Wednesday Weigh-In

Another week has come and gone. Life sure is busy with a 2.5 month old! Luckily, I have the sweetest, happiest baby ever and he makes taking care of him so easy. Included in my busy agenda is an upcoming wedding for some close friends of ours (yay!). I went to a bachelorette party over the weekend and indulged in my first pizza since we started changing our eating habits. It. Was. Delicious. And so worth it. However, I don't think it was the best decision to go back again for more pizza two days later (I just couldn't resist! Sorry not sorry).

I woke up this morning discouraged, positive I had gained more weight. To my surprise, I lost another 2.2 pounds! Making it a total of 6.6 since we started. Bryan is closer to his first 10 pounds than me, but guys always lose weight faster. I am just surprised I lost any and it is encouraging to keep maintain the way we have been eating.

I also noticed that all of the nutrients we are getting from the shakes and real food we eat is making my hair and nails grow like crazy! It is amazing the benefits we have been missing out aside from weight loss.

Weigh-In Wednesday

Halfway through the week already! I like to weigh myself on Wednesdays because it gives me a little cushion if I had anything special over the weekend (like German chocolate cake and lasagna). I try really hard not to weigh myself during the week so I don't get discouraged when I don't see the pounds just falling off.

Now, I am going to get really serious for a moment. This will probably be my most honest post ever written. But, I figure it could be a great motivator when it puts into reality how much I weigh. Knowing that you as a reader has knowledge of that convinces me to keep going so that I don't ever have to be this heavy again.

I really don't know what weight I "started" at before getting pregnant. I was probably 195 pounds, totally guessing here though. At the end of my pregnancy, I was around 242 pounds. Before changing my eating habits, I had lost 31 of those pounds (the little one only really accounting for 7 pounds 12 ounces of that). So my starting weight for the sake of tracking is 214 pounds. This is the heaviest I have been in my entire life. When I was pregnant, I could defiantly feel the weight and it's toll on my body. My knees felt weak and strained. My back was moments away from giving in. Walking a block or two would make me out of breath.

I have been able to camouflage most of my weight using fashion "tricks". Maternity clothes are amazing. Seriously, I wish all jeans had this stretchy, expandable waist that just sucks you in. Or shirts with ruched sides. I also have many black or dark colored shirts so that you can't see the grooves of my body. And I love jackets, sweaters, cardigans, etc. Anything that would hide my arms as well as keep me warm (because apparently I am some sort of cold blooded reptile meant to spend my days laying on a hot rock in the sun). Some outfits I am more confident in than others, and I would like to be able to feel comfortable in anything I put on someday.

So, in the second week of my healthy eating (I don't say the D word. It makes me feel like I won't actually stick to it) I am currently at 209.6 - a total loss of 4.4 pounds. While that number may seem small, I am anxious to watch it grow each week.

Breakfast of Champions

Today has felt like the worst Monday after the shortest weekend possible. Expect, it isn't Monday. It's Tuesday.

It started with my car making weird noises - weird, flat-tire-sounding noises. Come to find out, it was just a piece of plastic hanging from my undercarriage. Whew. That was close. Upon arriving to work thirty minutes late, I was in a rush to get settled. I threw my things on my desk, including my breakfast I had yet to eat. Everything went tumbling, including the oatmeal with apples and cinnamon. You're thinking it exploded all over the floor right? Well, it didn't. But some part of me secretly wishes it did. Then I could have one of those asiago cheese bagels from work. Or even some beef jerky and snickers (did I mention my work keeps snickers, fully stocked, every week?). 

Changing what you eat can be extremely difficult. Before making these changes, my body was used to getting whatever it wanted. And being pregnant at the time, I was more than happy to give it what it wanted (for the baby right??). This included many trips to leatherbys, even more trips to taco bell, and entire bags of chips. I am used to foods being overly flavored with sugar, salt, and fat. I realize I am craving a habit, not an actual food. And in order to overcome that, I have to stick to my meal plan and try to substitute with healthy options. 

One thing I constantly look for in weight loss support is meal plans. From the looks of many, you would think you would need to hire a personal chef along with your personal trainer and may as well throw in the stylist as well since you're spending a bazillion dollars as it is (I wish). I thought it might be helpful for others to see how an average person, on a very limited income, makes a meal plan. I am not a professional nutritionist. I like things like cheese and consider veggie straws a replacement for real vegatbles (I am only half kidding). I just try my best to choose wisely. So here is my meal for today.

