I met Melli last year in November at our lovely laughing ladies luncheon. My friend Floozie was visiting me and I shamelessly enticed her to come visit me with a promise that maybe we could meet up with Melli and some of the other area bloggers for lunch. That innocent lunch turned out to be a wild 3 day visit when Melli decided to follow us home.....Melli also decided that we should go visit Floozie in Savannah.

Bear in mind that I have been known to agree to things that I'm pretty sure will never happen when they are first suggested. I have since learned that when Melli says she's coming the proper response is "WHEN?" and "For How Long?"

Our 10 hour drive to Savannah turned out to be 12 hours and of course was filled with side trips, drama, trauma and lots of loud singing to our favorite CD's . I can tell you that Melli rarely gets upset, even when her keys got locked in the car. She merely looked at me, rolled her eyes toward heaven and said the equivalent statement of Scarlett O'Hara's "I'll think about it tomorrow." ( I think it went more on the lines of "I'm going to go Pee and then I'll deal with it".)

We discovered that two people who snore can not share a bedroom with out one being really grumpy in the morning. Fortunately we soon discovered that nothing could disturb Jen who is deaf, so peace was restored with the juggling of some bedrolls. You'll note that we are both smiling in this picture! Sleep deprived Divas are definitely not a good thing (trust me on this one!)


The best way to have an argument with Melli is not to tell her while you are having it. (Forgiveness is easier to get than permission! ) Our first argument was on wearing the seat belt....I won but she grumbled and complained all ten days about wearing it. (Can you say hard headed?)


The best way to deal with Melli climbing on everything is just to smile and take her picture. It does no good to try to reason with her, just take the shot quickly and walk away. I have developed a great "I don't know who that red haired lady was officer" look of innocence.



When Melli is determined.....there is no changing her mind! She was so into dressing up in hats and gloves for the tea room that she brought six hats with her and sweetly asked, " Which one do you want to wear?" If you ignored her she would just assigned you one!


Melli has a heart of gold and became actively involved with a homeless family that had been evicted from a local motel. They were sitting on the curb with all of their belongings around them looking overwhelmed and hopeless. She bought them a few extra nights in the motel and gave them money for food. Her concern was so contagious that the rest of us could not help but pitch in financially too. She went back to check on them before we left Savannah.

Melli is truly a remarkable woman. She is kind, generous, always full of fun, and very protective of her friends (especially the limping variety). She needs her down time, her camera, her car, her computer, and of course good food. It always amazes me that we are friends. We shouldn't be. There is no way that our paths should have ever crossed except in the blogging world.

The fact that we were able to get women from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland together for Blogger Babes Bash is a testimony to her . I keep telling her that she is " the draw" that made everyone want to come. I spent 10 days with her and am looking forward to our next adventure. Melli is pretty amazing (don't tell her I said so) and I am blessed to call her friend.

Labels: Melli

Today is Melli's 50th Birthday And you are all invited to
Melli's Birthday Bash!

Today instead of a virtual party a few of her friends have decided to have a progressive birthday party.

Come join the fun and wish our Melli a fun filled day.



Since we want you in a party mood let's start with streamers and confetti! We've already started hanging the streamers to get you in a party mood.

We have a confetti cannon too! I'm not sure how it works but we will figure it out before she arrives!

Here's a game: Why is Melli like streamers and confetti? Feel free to leave your answers...

While we are hanging the streamers we would invited YOU to also visit:

Beckie.....for cake
Jen.....for party hats and you know how Melli loves Hats!!
Floozie...for balloons and "Happy Birthday Song"
Cozy...for ice cream and punch
Mar...for international birthday flare!
Lady Bug.....Party Game
Barbara.......Presents!


Melli is like Streamers and confetti because......
(OK, this is a hard one....)

She's a colorful character?
She commands attention?
She's in your face?
She knows how to party?
She leaves her mark everywhere?
She covers every aspect of an event?
You have to clean her up after the party?
A little of Melli goes a long way?
She's festive?
She gets in your hair?

Bang, Pow , Pop!
(Well, I see the confetti cannon is working....maybe a little too well. Oh dear I was hoping to fire it when ever Melli got here! )

Please drop your gifts and warm wishes off at Melli's

Melli likes words of encouragement and birthday greetings..(old people are like that you know! ) If you would like to post your own birthday tribute and be a part of Melli's Birthday Bash leave me a comment and I'll link you up. Thanks for coming and don't forget to visit the other sites for your ice cream, cake and party paraphernalia.


Got to get the stage set for the Big Birthday Bash.

Labels: Birthday, Friends, Melli

In my job as an investigative reporter I have come up with the scoop of the century....Melli is actually The Mellinator. That's right folks you read it here! Let me give you a description of The Mellinator and her remarkable abilities.

She is able to leap to conclusions in a single bound, able to climb all statuary for a closer look and a better picture, faster than a melting Popsicle in the sun, stronger than sheet metal, more powerful than laughter, and who disguised as a mild manner Curves Ladies fights a never ending battle for exercise, fitness, and fun.

