1st Degree Brown Belt!

  

We are so proud...

Race and I are so proud of Austin tonight. He passed his test for advancement to Brown Belt. After an HOUR of boxing/fighting/kicking drills, he had to settle in for his physical fitness test. With everyone else watching, he had to complete 7o push-ups in 3 minutes. Not butt-in-the-air push-ups, but the kind that would make any Marine proud. He did it. And he made the first 60 look easy. Then he got a one minute break, and went to the bag. He had to complete 100 kicks, and 80 knees, and finish out the round with boxing,....in 3 minutes. His brother and sister were cheering him on as he began to tire. He did AWESOME! He is one tired, but happy kid.

We are so proud of his accomplishment! I just kept watching him and thinking, "Wow. You did this all by yourself.It's all you."

Race called to talk to him and congratulate him tonight at what would be around 3 AM on his time.

We love you Austin, and we are so proud of all your hard work and your great attitude. Your dediction never ceases to amaze us.

Good stuff.
G'night
Melissa

Farm Story-(gross, but true)

O.k, so, I grew up on a farm and all. I have realized that growing up this way, makes for an awful lot of interesting stories. Well, they're interesting to me.....and to my kids, at least. race doesn't care for this particular story, so much.

When I was but a wee sprite, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Not a small pooch/cat vet, but a large-animal farm veterinarian. I'd had my appetite wet by none other than James Herriott, and well.....I WAS on a farm.......it just progressed from there.

I jumped at any opportunity to learn more about medical and surgical procedures involving animals. Dad, at the time had the largest and most state-of-the-art hog facility in our state. Complete with a records office, a feed/grain room, a farrowing room, and weaning rooms. There was even a shoot to bathe the sows in when they came in from the outside to deliver their babies.

It was in this facility that I learned how to castrate pigs. Yep, that's right. My dad taught his oldest daughter how to castrate pigs. I can remember it all very plainly. And I enjoyed it. Not the actual TAKING of the pig nuts(sorry), but of my new-gained knowledge of the surgical procedure. It was great. I felt so grown-up....so useful. Just me and my dad, working together.....

One crisp day, however will NOT be forgotten. There I was, at my post with my surgical blade in hand, waiting for the nexr pig to be deposited within my reach, when our neighbor from up the road showed up. He and my dad exchanged the usual plesantries, and then something strange occured. Our neighbor, our NEAREST neighbor...our neighbor who liked to dress in shiny,open-front shirts and gold chains...... produced a plastic bag from his coat pocket...and as I looked on in bewilderment,he fished about in the large bucket of discarded pig nuts, and removed several dozen and placed them in his bag. He thanked my dad, and went on his way.

We went back to castrating, and after a few minutes I asked my dad in a puzzled voice, "What is he gonna do with those, dad??" Dad chuckled kinda low and said "Weeellllll.........he's gonna eat em'.Call's em' mountain oysters..Jus' fries em' up(chuckle, chuckle) Damn, crazy, (mumble,mumble).

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was changed. And THAT was sick. From then on, when it would snow, and I would go with dad to deliver hot-buttered rum to the neighbors......I NEVER went into his house.Never.

Well, as you know, the whole vet thing never worked out. For one thing it all back-fired in highschool. My best friend J used to tell about my castrating experiences as a party joke, which she found hysterical. (In case you're interested, this WILL NOT help you get a date). And at some point(probably the point at which the amount of schooling required to BE a vet was learned) shopping, make-up and clothes moved front and center of my little world...........and I went to college and majored in fashion-marketing.

