My Nicknames {revealed}

What's in a name? Oh, the possibilities are endless. (Or at least they are in my family.) You see, I come from a clan of nick-namers, and oftentimes the pseudo names have no origin and no connection to the person's actual name. 

And for whatever reason, I've decided to share with you all some of the names I've been called over the years, and I'm hoping you might be up for making this a two way street. What other names have your friends and family come up with for you? Do you like them or rather the nicknames die a painful death? 

My name is Melanie, and I absolutely love it. (Good job, Mom and Dad!) I am a proponent for being known by your full first name--you know, the one on your birth certificate. None of this "I've only known you by such and such a name until that moment at high school graduation when they announce your name and I am completely unaware that that person even existed." I like that people call me Melanie. I think my name is beautiful. 

But I also like it when people get to feeling comfortable enough with me that they naturally progress into the "Mel" version of my name. I like Mel too. It's fun and relaxed sounded, very girl next door.   

My maiden name was "Fish." (If you must know, it was shortened by my great-grandpa Luigi from the original Italian of "Pescatelli" meaning "little fish.") When people find out about my maiden name they are found in utter disbelief and are convinced that I'm attempting to pull the wool scales over their eyes. And then they stifle a laugh. 

But I don't mind. I was never made fun of for my last name because I embraced it. I loved my last name. Many classmates in high school (and also my history teacher, a football coach) called me "FISH," which I was totally cool with. I was bummed I never played a sport that warranted my name on the back of a jersey. 

For whatever reason, there have always been a handful of friends--in both high school and college--who loved calling me by my first AND last name, as if they were one cohesive unit. And I have to admit, it does kind of roll of the tongue. "MelanieFish" (or, if you're Sarah Lane, "MelFish"). One of my guy friends in college also enjoyed calling me, "Miss Fish" and we were both sad when I became a "Mrs" and that name no longer applied. 

My aunts have always called me by my first and middle names--Melanie Marie. Again, the combination flows from the lips in a lovely fashion. 

My dad used to always call me Mellie, as did a few friends in elementary school. I like "Mellie." I think it's adorable. 

My mom and my grandma have, for as long as I can remember, called me "Melanee-nee" and my Grams is the only person on the face of this planet whom I allow to call me me "Nee Nee." (I love that she calls me Nee Nee.)

Little kids often have trouble pronouncing my name so it ends up sounding like "Meny" or "Noni" (if your Jillian). As a grown up, I find many kids referring to me as "Miss Melanie" which is pretty cute too. It has a nice ring of respect and familiarity. 

One boy in my 4th grade class took to calling me "MelonHead" which I totally despised and was embarrassed about. He finally got in big trouble for it. 

I've also heard Mel Bell, Mellie Belly (not my favorite), Fishy Girl (by Kevin), mon frere ("My brother" in French, by my sister--yes, we're weird), Madeleine (my name in French class--pronounced "Mad-a len"), Poisson (by a classmate in French class, it means "Fish"), Bees (by my husband, as a reference to my Pam Beasley similarities), and "Ralph" (by a developmentally disabled friend in Michigan who couldn't seem to pronounce my name. So I just went by "Ralph.")

I know there are more I have missed, but that's the general history of Melanie's nicknames. 

Your Turn! 

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The One with the {Running} Nerd

If you didn't think that running could become a nerdy hobby then you're about to become enlightened. In my opinion, a nerd is someone who is an expert on a single discipline, not because they're supposed to but because they love that subject so much. A nerd knows he's a nerd, and he's ok with that. 

Got it?  

No? That's ok. It doesn't really matter anyways. 

All that to say I'm feeling like a running nerd, and LOVING every minute of it. This morning I donned my new Bondi headband (which I won from Sarah's blog!), my Nathan Shadow Pak (in Royal Blue), and my desperately-needed-new Brooks Adrenaline Running Shoes. Not to mention my Under Armour running tights and long sleeve Cold Gear top. 

Needless to say, it was a great run! I love this 40 degree weather, and I can't wait until it's daylight outside at 6am instead of 7am. My Running Dream Come True. 

Wanna know what the heck all that running gear jargon is all about? I knew you'd say yes. 

The Bondi Headband is something I've had on my wishlist for a year or two. I'm not sure why I couldn't just splurge for this $8 item, but I didn't. It took me winning a giveaway to try out the Bondi. I LOVE it. I don't have to wear a lame sweatband anymore to keep the sweat out of my eyes. Now, I can wear a stylish sweat wicking headband. (Is that a thing? "Stylish" and "sweat" in the same sentence?) 

When I visited Fleet Feet recently (my first time getting fitted for running shoes), I saw these slim little waist pouches (I refuse to think of them as fanny packs) that would carry all sorts of running accouterments. I found Nathan's Shadow Pak on Amazon for $15 and I've used it twice this week. It's great--it doesn't bounce when I'm running (that would have been super annoying), it's got a few light reflectors on it, it comes with an ID card tucked in the side (ya know, should anything happen to me), and it holds my phone and my ipod. Not too shabby. 

And then, of course, there are the new running shoes. This is one area of my life that my frugal sensibility isn't a good thing. I shouldn't take chances on my feet (and subsequently my knees, back, etc.). Running is hard work and takes a toll on your body. If I want to keep running (and keep the use of my knees for Pete's sake), then I should get a pair of high quality shoes that are worth the money. 

