Blue Christmas....

I hate feeling BLUE. 
I like feeling Yellow, or Red or even Pink... But Blue. I hate it. 


Ryan would interject now and say "Hate is a strong word.... Maybe you should use something different?" 


And I would reply "No, that's the word I was looking for!" 


I'm having a very Blue Christmas this year. Reading back on the last few entries, any certified Psychologist would know that something was brewing. But for me, it kinda hit me like a ton of bricks. 


I'm not sure where it started, or what triggered this lingering bad mood. (I would be wrong to even use the word linger, I'd be safer to say that the bad mood has signed a short term lease!) I've never felt like this for longer than a few days. I am in a hate:hate relationship with BLUE. I really need to get out! 


I have discovered something strange, sad and comforting all at the same time though. I'm not alone in this Blue Christmas mood. Soo many people have a hard time at Christmas. Lots of people go through hard things like breakups, illness, death and financial trouble at Christmas. This is a sad fact, many people struggle to get through the Holidays. And some people hide it better than others. I do a good job of hiding it. I'm a pro! 


But we can find some solace in why we celebrate. 
Its not the gifts we give....
Or the Decor....
Or the food..... 
Or the family.... 
But its the Birth or Jesus. Simply we need to remember that it was an awesome gift given to us. Not a gift we had to stand in line for, not one we had to use our Credit Card to purchase, not one we had to do anything at all for. It was given to us, out of LOVE. The best kind, the unconditional kind. 


Now, I say these things, and I understand them well. But for some reason the "Blue" hasn't left. I'm not sure when it will either..... But I had a glimpse the other day. I think its all about watering the little seed of love and hope in my heart with hugs and kisses, twinkle lights and LOVE. We all have a seed of Love, and if we water it with Love it will grow. I have to believe it will grow. Or BLUE will never go away. 


Something happened to me the last day of school that helped beyond measure. It was simple and sweet, and healing for my blue heart. It sheds some light on my theory. 


While picking Jonah up from his last day before holidays, I was filling his backpack with gifts and goodies, snow pants and mitts. In the kaos a little boy from Jonah's grade one class came running up to me and said " Im so glad your here! Just wait a minute..." and he put his little hand in his backpack and pulled out a Candy Cane. "I want you to have this, don't worry I have lots more at home. Merry Christmas Jonah's Mom!" 


At that moment, my heart felt like the grinches at the end of the movie... like it had started beating again. I was overcome. It was just a candy cane, but it was sooo much more. 


I asked if I could give him a hug, and he said yes. He hugged me a long time and said, "I love you." 


It was all I could do to keep it together. To get out of there with out letting go of the UGLY CRY! The Love he gave me that day, with that very simple gift was the start of a new beginning in my heart. 


So I'm not saying I have the answers, And I don't know how I'm gonna feel come Christmas morning. But I'm sure that Gods love for me was all wrapped up in that Candy Cane. I felt it. I know in my knower! (*P.H.E) That's how I know when we extend love, we get love. 


So this Christmas, If your feeling Blue too... You're not alone. But try to water your heart with Love by extending it to others this Christmas. It's a start at least. 


Here's to a Christmas that is filled with many colors... not just Blue! 


Big Hugs and Kisses,
Twinkle lights and LOVE, 
Melissa 




*(P.H.E) is our Pastor Hayward Eastman from Cold Lake Community Church. He would say this phrase and It always made Ryan and I giggle. It was such a true statement. Your "knower" is your spirit. He just had a Newfie name for it! I miss him and his family!

Meet the Langlois'

So we took the plunge. We actually threw caution to the wind and did it. We got a DOG!

We had been praying for a few years, wondering if we (Ryan and I) could actually handle it.  we knew Jonah would do great, us on the other hand? And by I mean handle, I mean stay sane long enough, to love it enough, to keep it. Catch my drift. It was probably was never going to happen if we kept telling ourselves that it would drive us crazy.

But something changed last week. A dog had been orphaned by a nice fellow named Bill. It was one of those,  "my best friends brothers, wife's, Dad's dog.." situations. We did not have any clue what we were getting. Actually, what we got was quite contrary to what we were told.

So, last sunday after a long Journey from Edson, (and a sleepover) we picked him and his WARDROBE up at his excellent babysitter and brought him home.

Ryan and I were FREAKING OUT! We felt like we were really shaking stuff up. We needed to shake stuff up, it was getting ALOT too comfortable around here.

But without a hitch the Dog.... POGO, came home and has been here for 5 days. He's peed on the carpet downstairs TWICE, (to Ryan's dismay) and One poop incident.  He has slept in Jonah's bed every night, and is quiet and very friendly.

