Tag Archives: birthdays

happy birthday and WOO PIG SOOIE!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s Robyn’s Birthday! Welcome to the 40 is fantastic club! See you tonight!! (This picture was taken after my launch party was over back in August. Robyn was the hostess with the mostest!)

Also, after a week off, my little piggies are playing the Georgia Bullfrogsdogs tonight.

Go Hogs! Beat Dawgs!

Y’all have a great weekend. And thanks to dealbreaker.com for linking to my Melissa Francis CNBC interview. Welcome to all the new Melissa Francis looky-loos. Pull up a chair and stay a while. My legs might not be as great as hers, but I’m pretty awesome nonetheless.

The MONTH OF MEL: DAY 16–IAN’S BDAY!

Posted on by
Reply

Dear Ian, I mean, Nemo,

You don’t look like this anymore

or this:

or this:

or even this:

But you’ll always be my baby. I can’t believe you’re 15 years old today. First of all, I’m way too young, and way too hot to be the mother of a 15 year old child. Secondly, what happened to the tee-tiny little baby, whose butt was so small it fit in the palm of my hand?

I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming (even though your grades still need some work.) (You knew I had to mention your grades, right?)

You know I how much I love you when I’m willing to give up a day in the MONTH OF MEL! just for you!

The MONTH OF MEL: Happy Birthday Eve!

Posted on by
Reply

A long time ago, way back when, (July 2007)I talked about having a super power. I also discussed my lack of side kick (now taking applications) and how I was being snubbed by several of the super teams…which was forcing me to consider going to the dark side…I wonder if the Evil League of Evil will have me?

Anyway, since this is the MONTH OF MEL! and it’s my Birthday Eve! I’ve decided it’s time that I come out of the Superhero Closet (didn’t know we had one of those, did ya? It’s where we get dressed.)
I look good, don’t I?

So I’ve honed my superpower and donned my outfit I’m now deciding if I’ll be good or evil? Who wants to be my side kick? What will your superpower be? Go here to find out.

The MONTH OF MEL: day12

Posted on by
Reply

Oops! I was so caught up in myself, that I almost forgot to post today’s MONTH OF MEL! post. Talk about an oxymoron! WTF?

Today started off miserably. It was cold and gray and rainy and sleety and I hated every minute of it because just a couple of days ago, I was hanging out in the sun sporting a tank top and a smile.
Fucking Mother Nature and her fickle bitch ways.
But not today. No. It was cold. And sleeting! FUCKING SLEETING–most of the day. Honestly? Sleet? BITE ME!

So today, I didn’t wanna get out of bed. I alternated between wanting to be buried under a blanket in my favorite pajama pants, and dying to walk on the beach, listening to the waves crash the shore, smelling the salty air, and feeling the sun on my face.

I was so emotionally spent in daydreams of the beach that I completely neglected my blog duties. I apologize. I hope you can forgive me. If not–I hope you can spank me will gladly accept my punishment.

About 2:30 today, I was faking work pretty well–just trying to get through the last 30 minutes of the day, when one of my co-workers came into my cube and said, “Melissa, we’re having a meeting in here, you wanna join us?”

I immediately glanced at my calendar–no meeting. I was afraid that perhaps maybe I had ignored a meeting accidentally. ( I would NEVER purposefully ignore a meeting. EVER. I swear…)

I knew something was up b/c they were all gathered in the hallway.

And my instincts did not fail me. They had gotten me a cake and some black and white balloons!

I was pleasantly surprised. And my cake was fantastic!

Then my Thursday Girls met me out tonight for dinner and drinks.
Apparently the acoustics in that restaurant were pretty damn awesome because no matter how quiet or loud we were being, our cute, funny, and charming waiter heard us. He’s our regular waiter and is very comfortable with us. And tonight, we were having some pretty colorful discussions and he would just chime in. I actually blushed once.

I know, right? Me? Blushing? Who knew?

Despite the ugly weather, it wound up being a fabulous day. It’s great being Mel.

How was your Day 12 of the MONTH OF MEL!?

The MONTH OF MEL: day 10

Posted on by
Reply

So, just in case you didn’t know, my 40th birthday is Saturday. So not only are we in the MONTH OF MEL! which is, of course, nestled snugly inside the YEAR OF MEL! but now we’re enjoying the WEEK OF MEL!

It’s all Mel, all the time. Honestly, can you think of anything better? (why yes I can…MEL ON THE BEACH! is that anything like Sex on the Beach? Hmmmm.)

