A Birthday for Jon!

It was Jon's birthday on Sunday... we had a dinner party with friends on Saturday night in celebration of his birthday...

so Sunday was more of a low-key, Jon gets to pick wherever he wants to go and whatever he wants to do kind of day. :)

We started out with church... and then off to his favorite Mexican restaurant, La Playa. He orders the same exact thing every single time we go. He lives on the edge. ;)

Happy tummy... full of fajitas.

Next stop... the bookstore! (AKA Jon's idea of a good time. I can't argue with that.)

And then to... Guitar center! (AKA Jon's idea of heaven on earth. I CAN argue with that. But today he can choose whatever he likes and I will be a good sport. Really. I even played the drums and made an arse out of myself.)

Jon...live in concert.

Oh, be still my heart! A man with a banjo!

Keep those sweet banjo strings a playin'!

Moving on to the drums...

Which concluded our hands on experience in the Guitar Center.

What is that, you ask? Did we stop for gas?

Yes. Yes we did.

Speak up... You want to see a picture of Jon squeegeeing the windows?

Naturally.

haha. He loves it.

Want to know what I love?

The Thirst Universe. That looks like a picture I would have drawn on my folder in high school. Or on my bedroom walls when I painted a mural of the night sky. Does it count as a "mural" if you painted all of the walls? True story. Don't make me bust out the pictures as evidence.

And we came home to be lazy and eat cake. The end.

One more thing... please participate in my poll on the right sidebar... ---> Over here.
I'm considering doing away with Melissaisms and just blogging all of my nonsense on Huckleberry Prairie. Thoughts please. Would that greatly offend anyone? Anyone in support of it? Anyone even care? Is anyone even reading this? hello. hello? Is this thing on?

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Remembering my Grandma...

Betty Jo... aka Grandma :)

Today would have been my Grandma's 82nd birthday...

She passed away 4 years ago (this September) but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to celebrate her... and her life. Anyone who loses a loved one that they were close to knows this truth: it doesn't get easier. You don't miss them less today than the day before or the year before. There will always be a certain void in your heart and sometimes you still feel the shock and permanency that she is really gone...all over again. She was the best Grandma ever and I certainly look forward to being with her again in heaven one day.

But today, I just want to celebrate the woman she was... the Grandmother she was and the full life she lived... making everyone feel loved and accepted, exactly as they are.

My Grandma made pie like nobody's business. Pumpkin pie, Apple pie, Cherry pie... but the family favorite was, without a doubt, Sugar pie. She never wrote down how she made it, nor did she follow a recipe. She just knew the right ingredients to make a slice of heaven. And believe you me, I have tried every sugar pie recipe I have found... nothing tastes like Grandma's sugar pie.
And, my oh my... her magic cookie bars during Christmas. Or her pinwheel date cookies. Or her chocolate chip cookies. My Grandma could bake like no one I have ever met... and you were always guaranteed a dessert after a delicious home-cooked meal. She loved when people were eating...it was her way of taking care of you. It was an act of service to her and one of my fondest memories of her giving character. I have found so much inspiration through her to bake and to cook. My mom has recipe boxes full of her old recipes... which I have photo copied onto my own recipe cards. They are so special to me... not only because they are her recipes... but because they are written in her distinctive handwriting. Any time I want to try something new... I always go to her recipes...they never disappoint.

I remember spending weeks during childhood summers at my grandparents house. I used to love to go pick fresh vegetables from their garden so my grandma could use it in our lunch or dinner. I especially loved pulling any root vegetable out of the ground... I have no idea why, but I just found extreme enjoyment out of pulling something out of dirt. I make my tuna with hard boiled egg and green onion on toasted bread... because that is how she made it. I always add green bell pepper to my spaghetti sauce... because it reminds me of her spaghetti... I wouldn't even think of making any other carrot cake recipe than hers... surely nothing would even come close to measuring up. (I can't make the carrot cake very often, however. Lack of discipline has taught me that I can very easily eat the whole cake in a matter of two days. haha) Certain things... like beans and a ham hock in a crock-pot... will always remind me of Grandma's house.

