Tag Archives: friends

2013: Month of Mel Day 8

Posted on by
Reply

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL (WORKING) WOMEN’S DAY!

 International Women’s Day is sponsored worldwide by the United Nations. The roots of this celebration goes back to the late 1800’s to early 1900s. It grew from women’s socialist movements and early women’s trade union groups.

The first International Women’s Day was held March 19, 1911. Women socialists and trade unions held an earlier Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February, 1908. The event grew from there and has been celebrated annually since. The focus is upon women workers, and advancing women’s rights in  the workforce, politics and society.

Know how you can support a woman? Tell the government to stay out of her body and also, yell at your representatives if he or she didn’t sign the Violence Against Women Act.

Also, tell her she sparkles. When a woman feels good on the inside, it shows on the outside and you should let her know.

You know what else is celebrated today?

BE NASTY DAY (I’m not even kidding…)

There’s naughty days, and nice days, and all sorts of goodie gumdrop days. So, it stands to reason that there will be a few negative type of days. This is one of them.

I think if you want to celebrate this day, it’s all you. I’m too happy to be nasty…unless you’re talking spicing up your sex-life…and if it’s between two (or more) consenting adults, then I’m all for you being as nasty as you want.

Tonight, my college roommates and I celebrate my birthday. It will be a good time. I am very much looking forward to seeing them…Now, if I can just blink my eyes and wiggle my nose and get my college body back before dinner.

You guys had better have a great weekend. I have plans with Sally Sparkle. It’s gonna be a topless kind of Saturday…!

wooohoo!

Posted on by
Reply

Last night I had two different Girls Nights Out. I haven’t been able to play much in the past few months due to working all the time and spending what time I have off with my kids…so last night I made up for it!

My first Happy Hour was @ US Pizza with my Sister-in-Law GiGi, and two of my dearest and best friends, Robyn and Lynne. We had some beverages, I ate salad and breadsticks and we laughed a lot.

Then it was time to head to Cantina with my regular Thursday girls. No margarita for me though…I’m trying to watch my calories! So I had a beer, and then decided to celebrate my saved calories by ordering the apple pie. I shared it… don’t worry.

In other fun and glorious news… we are exactly 3 weeks from the Month of Mel! Are you guys ready for the awesome?

You’ve got 3 weeks to prepare. Is there anything you’d like to see happen during the Month of Mel? Maybe I should film a Mel-ocumentary…hmmmm.

Peace and love and all that jazz. Y’all have a great weekend and be sure to kiss someone you love!

2012 Day the Last

Posted on by
1

This has been a helluva year. Before I recap the good and the bad, let me share my holiday break with you…

Christmas day… We had a great holiday. The boys arrived home from their dad’s around noon. We opened gifts, enjoyed the day…then headed to nonnie’s house for Chili and more gifts.

My niece, Double A, tried to steal my sparkle! Can you believe that?

 All the boys (including El Jefe) received Wife Beaters in their stockings… Yes, we were dreaming of a white trash Christmas…

 Next year’s Christmas card, maybe?

I’m not sure which Rader liked more, his iPhone or his Hulk Hands. haha.

Christmas night, the sleet an snow came down with a vengeance. We lost several trees and the eerie sound of limbs crashing to the ground all night was really creepy. It was beautiful, but I was over it after about 15 hours.  18 of those we were without power, and we were very lucky. The boys’ dad was without power from Tuesday – Sunday. No thank you.

Now…let’s talk about 2012 and why I’m glad it’s over…

What I loved about the year:

  1. My friends. The people who love me and care about me no matter what. They have supported me through a very tough time. They knew I was trying to hold it together, and when I pulled away, they pulled me back. I am very lucky. So very lucky to have them in my life. 
  2. My love. We have been through a very rough year financially. It could have killed our relationship, but we are stronger than ever. And 2013 is looking fantastic. I’m very lucky to have this man in my life.
  3. My boys. I’ve never been closer to them. They are the one thing I’ve done right in my life. Maybe even the only thing.  I am so proud of the young men they are becoming. And I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings to them.

