From My DVR

Originally scheduled for posting on September 28, 2008...

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I love my DVR.  There is no greater invention than the DVR.*  I have decided that there is no reason why I shouldn't live out the remainder of my days watching recorded television.  It has given my family freedom like we have not know a part from life with Jesus!  No longer are ruled by tv.  Your favorite shows on at 8, but your meeting goes till 815?  No worries!  It'll be on The List.  The kids won't go to bed and it's causing you to miss The Office season premiere?  Fuhgettaboutit!  It's on The List!  You want to see the re-runs of The Real Housewives of the OC, but The Rachel Zoe Project is on at the same time?  The List will have them both!  What entertaining bliss this little device offers!

I don't watch live television any more, unless it's the morning news.  I can't do it, I tell you.  The commercials are enough to send anyone to the looney bin.  They're so obnoxious!  And don't even get me started on shows like The Biggest Loser!  I love it, but I hate, HATE, THE GAME.  If you watch this show, you know just what I mean.  So a two-hour show of nothing but DRAMA, only takes about 35 minutes of my time.  I just fast forward through all the commercials and pointless interviews about who said what about so-and-so.  Beautiful.  

I thought that perhaps I would take post about the different shows I watch from time to time.  The other night my post was written while I was watching Project Runway from the week before.  (That post is the one below this piece of golden blogging.)

Today, we're going to discuss my new love, The Rachel Zoe Project.  Ahhh...cheesy reality shows about quasi-famous people and their drama-filled, ratings-choreographed daily lives.  Waste of valuable time or useful tool for greater appreciation of my own beautiful life void of drama?

Anyway, back to Rachel Zoe (Zoh, not Zo-ey).... Isn't she pretty?  She's fashion.  She's blonde.  She's bi-coastal.  She's just plain fun to watch!

For those of you who are thinking, "Huh?  Who is Rachel Zoe?"  This is what Bravo has to say...

The Rachel Zoe Project is a docu-drama that follows celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and her trusted inner circle -- husband Rodger and fashion team, Taylor and Brad -- as they endeavor to take Zoe's business to the next level. In the series, the perfectly styled, go-to force among "it" starlets, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors will give viewers a fly on the wall look at how she juggles constant deadlines, fashion shows, and celebrity clients. 

This last week the team was in NYC for fashion week and Brad and Taylor 

*Ok, so maybe there are inventions greater than the DVR.  The wheel--that was a pretty good one.  Sliced bread--that was another smart idea.  Oh and that whole electricity thing worked out ok, too.


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As you can see I never got past gushing about Rachel Zoe.  Rightfully so!  She's worth an entire post!  Someday I will do a post about what's on my dvr because I think it would cathartic to let the world know about all my tv watching habits.

You're on pins and needles waiting for that post aren't you!?

Give me a few years and I'll get right on that!

Random Things That Make Me Happy

I was inspired by the awesome BooMama to make a list. Oooo... a LIST! I love me a good list!

1. Making LISTS. HELLO??? Did you just read the above sentence?
2. My fat baby
3. My Girl
4. hearing my children laugh
5. laughing with friends who really get me (If you understand how funny it is to go to a "board" mtg, you're a friend who gets me!)
6. clean sheets
7. going shopping alone
8. coming home ... from anything
9. great music that makes me wanna dance
10. The Office
11. friends who have known me forever and love me anyway
12. a tidy house
13. Bertuccis
14. Bravo reality shows
15. Beth Moore
16. decaf hazelnut skinny latte
17. Library books
18. preschool days
19. Dr Pepper
20. haircut and highlights
21. Blogging-Reading, Writing, Creating, etc., etc.
22. a bra that fits--lifts, tucks, and perks up the girls
23. Facebook
24. My DVR
25. The Music Man

You?

A post to keep the earth spinning safely.

I am in bed. It's 12:54 in the pm and yes I am still in my pjs too. I got run over by whatever my kids had yesterday. It's bad enough to force The Music Man to work from home today. He's pulling a double. Full time work and full time daddy. Not to mention full time nurse to me.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind to start my week. In fact I had planned to post about the Awake21 fast my church is doing starting today. We're just one of hundreds of churches around the world joining together for a time of fasting and prayer. But seeing as I can barely lift my head off this pillow, you'll have to settle for this short list of random (drug-induced?) nonsense. So without further ado...

