tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60540662004730642662024-03-05T21:24:35.535-08:00The De LeonsMelissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-92213817657160978252015-02-18T22:31:00.000-08:002015-02-18T22:31:04.037-08:00Saying Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOK217fU4OT5pm1-zv-Mbayjzt_WIBujlj7q_Ocjql0ljKDuFc7n-1D7DFBqW3ihYWEyKO3RWcY_th7P1_07er4U13IQpP0h81DyXjecoBPK_eJb_bNoT0aWJpvpyghn3f7AwhJbVON4/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOK217fU4OT5pm1-zv-Mbayjzt_WIBujlj7q_Ocjql0ljKDuFc7n-1D7DFBqW3ihYWEyKO3RWcY_th7P1_07er4U13IQpP0h81DyXjecoBPK_eJb_bNoT0aWJpvpyghn3f7AwhJbVON4/s1600/IMG_4889.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Grandma Sally and Nico, Memorial Day 2014)</span></div>
<br />
On February 18, 2001 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(14 years ago today, actually)</span>, my Grandpa Schwartz, my Dad's Dad, died. After over 50 years of marriage, living without my Grandpa for the last 14 years was probably the hardest thing my Grandma Sally had ever done. How perfect it is then that on the anniversary of his passing she should be with him again. 14 years was long enough to have to be apart.<br />
<br />
Most of my life was spent growing up less than a mile from my Grandparents, and I was often told how lucky I was, and I never took it for granted. Lots of laughs, games, and baking. Easter always meant she made too many hard boiled eggs than an army could eat just so we could have more to dye. She made or (later, when baking became more difficult) bought our birthday cakes each year. At Christmas, the question wasn't whether she would make a pie, but (1) how many and (2) what kinds? So many stories and sweet memories.<br />
<br />
I haven't been able to get these song lyrics out of my head. Yes, they may be from a movie with Muppets, but the sentiment is spot-on. <br />
<div class="copy-paste-block" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Saying goodbye, going away<br />
Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say<br />
Touching a hand, wondering why<br />
It's time for saying goodbye</i>
<i><br />
Saying goodbye, why is it sad?<br />
Make's us remember the good times we've had<br />
Much more to say, foolish to try<br />
It's time for saying goodbye</i>
<i><br />
Don't want to leave, but we both know<br />
Sometime's it's better to go<br />
But somehow I know, we'll meet again<br />
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when<br />
Your in my heart, So until then<br />
It's time for saying goodbye</i>
<i><br />
Somehow I know, we'll meet again<br />
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when<br />
Your in my heart, So until then<br />
Wanna smile, wanna cry<br />
Saying goodbye...</i></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<br />
<span></span></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
Love you, Grandma. You will be missed. <br />
<span></span></div>
<br />
<br />Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-5123449396739990342014-12-28T10:30:00.000-08:002014-12-28T10:30:54.088-08:002014 Comes To An End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF6KXuPKLR_-BF6gRDzgYDwtI0GwUNi0ndMRIRiQxQeuHpoxA3_HLbJ474nz4ZlVQfnPifWF04Dv6NDXX_7KSJNWesyBRG1helmTx9JsXzM6FTxRvSIW5EcatDHFdKolfA9kZbikT0Tk/s1600/Christmas+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF6KXuPKLR_-BF6gRDzgYDwtI0GwUNi0ndMRIRiQxQeuHpoxA3_HLbJ474nz4ZlVQfnPifWF04Dv6NDXX_7KSJNWesyBRG1helmTx9JsXzM6FTxRvSIW5EcatDHFdKolfA9kZbikT0Tk/s1600/Christmas+2014.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Monico "Nico" Ernesto De Leon, 23 months old)</span></div>
<br />
Another year has nearly ended, and we are excited to see what the new year brings! As for 2014, it included:<br />
*Change in work: Monico moved from Selah's intermediate school to the high school (still SpEd), which meant he could no longer continue as Assistant Athletic Director (boo!), so he has instead started tutoring (yay!) after-school 3-days-a-week.<br />
*Developmental progress: Nico learned to crawl (January), walk (August), talk (October), sing (December), dance (October)... every day brings a new skill! <br />
*Change in future plans: Melissa let go of plan to become SLP (and move back to Seattle to go to UW) and made new grad-degree plans (to be shared once grad school accepts her!)<br />
*Road trip: visited Utah friends and family for first time in 11 years (since moving away)<br />
*Medical scares: Nico's week-long hospitalization for respiratory infection (in April)<br />
*New friends (through work and school) and family (niece Leilani born in July).<br />
<br />
2013 was a tough year in this house, with so many high-highs (starting with the very-early arrival of Nico), and then an incredible low with the tragic loss of someone special. 2014 was part of our continued recovery, and with each success we found hope and happiness again (with majority of credit given to our little "elf" above).<br />
<br />
Looking forward to all the amazing things that 2015 has in store, including new challenges and success!!Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-70847829918963016112014-05-30T13:45:00.002-07:002014-05-30T13:45:41.461-07:00The De Leon's -- 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZWjJFOwJFQqc8phiXYO895JvrbsW1w92Y2FhgzA25EClvZiQQiYruHVfBwgfhVq3UPUoklnTKaxA2y0JXyG0zk-5VcYb2b6S8ZuDE5fWtiS0EEJfSPqbMJiq7bpDyyjuU60nzBBIDbk/s1600/Easter+2014+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZWjJFOwJFQqc8phiXYO895JvrbsW1w92Y2FhgzA25EClvZiQQiYruHVfBwgfhVq3UPUoklnTKaxA2y0JXyG0zk-5VcYb2b6S8ZuDE5fWtiS0EEJfSPqbMJiq7bpDyyjuU60nzBBIDbk/s1600/Easter+2014+123.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm tired of seeing my nearly-two-year-old post at the top of my blog, so I'm adding a posting so I can see something new. Hello 2014! (Sorry to skip you, 2013, but I was busy.)<br />
<br />
This photo was taken by my sister in law, Brandy, Easter Sunday (4/20/14) at the Yakima Arboretum. Nico wasn't very happy posing for photos, so we gave him his precious Blunky (his blanket-bunny snuggly) to hold... and chew... and then he was much happier. As a result, most photos have him with his buddy's ear in his mouth. Oh well, it's a memory-maker for sure!<br />
<br />
Nico is 16 months old tomorrow (he'd be just over 14 months if born on his due date) and is still working on a lot of his developmental milestones for a one-year old, including walking and talking. We are still waiting for that first word. (Fingers-crossed for "mommy.")<br />
<br />
I am finishing up my 2nd year at Central Washington University (CWU). Because of missing a term last year (academic maternity leave-of-absence) and because I haven't taken full classloads this year, I am roughly 7 classes (30 odd credits) away from graduating, so my status as a "Senior" will continue on through next school year. BUT, I've got summer off, so YAY!<br />
<br />
Monico is finishing up his 2nd year teaching at Selah Intermediate School as a resource room special education teacher teaching math and English/literacy. He also worked as assistant athletic director to the school district during the 2013-2014 school year. Starting in this fall, he will be moving to Selah High School to continue working as a resource room special education teacher for English/Literacy and life skills -- he's VERY excited about moving back to work with older students!<br />
<br />
It's been a crazy couple of years, with lots of changes -- moving to Yakima, buying a house, having a baby, working, going to school (among other things) -- and we are excited to spend another summer together... no school, no work... just us.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-15735435139591753422012-08-27T09:32:00.000-07:002012-08-27T09:32:21.497-07:00Fall 2012 Brings More ChangesIt's been a while since I last posted on this blog. Pure laziness, I assure you, as I haven't been going to school since I got my AA in December 2011. But, most stuff I didn't feel like sharing with the world, so I kept it to myself. (Maybe I'll share more about that later...)<br />
<br />
