Oh paisley, you are my fav.

I don't have it yet but I'm already decorating it in my mind...surprise. Here's a few options from my esty friends!

Look at these two...they are so happy about her laptop decals, awe, so sweet.


How ever will I choose????

What wouldn't I do for the blog.

On Saturday I had a classic blog-worthy experience. It's funny how I now go through life aware of the blogging possibilities of my activities. I remember once a friend who was huge into scrap booking told me that she now takes specific pictures knowing that they would be good for a scrapbook layout. And,although I don't seek out crazy situations for you, my beloved blog audience, I don't shy aware from a potentially shady fiasco where a good story could be born.

This Saturday was classic. I'm on the hunt for a new computer...think I'm really ready to do the big switch-a-roo to Mac so I headed to the Mac store to do some research. I get to Bridgeport, my favorite mall in the area. It's an outdoor mall, with some pretty fantastically dangerous stores, which I mostly window shop. On the way there I caught a glimpse of my eyebrows in the rear view mirror. Wow, how long had I been living like this? Then I remembered that 3/4 of the little round bulbs in my bathroom above the mirror are burnt out. I wonder what else I've been missing...

So, I decide to stop in at the salon at Bridgeport to have my eyebrows waxed. I learned my lesson last time I went to the mall and has this done that the timing of the much needed wax is crucial. All shopping, looking, ordering of Jamba Juice and general walking around the mall must be finished prior to the wax. Shopping first, looking next, pick up a smoothie, get waxed and then make a beeline to the car. No stopping, no looking in the direction of others, no taking it personally when people take the long way around me. I have to keep in mind that my entire eyebrow area is fire red, a little swollen and maybe, just maybe I look like something that could be see on Star trek. You know, those unfortunate guys with the bumpy, protruding eyebrow bone.

I enter the Salon, a Barbie looking girl takes my name and tells me to return in an hour...perfect. When I get back to the salon for my appointment Barbie takes me back to meet the esthetician. Now, Barbie, other than being completely too tan and over bleached seems completely normal and treats the situation completely normal. I trust Barbie. Sure, she's a little overdone but really, she seems like someone I can trust when it comes to this sort of thing. She shows me where to sit and then she says it.

"Pierre will be with you in a minute...you are going to love him, he's the best."

"Great!" I'm thinking, Pierre, sounds so French, so official. Somehow when it comes to the salon situation being foreign gives him an edge in my mind. I trust a foreign guy with my eyebrows any day...he's the best (according to Barbie).

A moment later Pierre appears.

Not a lick over 5 feet he is shorter than me (which is hard to do), he has the most amazing faux-hawk, almost black with tiny blond (ok, they really look yellow) tips. Amazing. But that's not the best of it. The guy has...

...a unibrow.

Seriously, this is the guy who will be waxing my eyebrows? Does he not see his own? Is he going to make me look perma-surprised? What??? Oh, Pierre! For a split second I think about grabbing my bag and making a run for it. Really, I think I could do it...he couldn't catch me. 1. His legs are shorter 2. His is wearing three belts, that extra weight would slow him down and 3. He has a unibrow, not exactly the most aerodynamic facial hair choice.

But, then I thought of my blog, and the story that could be told. And that maybe, just maybe Pierre really is the best. I don't want to miss out on the best. And hey, I was prepared to go directly to my car, my shopping was done. So, I stayed. I sucked it up and Pierre did a great job. He told me that I have a fabulous natural arch to my brows and that my skin was a color he had always envied. HA! Pierre and I had a great talk. I asked about how he got into the business, etc. I even asked about the three belts, which he says is a European flair that he just comes by naturally (whatever). But I couldn't get up the courage to ask him about the unibrow. I don't know what got into me folks, I froze.

And that, that is what I wouldn't do for the blog. I wouldn't question a tiny male ethetician about his unibrow. I let that moment pass. And I am oh, so sorry.

Don't you just love it...

...when your birthday is extended with unexpected gifts. A good friend from college surprised me yesterday with some clean water for Charity:Water! Yea! I sent him a quick text to thank him and last night I got this response: "The economy may suck...but we are still f'n blessed." Amen to that! (Is it appropriate to say amen to a statement that includes an abbreviation of a curse word?)

Whatever the case we are blessed, more than most of us will ever understand. Sure, we can practice being selfless, we can give what we have, even give our time, our lifestyle, our comforts. But for us it is a choice, poverty for the sake of others that is. It isn't something that we were born into or stricken with. What an amazing, undeserved gift we have been given. I'm currently reading Melissa Faye Green's book There Is No Me Without You, talk about good stuff...I'm only part way in and I've had tears the entire time. I can't imagine the daily burdens that this amazing foster mother in Ethiopia deals with. I can't put it down. Check it out here. But, be aware, it's a serious call to action. The knowledge you will gain on the AIDS epidemic in Africa is startling. Dig in!

