Funny. REALLY funny.

I am sitting here with Race, watching football.

But that's not the funny part.

The kids are all 3 at youth group this afternoon doing Rake'nRun. Where they go and rake the yards of some of the folks at the church for them. That's fun. But not funny.

Remember when I unashamedly told you about that little impromptu, and HIGHLY unusual, Girls Night a few weeks ago? It's always nice to hear the same event from another perspective, don't you think?

So I will risk more utter humiliation and judgement(and of course, the utter disdain of my stalker- commenter ,the "Observer" who makes it a rule to despise all things even remotely happy). But with that said, I refer you to my Sisters Blog. My sister. Whom it should be noted has the soul and rhythm of a young Aretha Franklin. She always has.

But in my defense, I feel that I need to stress that it's the hair moves that really do MAKE my dancing. It gives a sort of mesmerizing effect. Think-Julianne Hough, on dancing With The Stars.

Yeah....it's a lot like that. yep.

"You're Welcome", for the laugh.

Cheers!

Melissa

Grocery day

I always go to the same grocery store. It's close, it's supposed to be cheap, and typically I can find whatever I need. Everyone knows me there. I live out in the country so going somewhere that people actually know my family and carry on a conversation with me is just as important as being able to find organic canned tomatoes, ya know? It's where I hang.

But today....I went to Wal Mart.

Race and I used to HAVE to shop at Wal mart. During the...shall we say..the lean years(to be kind)? I was so happy when my grocery shopping could branch out a little bit. I could then peruse specialty and gourmet sections, and see foods from European countries. And my produce no longer all came from Argentina. And why is it that Wal Mart is so full of booger pickers?? You know what I'm talking about. You've seen it. ANd since when did the door "greeter" become a bitter, angry(ANGRY!), middle aged woman?

But today I went to Wal mart. And I saved money. Like....a considerable amount of money. Like a manicure's worth of money. Or an expensive shampoo's worth of money. This could be serious.

Whatever you spend the $$ on....dough is dough.

So...Welcome to Wal Mart, shoppers!

Have you started doing anything differently to save money recently?

Cheers!
Melissa

A Little Weekend Round up

It was good.

Race and the boys went camping with the Boy Scouts. It's an awesome thing to behold, these Boy Scout trips. The gear, the meticulous packing, the FOOD, the gear........the way that they can cram EVERYTHING they need into neat little bundles, while simulataneously leaving our household looking like Fred Sanford's front yard. Yes, it's quite a sight.

We have been incredibly blessed by this particular Troop. The Scoutmaster is the kind of man that you really WANT teaching your boys to become good leaders. He has an amazing amount of patience. He can fix or build anything, and he takes the time to share that knowledge in teaching these boys. He, along with the other dads that we've had the pleasure to get to know, are men of character. They know about hard work and responsibility, and we have just been so blessed to be a part of it all.

Savannah and I had a good weekend hanging out and watching movies, playing on the computer and organizing photos and things. It rained all weekend so we stayed in, made good things to eat and watched movies. We watched the old version of Little Women and the newer version of Pride and Predjudice, (even though we all know that the BBC version is the only REAL P&P). We watched some other stuff too, but these were by far the best. It was fun and relaxing and we needed it.

Savannah and I went to church this morning and then stopped by Starbucks on the way home for a latte.

The boys got home, emptied the car, emptied their packs and hit the bed exhausted. The only things that I have been able to ascertain about their weekend was that there was a killer Capture the Flag game and it was a long drive. Race is currently collapsed on the sofa watching football, Jackson is sound asleep, and Austin and Savannah have left for youth group.

It was the kind of weekend that left me thankful for God's grace. I have so many wonderful people in my life. It humbles me and makes me want to be better than I am.

Cheers!
Melissa

Peace and Quiet is tough to come by.

