"Go Shawty, it's yo' Birthday-We gon' party like it's yo' birthday..."

Happy Birthday Melinda!

Since my sister is now officially 31, I decided to write 31 things about her. I should have probably started this list awhile ago, since it takes me forever to write these things...but as my mother points out to me often- I've got lots of time on my hands. In this case, all night. So here we go:

1. When we were growing up, Melinda used all sorts of sayings I'd never heard of. She was always randomly spouting off things and I, as a young adolescent, always had to stop her and ask, "what in the world did you just say? What does THAT mean?!" The first time she used the phrase "word to the wise..." I laughed and used it for weeks, referring to her as my wise tutor.



2. One time Melinda and I played hide-n-seek at the school behind our house in California. She dripped a water trail I was supposed to follow, but it evaporated before I started searching. She didn't hear me calling for her, so eventually I just went home and left her hiding...I felt really bad until she eventually showed up.



3. Melinda wasn't really into Barbies, but I remember her playing a game with me once and she was Skipper and I was Barbie and it was Skipper's first day of school. That's all I remember-oh, and Skipper had on a yellow shirt- but I remember being excited we were playing.



4. One time I called home to ask if I could bring some people over to hang out, and Melinda was the only one home. I really wanted them to come, so Melinda gave in and said, "Just give me 20 minutes to clean the house!" She had it spotless when we got there, cause she knew I was excited about it and wouldn't be allowed to have anyone over if it wasn't super clean.



5. When I as little, at some point or another Melinda and I had bunk beds. She used to write stories and draw pictures on pages and float them down to my bed for me.



6. Around that same time, sometimes I sucked my thumb. One night Melinda sent me into my Mom's room and said: "Go tell Mom: "I need some of that stuff for my thumb" " (referring to that nasty stuff to make kids not want to put their thumb in their mouth). I diligently walked into my Mom's room and said "Mom. Melinda says she needs some stuff for her thumb." My mom was confused, and I just shrugged.



7. Melinda used to dress me up and teach me dance moves to songs so I could perform them later. I distinctly remember dancing and lip synching "Wild Thing", and years later, the Genie's song from Aladdin.



8. The only reason I was in choir in middle school was because Melinda was and I wanted to be like her.



9. One day Melinda dressed me up and put makeup on me and gave me a glass of milk to shoot some milk mustache "Got Milk?" pictures. She told me to be serious, but to make my eyes look like they were smiling. So I learned that trick when I was...ooh...say, 7-ish. Beat that Tyra Banks. Signature pose, my foot. I wonder where those pictures are...



10. Ever since I can remember, Melinda has been the pro primper for photos. If you ever need a super cute photo, make sure Melinda is around to give your hair a little fluff.



11. Also, if you ever need to know a rule of dining etiquette, She's your girl.



12. Speaking of which, if Melinda is planning the meals on a trip you're going on, you know you're in for some fine dining. The last camping trip I went on- while the scouts next to us kept eating their measly slop, Melinda was preparing us a fine meal- complete with teriyaki and rice, beef stroganoff, rolls, hot chocolate, juice, pop tarts, smores, you name it. That's how we roll.



13. When I dislocated my shoulder at school and didn't have anyone to come pick me up, Melinda borrowed a car as soon as she found out and came and took me to the ER. She made sure I kept it iced after that so it wouldn't get so sore, and because her opposite shoulder had the same problem, we sat with an ice pack pressed between our shoulders and laughed at our misery.



14. For my Senior Prom, I was gone all day with my group hiking up to a waterfall. When I got home I hardly had any time to get ready, but Melinda had come down from school and had my dress layed out, shoes and jewelry for me to wear, and got my hair done for me just as my date arrived. She was like wonder woman, I don't know how she did it.



15. We always called Melinda "Mom-Linda" growing up because she was always enforcing the rules and being responsible. She would get so mad when we did...sorry about that.



16. A few years ago at Christmas, Melinda let us all know that Purple is the only color in her vocabulary. I'm not sure where that came from...but it sure makes it easier to pick stuff out for her.



17. Most of the time when Melinda and I are texting or IMing, I wind up laughing out loud. We crack ourselves up when we're talking.



18. Melinda made up a song years ago to wake me up in the mornings when I would sleep in, and she would (and still does if the situation presents itself) come in my room and start singing it to me loudly as she opened the blinds: "OOOOoooooh Katrina likes to sleep all day...." It beats an alarm clock. And it's true.



19. I was always very jealous of Melinda as I was growing up, because everyone would always come up to me and tell me how wonderful and beautiful she is. One time I told my Mom that while that was all well and good for Melinda, they should just tell her and quit telling me. She explained they weren't leaving me out to be mean, and I felt a little better.



20. Melinda knows all sorts of things about all sorts of things. Whenever I ask her after a particular impressive tidbit how she knows these things, she always answers matter-of-factly, "I learned that in College." If that's true, it's remarkable what one can learn at college. If one is so inclined.



21. My mom always says Melinda is the thoughtful one. She's right- I don't know how she does it, but Melinda is always thinking of things to do for other people just to be nice.



22. A couple years ago Melinda planned the camping trip of all camping trips and she and Jason and I went to The Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Moab and camped and hiked for...a long time. She planned everything...I mean...we had meals, hiking shoes, camping supplies, maps, we were fully loaded. It was awesome. We even got to take a helicopter ride over The Grand Canyon and go rafting. Nobody plans a trip like Melinda.



23. No matter how small of a fraction of sun is coming through the clouds, if we're outside Melinda will claim she is "working on her tan." Poor girl. She's still in denial. If there is any real sun while she is out, she'll be redder than a lobster.



24. If you ever let Melinda borrow your camera, you'll get it back with 30 pictures of the scenery.



25. Melinda used to make us do practice fire drills when we were all little. We'd have to run and touch the bedroom door, (we never got away with running out the door, it was always hot in her drills) stuff a pillow at the bottom of the door to keep out smoke, jump up to the top bunk, and open the little window up there to climb out. I'm pretty sure this exercise was timed, but don't quote me on that. Make no mistake, we were prepared little kids if nothing else. Melinda was making sure we all got out alive.



26. When Melinda first got back from Brasil, I caught her in the laundry room smelling the clothes. She was fascinated by the smell of detergent.



27. If you're ever giving Melinda directions and you're in the car with her, point. If she's giving you the directions, don't listen to the direction she says, watch the direction she points. I'm just saying.



28. One time Melinda tried to fool herself and all of us into thinking she was a Vegetarian. I'm not sure how long she thought that would last...



29. If you ever want to know if a big storm is coming, just hang around Melinda and see if she starts to limp. Her knee tells the weather.



30. Also, if you ever need a sugar overload, ask Melinda for some pizza brownies. Mmmm...my mouth just watered a little.



31. "one?"

Well...it's time for bed. Happy Birthday Minnie :)