Monthly Archives: August 2007

i heart arkansas!

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I love being home. It’s not that I didn’t love some things about Oxford, MS…it’s just that Oxford never felt like home. I do miss my friends though. (I’ll be there this weekend, y’all…so get ready!)

Yesterday, I was thrilled to discover that my favorite morning DJ was still on the air, just on a different station. Tommy Smith aka The Outlaw, apparently moved to 103.7, which is a sports talk radio station. I’m not sure exactly what happened between Tommy and his former radio station, Magic 105, but from the tidbits I’ve picked up, I might actually be putting my own life in danger by mentioning Tommy and Magic 105 in the same sentence. Shit. Now I’ve done it twice. Sorry.

Anyway, I had been flitting from station to station looking for morning DJs that just did it for me. Sharpe and gang over on Magic 105 are fun, and I do enjoy listening to them, but they don’t hold my attention enough. I’ve never been a big fan of Corey and Jay on 100.3 (which is my favorite radio station for music, but not for their morning show) But I would flip over there and listen for a while until one of them would say something that would make my ears bleed and then I’d have to flip again. (btw, I can’t pin down what it is about Corey and Jay that I don’t like. I honestly think it’s one of their voices and not the content. Or maybe it’s both. I dunno.)

I programmed 103.7 into my stations because you won’t get better Razorback talk anywhere else…but I hadn’t tuned in yet. And then I saw a commercial announcing Tommy Smith’s Roast to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Arkansas. He’s still on the radio! Rock on!

So, these last few days I’ve been listening to him and Bazzel and some other folks and I feel whole again.

Plus, I get to hear Razorback talk, which let’s face it, is like manna from heaven after living in Rebelville. Let’s take this moment to enjoy Shirley Q. Liquor’s rendition of Woo Pig Sooie. Go on, click the link. I’ll wait. Even my Rebel friends should listen. Don’t be a puss about it. I tolerated Hotty Toddy for 7 years, you can listen to one special hog call.

TOTAL SUBJECT CHANGE

The boys have been in school now for 2.5 weeks. Last night, Ian spoke to his best friend’s mom back in Oxford. He tells her how much he loves his new school and how he misses Oxford, but the school here is really a lot better. That warmed my heart.

And you know what warmed it even more?

The fact that he wore a faux-hawk to school today. My sweet little long-haired-hippy-boy who had to cut his beautiful locks for his new private school, is still trying to push the rules. How proud am I? (he looks thrilled that I’m taking his picture, doesn’t he?)


got myself tagged

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I was tagged by Mel. No, I did not tag myself, I promise. I don’t do that kinda thing in public.

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. (rule breaker here. I’m totally not doing that)

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog. (Unless you’re a rule breaker like me)

Okay, so I’ll do this tag. But I’m using my given middle name which is Renee. My legal middle name is now my maiden name and McKenzie is just too damn long to play this game. Especially since I’m tired.

R- ‘riter (leave me alone. it counts. 3 Rs. Readin’, Ritin’, and ‘Rithmatic)

E- Einstein, because we share a birthday and because sometimes, I have bad hair.

N- Noticable smile. I smile big and often. (I almost put non-conformist here, but that’s not entirely true. Oppositional is more accurate)

E- Enslaved. Because Gena Showalter does that to me. Well, all my good friends do. I am bound to them because they love me for me.

E- Exercise. Not because I want to, but because I have to. It is a part of my daily life, replacing Cheese Dip as the first thing I think of when I wake.

Now I’m supposed to tag people. But I don’t tag (well, not often). So, here’s the thing, if you wanna play, post a comment or just post it to your blog and let me know in the comments.

hi honey! i’m home!!

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After 12 hours and one book on CD…I made it home. Funny how the trip down didn’t take near the amount of time the trip home took. I guess driving while juiced up on adrenaline makes a difference.

Last week was an unbelievable blast. Debauchery and gluttony ruled the roost and a blood oath was taken by each of the very willing participants that details of the trip would never be given to any outsiders.

It’s a shame I can’t speak of such things. Truly. I have great pictures memories.

Today is my official first day as a fulltime writer. Of course, I had to fix Mom’s computer and I have to buy groceries, but my goal is 3 hours of writing today. I wrote some last week…not nearly as much as I should have though. I did discover that it is difficult to type while holding a beverage in each hand.

I went back to the gym today. My week of sin carried over to my eliptical time. I could only do 20 minutes today and it felt like I was slogging through wet sand. I’ll work my way back up to the half hour. Maybe tomorrow.

what your name means…

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I totally stole this from Jester who stole it from Heather. Apparently I’m usually a leader, but today I’m totally a follower.

What Your Name Means

You entered: Melissa McKenzie Francis

There are 22 letters in your name.
Those 22 letters total to 99
There are 8 vowels and 14 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:
Latin Female A nymph.
Greek Female Bee. Famous bearer: Melissa, Mythological princess of Crete transformed to a bee after learning to collect honey.

