The One with the Monica-Packing

There's an episode of Friends where Monica is packing up her fine China--the kind only the Queen is worthy of eating on--and she enlists Joey and Phoebe's help in filling the boxes. (NOT a good idea.) She carefully details the process in which each precious piece of China is to be wrapped and nestled into the box. Every single plate, bowl, or saucer will be surrounded by a protective layer of packing paper.

I won't tell you the end result. It's too heartbreaking. 

I felt like Monica on Monday afternoon. (Side note: as I was telling Kevin how I "felt like Monica" he replied, "Don't you always?" ha.*cough* ha.) In the midst of packing for a week of Bible Quiz Nationals, I was trying to accomplish some house packing. Most likely I felt pressured into packing because so many people I had spoken to in the last week asked me, "Are you packed?" 

Of course I'm not packed! Should I be packed a full month before we move?! Am I behind schedule?! I didn't even realize there was a packing schedule that I had yet to know existed. The have-your-entire-house-packed-weeks-in-advance schedule.  

Obviously, the comments from random people--including our librarian--stressed me out. I guess I was behind. YIKES. Get a move on it, Mel! You've got a 2000 square foot house to get into boxes by July 31st and almost 3 full weeks between now and then are taken up with Quizzing and Family Camp. 

I had a few boxes packed with extra linens, all most of our books are boxed, as are cds, random decorations, Christmas stuff, and extra office supplies (you'd be surprised--or maybe you wouldn't--at the large quantity of "office supplies" I own.) 

All that to say, I decided to start packing all of my formal dishware and glassware. I figure, I probably shouldn't need that between now and 4 weeks from now, right? At least, I hope the Queen doesn't visit in the next couple days. 

It took me nearly 3 hours to finish this seemingly-small project. I took the staple-binding out of many old magazine and used each sheet to separate the dishes from each other. I wrapped bowls, side plates, cups, saucers, serving plates, and more and stacked them lovingly into 3 different sturdy boxes. 

Then I had to find a place for the 12 crystal goblets that are a family heirloom. I was pretty impressed with my set up, and I know my mom would be proud of me too. :) I took a small, yet tall box and stood six of the goblets on the bottom. I tore apart another box into short strips that I used as dividers between each goblet. Then I cut perfect-sized rectangle of cardboard to place on top of the first six goblets, creating a second layer for the last 6 goblets. It was perfect, people. 

No tinging from any of those boxes. I call that a success (with a side of anal retentive.) 

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The One with the Final Quiz

[Free Methodist] Bible Quizzing. Are you familiar with this concept? I wasn't either until I started dating Kevin a few months into our freshmen year of college, and he was recounting stories of his Bible Quizzing days. Then I began attending monthly quizzes along with him as he quizmastered. I worked my way into the time-keeping position, then scorekeeping (which is WAY complicated), and just this year attempting quizmastering myself.

We spent the last 9 months challenging, studying with, and motivating (or attempting to motivate) our two teams of quizzers as they participating in monthly quiz meets. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons our teams weren't going to attend the Bible Quiz Finals competition--joining teams from across the nation. Kevin was planning to quizmaster at the competition (meaning his costs would be covered), but I didn't want to just spectate and pay a couple hundred dollars to do so. 

But then we heard the plea for additional quizmasters. I was in! For the past 2 days, Kevin and I have been quizmastering from 10am to 5pm. It's ridiculously challenging. It's quiet exhausting. But it's very fun too! I have learned SO much in my concentrated quizmaster experience. I am grateful. I went into that first quiz with the attitude that I was confident, I could do this, I was capable. Even though I really wasn't sure any of those statements were true. But things have worked out well, despite a few lapses in judgment and/or brain function. :) 

In the in-between times we've been catching up with old friends and making lots of new ones from all over the states--Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, New York, Nevada and more. We've eaten FAR too much delicious food. We've shared a campus dorm room--a definite no-no for those years when we were students. :D I've gone on early morning runs. We've been reliving memories--walking the P loop, the time before the clock tower was built or Gainey Hall or University Hall or this cute little courtyard. It was good times we've had on this campus. 

And now that I'm all "experienced" at this quizmaster thing, I look forward to a new season! So long, John; bring on Hebrews and I and II Peter.  

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The One with Organized Baking

Sometimes, I just need to organize. 

It's amazing how cluttered one's drawers and cupboards and hiding spaces can become over many months. Though most people would have probably still identified my baking cupboard as "organized" I knew, deep down, it needed some serious attention. 

I have accumulated a massive amount of baking mix-ins (mostly chocolate)--semi sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, unsweetened baker's chocolate chips, mint and chocolate chips, Hershey's kisses, toffee brickle bits, sweetened flaked coconut, candied ginger, raisins, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and more. 

When I see a sale, I stock up. For instance, I may or may not have 4 jars of molasses. Yes, I love molasses cookies. Yes, I was baking them non-stop over the winter. Yes, they will get used eventually. Yes, each bottle was 8 cents per ounce cheaper than the other varieties. No, you may NOT make fun of me. I'll know you're laughing inside, though. 

