Wherever I am is home
WordPress to Facebook TestPosted by melodieshouse on May 20, 2009
I decided to install a new plugin called Wordbook from Robert Tsai of Tsaiberspace to crosspost from Melodie’s House to Facebook, let’s see how it compares to just importing my feeds through FB’s Notes.
I love you just the way you arePosted by melodieshouse on May 17, 2009
I was listening to internet radio tonight and the Billy Joel song “Just the Way You Are” played. I can’t help but get very sentimental over this song. It says very much how I feel about my husband. I love this song because it speaks of a mature, lasting, unconditional love in a relationship vs. the romantic, “falling in love” type love.
Here’s the words:
Don’t go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don’t imagine you’re too familiar
And I don’t see you anymore
I wouldn’t leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you areDon’t go trying some new fashion
Don’t change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to careI don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.I said I love you and that’s forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.I don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.
I just had to include a video. This is a fairly recent live performance. Enjoy!
It's finally here! Trader Joe's in Virginia Beach!Posted by melodieshouse on May 9, 2009
I only started shopping at Trader Joe’s a little over a year ago, and I had to travel 45min in good traffic to get there. I must say I was hooked after only one visit, and pretty much every 2wks when we got paid I’d make my “pilgrimage” from Virginia Beach to Newport News for my Trader Joe fix. IMNSHO, Trader Joe’s has got to be the best little grocery store there is. It has lots of organic and wholesome foods with no preservatives, additives like MSG and junk like high fructose corn syrup in them, inexpensive but decent wines (like the Charles Shaw brand AKA “two-buck Chuck” AKA “three-buck Chuck” here in VA due to ABC taxes), wonderful breads and cheeses, and nuts and dried fruits, at prices that usually beat regular grocery shelf stuff. And their stuff is soooo good and high quality too!
Trader Joe’s has been in Newport News for nearly 4yrs, but as of yesterday, May 8, they finally opened a store in Virginia Beach after much anticipation and petitioning by loyal customers. It made the local news:
Crowds and long lines greet Trader Joe’s opening at Hilltop
I didn’t go yesterday, no way was I braving that crowd, but I’ll probably go early next week, then 2-3x/wk after that from now on, since I can get my Trader Joe fix anytime now that Joe’s in town!
National Day of PrayerPosted by melodieshouse on May 6, 2009
Tomorrow, 5/7/09, the first Thursday in May this year, is the National Day of Prayer. Here’s what the Wikipedia article says on the history of the National Day of Prayer:
There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952. The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate “a time for prayer in forming a new nation”. During the Quasi-War with France, President John Adams declared May 9, 1798 as “a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer,” during which citizens of all faiths were asked to pray “that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it”.[1] The words prayer and day have been used together in speeches by every U.S. president since the founding of the nation.
On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice. In 1982 a National Prayer Committee formed to coordinate and implement a fixed commemorated day of prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended the law decreeing that the National Day of Prayer should be held on the first Thursday of May. A claimed intention of the National Day of Prayer was that it would be a day when members of all faiths could pray together in their own way.[citation needed]
President George W. Bush held an annual event at the White House on NDP, but this year, President Obama intends to issue a paper proclamation but is holding no event at the White House:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/06/prayer-day-no-show/
I suppose I should not be surprised since Obama, while visting a Muslim nation (Turkey), seemed to apologize for the U.S. coming across as a Christian nation and tried to characterize the U.S. as a secular, civil society not unlike modern-day Turkey (huh?!) Here’s a clip of Obama speaking in Anakara:
Christians in America need to pray for our nation and for Mr. Obama. We should be praying daily, but it’s also important on this upcoming special day that we pray together and stand in the gap for this nation. So I urge every believer reading this to find and attend a National Day of Prayer gathering in their area, or if you’re not able to make such a meeting, to take some time wherever you can to pray. If you can get at least one other believer to join you, then that’s even better.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20 (New King James Version)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New King James Version)
DOH!Posted by melodieshouse on April 25, 2009
Would you believe while I whined about missing my iMac I forgot there was an iMac G4 (yes, the little half basketball) 2 feet over on the next counter playing a photo slideshow that I could use? That’s what having 4 kids in 3-1/2 yrs will do to your mind.