1. Last night The Girl and I watched some skating and gymnastics extravaganza on NBC. Did you see it? It left me feeling surprisingly unfulfilled. In fact I would even go so far as to say I was a tad bit annoyed by the whole thing.
Main two reasons:
1. Lonestar outlasted their 15 minutes of fame by about 10 years or so. I felt bad for them. Middle age guys trying to hold on to some sort of coolness instead of embracing the double chin, balding head, and the beer belly that is so obviously theirs.
2. Gymnasts are not meant to do group numbers. Ever. Yet there they were: group number after dancing group number. The whole thing was uncomfortable and just plain awkward.

2. There is not a book written by Tracie Peterson that I don't love. That woman knows how to write a story.

3. My parents lost a close friend of theirs yesterday morning. She had been diagnosed recently with stage 4 liver cancer. It wasn't easy. Death never is. But this was especially hard because it happened so fast.

4 My niece will be six in another couple weeks. I want to make her something but I'm not sure what yet. Any suggestions?

5. I really don't have anything left to say, but it's impossible for me to leave a list at just four things. I'm afraid the earth would fall off it's axis if I did, and no one would be happy about that.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I'm Freaking Out!

I just finished my appointment with my midwife.  She told me that she wants to see me every two weeks now until the middle of April and then she wants to see me every week.  

I was a completely stunned by this news, seeing as from time to time I still find myself forgetting that I'm even pregnant.  I'm uncomfortable and haven't slept well for weeks, but I just forget sometimes.  I mean, I'm still wearing pre-pregnancy clothes and unless I'm naked, the belly just kind of disappears.  I do have trouble putting on socks sometimes and painting my toes is getting rather difficult, but yet I still forget I have a man-child within my womb.  I've even been having Braxton Hicks for weeks now, daily!!! and still I forget.   Maybe this has something to do with it.  Whatever it is, it's completely downhill from here.  

Do you understand what I'm saying?  I have nothing ready.  We don't have a name or evena list of names that we are considering.  We only have a mental list of ones we hate.  

Oh for crying out loud.  

Babies need so much stuff and while we have everything from the first time around, most of that is pink.  So those things have to be replaced.  Some of our other "gear" is busted and in need of replacement.  (Give me a break--we've been using it for 4 years!)  I have crib bedding--That's about all I have, but since we'll be using the cradle for the first six months or so, there is no satisfaction in having the crib bedding.  

And there's still so much to do!!!!

I am seriously freaking out!

Random Pictures

I finally downloaded the pictures from my camera of the last month.  We haven't been especially busy, but I've been documenting our lives moment by moment.  Sooo... Here are some of the more random shots...

Random Scott and Natalie: 

First golf lesson at Golf Galaxy...

Look at that grip!

Father/Daughter Baking...

Random self shots: 

Ask my husband why this.  He took it, along with one of my ch**t, my b*tt, and my eye. (Sorry... I had to edit per The Music Man.)

I will soon show you all the shots taken this day, but I'm giving you a sneak peak of how incredibly tired I was on this day... (Ugh! Look at those roots!  I'm so ashamed!)

(I'm not mad.  I promise.... Just exhausted!)

Random Closet Shots:

A few of my favorite outfits for the man-child, who is still nameless, I might add.  

This is just too adorable!

I wore this when I was a baby, but I remember it most on a baby doll I had named Mary Lou or was it Amy?

I bought this the day we found out we were having a boy.

Round on the ends and high in the middle... Oh - Hi - Oh.  (Really this isn't on my list of favorites, but I know it's at the top of my husband's, so it made this list of random shots.)

And because we live in Maryland, I just had to have this!

Here are a couple random belly-ish shots:

Cool, right?

I have tried my hardest to NOT wear maternity shirts if at all possible this pregnancy.  They're just too mammoth.  I feel so fat in them rather than pregnant.  This shirt was on the clearance rounder in the Junior's section at Target.  God bless the designers who decided long, full shirts are the latest style!

More to pictures and posts to come soon...