He is nothing like we were told, and nothing we wanted, but EVERYTHING we needed.  Dogs do change things and shake stuff up. Pogo has done that, and we love him....ALOT. Its funny, I thought Id never be one of those DOG people, but I'm already there. I am meeting new people and learning so much. I find it's an Ice breaker when I am walking him. (People love to talk about their pets.)

I'm excited for the weeks ahead. I'm excited to see Jonah bond with him, and Ryan to finally join the baby talk to puppies phase. I'm just so excited....can you tell?

Anyway here is a pic of the little man... (not soo little, on a diet!)

Above is POGO before the Groomer.......

And after.... MUCH better. I think he lost 5 lbs of hair!

Until next time,
Dog lover....
Melissa

And it Begins....

Its here! December I mean. Sometimes I wish I could just skip the whole month. But trying to look on the bright side, and remember why we celebrate this time of year helps... a little. I can't help but think... Are we overdoing it?

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole celebration, Advent and the DECORATIONS. But (and this is a big one), WHY are we getting so "wrapped up" in this BUY ME, BUY YOU, BUY EVERYONE SOMETHING BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BUSINESS!  I just don't understand why we can't change the way we do Christmas.

So I don't have any BIG ideas on HOW to change it. But I do know that God has opened my eyes to a lot of things we do WRONG this time of year. For starters its the purchase till your overdraft is maxed out, purchase because everyone else is, purchase, purchase, PURCHASE! I'm certain that God didn't have this in mind when the wise men blessed Jesus....

I actually LOVE to buy gifts. It's one of the most beautiful things to see eyes light up as they open a wrapped up special something! And It's an even better feeling to be the one watching the reaction from the receiver. But a gift just because is a lot different than a gift Because I feel I HAVE TOO.

What about the GIFT of our TIME? Its something everyone is short on nowadays. And something we all can give. It is one way we can give, and change this crazy season into something of HOPE!

Some of my girlfriends and I decided that it would be better to spend an afternoon hanging out sipping Hot Cocoa instead of buying something we don't really need for each other. We can rarely find the time to all be in the same room together. The best gift we can give each other is our time. I look forward to that afternoon with great anticipation!

This holiday season as your standing in line, buying that GAP sweater with your credit card for someone that bought you one last year, don't forget to set aside some time for the people you want to BLESS the MOST this year.  Spread the HOPE!

Because as the famous commercial goes....

Hot Cocoa ......................... $3.45
Gap Sweater ...................... $39.98
YOUR TIME......................Precious, RARE and PRICELESS!



Lots of LOVE...
Melissa

And heres a great video.... WATCH IT!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KZnaJ99U1c

Deck the Halls....

This is all the loot I have collected over a ten years of marriage as far as Christmas Decor....

Ok...! I know, I have way more than I need. But its fun to pick through and dress up the house a little different every year! I have given some stuff away, and borrowed odd and ends to friends... Its all fulfilling its "Christmas Destiny!"

Here are just a few of the things that I LOVE... and hope will always be near me at Christmas.

Your thinking to your self... huh? But in reality this is the cutest paper-mache vintage replica Karate Chopping Snowman EVER! It even has a bum, but this is not an X-Rated blog, so I'll spare you. (trust me its UBER cute)

My Believe sign! I put it in the tree every year... and I love that it fits in my festive Charlie Brown tree. We actually drove three hours to get this tree... we got the LAST one( I begged to take the floor model)  and on our way Ryan got a BIG speeding ticket. The tree was totally worth it! 

This is not my ornament.... it Ryan's. But we all love it.  He's a Super Fan of Elvis and this is one of three Elvis ornaments we have for the Tree. "Love me Tender" was our wedding song, and we are renewing our Vows for our 10th Anniversary next year at the Little White Chapel in Vegas. 

These are our Mickey and Minnie Ornaments we got in Disney World in 2006. They were the only thing I brought back, and I think they are a great keepsake. When I was little my nickname was Mouse. (My Dad has nicknames for all of us, Crystal is Smurf, I am Mouse, Amber was Bunji, and and Adam is Sport or Big Guy.) 

My Top Hat Tree Topper is the Ultimate! Its so RED and Felty! Words cannot express my love for the hat! 

And here is the finished product. If you look real close, you can see the little Birdhouse, and the little snowmen heads and the postcards! The Top lights have now decided to go out on me... that will be the third strand this year. Seriously its like a conspiracy! Anyway, thats just a taste of our little Langlois' Christmas. 

Till next time...

Love : Melissa 

As soon as it was here... It was gone :(

Yesterday was Christmas of sorts for me and some Girl Pals! It was soo fun to wait in expectation for the annual Christmas Open House. The Ladies at 2dD's do such a great job! I must say I think my expectation level was very high... and with no specific things to buy, I came home quite empty handed!

My girls came home with a haul though. And I KNOW they were happy with the purchases made!  Here's a few (blurry) but fun pics to share the experience with you!