Breakfast: Oats, Water, 1/2 apple, cinnamon, Trivia sugar (I really am lost with the whole "real sugar is bad, but so is fake sugar. so...just...be confused for all eternity as to what sugar/sugar substitute you should use)

Lunch: Whole wheat wrap, turkey deli slices, 1 tsp mustard, 1 tablespoon garlic hummus (instead of mayonnaise; go me!) spinach leaves. 1/2 apple, string cheese

Dinner: Herbalife shake with bananas, berries, spinach and almond milk

Snacks: Cottage cheese (with what should have been pineapple, but someone either ate it or threw it out), mixed nuts, maybe some hummus and pretzel thins when I get home (because that is freaking delicious).

Now, a protein shake may not appeal to many, especially for dinner, I cannot express the relief it is to come home and not have to worry about dinner. It also has helped curb our habit of grabbing something "quick" on the way home because we are too lazy to cook something. And we think that having the smallest meal at dinner is the way to go, since you are just going to bed and don't need to eat a ton before then. I am probably what you would call a professional sleeper and don't need much fuel to do so. I could do it in my sleep (hardy har har).

While this meal plan doesn't sound "amazing", and doesn't include ingredients like quinoa or saffron, it works for us. The items are easy to prepare, and consist of real food. I have realized we base our entire lives around food. The days pass based on when we eat next. We go out with friends to eat. We make plans around where and what we can eat. We are bored, so we eat. While food can be enjoyed, it shouldn't be the center of our universe. There is so much more to life, and I am trying to refocus my thoughts and feelings on where my priority for food lies. 

Constant Change

When I sat back and recalled how long I have been going along on this weight loss "journey", I realized I have spent almost SIX YEARS weighing, calculating, researching, and desperately trying to lose the unwanted baggage that had become a part of me. Through that time, I had lost some, and gained some more. One step forward, two cupcakes back. Had I actually decided to change the way I was living my life and really put thought into what was going into my body, I would not be sitting here. I wouldn't be writing about just starting my journey, I would be sharing in my success of finally being at a healthy weight and the bliss I felt in everyday.

But no. Here I sit, still considered obese according to a BMI calculator. And regretting the cupcake I had yesterday. Why is this dieting thing so hard? Have I really spent six years trying to do this? I still can't get over that. Many of you may have the same pattern.

1. Join a gym
2. Buy expensive/cute workout clothes
3. Go to the gym for 3 whole days!
4. Have to skip the gym (Game of Thrones is on, how could I miss it?)
5. Avoid even driving by the gym, for fear it can sense your presence and will give you evil death glares for skipping it.
6. Realize you have paying for a gym you don't go to for 3 months and sheepishly cancel your membership

The same can be said for diet plans, weight loss memberships, and anything even closely related to losing weight. Once the honeymoon phase is over, we lose our interest and motivation to continue on our plan. So I have decided I needed to take this literally one day at a time (or one meal at a time if needed), and maintain a log of my daily successes and failures to keep  myself accountable. So thank you reader. You will be my reason to stop staring longingly at the candy stash at work and stick to my hummus and peppers instead. Now don't you feel special? I picked vegetables over a snickers for you. You're welcome.

They say there is nothing as constant as change. I am ready to make the changes needed to become healthy and happy with my appearance. If you are ready for a change too, or just along for the ride; Welcome.

M.Rhodes

Recipe of the Week

While rumaging through what I call my Recipe Binder, I noticed I have a horrible habit. I LOVE new recipes. I am especially in love with insanely difficult, master-chef, types of recipes. And what do I do? I print out all of these delicious recipes and stuff them into a binder, never to be seen again (unless I pin it on Pinterest, or it happens to make its rounds again on the internet and I print it for a second time. This happens a lot)

So, in an effort to spend more time with family, and to extend my cooking expertise (and have a sense of feeling accomplished all at the same time!) I have instigated Recipe of the Week. I will strive (try, do, or not do..depends how I feel and stuff) to make one new recipe a week. Granted, they will not be completely new and exotic (maybe sometime I WILL try to make Beef Wellington or a Souffle), they will be new to what I am used to. I will be doing more than just heating up some spaghetti, or having Chipotle for the third night this week (or Del Taco, because there's never such a thing as too many chicken soft tacos).