I am thankful that my Grandma took the time to teach me how to crochet and knit... I remember cuddling next to her on cold winter days while we crocheted away together. My grandma never lacked hugs or cuddles. She was very affectionate, very loving. I started an afghan when I was 7 years old... and every winter I would pull it out and crochet it with her on the days she would come and visit. I rarely worked on it by myself. I finished it when I was 18 years old... and every row that was crocheted reminds me of a different year that I crocheted with her. It is now in my guest bedroom... and will always be very special to me.

There is never a lack of afghans or sweaters... my Grandma made so many... she was so good at it. You could always look forward to a new afghan or sweater for Christmas... and it was always so appreciated as it was a labor of her love. If any of you have read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman... you will understand her love language as a true Acts of Service.

There was nothing you could say or do to make her love you any less. She supported you no matter what. She was always on your side. She was loyal, caring, sincere and genuine. Somehow, situations always seemed a little less "bad" after talking to her. You were certain that things would be okay. She defined the word nurturing.

Sure, my Grandma accomplished plenty in her lifetime... but that is not what I remember. I remember the way she made me feel. A true example of love... always had a kind, reassuring word... always had something baked to make a good day extra sweet... always had a hug waiting for you at the end of the day.

The older I get... the more my outlook on life changes. Who cares if I don't pursue my doctorate. Who cares if I don't even get a masters. The adventurous life I dreamed about...flying commercial jets and having a career... doesn't really matter as much to me anymore. Life isn't about how much you can accumulate... how prestigious your career is... how happy YOU are. If I've learned anything from my Grandma...it would be that life isn't about YOU at all. It is about loving God and loving others. That is the "secret" of life... not that it is a secret at all. I think Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:28-31). Notice He never mentioned to love the Lord and then to love yourself. No, the bible teaches quite the opposite. Loving and serving other people sincerely will result in your own happiness. This was so evident in my Grandma's life; she had this concept mastered. She served others joyfully... and what an inspiration that is to me. No, I may never have the career I dreamed about... but a career will certainly not bring you joy. I don't want to be remembered for all the ways I seeked to make myself happy, but how I served others and loved them more than I loved myself.

Yes, I will miss my Grandma for the remainder of my life... but more than that, I will celebrate the wonderful woman she was... for the remainder of my life. She was such a humble woman... and would probably never believe what an impact her life has had on so many... Again, just one more reason to admire her character and be inspired by the person she was.

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Weekend Recap: Family Fun and Not so Fun Flat Tire

This weekend Jon's family took a road trip from Arkansas and paid us a visit. :) Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Jon showing the family around the jet he flies...

Family shot...

Jon, his Mom and Granny...

Jon and Granny
Jim and Sherrie
Granny
After a little sight seeing around town... and a little bit of shopping, we headed down to see the water.
It was SO, SO windy! Exhibit A:


Jon taking advantage of the wind blowing through his shirt; he felt this was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his flexing ability...and the fact he has been hitting the gym. haha

The family left early Sunday morning (as they had a long drive ahead of them)... so we headed off to church. Unfortunately, we got a flat tire along the way!! Don't you just hate that? :(

Our donut tire. Awww so sad.

Wally World to the rescue!!

Jon surveying the other tires... in case they were in need of repair. ;) May I mention that the drink Jon was sipping was compliments of the 16 year old boy clerk at the Whataburger counter? I'd like to think I "still have it" haha... but the more probable reality is he saw us struggling to change a tire in the Texas heat in their parking lot... and was trying to be a good Whataburger Samaritan. Yeah, just take all of my ego glory away. ;)
So we had an unexpected detour on the way to church. Good news is: tire is fixed, we made it to church (a later service) and we saw the coolest car in Corpus Christi... or at least this owner thinks so.

Some said it was a myth...a legend even... but I captured photographic evidence that it IS possible to get this much "cool" into one vehicle. I couldn't get a good picture without being completely obvious... this car is ALL tricked out... I think it is an Oldsmobile or a Lincoln... something like that... the rims stuck out about 10 inches off the tire on each side... and had two blade like propellers on the end of the rim. I'm telling you, they were weapons of mass destruction. These propeller rims, if positioned close enough to the curb while the car is moving, could take out an entire sidewalk, street light, telephone pole... whatever gets in it's path. Be on the look out for this dangerously cool car...if you ever find yourself on the roads of South Texas.
And tell your eyes "you're welcome" for allowing it to feast on this absurd amount of crazy cool.

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My Dad

I have the best dad in the world, I really do. And in honor of Father's Day, I am making him a top 10 list.

