About Race......

We are still waiting.

The Christmas tree is still up.There are still unopened presents. The lights are still on the house. We're still waiting for Race to come home for Christmas. I really feel like writing about him so I thought I'd tell you a little bit about what makes him so special to us. To me.

Race is the kind of guy that EVERYONE wants on their team. It's true. Since he was a kid, he's always been a team player. That means that he IS NOT a glory hound, or a Rambo. He always puts the good of the team above his own personal goals. He has no problem being just "one of the team". HE doesn't want to win....he wants EVERYONE ON HIS TEAM to win.

He knows how to submit to authority. But he also knows how to be a leader. I've watched him over the years learn to step from one role to the other in a way that leaves me speechless.

Being such a team player is a wonderful quality in a husband, because he is always seeking to make it BETTER for us. For the kids. For me. He wants each of us to be able to reach our full potential. He is always encouraging me in all of my hair-brained schemes. He ALWAYS motivates me to reach for more. To do more than I thought personnaly possible. He believes that in each of us......his team......nothing is impossible.

We have been married for 17 years. In all those years he has NEVER raised his voice to me or to the kids in anger. Never. How's that for a record? Wish mine was that good.

My dad taught me how to shoot. Race taught me how to shoot REALLY well.

He respects me and knows that I can take care of myself while he is away. He knows that I am strong and he APPRECIATES it. He knows that I'll look after things while he is gone. He knows that our long term goals never change.

He taught our kids how to shoot and hunt. He has always made sure that they were confident in their own self defense skills.He taught the kids how to navigate both with map and compass as well as with a gps. He taught them survival training.And most importantly he taught them all of these things within the context of enjoying the great outdoors. And today there's nothing that our three kids would rather do.


Race is a man of prayer. He places his life before God and in so doing, he makes the way secure and safe for us. As a wife, it is easy to follow that lead. He MUST believe in what he is doing..........or he will walk away.

He is no respector of persons. No matter who you are he will treat you with respect and kindness. However, if it is your intent to do harm, he WILL see it as his duty to stop you.

He ALWAYS tells me that he loves me.He will call me in the middle of the night from God-knows-where and say, "I just wanted to tell you that I love you, before you fall asleep." He ALWAYS tells the kids the same.

He is always ready with a hug. Yep, that's right. He is the openly affectionate one in our home.
He still gives and gets daily hugs to our kids when he is home......even from Austin(16) whom he will discover is a good 2 inches taller than he is when he gets back. ;-)

He never gives up. Ever. And in his mind, nothing is impossible. Not for us, not for anyone. He never sees defeat.....only victory by a different route.

He has made friends all over the world. Friends who keep in touch. Friends whom, though I've never met many of them, would come to my aid with no more than a phone call.


What makes a man,.... at the sound of gunfire or peril or horrific danger,.... grab his weapon and head TOWARD that sound?

I don't know. I'll never know.

I don't think that it's something most people do. And rightfully so.

But it's IN him. That IS his first reaction. It's always been there. It will always be his first instinct.

He is all this wrapped up into one amazing package.

I am one lucky girl.
And he is my hero.

Hurry home Race!

The thing that I thought would never happen.....

You know you just never know WHAT you're gonna find here, folks. I swing from the very sincere and then back to the very shallow like a pendulum.

O.K, remember I told you that the last time I got my hair done, I had her give me bangs? Now, in retrospect, this was probably not the best hair decision I've ever made. But then I saw the whole Bangs are THE style of the season thing, and I figured, ya know...I'd better work it. So that's what I was doing. I was workin' it. ANd the easiest way to wear med-short hair w/ bangs and not look like you're a 4 year old is a headband. Not those plasticy ones, but the ones that sort of look like a scarf tied around your head.

So that's how I was wearing it when the thing that I thought would never happen......the thing that I never even dared to DREAM would happen......HAPPENED.

O.k, O.K....so I run into the Vitamin Shoppe. I grab some multi-vitamins and a jug of protein powder. Some old guy pats me on the shoulder and says, "Good girl, you'll live a long life". But that's not the thing that happened. I finally find the stuff I need the maze of bottles and jars that IS The Vitamin Shoppe. I go up to pay for my stuff and the little freshman-looking guy says, "That is so good. All women should take whey protein, but none of them do." But that's not the thing that happened either.

Is this hard to follow?

It was right then that the charming and beautiful lady next to him said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Olivia-Newton John?"

Don't ask me how, but at that exact moment there was this lightening bolt from heaven and somewhere in the distance angels began to sing,just faintly, as a ray of light shone down on me. Only on me.
I struggle to process the words that have just been uttered.

Wide-eyed with mouth gaping in a huge, goofy, big-toothed grin, I throw my hand across my heart and a little too eagerly, exclaim loudly "NOOOO!!!!" Now, of course I immediately wanted to ask if she meant "Grease"- Olivia Newton John....or older Olivia Newton John. But I must have been a little too aggressive in my response, because she sort of wretched back a little. So I let it go...I know what she meant. I just stood there. Not moving. Just grinning.

So,after a little time had passed(or did stand still?), she kind of glanced at the door and said, "Well, you do. You look just like her". Her voice didn't have exactly the same complimentary ring to it as before. But, hey, who am I to say? My new best friend Janet, (from her name tag) can't ALWAYS be so perky and bubbly. Cut her some slack. Seriously.

I gathered my things and made my way out the door. I resisted the overwhelming urge to use my jazz hands and sache' across the parking lot to the suburban singing, "You're The One That I Want oo-oo-oo".

What more can this life hold for me?

Prayer

Remember when I told you that I was going to begin asking God, very specifically for more TIME with Race? Not just for me, but for all of us as a family.

Sunday was Communion Sunday. I love the way that our church delivers communion, because we file up to the front quietly, in large groups at a time and form a semi-circle and the pastor and deacons actually come around and serve the sacrament to you. This is very personal and a wonderful way to worship. When the pastor got to the kids and I he could see that Race was still not with us. He stopped, and brought myself and the kids around him and prayed for Race with us. Then he gave us the bread and the wine, asked that God would bless it, and us....and then moved on to the next family. There is something so powerful in that. Of course it's wonderful that someone would take the time to think about you, your loved ones, etc. But it's so much more than that. Huge weights were lifted from our shoulders in that prayer. We were reminded that God works ALL things for our good.

That was Sunday.

On Monday, I received some pretty devastating news from Race. News that would mean, because of scheduling, he would be away much, MUCH, longer than ANY of us ever anticipated. In the form of many more MONTHS.

It was a situation that was completely out of our hands. Race said that he was praying. But, he cautioned me that things didn't look very favorable.

I resisted the urge to fall into a billion pieces right then and there. I almost did. But I resisted.

I reluctantly told the kids all that I knew. They are the bravest people that I know and they make me strong.

We began to pray that God would bring him home. That we would have more time. And we also prayed,... (and here's the hard part), that we would trust God's goodness no matter WHAT the outcome. And you know what? We meant it. In our hearts we were prepared to carry on no matter what the outcome.It would be so sad for us, but we just weren't going to break down or throw tantrums or lament our "horrible" situation. We really meant that we were trusting God to do what is best for us....not what we think is best.

Today the schedule was cleared. It was even better than cleared. Even more than we had hoped for.

Some might say that this answer would have been the same even if we hadn't ever uttered the first prayer. And maybe it would have. But would we have experienced the same feeling? That sort of joy that feels like sunshine filling you up inside?

In this we gained more than just the answer we were longing for.

We were BLESSED.

We were in closer communion to God. We grew a little bit, as Christians. All because of prayer.

Our asking and His giving. So simple and yet such a mystery.

And once again we are humbled beyond belief in God's grace and blessings that are extended to us.

We are so thankful.
Thank's to all who have ever said a prayer for us.

G'night
Melissa

Please choose your own title for this.......