Mountain Oysters...... .....Ain't no way.
G'night,
melissa

Thanksgiving recap

We had another amazing Thanksgiving! Thanks to Mom and Dad. Em said it on her blog, and I would just repeat that they are an amazing team. You can't really help in the kitchen, because you'd be in the way. They have worked together for so long,(both commercially and domestically) that they don't even need to speak...they just "know" what each other is doing and what needs to be done. And I don't know if you've ever hosted 20 people+ for Thanksgiving dinner......... Anyway, they never cease to amaze me. What a team. And the dessert table DID NOT dissapoint! The entire buffet table was COVERED with pumpkin,blueberry-cream,sweet-potato,pecan, and coconut-cream pies, as well as Savannah's pumpkin cheesecake, and Thomasina's spice cake and scones.
The Dude asked the blessing this year, and it was one of the most heartfelt that I have ever heard. He asked a special blessing for Race, and it just meant so much to the kids and I. It really did.
It was great to see everyone. My Aunt D. was looking GREAT since her retirement,(keep up the good work!) and I got to tell to Aunt J. that my flower garden was chock-full of beautiful transplants from her amazing garden, and that I would TRY to send her a picture in the spring when things are in full bloom.y
As always, it was all wonderful.
The pictures are being held captive by theprofessional photographer of the family, and hopefully they will be up soon. I happen to know for a fact that she got back home today........and seeing as how she is also holding my turkey-leftovers as well......I will be seeing her very soon!!
Today was a day of sitting at the dentist office...for a...LONG...time. But I am thankful for the great dentist that we have..(and thankful that today's visit is over). While we were out, we went by Old Navy and got some pants for our ever-growing 15 yr old. What size??? 32x34!! A 31x34 would be perfect, but ya just can't get that there. And yes.....I look up to him.
Oh-and BTW. Just to prove that I TOTALLY know what I am talking about on most girly-girl make-up issues.......Em(Miss I hate all make-up-and-can't-be-bothered-with-learning-to-apply-it), bought the Bare Minerals..........and she LOVES IT!!!! (sigh)....I rest my case.

G'night,
Melissa

Silver Lining

Well, it seems every cloud DOES have a silver lining. We may get to see Race before the holidays are over after all! (Excited squeal!)

Tomorrow will be filled with schooling and baking. The kids and I are bringing several pecan pies and a pumpkin cheesecake to Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. I am going to "try" to make whole wheat rolls as well.

I hope that Thom brings her camera, because Thanksgiving at mom and dads is always an event. There are always about 20 people there. Some friends, some family, and occasionally, someone we've never even met till RIGHT THEN. They seat everyone the best that they can, and we always bring in extra tables and chairs. There is almost ALWAYS some sort of fresh venison or wild turkey offered up among farm raised birds (yes, it takes more than one to feed everyone!). Everyone brings a little something to add to the feast. Em, Thom and I always bring desserts. I always love looking at the dessert table, just absolutely BURDENED down with things to try. I can hardly wait, and the kids are just overflowing with excitement! Mam-maw and Pap-paw just ooze the meaning of southern hospitality, and they truly believe, "the more the merrier".

This year the thing that sticks out most in my mind ,in regard to thankfulness, is that I am thankful to God for allowing me to experience the unbelievable love that I have for Race. Seriously, THE EXPERIENCE of those feelings for another human being is just such a blessing. I know that in some small, almost unrecognizable way, it represents the way that Christ loves me.
Being apart from Race really punctuates that for me, and being a truly selfish person by nature, I am overwhelmed that God would allow me such feelings for another person on this planet.

We love you Race! We miss you! Be careful!
G'night,
melissa

Church was awesome today. I came in dragging, and feeling really down, and I left feeling grateful and blessed.
The inlaws (F&A) took us to lunch today. Jack has really been enjoying spending some quality time with someone else besides me. He has enjoyed having them visit so much.
After church, Austin and Savannah changed into their work-duds, and went with the youth group to rake leaves for the rest of the day. There were 2 families who were really in need this year,(one woman recently lost her husband in the past few weeks) and I thought that this was such a nice and practical way of doing something for them. The kids all had a good time and felt good about helping out.

Also this weekend, the boys participated in a Kick-a-thon for charity. They took pledges, per kick, and did as many kicks as they could in 3 minutes.Jack did 198, and Austin did 230. Together they raised about $300. for a really good cause.

After purchasing a new adapter card, my wireless network is now complete. YAY!