I hope this will inspire some of you to pull out your recipe books,boxes or whatever you use to hold recipes (pinterest boards are so eco-friendly!). The lack of kitchen knowledge is dimishing in our youth. Get your family involved, let them make a mess with you (then have them clean it up! Kidding...team effort!). And post pictures! Give us your take on your recipes. Let us know where you failed, and where you triumphed. There is nothing more infuriating as trying a new recipe, and it ending in disaster. Let's help each other people.

So now, I give you my take on "Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken" found here from Six Sisters
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/03/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken-recipe.html

Note: This picture was taken by me (unfortunately). I own all rights to this (not that that is an accomplishment or anything).

Sounds delish right? Where can you go wrong with homemade Chinese food? Well...aside from the fact that it seems impossibly hard, it wasn't so bad. But I always forget kitchen rule #1 Always read the recipe ALL the way through. I don't know what it is about me. I must think I am some kitchen genius because I always get halfway through the recipe and either find out "oh crap...this recipe needs a red pineapple grown in the depths of the amazon jungle? " or another classic "If I had known you had to go to the woods, find the chicken, create a shrine for it then massage it to the perfect tenderness I wouldn't have chosen this recipe".  But I am usually able to wing it (ha..I said "wing" it...) and furthermore, provide this valuable knowledge (that can be found on the recipe..in case you want to save yourself) to all of you.

So, my disaster of the day was that not only was the title of this recipe false advertising (because before baking it, you get to coat it with cornstarch and eggs then fry it for a bit), it also calls for an extended amount of baking time. I am sorry, but if I had known it was going to take an hour just in baking time, I would have bought some China House down the street and repented of all my food sins later.

On a much more positive side, it was pretty freaking delicious. I felt unstoppable being able to cook some homemade Chinese. And I will admit, it did seem healthier with less coating than you would find on the Orange Chicken at Panda Express. So I would consider this a success!

Now, to get you in the mood to want to make something I will let you know what is in store for us next week. This tasty concoction. Where can you go wrong with bacon, ranch and chicken. YUM!

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/03/baked-chicken-bacon-ranch-taquitos.html

Note: This picture was taken from the Six Sister's website at the link about. They did a great job don't you think? :)

Uvas Apple Cake

At a past job of mine, it wasn't unusual for us to bring in sweets and treats to share with everyone in the office. And because it was a small, tight knit group we were able to uphold this tradition pretty frequently. One recipe that grew to be a favorite of mine was "Uvas Apple Cake". Now, I don't know any Uvas (I will have to ask the friend who gave me the recipe the story behind where she found it), but she makes one heckuv-an apple cake. Also, if you are looking to be more health conscience, you can substitute the 1/2 cup of oil for 1/2 of applesauce instead! It still comes out perfectly delicious and moist :)


Uvas Apple Cake

Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of White Sugar (when using sugar, I almost always go less than the norm. I will either halve it entirely or bring it down to 3/4 cup at least...depending on if the recipe is forgiving enough)
- 4 Large Apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (I used Fiji)
- 1/2 Cup of oil (or applesauce)
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tsp. Vanilla
- 2 Cups of Flour
- 2 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 tsp. Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar and apples that have been peeled, cored, and sliced.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together oil, eggs and vanilla. Add this to the apple mixture and stir well.

Add flour, baking soda, and cinnamon to the apple mixture (I would reccomend combining these ingredients in a seperate bowl beforehand, just to make sure the ingredients get combined together). Mix until flour is incorporated and moist.

Pour the batter into a well greased bunt pan. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes - do not under bake!

Let cool for 1/2 hour before inverting onto a plate.

S'more Pie Please!

Nothing is more exciting than the knowledge that summer is coming; bring on the beach, camping, BBQ's and road trips! I got this recipe from the wife of a fellow Mason member. I like this even better than the old-fashioned burnt marshmallow, solid chocolate S'more.

Smore's Pie

Ingredients:
 
6oz dark chocolate (or milk if you prefer, I used 6 oz of milk chocolate chips)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 Tablespoon corn syrup
2-2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4oz mascarpone cheese (you can use cream cheese)-make sure room temp 1 cup whipping cream
1/2-3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows
Mini chocolate chips (I just used some of the chocolate chips I already had)
graham crackers (crushed)-about 1/2 cup
1 graham cracker pie crust (can make from scratch or pre-made)
 1 jar of marshmallow creme
1 Tablespoon milk
1 cup mini marshmallows

For filling: in small saucepan, mix the 6oz chocolate, water, 1/4 cup whipping cream and corn syrup.  Heat and stir constantly over medium heat.  Once mixture is smooth and melted remove from heat.  Then stir in vanilla.  Let that cool for about 20 minutes; stir occasionally while making whip cream.