For now, I wanted to share what Monico and I did to transform his [math and reading special education] classroom into a haven for 5th graders. (Unchartered territory for both of us, I assure you!)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the front of the classroom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRS8B8ABYLGwwVXU-g1AvHhN31doBKt0tR4212qCHK67BRAV0eA37fCfYvbQl-BuGoTuAWHBSFXUb8B7SVHA-8RofSKCLQKrQKwRab60cLAUdEjbn4eNrNf2hgom9f-fzHmbeR8JDRZc/s1600/front+of+class+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyRS8B8ABYLGwwVXU-g1AvHhN31doBKt0tR4212qCHK67BRAV0eA37fCfYvbQl-BuGoTuAWHBSFXUb8B7SVHA-8RofSKCLQKrQKwRab60cLAUdEjbn4eNrNf2hgom9f-fzHmbeR8JDRZc/s400/front+of+class+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back of the classroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(This calendar, I swear, took me 1+ hours to put up with all the darn tape needed!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXxFllmc68ONrCo1SaSCKWqi8sOkQDmw9hfmALBA-hIC_fv3BFsPVYwP5AAnLg2_xBSGxxcS84eG1PTf7HDd0Cn8gl4lhcv-rBDr9Y2g2BZem4tuEusTRiqd9QmcrZmB4s9EIZMlA4qY/s1600/calendars+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXxFllmc68ONrCo1SaSCKWqi8sOkQDmw9hfmALBA-hIC_fv3BFsPVYwP5AAnLg2_xBSGxxcS84eG1PTf7HDd0Cn8gl4lhcv-rBDr9Y2g2BZem4tuEusTRiqd9QmcrZmB4s9EIZMlA4qY/s400/calendars+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The "math" wall. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Og2nj-8YIQ82pfjT36k8DKkAGFIKbOLBJ4tmxBsEcidLagn5J9DqDhKo2eUrKLTNW793ZO-ANHePpzt33JhXxtmPgkNXqB1O4nKD2Ro_T9RvXxBfQ55cjTsLc97EoAGxTylFJ5Pg20/s1600/Math+wall+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Og2nj-8YIQ82pfjT36k8DKkAGFIKbOLBJ4tmxBsEcidLagn5J9DqDhKo2eUrKLTNW793ZO-ANHePpzt33JhXxtmPgkNXqB1O4nKD2Ro_T9RvXxBfQ55cjTsLc97EoAGxTylFJ5Pg20/s400/Math+wall+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that we are in "cougar country," </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monico felt the strong urge to properly represent UW! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go Huskies!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg_wUrqUAkyMllkNXbatONjuTkXNImkpKSCzruMlexLMLkipxwRtQoC2ofi7W_qyKEr3AGbpOQDNTfLq9G9proZ05_j8SvHCTyq6ZCNcED8P7K0GEeV_T3QmbalUsBaN_jrkVM-y6rqI/s1600/UW+corner+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg_wUrqUAkyMllkNXbatONjuTkXNImkpKSCzruMlexLMLkipxwRtQoC2ofi7W_qyKEr3AGbpOQDNTfLq9G9proZ05_j8SvHCTyq6ZCNcED8P7K0GEeV_T3QmbalUsBaN_jrkVM-y6rqI/s400/UW+corner+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The "reading" wall. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Notice the color scheme? hehe) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBkk2fl12m-rV4PrSqPFs8WOiqYUwOgRystCJq2Lk7DdfB5dDgHAjjS56cVl7IfQSZuu0uPsxV5QmCgj-tIsBJAR1iK5jSuKyvdeYjYj2X0UrsZx9e_Fja84HP4UqwQFMwcD1UWjpxdY/s1600/reading+wall+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBkk2fl12m-rV4PrSqPFs8WOiqYUwOgRystCJq2Lk7DdfB5dDgHAjjS56cVl7IfQSZuu0uPsxV5QmCgj-tIsBJAR1iK5jSuKyvdeYjYj2X0UrsZx9e_Fja84HP4UqwQFMwcD1UWjpxdY/s400/reading+wall+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The "reading" wall continued. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Includes books for reading (on the left) and school books (lower right).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homework is not given (school policy), so books stay at school. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drawers contain various supplies (pens, pencils, glue, scissors, etc)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUrefhY31XamiW7kpH2fWl81m-1HFmr4kXG9hJwWp5KfDZI5Z5CYOOH12CNDrxESNAB_xB0wkz990rTQloA5k_hiIhpwSPnxV8xGtsQw1Nieg39xcPTzGFGfRgmI3uClShhrQCFPc1qU/s1600/Reading+-+082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUrefhY31XamiW7kpH2fWl81m-1HFmr4kXG9hJwWp5KfDZI5Z5CYOOH12CNDrxESNAB_xB0wkz990rTQloA5k_hiIhpwSPnxV8xGtsQw1Nieg39xcPTzGFGfRgmI3uClShhrQCFPc1qU/s400/Reading+-+082612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As a recap of what is going on with us:<br />
Monico and I now live (temporarily) with my parents in the lower Yakima Valley... until we locate a house to buy. Monico started today with the first day of school in the Selah School District teaching at the Selah Intermediate School. I will begin my Junior year of undergrad at Central Washington University on September 19th. I am not going to be working (for the FIRST TIME in my LIFE!) any job -- full or part time -- while I go to school, which is a good thing, because in March we are expecting the birth of our first child. (School hiatus to follow until at least Fall 2013.)<br />
<br />
I'm sure there will be lots more to follow in the time to come. I'll try to be less lazy about blogging about it! <br />
<br />Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-25712933178377182322012-04-16T10:06:00.006-07:002012-04-16T10:11:13.011-07:00Such an interesting weekend! It started off Friday night with such nice weather that my SIL Monica and I went for a long walk along the Renton waterfront (at Coulon Park). Sun shining, birds singing, the whole bit. It was such a nice day! (I love days in Seattle where 57 degrees feels like heaven!)<br />Saturday morning, Monico and I woke up super-early to head up to Stevens Pass to take advantage of the last weekend of regular ski season. Our friend, Chelsea, had scored us some free lift passes and it was a literal "use it or lose it" situation, so we opted for the former. It was super-fun to ski in the sun (well, for part of the day at least!) and enjoy the smaller crowd on Saturday. Monico enjoyed his first ski lesson, and we even got him to take the Daisy chair lift up to try a real run. Such a trooper!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvttMSBY1pfZQB9gdVmGz5vhmBm-uElQyAP_kjFnA5JaGC9Q0wl1Ow35ASiyRSddCyMse5oBYMLdbiNX33Xf82IqylMYEbaMXQq1p3eK2VBUK2XxZV_yCuA0Beub_ZFD2KN-pr3iZgrk/s1600/Monico+skiing+2012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046810976583954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvttMSBY1pfZQB9gdVmGz5vhmBm-uElQyAP_kjFnA5JaGC9Q0wl1Ow35ASiyRSddCyMse5oBYMLdbiNX33Xf82IqylMYEbaMXQq1p3eK2VBUK2XxZV_yCuA0Beub_ZFD2KN-pr3iZgrk/s400/Monico+skiing+2012.jpg" /></a><br />After several hours, and much tiredness later, we drove home to enjoy the rest of the day in Sunny Seattle. Ahh...<br />In stark contrast to Saturday's snowy mountains, my SIL and I headed back outdoors on Sunday afternoon to the Skagit County Tulip Festival. Ahhh... loving the outdoors. <br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRhKHDeEAQGXHA1ViURr6DK-ZB8YcEnG6OegdF5j8TNO6QHbnVog8b3rz0hfamOQ1qz3E8EvkM7qotMxdal-BM9TOTfWn5aEEpXSInquTTlb6_5ZwZVtWsD0CUczsBnR7aAXVgwRKKoA/s1600/Monca+and+Melissa+2012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046754009025554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRhKHDeEAQGXHA1ViURr6DK-ZB8YcEnG6OegdF5j8TNO6QHbnVog8b3rz0hfamOQ1qz3E8EvkM7qotMxdal-BM9TOTfWn5aEEpXSInquTTlb6_5ZwZVtWsD0CUczsBnR7aAXVgwRKKoA/s400/Monca+and+Melissa+2012.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMcmYsEryFZ5kwOdb7z644opaioWIXGCN-v8PHA7xWMKp1OlWrK6VYFpz4LFdn7C6OO-sEjo7dLMOdHkIA6kUbHDYK6wMXIGsz9lAYhpVw8eq1W7-BeTmX-wFYqGEzo5wEwxsaJjJb6Q/s1600/Windmill+n+Tulips+2012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046695127352354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMcmYsEryFZ5kwOdb7z644opaioWIXGCN-v8PHA7xWMKp1OlWrK6VYFpz4LFdn7C6OO-sEjo7dLMOdHkIA6kUbHDYK6wMXIGsz9lAYhpVw8eq1W7-BeTmX-wFYqGEzo5wEwxsaJjJb6Q/s400/Windmill+n+Tulips+2012.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynANiw0dKh02lgU2u1toG6SWlAW7L-KnJHFSLLOMmR05OrLlbRducYH5TpubJ934wK0cz3hCOJiRPjDM2VWYmiI19TTs_YPtp13V3MLHAwisRBdqcmzFrPLNunZR-T5ZIvdOVDLaWzyo/s1600/Red+Tulip+Field+2012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046616694881362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynANiw0dKh02lgU2u1toG6SWlAW7L-KnJHFSLLOMmR05OrLlbRducYH5TpubJ934wK0cz3hCOJiRPjDM2VWYmiI19TTs_YPtp13V3MLHAwisRBdqcmzFrPLNunZR-T5ZIvdOVDLaWzyo/s400/Red+Tulip+Field+2012.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ3dtZmhULoz4v8t8KkO8-b615rDwttinU8Ggf9NcoMRGupf2v6kLNT-_uvjLU5y4r5NMxFSgaS6OFTADoDvdPIU4cFxqUjk8gF07IIPI-ZQ34vSYhLS88z_kGSnYsB6hiLfRPrSUASI/s1600/Yellow+tulips+2012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046525437317122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ3dtZmhULoz4v8t8KkO8-b615rDwttinU8Ggf9NcoMRGupf2v6kLNT-_uvjLU5y4r5NMxFSgaS6OFTADoDvdPIU4cFxqUjk8gF07IIPI-ZQ34vSYhLS88z_kGSnYsB6hiLfRPrSUASI/s400/Yellow+tulips+2012.