I keep forgetting to remind everyone to please!Vote for Miss Pinky There are only a few days left!! Clueless? Read Here and Here And now back to our regularly scheduled blog..

We got back into school full swing this week. You know........you really have to. I mean you can't let em' go too long, or the first thing ya know, they're dumber than coal buckets.
One of my charges actually tried to convince me of this very thing. When faced with an entire sheet of math problems, he gave an oscar winning performance portraying a young boy whose brain had been sucked from his body whie he slept. But, alas, with CALM encouragement (I'm coming off a holiday, remember) and a few hershey's chocolates, the old gray matter returned and before you knew it, we were happily plugging along.


The weather has been so nice here, that we've actually done quite a bit outside.

The boys TORE UP the batting cages yesterday.

Savannah has been working on a nature journal in the form of "The Diary of an Edwardian Lady". The entries that she's done so far are amazing.

The fort that Jack has been working on FOREVER, is finally taking shape. He has used up every bit of old scrap wood and vinyl we've had laying around the place. So...win-win. I'll get some pictures after the final touches have been applied.

There has been a LOT of music in the house lately. Everyone has ipods and ipod speakers and things to play ipods over OTHER speakers and there are drums and a keyboard and a kareoke machine. So...ya know....it's loud here. Really loud. But man, oh man do they dig their music. Oh- and speaking of music-here's a weird, twighlight zone moment for ya:
We were in a dollar store the other day and the kids had all dispersed to go their different ways. I was perusing the picture frames when one of my "Blast-from-the-past" songs came on the radio."Sweet!...it's Cameo's Word-up!" I immediately revert back to my highschool years and start singin' along. Not missin' a beat. "Yo pretty ladies around the world"..... I was singing to myself, really getting into it, when all of a sudden I turn the corner and run smack into Austin.

AND HE'S SINGING THE SONG!!!!

We were both staring at each other singing..."Wave your hands in the air like you don't care..glide by the people as they stop to look and stare".

And then simultaneously we blurt out, "How do YOU know that song!!???"

It was weird man. Really weird.

If I told him the story and me and my best friend, who-shall-remain-nameless-Janelle,rapping on a street corner at Beach Week....well... he's probably never look at me the same again. And it might severely hinder my ability to discipline him, which slips a little more with each inch that he towers over me.

Oh- and please don't tell my dad about that Beach Week thing. He never really could get used to the fact that his daughter, whom he had spent a bajillion dollars on in the form of private school, charm school, ballet class, and etiquett training, really wanted to be a rapper for awhile.

So, let's not bring up those painful memories, shall we?

G'night,
Melissa

P.S.-glad you're back Bridg, you've been missed

What works for me......

I wanted to note, for my own benefit what has worked for me, physically, in 2007. Maybe someone else might find something here for them too. I don't always get all this stuff done all the time, but I try never to skip work-outs or supplements.

What works for me:

Working out 3-4 times a week.
Ideally, 3 days of weights
2 days of treadmill and abs.

This year I learned that staying fit is not a complicated set of instructions. And I learned that setting aside 30-45 minutes a day isn't all that hard and that the pay-offs FOR ME and everyone around me are huge. Even if I don't stick to a set routine, just doing SOMETHING is so much better than skipping it altogether.

I don't count calories.

Lean protein...and lots of it.
Fresh, colorful veggies and
stuff like oatmeal and brown rice.

I still don't drink as much water as I should. But I don't drink ANY sodas, or sugary drinks. I have to remind myself to drink throughout the day because I'm just not usually that thirsty.

For supplements here's what I have figured out works the best for me:
1 multivitamin
1 acidophilous
3000 mg of fish oil
liquid B-complex
2 Dong Quai
1/8 tsp of progesterone cream once a day
Protein powder shakes after lifting.

Refined sugar and salt are my enemies.

I still have a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of red wine most nights.

These are the physical things that keep me balanced. It keeps away the mood swings, helps me sleep, and keeps me fit and happy.I am less irritable and more patient.

I save my food splurges for special times with my family and I find that I am able to enjoy those foods so much more than I ever did before.

Now mentally and spiritually there is a much bigger list, but I really wanted to get this down, so that I could look back on it. I am sure that this list will change over the years and I am pretty proud of myself for finding what works for me this year.And now...you know what it is too!



Oh yes I did post that picture!

Just when you think it's all gone to hell....

I got my hair done today. I felt like I wanted something a little different.I was confident. I told her to give me some good, strong bangs. Well, you know how it is with bangs...At first...you LOVE them...I mean LOVE them!! "My EYES!! Just look at my EYES!!! I should ALWAYS have bangs!".....then after awhile.. ..you're not so sure....."Hmmm..No one really said anything....It does look good...doesn't it? DOesn't it??.......then awhile later you're SURE it was a mistake. "Oh.My.Gosh! What was I thinking???I am an idiot. NO ONE has BANGS.I have screwed up. Royally."

(O.K. this actually may not be the way it plays out to anyone else but me....but for me...this is how it goes.)

But it was right about THEN that I I saw this: Hair Style of the Season: Bangs

YESSSSSSSssssssss!!!!! I have those! I have those!It's the new trend,don't cha know.

And THEN...(like that wasn't enough), as if dropped right from heaven itself I saw an article on AOL saying that drinking a glass of wine a day could actually help you get a flatter stomach!

Well, hot damn!!

This IS my night isn't it. I mean...HELLO... it was on AOL, people!!Flat Abs Diet




So, I guess I'm o.k for now.I will live to see another day. Major crisis averted. Life is good.
I think I'll go and get in an ab work-out and stare at my new bangs......oh, hell let's be British and call it "fringe". It sounds so much classier, doesn't it?

G'night,
Melissa

Reflections from the wife of Johnny Bad Ass....

It doesn't take much to send me into a downward spiral these days. I find myself fading fast when faced with what are actually small obstacles. I am really, REALLY tired of being without Race. I miss him so much. This is where it gets hard. I really can't give in right now. If anything, I need to bolster myself.

I am tired. But when he comes home, he will be exhausted in a way that I can't even imagine.

So, it is actually when he comes HOME that I really need strength, because that's where my job actually kicks into high gear.It's not the time for a mental break.

A man who spends 6 months out of every year blending into a strange and hostile environment can easily feel like a stranger in his own home. The place that he has been holding onto in that corner of his mind. The place that he has been longing to finally collaps into warm comfort can seem like another job if everyone is pulling him in different directions. Another set of missions to complete, with people to move and logistics to plan out. It can be too much.

So I am learning.
I am learning that the end of these long trips is really where I need strength. Where I need to learn to shove down my own wants and focus only on Race's. It's a time to really get close to God. To be able to see my husband as God sees him. It certainly doesn't come naturally. As soon as I see him, I want to BLAST him with all the things that have gone on around here while he's been gone....the gossip, the rewards, the fights, the achievments. For cryin' out loud, I've been storing EVERYTHING for the past 3 months!!! I want to make up for lost time. But as any good military wife will tell you......it just doesn't work that way. I mean...you can DO it that way.......but it doesn't WORK that way.

So I am trying to hang in there. To get STRONGER toward the end, not weaker. To anticipate just sort of soaking it all in and putting all of Race's needs first. Instead of selfishly looking forward to being some sort of crazy, bursting fountain.

You know, this probably doesn't translate very well at all. And it IS hard to explain. But those who have been there know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. So, if you pray, and if you think about it, keep me in your prayers. I still have a ways to go and I am seeing the signs of weariness. Thanks so much.

G'night,
Melissa

Happy New Year!!

I know it's time to look forward to the new year and all, but I have been having entirely too much fun looking back at the moment. Till Race gets home, I'm sort of stuck in 2007.

2008??? I just can't really wrap my brain around it yet.

So, Let's take a look BACK a ways, shall we? I have kind of a crummy scanner, so..bear with me.....It'll be worth it.

