Picture-less Post

On Christmas Day, or at least the day after, my plan was to post pictures and blog about the big event. I knew I was getting a digital camera. I had dropped so many hints! And then, there was the added insurance. On the day after Thanksgiving, I bought a digital camera and told Mike he could give it to me for Christmas if he wanted to. His reaction confirmed my suspicions. No doubt about it. There was a camera under that tree with my name on it.
And, sure enough, my sweetheart came through with my #1 request. A shiny red, hold-in-the-palm-of-your hand Sony digital camera, complete with case, battery pack, computer hook-up cords...the whole package! Well...almost the whole package. There was one tiny little thing that was missing. No memory stick! (Without a memory stick, you can't take pictures!) What kind of camera company would do such a thing! Apparently several, because none of the digital cameras that were opened at the Merrell home on Christmas day (three of them, plus one cam-corder) had memory sticks.
So, I will have to be patient for a few more days. (I have posted before of the benefits of living in a small town. One of the disadvantages is that there are only two main stores in town...not much fun the day after Christmas when they are packed with after-Christmas shoppers.)
I do have the memory stick, now, and will soon begin posting pictures again. Just not tonight!

Mickala!

Mickala has always been a good sport. It is rare to ever hear her complain. Thank goodness. She had a lot to complain about on her birthday this year. I was sick and didn't even get out of bed to wish her a happy birthday before she left for school. Her birthday present didn't arrive until after the big day. I didn't get a cake made or bought, so she didn't get to blow out the candles as we sang to her...which we didn't do. All of this would have been bad enough if it was a regular, normal birthday. But this one was a little more special than regular or normal. It was the big 18! Still, she didn't complain.

Now here it is, a month later and I am finally finishing this post!
Happy Birthday, Mickala!

Mickala with her friend Karissa, who also just turned 18. Mickala and Karissa complement one another. Karissa adds the frills and fancy, while Mickala adds the daring and decision-making. They have been having fun together since grade school. This is another of Mickala's good friends...Jenessa. Not my first choice of pictures, but the only one I could find on this computer, and it actually does capture the type of relationship these two have shared through the years.
This one is a picture of Sami and Mickala. I have many memories of dropping Mickala off to spend the night at Sami's grandparents. She always came home stuffed up the next day, because she couldn't (wouldn't) stay away from their pet dogs.

Mickala has many friends. She is friendly, out-going, good-natured and fun to be around. And, I have spent more money on formal dresses for her than all of her siblings, combined.

Here's a few pictures that capture Mickala's personality...

I'm going to quit now, because I keep accidentally deleting pictures and it's becoming extremely frustrating, especially since I keep going from one computer to another.

Whoops! I almost forgot to add this one! ..................>>>>>>

This is one of my favorite senior pictures. I always said I knew I was finished having babies when I got my blue-eyed blonde. (The blonde is a bit of a stretch, but the eyes are definitely blue.) Isn't she gorgeous! What a fun daughter to raise! Belated Happy Birthday, Mickala.