Family Photos: Birthday Merriment and Ms. Bear’s Meatloaf

Birthday MerrimentSerious question: Do I look older?? I mean, I have been 37 years old for a whole 11 days, after all. Are the ravages of time starting to show yet? Why would I be so worried, you might ask? Oh, because, well, let’s just say that I was quite the party animal during my Birthday Break and the birthday merriment was turned up to 100 ALL THE TIME!!!

What? You don’t believe me? Well, just check out this photographic proof. As the young people say, I’ve got receipts — a whole bunch of them, in fact, and they all have one big thing in common: They tell the story of my debauchery, my undoing, my fondness for getting down with my bad self and watching…musical TV shows of the ’90s. Yup, buckle up! Things are about to get really real — and, of course, really wild…

You might remember my Big City Shenanigans last year, where I got to experience the thrill of dinosaurs up close and take a sunny stroll along Lake Michigan with my two favorite people! While that little getaway was super fun, I just felt like having a quiet birthday this year. We decided to stay close to home, and, honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way. We played some games, watched some NCIS (how amazing is that show?) and just enjoyed a nice family celebration all the way around.

Birthday Merriment Birthday MerrimentIt’s become somewhat of a tradition to have my mom snap a photo of me opening my birthday merriment gifts. I’m in love with this angel figure that my sister got me; in fact, I even named her Angelique and added her to my collection of angels, but more on my collections in an upcoming blog post!

Birthday MerrimentAlso, see that pan of deliciousness? Janelle asked me what she could make for my special birthday merriment dessert and I was dying for her classic Rice Krispie treats! Her secret ingredients to give them an extra kick of sweet flavor? Almond and sprinkles!! They’re gooey and oh-so-scrumptious! We finished the pan in about a week! And now I’m craving them AGAIN!!

Birthday MerrimentAnd Ms. Bear’s meatloaf?!?!? Where do I even begin??? She makes the very best, most delicious meatloaf in all the universe, so there was no doubt that I wanted that for my birthday dinner. In typical Ms. Bear fashion, she made so much that we still have quite a bit left in the freezer, which is obviously fine by me!!! I’d eat it every day, if you ask me!!!

Birthday MerrimentWondering what I meant when I opened this post with a nod to ’90s musical TV shows??? Two words: KIDS INCORPORATED. I was beyond obsessed with this show as a kid, so when I found all the episodes on YouTube, it was all I could do not to bust out the shoulder pads and leg warmers! I’m almost done with season one and am psyched to relive my childhood for EIGHT more seasons of toe-tapping song and dance!!

Birthday MerrimentBut the very best moment of my Birthday Break this year? Whitney and Stella are finally, at long last, getting a bit more fond of each other. Here they actually sitting next to each other on the bed. That’s HUGE and such a big step for both of them!!! It made us all so happy to see!!

Thanks, too, for all the sweet birthday wishes, friends!! I appreciate you coming on this journey with me and can’t wait to see what my 37th year will bring!!

I closed out my day of birthday merriment by reading all your sweet messages!! Thank you for being such a powerful force in my life!! I hope you know how much I appreciate your love and support. As trying as some moments have been this year, I still feel surrounded by love, light and happiness. No dark clouds can dim that light.

I’m ready for ya, 37. Let’s do this… xoxo

🎂My 37th Birthday: On Changes, Challenges and Celebrations🎉

BirthdayOh, hi there, my 37th birthday!! So nice of you to drop in again!

It’s honestly hard to believe that I’ve taken another trip around the sun already.

12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes. And 4 seasons.

And, wow, what an eventful trip it’s been!! My 36th year was one of ups and downs, of personal and professional wins and losses, of heartbreak and healing. I’ve certainly felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions at times and I’m most certainly NOT naive when it comes to said emotional roller coaster, either. Trust me, I know it’s going to continue throughout all the years of my life. If you look at life like that — that every year you go around on that roller coaster is another year that you’re LIVING — well, then, I suppose that I should be pretty grateful for those ups and downs, huh?