Simple Spiel Update: I'm taking this forced slow down time to decide exactly how this is all going to work. I had a great convo on Tuesday with a smarty-pants friend of mine who has agreed to get me started on the business portion of turning Simple Spiel into a outlet to help others. Yea for Smarty-McGoo-Sauce-business-minded friends! So, we are praying for connections to be made with the right people as I do research into where to send profits, and that the Lord will grow this dream of mine into what He desires for it. Thanks for the continued support!

Cheers!

So glad.

Elisabeth Elliot is one of my heroes, an amazing writer, understander of the woman's heart, lover of all, fearless in her mission, her words are of continual encouragement to me. Today I read her daily devotional titled "The Supremacy of Christ". It was so what I needed to hear today. Seems like I have heard it a million times before but I needed it again...

The first thing was to settle once and for all the supremacy of Christ in my life, I tell them. I put myself utterly and forever at His disposal, which means turning over all the rights: to myself, my body, my self-image, my notions of how I am to serve my Master. Oswald Chambers calls it "breaking the husk of my individual independence of God." Until that break comes, all the rest is "pious fraud." I tell these earnest kids that the will of God is always different from what they expect, always bigger, and, ultimately, infinitely more glorious than their wildest imaginings.

See, when it seems to me like everything is falling apart, or nothing adds up, and I can't imagine good...it's coming, I am promised good, and I am so glad!

To read Elisabeth's devo click here.

*!$@*%! is feels good to be a gangsta.

F.Y.I.:The title of this post comes from a song in my top ten worst songs ever...that somehow become your worst favorites, and is featured on the movie Office Space (and has been censored for my Madre).


This almost happened at my house last night. Sure, I don't have a bat, or three guys wearing ties to help me beat up my computer and printer but I have been known to throw down a pretty mean "copy machine kick" (a phrase coined from the scene pictured above) just ask Glaze. Next time you see me ask for a demonstration, I will gladly give you one. It's the sort of thing you have to see, believe me. The length of the legs has nothing to do with it.

It's semi-funny but not really. Simple Spiel is just chillin' till I can work through the technical difficulties. So, where to go from here? Truth be told, I'm pretty bummed, I was ready to roll with the new line. I was gaining direction about where the money was to be sent and how I should focus the profits from the new cards. But now it's on a standstill until this glitch gets figured out. I'm a firm believer that there is a plan, I'm just eager to see what it is! Would love your prayers...not only for the success of the new cards and those that will be reached from their profits but also that some miraculous will go down with the darn computer situation.

Happy Tuesday!

When there are no words.

I find that music works best...other people's words. Peeps more poetic than myself. Here's what I need to hear today. Yes, it's old school. Brings back memories of college but today it has new meaning. It's hopeful.

Yes, true M.Schenck blogging will be back soon, I promise.

Happy, happy birthday Bray, I sure do love you! This one's for you...wish I could be there!

Cheers!

Learning to walk again.

Today, to avoid this...

I switched to this...


It's like I have to learn how to walk all over again.

Here's a song for this wonderful, rainy Friday.

Gotta love Ben Folds!

Cheers!

So, what do ya think?

She's right.

A friend, who shall remain nameless, told me today that I need to update my blog a little. Turns out my polka dot default background is so 2007ish. I thought I was retro, but whatev. She speaks the truth in love. So, I'm working on it. I happen to be a bit of a perfectionist so stick with me as I switch, switch-a-roo!

Dear nameless friend,
You were right. I let my blog design slip, it's defaultedness did not reflect who I really am and what my blog is about. Thanks for being an honest friend and for calling me on my lack of motivation.
-Melis

It's here!

Yippee, Skippy! Yeah, I really just said that. Shoot. But it's here and I'm excited! All the glorious RECYCLED kraft paper for my new line of cards. Simple Spiel is going all out in the charity department. Look for more details soon!

Blessed.

I have amazing friends, seriously legit friends who I am blessed by left and right. It's cool how sometimes friendships just click. My time in Mac has not been long yet I have found friends who I feel like I've known forever. It was great to spend my birthday this year with Trac, Caitlin and Nicole. Nicole and I share the same birthday and I was so excited to celebrate with her! Trac and Caitlin planned an amazing day for us complete with hours of shopping and a wonderful happy hour at Portland City Grill with great food, yummy drinks and a rad view of the city! Thank you ladies for a wonderful "golden birthday"!


*A big woot-woot to Trac who is officially our photographer...she rocks the house!

If you have kids, like kids, or once was a kid!

Here's a last minute way to help some kiddos. Kids Lake is on it's last day of fund raising for AHope!