For whip cream: In a chilled metal mixing bowl, beat 1 cup whipping cream and powdered sugar on medium until peaks form (this takes about  minutes).  It should look like whip cream out of a can.  While making whip cream, in another bowl add the mascarpone (or cream cheese if you prefer) to the melted chocolate mixture.  Mix that thoroughly and set aside.  Once whip cream is ready, fold the chocolate mixture into the whip cream until thoroughly mixed. 

Crust: layer bottom of crust w/mini marshmallows.  Spoon the filling over the top.  Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight).

Marshmallow creme topping: mix jar of marshmallow creme w/1-2 tablespoon of milk and 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Save in refrigerator until you serve pie. (2 TB of milk made it super watery/goopey/etc. I would suggest only 1 TB of milk and if you're using a premade pie crust you are going to have a mess on your hands. This pie makes a little of "filling")

Serve: before serving spread marshmallow creme spread you make on top of pie.  Then crush graham crackers and sprinkle on top of pie, then add mini chocolate chips on top of that.

Mmmmm....πππππ....

Here is my Aunt's recipe for homemade chicken pot pie. It is adapted slightly because my mom haphazardly wrote the recipe down so I kind of winged it. CAUTION: Crisco sells convenient sticks of shortening. BUT, they are not like sticks of butter. One stick=one cup.

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

·         3 Cups Flour

·         1 Cup Crisco

·         1 Tablespoon Vinegar

·         1-2 teaspoon Salt

·         ½ C. Ice Water

·         1-10 oz bag of frozen mixed veggies (I used peas and carrots)

·         1 Cup of cooked, cubed chicken

·         1 12 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup

·         1-12 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup (I used two cans of chicken because Bryan hates mushrooms)

·         Salt and Pepper

Cook your chicken according to preference; I baked mine in the oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes. I only used one large chicken breast, and it was plenty for this pie.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the pie crust. In a medium sized bowl, measure out your flour and mix in salt, then cut in 1 Cup of Crisco/shortening. Add vinegar and water slowly, mixing to incorporate. Once the dough forms, divide in half for two pie crusts; top and bottom. Roll out one half and place in an ungreased pie plate. Prick the bottom with a fork.

In a bowl, combine your veggies, cooked/cubed chicken, soups, and seasonings. Pour onto unbaked pie crust. Roll out your second pie crust, and lay over the top of the pie. Crimp edge and if you have pie crust scraps feel free to roll them out and cut into shapes to put on top J

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until crust is golden.

Mi Hermano

Oh brother! You grew up to be the older brother we never had; constant teasing and joking around. But I would give anything for you to be here just one more time. I don't care if you laugh at my made up words, or take random pictures were you always look high for some reason. I would even buy us a Super Nacho from Addie's to share and let you have ALL of the quacamole. Just give me one more chance to feel like I am cool with my little brother. Because in the end, I always looked up to you. And not just in the literal sense that you eventually surpassed me in height. I mean that you were always that shining example. We all went through the same history, and yet you came out a better person for it (let's just say someone probably shouldn't have stopped going to anger management. Heck, we all know we went so we could get Mcflurries after!)

I have been so blessed to have a brother. Even though it may not have started out that way. You see...when Garrett was little. We would put barrettes in his mullett-length hair. And take pictures. Oh what joyous childhood memories! But I do believe we got payback for that. All in all, you weren't a bad bro. We even liked each other enough to work together! I don't think I ever got to appreciate the concept of working with a sibling. Again, I think you were much more popular there than I ever was. I felt like if I was your sister, I must be cool.

I really don't think you ever realized just how much myself and your other sisters care about you. We may not have shown it, but it is coming to the surface with your absence. It makes me think back to a time when you were out with friends one night and hadn't checked in. It got to be late, and dark. And you know when it gets dark; you're either dead, kidnapped or passed out in a ditch. As my duty of mother hen over the siblings, I ALWAYS assume the worst. I went as far to scour the streets looking for you. In the end, nothing bad happened. You came home safe and sound, confused at my rage of emotional tears and sobbing. That's how much I care about you. But I never really got to tell you that. Most likely it was because I was too afraid of what you would say (most likely you would just smile and say "thanks" and go back to your video games or guitar playing).