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q6Xy3DAM76-bMt8ZEzBHYX9kYtX3QeLQMsT_aWOzrcg_S6GkJAwDeSwC0iTbjKhP7MjDw1xz6UgHDtV2f8b2IJhLoLbjfWBfbAbqLMJ_1YDLji6Z0YmySUY6GgtOnyvtzm_6aMJtj7U/s1600/Pink+Tulips+n+Melissa+2012.png"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732046390220716258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q6Xy3DAM76-bMt8ZEzBHYX9kYtX3QeLQMsT_aWOzrcg_S6GkJAwDeSwC0iTbjKhP7MjDw1xz6UgHDtV2f8b2IJhLoLbjfWBfbAbqLMJ_1YDLji6Z0YmySUY6GgtOnyvtzm_6aMJtj7U/s400/Pink+Tulips+n+Melissa+2012.png" /></a></p><br /><div></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-72326249381075229602012-03-22T09:14:00.002-07:002012-03-22T09:21:48.355-07:00Evidence of Activity<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggY_o7yyxVht6EXEOcMjzWAyJUxJRH94gGnpfI0Si5-rXc3wwQKYm-DmrGRzrr5xaXZ9KOGQiEpZVsAQPL1h9jffNGa3Rkyz9_LaLxzMULxmi8GljUlAD25qyH8n0TQUSMFuoBus0sy0/s1600/5K+St+Paddy+Day+-+running.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722755765611918674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggY_o7yyxVht6EXEOcMjzWAyJUxJRH94gGnpfI0Si5-rXc3wwQKYm-DmrGRzrr5xaXZ9KOGQiEpZVsAQPL1h9jffNGa3Rkyz9_LaLxzMULxmi8GljUlAD25qyH8n0TQUSMFuoBus0sy0/s400/5K+St+Paddy+Day+-+running.png" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">My SIL, Monica, is to my left in the photo, <br />friend Chelsea is to my right, and Monico is behind us.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">I don't know how I am related to all my crazy running cousins,<br />because I really hate running.<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Different strokes for different folks, right?<br /></span></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-62349980800873952242012-03-20T09:46:00.002-07:002012-03-20T09:48:51.662-07:00Posting a second day in a row - insanity!<div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;">First of 3 letters was received yesterday... </span><span style="color:#3333ff;">can't wait to get the other two!!</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFzDM6FW0zCUD4ZBpefI_FI52wSJn6vB7Lk02ot4Sff89CX7MAyzdIQuqBcovHx9-SWEZgVnw8Ue8GWLZq3GAYISKqN03rzXaNU0GGAzSvqibnt89LC3RuDbf8oT5ObdS7tkJssE3vW0/s1600/CWU+Acceptance+letter+-+031612.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722021907653370018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFzDM6FW0zCUD4ZBpefI_FI52wSJn6vB7Lk02ot4Sff89CX7MAyzdIQuqBcovHx9-SWEZgVnw8Ue8GWLZq3GAYISKqN03rzXaNU0GGAzSvqibnt89LC3RuDbf8oT5ObdS7tkJssE3vW0/s400/CWU+Acceptance+letter+-+031612.png" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-50842301982895293772012-03-19T13:13:00.004-07:002012-03-19T13:20:12.704-07:00Get Your Green On!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj9bpFSSDzBi9Yu4VMeueuYewm9RVEKEhyTP6CYkr3zbN2HXOsTlrjuypzjWq3lHFhQJrjzrAdiqOjjxt_b_qnsUWqrTnqvclTcQu8_0TUN_Ro5BAO5LEFRxbn-p6qpEEUhKmTa1RmRo/s1600/5K+St+Paddy+Day.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721704922806403778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj9bpFSSDzBi9Yu4VMeueuYewm9RVEKEhyTP6CYkr3zbN2HXOsTlrjuypzjWq3lHFhQJrjzrAdiqOjjxt_b_qnsUWqrTnqvclTcQu8_0TUN_Ro5BAO5LEFRxbn-p6qpEEUhKmTa1RmRo/s400/5K+St+Paddy+Day.png" /></a><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">For St. Patrick's Day, I agreed to participate in a 5K at the request of my sister-in-law, Monica, who convinced Monico and our friend, Chelsea, to participate as well. It was bitterly cold that morning (as in, barely above freezing), rained pretty much the entire race until we finished, at which time it started to snow. </span></span><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">All in all, if was a fun time and definitely a great memory to share with friends!</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">(Walking or running, we were all REALLY sore the rest of the weekend!)</span></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-83274522003561306462012-03-13T08:57:00.007-07:002012-03-13T09:02:19.452-07:00Outside My Window<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wP6mAz8Obp_4w4BCjNa6F9R3e6j6lwUScw-VXmQqtcYSjo8km-68Ca1Y4pGA28b4k2HfkDL1QAbze40juh_XgZGMhZjhLaTa7ka_mv4uTereNZYTcVIOKOW7HuYPIlYdILiz1DgPiMM/s1600/031312+snow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719411465730517666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wP6mAz8Obp_4w4BCjNa6F9R3e6j6lwUScw-VXmQqtcYSjo8km-68Ca1Y4pGA28b4k2HfkDL1QAbze40juh_XgZGMhZjhLaTa7ka_mv4uTereNZYTcVIOKOW7HuYPIlYdILiz1DgPiMM/s400/031312+snow.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">Woke up to this today. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">I hear it is warmer in other parts of the state. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">I'm jealous.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Poor daffodils... they started blooming before this.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Can it really be one week until the start of Spring?<br /></span></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-81787157309152860422012-02-29T08:43:00.005-08:002012-02-29T08:50:21.581-08:00Photo says it all<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz1PmBNZRsaohck-lME8dxuRIGOvml3N0LCBhTtyDKi4S88gvTv8PSNzztV8R-XnYOYi7zv-d4cBx52WpjqR0gJ2lV76yDjIXm56GVy9N6aeog_pCLBfXf7-mG-0jA8YDjeWMEDod6qw/s1600/Diploma.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714599365310292514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz1PmBNZRsaohck-lME8dxuRIGOvml3N0LCBhTtyDKi4S88gvTv8PSNzztV8R-XnYOYi7zv-d4cBx52WpjqR0gJ2lV76yDjIXm56GVy9N6aeog_pCLBfXf7-mG-0jA8YDjeWMEDod6qw/s400/Diploma.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33ccff;">Not that it would stop me from adding a </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">"<span style="font-size:180%;">Whoo hoo!</span>"<br /></span></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-15087810096760471442012-02-23T09:30:00.006-08:002012-02-23T09:43:55.277-08:00Waiting game<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">As of last week, </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">APPLICATIONS ARE DONE </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">for the following (Seattle-area) schools:</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://depts.washington.edu/uwren/Graphics/UW.Signature_stacked.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><strong><em>AND</em></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://khq.images.worldnow.com/images/181144_G.gif" /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">Can't hurt to have a back-up...</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">so I will also be applying to: </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.cwu.edu/~la_studies/images/CentralWashingtonUniversitySeal.png" /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">I expect to hear from EWU and CWU</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">in a month or so following application.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">UW won't send notices until June/July.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">Torturous amount of time to wait...</span></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-76824066884221306702012-02-10T09:02:00.000-08:002012-02-10T09:06:44.575-08:00Planning for the fall<div align="center"><a href="http://www.fastweb.com/nfs/fastweb/attachment_images/0039/4411/money_stack_with_grad_cap.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.fastweb.com/nfs/fastweb/attachment_images/0039/4411/money_stack_with_grad_cap.jpg" /></a> I just finished completing my first FASFA application... well, on behalf of myself, that is. </div><br /><div align="center">While it feels amazing to have attended so much school without having previously taken a loan for my education, reality is that I would not be able to personally afford to finish a bachelor's degree (year 3 & 4) without some financial help from Uncle Sam. </div><br /><div align="center">My first application is due to UW by 2/15/12. I will have two more applications to complete by 3/1/12 and 4/1/12 for other state schools. Exciting (and intimidating) step toward a whole new career!