friend and foe.

Mimosas. This mimosa is my friend.

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This mimosa?

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Taken at UALR

Not. So. Much.

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Coleman Creek, UALR

I forget that I have Mimosa Tree allergy. I love them. They’re beautiful and fragrant…and they make my eyes cry all the cries!

Years ago, when we bought our first house in Little Rock, our yard was filled with mimosa trees. And they were lovely. And I couldn’t see for almost 6 weeks. We thought I had developed an allergy to my contacts, so I stopped wearing them. My eyes were so light sensitive I actually had to wear those grandpa sunglasses that cover their glasses, even inside.

sexy.

sexy.

Yes. These. Except mine were a hideous dark green.

My eyes are so sensitive this week, I’m thinking about bringing sexy back with those bad boys.

And it’s my own freaking fault. I was checking out the sneaky snakes in Coleman Creek yesterday, enjoying the ambiance…inhaling the wonderful scent of the…OH SHIT. Mimosa tree that I was standing inches away from. Stupid Melf. You done lost your damn mind.

Oh well. It’ll clear up in a few days and if it doesn’t, I guess I’ll be getting me some prescription eye drops. Conjunctivitis is sexy. It makes my makeup run all down my face, like I was jilted on Prom Night.

Good thing I’m a natural beauty. haha

This weekend is Father’s Day and we’re having a cookout on Sunday.  El Jefe is Papa Bear and he’s fantastic with the boys, but they will be with their dad this Sunday. However, Stacey Jay and her fam will be hanging out with us! Because I cannot get enough of her. EVER. So we’ll be celebrating Big Daddy Mike Day. It’ll be awesome.

And I know there will be much laughter. Because that’s how we do at The Compound.

 

 

 

smoooove

So, I’ve been on an eternal quest for a healthier lifestyle…for oh, let’s say, eternity.

In March, I added a new skin care regime, because as I lose weight, it is highly possibly that I’ll get wrinkles. And as a woman of 44 years, who still gets carded on a regular basis, the last thing I need or want is to get wrinkles. At least, not yet.

I’ve been using Meaningful Beauty for 3 full months now, and this is me today, without any makeup on and no filters.

Today: No makeup. Fewer laugh lines and crows feet

Today: No makeup. Fewer laugh lines and crows feet

Not too bad for a 44 year old broad, huh? I was trying to find a good comparison picture. I found 1 that would work, but I have full makeup and glasses on so it was difficult to see the difference around the eyes. However the difference around the mouth is pretty significant.

Now, I purchased this product, so MB isn’t paying me anything to review it. Here’s what I have to say.

Yes, my skin looks fantastic and feels SMOOOOOOVE like a baby’s bottom. I’ve noticed a definite fading of crow’s feet and my laugh lines (which I actually love) are noticeably less prominent. I have no issues going without makeup (even though I need new lashes ASAP. Has anyone seen my eyes? Yeah, me either.)

I’m not a huge fan of the cleansing lotion. It doesn’t foam or bubble up, and I feel like I’m having to use more of it than I should. The kit doesn’t come with a night cream, so I use the day cream at night. That’s a huge disappointment. You have the option to ‘customize’ your kit and can add the night cream that way.

I also do not like the “club” set up, however, I have my automatic delivery for 20 weeks, which I can change at any time if I run low. That’s a nice option. Most “clubs” force your into a 90 Day /12 week automatic delivery.

The price point isn’t bad, especially if you set up your delivery for 4 months or more. I don’t need to use a lot of product, one little dab will do ya… or at least it does me. I’ve decided to keep using the product for at least one more round.

In Eating Cleaner news:

I fired up the grill and loaded it with some awesome locally grown veggies this weekend. Sweet potatoes, asparagus, okra, squash, green beans, tomatoes. I also grilled some pineapple, which was oh so yummy. We ate very well this weekend, let me tell ya.

I walked every day for an hour. Monday was hard because Sunday I had some girlfriends over and we enjoyed muy wine. I’ll have you know, I still did not go over my calories for the day, thankyouverymuch.

In OMG how awesome news, I met Ian’s friend-girl this week. (OMG, she’s adorbs). I’m not sure if they’re going to officially ‘date’ or not, it’s really not my business yet (it won’t be until it’s her birthday or Christmas, and then I’ll need to know if I need to buy her a present or not. Haha) But anyway, we were all hanging out on Wednesday and we were talking about parents and parenting styles etc., and I made a comment that sometimes parents have really high expectations of their kids and no matter what they accomplish, it won’t be enough because they expect more. (this is a concept I don’t understand as a parent, but I understand as a kid of those parents.) I said, “for example, I’ve published two young adult novels with a very prestigious publisher, and sometimes I think my mom still thinks I could do better.” She stopped and looked at me and said, “Wait. You’re Melissa Francis? As in BITE ME AND LOVE SUCKS Melissa Francis?”

Me: Yep.

Friend-Girl: OMG I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE THAT MELISSA FRANCIS.

Me: Happy happy joy joy can’t stop smiling.

And in other O517I1Qi7nnL._SY300_MG Awesome News…I got to see my Stacey Jay this weekend! Have you pre-ordered her latest book yet? WHY NOT?

OF BEAST AND BEAUTY

order it. devour it. review it. and email Stacey and tell her she is made of awesome. (because she totes is).

Find Stacey on Facebook

Stacey on the web

Stacey on Twitter: @stacey_jay

Okay, there’s my weekend recap. It was a great weekend. The boys enjoyed Riverfest. Jefe and I enjoyed each other and the beautiful weather, and I also enjoyed my girl time with some of my besties. Life doesn’t suck.

WINE WEDNESDAY and other assorted important things

I don’t care what I have to do to make tonight happen, but yes…it is going to be Wine Wednesday whether you like it or not. And if you don’t like it, what are you doing reading my blog?