Part of me isn’t too sure how to feel about my birthday this year, actually. I mean, 37 just feels like it’s going to be an odd age. I’ve reached that dreaded point in my 30s where I can no longer say “I’m in my mid-30s.” I’m officially in my late 30s! Yikes! Although, perhaps I can get away with saying “Oh, little old me? I’m in my late mid-30s“? That has a very nice ring to it, if you ask me!

I took the above selfie last week, while I was sitting outside and enjoying the classic Portillo’s jazz music and waiting for friends to arrive. How appropriate that Toy Story’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” came on! It reminded me that I have such wonderful people around me. As trying as some moments have been this year, I still feel surrounded by love, light and happiness. No dark clouds (or haters…) can dim that light.

Thank you, friends, for being such a powerful force in my life!! I hope you know how much I appreciate your love and support. As I’ve said before, we make a pretty amazingly awesome team, don’t you think?!?!?

BirthdayI’m taking my classic Birthday Break next week and I can’t wait to rendezvous back here on Monday, August 13th! Coming up that week: Birthday photos, a new guest post from Ms. Bear on what she learned this summer and…MY NEW DIGS!!!! Curious about that last one?? You’ll see!!! I’m always on Twitter and Facebook so come by and say hello!!! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a hearty dinner of my mom’s meatloaf and a delicious dessert of my sister’s delicious Rice Krispies treats calling my name!!! xoxo

P.S. My last NINE birthdays: 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th!!!

[Bottom photo via We Heart It]

My Essay on The Week: “The Priceless Nostalgia of Childhood Family Road Trips”

Family Road TripsI’ve written a lot about family over the years, but my newest essay is definitely one of my favorites! It’s my first for The Week and it’s all about the family road trips that marked my childhood in such a powerful and profound way! I originally wrote it back in March and I’d been trying to place it for the last couple months. Summer was coming to an end! I was worried I’d have to save it for next year and then…BAM!!

Summer is a season that evokes such incredible sense memories, you know? When I was writing this, even all the way back in the cold days of March, I could just feel summer with every word I typed. That summer vibe, complete with its warm sun and fresh-cut grass smell, just filled my soul with childhood nostalgia. It actually made me yearn for a bygone era and those classic days of yore.

In fact, after I wrote the intro paragraph, I remember thinking, “Wow, I’ve certainly seen America, haven’t I…” I say this to my mom a lot, but I am so grateful to my parents for the childhood they gave me — a childhood full of life and adventures. That’s a gift that I will carry with me forever! Those family road trips were so magical!

Here’s an excerpt of the piece, in which I namedrop my love for a certain late ’90s teen pop queen whose music I still bop to all the time — music that, to this day, still reminds me of those family road trips…

It was quintessential America — a snapshot of the United States. Wrapped up in these vacations was the perfect history lesson. My parents saw it as a way to bring history to life for my sister and me. But these trips are also our family’s history. It’s the story of our journey and our past and the story of our family.

It’s those summer memories that bring me comfort as I continue to mourn the loss of my father, 15 years after his death. It’s those memories I’m keeping alive. Those days of sitting in the backseat, pillow over my lap, just watching the world go by through the car window. In the sticky Southern heat of summer, the kind of heat that sticks to your back and sends beads of sweat rolling across your forehead, we were making our own history and planting the historical markers of our lives.

You can read the full piece here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo

My Father’s 67th Birthday: On Losing a Parent

Losing a ParentHere we are again, friends. Another year has gone by, which means that it’s time for another birthday. This time, it’s my father’s 67th birthday. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone, but I’m thankful for all the memories that make me smile. Those memories are reminders that he’s still with me, especially when I think about the journey I’ve been on since losing a parent…

I struggled so long with “why?” Why did this happen? Why didn’t I see any signs? Suicide leaves behind so much confusion and even now, 15 years later, I still struggle with that confusion. Also, the societal stigma attached to suicide makes it really hard for survivors to feel heard sometimes. But that’s never stopped me from writing and talking about my experience because I think it’s so important for others left behind to know that they’re not alone.

I know I say this so much, but I don’t think I would have gotten through the last 15 years without the love and support of my mom and sister. The three of us banded together in our darkest hours and I am so grateful for them. Also, writing has been such a therapeutic tool for me. It’s helped me heal and work through my grief. I feel like I can express myself fully and find the right words through writing so much better than if I try to say them out loud.