I have a long week ahead. We will be schooling until Thursday, and then it's off to my mom and dads. The approaching holidays are making me feel really run down and weepy, because it's hard to stop thinking about just how much we are going to be missing Race for the rest of the year.

I know that a lot of military wives are in the same boat, and probably they have been away from their husbands even longer. But somehow, that doesn't make my situation any easier to bear at the moment. I'm sure that I'll eventually gain a fresh perspective.

G'night,
Melissa

The first time that I was ever in London, was with my sister, and my best friend J. I remember joking around and using the word "bloody". You know, in my fake British accent, (which I am sure is just as annoying as when a Brit or a yankee (sorry,product of my upbringing) tries to do a southern accent..but, you know..whatever). The 3 of us were dragging our wheeled suitcases from the Tube, when I said something like, "It's a bloody, long walk to the stop-over,eh?" My friend J,(who was our researched expert on all-things-British for this trip), quickly leaned over and in a hushed tone said, "Don't say the word 'bloody', it's like the F-word, over here". I shrank back, shocked. Really? How awful? the F-word? I don't say the F-word. What would my mother say?

I knew not to use the word"fanny", or "napkin" in the context that I was used to, but...now THIS? I made a mental note not to use the word "bloody" again while I was there.

Later on the trip, it dawned on me. I remember thinking, "Heyyyyyyyy.....waaaaaaaaaaait.....a.. minute. The F-word is bad, BECAUSE it's the F-word! She doesn't know what in the bloody hell she's talkin' about.

Ahhhhhhh......London. I miss it.......I do.

In need of strong Retail Therapy

(Thanks to Bridget's mom for the "retail therapy" thought. So, just shoot me. OR, just put a bullet through this computer instead. As a matter of fact, I am surprised that I haven't done that myself yet. I am now the proud owner of a working DSL modem, a working wireless router, and a laptop that can't connect to it. Grrrrrrr..... I am thinking that it is my wireless PC card, but the diagnostic says it's working properly. I know that the problem is with the laptop, because my in-laws arrived today, and Race's mom has a lovely new laptop, and within seconds, we had it logged on. So frustrating.

*Oh, and thanks to The Dude for talking me through some of my computer issues this morning!*

Anyway. I am feeling the need to buy some stuff.(sigh)

I've been trying to help Race's mom get to know her new computer, and learn about the WWWeb.

I have talked to Race today, and have already had 2 people ask if he was involved in any of the stuff going on in the news today. Blech.

Oh, well. That's about it today. We are happy to be able to spend a little time with Race's mom, and Frank. Unfortunately, they won't be able to spend Thanksgiving with us, as they have more family to visit farther south.

Have a great weekend!
Melissa

I got nothin?

Wow. Lot's of people read my last post, but NO ONE commented. I began to get the distinct impression that maybe it didn't come across correctly.....that maybe everyone was sadly shaking their heads and saying,"Tsk,tsk....that poor girl.. she's so blind..). So I went back and re-read it. The only thing that I could clarify is where I said Race was "whooping it up with his team in his few off-hours". I meant when he is away. When he is gone, there isn't much "off-time" for him, so it isn't very often that the have the chance to kick back. And well....that's about it.
(Shrug) Just our warped sense of humor, I guess.

(Sheepishly)Moving on...

Today just plain stunk. There was trash. And lots of it. And it was wet.The
The Scalded Dog has a hole in the gas tank. And while I've HEARD that you can plug it with a washer and a nut..... and well...I'm just not going to go there. I'm just not. That was the begining of my day. And it sort of went downhill from there.

