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New Year, 11th Blogoversary

January 1, 2022 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I am currently on my way to The Friends Experience to kick off the new year. If you know me at all, you know it’s one of my favourite television shows so the excitement is through the roof.

So until next time, here’s a recap on the last year.

January

2020 | Week 43 of Quarantine | Ethan, Work, and Professional Scrum Master I (PSM-I) Certification
  • Became a Professional Scrum Master — Ethan was so bitty then

February

  • Galentine’s Day
2021 | Week 49 of Quarantine | Winter Wonderland, Mellie Dee, Rizzo, June
  • Texas Snow
  • First Covid Shot
  • Started Rosetta Stone for Mandarin — haven’t quite finished it but making little progresses when I do have time

March

2021 | Week 51 of Quarantine | Dallas | Emmy's 4th Birthday - Trolls | Jenny, SIL, Mellie Dee, Brudda, Emmy
  • Emmy’s 4th Birthday
2021 | Week 52 of Quarantine | Meeting Connor | Mellie Dee
  • Met Connor for the First Time
  • Fully Vaccinated
  • Mum got Lasik!
  • Asus Zenbook Duo Laptop
  • Started talking to Frankenstein but no posts on him until next month.

April

2021 | Week 55 of Quarantine | Emmy & Ethan | Dyeing Easter Eggs
  • Dyed Easter Eggs with Emmy & Ethan
  • First Date with Frankenstein
2021 | Week 57 of Quarantine | Disney On Ice: Mickey's Search Party | Emmy, JJ, Mallory
  • Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party with Emmy, Mallory & JJ
  • New Samsung S21 Phone

May

  • Dewberry Farms with Emmy, JJ & Connor
  • Kemah Boardwalk with Frankenstein
2021 | Week 60 of Quarantine | Mellie Dee, Emmy, Ethan, Crawfish | Mother's Day & Birthday
  • Birthday/Mother’s Day Crawfish Boil
  • Birthday Dinner with Mallory & Beth
2021 | Week 61 of Quarantine | Shine on Heights | Houston, Texas | Haircut & Partial Balayage
  • Dyed My Hair Purple (Red)
  • Birthday Celebration with Frankenstein
2021 | Week 61 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Andy, Amy, Mellie Dee, Jakob, Patricia, Travis
2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Thuy's with Amy, Patricia, Mellie Dee | Ube Crinkle Cookies & Pop Tarts
2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | Toro | Amy, Thuy & Chloe
2021 | Week 62 of Quarantine | San Antonio | El Mirasol | Andy, Jakob, Amy, Patricia, Mellie Dee
  • Stayed a Week in San Antonio & Met Chole for the First Time
  • First Colombian restaurant with Sebastian

June

2021 | Week 64 of Quarantine | Frankenstein | Cooking Date Chicken Spaghetti and Roasted Asparagus
  • First Cooked Meal with Frankenstein
  • Friends Reunion Watch Party
  • Dad’s Birthday
2021 | Week 66 of Quarantine | Waco, Texas | Emmy, Ethan, Rizzo, Bruno, Kato
  • Waco Family Trip
2021 | Week 67 of Quarantine | Rachel & Simon Wedding | Photobooths & Selfies
  • Rachel & Simon Wedding

July

  • Jury Duty
  • Frankenstein Adopts an Abandoned Kitty
  • Tie Dye Shirts
2021 | Week 69 of Quarantine | Frankenstein's Artemis + Mellie Dee
  • Met Artemis
2021 | Week 70 of Quarantine | Meribo | Covington, Louisiana | Michelle & Mellie Dee
  • Mandeville, Louisiana to Visit Michelle
  • Volunteering at the Mayor’s Back to School Fest

August

  • Galveston, Texas with Frankenstein
  • Houston Restaurant Week: Jonathan’s Rub
2021 | Week 73 of Quarantine | Soju 101 | Katy, Texas | Mallory, John, Frankenstein, Mellie Dee
  • Frankenstein Meets Mallory & John at Andretti & Soju 101
2021 | Week 74 of Quarantine | Astros v Rockies | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee
  • Astros Game with Frankenstein
  • Houston Restaurant Week: Harold’s
  • Houston Restaurant Week: Federal American Grill
  • Yearly Checkup for Work
2021 | Week 76 of Quarantine | Starbucks, Artemis, 3D Printed Vase & Flowers from Frankenstein
  • First Present from Frankenstein (handmade! with flowers)
  • Catch up with Priscilla
  • Volunteered at Peanut Butter Production Plant