Top 10 things I've learned From My Dad

1. My Dad is also known as Mr. Wizard. He knows everything. Go ahead, test him. And, in the event that he doesn't know the answer, he will make up the perfect mixture of BS, total crap, hogwash, bologna and poppycock... with just a dash of truth, but enough to make you certain that he is an expert on any subject every subject. Accordingly, I have learned that if you say something with enough confidence, people will believe just about anything. Yes, I've learned this lesson all too well.

2. Until you become an adult and call him out on it. And when you do he will either a) make a face that fervently attempts to conceal a smug grin, proud that he took you well into adulthood with the belief that a PhD in every subject, from Molecular Biology to Ancient History, should be automatically mandated to him, as a reward for his level of brilliance... or b) give 8 seconds of silence (the longest 8 seconds of your life), strategically allowing you sufficient time to regret the audacity of your challenge to his intellect. This 8 seconds is usually followed by a well-thought out, cleverly devised word to describe the absurdity of your defiance; a word such as butt-nut, rabbit or turkey. I've learned that questioning his knowledge is punished by stare. And rightfully so.

3. My dad is too cool for brakes. In fact, he is the only person I know who accelerates faster than an aircraft carrier catapult while exiting a freeway off ramp. Only when his truck has successfully achieved mach 1 and is satisfied with the sonic boom he has just created will he slam on his brakes and come to a dramatic halt before reaching the off ramp intersection. Logic and reason always lead me to believe that it is mathematically impossible to stop in time, as it defies basic laws of physics. However, each time this happens I close my eyes (as we pull 3.5 Gs) and we stop. Like Willy Wonka's boat going through the Slugworth tunnel. We just stop. Henceforth, I have learned from my dad's driving to live by faith... Faith big enough to move mountains. Faith big enough to successfully stop a Dodge Ram accelerating off a freeway exit at Mach 1.

4. My dad, if given the opportunity, will make spaghetti 5 nights a week. There is no reason to ask him what he would like for dinner; we already know. There is no reason for him to ask us what we would like for dinner... any opposition to spaghetti will be given the 8 second stare. I have learned that when dad cooks, we will be having spaghetti... with a slice of buttered bread... folded up into a spaghetti sandwich. I have also learned that when dad asks what we want him to make for dinner, the correct answer is always spaghetti.

5. When he is feeling particularly spunky we will deviate from the spaghetti sandwich and replace it with a meal combination that was probably created sometime in the mid 1970s while he was on a backpacking trip. Hot dogs. Beans. And an egg. And if things are going just right, sometimes a slice of tomato, with a little pepper. It is a family meal staple. And it is what you will be served on the nights when spaghetti is absent from the menu. I have learned that this combination is not what the other kids were eating growing up. But who am I to turn down any combination of hot dog?

6. My dad is bilingual. He speaks English and Puns fluently. Shame on you for thinking only one pun is sufficient for any and every situation. You will get at least 4 or 5 different examples so as to provide a demonstration of wit and an uncanny ability to stretch to the outer limits of what is acceptable and deemed "pun-worthy". If you don't understand the pun, it will be explained. If you do understand the pun, but do not give the reaction that it rightfully deserves, it will be explained. If you do get the pun, give it the deserving reaction, the puns will be encouraged and you will guarantee yourself at least 5 or 6 more puns on the same subject. I have learned that puns are more than just a figure of speech; they are a talent, they are an art and they are inevitable in the company of my dad. Respect the pun.

7. My dad knows every hiking trail, bike path, back road, dirt road, mountain road, mountain peak, switch back, stream, creek, pond, ghost town and campground in the western United States. If you want a history lesson, detailed description, a review or a story about any of them, he is the person for the job. And while you are at it, he can give you an accurate account of the wildlife... creatures, critters, feathered friends, fauna and fungus you may encounter while in the area. I have learned that a hiking trip is more than just exercise; it is an opportunity to interpret nature, bond with the environment and to gain a history lesson or two along the way.

8. My dad befriends and bonds with animals unlike anyone I've ever seen. Animals flock to him. He undoubtedly has an animal-attracting, gentle spirit. That, or the animals (more specifically their dogs) remember the hot dogs, turkey sandwiches and chicken that he feeds them. When he fixes a meal, they get a plate. They are a part of the family after all, aren't they? I have learned that dogs will follow you around if you feed them bird, cow or pig.

