Holly Miller Photography

When I was returning to WA from UT, I stopped and spent a couple of days at my friend Holly's house in Idaho. She's an amazing photographer and wanted to take my picture while I was visiting. We took the kids (and their new dog) and went to the Boise Depot and I reluctanly posed for pictures. Holly did an excellent job despite the humidity (yes in Boise - it was gross), my relucance, and the stress the past two years have taken on me. This is my favorite photo.

You can go to Holly's website (look at the links), click on clients in the bottom-right and put in Mel as the passwork and see all the pictures for yourself. Thanks Holly!

What is cool about Omaha, NE or Why Anne should be excited to move!

One of my best friends is moving. She's not entirely thrilled about it. She lives in Savannah, GA a gorgeous old city of the South, on the coast with lots of Civil War and Colonial Heritage. I love to visit her family in Savannah. Her husband has received a job offer in Omaha, Nebraska - center of the country, flat, farm country. He's already there working and Anne is trying to get the house sold and working on her enthusiasm. I decided that I would come up with 10 reasons why moving to Omaha is a great thing. Now there were tons of things that could be on the list and these probably won't necessarily be the top 10 things once she gets there, but I'm trying to be a helpful and promote positive thinking. Here are ten reasons Anne should be excited to move in no particular order.

1. 16 hours to her parents vs. 35 hours - that's only 2 days on the road or a really long all night drive.

2. The Winter Quarters Temple is less than four hours away (unlike most of the temples near Savannah, GA).

3. Omaha Children’s Museum (they do birthday parties and summer camps).

4. Church history /Mormon trail center - I think it would be a great place to take children who complain about why they can't have this, how much work they have to do, or how bored they are.

5. Union Pacific Museum (who doesn’t like trains?)

6. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Center (valuable to Me if I ever have to teach Northwest History)

7. She’ll only be one hour ahead of her parents and two from the west coast which means when I remember to call her on her birthday at 7:30pm – it will only be 9:30pm instead of 10:30pm. It's still fairly late, but not as bad and I can get away with calling her

8. 7 hours to Chicago, 6 hours to St. Louis - great weekend getaways!

9. She can see where President Ford was born (and Malcolm X’s birthplace too!)

10. She still gets to be near a river – maybe not as close as she was, but at least that will be good for the house insurance – of course tornado insurance is probably as much as hurricane insurance, but the flood insurance premium should be lower.


I've never been to Omaha, so I'm excited to visit. Anyone with suggestions of what is cool in Omaha?

My NASCAR question on TV!!!!

I know some of you can't understand why I like NASCAR, but it is something I look forward to every week. One of the shows I watch is called This Week In NASCAR on the SPEED channel. They review the weekend's race, preview the next race and answer questions. I didn't watch the show when it was originally on this week because I was on my way back from Utah/Idaho. Last night I was opening mail and watching the DVR recording of this week's show and all of the sudden I looked up at the tv. And this is what I saw:


They were answering a question I had submitted a few weeks ago. Not only that, but Amy's favorite Crew Chief was the one that answered it. I ran upstairs and woke up Amy to tell her. It was so cool!!!!!!

It's official

Today I did the deed - I made myself an official resident of Washington. First I went to the Driver's License place (which is not the car registration place) and turned in my California DL# that I've had continuously since I was 16. I didn't have to take a test, just hand over my CA license. Then they took a horrid picture. I've never had one so awful. Next I had to drive to a totally different part of town to register my vehicle. I came home and changed my plates - so now I really live here.

Gainfully Employed

I am official gainfully employed today! Yep.... after weeks of leisure, I start my new job tomorrow. This job was totally tailor made for me. It brings together all of my loves, education, numbers and finance, and organization. I know most of you will laugh at that last one, but I do like to be organized. I am the new Program Director at the Pacific Coast Banking School. (www.pcbsmi.org)

Excited doesn't really even begin to describe how I feel about this new job. I am extremely blessed! Thank you for everyone who has been praying for me. I appreciate it more than you know.

Our offices are on the 20th floor of the Skyline Tower in downtown Bellevue. I have an office that overlooks the lake. Can't complain about that... :) I'm pretty excited about it. So basically what we do is offer a graduate level program/degree for Bankers throughout the world. Bank executives come in for two weeks of their summer for three years. In between sessions there are assignments and projects to complete and turn in. During the two weeks of residence, the students stay on the campus at U of W and we utilize their facilities for our classes and activities. It's a pretty involved job, but one I am really excited about!

Wish me luck!

Today I'm old

I haven't had too many issues with other birthdays - 25, 30, but 35 I'm ignoring. I'm starting to feel old. It's harder to get up off the floor. Driving without cruise control for more than 3 hours is hard on my knee and ankle. I wonder what will happen when I turn 40!

My own Private Idaho

Yesterday I drove across the great state of Idaho. Of course I didn't think it was all that great when it was 96 and no air in my car. But it is a great state. Not only were four of my siblings educated in that state, but some of my friends too! I've made many drives to Boise - my favorite city in Idaho - in my early post college years.
Probably the best part of Idaho is that one of my best friends (I was informed by her daughter that I'm her mom's second best friend after her daddy) now lives in Idaho again. Even better is that her house is half way between my new home in Washington and my parent's house is Utah. I drove in late in the day on Monday and stayed overnight. I was planning to leave early in the morning so I wouldn't have to drive in 96+ heat, but I'm a sucker for her kids. They are the best and didn't want me to leave & let's be honest I didn't want to drive in the heat so I put it off until I had to! I can't wait to stop by on my way back!