Spring Break is over.
Well, technically it’s not over yet because I’m writing this on Sunday night. But it will be over in about ten hours when the alarm goes off and I have to reconcile my new reality with Daylight Saving Time. I was able to put it off for a week, but you and I both know that will serve as small consolation when I’m packing a lunch while it’s still dark outside.
On the bright side, our week ended on a high note after starting off as one of the more crappy Spring Breaks in recent memory. Or ever.
Wednesday afternoon Gulley and I got a text from our friend Tiff letting us know she and her family were coming into town and wondering if there was a time we could all get together. Our calendar was pretty wide open thanks to the onset of the plague early in the week, so we made plans to meet for lunch on Thursday.
It was the perfect afternoon. The weather was gorgeous and we sat outside and ate Mexican food while the kids ran around and played together.
Tiff even brought her copies of Sparkly Green Earrings for me to sign.
And then we took a group shot of all the kids.
We try to do that every time we’re together, but it had been a long time because it’s rare that we have all the kids with us at the same time. I’m feeling a little nostalgic so I just went and found the other group picture of them that’s framed in Caroline’s room.
Yeah. So that’s been a few years ago.
The fat baby is Will who’s now eight. And Tiff’s youngest son, Zeke, wasn’t even on the radar.
And then we took a group shot of the three of us because of course.
Then, because like I said, I’m feeling nostalgic I found this picture of us in one of the many quilted photo scrapbooks I made in college.
Yeah. So that’s been a few years ago.
That’s Jen, Tiff, Gulley and me in 1991. Please note our wind shorts. And Jen’s Dooney and Bourke purse that I envied for the bulk of 1990-91. It should also be noted that the car in the background was Gulley’s dad’s red Chevy Blazer that he let us drive to Baton Rouge for a baseball tournament. In retrospect I can’t believe he trusted us that much. Also, he probably shouldn’t have.
Anyway, it was great to see Tiff. The best friends are the ones that have known you since you thought it was important to wear sliding shorts under your wind shorts.
Then later that night Gulley and I took the kids to see some of Jackson’s friends play in a band because what’s not to love about some eleven-year-old boys doing a cover of Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
On Friday, P and Caroline headed down to the ranch because P was hosting a big shoot out weekend for the Sportsmen’s group at our church.
Gulley’s husband took their boys down there too which meant that Gulley and I ended our day with pedicures while our people were down at the ranch shooting guns and fishing and camping out. I’m pretty sure we got the better end of the deal.
Especially when I tell you that they ended their trip hunting down and shooting a six foot rattlesnake.
You can tell Caroline was absolutely terrified. This is the same child who freaked out because a mayfly got in the house last week. I don’t understand.
Meanwhile, Gulley and I had our toes painted in colors reminiscent of Easter Eggs. I went out on a pedicure limb and went with OPI’s Do You Lilac It? I have to say I’m a fan.
But here’s what went wrong with our pedicures.
I realize that part of the charm of the nail salon is how they like to give you the up-sell. Do you want the regular or deluxe pedicure? Would you like a manicure too? How about a paraffin wax dip?
No thank you. Just the regular pedicure, please.
That’s when they go for the jugular. Would you like your lip waxed?
See? Now you’ve just hurt my feelings.
But it was what happened after the lip wax offer that really got me. She looked right at me and said, “You want your eyebrows waxed? I make them look really nice, not bushy.”
Ma’am. I have dedicated the better part of the last six months growing out my eyebrows to look like this. I spent actual American dollars on an eyebrow serum called Talika to make them grow. And now you’re telling me you can make them look nice, not bushy?
You know what I say to that? That eyebrow serum totally works. And, also, STAY AWAY from my eyebrows. I am on the cusp of a Brooke Shields moment.
But all was forgiven by the time my pedicure was over because she was a big fan of the lilac color I chose. I told Gulley I think she even wanted to hug me but I wasn’t sure and I hated to go in for the hug if I was reading her signals wrong because that might make things awkward.
Kind of like asking someone if they want their lip waxed.
******
Just a reminder: I’m signing books at Adelante Boutique in the Pearl Brewery tonight (Monday) from 5-7 p.m.
You know I just had to scroll back up to the top to check out your eyebrows for myself… and darn it if your sunglasses don’t cover them up! I’m sure they are just lovely though so good call on avoiding the wax job
I scrolled, too!!! And, DANG, those sunglasses!
(BTW, several years ago, my 4 year old exclaimed “Mommy, you have a mustache!” Been waxing ever since…. {sigh} )
I couldn’t help noticing the sunglasses on everyone—-where have I been that I missed the reappearance of the mega size sunglasses?
Love the maroon “Love” t-shirt.
One of your photos is upside-down.
You might think about wearing your aviators a little lower on your nose…in the photos they’re sitting a little too high up & look kinda odd. Sorry if that’s rude…just thought I’d tell you.
Wow, really???
You are just kidding right?!
By reading her blog each day, you might feel that you know Melanie. It’s not polite to tell someone their sunglasses are too high (which they are not). Let’s keep things positive here and build each other up.