I really am proud of you and this accomplishment in your life. And I look forward to the day where I get to be waiting at the airport to see what two years has done to my little brother.

Love ya bro,

Shy Rambler

Silent Stalker

My memory gets the best of me again. It has been so long since I have posted anything I completely forgot the name of my blog. Something...something with an S? Has to do with being quiet...is it..Silent Stalker? Wait no. That's..haha..wow.

I laughed. My sister laughed. And if it weren't for her I would question my sanity on a daily basis.

Well, I hope you enjoyed because that is all I have time for today.


Shy Rambler (or Silent Stalker...you will never know)

Muse

 For some reason unbeknown-st to me I cannot get Super Massive Black Hole-Muse out of my head. Which leads me to start thinking of Twilight. Which of course just happens to be coming out (no I don't care...well..I read the books and so now I have to see it. But really...I don't care. Go Team Emmett!) Ahem...I digress.

Oh wait...I guess I do know because I am writing an entire blog about it. The reason I have this infamous song loop holing through my mind's soundtrack is because I was just discussing with my sister my most recent Chipotle (sweet...just added another word to my computer's oh so narrow minded Dictionary) experience. Oh my gosh...sudden brain blast...Chipotle is like..elementary school. You get in line, wonder what today's special is. Okay...so Chipotle doesn't have any specials like back in the day. Anyways. You go down the line and either voice what you would like, or point in the general direction of the item you are longing for and hope:  1. They can read minds or 2.  Understand that a lower point on the glass means the one closest to you and if you point slightly higher it means THAT ONE that is near the server.
But for some reason, even though I choose the more straightforward approach of saying exactly what I wanted because I knew that the intensity of how much hot sauce to put on was of utmost importance....she still got it wrong. And I will now quote my conversation with my sister because honestly...I can't paraphrase it better then this:

"Chipotle is a bad idea...

especially if you ask for a litttttle bit of the SUPER MASSIVE HOT SAUCE and she gives you 1/4 cup worth on your burrito bowl :("

And now I have brought you full circle to where my blog has begun...Muse. Oh the wonders of how Melissa's mind works. 

Shy Rambler

Picture Explanation (because I know this needs one...): My friend introduced me to faceinhole.com; a funny site where you put your face in famous pictures etc. I forgot I had done this...so...the shoe just fits perfectly for this blog.

Lunchtime-Vacation Update

Oh the joys of lunch time. 60 entire minutes to eat (usually taking up a measly 10 mintues), browse Facebook, and finish any other tasks like paying bills online (am I weird if I actually enjoy doing this?).

Once in a blue moon I will actually venture out into the world around me when I need to get something from the store or put gas in my car so I can drive home and not worry about running out in the middle of heavy traffic. So I was pretty proud of myself for remembering I was low on gas and should probably fill up on lunch so I wouldn't have to bother with lines and more traffic after work. As I was pulling up to the pump I had a slight panic attack as I was desperatly trying to recall which side of the car my gas can was located. Really? You go on vacation for a week and can't remember how to pump gas in the car you've been driving for over a year?

To answer my previous blog's question of whether I would lose myself on my vacation and break myself of the mundane tasks of everyday life...this was an apparent yes. Although I had no problem being taxied around by family it is a little discerning to think that going just a week without driving I would forget how to function in a car.

As for the trip? It was amazing. At first I was worried about leaving my home, my boyfriend, my job, my quiet room. But in the end, it was well worth it. For those of you who have me as a friend of Facebook, I apologize for the constant photo and status updates along with "checking-in" everywhere I went. I haven't truly gotten to enjoy all the nifty features of my phone and I just wanted to share all my experiences with everyone. One thing I could have lived without was the heat...I thought I would be completely prepared seeing as I am from California but oh was I wrong!

Many thanks to my grandparnts, Felisha and Dallas (yes you! haha), and the Fadelys. I have never seen a family so connected and ready to do things for others and have the patience to share Felisha and Dallas with me. It wouldn't have been the same without all of you and I'll never forget the memories I made on this trip. I hope to visit Texas again soon! I am determined to convince California, Idaho and now Texas to relocate so they are right next to each other. Wish me luck.

Shy Rambler.

To the child of every Star Wars fan...