She has the special ability of flight (she can be all over the blogsphere in a manner of minutes). She is able to dissolve despair, bust up pity parties, and yes, KICK BUTT if the situation calls for quick action. Her birthday is tomorrow so I'm posting these today so I can join the witness protection program. Here are 50 reasons you can sleep better at night knowing the Mellinator is on patrol.



1. She has a wonderful sense of adventure.

2. She's a redhead. (that's like a blond but with less impulse control!)

3. She is bigger than life.

4. She loves her family and her husband.

5. She loves animals (one dog and 3 cats).

6. Her best friend is Jesus!

7. She makes even the ordinary fun.

8. She loves hats.

9. She likes to dress up (note costume).

10. She is pure marshmallow inside

11. She knows no stranger.

12 She's lost 60 pounds.

13. She leaves encouraging comments on everyone's blog.

14. Her friends feel blessed by her friendship.

15. She feels just as "at home" in your house as she does in her own.

16. She cares deeply.

17. You never know when she will pop up!

18. She loves to climb on every thing.

19. She loves to take pictures.

20. She is truly an original.

21. Her laughter is contagious.

22. She is computer wise and will gladly share her knowledge.

23. She is a great cheerleader.

24. She enjoys Bible Study.

25. You never have to invite her....she'll literally follow you home!

26. She loves her church and Pastor Paul.

27. She can ride a exercise bike for 8 hours and not get fanny fatigue!

28. She has great energy.

29. She won't take "NO" for an answer.

30. She is a reluctant "Water Walker".

31 She is a giver by nature.

32. She loves to sing in the car really loud with the windows rolled up.

33. She is fearless.

34. She is quick to defend a friend.

35. She sees the best in people and brings it out of them.

36. She loves seafood.

37. She is a beach lover.

38. She runs on anticipation and delight.

39. She loves to shop.

40. She always finds fun places to stop on road trips.

41. She loves crafts and loves giving presents.

42. Melli is the roller coaster queen.

43. Melli puts the spark in sparkle.

44. To be with Melli is like being caught up in tornado and landing in Oz.

45. Melli's middle name is excitement.

46. Melli recently fulfilled a secret desire to ride on top of the car through a car wash!

47. Savannah will never be the same after Melli's visit.

48. Melli is good "bait" to attract Blogger Babes and Lovely Laughing Ladies.

49. She's the knot at "the end of your rope" that pulls you back.

50. Like a fine wine.....She only improves with age! Happy Birthday Mellinator!

Labels: Birthday, Melli

Lately my life has turned into a long exhilarating roller coaster ride. There have been many highs, followed by sudden plunges, twists, turns, loops, spirals, sudden jerks, slow climbs, and heart pounding suspense. A lot of the ride has taken place in the dark where every twist and turn is a new surprise,

A lot of people love roller coaster rides. I'm not one of them. I'm vanilla in a chocolate world.....occasionally with rainbow sprinkles. I'm the spinning tea cups or a carousel ride.


But not my friend Melli. Melli is excitement waiting to happen. She's the spark in the sparkler, the fire in fire cracker and definitely the queen of the roller coasters. Did I mention that she is chocolate turtle sundae with a cherry on top in my very vanilla world?


To know Melli is to be swept up in a tornado and be deposited somewhere in Oz.( or Dayton, or Bridgewater, or Waynesboro). Wherever we land there are always rules to follow. There must be at least one camera (preferably two or three ), the driver must stop at a moments notice should a photo op present itself and everyone in the car must be involved (whether taking the picture, assisting Melli to climb on anything that doesn't move, or watching out for the local police!) Other rules were added throughout the visit... absolutely no pictures taken where any other blogger had been previously photographed or as Melli would ask, " Is this a virgin picture? You didn't take Floozie here did you?" (and I thought that I was a Diva!)

Labels: Melli

Yep, that's me.......wondering what in the world have I gotten myself into this time. I was just sitting there thinking what a great time I'm having and the next thing I know Melli is spending the weekend with me and Floozie in the Daisy Patch.

The funny thing is ......I have no recollection of inviting her. Is she reading my mind? I can see Mr. Wonderful in my mind's eye saying, "Daisy, you've got some splaining to do?" Oh Well, I'm thinking...how bad can one night be?
Let me count the ways:




A is for Automobile that has no.....
B Brakes....pedal to the floor , brake fluid on the ground
C Couldn't leave if she tried
D Delayed Departure till Sunday
E Eager to go play...but waiting on the mechanic
F Flip Flop Floozie feeling flue-y
G Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (the Mellinator!)
H Honestly wouldn't have missed a single minute of it.
I I had the time of my life!
J Just exactly how did this happen?
K Kind of just fell in place ( or what we call a divine appointment).
L Laughter, lots of it.
M Mechanic who fixed the car (on Saturday when they normally are closed!)
N No...don't climb the statue, don't get in the grocery cart, get out of the street...
O Oh No! Outrageous Outburst
P Please, please, please, "I'll be your best friend" (piles of photos too!)
Q Quirky...in the most delightful way
R Right behind you Melli.
S Silly stunts, Shaking with laughter,
T Time just flew by way too fast.
U "U did save it as a draft first didn't U?"
V Vibrant color leaves, vivacious friends.
W words....Not enough to adequately explain!
X exceptional (both the silliness and also words of encouragement)
Y..You
Z ...Zee you soon?