Race and I have been fighting for time together recently. These KIDS. These teens and tweens are like vultures. They're ALWAYS HERE. I mentioned before that we are taking a short hiatus from most of their activities, to sort of unwid a bit. But I think we have to start things back up sooner than planned.
They have begun to catch on to the fact that we enjoy being alone occasionally, so they try to swarm around us annoyingly, hoping that we will give in and send them off to do something that we had previously ruled against them doing.
We only allow X Box playing Saturday through Sunday after chores. TV is only after dinner and clean-up.

Stupid rules.

Anyway, we've gotten desperate for a little peace and quiet together, so we've begun to do the unthinkable.

We're RUNNING together.
Regularly.

Now normally, you couldn't make me run with ANYONE. Not even Jack Bauer.
Well, O.k., yeah, Jack Bauer. But as a general rule I HATE running.

Now, recently a few things have caused significant changes to this rule:

1. The aforementioned desperate need to spend a little one on one time with the Ultimate Alpha Male that *is* Race.

2. I'm gettin' close to 40 and let's just say.............. it ain't all stayin' where it used to stay. There seems to be....a SLIDING effect, if you will.

3. I would like to have a butt that is still recognizable as such.

and

4. I would like to be able to eat. (see #3)

So we are running together.

Here is where the vast and undeniable differences between Race and myself come though loud and clear.

I'm good with 2 miles. A two mile run is GREAT.
If 2 miles will enable me to accomplish #'s 3 and 4 on my list then I'm good with that. And my current pace is fine too. I see no need to go further or faster if #'s 3 and 4 are being accomplished.

But, not Race.

My lovely 2 mile run on the road has turned into a gruelling cross country race through the backwoods of this county. Up the steepest hills, down the deepest ravines, across creeks, over logs, through mud. The first day he suggested this I almost hurled just at the thought of it. Terrifying. And he times it.

Crazy thing is, I've come to actually look forward to it. When we first began this crazyness, I wouldn't whine simply because I couldn't spare the oxygen to do so. Now, I don't even think about whining. I kinda like it.

I run a little behind Race. And I'm not gonna lie to ya. I like the view. (And I find it hard to concentrate if someone could be looking at my butt while I run, so this is better. I have issues. See #3)

When we come to the big, freezing cold, creek, Race lets me hop on his back to get across. (Less because he cares about me getting wet, and more because he's the only one with Gore-Tex running shoes and he knows I'd never go the rest of the way with cold, wet, feet.)

And on a really good day, when the planets are all correctly alligned, and I'm well hydrated, and he's a little tired.... we will be running up the gigantic, killer hill that is our finish, and I'll find that extra push and go neck-in-neck with Race to the finish.

And then it happens.

My very toughest audience in the world will hit me on the butt and say, "You're a beast!" Which, in Race speak means, "Good job hon, I'm so proud of you."

And there are no noisy teens and tweens around to laugh hysterically or imitate me running up the hill over and over.

And that makes me want to give it a try again tomorrow.

Cheers!
Melissa

Melissa is............

I think that Facebook is ruining my life. And my blogging ability. And my self esteem.

I can only think in simple sentences and want to start every thought with "Melissa Is...."

I need to take a break.

I started my Facebook page because Austin had asked to start one. I agreed, but felt that I needed to be able to keep a check on what was going on. (i.e., invade his privacy.)

And then I started being "found". And I got drug into the whole, big, time suck.

It's like this unbelievably random set up with all these applications that I don't even understand.There's stuff all over the page. And don't even get me started on the whole "Add friends" business. Did you know that when you first get started it says," Melissa has no friends".

I'm serious! It really says that.

For Cryin' out LOUD, people! Is it helping ANYONE to see that on their computer screen??? "Melissa has no friends." Crap, man. That's harsh.

Anyway, I've been on Facebook "finding" old friends. Race thinks it's funny to watch me sweat it out on Facebook. He muttered, "Good grief, Melissa there was a REASON you quit keeping up with all those people!" BWAHAHAHA!!!

I find myself making these "friend requests". And then putting stupid stuff on my "Status" like: "Melissa is: making bread." Why would I even feel the need to even type that?? I mean seriously.........who the hell CARES??? But then that begs the question; "What ARE you supposed to put in that "Status" box?"

