One more...Just the "girls"

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Fun With "ElfYourself"

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

"Who would've known" for the Week

Who would've known that those poll monitors would get so upset when I simply showed up to vote. Who cares that I was still in my Halloween costume, and who cares that I dressed up as Obama dressed as Brittney Spears dressed as Tiny Faye impersonating Sarah Palin. Other than my hairy legs sticking out from under a very short, plaid skirt, my costume was nothing but tasteful.

"Who would've known" for the Week

Who would've known that those trick-or-treaters would be so ungrateful after receiving my thoughtful Halloween gift? You know, Richard Simmons' Deal-O-Meals are not easy to come by, nor are they cheap. Listen up you chubby, little brats: After your Bat-Man underoos don't fit from eating all those King-Sized Snickers bars, you'll thank me. Just wait until next year when I hand out Slim-Fast shake packets!

Favorite Day

Exactly 14 years from today marks my favorite day in the history of my life. 14 years ago I went on my very first date with the love of my life. However, the first-date itself is not exactly why it's my favorite day. Let's just say that it serves as a key reminder to me that God is in control, and His will shall reign over my suaveness...and lack there of. Let me set the stage...

It was a Friday evening and I was getting ready for the big night out. I had taken a shower, slapped on some expensive cologne (okay so it was a dab of English Leather), and styled my hair...which basically involved plastering it to my head with a whole bunch of gel. Having freshened up, it was time to get dressed, and knowing how important it was to impress this beautiful girl, I put on my best: My black jean-shorts, my black and white Pumas, and my best No Fear t-shirt (you know the one: "Give Blood...Play Hockey. No Fear!!!"). Don't I know how to impress the ladies?

Looking good and ready for some fun, I set out for the big date...just one catch. Me being a freshman in high school, and this being my first real date, my parents would only let me go if a friend came a long. So here enters Paul. Oh, and did I forget to mention that she had to pick us up since neither Paul or I could drive yet? No biggie.

Lizz picked us up at my house and we set off. We went to a movie (The River Wild), and in all honesty, the night went well. Nothing really eventful happened, but on the flip side.... nothing really eventful happened. As a matter of fact, I think I said a total of five words to her including "hi" and "goodnight." The fact that she went out with me again, let alone married me, is amazing in itself.

I often look back on that evening and realize that a lot of things could've happened after that date. But one thing that did happen, I fell in love...and after 14 years, I'm still falling. Every day of my life I thank God for His providence. I also thank Him for the precious gift that he has given to me in my wife; my bride; my best friend; my heart and my life. Though our first date wasn't eventful, our marriage sure has been. We've lived in a variety of places, met a ton of people, became parents to two beautiful children, and through it all we've loved one another. Never perfectly, not always easily, but by the grace of God, continually. And just like a good wine, it gets better with time. With that said...Salut!

Bella,
Il vostra amore è migliore del vino.

To My New Best Friend...Whose Name I Don't Know

I just wanted to send out a big "thank you" to the wonderfully, compassionate shuttle-bus driver who jump-started my car yesterday at the Dayton Airport at 1.30 in the morning. I was so frazzled, tired, and self-absorbed that I didn't even catch your name, but I'm extremely grateful nonetheless. Although I may not know your name I'll never forget your face, and if I ever see you again I'm giving you a huge hug. At least I hope I'll never forget your face, or else that hug will be even more awkward.

"Who would've known" for the Week

Who would've known that the guy next to me on the plane would get so upset after I gave him my peanuts? So what if I forget to mention that I had already sucked off all the salt and pre-chewed a few. We're living in some pretty tough economic times right now, so when you get a handout like that, you accept it and say, "thank you"!

"Who would've known" for the Week

Who would've known that someone would get so upset when asked to dance to an awesome song? I mean, so what if it was in the men's locker room and I only had a small gym towel wrapped around my waist. You just don't turn down "Endless Love" like that. Have a heart people!