At one point today, I was putting the cover back on Race's jeep, after cleaning all the leaves, water, and goop from off of the tarp that had covered it,(actually the rain had weighted down the tarp, and the jeep had a lovely swimming area in the back where the seat should be). I heard myself telling the boys, "You see boys, this is a perfect example of why you should take care of your things and not leave things half-done. Because I'll tell you--you're not going to find a wife like your father did to do it for you. I don't want you boys to get the wrong impression." (Heh-heh, Not one of my better parenting moments).
I won't rehash the rest of the day here, so you can all thank me later. LOL

But there were bright points. I am now the proud owner of DSL service. YAY! It took forever to download and install, but, it's on!! WOO-HOO!
Also, we went to Boy Scouts tonight, and I got to talk with some of the other moms and dads.(Adult communication! Yeeessssssssssss!)
I talked to both sisters,my mom and Race today. So, all in all, that's probably what kept me from curling up into the fetal position and crying in the corner today! And I am really thankful for friends and family who unknowingly talk me down off that ledge, just by being there.
O.k. lastly. The absolute FUNNIEST thing that I heard today (no joke): A husband had a vasectomy, and the doctor needs to check the semen for a few months after the procedure. The dutiful wife, (who wants to be SURE that the procedure was successful), takes specimin into the crowded eurology lab. She walks through the crowded room with the contents stashed in her handbag. She hands the cup to the nurse behind the desk, very discreetly. The nurse yanks it from her hand, holds it up to the light, and yells, "What's THIS?" Barely audible, the wife says.."I-It's from my husband." "WHAT?-What did you say??!" "It's from my husband....it's his specimin". The nurse is still holding the cup up to the light and rolling it around. She yells, "Well, what KIND of specimin is IT?" At this point the woman has been embarassed and frustrated beyond belief, and she snaps back, "Isn't this a eurology lab?! How many different kinds of specimins do you get each day?! It's a jar of MAN RELISH! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK IT IS??" On her way out the door, the nurse says, "Well, I just hope it ain't more than 2 hours old." The wife has decided not to go back.
Isn't that hilarious? Man relish? BWAHAHAHA!!!!

g'night!
Melissa

Johnny Bad Ass Email

O.K. So you guys know that Race is away for most of the year, right? Well, while Mr. Johnny Bad Ass is off to all parts of the world unknown to me, and is whoopin' it up with his team on his few off hours.....A wife's gotta get creative.
A very good navy seal friend of ours gave me some good advice, one time when I was lamenting to him about Race's position, and how difficult it is for me to understand. He said, " Well, Melissa, it's your job to make him forget all that as quickly as possible." Good advice.Now, all that's pretty easy to do when he comes home, it's more difficult while he's away. While Race is gone,I send all sorts of crazy emails to him, to make him smile, and to show him how much I love him.
While most of them are unfit to put here, I thought that THIS one was pretty funny:




Once upon a time there was a princess named Melissa. Her extravagant beauty was known throughout all the kingdoms.
One day she met a strong, brave and handsome knight. His name was Sir Race. He was instantly mesmerized by Princess Melissa's charm,wit and beauty. She made all the wenches in the other kingdoms seem ugly and dumb in comparison. He must have her hand in marriage.
Now, the princess knew that being the wife of a brave knight would be a very different life than what she was used to at her father's castle. But she had fallen deeply in love, and knew that her life would never be complete without him. The princess' head could not be turned by all of the many other suitors who tried to woo her.
As time went on, the brave knight traveled the world and had many exciting adventures. He fought evil everywhere he went.
Meanwhile, the princess dutifully stayed home and raised their 3 beautiful children and cared for their vast castle and grounds all by herself. The poor princess spent many lonely nights at home. She worried about her brave knight, and she prayed for him every day. She worried that he would be injured in a duel. She worried that he and the other knights might partake of too much ale. She worried that he would not be able to resist the many wenches who would be throwing themselves at his feet.
But deep in her heart she knew that he would always be faithful. And the brave knight knew, that should he ever find pleasure in any wench, the princess would release the dragons who would hunt him down and pick the flesh from his bones.
So, the princess dedicated herself to his happiness, wether near or far. She used her wit and charm to amuse him, and she set out to make herself even more beautiful for him.(GASP!)
The brave knight loved her, and he longed to give her all that her heart desired.
Princess Melissa and Sir Race went on to share many adventures together, and their love was known throughout all the kingdoms.They grew old together, and would sit at the castle and watch their many grandchildren play in the vast gardens.
And they lived happily ever after.



At the end,I sent a picture. I used a little twist from Laney's take on "The End", for those that remember that post! He thought it was funny!

