Just Melanie

Halloween 2013: Trick Or Treat?

Well, hello there, you. Chloë, my 12-year-old, bought her Cleopatra costume at Wal-Mart with a birthday gift card she received in September. I thought she looked gorgeous, and I could tell she felt pretty, too. It's important. Jack, my 10-year-old,... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Boys Will Be Boys

. So last night, we were sitting around as a family when Sophia mentioned that she had always wanted to have a mud mask. (Apropos of what, I don't know; it was pretty random.) . Since I'm a Jafra Consultant,... Read more →

Friday Fragments, Version 10.17.13

. Link up with Mrs. 4444 if you're fragmented today! . * * * * * * * * . I haven't played along in aaaaages, maybe once since the beginning of Summer, so I hope this isn't too terribly... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Pin Pricks, Anyone?

. Link up here if you've got questions for us this week! . My question for you this week is: . . Are you allergic to anything? What? . . I'm asking because my youngest, Sophia, is having breathing issues... Read more →

Aloha Friday: You're Full Of Crap

So, I'm going to level with you folks: I crapped my pants today. Maybe twice, I'm not sure. You see, ever since I had gastric bypass surgery over 5 years ago, I get an awful lot of "upset tummy" issues.... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Avast, Me Hearties!

. Link up with A Renaissance Woman if you're questioning the rest of us today! . . So, today was pretty good for Team Odette, all things considered. Rob and Sophie went to go see the movie Planes at a... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Jewish Holidays

Link up here if you've got questions for the rest of us today! My question for you this week is: Is your calendar anti-Semitic? What?! you say. I know. But I was talking to a friend of mine tonight, who... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Happy Birthday, Baby!

Link up with A Renaissance Woman if you're questioning the masses today! My question for you this week is: If you're an adult with a significant other, how do you celebrate each other's birthdays? Today, my husband Rob turned 41.... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Who's Better Off?

. . Link up with A Renaissance Woman if you're asking questions today! . . My question for you this week is: . . Are you better or worse off than your parents were - or about the same? .... Read more →

Aloha Friday: What Did You Learn?

Link up on A Renaissance Woman if you've got questions for us today! I have a two-part question for you this week. My questions are: What's the most important lesson you have learned in your life? And, similarly: What one... Read more →

Aloha Friday Is Back!

A long absence, a new home... and it's back. Link up here if you're playing along with Aloha Friday today! To remind you what it is: “Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the... Read more →

Aloha Friday: Card Exchange?

Link up here if you want. Otherwise, run along and play. Kidding! I'm feeling snarky. Don't take it poissonally. So, my question for you this week is: Do you want to exchange holiday 2012 cards with me? If so, leave... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani & friends today! My question for you this week is: Have you ever traveled in an RV (motor home)? I haven't, but we're considering doing that in a few months as... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Join us for Aloha Friday if you've got questions for us today! My question for you this week is: Do you speak any other languages aside from English, or your native language if not English? I used to be quite... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Kailani & Pals link up here for Aloha Friday posts. My question for you this week is: Are you a good driver? I used to consider myself one, until I got "Penelope," our Honda Odyssey, two years ago. I don't... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Aloha! Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani and friends today! My question for you this week is: Do you have a low-flow toilet? Either way, what do you think of them? My answer: We have one. As... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani & Friends today! My question for you this week is: Do you help the homeless when you can, or do you generally brush them off? If you read my last post,... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani & Friends today! My question for you this week is: To what kind of music do you like to listen? As for me, I like all kinds except country and explicit... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you're playing along with Kailani & friends! My question for you this week is: Do you have any kind of dietary restrictions? Care to share what and why? The rest of my family don't have any... Read more →

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you've got questions for Kailani and friends today! My question for you this week is: If you were an athlete, an Olympian, say, would you rather win by a close or a wide margin? Would you... Read more →