<br /></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-80221324118230361902011-12-14T13:44:00.000-08:002011-12-14T13:52:11.246-08:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;"><strong>My Associates Degree is </strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><a href="http://tjefferson85.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/im-done.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 447px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://tjefferson85.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/im-done.gif" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;"><strong>My last final was due as of midnight last night. </strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">Now I must wait to confirm my final grades. </span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">I know I got 4.0 in my Anatomy (Biology) class ---</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">but with amazing art and poetry like </span><a href="http://monicoandmelissa.blogspot.com/2011/10/anatomy-class-brain-poetry.html"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">this</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">,</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">can anyone be surprised? :)</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">U.W. applications open up as of tomorrow (12/15/11).</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">Onward and upward! </span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-31569415914058805772011-10-28T15:22:00.000-07:002011-10-28T15:49:50.456-07:00Anatomy class (Brain Poetry)<p align="center">I'm currently taking a Human Biology (Anatomy and Physiology) class<br />to finish out my AA degree with Highline Community College.<br /><br />My teacher loves variety in our weekly assignments.<br />Last week I had to come up with descriptions for the movements<br />I make using specific muscles.<br />Did you know your Sartorius helps you cross your legs?<br />Yeah, I didn't either until last week.<br /><br />We've had a couple more unique projects,<br />like a couple weeks ago when I had to draw (and label) my skeletal system.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668673971994023650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1U5crNVLgtrYSlgjhCC5cYaU0t5_H8R19lCqytnLlr1yalVdxt1a4RbZHXvoj2fydL_GU3CC1A_SWzu5zUfVGiM-AvYR7I_IMUoT0Ud9-Ib6_ASbRgyYdIATzfzBazHT1VnHwz1IrQQ/s400/Skeleton.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center">So far I've gotten full points (20/20) on all my assigments.<br /><br />This week's assignment (which was due today) what definitely different.<br />A 400 word poem of love...<br />to a part of my brain.<br />I got 20/20 again. Thought I might share it.<br />Again... 400 word minimum, people.<br />My poem was 401.<br />403 if you count the title. :)<br /><br />For more info on the function of this portion of the brain<br />(and why I wrote what I wrote), look <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/alcohol8.htm">here</a> or <a href="http://www.umm.edu/imagepages/18008.htm">here</a>.<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">"Cerebellum who?"</span><br /></strong><br />I must sadly admit<br />I often forget you are there<br />but then you hurt me.<br />A trip a slip or a fall –<br />Oh no! A sprain!<br />And I, in agony, wonder how?<br /><br />It wasn’t always this way.<br />We were once in sync,<br />working together,<br />playing together,<br />getting along great.<br />But then I got older,<br />and I think you got slower,<br />and that’s when it all went wrong.<br /><br />Am I to blame?<br />A few pounds here,<br />some extra weight there,<br />and maybe not as active.<br />My failure? No yours!<br />I once had grace to dance.<br />Now I sit and watch.<br />Tennis anyone?<br />You clumsily remind me,<br />it's better I don’t.<br /><br />It’s funny I knew<br />it was always you who helped.<br />And yet<br />I never realized<br />what name you answered to.<br />It was you who kept me balanced,<br />while I worked,<br />while I played,<br />while I danced.<br />What happened, Cerebellum?<br /><br />You and my muscles,<br />working together.<br />You moved my muscles<br />and moved me<br />forward<br />faster<br />surer.<br />With your help, we always won.<br /><br />Is it true?<br />Are you always on my mind?<br />Or is it under?<br />Dorsally sitting below my lobe,<br />occipital in nature,<br />you sit with my cerebrum,<br />on auto-pilot –<br />mostly –<br />and occasionally<br />cleaning up my mess<br />with purpose.<br /><br />With so many muscles,<br />how do you keep track?<br />“What’s that noise?”<br />as I turn to look.<br />“Wait for me!”<br />as I sprint ahead.<br />Working with my<br />senses –<br />ears to hear,<br />eyes to see,<br />sensory receptors feel –<br />it is you who is first to respond.<br /><br />I can sense your guilt.<br />I know,<br />you didn’t mean it.<br />I know,<br />you can only do so much.<br />It’s just hard to not be me,<br />the old me,<br />the me who didn’t get hurt<br />working,<br />playing,<br />dancing.<br />The me who didn’t<br />bruise hips,<br />sprain ankles,<br />wrench knees… while walking.<br /><br />Without you? Not fun.<br />I’m not naïve.<br />Alcohol –<br />not a fix.<br />I lean on you,<br />need you,<br />rely on your guidance.<br />Jose Cuervo leaves me<br />Leaning, needing, relying.<br />Too much Cuervo<br />I fall and curse your failure.<br /><br />But I always get up.<br />That’s you too<br />isn't it?<br />When I think you’ve gone,<br />abandoned me,<br />left me to stumble through life,<br />you pick me up again.<br />That’s just you,<br />Cerebellum.<br />Always lifting me<br />back on my feet<br />again.<br /><br />Working,<br />playing,<br />dancing.<br />So much fun to be had.<br />Can we try again?<br />It can’t be too late.<br />You,<br />me…<br />tennis anyone?<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-42192741122690233692011-06-13T12:32:00.001-07:002011-06-13T12:50:58.015-07:00Final Graduation (for him)<div align="center">It is has been a LONG road but we are pleased to see that it is now done. </div><br /><div align="center">(Can you see the relief on our faces?)</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617790967012049010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjkBRKGIr0wpVQSp95Pi1bBgs6xjyKPpzFOWCHqvhVtTTC3Vos3okiZxorH-twrXW0_IIBeyxPLjAjS8SsJtr8tNKQLy-Pa7boSiXfCgAaoz4csG6xwaou-KGo8uBz8qSz_4zyDVIKho/s400/Graduation.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">At Seattle's Key Arena on June 12, 2011, a Sunday afternoon, Monico received his final teaching degree. He was the only graduate in the group to receive this degree, which is both for the purpose of teaching in special education (K-12) and is also a key to becoming an administrator or head of the special education department at a school or within a district (I believe).</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ912AOHTKwZq_-RljFKpy0L9UbuQwHF7svcYtyZSKpMCA5_av0m8CCM946MogQL06eM8K6fGLyrjuv_jUHeleEtxiIZXEIw2SQE1XMaL95zEMKqI7ucSYVI0YNEzGAFTjEF58QVMAcY/s1600/Graduation+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617790869479630610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ912AOHTKwZq_-RljFKpy0L9UbuQwHF7svcYtyZSKpMCA5_av0m8CCM946MogQL06eM8K6fGLyrjuv_jUHeleEtxiIZXEIw2SQE1XMaL95zEMKqI7ucSYVI0YNEzGAFTjEF58QVMAcY/s320/Graduation+5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Monico got another graduate cap and gown and hood and tassle, although (because it is again a degree from Seattle University's Education Department) it was the same color as his prior tassle and hood. </div><br /><div align="center">So now he has a "back up" set! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">(Monico with all the other 200 Education grads -- there were 690 grads total who received degrees.)