The post in which I take flattery to the next step: Imitation...

(...not to be confused with intimidation, which would take this post in an entirely different direction.  One in which I'm not willing to go.)


I am long time reader of the awesome Big Mama! She makes me laugh. Oh does she make me laugh. In fact let me go out on a ledge and say that she's in my top five favorite blogs to read. I read every. Single. Post. (Other contenders for top five include Boo Mama, Dooce, and this should go without saying, Ree. I realize that this only makes a top four but that's an even number and I have a thing against even numbers. Besides I like keeping a spot open. It allows me the freedom to rotate in my favorite blogs du jour.)

Anyway...back to Big Mama. Every Friday she does a fashion post. (See for example: today's edition.) I'm usually with her on every suggestion and recommendation. She has introduced me to some really great stores I had yet to hear about (Naartje, Boden, Free People, etc.) and we share a love affair with Anthropologie.

I'm not trying to horn in on her Fashion Friday thing, but she has inspired me over the years. I love fashion, accessories, shoes, and handbags.  Anyone who has known me for any length of time should know that.  So I thought I'd try a Fashion Friday post for myself. I'm not saying that this will happen every week or anything...but for today, let's see what will happen...

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I think for me the best place to start is with the things that I am currently loving.  A list...in no particular order...


1. The Drop Cable Open Cardigan

I love this sweater.  Although, now that I'm looking at it on the model, I realize that mine is too big and I like the charcoal one better.  BUT, I do love this sweater.  It's soft, warm, cozy, and goes with everything!


2. Skinny Jeans from NY and Company

These jeans are fantastic!  And sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln! Did you see the price right now??? I picked up a slightly lighter wash of these earlier this fall for what I thought was a steal then (apparently not!).  They were my first attempt at a skinny jean because I'm a curvy girl and any time a tapered leg is put on a curvy girl, bad things can happen.  I believe that these jeans are the exception.  They enhance the curvy, in a good way, mind you.


3. The Machie Gray Suede Boots

These boots...Mmm...these boots... They are amazing!  So comfortable and so cute with the above skinnies and sweater.

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So there you have it. The short list of what I am currently in love with.  These three pieces are in a constant rotation.  Really you can't go wrong with any combination of the above.  In fact...this post has inspired me to wear these pieces all together today.

I do apologize for the nature of this photo...I was in the bathroom at church and this was the only way to show you that I was in fact wearing the boots recommended above. I was also about to fall over.


Please note the super duper cute scarf (this link isn't to my scarf, but I got mine a while ago and this was the closest one like it) and phone case (a Christmas gift from my kiddos).  Both should have their very own Fashion Friday post.  Someday...

BBB

I've been using babynames.com for years to help me find names for my children.  It helped me name my daughter - Natalie Lauren.  But this time around it seems as though nothing is helping me name this man child within my womb.  I'm terrified that delivery day will come and all we will have is Baby Boy Ball.  Can you imagine if we leave him with that name for the rest of his long life!?  What awful parents we would be!

This is why every time someone asks me if we've picked out a name I jump on them begging for suggestions.  I get the same look of shock and awe every time!  I need help!  WE need help!

A few weeks ago we were at Barnes and Noble and I bought a baby name book thinking it would help us.  That night we picked out a whole list of names that we didn't hate.  By the next morning, I hated every last one.  Back to square one.  

Oh, for crying out loud!

We've tabled this name discussion so many times, I've almost given up completely.  But then the thought of "BBB" being my baby's initials for the rest of his life gets me motivated to find him a name.  

Sooo... I decided to read other books.  I borrowed baby name books from everyone I knew.  Yeah, that brought me no where near closer to a name for my son. 

Seriously, people!

A couple days ago I was reading a review about The Baby Name Wizard by Laura Wattenberg.  I thought, "What the heck!  I might as well get it and give it a try.  Nothing else is helping."  I just couldn't bring myself to buy it though at the time.  I wasn't optimistic enough about it's usefulness.

Then, just this afternoon, I ran across this website based on the Wizard book.  So I played around with it for a while and was able to find a few names that I had not seen in the 1,375,000 baby names I've read over the last few months.  So I sent a list of my favorites to The Music Man to see what he thinks.  Chances are, he'll hate everything, suggest a bunch of name I hate and then - WHOOP! - we're back to square one...BBB.  