1971?? No, no. That's a bit too far. I know, I know....So cute, wasn't I?? No, really..stop. You're embarassing me.(Go ahead...enlarge it...I was adorable.)

Let's talk highschool. As I have mentioned before I was imprisoned during my entire highschool years at a very, very, VERY small Baptist institution. It was my GOAL in life to break outta there. I NEEDED to belong to the mysterious and wonderful world of (whispered) "Public High School". The parties! The social life! And best of all, not a coulotte-clad gal in sight! Ohhhh..it was so unfair. It was all out there and I was being kept from it against my will!

*Now, in retrospect I realize that it was these EXACT thoughts and well-voiced opinions that actually forced my parents to place their poor delusional daughter into the aforementioned small Baptist institution.*

Let's move on..

My best friend and I would spend hours on the phone lamenting our dismal social situation. How would we ever break through? HOW?? We needed an "In". Someone on the inside to get us onto the happenin' social scene.Someone to usher us into the life of partyin' that was supposed to BE the highschool experience.

Enter Jay.

Jay pumped gas at the station that I always stopped at to fill up my car. Remember when that was an actual JOB?? When someone ELSE put the gas into your car? Ahhhhhhh......those were the days, my friend.Thank-you women's rights movement once again. Anyway.

One day, I pulled my car in all lop-sided next to the pumps. I turned down the Bon Jovi BLASTIN' from my radio.

There was the usual small talk and he snickered at my ridiculous attempt to pull the car up to the pumps. I handed him cash that I had not earned to pay for the gas. I turned my radio back up and pulled away.

Jay was smitten.

Who can say what it was that attracted Jay to me on that first fateful day at the gas pumps?

Was it my hot car?

Or maybe the fact that my modeling career was about to really take off -just- ANY -day. The cover of "Seventeen" was just.......right......there. Apparently they decided to go with a more natural, freckled faced gal for the cover that year.I was, ya know....too mature for them.....too professional....they just....decided to go in a different direction. Yes, it still hurts. (But I still kinda like that outfit).


It was most likely the hair that drew him in at first. I had PERFECT 80's hair. It was very difficult to acheive, folks, and not to be taken lightly. The layers actually MET perfectly in the back. Ohhhh...I could work magic with a curling iron, my friends. People used to ask if they could just WATCH me fix my hair....Just WATCH. It was really something to behold. Mesmerizing. So, yeah...it was probably the hair.




I don't know what it was. But he liked me.

And I sorta liked him.(shrug)
Sorta.

He drove a white Camaro and wore a lot of stuff from Chess King.

But most important he went to the wonderful land of..(whisper it with me) "Public High School".

He called me to ask me out on our first date. After I accepted and hung up the phone, I nervously dialed my friend.

"We. Are. In!!" (Lot's of excited squealing and laughing after that.)

Of course the initial excitement was somewhat short-lived, because it was on that first date that I would discover that the wildly popular Jay, had the very unfortunate luck of smelling like salami. Always. Just a hint---but all the same, it was there. Very unfortunate.

Here we are before Homecoming. I had braces, therefore it was absolutely imperative that my teeth not show in a picture. This smirk is much more attractive, don't you think? Please note that my shadow matched my dress. Very important.(Since I said he smelled of salami, I eventually felt that I should have the decency to shield his face from public humiliation.10 of you got to see his face. Sorry, Jay)


It was on this very night that I would meet my next boyfriend who was in fact higher up the social/party chain. The Inner Circle.

Nothin' New For New Year For Me......

Anybody know that song? Well, that's my tune tonight.(Click on it in the sidebar to listen). I have no festive event to attend. No party to dress up for..(and if I did I'd deffinitely wearThis Dress. No one to toast champagne with. Just me. Sittin' my loser butt on the sofa eatin chips and salsa. It's a sad picture isn't it? So, you're stuck with me tonight.

Austin was invited to a New Years Eve party. (I know.....how wrong is THAT??) The other two are doing a movie marathon all-nighter.

So here I'll be.
Here are some of my "Best Of 2007" posts that I'd really like to remember:

First of all there was the whole Isr@el Trip. Remember that? All the cool photos? Me having to find my way around Jerus@lem because Race got called away unexpectedly?? (Actually Austin LED me around Jerus@lem) Thank goodness he doesn't share his mothers directional impairment. Anyway all that stuff isHere This was also the trip that the wonderful Race-Man brought back a new engagement ring for me. (swoon) I had been without one for 3 years.


Ooooo....and don't forget that 2007 was the year that I wentBrunette. Let's face it. I rocked that color. Hmmmmm....I kinda miss it.

The whole month of month of March this year was chocked full of camping, kids activities and more camping (sigh) Man, I miss that.

In April, we actually caught thesnake boy on film in action.

May saw the passing of Jerry Falwell

In June I must have had too much to drink when I posted myHighschool Graduation photo. And who can forget my rivetting farm story that had you all laughing so hard. I don't know how I do it.

The heat of July found me musing about the horrors to be found for a girl atLowes. (shudder)

In August there was SO much going on. Our basement was finished, football had started, oh-oh- and I got my hair cut into The Pob

September was all about Savannah getting on with riding. ANd then inOctober we had all the beach pictures and tons of family stuff going on with Race. Heavenly.

November had some of my absolute favoriteHiking pictures MAn, I LOVE looking at those!

Which brings us back to December. which is all still pretty fresh but I still love the story ofJackson stripping downnaked after the ballet, along with the telling of ourfirst Christmas.

So, there you have it. The Best of Complete Chaos 2007 in a nutshell. As I look back, it's been a great year, Although we've spent a great deal of time away from Race, we've also been able to do some pretty amazing things WITH him this year. And for all that, I wouldn't trade one second of any of the tough times that we've gone through. What an amazing journey.

I am truly blessed
Happy New Year!
Vote for Miss pinky

Melissa

As Promised...Words from Aunt D....

Aunt D kindly accepted my invitation to be a guest on my blog. Since you were already introduced in my last post, I'll hand the keyboard over to her. Take it away Aunt D.....


Thank you Melissa.
Rikki's Refuge in located in Orange County VA. They have over 500 cats and I want to win so I can buy at least $150.00 in food for there pets. They actually have lots of animals at Rikki's Refuge and here is just a few of them:
cats, dogs, sheep rabbits, geese, pigs, goats, chickens, guineas, Emus, etc.

They do not put Hiv Positive or Aid positive cats to sleep. They keep them all together in one large pen that has a house at the end of it for the cats to come in out of the cold. There are many pens there for the different cats. If any get sick they are taken to an inside house and put in individual cages are treated. When I went there, I fell in love with a HIV cat that was a calico and had no teeth and her tung hung out mostly on one side. She didn't look sick, but they brought her in are letting her live inside the house. They really need can food for the cats.
A lady I know goes every week to different food stores here to get there old vegetables they are throwing out to take to the pigs at Rikki's Refuge.

I want to thank everyone who is voting for Miss Pinky and if she makes it in the top 20 pics from her votes then she will have a chance of winning. I hope she does win so I can buy at least $150.00 of food for the animals.

If anyone is interested in making a donation to them, the address is as follows:
Rikki's Refuge
P.O. Box 1357
Orange, VA 22960

Melissa thank you so much for putting the website on your blog.

And thank you Aunt D, it was a pleasure having you. Isn't she great??There's no fakin' that my friends....No sir-ee, She's the real deal.And we really ARE related. I mean she is way, WAY nicer than me, of course. Cuz you know, all I'm sayin' is there ain't NO WAY I'd be bringing home an HIV cat with no teeth and it's tongue hangin' out. That's all I'm sayin'... She's nice and I very much wish that I had a photo to go with this post.

ANd don't forget to Vote For Miss Pinky 3 times a day.

And tomorrow......

"How Cats Get AIDS".....