</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUgT9CLBn88h2mImCWCD7hehhuLz4j7OM5IhLOmfw6C4MNX1Kh70OrQsdr4KLVigRfT58kU-9iR8ubPPtwpXmcUpNNKx4x7xwiT3cK4p9v512i1XOLQpwHhDMKKTIbgNBqU_YSdHhxu8/s1600/Graduation+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617789740309640082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUgT9CLBn88h2mImCWCD7hehhuLz4j7OM5IhLOmfw6C4MNX1Kh70OrQsdr4KLVigRfT58kU-9iR8ubPPtwpXmcUpNNKx4x7xwiT3cK4p9v512i1XOLQpwHhDMKKTIbgNBqU_YSdHhxu8/s400/Graduation+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Monico proudly displaying his newest diploma. </div><br /><div align="center">(You can faintly see his tassle says "11".)<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-8mHsUpRIq8OFaT3s-8SQyy4t5pLgBYt9Jkrct9XSbWYryIMCU4DtD-jErlQqjxppunj3omRn1z-V2Fk3K50aJsFSazi3cQFGzzI-Qbvj2HC9mCdxXz5TG6Ho_cyOlJ2kGzLysZKrs/s1600/Graduation+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617789670526148466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-8mHsUpRIq8OFaT3s-8SQyy4t5pLgBYt9Jkrct9XSbWYryIMCU4DtD-jErlQqjxppunj3omRn1z-V2Fk3K50aJsFSazi3cQFGzzI-Qbvj2HC9mCdxXz5TG6Ho_cyOlJ2kGzLysZKrs/s400/Graduation+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In recognition of where he walked... a nice "Space Needle in the background" shot.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz6iWaoc6TcqV499pAvvHAzIFol7AEUntJMHB_iUJ4jkGFJljs3WGalsxkAZjbe66AZ_4KKbeIWbToe4LLC8rb4V_HG_7vfcIkyTWZkmrzmSzmkWbDixhBYJetvE_tyqB8dKtiZXqUlA/s1600/Graduation+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617789594774729410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz6iWaoc6TcqV499pAvvHAzIFol7AEUntJMHB_iUJ4jkGFJljs3WGalsxkAZjbe66AZ_4KKbeIWbToe4LLC8rb4V_HG_7vfcIkyTWZkmrzmSzmkWbDixhBYJetvE_tyqB8dKtiZXqUlA/s400/Graduation+4.jpg" /></a><br />Congrats again, honey! </div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-23961775905900724152011-04-15T08:07:00.001-07:002011-04-15T08:09:27.540-07:00Image Says It All<div align="center"><a href="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/10/1002/1X2W000Z/art-print/suitcases-bon-voyage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/10/1002/1X2W000Z/art-print/suitcases-bon-voyage.jpg" /></a> I'll see you in a week... after I return from my </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">7-day</span> Pacific <span style="font-size:180%;">Cruise</span> to Mexico. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Sun, here I come... </div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-57694941144021032652011-03-24T09:55:00.001-07:002011-03-24T09:59:10.715-07:00My sister's engagement photosKaty posted more on her blog, <a href="http://hawaiianharmony.blogspot.com/">hawaiianharmony.blogspot.com</a>, but my favorite of the bunch is below...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5VBF3QEvevRhGji0HE96_4I3zxLPBSd5eQ9Q4fizCHO-VT98wfQoKAyeqEzKF8THizMm3TmDPCylYM7XKe_0Q3p_MRp8ef0L72chdczBRGNM0fxKIErHv5MUx7F9hyxTowGrKsND/s1600/Engagement+Pics+272+%25231+Choice.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5VBF3QEvevRhGji0HE96_4I3zxLPBSd5eQ9Q4fizCHO-VT98wfQoKAyeqEzKF8THizMm3TmDPCylYM7XKe_0Q3p_MRp8ef0L72chdczBRGNM0fxKIErHv5MUx7F9hyxTowGrKsND/s1600/Engagement+Pics+272+%25231+Choice.JPG" /></a>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-80689504442172600442011-03-08T10:36:00.000-08:002011-03-08T11:00:13.627-08:00Quick UpdateMy life generally sucks right now. But for those of you who have been in school before (and have other things besides school to take care of), you'll know what I mean.<br /><br />Finals are next week, and then I have a brief break until the next quarter starts.<br /><br />In short: I am extremely jaded/burned out right now, after a very long quarter.<br /><br />Tired of seeing my Christmas post on my blog, I thought I would update with some photos of my favorite things. Hope you enjoy too!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Mount Rainier on a cloudless morning before the sun is up.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tS1yYIQbd1zvJMlztA1xAJNTdkzYIgqgMgEgONTBeoM08WPawI8sYKjp5vShdYUiWnniPsqMwj6etxdxOOEoDYVhB84kruBkb1NvVwVYXWulZUf82uPPtLnXFj1DvHH1MpGkMzSYnaU/s1600/Photo0575+%2528Mt.+Rainier%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581782879608686754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tS1yYIQbd1zvJMlztA1xAJNTdkzYIgqgMgEgONTBeoM08WPawI8sYKjp5vShdYUiWnniPsqMwj6etxdxOOEoDYVhB84kruBkb1NvVwVYXWulZUf82uPPtLnXFj1DvHH1MpGkMzSYnaU/s400/Photo0575+%2528Mt.+Rainier%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My "kid" keeping an eye on me from the other side of the door.</div><div align="center">(She is very concerned when I venture outside without her.)</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTE1FoDJq9COfodOURz-viyeCX7rEnKWNKkRD7f-KbWB_radc9UKXfB-rpmgbdETx2hQNYhsFtAmorZzeyQPF_2O25BFnRWgIcD3sb7akQcYZASfiKDF5vOTWZ50S-G6cROl5zEKhZgw/s1600/Photo0590+%2528Lexi%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581782785734669234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTE1FoDJq9COfodOURz-viyeCX7rEnKWNKkRD7f-KbWB_radc9UKXfB-rpmgbdETx2hQNYhsFtAmorZzeyQPF_2O25BFnRWgIcD3sb7akQcYZASfiKDF5vOTWZ50S-G6cROl5zEKhZgw/s320/Photo0590+%2528Lexi%2529.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">My nephew, Brian Mario, at 6 months.</div><div align="center">(Has a pretty solid claim to "best baby ever.")<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn_99TZsldbIFUzg7VHPT8suZci2YW5RfByUAxvhvhnkw77y8x44Bn6K-Qy15TKWpWKQprj73lkfWDoOvqeZXHno-wAbURJjIiDXIa99FuU4dssMA1bmeGvgGzZA7OkrAHstf4kIny1k/s1600/IMG_1104+%2528Brian%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581782705381289202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn_99TZsldbIFUzg7VHPT8suZci2YW5RfByUAxvhvhnkw77y8x44Bn6K-Qy15TKWpWKQprj73lkfWDoOvqeZXHno-wAbURJjIiDXIa99FuU4dssMA1bmeGvgGzZA7OkrAHstf4kIny1k/s320/IMG_1104+%2528Brian%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My nephew, Emeric, almost 5 months,<br />wishing my dad a happy birthday last week.<br />(Also has pretty solid claim to "best baby ever" title.)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgcbwMXzY5DgxQvEADPmWIKxX5zpaTnS_KcYfLdr0y2DxAyReSGKaDlcJB_BsOpK2VYTRy_V8vw-d4FX45nOniBzalo5E6BDOdaPJhyphenhyphenD-xADoCAlgqjMLfBnD_aVWyfWD7f3fV8aAes8/s1600/photo+%2528Emerick%2529.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581782605084262050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgcbwMXzY5DgxQvEADPmWIKxX5zpaTnS_KcYfLdr0y2DxAyReSGKaDlcJB_BsOpK2VYTRy_V8vw-d4FX45nOniBzalo5E6BDOdaPJhyphenhyphenD-xADoCAlgqjMLfBnD_aVWyfWD7f3fV8aAes8/s320/photo+%2528Emerick%2529.bmp" /></a><br /></div><div>My sister Katy and her fiance Michael. </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(July 9th wedding date)<br /></span>Their happiness is infectious.</div><div>No seriously... just try being sour with them in the room.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSNeITBKITXLk0-9M-xxhEVN72PTlWo2V0gYLv74VlJTOoYN6WhUYMz5v-P7T40ceKM5LiTFmYuop__6PmQQK16C3uh6PZjx50d40prHX8xLSAHKHMOJPCRgjkeUkEiO9_IlMNU7GCGo/s1600/Photo0517+%2528Katy+%2526+Michael%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581782473627792322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSNeITBKITXLk0-9M-xxhEVN72PTlWo2V0gYLv74VlJTOoYN6WhUYMz5v-P7T40ceKM5LiTFmYuop__6PmQQK16C3uh6PZjx50d40prHX8xLSAHKHMOJPCRgjkeUkEiO9_IlMNU7GCGo/s320/Photo0517+%2528Katy+%2526+Michael%2529.jpg" /></a><br />There. </div><div>Now at least I can see things that make me smile when I see my blog.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-22966056003547929992010-12-20T11:03:00.000-08:002010-12-20T17:28:41.748-08:00What I've been doing this season (so far)Continuing our holiday tradition of attending a Christmas-themed concert, this year we returned to the Seattle Symphony and their <strong>"Holiday Pops" concert featuring Cirque de Symphony</strong>. AMAZING! I highly recommend you go to it next year... and remember to buy your tickets early, as they only do a few days of performances.<br /><br />This is the end of the concert photo, with the Cirque performers in the front.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEp3dU6oqHLwpgiyR4iHH50-TfI2c6mkXif9fTbawNcwUxqEHtJRr6JBZ6yrMXwOU9DxBmvkyadK0X2PdUeuYq_eUjYnHJrndie7mZQlMQZnn8o3jZPVwZqsmgkPLld0TB8G_H4A2VYI/s1600/Holiday+Pops.