Here's what my friend Brandi (Kids Lake director) says about their organization:
Kids LAKE is a campaign to help kids all "pitch in" to make a difference in our world! The challenge for kids is to raise, earn or save money every month to be able to send to kids around the world so they may know God's Love. Every month, we'll feature a different organization that we'll be raising money for. This way, kids can not only make a difference through their donations, but also through their prayers! Every month we'll give you lots of details and stories of the country, kids and organization we are raising money for so you can use it as an educational tool!

So this month they are working with AHope to help kiddos in Africa who have or have been affected by HIV and AIDS, how cool is that? Their goal is $1300 and so far they have raised $947...awesome...and oh so close! Please think and pray (quick) about being a part!

As an added bonus they had great shirts (in all sizes) and sweet bracelets made up for all who donate, to thank you, raise awareness and help us remember to pray. Check, check 'em out here.

Head over to the Kids Lake blog to read more about their mission and how you can get involved!

28 and one day.

The big day has come and gone. I had an amazing weekend of events. Stay tuned for more on all the celebration.

But first, a huge thank you to all who gave clean water for my birthday. You all are amazing! I got an e-mail today from the founder of Charity:Water. Through the Born in September campaign they were able to build 215 wells in Ethiopia which will provide clean water to 86,000 peeps...unbelievable!



Special thank you to Cece & UB, Cheryl and Sis (and bro-in-law, Bre, Tay, Ness, Kenna, Vanna, Trev & little man) who gave on my day o' birth. You all bless me so much. Thanks for the love!

I've got a problem.

A problem with my laughter. See, I love to laugh. My day is not complete without it. I love to laugh with people. I love collecting laughter in my mind. That sounds strange but I think it is just wonderful the way that no ones laugh sounds quite identical to anyone else. It is my favorite to recognize a friend by the sound of their laughter. All of this is not a problem. Laughing with peeps is a grand thing. It's the laughing at people that is not so grand, and I admit I do it all the time.

I laugh at other's misfortune. Not serious misfortune, I have a heart, geez. But sometimes it is hard for me to keep it in when it comes to little things and random strangers. Some times I wish that you all knew just how often I laugh out loud to myself throughout the day, it may be completely abnormal. I have a perfect example from my lunch break today.

I went to the bank to deposit a check. I pull out of the drive and up to a stop light where I will be turning left onto the highway. Across the highway is a McDonald's (the devil's place). Facing me, across the highway, also stopped at the light is a SUV with an older man driving, let's say late 60's.

The light changes, gramps is going straight. I pull into the intersection, positioning myself to take my left yielding turn. Here's the thing, gramps is on a bit of a hill, he's also a slow starter and there is a fairly big dip onto the highway (they really should fix that).

That's when I saw it.

The ice cream cone.

Gramps and his passenger are both highly involved in their McDonald's cones. He didn't see the bump, he had no idea.

He leaned in for a bite. Then the bump.

And ice cream.

Up gramp's nose as he drove through the intersection.

I.KID.YOU.NOT.

It totally made my day. I busted up. The poor guy. As I headed down the highway I saw a kid biff it on his skateboard. Laugh number two. I know, I'm bad. Told you I have problems...

For Friday.

I love this song. Reminds me of living in Cali and my ever talented cousin Jenna who created an old school slide show (you know like the clicky kind with the millions of little slides all in a perfect ring) set to this song. Rad. Just thought you might enjoy. Happy Weekend!

Mama Glaze & Don too! Thanks for giving for my birthday. You two are super rad cats! Can't wait to hopefully see you in November!!

Love.

Schenck...nearly 28 years down.

Today at work I had a great case of the "Schenck Spell". For the past 27 (nearly 28) years I've had this last name and let me tell you it has provided it's share of stories. I've gotten into a routine. When asked my last name I've noticed that I don't even say the darned thing. This is the drill...

Random person: And the last name?

Me: Let me spell it for you, it's S-C-H-E-N-C-K.

Sometimes, just sometimes, they ask how it's pronounced and then I go into the obligatory line of comparing it to something that sounds the same.

Random person: Ok, and how do you pronounce that? It looks German (extra points for them for knowing the country of origin)

Me: Schenck, like a shank of lamb.

Let me just say here that I happen to have no real concrete idea of what a "shank of lamb" is. I'm assuming that it is a body part, and that it may be edible, I may have seen it on a menu a time or two. The fact is that I've heard my mom say this line for years and so it just comes out without even a second thought. It was Madre's automatic response and she has passed it down. Poor lady, she married into the "Schenck Spell". She willingly took on the curse of never having a well known, easily spellable name. She denied herself of a life of luxury as a Jones, Smith, Brown, Green or Miller. I'm sure this is where she would argue that my dad is well worth the small sacrifice. But really, did she think about me in this? Oh, my sweet Madre.