September

  • June’s Birthday Dinner at Ember & Greens
  • Frankenstein’s First Korean BBQ & Axe Throwing
  • Jenny’s Bridal Shower

October

2021 | Week 82 of Quarantine | Top Golf NOV Team Building | Mellie Dee & Chelsea
  • Team Building at Top Golf
  • Dewberry Farms with Ethan, JJ, Jacob & Connor
  • Jacob’s Birthday Party
2021 | Week 83 of Quarantine | Pumpkin Carving & SNL | Frankenstein, Artemis & Mellie Dee
  • Carved Pumpkins with Frankenstein
2021 | Week 84 of Quarantine | Jenny's Bachelorette | Mister Jiu's | San Francisco, California | Mellie Dee, Jenny, Rosanna, Tammy
  • Jenny’s Bachelorette in San Francisco
2021 | Week 85 of Quarantine | Mallory & Mellie Dee | WWE Monday Night Raw
  • WWE Monday Night Raw with Mallory
  • PPDM Expo
  • Sissy’s Birthday Celebration

November

  • Mallory’s Birthday Celebration
  • Touch up Hair
  • Wine Bar & Sarah’s Dance
  • Work’s Christmas Party
2021 | Week 87 of Quarantine | Amy | Texas Renaissance Festival | Todd Mission, Texas | Mellie Dee
  • Texas Renaissance Festival with Amy
2021 | Week 87 of Quarantine | Cirque du Soleil Alegria | Beth & Mallory
  • Cirque du Soleil Alegria with Mallory & Beth
  • Last NOV Team Building at Taste of Texas
2021 | Week 88 of Quarantine | Jenny & Le Wedding | Mellie Dee, Emmy, Ethan, Sammi, Mary, Rosanna
  • Jenny & Le Wedding
  • Mum, Brudda & SIL Birthday Celebration
2021 | Week 89 of Quarantine | Goodbye Rocky | Mellie Dee
  • I Love You Rocky

December

2021 | Week 91 of Quarantine | Frankenstein, Sissy, BIL | J Bar M BBQ, The Houston Ballet: The Nutcracker
  • Frankenstein Meets Sissy & BIL: The Nutcracker
  • Potted Potter
Fredericksburg, Texas | Linda's & Ricardo's Wedding Reception | Mellie Dee, Lily, Patricia, Inez, Jocelyn
  • Linda & Ricardo Wedding – Fredericksburg, Texas
  • Amy in Boerne, Texas
  • First Covid Test
Moody Gardens | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee
  • Christmas Eve/Day at Moody Gardens with Frankenstein
The Infinite Experience | Holler Brewery | Houston, Texas | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee
  • The Infinite Experience with Frankenstein
  • Ethan’s 2nd Birthday

Filed Under: Blog Necessities Tagged With: Blogoversary

2022 New Year Resolutions

December 31, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

We are currently celebrating Ethan’s 2nd birthday. Baby Shark Two Two theme. So a super short post about how this new year has been crazy short but also feels super long.

Recap of 2021 New Year Resolutions

  • Continue focusing on health and fitness – I would say that I’ve done pretty well this year. Back on track with my issues and definitely better when it comes to mental health.
  • Read my usual 12 books a year – I read 14 total again this year. I was genuinely surprised that there were a few that were out of my norm that I ended up liking and a couple that were ones I would love but ended up disliking it.
  • Write and play more music – I did not do this at all so I’ll keep it for the new year. But Lily & Daniel did get me a Kalimba and I’ve been wanting one so it’s perfect. Hopefully I can somewhat perfect that.
  • Continue decluttering the house and reorganizing – still working on this but making a lot of headway!!