O.K., that's a joke. I really have no idea. Multiple sex partners? Using dirty needles?Bad blood transfusion? O.K. enough. Just vote for the blasted fish, o.k?
Every vote counts

Thanks so much!
Melissa

Please Vote for Miss Pinky

How can I best describe my Aunt D?? Where are the words???

When I was little she was the only aunt I had that wore mini skirts and tall boots. She always comments on my hair or my outfit or something. She loved me as a brunette and at Thanksgiving,when she saw my hair was blonde again, she declared,"You don't look like Sophia Loren,NO MORE".

She used to have a lot of cats. In fact she's the only person that I know that had her brother actually BUILD her a "cat house".

She went through a big "native american" phase more than once. She could pull off wearing long braids and turqoise. And she did. She makes dream catchers and sells them.

For as long as I've known her she's been the independent sort, living in various apartments and such....but on her own.

She's always driven a little 2 wheel drive somthin'or other pick-up.

She has worked her whole life and has been everything from a waitress to a secretary and has sold everything from eye make-up to crystal vases. She settled into a job with the gov.'t and recently retired from there.

Now she paints t-shirts(with native american motiffs) and is a cat rescuer extrordinaire.

She also has fish.


Lots of fish.

One of her fish is in a contest. The contest is won through voting. And through her sheer persistence she has moved her fish,"Miss Pinky" up from 5,000,000,001st place to 26th place. If Miss pinky gets to #20 then she will be in the running to win $250. Holy cow, Miss Pinky's so close she can open her little gills and taste it. One look at Miss Pinky and you'll know she's no slacker. She's in it for the gold. And let's face it, you can buy a whole lot of cat and fish food for $250, folks.

So please,Vote For Miss Pinky (she's on the 7th row) Let's give her the chance she's been longing for. Her moment in the sun. Her time to shine. Do it for yourself. Do it for someone you love. DO it for your cat. DO it for your fish.....or for the fish you never had.

Aunt D, if you read this, I would like to invite you to be my guest blogger.

Stay tuned for words from Aunt D. She's one of the most non-judgemental people I know and she always does what she thinks is right. She's a Christian and the mother of 2. SHe always has a smile for everyone and is just alot of fun to talk to.I love ya Aunt D!

G'night!
and don't forget:

Vote For Miss Pinky (7th row) you can vote 3 times a day)

Celebrate

Catching up with family, seeing old friends, laughing so hard that you spit out your drink, eating more sinfully delicious food than you should, hugging laughing little kids and not caring if they smear stuff on your pants.....ahhhhhhhhhh......that's what it's about. That's how we've been celebrating and it's been like a breath of fresh air.
And tonight I got to go out to eat with my best friend. We've been best friends since the first grade and while I still yak her ear off on the phone most weeks, we just don't get together as much as we would like. But tonight we got to dress up and head downtown to one of our favorite resturants. It was an outstanding night.
And because of this night I feel obligated to share with you a bit of Melissa's Worldly Wisdom:(go get a pen) " Never underestimate the merits of dining out." There are very few things in life that cannot be made better by it. You heard it here first.....no thanks necessary. I live to serve.
Headed home tomorrow and feeling refreshed and ready to tackle bringing in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!!!

It isn't the same without Race here at home to celebrate Christmas with us, but it has still been a good day. I know that he wants us to keep everything the same while he is away. It is the privelege of being able to worship and celebrate that makes his job seem so much more important. The people where he is have neither of those priveleges.

On the Christmas Eve menu tonight was roast tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and carmelizes shallots. I made a wine reduction and we had a nice salad of mixed greens and mushrooms. It was delicious. Later, while they watched A Christmas Carol, the kids had hot mugs of cocoa topped with whipped cream and garnished with candy canes. Just before bedtime we read from the picture book "The First Christmas" by Carol Heyer. It is a wonderful telling of the First Christmas with lovely,thoughtful illustrations.

I didn't really feel lonely until I had to set out all Santa's gifts by myself. Then it hit me. But as I was sitting there thinking of Race and how far apart we are and how much we have always enjoyed this particular part of Christmas for ourselves, I remembered something. And I wanted to write it here so that I would never forget it.

Race and I had decided that we would exchange gifts together at a later time when we could just relax and just enjoy being together. We figured that we'd do some shopping together,have dinner out somewhere nice,... you get the picture. When you live apart for 6 months out of every year, you learn to be flexible and to enjoy the time that you have together whenever you might have it.

Well, the other day a large Fed-Ex box arrived. This wasn't anything that I had ordered and the kids, (having been instructed by their dad in a phone call or email or something) sprung into action.They whisked the box away and wrapped it's contents and placed the gifts under the tree with tags that read :To MOM, From: Dad.

A few days later, Race called! I was so excited and went on to spill all the things that we had been doing....the Christmas show, The Nutcracker, all the parties, etc.I remebered the Christmas gifts.
ME: " You really didn't have to do that."

Race: "I know"

Me: Seriously, I mean I know that I've been a good girl and all, but you didn't have to go to all the trouble from THERE."

Race: "I know. I know I didn't. (in a quiet tone) But....I just love you so much."

Well, somebody come and mop me up, cause I just melted into a big ole' Melissa puddle. I love that man.

Merry Christmas Race! We love you, be safe, and come home soon.

So, here's the thing...

I ordered EVERYTHING online. EVERYTHING. I didn't shop in an actual department store for even one gift. This was wonderful. This is a major reason why I am still in the holiday spirit. I tipped my mail lady and my UPS guy well.Again, because I am STILL in the holiday spirit....And because I felt ULTRA sorry for the mail lady the day that she delivered 10 boxes to my door. Delivering the boxes was bad enough, but I have 2 chocolate labs and well...they're OVERLY friendly...and well ya know...it was just bad. (ALso, that particular day the mail lady's large granny underpants were sticking WAY out from where her festive velvety stretch pants ended and her pink sweatshirt began....so....I felt she deserved a huge break.)I don't know why my deranged mind remembers stuff like that. (sigh)

So. All my gifts have arrived. Most are wrapped.

But my bedroom looks like a packing and supply storage house. I mean it. It's BAD. Really BAD. ANd y'all remember that I don't have trash pick-up right? So...this is a bit of a problem actually. I mean, I don't really care. I'd happily just climb over the boxes every night to get to my bed. And at the moment I don't care about kicking some empty boxes aside to get to my shoes in the closet. Who cares?

I'm thinkin' Race might care. I mean it doesn't exactly scream "Welcome Home Honey" ya know? SO, I've got my work cut out for me. He's not due home right away or anything....but I figure it's gonna take quite awhile. See for yourself.



Isn't that sad? But, I'll tell ya, when Race isn't home........I just.don't.care. Not about the bedroom anyway. I mean the rest of the house still gets cleaned regularly. But it's just little ole me in the bedroom right now. So......whatever.

Those little gold things laying on the bed are bags of chocolate coins to go in the kids stockings. SOmething I put in every year. That's my snazzy green Banana Republic trench coat on the bed. I got to wear it to church this morning because of the down pour.
Those are my all-time FAVORITE cowboy boots that Race got for me from Brazil. LOVE,LOVE,LOVE them. And my big, pink ball for ab work-outs every morning. Errr...well...it's getting ready to be every morning. ANd yes, we have an entire wall devoted to back-packs. What can I say, my man is the rugged, outdoorsy type who collects high-end gear like old ladies collect cookie jars.. And he even got a job to support his habit.

Isn't it sad that someone actually lives like this? I haven't enlarged these pics to see what else you can see. But hey- maybe a game of "I Spy"? Anyway, feel my pain, o.k? Before Race gets home I gotta get this done. As I look at these pictures I'm thinkin' it's gonna require a new chest of drawers. What do ya think?

And lest you think that there is an end to which I will humiliate myself, I wan you to know that Savannah has been going through old pictures and I've been steadily scanning them for a bit of a look to the past. A fashion and hair extravaganza, if you will. A real treat.