Have you ever spent hours in front of the computer completely losing track of time? Oh you're reading a blog, of course you know what I am talking about. I literally just spent my entire lunch hour looking at one website. Hence why this will be short, sweet and simple.

 I came across this artist's work and was amazed. I love his combination of nostalgia for young and old using the well known children's stories of Winnie the Pooh and  the more sci-fi  generationaly (made up word) known movies Star Wars.

I love it, and will possibly be planning my future children's room theme already.

Gotta go!

Shy Rambler (not so much today).

(picture was taken from James Hance's website found here http://www.jameshance.com/wookiee-the-chew.html)

Thrilled! Excited! Anxious!

Countdown: 3 days until I leave for San Antonio, Texas to visit with my most favorite cousin of all time. And when does it hit me? In the middle of my work morning just a matter of days before I am supposed to leave. So what does this mean? I have yet to even think about all the things I need to prepare before my departure to cowboy-land.

Sure, I could just be carefree and throw a bag of clothes and basic necessities to get me by and say "what happens, happens!" or..."you know, I needed a new wardrobe anyways...southern belle here I come!". But these are neither of my personality types. Most likely you will find me the morning of my flight frantically washing my favorite pair of jeans and making sure my phone is charged. As my mother would say, it's tradition!

Not to mention the homework I should be catching up on, and the laundry list of things for work that I should be leaving behind (here’s my pile of projects, here is what people will call complaining about, and I will be bringing cookies on Monday for leaving you for an entire week). I guess I never realized just how much I will be leaving behind me for an entire week.  

But on the brighter side, I am finally getting that ecstatic butterfly feeling in my stomach. Have I really grown up so much that I don’t get excited about WEEK-long trips to a foreign state where I get to see someone I haven’t seen in over a year!? At what point in my life did I stop liking the idea of just leaving my world for 7 fun-filled days of bliss without having the worry of waking up early to go to work, or trying to make myself go to bed early in order to do so?

I am hoping on this trip I will find my inner-child that has been locked under work, school and the mundane repetition of everyday life. Hopefully I will be able to keep that light alive as I make my way back after the trip and have to dive into reality once more. But for now I will work on what has become one of my own trip-traditions: making an amazing list of things I need but never using it. Who knows, maybe this will be the trip where I do.

Picture: This was taken when I was very young. In it is Felisha (whom I am visiting), Cassie (her sister), Nicole (MY sister), and myself. This is how you would typically find us anytime we were together. We were the same age groups and were usually left to entertain ourselves. And that we did.

Shy Rambler

The Beginning

I've been bitten. 

The "Blog Bug" has struck another innocent bystander. Once upon a time, I would just mindlessly flip through numerous blogs; cooking, baking, crafts, how to prepare for a zombie attack. Every now and then you would hear a tiny chuckle escape me as the author writes about everyday life and those random occurrences that seem to happen world wide. I have friends that are creating blogs to track their lives or to support a goal they have. So, I decided, why can't I do this? I type fairly well, I've taken English classes all my life, why not put some of this knowledge to good use? All while trying at some attempt of being entertaining for others. 

If you know me in real life, congratulations. There are only a choice few that I choose to interact with and actually care about. You don't think you are one of this select few? Have no worries, this is not because I am in the state of mind of thinking I am above you and your friendship. It is mostly likely because I am scared of you, or I am just not courageous enough to talk to you. So by all means, if you can't stand my insecurities and think I am just so amazing and you must become my friend, consider this permission. 

I apologize in advance for anything that may upset you, or if you randomly break into uncontrollable laughter in the middle of your workday whilst reading my blog. Then again, considering I have humor only a father can understand (and to whom I credit mine coming from; Thanks Dad), this may not be an issue for you.

This blog is titled Shy Rambler because 1. I am shy. 2. I ramble when I speak. I create words that do not exist (comifatble? I want to be confident AND comfortable..is that so much to ask?). And because this blog is not dedicated to just recipes or pictures or my family history it will essentially be whatever I feel like posting that day. 

For those of you who have stayed with me thus far, thank you. I look forward to rambling on some more in the hopes that someone will notice and find either some method to my madness or at least enjoy my sarcasm and wittiness.

-Melissa (Shy Rambler) 

P.S. I will do my best to post a picture with every blog, it just looks weird without one. And, I will also try to make them original pictures either taken by me or someone I know. 

Advice? I need it. Desperately. Give it to me. Lots of it.