Can anyone help a sister out?!  We are in peril.  Baby Boy Ball needs a name!

And I Was Freaking Out Yesterday!

"There's not much holding this baby in," said the midwife.

Oh dear! I thought.  I've got so much to do.

"You're a good centimeter dilated and your cervix is very ripe.  The baby's head is quite low.  Any day now."

Oh! Dear!

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If you haven't twittered yet, you really must!  I started a couple weeks ago to amuse my husband and I see now how addictive it is.  You really must start now and be sure to add me to your list of friends... I'm melissajanel.  As I go into labor I'll be posting as much as I can on twitter, so if for no other reason that that, you must sign up today.  You might also want to add scottieb to your list as The Music Man may take over the posting from time to time.  

UPDATED: We Bought an Island

Ok so it's not in the Bahamas...it's just in our kitchen, but my sister (she's here for a visit) and I were contemplating buying our own island in the Bahamas. We found one for only $358,000. I don't think that's bad for an island in the Bahamas. Hmmm...maybe someday soon.

But anyway, we really did buy an island for our kitchen. A friend of ours saw it Sunday afternoon on Craig's List and called Scott right away. He emailed the lady and asked her some questions and set up to look at it last night. So on our way home from the beach (AGAIN!!! I know...it's a rough life!), we met Scott and went to look at it. Well, let's just say we couldn't pass it up. It's beautiful and big, which is more than I can say for most of the islands I've looked at. It has a granite top, knife block, towel rod, roll out drawer in the cabinet side and two open shelves on the other side. Here are some pictures of our new island...







So as I said, we couldn't pass it up. The price was too right. Yeah, it was only $50. Yes, you read correctly...I said 50 Bucks, 5-0 dollars, 50 smackeroos, etc. Can you even believe that? I'm still a bit in shock over the whole thing. I've priced similar islands with the granite top and they start around $400-$500 and go way up from there. That's why we couldn't pass it up. God literally droppped it into our laps. He is so good and so faithful. Thank you Jesus!!!

UPDATE: For those of you who have never heard of Craig' List, it's like an international classifieds for anything and everything. You can look for things locally or post want ads. You can look for jobs, sell a car, basically anything. I just found out about it on Friday, but you can guaruntee that it is now in my bookmarks! The web address is craigslist.com. Check it out. If you find any amazing deals of your own, be sure to let me know about them.

My Favorite Things (Like Oprah)

Last night while my beautiful husband slept, I layed there unable to shut off my brain. I couldn't tell you what all I thought about except for this one great idea I had. Have you ever gotten one of those email surveys that tells you all about the person that sent it. You're supposed to copy and paste it into a new email and fill it out about yourself before emailing it to everyone you know. I love to read those. I don't always take the time to fill them out about myself, but I enjoy them nonetheless. For some crazy reason, this is what I was thinking about last night as I listened to Scott sleep. So I got to thinking that not everyone enjoys getting those things or likes to fill them out and send them on. I'm starting a new feature her on my blog...My Favorite Things. I'll post a themed list of my favorite things. If you agree, disagree, or want to share your favorite thing within that theme, leave me a comment.
Soooo... I think that my first list will be about every girl's favorite thing...Beauty Products!

MY FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Here are the things I can't live without:
1. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner
















2. Crabtree & Evelyn's GoatMilk Comfoting Body Lotion



















3. Bare Minerals Make-up

















4. Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off and Turnaround 15 minute Facial




5. Paul Mitchell's The Conditioner (I could not function without my leave-in conditioner.)















6. Ion Shine Spray (God's gift to dull hair!!!)














7. Juiceman Jr. Juicer (Beauty begins with what you put into your body. What goes in must come out.)















8. Curling Iron - 1.5 inch barrel









9. Warm Lemon Water first thing each morning (helps to keep the alkaline and acid levels in your body balanced)













10. Turbie Twist (especially now that my hair is so long!)














11. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (ALWAYS looks good and inexpensive.)













