The reason for my lack of posts...

Our computer broke. It just died in the middle of using it and there was no resuscitation possible....discovered only after numerous purchases and returns to Fry's. So, Miles spent the weekend trying to fix it, then trying to fix the other broken computer we had at our apartment (Miles likes to collect them). And, ultimately, we had to buy a new shell. Yes, that's what was wrong with the darn computer...the little plastic button on the shell had broken! So, after 2.5 days, a huge mess, and $50, our computer works again. And the other broken computer Miles tried to fix but couldn't...it's sitting next to the desk...still.

See if you can spot the following in the picture:

1. The new Harry Potter


2. 3 computer towers


3. Miles retainer


4. Elliptical


5. The brand new pillows from Macy's that were so nicely positioned up in the closet...before Miles pulled down his boxes and boxes of computer stuff


6. Goggles


7. And a T-shirt from 5+ years ago that should have been tossed when the company went under

I want our office back!!!

I wish...

I wish I didn't remember when my mom had cancer. I wish I could say with the ease of Connor, "Mom's at City of Hope." I can't. I remember. I get scared EVERY TIME she goes in for a routine check-up. She went yesterday. Everything looks fine, but until the results are back for sure, I'm still scared.

Surgery complete!

Miles' mom is out of surgery...not awake yet but the surgery went well.

Surgery scheduled for tomorrow

My mother-in-law is having a mastectomy tomorrow at City of Hope. Thankfully, this is only a preventative measure after having fought breast cancer (and WON!) for the past year. She's already been through 1 mastectomy (3 weeks before our wedding), chemo (started 3 days after our wedding), and radiation. Please keep her in your thoughts.

Vinny and Shannon got hitched!

I'm finally catching up a bit. Vinny and Shannon were married on June 9. Everything was beautiful.

The beautiful bride!

Vinny and Miles

What Miles did the majority of the reception. He claims he doesn't want kids right now but...

By the way, that's Aidan, Adam and Andrea's baby.

Oh how they grow...

Chloe and Avrick (our niece and nephew) both recently celebrated their 2nd birthdays. We love them and enjoy spending as much time with them as possible. To them we are Aunt Meme and Uncle Miles. I am truly amazed how much Miles loves them and how he takes care of them. He would literally play with them all day long. And he's comfortable enough to watch them by himself...although we haven't been able to convince him to change a diaper yet! He's going to be a great father someday.

Avrick - 1 week

Avrick - 2 years

(Mommy is due with boy #2 in August)

Chloe - 3 months

Chloe - 2 years

(She doesn't stop long enough to take a non-blurry picture! That's Grandpa Don, Miles' dad, behind her. Her mommy is due with a boy in December.)

Happy Birthday Chloe and Avrick! We love you!

We'd like to upgrade you...

7:59 am: Phone rings. I'm still sleeping (up late last night). "Out of Area" number. Hmm...better pick it up.

Me: Hello
The early caller: Hi Melissa, this is the LA Times. Because you've been a wonderful customer, we'd like to upgrade your subscription so we're sending you the LA Times all week. (We currently only get the paper Th-Sun. And truly I'd prefer to just get Sunday but because of their weird prices, it's cheaper to do it the way we have it set up.)
Me: Well actually you guys called me a few days ago and I declined your "upgrade". You should really tell the people you're calling that they will be charged for this supposed "upgrade". You didn't tell me until I asked.
LA Times: Well, we just don't want you to miss out on this great promotion.
Me: Yeah, about that. It's actually not a great promotion. It is 4 times ($2.99) the amount I'm paying now ($.75) per week, and I receive only 3 more days of papers.
LA Times: Well, you must have a current promotion that expires after 6 months.
Me: Actually, I've been getting the paper for 10 months, as I'm sure you know, and I've been getting the same price the entire time. And, just so you're aware, I pay the same price listed on your website and it doesn't say it's "promotional".
LA Times: Oh.
Me: And by the way, you're calling pretty early. You woke me up.
LA Times: I know. Goodbye.

What??? I guess I could have been nicer. But it was the 2nd time they called in 3 days (after I asked them not to call again). And actually, looking back, I was being perfectly nice. I was just telling them the facts.

So...I proceeded to try to go back to sleep.

13 minutes later...the phone rings again. It's an automated person trying to sell me phone service.