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842834280920418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEp3dU6oqHLwpgiyR4iHH50-TfI2c6mkXif9fTbawNcwUxqEHtJRr6JBZ6yrMXwOU9DxBmvkyadK0X2PdUeuYq_eUjYnHJrndie7mZQlMQZnn8o3jZPVwZqsmgkPLld0TB8G_H4A2VYI/s320/Holiday+Pops.jpg" /></a><br />We got our Christmas Tree up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For the first time in 13 years, I got help setting up the tree and putting up decorations! <strong>Thanks again, Monica</strong>. I am grateful you share my passion for the season and you did an amazing job on the tree.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842791551923314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMw4q4tPeJ5qwqsgygIqpH0Uqh993O9FOp-bHuGUNTwM9_WK_B194VmpDshcrL57fGhQjlsraNvstbvcgo67pQCcH1Re-InNYuZ-mrKsEZlgmtBRKjNLifp7k3Zk_sh28ctePnuNgkLg/s320/Lexi+and+Tree.jpg" /><br />I wanted to capture <strong>Lexi next to her first Christmas Tree</strong>, but she couldn't seem to hold still long enough for me to get a quality photo. Oh well, she's still cute!<br /><br /><div>"<strong>Santa George</strong>" oversaw the decorating from his perch on the back of the couch.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAkdurK4QXqGYVR68SMjIN2hzdXyq2Cen0oBUMw6zSj_INyeGe7sCtue4PuDA87e6kEoasoLmgwq-2UDqTRP3XVYsZ-FOxzwR8EG-Q1COMPT0EJnjdsV2QTvf7e-B3sos93r8NhlXTGc/s1600/Santa+George.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842751361236658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAkdurK4QXqGYVR68SMjIN2hzdXyq2Cen0oBUMw6zSj_INyeGe7sCtue4PuDA87e6kEoasoLmgwq-2UDqTRP3XVYsZ-FOxzwR8EG-Q1COMPT0EJnjdsV2QTvf7e-B3sos93r8NhlXTGc/s320/Santa+George.jpg" /></a><br />The weekend following Thanksgiving I made a weekend visit to Vancouver, WA, to attend my nephew Callum's baptism. We had a mini-reunion at my sister Alissa's new home in Ridgefield (she and my sister Katy are in the background) when my parents (who had just gotten back 2 days earlier from their Germanic visit with my brother Damon's family) and my brother Matt & Family arrived as well. I had to snap a quick photo with my phone of <strong>my adorably-always-tan nephew, Brian Mario</strong>.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OSykwkx7LVrOyZgkys1K9dN9piBwqKrZP-0m9TKpEtqGKcLek1zd37yLXcTr3b5QvL1CBnlflzT1RzO3SQXamapZQHL76U-iJecFSs-00T9ES5-_odcJDbUSFUsTQOaRgaV0LEtW85Q/s1600/Brian.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842673303959650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OSykwkx7LVrOyZgkys1K9dN9piBwqKrZP-0m9TKpEtqGKcLek1zd37yLXcTr3b5QvL1CBnlflzT1RzO3SQXamapZQHL76U-iJecFSs-00T9ES5-_odcJDbUSFUsTQOaRgaV0LEtW85Q/s320/Brian.jpg" /></a><br />One of the coolest things about Alissa's new home is a large room just off the garage that easily fits their trampoline. No more worry about rain ruining play time! (Callum is blurred, but Keira, my youngest neice, came out clear in the back.)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj4nUGM8jECWyDUh1fKA_skGBA0KGT8tKpquWR3WUAg8y2BN6DAiTf2_5px7AdU8-NRCE-1KnzBRHBiSQWchXDICSKAovcaXAo8MJkoqmyBDQAWYi58d3Ltu_0c-wA4CNqyF9D4z07E8/s1600/Trampoline.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842626183306530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj4nUGM8jECWyDUh1fKA_skGBA0KGT8tKpquWR3WUAg8y2BN6DAiTf2_5px7AdU8-NRCE-1KnzBRHBiSQWchXDICSKAovcaXAo8MJkoqmyBDQAWYi58d3Ltu_0c-wA4CNqyF9D4z07E8/s320/Trampoline.jpg" /></a><br />I had finals a couple weeks ago. In English 101, we had an in-class essay, which I had little doubt I could easily pass. (I got a 98% on it actually, my best essay score all quarter.) </div><div></div><div>I was less confident in my History 148 class, however, and took the day off from work to study... which mostly meant read the 120 or so pages of textbook I had fallen behind on! Not wanting to be left out, my cat, <strong>Oliver, joined in on the studying</strong>. Ultimately I got a 92% on the test (70 out of 76 multiple choice), but thanks to a grading curve, received a 94%.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-txkgPeQ_-FccH92TyUAiKovsYey8M8IZgcisAs34ens0-aTkGuJ0VhJLitbXsVQIs4Kyly4kc-vecToSuBYISheDZxiiFIxcn3vkDjv3viU5bWrUEvmMDnVE30op0HI01_jz_4wWZV4/s1600/Studying+with+Oliver.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842517583526946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-txkgPeQ_-FccH92TyUAiKovsYey8M8IZgcisAs34ens0-aTkGuJ0VhJLitbXsVQIs4Kyly4kc-vecToSuBYISheDZxiiFIxcn3vkDjv3viU5bWrUEvmMDnVE30op0HI01_jz_4wWZV4/s320/Studying+with+Oliver.jpg" /></a>I am pleased to report that my grades are in and I passed with flying colors -- a 4.0 in my English 101 class and a 3.9 in my History 148! (My Golf class was so easy it is a shame to even mention that 4.0, but an A is an A! Haha) </div><div> </div><div>I will enjoy this Christmas break while it lasts, catching up on recreational reading before the requisite reading begins again.</div><div> </div><div>Lastly, I recommend visiting Downtown Seattle at least ONCE during the holiday season. The lights are colorful, the sounds of carols fun, the annual gingerbread contest entries are amazing, and the large star in the SE corner of<strong> Macys</strong> is GORGEOUSLY bright and beautiful! (The photo doesn't do it justice.)<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552842409353565186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yMsW_xGEywUQU5CfDtmDYMS9bFo-hE_hCckf4xfvUbugNTIft_EehGubRofWMwFETR8YSdDSoCVUjqBxu5JHW1bjJ0OparDmB7bXqiKtIU0gGNdd0kWTY_oAM68hGsa9zjiFAcfhLyg/s320/Macys+Star.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>From my family to yours - </strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>have a very Merry Christmas!!</strong></span></p><p></p>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-86885044752566121532010-11-16T16:51:00.000-08:002010-11-16T17:04:10.926-08:00Loving CCI didn't know what to expect when I started back to school in September, but I am really enjoying my classes! It requires a bit more time sacrifice that I had been accustom to, but doing well in all three subjects makes the payoff quite sweet.<br /><br />The pace of community college is much more pleasant than it was at BYU, but I also realize the student body isn't as competitive either. I shake my head seeing people who don't turn in assignments by their due date (or at all), or don't come to class, and then I remember when I was at BYU and did the same thing. School can be such a waste of money if you aren't ready to commit to it, and this time around I've got my priorities straight... even if it means staying up until after midnight to finish an assignment. (My theory is that my mind is nocturnal.)<br /><br />We are now in the final weeks of Fall 2010 classes, and I just registered for Winter 2011 classes this afternoon! Time sure does fly.<br /><br />I will say this: if anyone else is "considering" doing something, seize the opportunity. Before you know it, you are years down the road and no further along. And that is a waste too.Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-13612882820226679522010-10-22T07:37:00.000-07:002010-10-22T07:59:11.699-07:00Meet my nephew, Emeric<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Emeric Christian Schwartz</span><br /><br />Born <span style="font-weight: bold;">October 21, 2010</span><br />weighing 4350 g (thank you metric system),<br />which equals about to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">9 lbs 6 oz.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxZVbnuSf3HMU4eSTltWm0vXqw1GNYh1WZrdVZu94AtoYMebLgW2F8EVEifts9EZ103Xwf3E8SK6-kg427uHYECc0V0i4AMoHwIICOnY7NT1qk7cS7oluzc3ypPb-BE3tG3blksFslpQ/s1600/Emeric+2a.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxZVbnuSf3HMU4eSTltWm0vXqw1GNYh1WZrdVZu94AtoYMebLgW2F8EVEifts9EZ103Xwf3E8SK6-kg427uHYECc0V0i4AMoHwIICOnY7NT1qk7cS7oluzc3ypPb-BE3tG3blksFslpQ/s320/Emeric+2a.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530883984377566114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBWBZPbYaLUt6AK4P4ykCZ2uHregce-4fIWZykV5WLLZShb8UnQMUoA9Bb0V3d7eTXtpG-suydx9M9npWrdTp9gWCD1GqP6umpr5Bp2RiQtWzWjC-yHjhclyWM4eBTgLKeYBG_8rdhrA/s1600/Emeric+1a.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBWBZPbYaLUt6AK4P4ykCZ2uHregce-4fIWZykV5WLLZShb8UnQMUoA9Bb0V3d7eTXtpG-suydx9M9npWrdTp9gWCD1GqP6umpr5Bp2RiQtWzWjC-yHjhclyWM4eBTgLKeYBG_8rdhrA/s320/Emeric+1a.