12. Maybellin Lip Polish Hi-Shine in Pink Cadillac

10 Things in My Kitchen I Can't Live WIthout

10. My Drain Strainer - A kitchen without a garbage disposal cannot function properly without a strainer for the drain. It keeps all the little foods from going down the drain and clogging it. It's dishwasher safe, so everyday when I run the diswasher, I throw this little guy in and it comes out sparkly clean. (I also bleach it and sterilize it often.)

9. Freezer Storage Bags: Quart and Gallon Sizes - I use these for everything. They're perfect for storing leftover chicken nuggets, pork chops, or burgers. The quarts are the perfect size for one pound of ground meat (like when you buy the large family size and then split it up into 1 lb bags for convenience). They're also great for those last few rolls from dinner that you'd like to keep (hey-one of the kids is bound to eat it tomorrow for snack). The gallow sizes work great for marinating meat in. (ALWAYS use SLIDER TOP gallon bags.) They are also great for storing toys with little pieces, small puzzles, etc.
(I have to say at this point that while Press n' Seal did not make the list - I don't use it on a daily basis, it is vital to a functional kitchen. It is perfect for sealing single serving filets of fish or chicken, hamburgers, cookie dough, etc. Once you have them sealed tightly, put them all into a slider top gallon freezer bag and label it with what's in there and the date. Press and seal also weorks great for leftover tomato paste. You know like when a recipe calls for a tablesoon--what do you do with the rest of the can? Put the tomato paste on the press n seal in tablesoon size drops, seal them in and freeze them for the next time you need just a tablespoon. That tip is compliments of Scott's mom!)

8. My Calendar - I put everything on there! For years it has had a place on the side of my fridge. Recently I have embraced the wonders of a small planner. Due to increasing business and activities, I needed to be able to always have my calendar with me, so while I no longer put all of our daily activities on there, I still use it daily. I am in the habit of referring to it often throughout the day as I plan my life.

7. My Drawer Full of Towels and Washcloths - Who can't live without these!! I mean really! No one can.

6. My Scrubber Thing - I know it looks a bit icky, but I took this picture right before I changed the pad. I have tried just about every hand scrubber that's available. I've tried the expensive Williams - Sonoma kind and the cheap Walmart brand. About 3 years ago I found this one and fell in love. I have had many of these over the past three years, but I never stray from this design. It's by Rubbermaid and the store always has the pads in stock when I need them. They are very reasonably priced! An absolute must in any kitchen!

5. Egg Timer - We received this exact egg timer for as part of a wedding present. I use it for all sorts of fun stuff: Natalie's time outs, cooking, baking, napping. I like it better than the timer on my stove or on my microwave, because it's portable. When I have something in the oven, that I don't want to forget about, but I'm also working on laundry or upstairs, I just take my little egg timer with me. It's starting to die now. It doesn't really ring anymore. It just kinda dings and stops ticking. I have been looking for a long time for a replacement, but I haven't connected with any other egg timer yet.

4. Clorox Wipes - Need I say more than that? They are in my kitchen, every bathroom, and even the basement.

3. My Dustbuster - Oh, how I love my dustbuster!!! Where do I even begin with this little miracle? I use this ALL the time! It's just your basic Dustbuster, but it is like gold to me! It helps with messy spills, bot dry AND wet! It sucks up my dirt pile after sweeping. (So much easier and cleaner than a dust pan!) It's a beautiful thing!

2. My Dishwasher - I was blessed to grow up always having a dishwasher. When I went away to college, I experienced for the first time, what it was like to live without a dishwasher. I didn't know what to do with myself. Since sollege, I have again been blessed to always have a dishwasher, but it wasn't until I had Natalie that I realized how very, VERY blessed I was to have a dishwasher! Washing a half dozen bottles, nipples, caps, and pacifiers a day can be very tedious. I found out once how much my dishwasher really meant to me. At the time I had this rickety old dishwasher that had been around since the mid 80's. It was horribly loud! I had to go to the opposite end of the house just to make a phone call. When it finally went out, I had a few days until the new one came and I washed bottles, nipples, and pacifiers till my hands ached. That's why my dishwasher is number 2 on my list!