Amen to that, Jane!
Really?
Hmmm. If you suspect that what you’re about to say is rude, then it’s probably best not to say it, unless you’re a close, personal friend. Reading Melanie’s blog every day does not make us her close, personal friends.
Tara,
I don’t mean for this to come across aggressively….but rather sharing a little etiquette lesson with you…
if you have the slightest inkling something might sound rude, you might want to file it away in things best left unsaid….and in this case, incorrect.
The only thing that seems to fit Melanie incorrectly, is an unncessary judgemental comment. Her sunglasses on the other hand, hit exactly, where they are supposed to hit on her.
My son recently told me I have a mustache, so I feel pain when met with unsolicited facial hair advice.
That Brooke Shields, she has remained a steadfast love affair and commitment to larger than life brows. Most marriages don’t last as long.
My sentiments exactly. Sadly my bushy eyebrows are no longer bushy. In addition to growing a mustache the hair on my head keeps getting thinner by the day! Oy vey. LOVE the photo of Caroline, wearing lipstick and girly colors pointing with glee at the nastiest, largest snake ever!
Oh, I can relate! I was having my lip and eyebrows waxed when the lady asked if I wanted my CHEEKS waxed to. Whaaaaat?
Meredith, you are so sweet. I hadn’t had such a laugh in the longest time! It’s so much fun getting older (hairy cheeks and all)!
Makes me feel so much better knowing others get the lip wax offer.
Every so often photos on the blog show up upside down. Is this happening on anyone else’s device?
Where did you buy your eyebrow gel?
You are hands down, one of my favorite starts to
Monday morning! I love your anecdotes. And, I have to admit when I saw your
Tweet ( I still feel weird saying ‘Tweet’ to refer to something someone said) about the unfortunate lip wax upsell, I was really hoping there would be more follow up this morning. You never disappoint.
Oh man! Now I wish you weren’t wearing the sunglasses so I could see what you mean by the Brooke Shields Grow Out. I love it! This post brought a huge smile to my face. Until, I got to the picture of that there rattlesnake. Pee. Pee. Shivers. Even the thought of “Do You Lilac it” on toes couldn’t undo the image. Must go look at pictures of puppies for a month.
Oh Big Mama! I really enjoy reading your blog. As always, you do not disappoint. (I scrolled up to see your eyebrows too but alas, they were covered by your shades.)
Wow, I am60 years old an I still cannot afford a manicure or pedicure so I would not even know what to do, let alone make choices LOL!! You young women are so lucky now.
Good luck with the book.
Dear “Go”:
I’m in my 20s and the only time I’ve had a manicure/pedicure was before my wedding (it was a gift) and then a pedicure while I was hugely pregnant and incredibly hormonal (again, a gift). I’m sure you’re not in the minority on this one.
Thank you for sharing the “then and now” pictures of your kids and your friends! Friendship is such a treasure, especially the ones that have been around for the long haul. There is something to be said for having dear friends that get you and know, and you don’t have to explain things to because either 1.) They were there when it happened (like wearing sliding shorts under wind shorts…which I totally did, too…
) or 2.) They just get you and know you and every fiber of your being. Sorry for the super long comment…I guess I just got a little nostalgic looking at your pictures! 
I guess I’m like a few others.. I admit to scrolling up to check out your eyebrows only to find them covered in every photo by your sunglasses.
Old friends are jewels!
That’s so funny! On Friday, my daughter who turned 20 yesterday went to the mall for EYELASHES!
Yes, eyelashes! The Asian lady asked her what size she wanted and when my daughter said, “Do you have some I can look at?” The lady said, “NO, YOU LAY DOWN…I DO THIS!”
Turns out. Her new eyelashes are the glammiest but the manners of that culture of people not so glam! hehe!
Just chalk it up to that tiger mom culture.
Oh man, I thought I would make it through this morning’s post without a fit of laughter until, “See? Now you’ve just hurt my feelings.”
It hurts my heart that I’ve developed two dark chin hairs that I have to pluck on occasion. I’m blaming it on my firstborn, a sweet little fun-sized girl who turns 1 next month. Oh, me.
I agree, nothing worse than being asked if you want your lip waxed.
Except when my long time hairstylist just did it without asking. Bold, but in hindsight appreciated. Sometimes you just have to trust that your hairstylist has your best interest at heart. Especially after spending the better part of two hours staring at my lip up close and person; she clearly could take it no more.
LOVE the picture of Caroline in running shorts and boots- she is fabulous!
I too have fallen victim to the lip wax comment.
I am LOVING Gulley’s shirt! Do you happen to know where she found it?
The shirt is from Riffraff I think! shopriffraff.com
Ok….so today you made me cry and laugh. I couldn’t help but get a little teary when I saw the old and new pictures of you and the girls and of the kids!! They are so precious! I do wish I had been a fly on the wall during your conversation with the pedicure lady! You make me smile! Love you!
“Let me just help you out a little”…actually words spoken to me by a beautician.