I suppose I should tell another “Doh!” story now. When I was pregnant with the twins in 2006, I had a serious case of preggo brain. One day I was packing up my other 2 little ones in the van to go somewhere and I was yacking on my cell phone with my husband before leaving. In the middle of our phone conversation I stopped and frantically asked my husband, “Honey, where’s my phone?!” because I was looking and feeling around on the passenger-side seat and floor and couldn’t find it. David says back to me, “You tell me, where *IS* your phone!” I asked and he answered at least 2 more times before I finally got it.
And here’s another: during my previous pregnancy with my son, I was also about to go somewhere, so I slung my purse over my shoulder, grabbed my keys and cell phone, and before going out the door asked my husband, “Where’s my purse?” He asked me the same question, and even asked my then 2yo daughter, before letting me off the hook.
Mac WithdrawalPosted by melodieshouse on April 23, 2009
I’m suffering from full-blown Mac withdrawal :’( . On Monday evening my iMac G5 started emitting that burning smell again, and it seems the power supply, which is only 3 months old and replaced one which went the same way, is defective. So I’m working from a Linux (!) workstation, my trusty Sony VAIO which formerly ran Vista, since there’s not an extra Windows box up and running around the house right now. Fortunately the Mac’s power supply is still under warranty and I’m able to get it replaced free, but I’ve got to be without it a few days more while I wait for the replacement. Linux is neat and all that (though still not as neat as a Mac running OS X) and this computer I’m working from still has some configuration issues - I can’t access the rest of the computers on our LAN nor is it visible to the others even though I turned that capability on (Samba). I have to manually edit a file and I really don’t have time for that mess, but I’m running on only two cylinders here, KWIM? 
At least I have Gmail and webmail access to all my other email accounts.
The Virginia Beach Tea PartyPosted by melodieshouse on April 16, 2009
I was there today, and took lots of pictures. I got there a few minutes late and missed the National Anthem and intros, but stayed until the end. As I walked up to the Fountain Plaza and saw the crowd, tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that there are people who still care about this country and freedom. I saw lots of people, young and old, of many different walks of life. I also saw a number of homeschool kids and their parents. I wanted to bring Melissa, but she’s been sick. Even though it was cloudy, drizzly and kind of chilly today, the turnout was high and the spirit was up. I’m so glad I made it out today, and look forward to being a part of similar events in the future.
Here’s a news video by the Pilot Online (Hamptonroads.tv):
Here’s the article the Pilot wrote:
Hundreds gather in Hampton Roads for tax-day protest
Now I want to share my pictures. I hope I’ve captured the overall spirit and attitude of the gathering, as well as given a glimpse into the purpose and intent of the Tea Party movement.
Virginia Beach Mayor Stands on Sinking Sand – Another Reason We Need to Have a Tea PartyPosted by melodieshouse on April 13, 2009
The mayor of Virginia Beach wants $10 million of federal porkulus stimulus funds to replenish sand on the oceanfront resort strip. That’s YOUR money and MY money washed out to sea if the Obama administration approves it. As of now this administration as well as the previous two administrations (Clinton and Bush) have deemed sand replenishment not eligible for federal funding. Mayor Sessoms, however, is lobbying for an exception. You can read all about it here:
Leaders urge Obama to use stimulus for beach sand
I’m encouraging everyone who can get out on April 15 (may be a different date in some cities) to attend a Tea Party in their area. To find a Tea Party in your area, go to the Tax Day Tea Party site. For you locals in the South Hampton Roads area, a Tea Party will be held Wednesday 4/15 at the Virginia Beach Town Center Fountain Plaza, across the street from Senator Jim Webb’s office, from 11:00am – 1:00pm. For more details about the local effort, go to the Hampton Roads Tax Day Tea Party site.
Happy Easter! Jesus is Alive!Posted by melodieshouse on April 12, 2009
Here’s a short video from YouTube celebrating the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, using segments from The Nativity Story
and The Passion of the Christ
Isaiah 53:5 (New King James Version)
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (New King James Version)
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Matthew 28 (New King James Version)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
Melissa is 6!Posted by melodieshouse on April 9, 2009
Melissa’s birthday was actually 2 weeks ago, and I’ve finally got around to reporting on it. She’s my oldest, and even though it’s been 6 years since I gave birth to her, time has flown so fast it seems like it was only yesterday that I brought her forth into this world. It just doesn’t seem that long ago that I was holding her to my body nursing her and calling her my “little bitty girl.”
Me, David and Melissa right after Melissa was born
