the british invasion & the bachelorette

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Just Call Me Mel

It’s been fairly quiet, actually. Which is a good thing because this is a busy and slightly stressful week. We have three lads, Grant (the big Scot I’ve known for 2 years), Justin and Mark (who are both from Manchester. And believe it or not, they live just around the corner from each other but didn’t meet until they got to the states!)

Last night after camp, we went to a BBQ that one of the other host families put on. All 10 of the soccer coaches were there (btw, there is a LOT of eye candy going on around these parts). There was a keg and a ping pong table, so it didn’t take long for a Beer Pong tournament to commence. Grant lost in the final round. I believe he was gutted. I didn’t see it though. We left right before midnight. I have to get my beauty rest. Being this hot takes work.

I’ve met some great families and I hope I’ve made a couple of new friends. Ian has already told us he wants to switch to the Maumelle Soccer Club to play and after the warm reception we’ve gotten and seen how close the families are, I think I’m in favor of the switch. Actually, the club director has asked Fishdog to consider coaching Rader’s age group so they can have a team. (they have the players but not the coach) and I am nudging him to do so. We’ll see what happens.

Tonight we’re going to a pizza party at American Pie. The real party will be Friday night…

Pictures coming soon…

The Bachelorette

Well, I called it. I was teary when Graham left last night, even though I knew he was a marked man. I know DeAnna had very strong feelings for him–it was evident they way she lit up when he was around. But he couldn’t open up. It was bizarre to see him shut down every show. Sadly, I think they would’ve made a great couple, if they would’ve met and dated like real people. I am afraid the show set up freaked Graham out. And I am very disappointed in DeAnna for admitting that she was falling in love with him but had to let him go because she was afraid he would hurt her. Honey, there are no guarantees in love. She wasn’t willing to take a risk for him, and she may have even let the ‘real’ one go. Who knows? I know that watching him leave last night made my heart hurt.

I believe Jeremy is the next to go and the final two will be Jesse and Jason. And Jason will be her choice in the end…I just hope whoever she chooses it’s because she has real feelings for him, not because she knows that person won’t hurt her. Sigh.

the british are coming!

Posted on June 22, 2008 by Just Call Me Mel

Many of y’all will remember two years ago when we hosted our first set of soccer coaches. Grant and Simon swooped in and ate us out of house and home and stole our hearts in the process. We also ended up ‘adopting’ all the coaches by the end of the week. I’m still in touch with all the gang and a few more member of the self-proclaimed “Dream Team” that we met throughout the summer.

Last year, we had two other coaches. Del and Rob. Del and I exchange emails some. He’s in California and enjoying it tremendously.

Well, now that’s it’s summer and we’re no longer in Oxford, we’ve had to find a new soccer camp. As luck would have it, Maumelle hosts the Challenger Soccer camp every year, and apparently it’s one of the best ones around…So we signed the boys up. And we asked to host.

And guess who’s coming?

My wee lad Grant! I haven’t seen him in two years. We email quite a bit and he calls us every few weeks to check in, but we’re going to get to see him live and in person now! Yippee!!!

We spent the day yesterday with the Maumelle Soccer club doing a 3 v 3 tournament. What a warm and friendly group. Fishdog and I are going to let the boys try out for their classic soccer team. We really like the sense of community that club had. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. It was a nice change to the Little Rock club, which I think has just grown too big to be friendly.

Anyway, today we’re tidying the house and getting it ready to be destroyed by the coaches. We have Grant, and 2 other lads from Manchester. I’m stoked. Should be a great (and very tiring) week.

For more pics and “lad” related blogs”

Hey Audrey! We’re gonna miss you!!!

man, sometimes life is hard…

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Just Call Me Mel

I don’t know how these guys kept their hands off me. Somehow they managed. I’m sure it had everything to do with the fact that Fishdog was standing right there…Right? (work with me people…)

Yes, this is Del and Rob…the two British coaches who stayed with us last week. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. I will volunteer to host as long as Challenger continues to sends quality coaches to the states…

Here’s the whole crew…plus Fishdog… Rob, Chris, Del, Fishdog, Danny, Eddie, Blaine.