My 2022 New Year Resolutions

  • Continue focusing on health and fitness
  • Read 12 books a year
  • Learn the Kalimba
  • Continue decluttering the house and reorganizing
  • Continue building strong friendships

Still unable to travel a lot so that’s off the list. Currently trying to make due traveling as much as I can but nothing too crazy. Here’s to 2022 and building more memories!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Resolutions

Days Leading Up to 2022

December 31, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Emmy | Mikoto | Miniso | Houston, Texas

On Monday I took Emmy out. We went and returned things at the mall and shopped a bit, ate at Mikoto, and ended the trip by going to Miniso. It’s a super cute Japanese type store. I bought 3 new puzzles and Emmy wanted EVERY singLE stuffed animal she saw.

Ethan, Emmy, JJ, Jacob Playdate

Wednesday morning, I took the kids to play at Mallory’s. Mallory said it was a shock that Jacob let Ethan feed him because apparently he doesn’t like when people feed him. I’m always in awe at home gentle and nice JJ is with Ethan too. We ordered food from Elyson House and on the way back, I got some Starbucks drinks to share with the family.

The Infinite Experience | Holler Brewery | Houston, Texas | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee

Later that night, I met up with Frankenstein. I had gotten him The Infinite Experience tickets, a virtual reality of the Space Station. I’ve never done VR before so it was a little frightening at first. Also, the machine was very heavy and pressed down on my nose so I couldn’t breathe too well. Overall, a great expereience. He talked about how he could do it again, he loved it so much!

We went to Holler Brewery afterward, shared a flight then ordered our own beers. Had some random conversations then headed back home. I like their decorations of the hops lights.

Nutcracker Lego, Ethan, Emmy, Rizzo, Mellie Dee

Random Ethan & Emmy pictures. We did a nutcracker lego and visited Grandma. We traveled back to Dallas for Ethan’s 2nd birthday where they tried on Shark costumes and painted some wooden ornaments.

It’s been a pretty great week leading up to a new year. Can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Sightseeing

2021 Christmas Shenanigans

December 26, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Rizzo, Emmy, Ethan | Christmas Nails | Vet, Cracker Barrel, Christmas Wrapping

Monday started off with Emmy & I taking Rizzo to the vet. There’s a lump inside his nose and they were able to release fluids and take it to testing. Haven’t heard back and it’s refilled so hoping they can fully remove and it’s nothing bad.

I took her to eat at Cracker Barrel and walked around different shops before heading home. I changed my nails to Christmas lights and wrapped presents.

We also found out that Ethan put one of his toys into the freezer. Our freezer has been pooling and so his toy was frozen in. Such a hilarious moment and he wouldn’t let it go the rest of the night.

Emily's Taqueria | Capri Nails with Mallory | Physical Therapy | Emmy & Ethan | Dish Society

Tuesday I grabbed some breakfast tacos from Emily’s Taqueria and met up with Mallory for pedicures at Capri Nail & Spa. It’s the second time in a row that I’ve gone and their polish does not dry after an hour plus. I went to Physical Thearapy for my back/leg and shopped for a bit to get some nail polishes to fix my toes. I got some cool presents from Mallory – ended up winning $10 from the scratch off she got me!

Wednesday June and I took the kids on a walk with Rizzo. I ordered a deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie from Dish Society too. So good and perfect for the cold temp.

Mellie Dee's COVID Test | Ethan & Emmy Gingerbread House | Thaicoon

Thursday, I went and got my first COVID test – rapid PCR test. Negative! Whoo hoo! Good to know since I was feeling sick.

Ordered Thaicoon for lunch and then waited for June to be home to build gingerbread houses with Ethan & Emmy. They mostly just ate the decorations and icing.

Frankenstein & Artemis' Christmas Present

Later in the day Friday, I drove over to Frankenstein’s. I gave Artemis her Christmas present. A blanket where she can be seen and a harness and leash since he talks about wanting to take her out for walks in the future. She wasn’t a fan. I’m sure she wonders why this weird lady keeps bringing stuff for her to wear.

He went to San Francisco week prior for a wedding and came back with Ghirardelli chocolates for me. That’s when he told me that the original Ghirardelli shop was from there. Learn something new every day.

Moody Gardens | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee

This man planned Christmas Eve with me as my Christmas present and I couldn’t be any happier.

I guessed correctly that he chose Galveston and had an inkling it was Moody Gardens. And I was right!

