tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31572215300242142842024-03-05T02:21:12.542-08:00Cruicial ConversationsCruical conversations occur everday in our lives. These conversations aren't always related to crisis, they may simply create an "ah hah" moment, be a whisper of encouragement, a bit of humor, or an inspirtational thought that gets us through the day.My blog is a collage of thoughts related to conversations with family, friends, and college students.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-43390375396894904352010-08-05T10:45:00.000-07:002010-08-05T10:49:48.885-07:00Best DZ Friends from College Reunion 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHSMNQRLCo-u6WnlSpkHuKvxLT76oxd1j9qjeN4ArqJPdoHMiqrT7li_STmfKFsYkH4jv53qvmJwbSEfNVfooWFiS5N0W_0lW4ryRbb_qj8OC9PiXH91mQDGoAsw99ALCFMgAx1mZYx81/s1600/NCsuzie+072.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHSMNQRLCo-u6WnlSpkHuKvxLT76oxd1j9qjeN4ArqJPdoHMiqrT7li_STmfKFsYkH4jv53qvmJwbSEfNVfooWFiS5N0W_0lW4ryRbb_qj8OC9PiXH91mQDGoAsw99ALCFMgAx1mZYx81/s320/NCsuzie+072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501984135947286898" /></a>Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-51512542055193542492010-02-21T13:34:00.000-08:002010-02-21T13:42:58.500-08:00Sister Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n42bCMTDiqVo3h0B81e4as7fEHeeK00RBOepoXc0WuC8XuWi-jIGyF3lDZkqhWwCBm84fMoO3pD4yNGnVyNNitchrzyQfo_i-0wdVR38pSIXA7xh8K8AT_1xL1eyY_HR4zqolW_DO5QE/s1600-h/sis1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n42bCMTDiqVo3h0B81e4as7fEHeeK00RBOepoXc0WuC8XuWi-jIGyF3lDZkqhWwCBm84fMoO3pD4yNGnVyNNitchrzyQfo_i-0wdVR38pSIXA7xh8K8AT_1xL1eyY_HR4zqolW_DO5QE/s320/sis1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440815399750069794" /></a><br />Yesterday, on the spur of the moment I called my sister, Claudia, and arranged to spend the day with her. We had so much fun. It started with lunch at an Italian place and then shopping at the outlet mall. My husband said to me before I left the house, "Buy Claudia a nice outfit. You can take it out of my allowance." He has such a giving spirit. Claudia chose a badly needed new pair of jeans, a nice top to wear with black slacks, and a matching pair of earring.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-70333599004085582262009-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:002009-12-18T15:02:14.088-08:00Tis the Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjjyiNb13F1curnb54bXnYAcHqKVwUfjmdKvj-exPMz601ICWdw2ZDOXd1-f8cKYOdfwqj0Ddfx07n7PWmvf2-EQZmUIi0qTE8Y2sEPCPffacWv6o6baMDkBHWd6BD5xYaunQMlm-LFnT/s1600-h/DSCN1050_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjjyiNb13F1curnb54bXnYAcHqKVwUfjmdKvj-exPMz601ICWdw2ZDOXd1-f8cKYOdfwqj0Ddfx07n7PWmvf2-EQZmUIi0qTE8Y2sEPCPffacWv6o6baMDkBHWd6BD5xYaunQMlm-LFnT/s320/DSCN1050_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416714929691973234" /></a><br />I am really excited about the holiday season this year. For years I have dreaded the holidays and have had a bah humbug attitude. Last weekend my god daughters came for a sleep over. They made domino necklaces for their friends and family for Christmas gifts. On Sunday I am going to lunch and a Christmas play with my bet friend, Suzie. On Wednesday evening, my friends and god daughter are coming over for dinner and gift exchange. I even tracked down a new recipe for pork tenderloin roast with a cranberry apple glaze. Christmas day the invasion of the Jacks' clan will take place at my house. I am expecting around 20 people. A traditional meal will be served. My folks are going to stay for a couple of days afterward. What it all boils down to is that the holidays are about building relationships with family and friends. That is the best gift we can give each other.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-21347938687423735072009-11-04T13:52:00.000-08:002009-11-04T13:58:44.799-08:00Pay ForwardI attended a student organization meeting and was given the remaining pizza. I walked into the lounge area of the Student Center with the boxes. I recognized a student from my psychology class so I headed in his direction. I asked him where he had been (missed the last class). As he was giving me his excuse one of his buddies asked if I would give him some pizza. I handed over one box to the anxious young man. After I finished my conversation with my student, I handed over the second box of pizza to the group of students. They said, "Thanks." My reply was, "All I ask is if you have an opportunity to do something nice for another person to do it." They agreed they would. I left that conversation in good spirits because I did something nice when there was nothing in it for me and I was able to teach a life lesson about giving.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-90907962529416308252009-10-28T07:41:00.000-07:002009-10-28T07:45:13.995-07:00Traveling with Bob is a true test of my character development. I'm a laid back traveler and he is a stressed, impatient one. I find myself getting combative and have to remember the proverb, "Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips." (Proverbs 141:3) I will not make mountains out of the molehills of my life.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157221530024214284.post-35994465319374517062009-10-27T13:14:00.000-07:002009-10-27T13:24:35.810-07:00Off to New MexicoBob and I are headed to New Mexico for a "fall break" and to celebrate my, yes, 56th birthday. As a young girl, I thought the 50s were really old. Now that I am there I realize how youthful I really am. My students think I am funny and entertaining. They are amazed that I am familiar with such topics as smoking pot, alcohol, and sex. I have to remind them that I am a child of the 60s and not much is new information to me. Yesterday in psychology class I asked the question, "What sexual behavior would you consider inappropriate?" Their stares indicated that they were shocked I would ask such a question. Now, I am sure in coversations with their friends they could develop 16-18 examples, however, after a few studders I got two responses. They were related to a 25 year old having sex with a 14 year old and pedaphilas. I said, "How about sex in the bathroom on the plane?" Someone shouted, "The mile high club!" My students keep me young and invigorated. To quote Helen hayes, "Age is not important unless you're cheese.Melanie Jacks Hilburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03213935225795989090noreply@blogger.com1