9. My dad has the ability to watch a PBS telethon for an astonishingly mind-boggling amount of time. Regardless of the performer, it is the best he has ever seen. He will watch. He will laugh. He will love. And don't even think about changing the channel when Huell Howser is on. That is asking for a retaliation as to why whatever you have changed the channel to is absolute crap, all the while, name dropping certain reality star, tabloid names from 3 years ago as exhibit A. Somehow, someway... this subject will always end up with a critique of the atrocity that is rap music. Which rabbit trails to a display of mock gang signs, an interpretation of hip hop dancing... and ends up with the Mr. Peanut dance. Completely unrelated, but infinitely entertaining. Picture this:My dad... feet moving inward so fast, side to side, that all you see is a blur. I have learned to not change the channel unless I am in the need for a good laugh.

10. Lastly, my dad is the happiest, friendliest man you will ever meet. He can befriend a person he just met... has conversations with all of the neighbors...sees the good in everybody. He honors God, loves his neighbors, goes out of his way to help people in binds, sacrifices for the good of others, hard worker, all-around handyman, walking encyclopedia, a good example of what it means to be a good husband, father and most importantly, follower of Christ. The foundation of my biblical knowledge is credited to my dad... Not only is he well versed in scripture, but he also stressed the importance of practical application of scripture into all our (my siblings and my) lives. I always had a God-fearing believer to look up to, learn from and be encouraged by. I am, without a doubt, a better person because of my dad. I am not "fortunate" as I do not believe in luck or fate; I am, instead, truly blessed as God purposely placed us in the hands of my parents. It was not an accident. For that I am thankful to the Lord for being ever so gracious to me, and thankful to my dad for being ever so obedient to the Lord.



To all of the dads out there: may you know that every unique quality that makes you you, will be appreciated, laughed at with, cherished and remembered by your children. May you strive to be a man of God, leading your family by example with honor and integrity, live understanding the importance of the father role within the family and cherish the positive impact that will forever be remembered by your children.

Happy Father's Day,

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California Trip

I am finally back to the Motherland (Texas)... still have yet to unpack. I hate unpacking more than I hate packing. Doesn't it always feel like it takes a month to catch up after you go on vacation? Yeah, that's where I'm at... getting back into the swing of things. ;) I thought I would share a few pictures from my trip... because I have such an exciting life that y'all are dying to see. (haha, right.)

Here we are at the Airport Cafe... it is a small little restaurant at a little airport by my parent's house. My first flying lesson was out of this airport... so it will always hold a special little place in my heart. :)

Might as well keep the ol' noodle sharp with a little arithmetic:

Me + Airplanes + Food + Good Company = A GREAT DAY.

My sisters and me. (above)

My niece Ella and me. (below)


My Nephew Luke and me (left).
Carlie's son Luka, me, Jessica and Luke (right).

Spent a lot of quality time with Toby and Charlie, my mom's Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Charlie loses his marbles when the bubbles come out!!

A little play time in the backyard...

Had lunch with my Grandpa... and went to "see the animals". There is a place near my grandpa's house that has the most random animals... I guess as pets. They have lots of goats and sheep as well as zebra, buffalo, horses... probably among other beasts of the land that were hiding in the hills behind their house. ;) My grandparents would always take my siblings and me to see the animals when we were little kids staying at their house. This was obviously years and years ago. Anyway, we decided to drive by this place on a whim and to our delight.... ANIMALS! :)

Grandpa, Ella and Me.

This goat really wanted to befriend me. I had no opposition to that.

Poor Mr. Buffalo was so lonely. I surely would have befriended him too if I wasn't certain that he would pummel me on approach.

And, finally, Mr. Charlie Dog again. He LOVES his horse... takes it all around the house. Just so happens I caught him sleeping with it like it was his Teddy Bear. It was too cute. Of course he had to open his eyes when I tried to get a picture of him sleeping.

Such a good visit... it is always nice to go "home" and visit with the family, especially when you don't have to option of seeing them very often. :( Of course, it is nice to come back home, too...two weeks is a long time to be away from hubby and the poochies... maybe I can convince my family to come visit me so I can have the best of both worlds. Yoohoo!!... I know you guys are reading this... start planning your visit now! :)

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