He booked the Moody Gardens Hotel with a balcony view. I’ve never been on a balcony at a hotel before, at least not one that I remember so I was amazed. He opened his presents and we took a lot of pictures and videos of the view before getting ready for our dinner reservations.

Moody Gardens | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee | Shearn's

He booked our reservations at Shearn’s, located in the hotel that supposedly had pretty dang good reviews. He was pretty disappointed in the food. It wasn’t terrible, but not worth it for the cost. I agreed but was just on cloud nine that this man planned a nice night so I didn’t have any complaints. He just felt bad since we’re pretty spoiled when it comes to eating out since we do that a lot with our distance. But he added that it wasn’t a big deal and he was just happy he got to spend time with me. Gah so sweet.

Moody Gardens | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee | The Festival of Lights

During dinner, he told me a mishap that occurred. He apparently accidentally booked ALL the excursions Moody Gardens offered. The regular ones year round and the holiday ones. He meant to only book The Festival of Lights since he knew we didn’t have much time to do much. Too funny.

We made it in time to walk through the entire thing to see the lights, stopping a lot due to my back. My favourite is the interactive Twelve Days of Christmas show. We sat there for the longest because I wanted to see all of them light up. Then we had a debate as to why certain things were even gifted. Love our random conversations.

Moody Gardens | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee | Cafe in the Park

We woke up quite early Saturday since one of his launches were happening at six in the morning. I caught glimpses of the launch but mostly fell asleep through it. When we finally got up, we had breakfast at the hotel’s Cafe in the Park. This place is SO darn cute. Even the carpet looked like grass. We opted for the buffet which had MORE than enough yumminess. I am starting to dig ordering hot tea at restaurants.

We packed our things and headed back home. I was able to get a shot of the Christmas decorations they had at the lobby without all the kids all over it. So gorgeous.

Extended Family Christmas | Ethan & Rizzo

I got home in time to relax a bit before Sissy & BIL came over. Brudda and SIL arrived the night before so we had a full house and it was nice. We made little window light catchers and played games before our extended family came over. A lot of crazy times and nice memories – like the kids loving playing in boxes like cats (surprised Rizzo went in and stayed there), and Ethan being a Pocky model.

Immediate Family Christmas | Ethan | Phanh Ky | Katy, Texas

Sunday was our immediate family’s Christmas. We had breakfast of kolaches and opened presents. Secret Santa (SIL) did great this year. Two new puzzles, one of which was a surprise — COSTCO puzzle! I’ve been looking and never found it. It’s only 500 pieces so you would think it’ll be easy but if you look at the picture, it’s filled with people on every corner. So excited!

We also tried out Phanh Ky & The Alley. The Alley was WAY too sweet for my liking and they ran out of a lot of things which makes me not want to go back in fear of not getting what I want again. But Phanh Ky was delicious. We talked about going back in the future. I like that you can pick different types of noodles to go with your dish.

Cidercade | Houston, Texas | Frankenstein & Mellie Dee

Knowing I’d be dropping off Brudda and SIL at the airport late at night, I was able to make day of plans to meet up with Frankenstein afterward at Cidercade. I’ve been wanting to check this place out so was happy he remembered and suggested it instead of me driving all the way to him. I wouldn’t have minded though because he loves SNL and have been waiting to watch the Taylor Swift one with me.

It was fun but they did have some broken games. I wasn’t a fan of any of their drinks and later at the end, found out they had sodas and waters in the back for free pour.

It’s been a very eventful week. I am still in awe that this man planned such a nice night together where I didn’t have to put in input (other than the food when we got there). He’ll be busy again soon so I’m trying to squeeze out as much time as we can this month.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: American, Asian, Bars and Pubs, Breakfast and Brunch, Galveston, Katy, League City, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Moody Gardens, Sightseeing, Steakhouse, Texas, Thai, Vietnamese

Linda’s & Ricardo’s Wedding | Fredericksburg, Texas

December 19, 2021 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Sylvia's with New Work Team & Cleaning Out Desk

I’ve started my holiday vacation since Thursday and won’t need to be back until the new year. If you haven’t noticed, the title to this post doesn’t say Quarantine anymore. Starting next year I’ll have to go in at least twice a week which means I’ve worked from home for 91 weeks. Isn’t that crazy?! I’ll miss it for sure.