G'night,

Me and the Scalded Dog

Melissa

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

The kids have all these parties going on right now. I mean a TON of parties. I am the mere "buyer-of-white-elephant-gifts". (Although I am quite good at it). However nothing says "thank-you" like walking into a Christmas party filled with uniformed men and boys just in time to hear YOUR son scream upon entering "EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!" You know the song right? Yeah, he can sound just like that. It's one of his favorite party tricks and is always met cheers and a wild uproar. WHo knew he'd get Race's vice of being an attention-hound? huh. ANyway, in googling that song, for those that might not know it....I came across these young gals. And at first they made me laugh so hard I thought that I would need a gut replacement. AND THEN I got down on my knees to thank the good Lord that You Tube was not available when I was a teen. THAT.WOULD.HAVE.BEEN.ME. Fer,sure. But, anyway....look at em' go. You GO girls! That's how they stay so skinny. I wonder what their mom is doing while they're jammin? Probably bloggin'.

These girls must be the very best of friends, because look how they share the camera. Each giving the other equal time to shine.

I gotta go tape myself bustin' a move. Oh-ho-ho yeah....I still got em'.You know I do.Coming soon to a You Tube near you.

What's filling up your week?

What are you going to do this week?

We are going to take a mighty stab at the kids school work all week, but I think that mostly we will be baking and assembling our gingerbread houses! The gingerbread house is a tradition that I started for us when Austin was just a baby. We do one every year and we *try* to be creative. The kids usually help me come up with the theme and sometimes it works out and sometimes it looks more like a blind man was walking through the kitchen and RAN INTO the gingerbread house as it was being made. But it's always fun. I'll get out the pictures later and post some of the ones that we've done in the past.(Lower your expectations now please)

We thought that this year we would try to do a gingerbread village, with each of us making a small house of a little different shape and size and then combining them to look like a little village. I think it's a good idea, but we'll see how it turns out.That means cutting out pieces for 4 houses. Gah! ANyway, that will be our little project for the week, along with wrapping gifts and grabbing last minute items. The boys also have martial arts this week, so I'll have to drag my sorry carcass to that as well.

SO what are you doing this week?

My Finest Hour........The H@@ters Post Revisited

Well, here's the thing. Well 2 things actually.

1. If you EVER post a comment at The Pioneer Woman and she takes a moment to say a word or two to you.....and visit your blog(blush)............and then she links (just LINKS mind you) to that old post..........you will get DOUBLE the traffic on your blog from PW folks having a look-see. So, I figure give the people what they want! ANd thanks for stopping by. This is a meager wisp of a journal as compared to the photo-takin', cookie bakin' and calandar makin' Pioneer Woman......but who can compare.

2. This was without a doubt one of my greatest achievements and it still makes me laugh to think about it. So I'll use any hint of an excuse to post it again!

Withou further ado.....(and because the turkey burgers are going to burn)...I give you "The H@@ters Post"

Don’t judge me.

First of all, this is one of those posts, where you try desperately to remember all of the people whom you have given your blog address to.

First. Some History:
For the past 8-10 years, Race and I have had a standing argument over H**ters Restaurant.Race is an instigater and He loves to bring it up when he has nothing better to do. He doesn’t even GO there ….he just gets great joy by arguing with me about it. And he LOVES to get me hopping mad, and then say something like, “Sometimes, you are just too easy”. AHhhh!!! (Did I mention the 10 years?)

Now. I’m not out picketing in front of H**ter’s. But what REALLY gets me is the whole-(insert mocking whiney man voice here) “It’s just a good place to eat….nothing more. They just have really great wings.”
I REALLY hate that.
Just say it: “Men go there to stare at b**bs and eat a $10 hamburger”.

Well,I say, you can do that at home, eat a better burger, and save 10 bucks.

Anyway, you get the picture. YEARS of me falling into his carefully laid trap, bickering away to make my point, and then to have him walk off laughing to himself.

8-10 Llloooonnng years pass……………........

The day before Race leaves to go overseas this last time, he once again, draws me deep into the great depths of the “H**ters Dispute”, and the following words were exchanged:

Me: “So, you wouldn’t care if I worked there?”

Race: “No, way. The money would be good”

Me:”OH, REALLY??!”

Race: “Yeah. But, besides, hon……I don’t think that YOU could get a job there.” (snicker,snicker)


Ahem. Well, by golly, that sounded an awful lot like a challenge.

I know, I know…..I should have better things to do. I actually DO have better things to do. And while it was out of character for me…..I JUST.COULDN’T.LET.THIS.ONE.GO.

My brain began to feverishly develop a plan. If I could win…… just this once…..if I could, I would NEVER, and I mean NEVER have to win another argument with Race as long as I lived.

Yes, yes…it would work……it was almost too easy. I began to weave bits of a story. Dropping tiny hints on our limited phone calls, and going into slightly more detail in emails. I was baiting him like a poacher baits pheasants in somebody else’s woods.

Ohhhhh…I was crafty. I was sly. I lied through my teeth. Oh so careful was I
.”I didn’t think that I would actually get hired. I only applied because I thought that it would be funny. I was only going to work for 2 weekends.”, I lied.
I covered all the bases. It was all very convincing. I wanted to add in things like, "The kids are at the kitchen table eating more hot wings".

But no. had to be careful. If I overdo it, he'll be on to me.

The words of Scarlett O’Hara kept haunting me, “Now aren’t you a cool lie, Mellie.”

A cool lie indeed.

But it would take more than lies to pull this off.

It was going to take some help from good ole’ @bay and some poor nameless H**ter gal in Texas who was selling her uniform. She’d had enough of feeling like a piece of meat every day and gone on to bigger and better things. And good for you, nameless H**ter gal!! Thanks for the uniform and the ultra quick shipping. I honestly don’t know how you girls wear that tiny, wretched uniform every day. I can honestly say it is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever put on. Seriously.

The last thing that I sent was the picture, with a lie saying that it was taken before my first training day. I added stuff about how awful my day was, and how I didn't even get to keep the tip money, because I was still in training(sniff,sniff).

He read it. He saw it. He bought it.

For 24 hrs, as far as he knew, I was a H**ters girl.

He called.
As it turns out, he, in fact DOES NOT want his wife working serving up hot wings to the hungry men at H**ters! (GASP!)

“Well,.......what should I do?”, I asked innocently.

“Well, for starters….don’t go back!”, he said emphatically.

*A pause*


“I got you.” I said.


Victory. It is mine. MINE!!! I have won. This is big for me. REALLY big.

I never win. But this time, I got him. I actually got him.

Race laughed. Yep, I got him.

The picture that secured my victory:
I ended up sending him a 5 x 7 of this picture while he was away.The words "Call me", and a fake# were scribbled across it. LOL!


Yes, I do believe that I have taken the homeschooling blogs to a new low. And, yes mom, I do have better things to occupy my time.

The uniform is now available for a small fee, and appropriate documentation.

It is finished. I am triumphant. Don't judge me.

Love you, Race!!!!!

Homeschoolin' at H**ters!

In the photo,please note the construction paper nametag...for authenticity. The socks? Those are Austin's....best I could do on short notice.
It sort of looks like I am a super hero, don't you think? With my hands on my hips like that. What would that be?.......Super H**ter? Super H**ters?? Wonder H**ters?? If that shirt smashed you any more than it does, I'd be called Uni-H**ter! Bwahahaha!
Please note that no actual H**ters girls were harmed in the making of this picture. And I do apologize to the reputable H.gals worldwide for my gross misrepresentation.