Your number is: 9

The characteristics of #9 are: Humanitarian, giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression.

The expression or destiny for #9:
The expression that you exhibit is represented bythe number 9. Your talents center in humanistic interests and approaches. You like to help others as you were intended to be the ‘big brother or big sister’ type. You operate best when you follow your feelings and sense of compassion, and allow yourself to be sensitive to the needs of others. You work well with people, and have the potential to inspire. This suggests that you could successfully teach or counsel. Creative ability, imagination and artistic talent (often latent) of the highest order are present in this expression. It’s possible that you’re not using or developing all of these capabilities at this time. Some of your talents may have been used at an earlier time in your life, and some may still be latent. Be aware of your capabilities, so that you can make use of them at appropriate times.

If you are able to achieve the potential of your natural expression in this life, you are capable of much human understanding and have a lot to give to others. Your personal ambitions are likely to be maintained in a very positive perspective, never losing sight of an interest in people, and a sympathetic, tolerant, broad-minded and compassionate point of view. You are quite idealistic, and disappointed at the lack of perfection in the world. You have a strong awareness of your own feeling as well as those of others. Friendships, affection, and love are extremely important. (I have nothing to say here. It’s all very true. Scary true. Especially the last sentence)

Undeveloped or ignored, the negative side of the 9 expression can be very selfish and self-centered. If you do not actively involve yourself with work that benefits others, you may tend to express just the opposite characteristics. It is your role to be very involved with other people and their needs, but it may be difficult for you achieve this role. Aloofness, lack of involvement, and a lack of sensitivity mark the low road of this expression. (again, very true except for the lack of sensitivity. Sometimes I attract those insensitive people like a magnet though.)

Your Soul Urge number is: 8

A Soul Urge number of 8 means:
With an 8 soul urge, you have a natural flair for big business and the challenges imposed by the commercial world. Power, status and success are very important to you. You have strong urges to supervise, organize and lead. Material desires are also very pronounced. You have good executive abilities, and with these, confidence, energy and ambition.

Your mind is analytical and judgment sound; you’re a good judge of material values and also human character. Self-controlled, you rarely let emotions cloud judgment. (HA!) You are somewhat of an organizer at heart, and you like to keep those beneath you organized and on a proper track. (HA!)This is a personality that wants to lead, not follow. (OK, this is true) You want to be known for your planning ability and solid judgment.

The negative aspects of the 8 soul urge are the often dominating and exacting attitude. You may have a tendency to be very rigid, sometimes stubborn. (heh. did you say stubborn? oops. Guilty)

Your Inner Dream number is: 1

An Inner Dream number of 1 means:
You dream of being a leader and one who is in charge. You want to be known for your courage, daring, and original ideas. (well, I am a writer) You seek unconquered heights. People may get a first impression that you are very aggressive and sure of yourself.

Wonder if it would change if I ran it with my given middle name instead of my married middle name (which is now my legal middle name…Hmmmm)

road trip

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I love road trips. I especially love some of the odd things one sees while cruising along across multiple states.

Especially in the south.

For instance, today I saw a Sonic advertising: It’s back, the Southwest Supersonic buger . Now, I’ve never had a SW styled buger and I certainly haven’t had a SW styled supersonic buger. but that sounds like a big ass spicy booger buger. I wonder if it burns when they pick it…

and just down the street I found a sign for Jehovah Java: Gourmet Coffee. So, you get a dose of God with your morning shot of caffeine?

I saw a restaurant who advertised “Travelers Welcome”. Of course, this made me wonder, are there restaurants where travelers aren’t welcome? Do you have to sign in as a traveler or a local? Do travelers eat from the special menu?

I can’t tell you how many JESUS signs I saw. And I don’t mean churches. I mean billboards with just the word JESUS on it. I saw one billboard that advertised: “Parents, take the rod to your child to save them.” I shit you not. I’m sooo getting a picture of that one if I see it again.

I drove by one house that had it’s front yard fenced in with chicken coop fencing. The entire family was sitting in the yard, many of them on kid toys like wagons, big wheels, rocking horses, etc. I’m serious. I slowed down to take a better look cuz I wanted to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. It was very cartoonish.

So now I’m sitting in my big room drinking my Samuel Smith’s India Ale and enjoying some mindless tv. I’m gonna listen to the rest of the book I brought (Nora Robert’s Morrigan’s Cross. I’m loving the story but hating the reader) and I’m gonna just chill. I pick up two of my friends from the airport tomorrow at 1:30, so I’ll probably check out and head to the mall until their flight lands.

The beach and shopping. Doesn’t that just sound heavenly?

checking in then checking out…

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So, I spent the weekend in Oxford. Got in Friday night, dropped Rader off with a friend and then headed to my next door neighbor’s house for some late night swimming. The water was so warm it was like swimming in a giant hot tub–or giant pool of pee. We decided the hot tub analogy was better.