G'night!
Melissa

Mindless Make-up Drivel

O.K. so I tried to start some sort of meaningful dialogue about make-up. Perhaps the word "meaningful" is a little strong.
Now, Kathy Jo was kind enough to reply to my excited post asking if anyone was using Bare Escentuals make-up, by saying "I do. Sometimes. When I actually bother with make-up. :) But I do have some. It's upstairs. In a drawer somewhere. :D "

Well, thank-you Kathy Jo.And while this was not quite the exhilerating endorsement that I was looking for, I DO appreciate it. LOL!

No matter. I am a make-up kind of gal.I have always loved it. As a teen I would scour the magazines and try to copy EXACTLY what I saw there. I would spend my hard earned money on make-up and nail polish. And I subjected my younger sisters to thousands of "make-over's". (They finally began to refused after a few minor, hickey-looking burns caused by the slip of a curling iron).
The best job I ever had was behind the make-up counter of a major dept. store.
And then later I got hired at a private boutique, where I did minor facials and make-overs. (That was not as fun, though, because you had to get used to touching a stranger's "problem skin", which sometimes grossed me out).

I am of the variety that rarely allows the CAT to see me without make-up. I see it as sort of a service to others. Not quite a ministry mind you....but a service all the same.
My goal in applying make-up, is to look like I am not wearing any. To create an astonishing, youthful glow, with beautiful long lashes, and presently bare-looking, glossy lips. (snort!TMI, I know)

Thanks to my mom, enter: www.bareescentuals.com I had severe doubts about a powder-like substance being able to do what I like. I bought mine from www.sephora.com , but the website tells all about it. I LOVE this stuff. It isn't like anything I've ever tried. It really looks beautiful on your skin. It covers imperfections..(you know..if you have any), and it is supposedly GOOD for your skin.
Jess asked if it was expensive. Not really, if you consider how long it lasts. You really use just a small bit.
So. There you have it. My bit of advice to the sister-hood, regarding make-up. You can all thank me later. (snicker)
G'night!
Melissa

thoughts of courtship...

Last night the kids and I were all discussing boyfriends and girlfriends. We started with Austin. We all decided that he liked L. She is a smart, sweet, pretty athletic girl who goes to our church. There are only a few girls at the church that are his age. His response?

"Who's L?"
(sigh)

So then it was Savannah's turn. Our shy,overlooked middle-child.
Me: "SO, Savannah....what about you? Who do YOU like?"
Savannah:"Do movie Stars count?"
Me(curious, now): "Sure"
Savannah(with rapid speed):"Orlando Bloom,Johnny Depp,Gerard Butler, and Antonio Banderas".
Me: *blink* blink*
Me again: "What about T? (a boy from church).
Savannah(with great disbelief at my ignorant suggestion): OH MOM! He's really, really nice...but he's SHORTER than me!!!!

I think that the girl will do just fine.

On to Jack.
Me: "What about you, squirt?"
Jack: "I'll let you know after we're married".

WE MISS YOU RACE!!!!

 

Ballet class

Well, I can tell you one thing. If I ever get that reality TV show off the ground, I am DEFINITELY adding adult ballet classes to my list of resources for side-splitting humor! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Incidently, I am increasingly aware that my life-long dream of a career as a professional ballet dancer....may be slipping away from me. Yes. Yes, I may have to let that dream die.



NO ONE is using Bare Essentials make-up? Well, you heard it here first. IT.IS.AMAZING! Run-go-RUN To get some.