I've noticed lately that I don't even write my full name. This is where today at work comes in. A new UPS guy comes in with a package. I know the old guy, I like the old guy. We have the same friendly banter every day, you know, about the weather mostly. So new guy comes strutting in complete with an extra short pair of brown shorts and let me just tell you he was working the outfit. He even was exposing a little chest hair with the first few buttons of his uniform shirt unbuttoned. Pure nast. Upon seeing him I do a mental eye roll. Yes, I was raised properly, we do not roll our eyes. But I've got my own little secret. I do it mentally all day. It's the equivalent of a "psh" out loud when something is ridiculous. Maybe even ridiculously awesome.

So, he walks up to my desk and announces that he has a package. Obviously. (More internal eye rolling). He hands me the handy-dandy electronic do-dat to sign for my package. I sign my name...ok, my signature which consists of only M and then three letters that may or may not resemble a S, C and fancy K. So, I've gotten lazy, I realize that. It's just so many letters and no one can pronounce it anyway...what's the point. And then I wait for the question, cause he has to ask, I know he can't read my signature.

Over-the-top UPS man: And what's the last name?

Me: It's Schenck, like a shank of lamb.

Over-the-top UPS man: Oh, like I'm gonna shank ya? (Said with a wink)
Yes, with a wink. I didn't even know how to respond to this. I had no words. This doesn't happen to me often, the no words thing. I've watched entirely too much Law and Order and CSI.

Sure, I've heard this before. I know (although I've never been to prison) what a shank is. But I don't like to think of myself as a "crude homemade weapon" like something you would see on Shawshank Redemption. Isn't that a coincidence. There was just something about his creeping, chest hair and over sized crisp white tube socks proudly worn above his boots that made the comment even more creepy.

What exactly does he know about shanks?
Does he have one right now?
What happened to the old UPS guy?
Is he dead in the back of the truck?
Is this package filled with anthrax?

I start thinking that if I die, if he really does "Shank" me, only my brother will be left to carry on the family name. Sure, someday I may get married and take my husband's name but there is always the option to hyphenate and keep the Schencks alive. I am suddenly fond of Schenck. I think of all the conversations it has started. The awkward times when I have met someone and they ask if I am related to so and so (only to find out that so and so spells Schenck like it sounds). Those were good times, times that a Jones or Smith or Brown or Green or even a Miller may never have. Suddenly I find myself spelling my name in a "sing-songy" little voice, 1. because I can and 2. because it does rhyme well.

M-E-L-I-S-S-A....S-C-H-E-N-C-K

What I've failed to noticed during all my internal monologue and self reflection is that the UPS guy is still sanding there. And he heard my little song. He give me that look, you know the one your dog gives you. Head cocked a bit to the side, mouth open, eyes a bit squinty like "What the?????". He keeps the look on his face and does a slow pivot turn and is out the door. Lucky for me I'm pretty sure his conscience got the best of him...you can't shank a crazy girl.

Miss Sarah,
I stole your boyfriend in high school and you still love me...man you are just the best! :) Thank you for the birthday gift!

Love, love, love you!

The end of summer as I know it.

Just a bit of an update on where the summer has gone. I spent the weekend in Seattle with Caitlin and Erin at Coffee Fest 2008. I was on cloud niner. You can only imagine the amazing aroma and massive population of bearded baristas (my fav)!



The summer has flown by, consumed with work.
play.
paint.
design.
dream.
write.
work.

One of my favorite times was the "Girls Weekend '08". Madre, Mandy, Bre, Ness, Kenna, and Vanna came to spend time with me here in Mac. It was a great time filled with walks, ice cream, shopping and more shopping, food, painting pottery, drinking coffee and just being sarcastic in general (as is our style).

Speaking of clean water...

My GTG (Go-To-Girl, don't ask) Tracy is on the clean water train too! It has been wonderful to get to know Tracy (and Tyson & Kai!). Not only is she my neighbor and co-worker but also a great friend. We are at completely different spots but it is awesome how we seem to be going through some of the same things. I have no doubt that the Lord has this time planned for us and I know he must love watching our friendship grow. Tracy is like-minded when it comes to the causes I've been learning about. She listens to me go on and on...what a friend! Her mom-in-law is working towards providing clean water to those in need. Jump over to Trac's blog to check out how you can get involved.

Give like it's goin' out of style!
Cheers!

Miss Kelli! Thank you for the gift...you are such an inspiration to me!

Love.

BIG B!

Thank you, thank you for the birthday gift! You really are one of my favs!

Love you!

My sweet Glaze,

Love you! Thank you for the birthday gift...you rock the casbah. Clean water, woot-woot!

Yea!

Dad, Mom, Lanet and Marc...

Thank you so much for the birthday gifts! You all are such blessings to me, but more importantly to those who will now have clean water because of your generosity!

Love.