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530884134689182882" border="0" /></a>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-2037911769930358302010-10-11T15:17:00.000-07:002010-10-11T15:27:52.812-07:00New-To-UsAnother milestone in our road to becoming more "grownup" -- we bought a car this weekend!<br /><br />We have been looking since last February, but had to wait until we had the security of Monico having a teaching contract, not only for the stability of a monthly payment, but to be able to save for a down-payment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqeQT7GUcWwjsEmJy3Nx0wEdcIEIBL_x11yThAQFd-zAaheBee6vEA-pnbbIlC0gt_T0emrOATO6CzVHlS_rhNdVHJ2pSWnDfme6YMO_ReE3eBCq51ph5ZSvJnN5C4X2raO55532vriA/s1600/Photo0421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqeQT7GUcWwjsEmJy3Nx0wEdcIEIBL_x11yThAQFd-zAaheBee6vEA-pnbbIlC0gt_T0emrOATO6CzVHlS_rhNdVHJ2pSWnDfme6YMO_ReE3eBCq51ph5ZSvJnN5C4X2raO55532vriA/s320/Photo0421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526917557766285650" border="0" /></a>It's a Hyundai Tuscon, which has a hatchback "Lexi door" and a space for her in the back that won't require a lint roller brush to be used on it before we can have a human passenger. We love it and are excited to take road trips with our new reliable vehicle.<br /><br />Have car, have passport... Vancouver BC awaits!Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-4725076901471514672010-09-24T10:11:00.000-07:002010-09-24T11:16:30.053-07:00I know you didn't know (because I wasn't telling anyone)<span style="font-size:130%;">Outside of my immediate family, I have not shared all that has been going on with us. I'm ready now to tell all.<br />(Heads up: this is not baby news.)<br /><br />First, just days before our Puerto Vallarta vacation, I was laid off from my job. They want to take the office in a new direction, so I got a "thank you" for my efforts and a month's severance.<br /><br /></span> <div><span style="font-size:130%;">What a way to start a vacation, right?<br /><br />While being unemployed is stressful, I was actually grateful to be let go! I hated doing reception work and missed being a paralegal. But since Monico was likewise unemployed (without a teaching contract for the fall), and the employment climate is rough, I didn't know how I could leave. But, by being laid off, I qualified for unemployment! Plus, a month's severance would help us make it through August (until Monico found a job and/or we got an influx of financial aid).<br /><br />In the time following our very relaxing vacation, I didn't really put much effort into looking for a job, because I had a secret...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I had time to think while on vacation about what I was going to do now that I was unemployed. The more I thought about it, the more I questioned what I was doing with my life and understood how many opportunities were passing me by. So, after we got back from Mexico, without Monico's knowledge, I enrolled with Highline Community College.<br /><br /></span><div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.worksourceskc.org/images/locations/highlinecc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 189px;" src="http://www.worksourceskc.org/images/locations/highlinecc.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a></div></div> <div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Using my prior BYU credits, I should be able to get my AA in 1 year, finishing it up around the same time Monico finishes his second Master's Degree. I can then tranfer/continue on to get my bachelor's degree at a 4 year university.<br /><br />I don't know how to make this sound more WOW, but my going to school is kinda a big deal. I quit BYU nearly 12 years ago, I have been repeatedly told that I should go back since then. Finally, after spending the last 8+ years focused on Monico's education, I'm ready to do school work for my own benefit again. But, having left BYU with rather dismal grades, I need to prove any future university I attend that I can be serious about school, so my goal is to achieve an A in every class at Highline.<br /><br />In addition, because I am enrolled in school, I felt I owed it to myself to not work full time. Gratefully -- using a mutual contact -- I procured employment with another firm, where I will have flexibility in my schedule and can work around my classes (which I can take during the day, at night, or via online), and where I will once again be a paralegal, being paid a paralegal wage (aka 25% more than my last job!) to do the work I love in guardianships, estate planning, and probates. It is a small firm, with only ONE attorney. I am working at home for now, because there isn't an office available for me. (Lexi is very happy about that.) </span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I'M SO EXCITED! I love drafting and revising original documents and meeting with clients, all for the purpose of enriching their lives. (I'm soooo over litigation cases!) I'm extremely grateful to my friend who helped me get the job, as I was hired based on "I trust her judgement, so you're hired!"<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My office (aka, home).</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKqzK8q_CkMfB8KQXxfuEsQ9IaS0y_vY_3zDPx5Xcc_1xlLIKn5SmprpqIEI4ZeQgLlmIldmYtKrVDtYllsP-2XPDapTHgaHnbTQMbgwZqGXGWHWmyRrqpVclMUzMulWE8fasfoSQkqQ/s1600/Photo0351.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKqzK8q_CkMfB8KQXxfuEsQ9IaS0y_vY_3zDPx5Xcc_1xlLIKn5SmprpqIEI4ZeQgLlmIldmYtKrVDtYllsP-2XPDapTHgaHnbTQMbgwZqGXGWHWmyRrqpVclMUzMulWE8fasfoSQkqQ/s320/Photo0351.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520530679518819586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My work/files (and my view!).</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8hEcMbOEypjUDcBCZwrPUtH-scXoO3dOY-GWvZwPGX8In_uTAneyENcL8UE_z3xCKVWFBT2Ho80iXtu12gpbZWVmsHEAVe8jm7KKgiBdT3QUT6n1JFPspbU1MMLb2S1sEIges8goqpU/s1600/Photo0349.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8hEcMbOEypjUDcBCZwrPUtH-scXoO3dOY-GWvZwPGX8In_uTAneyENcL8UE_z3xCKVWFBT2Ho80iXtu12gpbZWVmsHEAVe8jm7KKgiBdT3QUT6n1JFPspbU1MMLb2S1sEIges8goqpU/s320/Photo0349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520530599421906274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">When the occasion arises that I have to commute to work, it is a mere 2 miles away in downtown Renton. (My old commute to downtown took 45-60 minutes each way.) Because we only have one car, we located and cash-purchased a low-miles scooter. It gets roughly 100 miles to the gallon, costs $120 a year for full coverage insurance, and doesn't require a motorcycle license to operate. In other words, it is pretty darn economical. And, it is pretty darn cute too! Not so much fun in the rain, of course, but since it is only 2 miles, it really isn't a big deal. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpmyz_6BLZne8UBPnLA4aNudkzCf6cxXZSm5sgLUfulR9luX8M-koEHM12zmkew_8fjVEU__ynC4-MUqyt0mx21IviYi5wxdULiiESBdx2ONvqJzoSY_Wq_qXqB_4fb3snHDzm4CN2aI/s1600/Photo0347.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpmyz_6BLZne8UBPnLA4aNudkzCf6cxXZSm5sgLUfulR9luX8M-koEHM12zmkew_8fjVEU__ynC4-MUqyt0mx21IviYi5wxdULiiESBdx2ONvqJzoSY_Wq_qXqB_4fb3snHDzm4CN2aI/s320/Photo0347.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520530507799723506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Not wanting to leave out Monico's accomplishments: in late August, he obtained new employment in the Seattle School District as a EBD (Emotional Behavior Disorder) Special Education teacher at Garfield High School, just down the street (literally 11 blocks) from Seattle University. So, on nights when he has class, he has a super-sweet commute from work to school. The position is 1.0 FTE, which is 100% full time and allows him to receive 100% of his union-monitored salary and benefits. Hooray for medical coverage - his first in almost 4 years!