Tag Archives: birthdays

Dear Rader #20

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Dear Rader,

Well, you’re almost there. You’ve almost made it to the magic age where you can purchase wine for me. What a glorious time to be alive!

In all seriousness, I know I talk about how proud I am of you and your brother. You both are probably sick of hearing it, but you just need to deal with it today.

I spoke of your drive and your dedication to your education and your amazing work ethic last year. That hasn’t changed. Your grades and the fact that you’ve maintained all your scholarships show me that your education is the most important thing in your life right now. I’m glad, because dude, Hendrix ain’t cheap! And the fact that you earn your tuition and living expenses through study is no easy feat. And yes, I am proud of you and grateful that you understand how important this is to your future.

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I love how willing you are to humor me when I make you watch movies like ANIMAL HOUSE and how you quickly you realize that many of the phrases we use today originated from the awesome that was the 70s and early 80s. I love that when the Manpanion and I started calling you Lazlo from  REAL GENIUS, you asked to watch that movie so you’d get the reference.

Your sense of humor has always been well beyond your years. I remember watching SNL with you when Will Ferrell was on the cast and you not only understood what made the show so funny, when you didn’t, you asked why. Because you WANTED to understand.

Thank you for being there for me, when I didn’t feel like I had anyone last year. Sometimes you shoulder so much more than you should, but it’s in your nature and it’s why you are you.

Never change, Monkey. You bring color to this life and I will always be forever grateful I got the privilege of being your Mom.

Love,
Momma.

et tu?

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My youngest turns 18 on Saturday. Or as he continually reminds me via text message and on FB…I officially will be VERY OLD on Saturday when my youngest child is no longer a child. He will only be my offspring. My growed-assed progeny. Because I’m old.

Yes. That is a summary of how he teases me about his 18th birthday. Because he is cruel.

He is my clown, my goofball, my forever and unapologetically “himself” child. I’ve never met a more grounded or a more self-aware teenager in my life.

Please enjoy this very brief glimpse into our life together

I have made many mistakes over the years, but I’ve done 2 things pretty damn okay. And they are the beings I birthed, formerly known as my children.

But as of this weekend, I’ll be the mother of two growed-assed men.

Et Tu, Rader Tater?

get ’em, blue!

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I hope everyone in Boston and surrounding areas remain safe and secure while the city is on lockdown. I hope they catch all assholes involved. I’m so proud they found them so quickly. Stay safe, and Kick Ass boys (and girls) in blue!

In fun news, OMG did I laugh my ass off last night. Well, not literally. Sadly. Because I am still carrying my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps around with me today. Every inch. Because TTB was running late and she left me alone with the cheese dip UNSUPERVISED. Thank goodness ALL-CAPS KRISTAL showed up on time for once!

I haven’t laughed that hard in forever. I actually feel like I had an ab work out. Laughter, it’s what’s for dinner. (well, that and Cheese Dip.)

In Alien News, Susie is shrinking. I no longer look like I was dating Chris Brown. Jefe is no longer under suspicion for elbowing me in my sleep. It seems the antibiotic is doing its job…so yippee!  (Sorry Susie, we hardly knew ya)

To honor the officers putting their life on the line for America today, I’m wearing my booTAY pants, a cleavage shirt, some sparkly shoes and my inner sparkle is turned up to 11 today.

Also, Happy Birthday to Dobby! I’ll see you tonight!

2013: Month of Mel Days 16-25

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I took a blogging break for my birthday month. Sometimes a girl just needs a little downtime. So…let me catch you up.

My TreeFrog turned 19 on the 16th. We had Japanese food and pedicures to celebrate.

Rader went for Catholic High colors. Ian chose to be Emo Nemo with black toes and I really wanted a touch of spring, so I chose the lovely blue.

Last week, my friend Lynne did my lashes for me. And now my eyes POP.

It’s amazing how different having long lashes can make your eyes look. My natural lashes are thin, straight, short and blond. (sounds like my first boyfriend!) Curling and mascara don’t really help much.

I’m totes digging the lashes. I’m bangin’ hot now. (not that I wasn’t before. but whatever.)

It seems that Mother Nature decided that since I bought a convertible AND got my toes did, that she needed to punish me for wishful thinking. Spring has not sprung. I need some warm weather, stat. I need some sun on my skin, wind in my hair, and quality time on a boat. Sooner rather than later.

Hope you guys had a good week and weren’t too bored without me. I know, I miss y’all, too.

2013: Month of Mel Day 13 (and 12)

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Day 12 was spent in a haze of sparkle. It was a good day, but nothing really to report…other than, YaY for Day 12!