I couldn't go all out financially though. I mean, I'm Melanie, I'm cheap. Let's be honest. To save a few bucks ($35 to be exact), I purchased the previous version of Brook's Adrenaline. (ie. rather than version 12, I found version 11.) Works for me. It felt good to have new shoes on my feet. 

I'm thankful for this early Spring weather, for winning a giveaway, for birthday money to purchase Under Armour, for an Amazon gift card to save extra cash, and for my husband's support in spending money on my running habit. 

Three cheers for taking care of myself. (And it only took 7 years to become a running "nerd.") 

Are you a runner? What tips or tools do you love? 

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 Spring Flowers

Last Saturday, one of those days when the sun was actually shining (unlike these past 4 days), my adorable husband gave me flowers. He put them in the most perfect vase. He set them beside my computer to be sure I found them. He received the biggest smile from me. 

You may think I'm easily pleased. And that would be true. But you might stop and realize--he thought of his wife as he was walking home. He knew how easy it would be to bring a smile to her face and a pitter patter to her heart. And he followed through. 

I love how he loves me. 

 

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The One with that's Uniquely Me

I pray many of you were encouraged by the words Jesus has spoken into my life concerning the beauty of a woman. My heart's desire is to learn how to fully embrace the beauty God has created in my life and to help all women experience that same freedom.

Part of this process, I believe, is seeing who YOU really are--all of your quirks, your passions, your thoughts, your talents, your hobbies, your needs. Though many of us share some aspects of our personalities, each one of us have an almost-DNA-like conglomeration of qualities. We are beautifully unique.

What makes you uniquely you?

I'll start.

Hi! My name is Melanie, and I don't have to work very hard at keeping up with my "adorkable" title. Sure, I can be cute, but much of the time I evoke a response of "aww, well isn't that cute?" I have some serious quirks. Idiosyncrasies if you will.

My toilet paper must roll over the top.
My toothpaste should be squeezed evenly from the bottom.
I insist that water be turned off when not actually in use--such as while brushing my teeth.
I keep lists.
Scrap paper notepads are in drawers all over my house--desk, bathroom, bedroom.
I fold my underwear.
I stack my socks.
I bake for fun. And to relieve stress. (Though I'm not so sure it's the baking that relieves stress or the eating.)
I really can't stand more than 5 emails left unanswered in my inbox.
I can watch hours of tv at a time, but half an hour into any movie and I'm asleep. (Kevin thinks it's the "canned laughter" that keeps me engaged during tv.)
I like skim milk, natural peanut butter, homemade wheat bread, fresh cut vegetables, and granny smith apples.
I also like chocolate chip cookies, mint chocolate chip ice cream, fudge brownies, and 99% of other ice cream varieties.
I used to really not like cats.
Now I have two.
Our bed has a severe sink hole in the center. I'm a chronic snuggler.

Those are the random facts--that honestly don't matter a whole lot in the grand scheme of eternity. The rest of my life goes a little something like this:

I grew up learning about Jesus. Mom and Dad taught me Scripture memory verses at a very young age. They even have a video of my whipping off I John 5:11-12 as if it was to save to my life. (Funny thing--it pretty much was.) I was the first one to raise my hand in Sunday School class with the answer. (Yes, I'm still that kid. I'm a firstborn ok??) I loved singing Bible songs like "Jesus Loves Me," "Beloved," "Have Patience," Special Specialitiy," and every song my mom every led during our summers of Vacation Bible School.

My little sister and I fought all the time--most of it was blamed on me. The first born has to be the one responsible and the responsible one, right? But we also loved each other dearly. We'd rather spend hours playing Barbies or "house," or "school" by ourselves than with lots of friends. We became best friends as I went through high school. I'm so thankful for her.

My years in high school were fairly uneventful. I didn't do a whole lot with school friends--church and youth group was my life. I was on my youth group leadership team from 9th grade on and I loved every minute of it. (Foreshadowing, maybe?) I learned more and more about Scripture, I memorized more Bible verses, and I learned the true meaning of getting outside my comfort zone.

I graduated Salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA, was class speaker, and on Homecoming and Prom courts. I really don't know how those things happened. I was far from cool. I just pray it was because people were drawn to the Jesus in me.

I spent the next four years of my life meeting adulthood head on at one of the best universities--Spring Arbor. I learned how to live with people other than family. I learned the true meaning of stress. And how to deal with it. I learned what friendships are really made of. I learned how to think for myself--and how to not think I know I all. I learned so much about worshiping, and studying Scripture, and pretending to understand philosophy. (It's still beyond me and I was Philosophy/Religion major.) I learned what it meant to fall in love once and for all.

And all of those experiences are what have made me into who I am today. I'm not done changing. Becoming. But for now, I'm embracing who I am. I am Melanie. Wife of Kevin. Daughter of Karen and Danny. Sister of Ashley. Leader of teens. Lover of good books and hot tea and piano music. I will forever be a list maker, a family girl, a homebody, and a pursuer of no-nonsense relationships. I hope I will also love baking and hostessing--opening my door to anyone who will enter. I will continue to pursue the heart of God with as much passion as He has pursued me. I want each day of my life to matter in eternity.

Who are you?

Linked up with Day 2 of Project 31.