Christmas past

Our first Christmas.
Race and I were married in the summer and we spent our first CHristmas together at this townhouse. I remeber that the tree was $40 which nearly BROKE us! But I was so proud of that tree! So below you will see our little abode all decked out for the holidays. Note the skimpy little Christmas card string on the wall, and the charming "country" decor. Those curtains were my pride and joy. My first Spiegle purchase. Also note the stockings. There were 3 of them. You see in the first three months of marriage Race and I had made 2 large decisions that affected us for quite some time afterward. The first was trading in my paid-for mustang on a newer,hotter version. We drove a black convertible. And being the very practical young couple that we were, we also purchased a blue-blood dalmation puppy. That's who the other stocking belonged to. "Waylon".
So back to the photo.
We had a TV that Race's parents had purchased for us, and that's our wedding photo on the top of it.



So-this is where we lived.
























And THIS was our dog.

And THIS is where I worked.



Stop laughing.



Seriously. Are you finished?

I was the perfume counter gal. I loved that job. You know all those testers that they have setting out on the counters? Well, when the reps would come in to replace them, you got to take the others home.Woo!Holy cow, I had the nicest stash of expensive perfumes...(sigh) O.k, Please note the wooden earrings. They were black with white dots. And of course the white hose, in keeping with the style at the time. It was my meager earnings from this job that I saved up enough money to buy Race a mountain bike for Christmas. It was a total surprise. (And getting it home in the winter.......in the convertible was no easy trick, either!)




Oh, it was a great year that year! We rode around on every nice warm day with the top down and with the dalmation seated in the back. It was funny because the dog would sit up straight in the seat like a person. He didn't move around, he just sat there.

And to the best of my knowledge this is the only year that I can recall Race doing anything with the Christmas tree after getting it home! One of the things that I notice about this picture is the football. Power-lifting and football were a very big part of Races life...and therefor MY life...at that time. Oh......they were great times. And how could we have possibly imagined at that time that by the very next Christmas..................























We'd have our first child. Austin was born on Halloween. How could we have known that the next Christmas we'd have a BABY?!!........That the third stocking would be a real little-human-person's?? How could we have possibly fathomed how much and how wonderfully our lives would change?How could we have imagined how damned hard it would be to get a baby in and out of a carseat in the back of a mustang??? How could we have known that we'd have a baby...............!!!????

And that sometimes..........................we'd dress him like the dog.

Oh.My.Gosh.

O.K, 2 great things:

#1. Best Christmas CD that truly moves me beyond belief: Josh Groban Christmas cd. Amazing. If that man were to sing Cotton-Eyed-Joe it would sound heavenly. Just his beautiful,clear, voice singing the most wonderful Christmas songs. Did I mention that he sings Ave Maria? (sigh)
(That is kinda funny though about Josh Groban singing Cotton Eyed Joe, isn't it?"

#2. Are y'all tivo-ing the new show "Crowned"? BWAHAHAHA!!! The first show was hysterical!! Mother-daughter pageant reality competition??Brilliant!! This is TOO FUNNY!!!

Keep in mind that I am a woman who has no husband at home in the evening and I pretty much just try to NOT think about him until I got to bed at night. But still....this stuff was just too good to not pass on to the 2 people who read this blog.

You heard it here first.

g'night!

gym post-skip it
Wednesday upper body
curls w/20 lb dumbells 8,8,8
overhead tri extension w/20 lb dumbell 8,8,8

back-pullovers-20lb 8,8,8
chest-bench press-20 lb dumbell8,8,8

ez bar standing curl 10lb plates 7,6,6
kickbacks-15 lb dumbell 8'8'8

shoulder lat raise-15 lb 8,8,8
chest flys 20 lb dumbell 6,6,6

drop set curls

Thursday
squats w/reg squat bar. 25 lb plates reps: 6,6,8
Lunges w/20 lb dumbells 21,21,21

leg ext. 60 lb 8,8,8
leg curls 45lb 8,8,6

sumo squat w/40 lb dumbell 8,8,8
good morningsw/ez curl bar- 10 lb plates 8,8,8

jump squats

Will Work For ............money

Today was a day of 1001 small details. Do you ever have days like that? Where when you look back at the end of the day there weren't really any real projects or accomplishments, but just a whole lot of tieing up of loose ends. I guess therin lies the accomplished project.;-)

Thomasina took the kids CHristmas shopping yesterday so that they could buy a few gifts without mom around! They had a great time. ANd even better, they are now broke, so to my great delight, they are all hungry for work.

For instance:
This morning I awoke to dry hacking sounds coming from the basement. This is not good.ever. I flew back the covers and raced down the stairs to let the dogs out.......too late. One of the dogs had barfed.Under my work-out bench. Oh, man.........sick. And I hadn't even had my coffee. I let the dogs out, told the ashamed looking one not worry about it and went upstairs to get my coffee before dealing with "the mess". But WAIT! When the children were apprised of this situation they immediately began offering to do the disgusting-job-that-must-be-done FOR ME. In fact....they were BIDDING. I went with the lowest bidder and in the end got the job cleaned up very nicely for a buck. sweet.

Oh-and did I mention that I got a pretty good deal on getting the lawn raked today as well???

Race is really missing being home with everyone and doing all the planning and celebrating. It must be difficult to be in a place where there is no Christmas. Where Christ is not recognized at all. To be in a place that seems to have no hope and exist in a culture that doesn't look any farther than the day at hand. To have to just go on with work. Race never speaks to me about his work. ever.That is not a luxury that we have. But any smart wife gleans all she needs to know by reading between the lines. And I think that this must be a very difficult time. We pray for him a lot.

We miss him.
Melissa


gym post-skip it
abs and treadmill

Did I ever tell you about the time...

The children were ages 4,6,and 8 or there abouts. It was Christmas and times were super tight. But I had somehow squeezed out enough money to grab tickets to see The Nutcracker. I was SO EXCITED! Ballet was always my thing, so the magic of the evening was triple for me. I had searched thrift stores for weeks to get just the right beautiful outfits for the kids. Savannah had been given an amazing Christmas dress that year from a friend whose little girl had outgrown it. It was exquisite! The boys were also outfitted in absolutely beautiful clothes that were also handed down to us from a lady in church who had triplet boys. Seriously.....how lucky can you get!? I was able to round out the outfits with proper bows,socks,shoes, etc. And my most prized possession at the time was a to-die-for little boys navy blue pea coat which I had talked my mom into buying for Austin when he was 4. And you guessed it....Jack was wearing it. The children were beautiful. I don't have a picture of the kids from THAT NIGHT, but this picture is from that same Christmas.

Race was working, so it was just myself and the kids. This was their first real show. The build up was massive. At last, a bit of culture for the kids.

The show was wonderful and the children behaved beautifuly. I remember that during the intermission the kids wanted candy and a drink. I had not prepared for this and I NEVER had any "spare" cash. So I dug around in my purse and they shared a soda. We went back to the show and they were loving it. Jack however was a bit confused at the appearance of The Cavalier and just as there was a hush in the music, my adorable little son yells out, "Is that a BOY or a GIRL!!???" My hand clapped over his mouth way too late. The entire audience had heard and was snickering. The other 2 kids were rolling out of their chairs.

As planned, on the way home I stopped for sandwiches at Subway-(they'd take a check). The kids were excitedly talking and laughing about the show. I parked right in front of the big glass window and ran in to get the sandwiches. I kept turning around looking at the kids to see them laughing hysterically, all red-faced...just having a ball.

ahhhh...warm fuzzy feeling...I've done somethin' right here. Shrieking gender question aside....I have introduced my wee ones to a bit of culture. I.AM.DOING.IT. (satisfied sigh)

(insert needle- scraping -across- record sound here)

As I get to the car and open up the door to place the goodies inside, I see what appears to be a pile of clothes in the floor. Jackson was COMPLETELY naked. He had stripped off the wool pea coat, the sweater, the shirt.....all in an apparent lightening speed. The horror continued to unfold for this one, crumpled, distraught mother as the other two breathlessly laughing ,told me in little gasping statements that not only had he taken off all his clothes, he had been pressing his butt against the window to all unfortunate passers-by.

