roar...and other stuff

i have been really into drawing animals lately. Remember how I used to (I asked that question like you were there and remember with me--ok, you don't remember, but I do!)-- get so mad at Jesse (my brother) for making fun of me that I wanted to work at a pet store when I was older. He always would say, "Melissa, that is like saying that you want to work at a gas station when you grow up!" how rude! I thought it would be so cool to hold all the animals and play with them all day... FAST FORWARD to NOW --- I am soooooo not an animal person. Sure, I like the little puppy and tiny kitten to hold for a little bit, then I'm done. and, FYI, I hate HaTe hATe little rodents. eaqsah! Just the thought of them makes me cringe.

I think it is because I was a child of California earthquakes...the ground shifted and the mice came. It's like the song, "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man" tune... "the earth shook up and the mice came out, the earth shook up and the mice came out..." (i love primary). Seriously, it was awful. I remember going with my mom to Ace hardware and learning that ALL of the mouse traps were sold out...we had already been to the grocery store too...SOLD OUT! I remember we would be sitting around the dinner table or wherever and if you stopped to listen at any one time, you could hear several traps going off around our house!!!! agah! Just remembering it gets me sick to my tummy. :) gag. I am deathly afraid of all things that creep, scurry, crawl and scamper (take a time out = Babies crawl...they don't fall into the "hate" category).

Anyway, enough memoirs as to my disturbed childhood (it's not your fault, mom). I have been doing a lot with the computer and animal/bug drawings and stitching...so much so, that I have pulled out my wrist brace. yuck. I haven't really pulled it out since college.

So, here's what we've been up to lately...as in the last two days.

do you have any guesses as to what I might be making? Hmmm...I'll leave you to your guessing. I'll post the project as soon as I am finished...I think it will be done today.

Get excited. I am. Aaron is too.

Now, these cute kiddos are our neighbors. Well, AR-Jenni (I have NO idea how to spell his name, but that is the pronunciation) and TOE-mas (thomas with a Porto Rican accent) is his cousin that have just come to stay for a few months? indefinitely? But we LOVE our cute Porto Rican family next door. They are great! I practice my rusty rusty spanish with arjenni and he practices his english with me (he is really really good for only living here a little longer than a year!)...anyway, they are so cute. Every time they see me and I am coming home with groceries or whatever, they ask if they can help me carry stuff in. And then they give me hugs all the time (which, I am definitely not a "hug" kind of girl -never really have been, but they are just so cute). Here they are playing in the backyard. Aaron took some pictures. Yes, Arjenni is doing a back flip off of the ladder. Here's the play by play... don't worry, as soon as I know backflips were happening in the 3 foot pool, I put an end to that. How UNcool would it be for a broken neck, I ask? Nope, not on my watch. (yes, I am doctor).

oh, and if you haven't heard the new Colbie Caillat cd...get hearin' soon. (click on this link and you can listen to her songs on her website...left hand side). It is pure delightful. I love each song on the compact disc. True enjoyment. Thanks becca, you're the bomb.com.

lots of love to my peeps. adios. oh, and thanks for the birthday wishes. all ya'll were so nice. :)