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Garfield High School</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSuCjjZ7trK4dymIFOE2Al8mp6rj4Ny2wb_urw4JYxsTtmidlqdO6Ej5t7yKcsKPHci33cP-Ab1t1HFj4v6x8pkHv8dZUKkC2TcvuXQX1JD-Cfm1fo3UdFKjKlcTvr75E8shptzzKLP8/s1600/Photo0328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSuCjjZ7trK4dymIFOE2Al8mp6rj4Ny2wb_urw4JYxsTtmidlqdO6Ej5t7yKcsKPHci33cP-Ab1t1HFj4v6x8pkHv8dZUKkC2TcvuXQX1JD-Cfm1fo3UdFKjKlcTvr75E8shptzzKLP8/s320/Photo0328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520530423414226546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Monico also started his football coaching career by volunteering with the team. Their game against Seattle Prep last week was his first as "coach." (That's him below with his team.) He is working with his bread-n-butter: defensive line. He is already learning so much from the other coaches and is eager to continue volunteering with Basketball in the winter as well. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftDdKwaF1mkK3Zq88FzIlrrB1XuRKe4Vi11spvoWZLTMl2VhHUsOIqCDYDBuXfuZt3x-_zlcPL3PiXrhWt7mppSUG3DAdyay2XnZdjnltTa6qOoBNQ7pj92MPxcgyK4KwMcFgndH9fUE/s1600/Photo0381A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftDdKwaF1mkK3Zq88FzIlrrB1XuRKe4Vi11spvoWZLTMl2VhHUsOIqCDYDBuXfuZt3x-_zlcPL3PiXrhWt7mppSUG3DAdyay2XnZdjnltTa6qOoBNQ7pj92MPxcgyK4KwMcFgndH9fUE/s320/Photo0381A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520530748963036914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">And that's what we've been up to.<br /><br />My classes started just this week; I'm jumping right back in by taking 11 credits. I have about 40 credits available for transfer from BYU (stupid religion classes don't even register as an elective!), and need 90 for my AA, so I need to get crack-a-lackin' if I'm gonna be done in a year. So enough blogging... I need read about the Progessive Era in the US and write a short essay about the impact of advertising on society before I go to work!<br /></span>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-57140409182574728382010-08-12T23:32:00.000-07:002010-08-12T23:50:05.157-07:00Don't chuck your muck in my backyard...<div style="text-align: center;">...because <span style="font-size:180%;">my backyard has berries</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj745X9H6dUCKM6t9nHTEDzjrY84AyuJbsTd8v42qdU_3FgC6Dm8P7rZcbGs4TGCxZmoyDxm-iqCeYQr01fLYB3XYxqSYD-UnrCOaKUrwAo9xkI4NjHeUZSeamWPEcLIg3HuFx6KKDRDsw/s1600/Photo0302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj745X9H6dUCKM6t9nHTEDzjrY84AyuJbsTd8v42qdU_3FgC6Dm8P7rZcbGs4TGCxZmoyDxm-iqCeYQr01fLYB3XYxqSYD-UnrCOaKUrwAo9xkI4NjHeUZSeamWPEcLIg3HuFx6KKDRDsw/s400/Photo0302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504780036761093890" border="0" /></a><br />I couldn't believe it when I heard some people were picking <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />wild blackberries</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" > </span>,<br />but sure enough, <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >they have </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >already</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >started to turn<span style="font-size:130%;">!</span></span><br />Fortunate for me, we have a blackberry bush on our property.<br />(They are like a weed in Seattle... just try to stop them from growing.)<br />This was all I grabbed tonight, but I will get more tomorrow.<br /><br />Oh, and apparently we have a wild strawberry bush as well.<br />This was the only one ripe and ready to be eaten.<br />I shared it with my sister in law, and<br />we both agree it was De-licious!<br /></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054066200473064266.post-71710181899392238742010-08-10T08:40:00.000-07:002010-08-10T08:59:59.283-07:00Close call<span style="font-size:100%;">This is a photo taken from the front steps of our rented house. The SUV is my sister in law, Monica's, and the red truck is my neighbors.<br /><br />Our little white car is usually parked between these two vehicles but today we parked it farther down our driveway near the garage.<br /><br />My neighbor has a lot of cars. Usually at least 4 at any given time. Typically there is a car or truck parked in front of the red pickup truck, just off the street.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLh4W9u2g7dy7F_ZzlKrBl_DWXlPE_Vjrko8OXJZnwqLMvzwesLFzPtX5-HGycSBeVrWi2sz_gxuAfC52MKyeYikTN2XVm1g5c_hnenFEPBv6-IGQw62r4av_Kz_ENVd3GH4zcFrYIFY/s1600/Photo0294.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLh4W9u2g7dy7F_ZzlKrBl_DWXlPE_Vjrko8OXJZnwqLMvzwesLFzPtX5-HGycSBeVrWi2sz_gxuAfC52MKyeYikTN2XVm1g5c_hnenFEPBv6-IGQw62r4av_Kz_ENVd3GH4zcFrYIFY/s400/Photo0294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503807344954520386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are the police that showed up in front our our house last night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdSNdHaXNwoswzE5z4vjdVJV9Lic-HhyKa4NeIxKlFRCqAcUHDc14AO2mWdVEHv8IuCrPn4LsPIBZK-sT-e9KHu4xOYVqmWW_F6mC2zLwT_-5x56UeNY95-Pup7eZ-PfOQCtrO-4ZFp0/s1600/Photo0297.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdSNdHaXNwoswzE5z4vjdVJV9Lic-HhyKa4NeIxKlFRCqAcUHDc14AO2mWdVEHv8IuCrPn4LsPIBZK-sT-e9KHu4xOYVqmWW_F6mC2zLwT_-5x56UeNY95-Pup7eZ-PfOQCtrO-4ZFp0/s400/Photo0297.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503807267567154850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...because this white car was driving too fast and couldn't maneuver fast enough and PLOWED into my neighbors car (the Ford Focus now on its side).<br />Yeah. This car WAS parked in front of the red pickup truck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEs3__zqPANzB5mGfKod-lpVJ1Gdo3HPpdRf80MSHvA_t5yJOMAtmovoYq2iSyeRekYCC5am1yDQNpMaP7dXSLJei4XO9SigYxE3tSelncxyD5rq8ZpEerWO8Y-GEIpodgASMWv4CBh8/s1600/Photo0296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEs3__zqPANzB5mGfKod-lpVJ1Gdo3HPpdRf80MSHvA_t5yJOMAtmovoYq2iSyeRekYCC5am1yDQNpMaP7dXSLJei4XO9SigYxE3tSelncxyD5rq8ZpEerWO8Y-GEIpodgASMWv4CBh8/s400/Photo0296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503807118791012658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is how far the car had to be hit over to not only move 20 or so feet from where it was parked, but to also get pushed up and over our neighbors' wall/fence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenMvewb-q8ArKTcVfzWYKcpsssEk7GnUwJDAUi1pX1yEhkHfy5gJHcGN33pSMcSjxqFdFAfyWxmxQKfAChqQOoTjwJblGaUK4rngwCTYPctcRMZRSioYKaqZcxCaWQUgIkDcEsRwhSHw/s1600/Photo0295D.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenMvewb-q8ArKTcVfzWYKcpsssEk7GnUwJDAUi1pX1yEhkHfy5gJHcGN33pSMcSjxqFdFAfyWxmxQKfAChqQOoTjwJblGaUK4rngwCTYPctcRMZRSioYKaqZcxCaWQUgIkDcEsRwhSHw/s400/Photo0295D.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503806986210124738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you are interested in more details about this story</span>:<br />Monico was in our backyard prepping the BBQ grill. I was in the house prepping stuff in the kitchen and Monica was in the living room watching TV.<br />Monica saw the white car through the window speeding. Monico heard the screech and looked up the driveway just in time to see the white car plow into the Ford Focus. (We ALL heard the boom of the cars hitting.) I looked out the front window but couldn't see the accident.<br />Monico came running in "did you see that?"<br />With his help to know what happened, I then looked over into my neighbors' yard and saw the car on it's side and smoke coming up.<br />Then my neighbor (the wife) came running passed our front window, through our yard, shooting a gun and chasing down the driver of the white car.<br />So. We all dropped to the floor to avoid gun fire.<br />Yep. On the floor of my house. With my dog's collar in my hand. Because there was a gun being fired in my front yard.<br />And all I could think of was "crap. are the hamburgers burning on the bbq?"<br />Monica called 911.<br />The police arrived.<br />We came out to see what the damage was.<br /><br />The good news was our cars and/or property was not damaged.<br />No one was injured. (My neighbor had been unloading groceries from her bronco parked next to the truck. Had she been out there, she would have been standing in the path of the cars. Also, they have golden retriever which was not in the way or in the front yard.)<br />They caught the guy.<br />Our dinner was ok. :)<br /></div>Melissa DeLeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17947401818517933075noreply@blogger.com4