I threw an undershirt and t-shirt on the naked child and drove home all drooped over. The kids were still reeling from their brothers antics. My night of culture and the ballet had turned into stripping off one's clothes to moon innocent onlookers. This, my friends should have been a lesson to me as the Wonderful World of Jackson.

Oh-and I learned how to scan photos......so......look-out!! Woo-hoo!!!

gym post-skip it

Pre-work-out shake



Monday-lower body



Thighs-Squats-w/curl bar 25lb plates 3 sets/12

Hams-lunges- w/ 15 lb dumbells 3 set /15



Thighs-leg extensions-40 lb 3 sets/12

Hams-leg curls-40 lb 3 sets/12



Thighs- front squats-w/15 lb dumbells

hams-stiff legged dead lifts- w/15 lb dumbells



Finish w/ as many deep jump squats as possible.



Post-work-out shake

Dinner and a show......

Here we are all ready to go out for dinner and a show. And for the record...I am almost 5'6. I'm think'in I got me some tall kids!!Jackson has decided that he does not look nice when he smiles, so this is new picture expression. I do however like the pose....which he also strikes in every picture now. Oh- and did I mention that he shaved? (sigh) His older brother was mortified and cried out, "JACK! You DO NOT want to do that!! YOU'LL HAVE A FULL BEARD BY THE TIME YOU'RE TWELVE!! You'll be a little freak!"

We had a great time tonight. The musical was absolutely amazing. I was doing just fine until the kings bowed on their faces before the baby Jesus and the 300 person choir got to the chorus of O'Holy Night. Oh. My. goodness. I lost it. I was bawling. It was absolutely beautiful.

We had a lovely night and a wonderful dinner. The kids had shrimp and crabcakes and scallops!! We did it up right. Race was greatly missed. He would have loved this evening.

And NOW for tonight's viewing pleasure we are watching The Happy Elf. First of all....we like this little cartoon....and secondly..I have always been secretly in love with Harry Connick Jr, and I'll watch the WHOLE thing just to hear him sing.

Tomorrow is church and the kids have a Christmas party to go to tomorrow night. They are busy trying to one-up each other on the white elephant gift that they are taking to the party

Gym post- Skip it

This is just for my own recording/accountability purposes so please skip this unless you like reading about gym work-outs!!

I'm trying a new work-out while Race is gone and I'm going to record it here. It most likely won't make much sense to anyone but me anyway! I work out at home so this gives me a little more accountability if I make myself post the work-outs here and this way I can look back and tell what actually works for me and what I need to change. I'll just tell you when that's what it's going to be so you can skip it. ANd it WON'T take the place of my regular post.

SAturday-Upper body: 3 sets of 12 giant set..no rest

Objective: work to muscle failure as quickly as possible to keep up heart rate while still executing each lift correctly. 48 hrs rest before working same muscle group again. Pre work-out shake 1 scoop protein powder+ small amnt carbs +skim milk+ice. Post work-out shake 2 scoops protein powder 1/2 banana skim milk +ice.

Bicep- alt. curls 15lb dumbell
Tricep-kickbacks-10 lb dumbell

Back-Bent rows-ez curl bar w/ 5 lb plates
Chest- Incline press- 15 lb dumbell

Bicep-Inclinr Hammer curls- 10 lb dumbell
Tricep-Overhead extension-20 lb dumbell

Shoulders-Shoulder press-15 lb dumbell
Chest-Incline flys-15 lb dumbell

Finish w/ drop set of curls begin w/25 lb dumbell...curl to failure, drop and pick up 20lb, curl to failure,drop and pick up 15 lb...etc to 5 lb. Got 50 reps this time. Arms are hanging limply like noodles......(satisfied smile)

Work-out time:40 minutes

Frosty.... Christmas shopping

Last night the kids and I watched the "Frosty the Snowman" special on CBS. You remember the one....from the 70's?? Where the little girls name is Karen??(snort!) I can remember watching that as a kid and just being SO EX-CITED when the Christmas specials were coming on. SO last night, the kids and I piled onto the sofa and watched. "AWWWWwww" right? Um, no. As it turns out, it's actually a little bit...stupid. And so in true fasion for this family we laughed until we cried by butchering the old show. Jack would hop up every so often and give us a little "different" rendition of a scene, and the other 2 like to zing one-liners left and right. It was great fun. But a far cry from my own childhood. And it also left me wondering how on earth my mom did it for all those years. I mean the build up was massive when it came to Christmas programming. Of course my kid-years were before the VCR. Before Beta, even! (blush)


I started my Christmas shopping. Isn't the internet wonderful? I sat in front of my TV watching the end of "Movies That Rock"(which I thought was actually quite entertaining. Did you see it?). Clothed in my sweats and favorite soft,ultrworn-out T-shirt, I hit the WWW and started shopping. Wine and cheese would have completed the perfect evening, but....alas I am watching my nutrition/working out now -(read:trying to have tight abs, toned butt, and a decent set of pipes before Race comes back home) so it was a boring bottle of water and some plain almonds. But still it was a relaxing time of Christmas shopping, and that goes a long way with me. Ahhhhhh....the click of a button and then they bring the gift to my DOOR?? COME-'MON?!!!! How can anyone not LOVE THAT??!!!

Today the kids and I are going to a Christmas show that we've had tickets to for some time. It is a musical and it never dissapoints. We are really looking forward to it. And if I can possibly remember, I'll snap a picture of us before we head out for the show and dinner.

Have a great day!
Melissa

A bit 'o peace....

I've been sitting here tonight making out Christmas cards. I got an unexpected but much needed evening at home because Austin is feeling under the weather. For some reason, the stars seem to have aligned correctly this evening leaving Austin tucked into his bed with lots of Vit C, Zicam and cold meds, the other two playing a game QUIETLY upstairs and me in a little peace and quiet with my feet propped up in the living room. AHHHHhhhhhhhh.......... Even Savannah's cat Herriott is curled up beside me on the sofa. She doesn't actually LIKE me, and I guess I really don't ever really pay any attention to her either.......But we both get it when things are just.. RIGHT...so neither of us want to move and screw it up.

Oh- hey- I got my hair in the mail today. BWAHAHA! The clip in kind. IT.IS SO. WIERD. and yet.....amazing. The only thing is, I have to have my stylist actually CUT it for me, otherwise it just looks like you have long hair........in need of a trim. But still...it is so cool. AND it's easy to do.It takes less than 10 min to clip in. SO-woo-hoo! I'm on my way to having long hair....when I feel like it. (excited squeal!) But isn't it odd that an indian gal is walking around with a fresh,short bob right now. I'm sure the cut is stunning....and she can use the $$ for something nice that she's had her eye on. Right??
And yes, to answer your question I DO have better things to do.
But the whole hair,make-up,fashion-thing is like a strong magnet for me. I love it.

I got to talk to Race today, and he seems to be doing just fine. He's missing everyone of course. It is so awesome to get to hear his voice. What Ruth Graham said about her husband always being away is amazingly fitting for me: I'd rather see just a little bit of Race than a whole lot of anyone else. And that's the truth. I'm a lucky girl.

Em posted video for Race of our little Christmas shin-dig, and while he hasn't been able to watch it yet, it will be SO appreciated. Both of my sisters, as well as my b-in-law have come to my aid in one way or another in the past few days. I look around and realize that I have been blessed with a priceless family. What a blessing.

Well, these cards aren't gonna mail themselves!

Cheers!
Melissa

holy crap

Well...ummm... the comments from my last post should keep my readers coming back. Wouldn't you just LOVE to know?? (gasp) scandalous! If you haven't read the comments on my last post, this will make no sense to you.