The last night they were with us, we went dancing…Well, Fishdog and I danced, the lads spent time with a couple of tennis players. I guess my continuous rejection was just too much for them so they had to lower the standards. Poor lads.
Okay, so we’re having a good time… Chris, Clay (local boy) Blaine, and Mel

After camp Friday, the lads said goodbye to Rader with a loving hug.

They packed up their roomy car…

And drove away.

They were great guys. We hope to cross paths with them again. Soon. Very soon. 🙂

who’s that boy?

Posted on August 14, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

Fishdog and I go to the gym at least 4 days a week over lunch. Since Si is staying with us this week, I picked him up and brought him along today.

Fishdog isn’t with us because he is out of town.

I go to the locker room and change. Immediately, one of the regulars comes in after me. “Is that your son?”

Me: “Sorta.” (I explain the situation)

I leave the locker room, get on to the elliptical and one of the trainers stops by. “Is that your son? He’s fine!”

Me: “Not my son. Yeah, he’s pretty cute.”

I do my 2 miles, then hit the weights. While I’m doing shoulders, a group finishes spin class and comes out. They see Si say something to me and one of the ladies asks, “Where’s Mark? Did you trade him in for a younger model?”

Finally. At least someone acknowledges the possibility that I’m not old. LOL

So, of course, I answer, “Yes. Yes I did, but the poor boy just can’t keep up.”

Hurry home, Fishdog.

i really don’t understand…

Posted on July 17, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

seriously.

I’ve had 1.5 hours of sleep. I’m dog tired. But, at the same time, I’m completely wound up. Still. It’s 8:40 pm, and I’ve not had a lick of sleep.

Of course, Fishdog managed to sleep just fine today. Why can men do that? Just pass out when they decide to?

I bet they lads had no trouble sleeping, either. Hmph.

I laid down for about 30 mins. this afternoon. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

That’s okay. I’ll take a couple of benadryl and force myself into a coma as soon as Fishdog gets home from softball.

Speaking of the lads, I heard from Grant. They drove through some ugly storms but made it to Daphne safe and sound. I’m sure that right now, he’s having a beer and settling in for a good night’s sleep. Here’s hoping the sandman doesn’t waste all his dust on the men tonight.

because sometimes you just need a beer…

Posted on July 7, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

I blogged serious this morning. I talked about the power and passion of words. I quoted Robert Burns. Everyone read my blog and thought, “Wow. Melissa Francis. She’s a serious and dedicated writer.”

But not tonight. Tonight it’s all about the beer. Tonight, everyone will read and think, “Wow. Melissa Francis. She likes beer.”

I didn’t do anything difficult or strenuous today. I just worked. I just did my job. That’s it. But sometimes, doing my job just makes me need a beer. And I’m writing tonight. I write better liquored up, don’t you? LOL

Apparently, I’m not the only one this week who needed a beer. It seems that one of the lads was off his daily allotment of Bud Light. (Yes. Bud Light. I don’t get it either–he’s a Scot for crying out loud!) It seems that the one day he didn’t fill up on his fermented beverage of choice, he got sick. Now personally, I think he got sick because he played soccer that day. I think his ass was tired (partying for 10 + days in a row will do that to ya) and I think he wore his ass out even more huffin’ up and down a soccer field full throttle. (Like he did here) Then as the grand finale to the game, he blew chunks. But he swears it’s because he needed a beer. Yup. He’s a Scot. Of course, I always thought whisky was the water of life…I’ve been proven wrong.

Fishdog and I discovered a new beer this week. We tried a multi-pack of Flying Dog beer. This 12 pack came equipped with the following beers:

I can give the thumbs up to Doggie Style (no comments from the peanut gallery necessary), Gold Scratch, Tire Bite and Snake Dog. Haven’t tried the porter yet, but it’s on my to do list.

Of course, the beer would be wasted on the lads. It has too much flavor.

work again…work again

Posted on July 5, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

Sometimes I hate having an extra day or two off work because it just makes coming back that much more difficult.