Race, we love you and we miss you. Stay safe!
G'night!
Melissa

The last few days have been about "powering through". Seriously. You know the ones...where you just put your head into the wind and slowly push forward. You know that the storms can't go on forever, and they don't. And let's face it. It's nothin' that about a pound of fudge and a bottle of tequila wouldn't cure....but alas..I am solo-parenting at the moment. And everyone knows that about 1/2 way through that bottle SOMEONE would wake-up and require an ER trip, and there I'd be...the drunk mom in the ER, trying to explain to the nurse, how I'm really not a drinker....it's just been a bad day.....and my old man is over-seas.... Well, you get the picture. ;-) So....I comforted myself by buying a new pair of smashing boots. Yes, that did it. I do feel better. (And just so you know, if Race were home, he would have handed me the bottle, and hid the check card! LOL)

On the school front, Jack beleives himself to be another Archimedes, after learning his latest math skill in about 5 minutes. Math really does come very easy to him, and today I realized that I have been holding him back. I'm going to go ahead and start pushing forward until we hit a sticking point. Savannah, today had to learn outlining and notecards. She catches on so quickly to everything related to writing. It truly is her passion. Austin and I worked more Algebra problems than I care to recall! He was having some difficulty, and was skipping through some of the steps. So we sat with dualling white boards and raced each other on the problems. (Ahem, He only beat me on the fraction ones..) Anyway, we got through them, and now he understands it.

I went to vote at lunch time. Our little precinct is so funny. No waiting.....EVER. You walk up to the 1 table,and the lady greets you,( "Hi Melissa! How are y'all doing? How are the kids?") Then, really official-like, she says, "Please state your full name and address". Then, person #2 hands you a little ticket that says "voter". You then walk AROUND the table and person #3 TAKES your voter ticket, and yells "BOOTH#1!!" (There are only 2 booths). It is so funny. I always have this strong urge to just run through to the back door with my little "Voter" tag, and just see what they would do. But...I never do. I go to my little toch screen, and then say g'bye to everyone, and head out.....you've got to go through the BACK door.

I got to talk to Race today. It was wonderful and worrisome all at the same time. It ain't easy being the wife of Johnny Bad Ass!

BTW, I have decided not to go brunette yet. I figured after the whole H**ters Heist, that showing up at the airport as a brunette, might be pushing it a little! So, I am thinking maybe January.

Jess, you and that photoshop!! Too funny girl.I would be dangerous with that sort of knowledge!
And, did y'all hear that Dy has floors!!!! REAL floors!!! There'll be no livin' with her after this! LOL!!!

Oh- and a topic for another time: Bare Essentials make-up. My mom introduced me to it. Anyone else using this?

g'night!
melissa

HALLOWEEN!

First fo all: Happy Birthday Austin! Austin was our Halloween baby, so we were celebrating his birthday along with a little trick-or-treating!

We had our best Halloween experience ever.

We had gone up to mom and dads house. We let Austin open his gifts late that afternoon. He was thrilled with his Ipod nano, his running shoes from his dad, his authentic Red Sox jacket from mam-ma and pap-pa, a cool baseball board game from Aunt Em and Uncle Todd, and an Itunes gift card from Aunt Thomasina.He had a really Happy Birthday!

Savannah and Jack got dressed in their costumes and we grabbed Austin's birthday cake and headed over to Em's place. This was SO awesome!! We were greeted by a very tiny Robin (as in, Batman and__)at the door.Once inside, there was a small Jedi seated at the table, telling us all "hello". Em had a huge pot of delicious chili cooked up, complete with cornbread on the side. She had hot mulled cider, (with rum on the side, for spiking). I think that this was the first time that the whole family (minus Race) was at Em's all at the same time. They have such a warm and inviting home, and we enjoyed their hospitality so much. We ate, drank, and visited.

Then it was on to the Trick-or Treating. This was the best time we have ever had Trick-or Treating. The huge, old houses, the groups of costumed children, walking by the historical monuments all lit up, and the dark grave yards. It was like a Norman Rockwell Halloween. The kids all did beautifully, except for Jack, who was alomst walked away with a group of strangers.....twice, and almost ran out into oncoming traffic, just as we were about to head home.(A heart-felt thanks to The Dude for saving him all 3 times) The child works himself up into an excited, sugar-induced drunkenness, and doesn't seem to be able to help himself. (sigh)

It was a wonderful night for all, and the kids made a record hall of candy goodness.

I am still at mom and dads, but when I get home, I'll be sure to post pictures. We had such a wonderful time!!

G'night,
Melissa