In any case, I also have a frugal streak when it comes to food storage. My salsa jars, pepper jars, and pasta jars have all been washed and cleaned and used for other purposes (such as homemade salsa storage.) I won't even mention the 6 boxes of canning jars in the basement. Oh wait, I just did. But it occurred to me in a moment of brilliance, "Why not use the abundance of jars to contain all of my bags and bags of baking ingredients?!" Bags are not easy to access or stack or organize, plus they require the use of my bag clips that seem to be a hot commodity as of late. 

And so I set to work. Mason jars went in the dishwasher and the already-clean salsa/pasta sauce jars went right to use. Now I have a highly organized cupboard and beautifully stored baking products which can be identified through the clear glass. Heck, they're pretty enough to display on open kitchen shelves. 

I feel awesome right now. 

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The One with the Moving Conundrum

Apartment hunting is a whole lot more challenging than it would seem. Google apartment listings. Visit a few units. Choose your favorite. Move in. 

Right?

Not so much. First of all, the town we are moving to is an adorable little village, but because of its small size there aren't any listings on apartments.com and other search sites. This limits us to Craigslist and some not-so-descriptive-Google/YellowPage-listings. 

Thankfully, we've been blessed beyond belief to have a new friend in our new town at our new church going above and beyond to find us the perfect place. She's been exhausting her list of contacts, stopping by places that might be for rent, and making more phone calls than I could count. On Monday, we drove to her home and the three of us hit the ground running. 

Throughout the next 6 hours we visited 9 different apartments all across town. All of the units are portions of a large home. Many beautiful Victorian style mansions have been remodeled into 5 or 6 apartments and quite a few houses are used as duplexes or "half houses." We didn't look at a one stereotypical apartment complex because they're all but non-existent. 

I love the idea of having a place that's unique and aesthetically pleasing like some of the mansion remixes can offer. The problem with the top candidate on our list is its size. This apartment is itty bitty--especially when you consider we've lived in a 4 bedroom 2000 square foot house for the past three years. Yes, we've accumulated lots and lots of stuff to fill our spacious home. And yes, we've sold most everything we don't need. (i.e. We don't need 3 different dining room sets or 8 different comfy chairs.) It was hard to say goodbye to our things. But this particular apartment will probably only accommodate 1/3 of our remaining possessions. 

Here's the thing--Kevin and I have come to believe this process of downsizing is a form of spiritual discipline. God is calling us to refocus and reassess our priorities and our possessions. This is a good thing. Living in a smaller, more cost-effective place will be a good thing. But I believe the Lord also values our passions, such as playing and teaching piano, playing guitar, keeping a beautiful collection of our favorite books, baking up a storm and hosting lots of parties, maintaining good records by using my organized desk space, keeping a large collection of dvds, having space for extra linens and towels in order to be a welcoming home for guests, scrapbooking and jewelry making, not to mention crocheting and knitting, and storing an exorbitant number of gorgeous (yet cheap!) purses. :)

There is still room to cut corners, of course (the purses for example.) And we've come to realize we simply will NOT have room for our stand-up freezer, our Christmas decorations or our camping supplies. But we're praying the impossible. God can handle our specific needs and desires in a new place. We want to make a home for ourselves. 

Will you pray with us--for clarity, that God would reveal the place He wants us to be, that we would have wisdom on how long to wait for a new option to appear or when to decide on what we've seen already. 

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The One with My Daddy

My dad has always been my hero. 

He's stronger than any other dad, loves me more than I can know. 

He's given me my passion for Italian food and snow. 

Though I'm grown and gone away, I'll never be too old

for a hug and kiss, a helpful hand, a word on being bold. 

I know that he believes in me, tells of my success, 

And having his vote of confidence keeps me aiming for the best.

Daddy, 

Thanks for teaching me to ride a bike, showing me how to ski, and demonstrating flips on the trampoline. You've taught me financial stability and frugality, but above all you've taught me to trust God. I could go on for hours of all the wonderful "daddy memories" I keep stored in my mind's treasure box--a blessing I'm increasingly thankful for over the years. 

I love you and I'll always be your little girl. 

Mellie 

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The One With Time Changes

It's a precious thing watching as time changes so much, yet protects the most important pieces of life. God is so good. He knew seven years ago how I would be blessed year after year by this beautiful group of women who just happened to be my dorm floor-mates. Four years of college, four years of sharing bedrooms, bathrooms, favorite clothes, advice on boys, prayer, laughter, Gilmore Girls, flip flops, peanut butter, and hugs. We did everything together, became family. It was a beautiful thing to behold. 

And now, three years after we left the place that brought us together, the bonds of family are still unbroken. Distance separates us, lives get busy, contact may be put on the back burner. But no matter. I believe each of us knows deep down that we're always there. 

Our evening spent together on Tuesday was so lovely. Eating, laughing, reminiscing, sharing new blessings and burdens. We've changed, each of us. Living on our own, learning to be married, experiencing motherhood, pursuing a passionate career. Yet maintaining our friendships through it all. 

So blessed.