I have a lot on my plate today and really need to get with it–but I have the attention span of a midge on crack right now, so I think I’ll blog again.

Hmmm. It seems all I’ve talked about lately are the lads. It’s probably time for me to move on, however, I’m not quite ready yet. I think Fishdog thinks I’ve lost my head, but he’s too smart a man to tell me that.

One thing that amazed me about the lads’ visit was their genuine joy or amazement in discovering something new.

Like getting bitten by a mosquito for the very first time. “Mum! I didn’t feel it land and then it stung me and now look!” And I look to see the familiar little swollen bump on Grant’s arm. Not five minutes later, Simon runs up, “Mum! Make it go away! It hurts!” and sure enough, there’s that familiar red bump on his leg.

They were amazed.

But when we took them by the Ole Miss football stadium that’s when I saw true joy and amazement. Their professional soccer stadiums aren’t half as nice as our mediocre (but wealthy) college football stadiums. Hell, Ole Miss’ practice field is nicer than the pitch their national teams play on.

And they both kept saying: “All this for just 5 games a year?”

Yeah. And honestly, isn’t that a little sad?

Americans are a spoiled lot. I’ve known this all along, but sometimes it takes something so small as the comparison of stadiums to remind me.

It’s cloudy here today–which is good, we really need the rain. Of course, the grass in my yard is brown and ugly again; but the grass in my flowerbed is flourishing. AGAIN.

I have been thinking about my story a lot lately. I’ve been on a dry spell with writing–this happens sometimes–but I’ve never let the story go too far away from my head. It’s time to hit the keyboard running again. I miss my British thief…and since I also miss Simon and Grant…I can just use them as inspiration….if only I understood half of what they said.

Nine times out of ten, this is what I heard: “Humina-humina-humina, bonny lassie.” or “Humina -humina-humina, Mum.”

I bet I can use that in my book though…

empty nest…

Posted on July 4, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

and momma bird don’t like it.

It’s too damn quiet! I got so used to having a house full of loud, obnoxious foreigners that I don’t know how to handle all this silence.

Especially since Ian is staying with his grandparents for the rest of the week. Sigh.

Speaking of Ian–how freaking handsome is he?

I guess Rader will have to just entertain himself with the Gameboy–or as I am now starting to call it–videocrack. Jesus. He just won’t put it down! Here’s a rare glimpse of the boy without the little blue addiction in his hands.

I heard from both Grant and Simon. It seems that the day they left me, they had separation anxiety and had to numb the pain on Beale St. (Hahahahahaha) I’m not sure exactly how much adult beverage was consumed, but I have it on good authority that it was quite a lot.

The lads are spending this week in two different necks of the woods. I’m not sure how they’ll handle being apart. I swear, they’re attached at the shoulder. But, I’m sure they’ll be fine.

The lake was absolutely beautiful and yesterday was the most perfect lake day EVER. It wasn’t too hot–it was actually overcast for a while. We swam and played all day–for more than 6 hours. We came home, ate and then well all fell asleep in the living room before dark. I got up and went to bed at 8 pm and left the rest of the gang where they lay.

Now we’re watching The World Cup. Actually, Mark is trying to fall asleep–you’d think he’d have gotten plenty of rest last night…oh well, he’ll just have excess energy later on…

I have several new blog readers thanks to the lads. Don’t be afraid to pop in a comment and say hello. And lads…that means yous too.

This picture is just for the lads:

Love at first sight…

Posted on July 1, 2006 by Just Call Me Mel

I’m not sure how that happened. These two idiots walked into my life 6 days ago and I fell in love. Seriously, I may as well have given birth to them, I love them so much.

Fishdog and I would adopt them if we could.

We also had the privilege of meeting the other coaches and hanging out with them. Karl, Becky, Ian (Nizzy if you’re nasty), and Stephen. It was an amazing week and I’m very sad to see it come to an end.

Guys, I know you’re reading this…keep in touch or I’ll hunt you down and guilt you to death. (and that means all of you)

BTW–I’m headed back to Lake Ouachita today for several days. Will blog again on Wednesday when I return.

Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with a couple of fond memories from the week.