My 5K is this weekend. I’m really nervous and really excited about it. I know I’ll finish it, but will I be able to run the whole way? The furthest I’ve run so far is about 2.15 miles. The 5K is 3.2 miles …people keep telling me the adrenaline will push me through–I guess we’ll see.

The next big event is my tattoo…which is scheduled for March 23. I cannot tell you how excited I am. I’ve dreamed about it twice now. Vivid, amazing dreams.

A side note: Even though I’m an (almost) 40 year old woman, I have to admit that I dread the day Mom sees my tattoo. She knows I’ve been planning to get one, but I think she thinks I’ll never go through with it. And it’s not like it’s going to be hidden. She’ll see it this summer, when I’m in my bathing suit, or wearing tank tops and sundresses. She still hasn’t even acknowledged my nose piercing yet. But boy, let me tell you, the look on her face when she noticed it was priceless. Do we ever outgrow these feelings when it comes to our parents? If she says anything, I’ll just tell her she isn’t allowed to speak of the tattoo during the YEAR OF MEL! So she’ll have to wait til next year to offer me her unsolicited opinion. Sounds fair, don’t you think?

My kids are actually pretty excited about the tattoo…especially Rader. He asked me if he could get one and I reminded him of the house rule…you do anything you want to your body when you turn 18. So go for it. I’ll even take him on his 18th b-day if he wants. Of course, he’ll be going to public school next year, so if he decides he wants to go the route of piercings, I’ll give him leave to pierce the ear. Tongue needs to wait til he’s 18 if he wants that. I don’t really see Rader as the piercing type, but you never know!

March 28 is the official celebration of MEL TURNS 40! As usual, we’re going to Oaklawn and then dining at the Hot Springs Brau Haus (must call and warn them we’re coming…) There is usually a large group of 20 or more that attend. Last year, it got a little ugly and I now refer to it as the Night of the Liquid Hate. There will NOT be a repeat this year. No matter how much Joe Mains threatens me with pouring Patron down my throat. I’ll take a shot…it’s on my 40 at 40 list…but I will NOT repeat last year’s Night of the Liquid Hate (Liquid Hate formerly known as Blackberry Schnapps) *shudder*

And then the MONTH OF MEL! will come to an end. Will I have a chance to complete all the items I’ve been tasked with on my MONTH OF MEL! list? I don’t know! Videos are time consuming. But I’ll give it my all.

What’s going on with you guys? Are you having a great MONTH OF MEL?

we’re only 2 days away

Posted on by
Reply

from…

(drum roll please…)

THE MONTH OF MEL!

That’s right folks–it’s almost March. And this year, we’re going to celebrate the MONTH OF MEL! a little differently.

Sure it’s going to be all about Mel (as it should be. It is my month, after all.)

But this year, you guys get to play along.

What would you like to see me do this month? I’m taking your requests (pg-13 people) and I will perform your request (if possible) and take a picture of it. And then blog about it.

So, get your ideas ready. Do you want me to write a haiku for you? Mail you a letter? Climb a tree? Just be happy? What can Mel do for you during her month?

You can comment or email me your suggestions. I promise, I’ll try my best to perform your requests to the best of my ability. And I promise the pictures will be worth a thousand words.

To my 2nd born…

Posted on by
Reply

Happy Birthday Rader!

Dear Rader,
It’s hard to believe that 11 years ago yesterday, I went to work having contractions and I had them all day. But I ignored them because frankly, you weren’t due for 3.5 more weeks. And I had been at a superbowl party the night before, so I figured it was just left over excitement from the game. Everyone had teased me that I was going to go into labor, but I laughed in their general direction.

So when I started having contractions, I wrote it off. They weren’t bad. And I had those stupid Braxton-Hicks things all the time, so why rush to the hospital unnecessarily?

By 10:00 that night, I was changing my tune. I told your daddy it was time to go. Those stupid “left over excitements” from the game were now coming in at three minutes apart. Now I was not going to have you at home, without medication. I’m sorry to say, your momma believes whole-heartily in better living through chemicals. Or in this case, better delivery through chemicals. So off to the hospital we went.
Yup, the contractions were real and they were coming in steadily–until 4 a.m. when they stopped. Um, not okay. I was hooked up, IV’d and ready to go, but apparently you had changed your mind. Doc gave me the option to get some drugs and force you out or go home and come back later. Yeah, I wasn’t going anywhere…sorry kid, it was time.

You were born ten hours or so later. It was a good delivery. (I’m pretty sure I didn’t think that at the time) Even though you were 3.5 weeks early, you weighed 8lbs 6oz. You looked like a three month old compared to your brother who was 3.5 weeks early and weighed 5lbs and some change.
You came out hungry and I don’t think you’ve stopped eating since. You have always loved food. Love trying new things and love cooking. Maybe you’ll be a chef one day on the Food Network.