1. My Daily Flip Calendar - My Number One! My greatest treasure. The whole calendar is based upon friendships and it has a place of honor in front of my sink. My very best friend in the whole world gave this to me for my birthday 12 years ago. We were juniors in high school and having what we thought was the time of our lives (we weren't far off). Everyday for the past 12 years, I have been reading the day's Scripture verse, thought, or inspirational quote. It's to the point now, that I know what is coming. I know what my birthday says, I know what Christmas says, and I know on what days my favorite quotes will come up. Each morning as I come to make breakfast, I flip the calendar and read the thought. It has begun to fall apart, but I just keep flipping. I never read it without thinking of Morlie'. I never read it without giving thanks for our Rock solid friendship 14 years strong. And I never read it without saying a prayer for my best friend. She's the cocoa to my vanilla, the Barb to my Barb, and the only one I will throw carrots with. I love her to pieces!

What I'm NOT Doing...

Original post date was to have been two years ago today. Hmm... What I'm NOT doing today, two years later...

1. Being pregnant
2. Having pity party about baby showers
3. Whining about my upcoming birthday
4. Getting a pedicure

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Today and tomorrow are supposed to be a day of doing household projects in preparation for this little karate kid in my belly. I told The Music Man yesterday that I'm loosing that nesting feeling and delayed 2nd trimester energy fast. I am becoming more and more uncomfortable and my feet are beginning to swell just a bit. There is still so much to do, and I'm afraid that my motivation has peaked and is now waning. I've moved from nesting to desperately wanting to finally hold this baby in my arms, not my belly.

So, this is what's on the agenda for the weekend:

1. Rearrange the kids' bedroom to make room for baby.
2. Clean out the bathroom closet and cupboards to make room for all the stuff currently residing on the changing table.
3. Dig out remaining baby gear from the shed and figure out what is still usable and what needs to be replaced.
4. Make a master list of everything else that needs to be bought before we are ready for baby.
5. Name this baby.

It might not sound like much to you, but it is so overwhelming to me, especially given the fact that The Music Man is in the basement on the phone with the IRS and has been for the past hour with no sign of hanging up anytime soon. In addition I've been watching A Baby Story and it's making me sad. I'm so ready to be the one delivering and bring my baby home.

:::

(WARNING: What follows can only be described as a full blown pity party. I'm sorry to do this to you, but this is my blog and my journal of sorts. Besides I'm very pregnant and emotional so I need your pity and support. Ok, here goes...)

On another semi-related note, I'm a little bummed out. Call me crazy, but why are there no baby showers given for second babies? It just seems like no one feels the need to celebrate this second baby's upcoming arrival or the fact that I am miraculously pregnant after two miscarriages. This may sound selfish, but I just don't get it. This time around I am far from any family, which is making this harder yet.

Don't get me wrong, my friends here are excited about this baby, but it's just not the same as having my family close. There are so many times when I have wanted to work on something for the baby with my mom or sisters, but can't because they're hundreds of miles away. I miss them and the excitement they have over this little addition to our big family.

And, oh my goodness, so many of my girlfriends here read this blog and I don't want anyone to think I'm fishing for a baby shower. That's not why I'm writing this. Maybe it's just because it's rainy outside today which is making me a little down and out.

And, I need a pedicure.

AND I'm turning 30 on Thursday and it will most likely be a day like every other, but it's a huge deal for me!

Why, oh why, is my family scattered all over so far away from me. I need them here!!!

Website Wednesday

So in the new tradition I began on Monday, I've decided to roll with more. On Wednesday's I will attempt to offer a website that is interesting, fun, hip, and or any other random thing I may come across on my trips through the great World Wide Web.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to anyone that my absolute favorite website on the WWW is Amazon.com. Oh, Jesus, help me be strong! So I'm sure you assume that I would want to choose my beloved Amazon for the very first Website Wednesday, but you must hear me out as to why I lost the right to honor this beautiful website in the way in which it deserves.

Let me tell you the story...