Well, I did make up a new recipe. I was totally gonna make the Chicken Taco Pie recipe that I pinned yesterday, but it kinda morphed into my own recipe. With different ingredients.

And instead of a pie, it was more like a casserole.

And it was very, very good.

I’d give you the recipe, but I’m kinda funny when I cook. I really don’t measure much. However, here’s the gist:

Melf’s made up Chicken Taco Casserole

greased 9×12 pan
3 packs Tyson Fajita Chicken (diced)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 pack McCormick Garlic Lime Chicken Fajita seasonings
1 can Mexican Rotel (drained)
1 can black beans (drained)

1 cup shredded cheddar
1.5 cups bisquick
1.5 cups milk
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 400.

In large skillet, add all ingredients in first group. Stir occasionally, until the liquid reduces. Pour into 9×12 pan.

Add half the cheese over the mixture.

Mix bisquick, milk, eggs and whisk until blended. Pour over cheese and chicken mixture. Bake until golden brown. Add remaining cheese to top of casserole during last 5 minutes of baking.

Let cool and serve. We had guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, shredded lettuce and tortilla chips with it.

It was VERY tasty.

So today is my Birthday Eve…or you can call it Sparkle Eve. Today also happens to be National Jewel Day.

Is this a coincidence? I think not! As my friend Beth said, “Sparkle begets Sparkle!” Here’s hoping there’s a myriad of jewels and sparkle in your future!!

See y’all tomorrow….!

2013: Month of Mel day 6

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So, how’s the happiest month on earth been treating you so far? According to my horoscope, I am “about to enter a magical month that will bring a planetary lineup so rare and beneficial that I won’t see this type of sparkling support again for decades.”

Sparkling support. Damn right it’s the Month of Mel. I wonder if this is the type of sparkling support they were talking about? Hmmm probably not.

It’s supposed to be beautiful and warm this weekend, which means I can take Sally Sparkle out with her top down! Yay! Aside from the first day I bought her, I’ve not been able to drive her topless…it’s been cold and windy and we even had some snow (flurries)! Of course, I know it was just Mother Nature giving me a nod…sending me little bits of sparkle from the sky to celebrate my month. Thanks for loving me, MN. You’re mostly awesome!

As many of you know, I share my birthday month with my eldest son, Ian. He will be 19 next weekend. All he has asked for is to spend time with us and a few friends…we are doing a spa day, then taking him to Oaklawn. It’s gonna be a great day! He’s very excited about it. As am I.

what color should we paint our toes?

I love that my boys want to give me a pedicure for my birthday and that they WANT to get their toes done as well. My kids are awesome.

2013: MONTH OF MEL DAY 1

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Are you guys ready for 31 DAYS OF SPARKLE? I’ll be watching you…I expect a month full of awesome…got it?

Okay, I don’t really want anyone to celebrate so hard they wind up arrested. I promise.

I start the month off with a lunch with friends. Then I’m off to the Expo to pick up my packet for the 1/2 Marathon on Sunday. The very marathon I am so ill-prepared for it isn’t even funny. But that isn’t gonna stop me…This is the MONTH OF MEL by golly! I can do anything!

Hope you guys have a great Friday and a fabulous weekend! 

if you’re sexy and you know it

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SHAKE DAT ASS!

Damn. Wasn’t that concert great last night? You know, the Beyonce’ concert? Whoa. I never thought my girl crush could be elevated to another level, but somehow, some way, Beyonce’ made me love her even more. There are born entertainers, and this chick is one of them. Also, how perfect is her Brick House Body? That’s why I’m going back to Boot(y)Camp. So I can mold my awesome ass into a Beyonce’ BooTAY.

And OMG. DESTINY’S CHILD! 

BTW, we only watched the concert. I’m glad the Ravens won the Super Bowl, but I wasn’t in the mood for football. And neither was El Jefe. So we watched movies and snuggled and enjoyed some alone time while the boys went to my bonus child’s house and ate ribs and watched the game with their bonus parents.

In some very sad news, one of my favorite places on earth is closing at the end of the month. The Hot Springs Brau Haus has been a very important place in my life for the past 18 years. I spent the majority of my birthdays there. The owner, John, became a dear friend. We became friends with Zac (aka The Angry Tuba Man) and Cheryl–the duo known as The Itinerant Locals. We watched their babies (Eureka and Zephyr) go from belly to babies to big kids on the stage…Ian did his first Chicken Dance at the Brau Haus when he was 18 months old. I had my first taste of Franziskaner Weissbier and Optimator at Brau Haus. Sigh. You will be missed….