The Glorious Flight

This week's 5-In-A-Row lesson focuses on the book The Glorious Flight, which is about Louis Bleriot, who was the first person to fly over the English Channel. One of the activities this week was to make a model plane to help explain the different parts of the plane. Lizz made the model out of cardboard from empty boxes, and I have to say that it's quite impressive. Below is a video of Colin identifying the different parts of the plane.

Dennis Mele For President!

Great news, Dad! I'm really proud of you. You have my vote!!!

Click on the picture below to view the full news coverage...

Google 411

Here's another great tool from Google. It's basically a free 411 service. Very cool, especially when you're traveling in an area you're not very familiar with.

She's Growing Up...

Anna has recently graduated from the crib to a big-girl bed. She was extreeeemely excited about it too; especially with a nice purple pillow on top. So far so good: no escapes or freak-outs.

Well Cubs Fans...

There's always next year...

Don't Give Up Hope!

Calling all Cubbies fans!!! Last night was a horrible night and it dredged up some bad memories, but let's not give up hope. Our Cubs are still in it and still strong. So, bust out your rally caps, pull out your jerseys, rub your rabbits feet, stop shaving, keep wearing the same underwear, suck on your big toes (okay I made that one up...I was on a roll). Do what you gotta do, but don't stop cheering! Below is a Link to a great video to get you psyched...

Cubs Fans Unite!

I've Been Converted

It's official. I am no longer...a boxer wearer. After 10 years of enjoying the comfort that boxers bring, I've decided that the support of briefs is more important to me. Believe me, this wasn't an easy decision, but after a few too many "incidents" while exercising, it was clear that a change was necessary. I'm sure that this information is extremely important to you, so I've decided to include a picture as well.

Oh yeah...I've been working out...

Family Bowling Night

Well, Colin and Anna just got done bowling for their first time. We found an alley just a few minutes from home and by the time we were into our 7th frame we had the place to ourselves (which was good because Anna was doing quite a bit of exploring). Colin bowled a 70...with bumpers of course. Anna bowled a 76...with the help of Mom of course. And Lizz bowled a 136. I don't remember what I bowled....I wasn't really keeping score. Anyway, I think Anna had more fun with the air blower than bowling, but that's just fine. It's about the whole experience. Or at least that's what I kept telling myself after I got my you-know-what handed to me by my wife. I think I may have to schedule a rematch.

Mushi Mushi!

Earlier this month Lizz began a homeschooling curriculum with Colin called called Five In A Row. The nice thing about this curriculum is that you can make it as easy or as complicated as you'd like, and since were still testing the homeschooling waters, we're keeping things fairly light. The idea of Five In A Row is that you focus on one book a week (five days in a row...get it?), and they give you a variety of actives related to the book. Well, this weeks book was A Pair of Red Clogs, which takes place in Japan, so this weeks activities included learning about Mount Fuji, drawing the Japanese flag and wearing traditional kimonos, as seen to the left (OK...so they're big t-shirts cut down the middle and tied with scrap cloth...they got the idea). In addition, the kids got to try sushi (California Rolls), which didn't go over real well. Colin told Lizz, "I really wanted to like it, I just didn't." I give him an A for effort.

Back Up and Running

Well, the last few days have been interesting to say the least. On Sunday afternoon Hurricane Ike decided to send a breath of wild air our way. In addition to ripping shingles and siding off of houses, and knocking down quite a few trees, Ike took out power from East Indiana to Dayton, OH and down to Northern KY. As a matter of fact our local power company reported on Monday that 588,000 customers had lost power.

We fared the storm quite well, aside from losing a few tree limbs and a small piece of siding. We were without power from 12.30PM on Sunday until about 2.00PM today, which was a bit challenging. However, after looking at pictures and reading about the devastation the hurricane caused down in Texas, I feel pretty ashamed for even feeling sorry for myself.

Having lived in Florida for over 10 years I never thought I'd see a "hurricane" make it's way up to Southern OH.

Camera Fun

Thanks to my Dad and his plethora of America Express points, the Mele Family has a new toy: A Canon DC320 Camcorder. It's one of those nifty camcorders where you can record directly to a mini DVD. Below is one of our first takes: