Calgon...Take Me Away

Bath night...a derogatory term growing up...not really something I looked forward to as a kid. But hey...times have changed.

We moved into this house in September of 2002. I was thrilled to have a whirlpool tub for the first time in my life! I used it twice in six years. It took too long...I'd rather take a shower...I had to clean the tub...the list was endless. Then...last May...suddenly the thought of spending time in that tub became highly desirable. I'd find myself getting stressed out and proclaiming, "Calgon...take me away..." Ok...fess up...who's old enough to remember that one?

I think I partook of my guilty pleasure once a month...and I felt scandalous. I mean, I had things I was supposed to be doing and here I was just laying around in this bathtub. I took grief from more than one person. My favorite comment came from another Mel who said, "What is WRONG with you? We check into a HOTEL just so we can use those tubs!" So I started taking a soak every Friday...candles...soft lights...music. Ahhh...bliss...

However, as with my music, when the bottom fell out, my soaks didn't help...they hurt. I didn't want to be alone in my tub. If I had to hazard a guess I would say it was because I was forced to be alone with some very dark thoughts and I wasn't ready to face them. During this time I discovered a fabulous smelling body lotion put out by Bath & Body Works. Black Raspberry Vanilla soon became my comfort scent of choice. One evening, after my shower as I was indulging in said deliciously smelling lotion my tub started calling to me again. I believe it's exact words were, "I'll bet that comes in bubble bath too!" It was right.


Friday nights have become the highlight of my week. After I sing to the girls and tuck them in I barricade myself in the master bath with a veritable feast of delights for my weary soul. That truly is my tub at the top of the post...and my candles...and those bubbles? Yep...black raspberry vanilla...oh I can almost smell them now...

What you can't see in that picture is my laptop. Yes, we all know I'm obsessed with my laptop...it goes everywhere with me...even on vacation. Leave me alone...I could have worse vices. Most bath nights I've got one of my playlists from playlist.com cranked as loudly as I think I can get away with without waking the girls.

Lately I find myself taking an inordinate amount of pleasure from 3 Doors Down. These guys are PHENOMENAL. Their lyrics are p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n. If I didn't know better I'd think they were following Rick Springfield...following me around...making money off of writing about my life. The CD above, Away From The Sun is my current favorite. Just about every song on it has my undivided attention. I'm thinking it may be a good choice for tonight's bath night. However, I just realized...my hot little laptop also plays DVD's. I could watch a movie...or an episode of thirtysomething...or boomtown. But wait...I could go online and watch last night's episode of Fringe while I'm soaking in my own private little heaven! Be still my foolish, foolish heart!

Last Friday's soak was especially gratifying. It was the first I was allowed to take since getting my tattoo. I actually experienced that one without the soft lights...simply by candlelight alone. The only problem was after three weeks away from my haven, I'd lost the rather delicate skill of mixing the perfect water temperature. I ended up getting way too warm and had to cut my quiet time short. Tonight, I'm going to remedy that by taking another comfort with me...a frosty, cold bottle of T42 Peach tea. No...none of these companies are paying me to spotlight their products. But I am open to all offers.

Frankly, I'm at a loss as to what could make these at least an hour long mini-vacations be any better. Oh wait...how about a piece of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory?

Still better? How about a pair of broad shoulders to feed it to me?  Ok...I'll stop there. You get the idea. It's my escape into decadence one night a week.

Be blessed y'all...until next time,

Tattoos, Comfort, & Eighty Dollar Hoodies

Yeah...I know...another post...so soon. I blog without obligation. Remember? So stop swooning and start reading. ; )

The story of actually getting my tattoo is one worth sharing. When I took the PDF of my completed design to the Absolute Tattoo Company to get an estimate on cost and when I could have it done, I went on a Friday afternoon and I took Claire with me. You would've thought I was a regular at this place the way I walked into the door and started talking with these guys. I'm still kind of in shock...but I'm also in awe of myself. It was like "Old Mel" was standing outside the window watching "New Mel" take charge. "New Mel" rocks out loud by the way. ; ) Anyway, this young...shoot, they're ALL young...guy comes up to the counter...multiple piercings...in his face...and I ask him several questions. He takes my design into the back, talks to another young guy covered in ink, comes back out and quotes me a price. I then asked if I could make an appointment. He said, "Yes" then disappeared again. When he returned he said, "How about now?" I looked at him, pointed to the three year old child I had balanced on my hip, and said, "Umm? Dude?" He assured me that it was ok, other people bring their kids in all the time. I assured him that that wasn't going to happen in this case. I wasn't going to try and corral her while needles were buzzing my back. I told him I'd see him the next day at 2.