Dear readers I understand that this is NOT the sort of banter that you have come to expect here in the comments section of Complete Chaos.BUt my GOODNESS isn't the Dude hilarious??!!

Watts...... You're pissin' in the wind.

*kidding*


Seriously, lighten up spock. I'm a busy gal.

Obviously I have been slacking in the communication department. I'll see what I can do about that and I do apologize if you took that as some sort of personal swipe. But, c'mon Watts...cut me some slack, man. I don't take ANYTHING that seriously. All my readers will tell you that while I am sincere....I am also terribly shallow. Sincerely shallow.

Raise your hands if you've been snubbed by me in the email dept? How about a phone call?

Just look at all those hands. (wiping a tear....sad...but true.)

And, as an aside, one should bear in mind when taking a tone that Race makes people disappear.....FOR A LIVING. And I'm not talkin' about in a David C@pperfield sort of way, KWIM?
But, hey-I'll shoot you an email. And apparently if anyone wants to call Watts and have a chat, both of his #'s are available in the comments section.Back in school he used to do a mean D@vid Letterman impersonation and made my time at Alcatraz High much more bearable.



Well, on to brighter things!
The Christmas shin-dig was AWESOME. I had a wonderful time! It is so great to get to re-charge my batteries with all the family. It really helps me so much to be around everyone. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

We are missing Race so much. It's harder than I thought. Almost half the time I feel emotionally exhausted. Like my emotions are just all used up. I really need to do better at keeping my head up for the kids, ya know? It is SO easy to lose the right focus. So here's to regaining the focus on Christ(raising coffee cup) *clink*.

Have a great day!!

Christmas Soire'

*Is that how you spell soire'? Is it Soirre?' No, No...I think it's the first.(muttering to self..."damned french")*
How about Christmas Shin-dig?

O.K., I'm going to do it. I'm going to go w/ the clip-ins. It's all settled. I'll post before/after pics.(excited squeal!!!!!)

Today.......we clean.

We're throwing a Christmas party here Sunday night for the family. Last count that's 13+ me and the kids. Race's folks will be arriving that day too! I have a small house,so moving-around-room is crucial. SO we are cleaning it from top to bottom today.(I guess if I had a big house, I'd be cleaning it too!)This is the day where we all clean like mad so as to create the illusion, for the comfort of our guests, that we DON'T,in fact, live the the way we actually DO. And when people walk in I try to hide the guilty look on my face..."OH..thank-you...(glancing around)....yep, this is us...THIS is how we REALLY live...yep".
So I shall work the strong backed slave children to the weary bone today in order to achieve the desired effect.Please do not feel any sympathy for them... these are the same wayward sluggards who muck it up all week long(daughter excluded from this harsh criticism).
If I can get everything spic and span today, then that leaves tomorrow and Sunday for the finishing touches and the COOKING. Which I love to do. I am really excited about it this year. LAst year we couldn't do it because we were busy preparing to go to Israel. (Doesn't seem like a year ago does it?) SO I am really looking forward to it. We absolutely LOVE getting together with everyone. It is truly a highlight for us.

Well, I gotta go. It's gonna take awhile to transform this old shack into the anticipated Bountiful Christmas Wonderland that my guests have come to expect.;-)

Tah-tah!
Melissa

A life of diversion.......

Today, I bring you one....... just ONE, mind you, of my current diversions.

My hair is too short.

O.K., you know that back at the end of the summer I got the pob cut. (And yes, I loved it, and it's o.k., because I got it before every single woman on the face of the earth got some version of it......I'm O.K., with me) I kept it for 2 months and then started letting it grow out. As of this date I have not had my hair cut AT ALL for over 2 months. It looks terrible. But I want long hair. NOW. Scratch that. I want long, beautiful, HEALTHY hair , NOW. SO what's a girl to do? WHAT??? Can I get extensions???? Will this completely ruin my hair??? Can I get some sort of expensive human hair clip on????(Yes, they really do have thosehttp://http//www.hairextensions.com/home.php?cat=10) I actually dreamt about them last night. Does anyone know anything about this stuff?

I want it bad. My hair appt. is next week. You can bet I'll be finding out more!

O.k, gotta go teach the kids and whatnot.............but, you think about it.

Hiking!

Just before Race left we decided to take the kids to hike up on the Appalachian trail. This was a section of the trail that Race and I hiked last year. It was so beautiful that we couldn't wait to take the kids up for the day. We packed water and lunches and took off. The beginning of the trail was wide and steep, but more like a steep road.
A lot of the leaves had fallen but there was still plenty of color on the trees. Savannah said it was like a box of crayons.
After about a mile and a half the A.trail sign directed us up to a much smaller trail.
This trail was much steeper, and it was really rocky. The rocks under our feet were about the size of grapefruits and they were all loose. I kept wondering how many people had been hauled out of there with sprained ankles.
After about another mile of slow, careful hiking, we came to what you see above. STRAIGHT UP you go!
There is no path to the top, you just sort of have to scramble and then find foot and finger holds. It gets sort of breathless as you get to the top and realize that all the trees are below you. You don't really have time to notice around you because you are too busy worrying about losing your footing. And then you ascend to the top and the view is so worth every second. It is really breathtaking. The outcropping is pretty massive with crevices to be explored and overhangs to climb into.
Some of us chose to meditate. (snort!) This was the ONLY time that the kid was still ALL day!We ate lunch on top and we played, napped and just enjoyed being together. Race pulled us all together and had prayer before we started the hike back down. It was a wonderful day. Enjoy the rest of the pictures.







Thanks for checking back here!
Melissa

Hello?..........Hello?.....Is anyone out there?

No? Well, I don't blame you. It's been so long since I've been in the blog world that I wasn't sure that I'd remember my password to log on!! What can I say? Race being home coupled with the fact that I dropped one of our laptops onto the hard floor (Don't do that. It's not good for them and it'll cost you $500 and several weeks to fix), has kept me from my blogging duties. I still can't figure out the best TIME to come here and write. But, hey-I'm here, so we'll try the mornings.


Did I tell y'all that Austin has his learners permit? Yeah, well....he does.(I know, I know...I'm so young...how is it possible? Oh,*blush* hush now).

This whole driving thing is not working out like I had planned. I really had invisioned myself as more of a bystander in this department.
I was picturing myself as more of a Martha Stewart sitting in the back seat with a cool beverage in hand, getting some paper work done, while my son drove us around to all of our various destinations for the day.
As it turns out these things are very different from what I imagined. You see, you actually have to TEACH them to DRIVE.

I now understand so much more about my own parents' reactions to MY driving with a learners permit when I was 15. I have literally left the indentions of my fingertips in the door handle as I fought the urge to quote my own dad in yelling "STAY ON THE ROAD DAMNIT!". I just sort of sit there, all nervoous and quirky and talk in a sort of sing-song voice. "Great job.....o.k, stay in your lane.....slow down there's a turn coming up...don't forget your signal...slow down....brake...slow down...brake...BRAKE."
It's absolutely exhausting and completely sucks the fun out of going anywhere. ANd don't even get me started on the fact that his dad(back in the day) taught countless law enforcement/military all their defensive driving, and that HE would actually be the better person to teach the kid. Ah well, at least the boy knows what to do if his vehicle should ever start taking rounds. (Thank-you Race)

All in all, Austin is doing very well driving. But I still hate it.....and I keep thinking about Savannah....AHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Race is away and will be gone for the holidays. So we are making big plans to enjoy Christmas to the fullest. Sound strange? There is something very humbling about knowing that there are so many people fighting terrorism "over there" so that I can enjoy Christmas here in peace. A huge and heartfelt thanks to all those who are involved in this fight against terrorism. I thank God that the fight is so far away. Away from our homes and away the eyes of my children. For those things I am so very thankful. Be safe Race, and come home soon.

I've got pictures! I'll try and get those on tonight. Thanks for checking in! No, really, I mean it....Thanks.