I started reading my friend Stacey Jay’s book, JULIET IMMORTAL. Wow. She hooked me on page 1. And not many books do that, y’all. Buy this book. Read it. Love it. And tell her about it.


Stacey Jay Blog

Stacey Jay Facebook


Stacey Jay Twitter

Go forth and do my bidding.

Guess what else I’m reading? Maria Geraci‘s newest manuscript A GIRL LIKE YOU. Yes, I’m that special. While you wait for this amazing read to hit the shelves you should go and pick up her other titles:


BUNCO BABES TELL ALL

BUNCO BABES GONE WILD


THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB

Make it so. Yesterday was her birthday, after all.

In writing news, I’ve added a few more paragraphs to my new book, I’ve pledged to write something everyday this month….Also, that really awesome boyfriend of mine helped me with science stuff again last night. I ♥ smart people. And n3rds.

did you feel the earth move?

I did. Because I actually wrote actual words to an actual book last night. And I started working on a synopsis. Yes, not only did the earth move, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Hell might have also frozen over. Sorry Satan. I’ll send you a parka.

Now, this wasn’t some major breakthrough of a million billion words or anything, but I did manage 555 brand new words to an actual story that I’ve been sitting on for almost 3 years. Crazy huh?

My Fictionistas were a big help last night. Thanks ladies for the beatings encouragement. And a special thanks to Rhonda Stapleton for getting this song stuck in my head.

And in other and much more FUN news…

My awesome, talented, lovely friend Stacey Jay has a new book out that must be purchased forthwith.

JULIET IMMORTAL

These violent delights have violent ends

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,

Which as they kiss consume.”

—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn’t take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn’t anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she’s fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she’s forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

Here’s a picture of us together at a joint book signing we did in Oxford in 2009. I MISS YOU STACEY JAY!

weekend recap

Nashville was fantastic! I haven’t downloaded my pics yet, but I will this week. It was so great to visit with Grant and his family and meet his girlfriend (who I liked tremendously). Despite my raging tiredness, I had a great time.

We had dinner at a steakhouse called The Stockyard. It was fantastic, but don’t go there unless you’re willing to spend a minimum of $50/person. Seriously.

Nashville is about a 4.5 hour drive from Little Rock (depending on traffic) but when you drive to and from in 24 hours, it can be a little grueling, so I spent Sunday trying to recover. I did that by hanging out with YA Author Stacey Jay and her little munchkins Sunday morning, then watching soccer in the rain Sunday afternoon. I know all my British friends think that’s how football soccer is supposed to be played, but trust me, I’m not that girl. Not as a spectator anyway. Now when I was actually playing sports, I loved playing in the rain. But it’s not fun as a fan.

Even though this wasn’t a holiday weekend, it felt like it. But today I’m well rested and ready to take on the world.

Anything good, bad, or ugly happen to you this weekend? Wanna share?

PS: GOSSIP GIRL RETURNS TONIGHT! YIPPEEE.
Mel+Chuck Bass=2gether 4ever

whew!

Okay, so the website is launched and I am happy. Mega-thanks to Fishdog for working like mule to get it done. Hey guys, don’t forget you can download some fun wallpapers for your cellphones!

In case you missed it, yesterday over at Lucienne Diver’s blog, we had dueling vamps going with our two heroines. Today fellow Arkansas author Stacey Jay will be taking on the zombie side of vampires vs. zombies. (As if there really is a competition. I mean zombies are gross. And rotting. How could zombie-breath be even remotely sexy?) Stop by and check things out today.

This is the last week of school for #2 son and then we’re onto our summer schedule. And by summer schedule I mean sleeping late, going to Wild River Country every day and movies every weekend. When we’re not at the lake. Tough life for a kid, huh?

Anything going on this week that I need to know about? Anything fun or exciting?

what I want for Mother’s Day

Justin Timberlake

What I’m actually doing for Mother’s Day?

Taking the boys to the IMAX showing of Star Trek this morning then hanging out with my friend Stacey Jay this afternoon.

Life doesn’t suck, but I’m still holding out hope JT will knock on my door soon and make life suck even less.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you awesome moms out there. I have the best kids in the world. I know you think you do too, but you’re wrong. I do.

TGIF

So it’s Friday. And yes, I know I have no right to be happy about it since I just returned from Sungoddessville, but I don’t care. I’m happy.

Oh and it’s also May Day. Have fun wrapping up those May Poles today… (hmmm, I’m gonna let the safe sex euphemism go I think. Yep. This is me, letting it go.)

This will be a busy weekend. Tonight I have a soccer game to attend as well as a meeting with the lovely and talented Stacey Jay over a workshop we’re doing for our local writing group. (have you picked up her book yet? YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME is such a great read. Go forth and buy it now. And while you’re there, pre-order BITE ME! <–shameless plug. Sue me. It's my blog!) Then tomorrow morning, I'm headed to Oxford (hey peeps! I'll be there 1 day and 1 day only! I'm up for lunch if you wanna holla!) I have a meeting with a Realtor at 2:00, we're going to put the HOUSE THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY back on the market. I know it will sell this time, but damn, I don't ever wanna go through this again. After that I'm meeting up with multi-pubbed hottie author ACE ATKINS who has been pimping me like the high class hooker I am to all the booksellers he knows. And he has some stuff to discuss with me. Which means I’ll buy him a beer and soak up whatever he has to offer. Then at 5:00 or so I’m having food and beverages with my friend Andrea who I’ve missed like a major organ. Then it’s a night on the square…or not. We’ll see.

Sunday, I drive home. Rest. And start over again on Monday.

Y’all got any big plans?

For today’s video, I Cure you…