So I'm takin' a break from the old "Crackbook". I'm coming back over here before I find myself talking in the third person on a regular basis, ya know?

But feel free to add me as your "friend", ' kay?

Cheers!
Melissa

Girls Night

O.K., I have joked a lot on this blog about drinking. And as most of you know, I am rarely ever SERIOUS about anything I say here. (Well...I DID think pretty hard about getting slammed and calling the 1-888-DEMS............but I didn't do it.)

But what I am about to tell you really DID happen.


I was fortunate enough to get to attend an impromptu Girls Night last night.



I will refrain from mentioning the names of the attendants here, in order to protect their idenity. But they are regular readers, so if anyone wishes to out themselves.........ya know........feel free.



We met at my parents Beach House. And as I think back over the years, it's a damned good thing for a lot of us, that those walls can't talk. Can I get an "Amen", sistas?



The choice from the bar ....(The beachhouse kitchen) was the martini. The menu was light hor'd'oeuvres.



Now, here's where the details get a bit sketchy, but this is some of what I recall.



Dancing.



There was LOTS of dancing.

Dances were mocked.

Dances were created. (I have a particular fond memory of........um......someone... imitating how all of our Uncles dance. There was just something about that era. ALL those men do some sort of diluted, Chubby Checkers dance. BWAHAHA! You have Uncles.......you know they do that dance!)



My dancing was described as much more aerobic in nature and likened to watching "Friday Fitness". Ahem..............................What. Ever.

The point being the groove was gotten on, people.

At one point in the night there was a heated argument over the lyrics to an old Cher song. The words "Half Breed!" were yelled. A lot.



We laughed so hard that my stomach was actually SORE the next day!

It was such a fun time.
The rest of the stuff that I remember just wouldn't translate in my blog. But I am so thankful for such great friends.....and great spouses to let us grab a night away.Never underestimate the power of laughter.

We were gone from our respective homes less than 24 hours. But it was just absolutely GOLDEN!

Any takers for next year????

Cheers!
Melissa

PALIN in 2012 !!!

Cheers!

Melissa

I love my country

I voted today, at my tiny little precinct, which actually was busier than usual, but Race and I didn't wait in line or anything.
While I waited for Race, I spoke to a lady who was 65 years old and this the first time that she had ever voted. She held on to a Republican sample ballot. I saw this today and I'm hoping that this is not the civilian security force that Obama envisions.


Seriously????
Black Panther Intimidation at the polls?

NBPP: “We will be at the polls in the cities and counties in many states to ensure that the enemy does not sabotage the black vote, which was won through the blood of the martyrs of our people."

If you want the story it's here: michelle maulkin.

Election Day craziness.

Cheers!

Melissa

On the Appalachian Trail......

On Sunday, this is where I ate lunch: We hiked on the Appalachian trail all day. The colors on the trees were absolutely electrifying. The reds were and yellows were unbelievably vibrant.

Here is the rest of the crew as we started out on the trail:



Here are the kids, as we took a break for lunch. For some reason, Savannah and Jackso already have their shoes off. I swear they only wear shoes because we make them.


O.k, so there are a few pictures for you of our awesome weekend.
I know that some of you are concerned how I will get through election day tomorrow.I was worried until I heard a radio ad today stating that the democratic party would send someone to pick you up and take you to the polls if you call them.
My plan is simple:
I plan to go to the liquor store, and then come home and call 1-888-DEMS to come and pick me up and get me to the polls to vote.
Cheers!
Melissa

oh my gosh!

My sister Thomasina has come back to the blog world!! Go and check her out.
I'll be back later tonight to post some pictures of our weekend.

Cheers!
Melissa

A late Trick or Treat post

Y'all remember my youngest son, Jackson? Right?

And my lovely daughter, Savannah. You remeber her don't you? Isn't she beautiful?

This is them on Halloween.

Pretty scary, huh?

And...ummm...how good am *I* at make-up????

Lots to catch up on!

Cheers!

Melissa