Why I’m ready to kick the door closed on 2012:

  1. Being a one income family. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t fun. I fought depression…I adopted the mantra “Fake it til you make it” and I’m ready to stop faking it. I don’t do fake very well. 
  2. My health.  I had complications from a procedure last February that lasted all year. We finally figured the problem out in October, and it looks like it’s finally getting better. Of course, as a result of this issue, I’ve gained weight. I’ve been sad. I’ve stopped exercising. That is all changing. 
  3. Loss. I’ve lost friends this year. I have always been the one who reaches out to people. I’m the fun one, the sparkler, bright and shiny and happy. And for a few months last year, I couldn’t be that person anymore. And the people who know me and want me in their life reached out to me. And there are a few who didn’t. Who took my absence as a reflection on them not on me. And I’m so sad. I miss them terribly, but I was trying to patch my life together and I didn’t have the energy or the life left to reach out and mend the tatters. I just couldn’t do it. Maybe this year I’ll find the strength to recover the loss, because I do feel the emptiness without them in my life.

2013 is looking bright. We are a double income family again. We are lucky to have the support of our family and friends. And I’m very much looking forward to what this year has to offer. Bring 13. Bring it hard.

Sparkle on, my pretties. Have a fantastic New Year’s Eve and please be safe. If it doesn’t rain, I plan on lighting up the firepit and ringing in 2013 with my family. It’s gonna be a good night. Cheers!

An Official Declaration

Posted on by
Reply

Happy Ugly Christmas Sweater Week!

There. I’ve said it. Now, make it so.

See? Even Matt Damon is playing along.

Today I’m wearing a vest. It’s not the ugliest of sweaters in the world..but it’s still a Christmas VEST…and so the only way to look cool while wearing it is to wear it ironically. So I am. And therefore, this Ugly Vest is cool…like me.

Hope you guys had a great weekend. I did. I worked a lot, got to see my sweet friend Marcus who was in town from Paris (Yes, France). I didn’t get to attend his gathering when he first arrived, so I was thrilled when I was able to leave work early enough to see him last night before he headed back. He’s so sassy and awesome. I lurve him.

Now…you guys celebrate Ugly Sweater week with me. I wanna hear about or see your ugly sweaters. Hmmmm. What will I wear tomorrow?

Roll those sixes with the angels, Joan!

Posted on by
1

Today, we celebrate the life of fellow Bunko Babe who was taken from this life way too suddenly.

My fellow Pisces, Liberal, Writer, Bunko Babe, and Friend. We’re gonna miss you hard, Joan Duffy. I’m definitely going to miss the sharp witted emails you would send just when I needed a laugh. You’re a rockstar…and you’re gonna rule the roost in the after life.

Love you. The earth already misses your presence.

Yeah. It was that good.

Posted on by
Reply

Seriously, I had one of the best weekends ever.

Robyn’s little girl turned 13 on Saturday so we decided to surprise her with donuts, balloons and a yard full of decorated pumpkins.

Operation Pumpk’d was a great success!

After our pumpkin shenanigans, we all headed to Chili Fights in the Heights, then back to da Godfodda’s house for some foozball, ribs and beverages.


and lots of smiles.

Yesterday was a John Deere day…probably the last mow of the season. It was a gorgeous day to ride around and I did it with a smile.

Hope y’all had as awesome of a weekend as I did. xoxo

Rocket Mom!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s homecoming night for Catholic High, and I’m in full Rocket Mom mode. Well, I will be around 2:00, anyway. I’m not going to the game, but I’m sure Rader will. I volunteered to help set up. The alumni association is providing burgers and dogs and drinks for everyone. Kinda cool, really.

The Arkansas State Fair starts this weekend. I’m sad I won’t be going this year because the boys and I had tons of fun last year sampling all the fried food on a stick. I really could go for a corndog and a fried twinkie. And I do love me some people watching. Wow. It’s even better than people watching at an outdoor concert by the river!

Here’s some fair pics from 2008:

 Connor and Rader. Can’t believe these two kids are now 6ft+ tall.
 Bacon and Chocolate. Gross.
Fried Twinkie. Divine.
Here’s some pics from 2011:

Heh. Too fun. Dammit Janet! I want a corn dog!

best concert ever

Posted on by
Reply

First of all, Wow.

Seriously, Pat Benatar? You are amazing.

And Asian Steve Perry Arnel Pineda? You blew me away. (Also, I know you’re Filipino but last night you were Asian Steve Perry and that’s who you will be from now on. You’re welcome.)

I seriously think this was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. And trust me, I’ve been to plenty.

The problem with awesome concerts like that one? Well, I’m not 18 anymore. Now that didn’t stop me from dancing like I was….

or howling singing like I was:

But when my alarm went off this morning, I felt closer to 81 than 18.

We had a great night.

Now somebody bring me my geritol and hoveround. AND GET OFF MY LAWN!