As you know, I love to read and I adore the ease that Amazon offers me to shop books. One of my greatest loves in life! As of late, I have exercised the "Buy now with1-Click" button far too much. I have no idea to what it is connected--a credit card perhaps or a money tree in Idaho--I don't know and I didn't care. All I know is that when I press that glorious button, a receipt is sent to my email inbox with a promise that my beautiful new friend will soon be on its way to me. And lo and behold, in a few days time, my precious new book arrives in my mailbox, just begging me to unwrap it and lovingly spend the next several hours with it until I have devoured it sometimes more than once.

I had come to realize that I have become far to liberal with that wicked 1-Click button, especially when I would receive many, many, too many receipts in my inbox. It was then that I realized I was sliding down a slippery slope. So I did what any addicted person would do... I created a wish list. I thought it would be a wonderful way for me to shop and "buy" without using that naughty 1-Click button.

But by that time, I had accumulated a lengthy library of unread books just begging to be held and caressed. So that is what I did. Last week I binged on my delicious little books. They made me stay up till the wee hours of the morning most nights, to the point that my poor neglected husband begged me to put them down and come to bed with him. Normally I would jump into bed with him and have no more thoughts about anything but him, but not last week. It frustrated him to no end.

Finally one night I promised him that I would not stay up all night reading, but as I crawled into bed around 3am, he said simply, "I thought you said you wouldn't do this to me again." His voice was thick with sleep and the knife that was thrust into my heart went deep, twisted, and plunged in ever farther until I thought surely it was going to be the end of me. You said you wouldn't do this to ME again!

What had I done? My precious husband! I had clearly replaced him and never thought twice about it. There was nothing I could do about it then, but the next morning I rose early even though I had only gotten a few hours sleep. I tried apologizing but he just said that I needed to be done with my books. I said I would be.

Funny thing... I went to that wicked temptress Amazon and suddenly I began receiving receipts in my inbox. Oh dear! How did they get there? You pesky little 1-Click button. You are so naughty! You are sure to be the end of me.

I found out that evening what the 1-Click button was attached to--our checking account. My husband had know all along of my indescresions, but hoped I would stop on my own. He told me in no uncertain terms that I was to be done with that pesky 1-Click button and with that naughty Amazon! I was to have no more contact with either of them. I agreed that I would take a break. He said, "No! You are to be done with them. Is that clear?" He was deadly serious! Oh my... done?... for how long?... he wouldn't take them away forever, would he?

I was too scared of the answer to the question I longed to ask. How long? So I remained silent, hoping that in time he would grow to see that I am a changed woman and I could handle a few books every now and then. So I agreed. What else could I do? I love my husband and I knew that he was not joking at all. It had truly been a knife that cut me deep that night he told me I said I wouldn't do that to him again. He was through with it all. Time will only tell...

Oh my beloved Amazon and precious 1-Click, how I have abused you. Please forgive me. We will be together again in time, but first I must honor my vow of abstinence with you for this time of great testing. Please know this, dear Amazon and 1-Click, my love for you never wains even though we have to be separated. ...sigh...

So as you can see I cannot under any circumstances acknowledge the very thing that has become the third member of my marriage. I cannot tell you all the wonderful things about Amazon. I cannot tell you how it has everything under the sun. I can't describe to you the ease with which one can maneuver through its vast pages of anything you could need or want. I cannot speak of the great wonder that is the 1-Click button. I cannot. Hush now!

Instead I will share with you a site that is relatively new to me and I quickly fell in love with it. Since finding it a couple weeks ago, I have visited often, though never participating with it beyond repeated thorough perusals. (Some vices should not be tempted beyond what I KNOW I can handle--it's not wise).

So for now, I only allow myself to look. (Heaven help my checkbook if I start to partake of these delectable goodies. I am beginning to wonder if my constant "looking" is healthy or if it will inevitably lead me to taste that which I cannot have.) Oh but the sheer beauty of it all is breath-taking.

Lord, help this weak woman! My husband will not be kind if he should find another love threatening to usurp his place as the object of all my affections.

It is my hope that by sharing this site with you, I can avert a sneaky tryst with it. If I share my love with you then it is not mine to covet. So here you are...


Oh glorious shoes, you beacon me with your lovely heels. Stop it! Stop it, now! It cannot be! Not now! Not ever. I have but one love and he is jealous!

But just look at what can be had...




I am a weak woman...