MELANIE'S MI-5

1. I read several blogs written by Pastor's around the U.S. sometimes their posts have nothing to do with the Christian walk but reflect on their own personal life. Like the one I read the other day by Tally Wilgis regarding the alignment of his coffee cup. He stated "I don't know what it is about me that demands this but I always have to make sure the logo on the Starbucks cup aligns with the logo on the sleeve. Additionally, I have to position the lip of the cup so that I drink in alignment with the logos below." Do you have any weird OCD issues?

I don't know that I really have OCD issues. I pretty much insist on making my own coffee, as the Splenda and the creamer must go into the cup before the coffee does. The only other thing I can think of is that, as a Close To My Heart consultant, I try very, very hard to make sure that I use ONLY CTMH stuff in my scrapbooks (excluding adhesive).

2. Some of you know that In April, 4 years ago I left my South Florida home of 23 years and drove with all my belongings to Maine to start a new life. The only thing Maine offered me was a job & it's incredible beauty. Friends and family would have to be acquired after I arrived.What major decision/change did you make in your life that surprised your family and friends & how did things work out?

I don't know that it really surprised anyone, but I only completed one semester of college. My best friend, Ronda, was my college roommate. She got married at the conclusion of the first semester so that she could go with her husband to Okinawa. (He was in the service.) I couldn't bear to go back to college without her. Everything turned out fine, though. While home at Christmas, I was offered two different positions as a legal secretary. I took one, was trained as a paralegal, and have been in the same profession since (that was 22 years ago!). I went to school to be a business teacher, and while I know long to be a substitute teacher (I don't have enough education to do that here in Maine), if I had become a business teacher, I might not have a job now--a lot of the traditional business classes have now been cut because of budgets.

3. We often learn certain behaviors by the folks we spend time with. An accent you pick up, words you add to your vocabulary, a certain way of washing your car, tying your shoes or folding your socks.What is something you picked up and who did you pick it up from?

Every once in a while I catch myself copying the mannerisms of my sister-in-law, Dawn. She lives in VA, has a Southern accent, is beautiful, and has a very friendly, outgoing personality. She's also hilarious and keeps me in stitches. When I have the privilege of being with her, I always end up wishing that I could be just like her. (Ok, now I'm crying!)

4. 2 years ago I was online looking up hiking trails and discovered the sport of Geocaching & found an instant addiction after the 1st time I played. What is something you discovered by accident but has enriched your life?

I can actually say that scrapbooking was actually quite accidental. I was watching QVC one day, almost 11 years ago, and saw them demonstrating a scrapbooking kit. The rest is history! Also, I kind of happened upon piano playing by accident. I was taking clarinet lessons at school, and somehow ended up playing the piano instead. While my Mom helped me out quite a bit, I've never had a "formal piano lesson". I often chuckle to myself while playing at church, wondering exactly how I am doing that. The damper pedal especially makes me grin. How do I know when to push it?? I have no idea!!

5. Often we are frustrated by the actions and attitudes of others.If you could influence a behavioral change in someone else, what would it be and how would you go about doing it?

There is someone close to me that does nothing but complain, complain, complain. There are changes that could be made to address the root of those complaints, but they would rather just complain and hope for some sympathy. I'm so tired of hearing the complaints! It's wearing me out. (Just so you know, I'm not talking about anyone related to me or anyone that reads my blog.)