Saturday was a day for cleaning. We didn’t accomplish as much as we wanted to but we did get the back 3 bedrooms and bathrooms cleaned and in ship shape. Then we went to see our friends Richard and Heather in Water Valley, MS. It was a good time, but I thought I was gonna have to cut Rich’s fingers off. He kept trying to touch my nose “diamond”. And he kept saying “you got something on your nose.” Yeah, that never got old. But it was Richard, so I forgave him. Besides, he’s from Alabama, he really doesn’t know any better.

I wasn’t feeling very well, so we left a little early. I was in bed by 9:30 that night. It seems my mother passed on her chest cold to me. Ian had it last week…so bad he actually missed his 3rd day of school. I’ve been fighting it with everything I’ve got. Vitamins, sleep, airborne, more sleep…today I’m feeling much better. Which is good because I didn’t want to go to the beach with a cold.

Oh, did I forget to mention I’m going to the beach this week?

Sorry ’bout that.

I’ll try to blog some while I’m there, but honestly, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me. I don’t think I’ll be able to type while I’m two-fisting my beverages…

I’ll be back on Sunday night. If you haven’t heard from me by next Monday, call the blog police.

My workout was good this morning. I ran 2.15 miles in 30 mins on the eliptical and did arms and abs. I know I’m still as slow as a snail, but it feels good to be back in the exercise saddle. I have to make sure I at least walk while at the beach this week–otherwise it will be like starting over again next week.

Maybe I’ll drink light beer while I’m playing the role of Sungoddess. Okay, maybe not.

Any book recommendations for my week of lounging?

is it really too hot?

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Last week, I went to the lake with my parents. I tried to get my brother to bring his kids, but he said it was “too hot to go.”

That puzzled me, but then, my brother and I don’t think the same way so I just chalked it up to Michael being Michael.

We get there Friday around noon. I say, “Let’s eat lunch then head to the harbor.”

My parents both say, “It’s too hot to get on the lake.”

Huh?

We’re at THE LAKE. It’s a big body of water in which you dive into if you get too hot. We drive around on a boat that has a covered section and the wind hits us in the face. Since when did it become too hot to get on the lake?

After school yesterday, the kids ate their snack and did their homework. Rader asked his grandmother if he could go jump on the trampoline. I didn’t hear this or I would’ve said, “Sure, go. Have fun. Take some water…”

Nonnie said, “No. It’s too hot.”

He’s a kid! Sure it’s hot…but he’s a KID! They need to be outside! What the hell?

It was never “too hot” for us to be outside. Never. We would go tent camping for two weeks at a time in late July or early August. In 1980 we had 41 days over 100 degrees and 103 days of 90 degree weather. I played softball almost every day that summer. I was 11 years old. We just ate oranges and drank LOTS of water. My parents never once stopped letting me play outside or stopped me from playing softball because it was “too hot”. When did things change?

What do you think? I know it’s hot…but is it too hot to let the kids outside in the evening? Is it too hot to go to the lake? Is it EVER too hot to go to the lake? Really?

back to school, 2007

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Gee, don’t they look happy?

The good news is, orientation went well on Monday night. They really took to the school and their teachers. My first impression was that the school was very tight-knit. That they all know each other and if they don’t know you yet, it’s only a matter of time.

Ian was really taken with his art teacher, Mr. Peterson. He’s excited about getting to do some work with the Arkansas Arts Center and going there for field trips.

Oh, yesterday Ian had to go to the doctor to get his physical so he could play sports. It was the “big one” for boys… you know, “turn and cough”. LOL He wasn’t very happy about it, but he got over it pretty quick. He also had to get two shots…Tetanus and the meningitis vaccine. He really manned up and didn’t even flinch. A few years ago, it took 5 of us to hold him down to give him a shot…this was a nice change.

Apparently with the scare over kids keeling over during sporting events, they’ve now added taking an EKG to the physical. So, as any proper mom would do, I promptly humiliated him by snapping a picture and now I shall further the humiliation by posting said picture here…
after I dropped the boys off today, I joined a fitness center. I did 30 mins on the elliptical (ouch) and then worked arms and abs. (ouch, ouch) As much as it hurt, it also felt great to be back in the gym. All my soft bits were getting softer….

land of internet

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I’m back in the land of internet.

Thank God. I hate downloading my email to my phone because inevitably, when I return an email, it gets hung up and the recipient gets 400 copies of the same email. Plus, I can’t always get my pics to download and this past week, I apparently received some excellent photos from Feisty this week and I should have never had to wait to see those.

I read 3 books in 3 days. I would HIGHLY recommend all three.

The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

Lord Sin by Kalen Hughes

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a really good historical. I believe the last time was earlier this year when I read Antonia’s Bargain by Naughty Kate. If you like historical romance, run, don’t walk, to Amazon.com (see links above) and buy all three of these books.

You won’t be sorry.

I will be buying these authors again.