Rankin

Melanie Richardson

Let’s welcome our neighbour, Melanie Richardson.

Hi, Melanie! Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Melanie. I am married to my best friend, am a mom of two wonderful young men, an awesome stepson and the world’s best dog, Zeppelin! (Although he thinks he’s human. lol)

My oldest son loves animals and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to facts about almost anything. Ever question who that guy is in a movie? Chances are, he will know and could name every movie he has been in. lol. He loves spending time with his best friend, Gavin, and works in produce. This kid is the epitome of perseverance. He has been battling health issues for years, only to be diagnosed a year ago with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. We still have a long road to go, but he is tackling it with a calm that amazes me every day.

My youngest son is at Canadore College studying to be an actor. Anyone who knows this kid would not be surprised to hear this is the career path he has chosen. This kid lights up every room he walks into. He is kind, witty, and gives the best hugs in the world. When he is not studying to be in the spotlight or playing guitar and singing with his band, 5th Station, he is spending time with his beautiful girlfriend. Like him, she is in school for the same studies, and they make the perfect pair.

My stepson has almost completed his apprenticeship to become a sparky like his dad. He is another witty one who keeps us laughing and loves to have adventures with his dog Willow, whether in a canoe or hiking through the bush somewhere. This kid is another one who knows a ton of useless facts and is very talented when it comes to playing the drums.

Finally, my husband! He is the most loyal and caring man I have ever met. He is an electrician who also loves to dabble in all other trades at home. I wanted a pool, so he dug a hole and built me one! He’s a Jack of All Trades, and he does it with a smile! He is a great dad and stepdad and loves to cook as much as I do. 😊

Anyone who knows me knows that family is everything to me. I never had to wish for a daughter because my brother gifted me with the best niece and great-niece anyone could ask for. My niece grew up alongside my boys, and we had so many great adventures together when they were little.

I love to run and used to run outside all the time until I moved to the country in the little town of Rankin. After crossing paths with snakes, bears, skunks and coyotes, I decided the love/hate relationship I had with my treadmill was more of a loving relationship after all!

When I’m not managing a construction site, you can usually find me cooking or baking in the kitchen or outside near a bonfire somewhere! (Funny thing about my love for baking is that I usually gift most of it away so that I don’t eat it all.)

As a family, we are very passionate about supporting our community by shopping and supporting local businesses as much as possible. From Sunday breakfast at the Legion to fundraisers at our local recreation halls, visiting our favourite bakers, and shopping at our little town country stores for the most memorable gifts, we really feel that this is our best way to give back to our community.

Do you have any phobias? What are they?

I have a severe phobia of snakes. Big or small, I am terrified of them all!

If you could start a whole new career path, what would you be?

If I could go back in time and start over, I would be a teacher or a nurse because of my love for children and for helping people.

What three adjectives do you think your family and friends would use to describe you?

Determined — sometimes confused with stubborn — kind, and my husband’s favourite, “Rammy!”

Rammy is my husband’s slang for Ramrocket.  He calls me Rammy because I often multitask so much that I don’t take time to slow down before rushing to complete something.  As an example: Ikea furniture. “LET’S DO IT” without taking the time to read the instructions in detail. Soon, I am taking it apart again because a piece is on backwards.  But hey, I always succeed in the end, even if I’m “Rammy.”

What strange food combination do you most enjoy?

Dill pickles dipped in mashed potatoes — soooo good!

If Hollywood made a movie based on your life, who would you like to see play you in the film?

Kristen Bell. Not only is she beautiful and funny, but she seems to have a lot of the same values in her personal life as a mom and wife.

What was the worst style choice you ever made?

Teased bangs and neon knee socks!

Are you a cat or a dog person? Why?

Hands down, a dog person. Cats always seem to have an agenda, and they pounce on you when you least expect it. lol.

Dogs are just a furry version of us. They know how to comfort us when we are sad, keep us company when we are sick, and they celebrate our arrival every single day, the minute we walk through that door!

If you had a yacht, what name would you choose for it?

Knot Today, Skipper! Or Sea Senor!

You’ve just won the lottery. What will you do with your windfall?

I have thought of this question so many times in my life, and no matter what, I always come back to the same answer. I wouldn’t want extravagant things; I would want to use it to make life easier. For example, pay off our home and vehicles, buy each of the kids and my brother their own home or pay it off if they already own one. If possible, I would extend this to paying off the homes of our closest family members as well. Financially, life is so tough for people these days. I would love nothing more than to be able to ease some of that burden for my loved ones.

What do you miss the most about being a kid?

I miss being carefree. I miss the smell of the canvas tents and the sound of the rain on our family camping trips. I miss spending time in the gardens with my grandpa or swinging on the tire swing at the farm. I miss all the wild adventures we had with my aunt and uncle and all the injuries as a result of them. lol.

Thanks for sharing with us, neighbour Melanie.

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Next week, we will welcome Lily Klentz.