday afternoon Jason built a retaining wall for one of the flower beds up against the house.

We're trying to be optimistic...but we'll wait and see! No getting our hopes up this time!

I'll take pictures and post them tomorrow.

Playdate

On August 26th MacKenzy had a playdate at the Muelken's.

Cady and MacKenzy had a wonderful time together, so I thought I'd share some of the pictures.

The Muelken's have a HUGE Rainbow play system, which MacKenzy calls "the park!"


Little Jodi and Amy....

MacKenzy and Cady are 9 months apart in age. Cady's birthday is August 6th, 2003 and MacKenzy's is May 18, 2004.

Do you think they had fun together? Pictures don't lie! We will certainly be doing this again....and again over the years!

Tornado Alley

About two and a half weeks ago (August 25th) this area got hit really hard with baseball and softball size hail. Our house of 5 months actually needs a new roof now, but what do you do?

A girlfriend, Cathie, that I work with is originally from Northfield and most all of her family was in the middle of the storm when it hit. Two of her sisters have totalled cars, and one of them actually has some serious damage to the inside of her house. The windows were knocked out and water and hail poured inside. Cathie's parents were actually having a guy come out to give them an estimate on a new roof before the storm...now their insurance will be taking care of that project!

My friend Jessica lives in St. Peter and has lived through now her 2nd tornadic experience. On March 31st in 1998 the town was basically leveled. Then two and a half weeks ago the area was hit again. I just thought I'd share the pictures with you because they're just so amazing:





















My personal favorite is the one here at the left...
What is that driver doing!?! MORON! Driving into the storm is considered SUICIDE! Not that I'm saying that the person taking this photo is any more sane! Just look at how green the grass is though...it's just an unbelievable site!

Zoo with Olivia

I just got the time to sit down and download some pictures....so I thought I'd share:


This is Olivia Meyer, I went to high school with both of her parents- Chris & Laura. A few weeks ago Laura and I took the girls to the zoo.

Here we are trying to get the two of them to sit with tiger statues. MacKenzy was more interested in climbing on them, and Olivia was freaked out by them!






Here we finally got them to sit still long enough for me to snap a photo.
Isn't the size different between the two girls unreal!?! They are seriously TWO WEEKS apart in age! And MacKenzy was the preemie! Olivia is such a cute little peanut! Then there's our little giant!!

The last picture is from the dolphin show. Both girls loved the show. I'm not certian for Olivia, but this was MacKenzy's 3rd time seeing it this year, and she gets just as excited now than she did the first time!

We will certainly make this a yearly tradition! We had a great time and the girls are really becoming good friends.

Good-bye Summer

Well kids are back in school and the nights are getting chilly. I look forward to Fall, but dread it at the same time...can't we just skip winter this year?

Previously I wrote about Jason and the Explorer post. They all had a great time at the State Fair, and did very well in the competition. One of the kids placed first in dawning gear....basically a competition on who can get ALL of their gear on first.

As a family we didn't make it to the fair, which is probably the best thing. All that incredible food and my appetite...my waistline is expanding just thinking about it.

Jason just started up school again so the next two and a half months is going to be CRAZY. He's taking a Firefighter II class, and thankfully it's at his fire department. The class meets every Monday and Wednesday....on top of that he has his normal shifts. The classes are from 6-10pm...so MacKenzy and I will be having our own little parties at home.

I have yet to get on a truck with New Prague Ambulance...but I'm bound and determined to get on one! Last Friday night I raced to the station only to have the rig pulling out of parking lot as I pulled in. DAMN IT!

Right now we're actually pretty boring! We're just enjoying the weather and getting outside as much as possible!

More later...