Started off the week, Monday, with lunch at Sylvia’s with my new team. They hadn’t had their Christmas party yet so it was nice being invited and seeing everyone (minus one who works in Louisiana) in person. I’ve actually worked with all of them before in the past. Small world.

Although I might not start going in until mid January, I did go in on Thursday to pick up my boxes. It felt good getting rid of one whole box of manuals we’d never use again.

Timothy & Lillian | Tamashi, Starbucks & Potted Potter

Wednesday, I met up with Timothy and Lillian for dinner at Tamashi. I think it’s better than Jinya! Definitely need to go back again.

We stopped by Sarah’s to drop off some things making a run for Starbucks.

Then it was off to Potted Potter. I’ve been wanting to watch this since I saw the ads and am thankful Lillian loves Harry Potter enough to want to go. Super hilarious. The audience laughed the whole time and was very engaged.

Rakuu | Beth & Connor

Thursday, after the office, I picked up food from Rakuu and headed to Beth’s. Our last hangout before she’s off to Tennessee for Christmas. Connor has grown so much since I last saw him. Lots of smiles and laughter. Super fast crawler too.

Ethan & Rizzo | London Puzzle

A lot of Ethan time. We walked Rizzo with June to look at Christmas lights one night and Thursday, after Beth’s he and I walked to Walgreens for some things. Definitely have more endurance than Emmy.

In all that time watching Ethan, I was able to finish the London puzzle. For now with Emmy being here too, puzzles will most likely be put on hold if I don’t want any missing pieces.

Fredericksburg, Texas | Linda's & Ricardo's Rehearsal Dinner, Pioneer & Christmas Lights | Patricia & Mellie Dee

Friday, I headed off to Fredericksburg. I skipped the wedding rehearsal and Daniel picked me up for the wedding dinner at the venue. They hired a taco truck to make us tacos and the family made beans themselves. Everything was so good. Patricia and I went and looked at lights after wards and there was even a German Christmas tree. Some of her family members showed up and then a few of us headed to Pioneer for a drink before heading to the Airbnb.

Fredericksburg, Texas | Emma & Ollie | Ana, Alex, Jocelyn | Linda's & Ricardo's Wedding Ceremony

Saturday, I had brunch with Ana, Alex and Jocelyn at Emma and Ollie. The food was so delicious though I feel the bowl was overpriced for the amount you get.

By the time we got back to the Airbnb it was time to get ready and head out to the church for the ceremony.

Ricardo cried as Linda walked down the aisle and it was the sweetest thing. The whole ceremony was in Spanish (minus a few lines) so for someone not Catholic, I was a little confused what was going on but was able to get the gist of it.

Fredericksburg, Texas | Linda's & Ricardo's Wedding Reception | Food & Decorations

We then headed off to the reception. The mariachi band played us some songs as we drank and snacked on chips and salsa.

Dinner was BBQ, buffet style. If I wasn’t in so much pain from my butt/back/leg, I would have gotten more. It was SO good.

Fredericksburg, Texas | Linda's & Ricardo's Wedding Reception | Mellie Dee, Lily, Patricia, Inez, Jocelyn

I was able to snag a few pics with some folks, especially the beautiful bride and tired groom.

Mu fabourite is getting to see Lily since it’s been two years since I’ve seen her in person. I love her cute little hair. And it’s been a few years since Patricia, Lily and I got together. Wish we all had more time together, but being able to be with one another for just a bit is better than nothing.

Boerne, Texas | Amy & Mellie Dee | Peggy's on the Green & Farmer's Market

Today, I woke up and hung out a bit with Jocelyn and Patricia before we all went our separate ways. I went off to Boerne to meet up with Amy at Peggy’s on the Green. We were lucky to find the Farmer’s Market was across the street so we headed there after brunch. It was a very short visit but any time with this one is always a great one.

It’s been a long week and this week won’t be any different. Luckily not having to work makes it a bit better.

Filed Under: Eateries & Drinkeries, Travel Tagged With: Barbecue, Bars and Pubs, Boerne, Breakfast and Brunch, Fredericksburg, Japanese, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Sightseeing, Texas, Weddings

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