When I arrived on Saturday they were waiting for me. Everyone there, every single person, employee or client, was extremely kind and welcoming and just generally nice to be around. My artist, Marv, took his time explaining what was going to happen, what it would feel like, what I should do and not do, then asked me if I was ready. I said, "Marv? Should I take my shirt off?" He said, "Oh...yeah." I took my shirt off. Then I said, "Marv? How about the strap? You want that down?" He said, "Oh...yeah." I pushed my bra strap down my arm. Finally I said, "Marv? Would you like me to get my hair out of the way?" You can guess his answer, right? I have NO idea if these guys are used to dealing with women my age...or what. But they were all hilarious. It's like they didn't know how to act. One of them would drop an f-bomb and Marv would apologize. I assured him it was ok...I had heard that word at least once before and may have even used it on occasion.

Marv was very gentle with me, asked me continuously if I was all right. The other two youngsters that I had dealt with the day before each came over separately to check on me as well. What was SO funny to me is once they saw what Marv was doing? The first thing they said, in the same incredulous tone, was, "Oh WOW! This is your FIRST tattoo?" After that it was, "How are you doing? Are you ok?" Followed closely by, "Looks really good!" So what does that mean? I look to the outside world like I'm covered with hidden ink? LOL I mean it folks, I would go back there in a heartbeat. It was a 100% positive experience...one that makes me smile even now as I'm writing about it.

Let's talk some more about comfort...and tattoos...and $80 hoodies...

This summer, much to the surprise of everyone who knows me, I turned off my television. I'm the girl who has it on 24/7. Well...it's gone from 24/7 to zero. Yes, it's on for a couple of hours for Claire and Hope to catch Sesame Street, Max & Ruby, Phineas and Ferb, or any number of the other shows they are allowed to watch. But I haven't watched anything since...June maybe? Wow...even I'm amazed. The only thing I have been watching is Saving Grace...and I've been doing that on my laptop. I get TREMENDOUS peace from curling up in bed with my small screen and catching up with Grace. For those of you not familiar with Saving Grace you can read about it here.

Holly Hunter's portrayal of Grace Hanadarko...this independent, vibrant, take charge, love me as I am or get out of my life, amazing woman is nothing short of mesmerizing. Grace embraces LIFE. Can you see why I am so drawn to her? She has been sent a gift from God...a "last chance" angel named Earl. It seems that God has a plan for Grace, but she needs to clean up her act and fast. That's where Earl comes in. Earl is played to perfection by Leon Rippy. Earl's very presence, let alone his voice bring tears to my eyes...even at this moment. The night before Hope started school I was lying in bed, praying...and crying. I said, "Do you think maybe I could have a last chance angel like Earl?" And then? Peace...yes...like a river...as I imagined Earl not with me, but with Hope...sitting next to her on the bus...standing behind her when she does her work...waiting to catch her if she falls off the monkey bars. Ok...back in a minute...Mama needs a Kleenex...

So what does all this have to do with $80 hoodies? Shortly before I took my road trip, I watched an episode titled, "Am I Going To Lose Her?" In this episode, Grace is kidnapped by a childhood friend who has long stopped taking his meds for his schizophrenia. He ties Grace between two supports, tears her shirt off, drugs her, and tattoos her back. At the end of the episode the tattoo is revealed. He has given her...wings. Without giving away any more of the episode for those who may want to watch it, it had a very powerful affect on me. So several days later, as my demons were threatening to get the best of me I walked into Buckle and saw this exquisite creation staring at me:

And that is the story behind the $80 hoodie! :)

As always, be blessed y'all,