Even the wax didn’t burn THAT much.
Love sweet times with great friends!
I found your blog about six months ago and really enjoy reading it. I knew when your book came out it would be great. Unfortunately, I had just started another book that I had to read for my book club. I have struggled through this book for the last several weeks and I am finally finished. This morning I woke up at 3 am and started reading Sparkly Green Earrings. I read for about an hour and I absolutely love it! I’ve seriously thought about not going to work and staying home so I can finish the book! It’s definitely going to be our next book for my book club. I know my friends will love it!
Oh, you make me laugh!!!!
I wore mine proudly, too.
Brought back memories with those sliding shorts under the wind shorts.
My 8 year old is like a walking makeup mirror. He regularly points out all of my unwanted facial hair…
You are beautiful! Glad you had a good weekend, post-plague.
I am offered the lip wax every time. For some reason it always takes me off guard to which I say “but it’s freckling from the sun……..really it is”
Oh, you’re cute as can be. No worries there. Just enjoy your lilac toes and ignore the lip comment. I’m sure they are required to ask the mustache question. You girls were cute in your college days and even cuter now. Now I see why you are often debating the bangs issue. You looked really good in bangs but you look great now, too. Love that Caroline-the boots and shorts just kill me.
Oh your college picture brings back my conviction (circa 1988-91) that wind shorts, t-shirt (usually from some social club event) and permed pony were the ultimate style.
With high topped Reeboks and scrunchy socks of course.
Not only did we wear sliding shorts under but we sometimes switched things up with boxers peeking out from under. What?
And yes, I hot glued eyelet trim to my men’s white boxers to class up my wind shorts and T-shirt. What?
Feeling your pain. I’ve had the same “upsell” myself and my feelings are still hurt. To the point I found a new nail salon!
Your sunglasses are fab and perfectly placed, btw.
Reminds me of when I went with two girlfriends for pedicures a few years ago. The girl doing our toes was the daughter of the owner, about a senior in high school. She was asking us how many kids we each had and how old we were. I had JUST had my daughter, and was in full-on breastfeeding/huge boobs time. She starts telling all three of us how she is scared to have kids because “It just make you so, um, stretched out. And how you feed the baby with your…what you call it?…your t*tties? And it make them all saggy. Yeah, I don’t think I can do that.” We all just looked at each other like, what is the best reaction here? Do we laugh or cry?
My jaw dropped on your behalf when I read the eyebrow comment! You handled it like a lady.
Lol…gotta love the eyebrow comment about a “Brooke Shields” moment…..
Hilarious! I went in one time to get my eyebrows waxed and the lady asked, “you want lip too?” Before I could answer she laughed and said, “you need!”
I laughed when I read this because a few years ago I had my eyebrows done at a fancy smancy shop and about a week later I took my stepson to get a haircut at a less expensive place. We walked in and the receptionist said, “You need your eyebrows waxed bad!” I wanted to slug her but instead said a weak “No thank you.”
What is with all the negative comments today? First, rudeness with the aviators – and yes, it WAS rude and then racism with “that culture” of the “tiger mom”. My goodness!
Funny stuff today, Melanie. Your salon story made me emit the high, squeaky laughter and at least a couple of snorts – that means something’s really funny. Also loved the pictures, and I swear, you all look so familiar from the Aggieland days. That is a very large snake.
after that hilarious nostalgic post and the tease about your amazing full new-life of your brows, i’ll be darn if you’re wearing aviators in each shot!
I found a source for Gulley’s shirt! Not sure if there is a cheaper source, though….
http://shopriffraff.com/shop/love-texas-american-apparel-tee-maroon/
So glad to know I’m not the only one that gets offended at the nail salons. One time Thule getting dead skin removed the lady started talking to the other lady across the store about my feet and then said “you just lose five pounds!”
I’m feelin you girl!
I’ll make all you of you feel better about the eyebrow waxing upsell.
I do not even have eyebrows because of a medical condition, yet at least every other time I go in for my “every other week” pedicure, they ask to wax my eyebrows!
Okay, now you need to take those sunglasses off so I can check out your eyebrows.
I’m pretty sure anyone who asks if you need your lip waxed or says your eyebrows look bushy DESERVES NO TIP! That is pure evil! Glad you could see past it and enjoy getting pampered anyway. Love your blog.
Girl, I haven’t read your blog in several years. I mean, life happens and then all of the sudden one of your fav blog writers publishes a book and you remember that she’s still out there in cyber space waiting to be read. I loved the book. So sweet and so genuine. So I just stopped back by this blog and caught up a little and laughed a lot. And it made me wonder, do you ever finish a post or a chapter and think, “wow, that was goooood” ? Cause I sure would if I were you. Thanks for the laugh today.
-Dawn
O.K. …so about the “lip wax”…so feeling built up. My “babies” are “all growed up” (which tells you a something about my age) and listening to you “young ladies” (someday you will look back on that phrase of mine and be glad of it) makes we want to do a happy dance & chant — “I’m not alone, I’m not alone”. God bless you all, real good!!!