Your wish is my command.

Posted on by
Reply

My birthday twin, Beth, has commanded that I write my weekend recap because she needs some brain candy.

Well, far be it from me to disappoint her.

Though I’m afraid this blog may be more brain fluff than brain candy. Would that make it brain cotton candy? That’s not a bad thing…

OK, first off on Friday, my cousin posted this picture of me to Facebook. HAH! This pic currently graces my mother’s hall wall. My friends say it looks just like me. I disagree. But here, you decide.

hehehehe. I was a cutie. Of course, I cut my bangs the day before this picture was taken, so mom had to take me for an emergency hair cut…that’s why my forehead looks giant. haha I wasn’t quite 3 years old here. And that puppy had seen many better days…

Saturday morning I drove Rader to meet the soccer carpool since his game was 3 hours away. BTW, I don’t like 8:00 on Saturday mornings. However, I decided I’d make the best of being vertical that early so I went to Two Rivers Bridge to walk…only to find out it was closed for a bike race. I decided to go to Pinnacle Mountain and walk the base trail. It was a beautiful cool overcast morning and perfect for a hike.

It was also perfect for the pterodactyl-sized mosquitoes to feed on me til I was too weak to move. They also tried to carry me off to their nest where they were gonna feed me to their young. Holy Crap I have never been swarmed like that before. Was crazy. I did hike 1.5 miles before I called it quits. I also got to see this really giant uprooted tree:

Then I returned to the Compound where El Jefe and I mowed and cleaned up after the last wreck in our yard. You know, where the dude took out my giant forsythia and left half of his front end in my front yard? Yeah, it was finally time to mow, so that shit had to go. I should have made him come back and clean it up. Jerk-wad.

I believe this may have been my last date with John Deere for the season…. I’m gonna miss his sweet rides.

Sunday I made another Pinterest recipe that turned out pretty good. They sure looked pretty and they were definitely tasty. They’ll make a great brunch item for the holidays I think.

They’re pretty much bacon-wrapped quiches. You make them in a muffin tin.

And finally, I spent yesterday hanging with Rader P.  I walked in the morning and then he and I watched a friend of his from Oxford play soccer. Her team won the tournament and ironically, her father works for the same company I used to work for when I lived there. Small world huh? Also check out my kid and how damn cute he is…

after the game, we went to the PartyHood where Robyn grilled us some burgers then we went to the GodFodda’s house and hung out until it was time to go to Rader’s game….It was a good afternoon and a great weekend. And with that, I leave you with this moment of zen.

My friend Bill hanging with Robyn’s three-legged cocker spaniel. Her name is Lovey but I call her Lambchop.

Hope your weekend was as awesome (and less tiring) as mine! Now let’s kick Monday in the ass and sparkle hard today!

weekend recap (Friday included)

Posted on by
Reply

I took a vacation day Friday and enjoyed myself tremendously. Robyn and I walked 3.5 miles at the Big Dam(n) Bridge. And look what we saw:

Yes. that’s the remnants of a beautiful proposal on the river bank that you can see from the bridge. It made our walk just that much more awesome. Grand gestures are the most beautiful gestures of them all.

Robyn and I met up with the HoneyBadgers Friday afternoon for happy hour. The HoneyBadgers are a local running group that meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays before the crack of dawn. I may have to join them one day, just to say I did. Unfortunately, I’m not much of a morning person. But we’ll see…

Saturday was filled with a five-mile walk, lunch with El Jefe, Laura and da GodFodda at Cheers, then an awful Razorback game that I’d love to forget. I also made my homemade mac and cheese and stuffed crab shells. I’m not gonna lie, it was divine. As you can see, it was served on the finest of China.

I would love to claim that I made the stuffed crab shells as well, but in truth, Kroger seafood deli. $1.00 each. I put a pat of butter on the top and bake them at 350 til they are golden brown. DELISH.

The Mac and Cheese recipe I have makes a ton, so I volunteered to take a meal to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for my friends who’s daughter was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma earlier this year. (Read about her here) Usually when I go up there, Bit is sound asleep…but this time she was  awake and full of sunshine. Check us out:

Isn’t she the most adorable little thing you’ve ever seen?

There was also soccer and some gumbo at da GodFodda’s house on Sunday. Check Rader P out:

And there ya have it folks. The important parts of my weekend in a nutshell. Did y’all have a good one? I hope it was as full of friendship and sunshine as mine was.