Follow the Fun......>

Melli calls it her favorite Watering Spout (Spot). Who knew that Floozie and Melli would decided to be the welcome wagon of Staunton. I had a hard time dragging them out of the intersection.


Melli was squatting in the flower pot when a passing car rolled down the window and asked me " Does She Need a Tissue?" Floozie was fighting off a head cold and had just asked us if we had a kleenex. Wow,I thought , how did they know? Later it dawned on me that Melli position in the flower pot looked rather suggestive of another activity. That was the start of hours of continual giggling! Every thing from then on was extremely funny and we just seemed to fuel each others silliness.

While walking down the quaint streets of Staunton Melli takes off running down the street toward this site. ( Zelma's Costumes and retro clothing shop). What followed was a grown up version of dress up. Melli suggested that Floozie try on the dress that is on the dress form and we could take a new picture for her website! Floozie declined the offer .


Seems like I spent most of my day trying to keep Melli from climbing statues , being the look out for the local police and documenting the misdeed for all our blogging friends. Lord help us all when she finally reaches her goal weight as there will be no holding her to the ground.


Typical Conversation:

Melli: Daisy hold my camera and take the picture when I get up there.

Me: Oh, come on lets rethink this.....what if you fall.

Melli: Your a nurse, call the paramedics.

Floozie: I don't think this is a good idea (standing next to her to catch her when she falls!)

By the end of the day Melli's "Insanity Prevails" had infected us all. What started off as a conversation about Melli "being the baby of the bunch" ended up with the baby getting into the basket and all of laughing ourselves silly. By the time one of us would get a small measure of composure a new wave of silliness would hit that would double us over in gales of laughter.

This Daisy admits to hysterical laughter that would cause the other two to lose it all over again. Needless to say it was hard to explain to our husbands as new waves of giggles would break out again and again at the dinner table. Truly you had to be there, and be suffering from sleep deprivation to get the full impact of the situation.

Our trip to Walmart netted us groceries, pharmacy items, and one of us had to buy a pair of pants. We provided entertainment to many in the parking lot and now I have to move or go into the witness protection program. (Thanks friends!)

Least you think this adventure was all fun and games, let me leave you with a parting picture of an intervention that took place in my living room. Both Floozie and Melli are my dieting diva heroes and both excellent "life coaches". Melli has lost 56 pounds and Floozie has lost 32 inches...Me? I've lost my sense of humor, my will to live and about 3 months.

Needless to say my efforts have been stalled for a while so Melli decided she needed to "Jump start"my motivation. Sometimes action speaks louder than words so Melli is demonstrating a highly effective form of motivation. Assume the Position!

Labels: Friends, Melli, Sandy, Staunton

The Lovely Ladies Laughing Luncheon was a huge success. Friday morning found all of us anxious , excited and somewhat nervous with anticipation.

I already have a strong bond and history with Floozie that dates back over five years. Floozie is one of the sweetest, kindest, most compassionate tenderhearted people I know. She loves new adventures and the opportunity to meet with Beckie, Melli, and Lady Bug was an irresistible treat. Floozie gave up the opportunity to see family members and gave up a special one year birthday party for the triplets that she has been helping care for during the past year to come see me so I truly wanted this event to be spectacular.

Security seems to be a big issue with non-blogging husbands and family members that are positive that the "invisible people" we are meeting in a public place will be "AXE MURDERERS". Melli was appointed as "Sergeant of Arms" and immediately undertook the security checks of the blogging delegation. Floozie appears to be somewhat surprised at the traditional tribal greetings of Maryland Melli and wasn't exactly sure if should drop her camera in the bag or show her drivers license.

The undercover agent Lady Bug was the biggest mystery of the day as she is never pictured in her blog. Would we be able to recognize her?

"Oh sure", she assured us, "I have brown hair and glasses." Hmm.....doesn't that fit half of the female population of the world?

Floozie and Lady Bug hit it off instantly at the secret luncheon destination (Cracker Barrel). We were given the corner table, free refills, and great service by the staff. Melli assures me that the four foot double pointed spear placed on the table in plain sight had absolutely nothing to do with the caliber of the service we received.

All too quickly (about 4 hours) Lady Bug made a hasty retreat as her secret identity had been compromised and she slipped quietly back into her undercover role as super mom. The rest of us went shopping for new disguises .
As we prepared to leave , Melli made an executive decision that we needed backup on our return trip to the secret hideout (the Daisy Patch) and accompanied us back to our Shenandoah home . She soon found out that her danger instincts were accurate as her car was disabled shortly after arriving at our destination. (Next time just pull a spark plug Floozie!)

Welll....maybe it didn't happen exactly that way, but it did to my way of thinking. The other ladies have their rendition of our clandestine rendevous but I believe in truth in journalism and not all the sensationalism you read nowadays!

Labels: Friends, Melli, Monday memories, Sandy