This is the Invite! SOO pretty and Festive! 

 This is the tree you see when you arrive! Its so full of FUN ornaments and Sugar plum dreams! BY this point (2 minutes inside) the home was filling with lots of people and excitement!

Next stop is the kitchen which is brimming with LOTS of treats and delights for the holiday party season and the OVER EATING that takes place this time of year! Such a pretty set up!

Then on to upstairs to hunt for more treasures themed by room! (its kind blurry, people everywhere) This is the view from the landing. This is at the ten minute mark... the house is FULL of people. My guess 75 peeps at  least! 

Here's the Newbie!! My friend Rita did AWESOME! Although she didn't get what she came for she left with some really great things for her and a few friends! (And she brought me a coffee, I love her!) 

Here's a sight to see... the front porch over flowing with shoes! (And that's not even as bad as 

inside the door.) 

And as we make our way out about 45 minutes after we arrived, you can see the literal SEA of cars

 in Neighborhood. 

Sarah with her haul, and Rita with hers, we were dreaming of the spring and what this fun girl day will bring for 2011. And as we drove away, we realized, as soon as it arrived, it was gone.  Now on to the Mall! 

Happy Christmas Shopping Everyone! 

Lots of LOVE:

Melissa 

ITS ALMOST HERE!!

So its Almost here..... NO, I'm not talking about Christmas!
BUT it is something I look forward to doing every spring and fall since I moved to Red Deer!

I bet I've got you guessing.... wait for it..... OK, Ill put you out of your misery!

2D's in a POD! Its one of the most inspiring and magical shopping experiences in these here parts.  Basically what these talented ladies do is transform a home into a shopping extravaganza for one day. EVERYTHING is for sale and is decorated to the NINES! You just put it in your pretty brown bag that you get at the front door when you arrive, or you write it on your "wish list" with your equally as cute pencil (also provided at the front door when you arrive.)   I love the concept. I usually come home with lots of fun goodies for me and the people on my list.  The best part is the anticipation.... You get your twinkly, beautiful invite a few weeks in advance and you can bring ONE friend to join you.

It reminds me of what us Courtney House Ladies used to do for our Christmas open house every year. Those years with the two Bonnie's and Lori ( and a few others along the way) are so precious to me. They were always so supportive of my creativity, and equally as patient with my control issues!

Some of the best memories were covering the windows with paper, ripping down the fall decor (carefully for next season) and putting together an amazing array of Christmas treasures for all to Enjoy.
Bonnie (AKA... Bonfire!) our boss, was always so excited right along with me to transform that space into a thing of beauty. We would start planning for the OPEN HOUSE every January. We had a blast putting it all together, staying late, falling off ladders and eating take-out on the hardwood floors. The other Bonnie (AKA... Monica...don't ask) was more of a silent partner, cleaning up after my constant messes and lugging bins up for me to not interrupt the flow of creativity happening in that 900 square foot space! Her servant heart never went unnoticed, I admire her for that among many other things!

Courtney House Gift Shop is long gone... We closed the doors a few years ago. I miss that place, and think about it so fondly every year around this time. I don't so much remember the STUFF, but I remember the amazing women I got to learn from. What inspiring people I had the privilege to do life with.

So I'm on my way Friday with a good Friend to what we now call 2D's. I get to bring along a newbie... and I know she will be blown away! But what I'm more excited about is creating some creative memories with them.

I'll try and post some PICTURES after Friday if I can ever figure out how to do that on here.

And to the Bonnie's and Lori....  Ill be thinking of you.

Lots of love,
Melissa

HUG someone today....'

So today is kinda a big day for my family. It's my sister, Amber's 27th Birthday. She is in Heaven, and not here to be with us to celebrate today.

Today started out kinda Suckey. I felt like because its been five years, no one really cared anymore. I got Jonah ready for school and got ready for an early morning coffee. I fought against the urge to just stay in Bed and wallow in grief, but pulled myself together, got ready and headed into Starbucks.

I'm kinda a day dreamer.... (like you couldn't have guessed that about me!) And I was thinking of how different my life would be if she was only here with us still. And that would be my wish, if I could have just one. But it dawned on me that today was a day of celebration, not of sadness. So on my way into Red Deer I put on my timer on my phone, let myself cry for exactly 5 minutes and then resorted to celebrate life today.

My mom gave birth to an amazing little (well not that little) baby girl 27 years ago today. And we got 22 years to enjoy being with her. No matter what I was gonna celebrate.

I arrived at Starbucks and no sooner did I have my Toffee Mocha in hand that I was celebrating life with a good friend. We always talk about FUN stuff.... shopping, our husbands, and God (And of course more shopping) Before I knew it I was laughing. In that moment I knew that Amber was alive in my laughter. She was always laughing.... Those memories of her laughing are the best ones!

