MelissaL1023

I am a wife to my best friend, a blessed Mom of two (ages 9 and 7), a graduate student, a kindergarten teacher to 12 energetic 5-year olds and in spare time a choreographer for college musicals. I love primitive country decor (not super cute-sy country decor)and love the colors burgundy, navy, neutrals and the pattern gingham for decorating. I love being a teacher to kindergarten children and enjoy seeing them learn each and every day. I love all things PA dutch, quilts, oak or cherry colored furniture, Amish life, etc. I may be an Italian girl from NJ but I'm a country loving girl at heart.

I love most genres of music. Being trained in all forms of dance since I was little I have gained appreciation for many types of music. In particular I love listening to and singing along with: classic rock (Elton John, Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Eagles, Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones), 70's music (Carpenters, one hit wonder groups, Earth Wind and Fire, oldies, Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Keely Smith, Doris Day, all Broadway soundtracks, and more! Oh yes, and my husband and I love to go karaoke singing with friends on occasion.

When there's a moment to watch TV I love to watch: Memoirs of a Geisha, Anna and the King, musicals, The Godfather, Goodfellas, Jaws, Titanic, Mommie Dearest, Steel Magnolias, Tommy Boy, drama and crime movies.Even a horror movie can be a fun and on-the-edge-of-your-toes evening.

Some reality tv is okay. I tend to watch the Discovery channel and TLC a lot recently. I love... Little People Big World, The Deadliest Catch, 24, Dancing with the Stars, Big Love, The Sopranos, Food Network challenges and Good Eats.

I enjoy crocheting, cross stitch, have just learned how to knit, sewn crafts (LOVE table runners, placemats, easy clothing patterns for my daughter), wood crafts that are painted (tole or primitive decor in particular or holidays). I like to scrapbook, craft with my kids, bake, mold candy, and hot glue projects. I like gingerbread items (for the kitchen), beach and shell items (bathroom), I love quilts, and quilt blocks that are framed, love gingham (my husband says he's one step away from vertigo with all the gingham around here), love decorating for the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in particular) and things that make my house feel like a cozy home, in addition to our family that makes it so special. I also love hanging photography of my children and our family all over the house.

I enjoy being a kindergarten teacher. The kids are so much fun and make every day at work seem like play (for the most part). It's not an easy job or the kind of job that makes a person rich, but the daily rewards are so much more satisfying!

I love decorating my classroom with country crafty classroom things. I have cross stitch classroom decor in my room, a corn husk teacher doll, hand painted plaques, etc. Alphabet samplers are lovely, painted rulers, pretty much anything that has to do with a classroom is a great way to make a it feel more like a home away from home. The students love it too.

In case someone needs any ideas, craft for my classroom! I love to add on!

I have two GREAT children. My son Michael is nine years old and my daughter Gianna is seven. We would love to add another, so perhaps soon I'll have to edit this section of my profile.

Michael is an old soul living in a young body. He is cautious, courteous, sensitive and smart. He puts thought into everything he does and is very inquisitive. My boss (his principal) just adores him as does everyone who meets him. He can carry on a mature conversation with anyone and is a genuine, caring person. He never lets Mommy carry bags from the store and recently asked to help out at the local homeless shelter serving food (which we did). Michael loves trains (Electric), loves all things science related, is Star Wars and Transformers crazy, is fascinated with large scary extinct or fictional animals (Jaws, Jurassic Park) and loves to sing. He just started guitar lessons and picked a black guitar because he thinks it looks like Johnny Cash's. Fun kid, huh?

Gianna just turned seven and just recently lost her first tooth. She too is the light of our lives and is an artsy, creative girly girl. She definitely is a close clone of Mommy- in looks and mannerism. She is thoughtful, sensitive, energetic and caring. She isn't afraid to try new things, is a princess (as many little girls are), loves all forms of dance and studies ballet, jazz and tap. She loves pink and purple, glitter, jewelry, earrings and LOVES shoes. She loves Eloise books and loves wearing dresses and matching hair accessories. She'a a great model for me everytime I finish crocheting a new poncho for her. Gianna is a very smart girl. She loves math and numbers (not her mother's trait) and loves to create with her hands. Her favorite craft project right now is looming potholders together for everyone in the family. This coming December will be her first performance in The Nutcracker- and boy is she excited!

Not too much of a proud or bragging Mom not aren't I?