Happy Birthday to Merrie Melody::8 years old!::December 17

Today is Merrie Melody blog's 8th birthday! Time sure flies when you're having fun.

Lots of things have happened in these past 8 years. Weddings. Divorces. Births. Funerals. Lots of birthdays, and firsts, and lasts and everything in between.

This was the very first post:

Welcome!

Remember the Merrie Melodies from Warner Bros? If not take a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrie_Melodies

Somedays my life feels a bit cartoony; and sometimes I really am merry. So Merrie Melody fits!

Today I feel a lot like Tom on "Tom and Jerry". I just need the toothpicks to keep my eyes open!

Steve and I are in the middle of a mini-remodel in the bathroom, so guess what I am doing today? I'll maybe pick up some paint for the walls this afternoon, and later this evening finish caulking the new tub surround before Matt's birthday party.

I finished a Christmas collage for a friend's Christmas cards this morning. It turned out really cute.

Now the kids are all awake and it's time to start my day for real.

Have a good one!

By far, the most popular post has been my recipe for pot roast. I get at least a dozen views a day for that one post.

I originally started Merrie Melody to keep track of family "stuff" - kind of a journal. Steve printed out the first 18 months into a book form for us, but we've gotten behind a bit. ;) I'd like to have each year printed so that we can have the stories, the pictures, and the memories to be able to pick up and look at anytime we want.

Thank you for being a part of this blog. I hope that you have enjoyed the stories, pictures, and links as much as I have.

♥ Melody

Chyann & Jackson ♥♥ The Twin Grandbabies

They are here!! Born on December 1st, Jackson Owen Sawyer was born at 8:57 p.m and weighs 4 lbs 11oz; 16.9 inches and Chyann Joylyn was born at 8:59 p.m. and weighs 5 lbs.; 17.7 inches Mommy and babies are doing great! Chyann was on cpap for a few minutes, but now they are in the room with Josh and Hayley nursing and cuddling. Such a blessing! ♥ Melody ♥

TED talk "Dare to Disagree"::November 30

Margaret Heffernan: Dare to disagree



I just finished watching this TED talk, and I have a multitude of thoughts swimming around in my head.

I am person who will disagree if I feel something is wrong and/or troubling. I do this even with authority figures. Reactions to my disagreeing vary from authority figure to authority figure, but among the people who daresn't disagree is where I get the most resistance.

The first time I remember disagreeing with an authority figure was when I was 16. I was in Sunday School class and the teacher, who was a college student, posed a question to us. He asked if we had seen the article in the paper about what the policy the church had put out about HIV/AIDS patients. I hadn't, but was alarmed when he said that the policy was that these people would not be receiving home or visiting teachers and they were not welcome in church.

I envisioned people dying alone, without the fellowship, love, and nurturing that a church family can give. I thought of people unable to take the sacraments of the Lord. My blood boiled.

My response, though, has less to do with the story than the Sunday School teacher who posed such questions to teenagers and waited for and listened to the responses. It is a rare person indeed who encourages teenagers to think for themselves.

When I did give my response, which was quite different than many of my classmates, the teacher listened. When the class buzzed with debate, he sat back and was thoughtful. He didn't squelch conversation. He didn't insist on agreement with the leaders. He merely listened to the pros and cons.

Some people are very nervous when discord arises. They want to fix it as soon as possible. They want everyone to get along, even if that means cutting the conversation short. I have often disagreed with such people - I think conversation is extremely important.

I love discussing ideas. I love debating. What I do not love is ad hominem debating; never should a debate turn into tearing a person down or shaming them for their thoughts. It is one thing to disagree, but another to personally attack.

I hope that you watch the video. It is superb.
♥ Melody