The death of a loved from suicide — any death, really — is something you never get over. You may work through your grief and get to a point where it no longer consumes your entire being, but you never fully get over that pain and loss. Grief isn’t linear. It’s a process, full of winding roads and paths that sometimes go backwards before they go forwards.

Losing a ParentHow I’ve dealt with my father’s death might not be how other people would do it, but it’s the way I’ve chosen to do it. And it’s been an incredibly transforming experience for me. I’m remembering him today and always. I like to think he’s tucked somewhere in my heart and that definitely brings me an incredible amount of comfort. Losing a parent is a confusing journey at times, but I know he’ll ALWAYS be with me… xoxo

[Bottom photo via We Heart It]

Meet Whitney: Our New Cat Who Loves My Wheelchair

Whitney WhitneySo this blog post is a long time coming, friends!! After Harry died in April, we didn’t know when we would be ready to welcome another cat into our home and our hearts. Harry was such a special creature and there truly was no kitty like him; I know everyone says that about their pets, but Harry was a magical creature! We knew that we would get another cat eventually, but we didn’t really put any kind of timeline on it. And then, after my mom and Janelle went to the local animal shelter ONE TIME, Janelle made the decision for us. That’s how, one afternoon in May, little Whitney found herself scampering all over Janelle’s room — and right into our hearts.

Yes, this little bundle of goodness and fur has been a part of our family for two months now! We never planned on getting a black cat, but Janelle said she felt a connection with Whitney the very first time she and my mom visited the animal shelter. My mom wasn’t convinced, but when Janelle went back by herself a few days later, Whitney jumped right into her lap and as the saying goes, the rest is history!

(Full disclosure: My mom fell in love with Whitney once she arrived!)

Whitney Whitney WhitneyAnyway, like I said, the rest is history, which is exactly what we’ve been doing for the last two months. We’ve been making our own history and memories with our new family member. In a word, Whitney is adorable. Sweet. Kind. Gentle. Curious. Well, I suppose that’s more than one word, isn’t it? But she’s just got so much purrsonality (see what I did there?) and it’s been amazing to get to know her and see her make herself at home with us.

Anyone who tries to tell you that all cats are the same has obviously never met one because cats are such unique, individual creatures. No two are exactly alike! Here’s what I’ve learned about Sister Whitney (that’s my nickname for her) so far, including some of her likes and dislikes…

• She’s curious — she’ll jump on counters, into cabinets and, with one mighty leap, into the recessed alcove above our fireplace. Fierce, isn’t she??

• She loves nothing more than a deep tissue massage and will show her appreciation by rolling on her back (shout-out to the cute white patch of fur on her stomach!)

• She’s a big fan of what Janelle calls the Pop Out Game, where Whitney will coyly hide under the bed, usually behind sheets that are draped over said bed, and wait for her prey. In this case, prey being Janelle’s ankles. The second Whitney spots said ankles, she proceeds to pop out her little black paw in a mad dash.

• She hates the birds, ever since she caught them sitting outside the window. I’m guessing she didn’t like their chirping because she immediately started chirping right back at them.

• We call her Squeaky because she lets out the tiniest little squeak when she wants to make her presence known.

• She loves my wheelchair. A lot. A few days after we brought her home, she just jumped up and sat on my seat like it was the most natural thing in the world.

• She prefers to spend her afternoons lounging on one of the rugs in our kitchen and just watch whatever we’re doing!

WhitneyWhitney joins older sister Stella, who is a bit unsure right now, but I know these two will be BFFs in no time! You can tell Stella misses Harry so much and I never realized how much cats actually grieve until I saw that grief in Stella — more about that in a separate post.

Also, I just want to issue a formal apology to parents everywhere: Janelle and I took care of Whitney during the day as she was getting used to her new digs. What a fast and curious cat!! You can’t take your eyes off her!! I’m sorry that I ever questioned why parents can’t get anything done. I know why now!

Whitney WhitneyThey say that black cats are unlucky, but this little lady has brightened our world so much in the last two months!! And, of course, I’m looking forward to all the memories we’ll make in the future. Welcome to the family, Whitney… xoxo