My favorite thing about you is your sense of humor. Not only do you laugh a lot, you crack yourself up. (and since I do that to myself daily, I have to believe you inherited that from me.) You love jokes, you have such a keen mind and are so witty that sometimes it’s hard for me to believe you’re just now 11 years old. Sometimes you seem much older. Here are just a few examples of my favorite Rader stories from the past:

  1. Sex Education
  2. My Duck
  3. Inappropriate conversations
  4. and my favorite, Licking Nipples

But every night when you hug me before bed, I get a glimpse of the sweet boy who used to curl up in my arms with his favorite book, asking me to read it over and over and over. I am the luckiest Mom in the world to have you. Happy Birthday, Monkey.

Love,
Momma

40 at 40

Posted on by
3


I turn 40 this year. That’s a pretty momentous occasion so I’m going to ring in this decade with style.

I’ve decided to rip off a friend of mine who did a “50 at 50” list and make myself a list of 40 things to do at 40 but I need your help because I don’t know if I can come up with 40 things. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

<–20-something Mel

39 year old Mel–>


40 at 40

  1. Run a 10K
  2. Train for and run a half-marathon
  3. Get a tattoo
  4. Visit a place I’ve never been before
  5. Get waxed (Legs, pits and um…yeah. I’m gonna go there. All the way there. That will be some blog…)
  6. Meet with a financial planner
  7. See a professional (insert sport here) game
  8. See Staind in concert
  9. See Springsteen in concert (now that I’ve been properly recruited into his cult fanclub. However, I really shouldn’t add this to my list because I’m afraid that my recruiter’s ego can’t handle another stroke)
  10. Lose 2 sizes
  11. Buy myself a nice piece of jewelry
  12. Get a passport
  13. Visit NY (yes, this could also be the “visit a place I’ve never been before,” but NY deserves its own line)
  14. Skinny dip in the ocean
  15. Go deep sea fishing
  16. Teach my son how to drive a stick
  17. Take a shot (or 2) of Patron (in the comfort and safety of friends who can handle Mel-on-Tequila. Have never had Patron but have been assured by many that it will change my life. It will definitely change the life of the people who witness this event, I can promise you that.)
  18. Take an unplanned road trip (although does putting that on my list make it a plan?)
  19. Get a housekeeper (at least once a month)
  20. Take up SLR photography again
  21. Write a short story or novella (never done this, dunno if I can!)
  22. Go camping in the mountains
  23. Plant a new gardenia bush
  24. Steal a summer kiss at sunset
  25. Take a winter vacation somewhere snowy
  26. Face time with each of my out-of-state friends
  27. Try at least 1 type of new (to me) food
  28. Go golfing (took lessons a few years ago but never made it to a golf course)
  29. Write a letter (not an email, a letter. To a friend or a family member. Someone who will appreciate the effort and hopefully someone who can decipher my chicken scratch.)
  30. Have a book launch party 😀
  31. Finish this list (for Marcus)

Okay, I’m only at 30, but if I complete THIS list, I think I’ll be doing pretty damn well. What do you think? Have any suggestions?

just another manic monday

Posted on by
Reply


Mondays are always so busy!

I’m over at Fictionistas, talking about the sense of smell.

I’ll be blogging at Fat Chicks Running later today. I went to the gym TWICE this weekend. I know, you’re shocked. So am I. I’m also planning another video blog this week…if I can somehow manage to hide my Cartman chin. I’d also like to change my voice. Am I the only one who hates to hear my recorded self?

This weekend was a bit of a whirlwind. I swear it was just Friday. And now, Christmas is a week away and I’m trying to figure out when it became December. I swear I was just in my bathing suit, allowing the sun to worship me. Honestly, am I the only one who thinks time is flying by at warp speed? (look! Cartman chin is gone! Maybe I should Vlog looking up…)

Time flies when you’re growing old?

Speaking of old: A shout out to my niece Zzer (zeezer–nickname for Elizabeth) who turns 13 today.

Oh and just to give y’all proper notice, Fishdog turns 40 tomorrow. Yes. He’s gonna beat me to the big 4-0. Nothing makes me happier.

It’s a busy week here at Chez Francis. I’ll be writing my fingers to the bone. I have a lofty page goal for the week, I’ll keep you posted on that. Also, we’re supposed to get iced in tonight. Love Arkansas weather. It was 65 degrees yesterday. It’s 33 now.

While I’m at the gym, why don’t y’all tell me about your weekend?