So when you want to just shut off the lights and have one of those days, try and remember that we have a choice. We can choose to trudge through and push on to see what God has in store that day. Its not always easy, but it is worth it.  Today was worth it, that laughter in the morning was worth it.

I do have a favor to ask of anyone who reads this post. Not a big favor but one I think can make a difference. Hug someone you LOVE, or better yet, HUG someone you don't! Don't let the moment pass you by, LOVE is ALWAYS the answer. I never said it would be easy, I said it would be worth it!

Lots of Love,
Amber's Sister,
Melissa

End of October.... NOVEMBERS a Comin'!

Ohh, where did the time go? This year has gone by sooo fast. I can't believe that 2010 is on its last legs and ready to pack its bags for the history books. Still, Im thankful for 2010 and all the Crazy, Loopy and Unexplained things that made up that time. Now I know there is still TWO FULL months, but they will be busy and blurry just like the last TEN. Just saying...


Anyway, I am really looking forward to everyone putting away their Scary decorations from Halloween and putting up twinkly lights and pine smelling Christmas trees!! 


I always put up my tree no earlier than the 12th of November. There is a Rhyme to my Reason.... Remembrance Day is November 11th (EVERY YEAR) and I think that its important to give the Veterans their day to, well,  Remember. 


But don't get me wrong, I am already planning what I'm gonna do come Novemeber 12th at  8:36 am after I drop Jonah off at school. I plan to pull out all my goodies and have a christmas extravaganza of sorts in my house. Ill put on "Marshmallow World" and "Baby its Cold Outside" and brew myself up some SOY chocolate milk! Ill change things up and pick a new plan of attack and make this place so festive that even ELF will feel at home! ( Elf is a movie we have seen almost 100 times. Its JONAHs Favorite and he quotes it ALL YEAR LONG) 


So enjoy the rest of October.... And as soon as I learn how to post Pics on here, Ill post some of the Tree and my cute little family enjoying the twinkly lights!  


Lots of Love, 
Melissa 

MAD MEN

If you know me, at all, you know I am always changing my LOOK.  I seem to be "on the hunt" daily for things that make my creative heart sing!

So I thought I would share a few things that are "singing" lately!! First off, anything vintage! I have always wanted to go back in time and experience the OLD stuff when it was brand SPANKIN' new. (I would still bang it up and make it look old...he he he ) And if I COULD go back in time, I would be going back to when MAD MEN was playing out in real life. I love the show for its Set Design and its Amazing Clothing! (Not the storyline)
(I think Ryan kinda looks like Mr. Draper!)

I am also taking a big cue lately from anything Zebra!  (maybe its my inner cougar...eeeks) But I like the way it looks with almost anything.

Cue the birds..... No really. I love anything with feathers! I now own 3 pairs of feather earrings!! One Peacock (XX21 and only $4.90!!) Handmade turquoise ones from Moose Jaw, Saskabush ($12.50 plus pst and gst...ouch!) and my forever loved Creamy Nude ones from Aldo ($8.00). I wear them any day it will fit with an ensemble!

As far as interior design goes... Im all over the board. I love rustic, vintage and Modern. And any time I need a little boost for my design soul I head to my favorite shop in this world ANTHROPOLIGIE!!  I first was introduced to this shop in Seattle, and I still can remember the displays and the smell. I was overjoyed when it came to Alberta two years ago (WEM) and now cannot contain my excitement that it is Now Open in Chinook Mall Calgary. 

Ryan and I ventured out for some inspiration in the BIG CITY on Monday... here is a small glimpse of what I saw.

Cant you just feel spring! This couch is all a girl needs for her office!

And this dress made me swoon!! OH MY... its beautiful. It could be in a Mad Men episode.

The displays are amazing! So inspiring and unexpected. 

Happy shopping and hope that you go out and find the things that make your heart sing!
Well, until next time.....

Lots of Love and Zebra Print!

Melissa

P.S.
(MMM.... actually stands for my first name and my two middle names :)

Im gonna try this out....

Hey, Is there anyone out there?  But seriously, I kinda feel like Im talking to a wall!  I have wanted to try this Blog thing out for a while, and thought that I should quit thinking and start doing. 


So, it begins. Ill start by warning you about my horrible spelling! I hope you can bare with me.. 


Don't expect much from this little place I call mine on the web. I look forward to sharing ramblings of many sorts on here. From Good deals, to Inspiring things. From Lovely happenings to short rants, I don't really have a plan. 


But I do know that this may be a bit of therapy for my creative mind! So drop by for a visit every once and a while... 


Lots of Love
Melissa 


PS... the Photo above was taken in Sylvan Lake by my friend Jacelyn. She is UBER creative and I hope to share all about her photo creativity on here sometime...