Thoughts on Greeting Cards

If you make the decision to buy a blank greeting card - make sure of the following things:

1. You've got plenty to say.

Or

2. You've got a big signature.

Drinking Problem

McW and I both own cats that have drinking problems - unconventional drinking habits, that is.

Take Kitty McW... he had us rolling one lazy Sunday afternoon:

And then there is my feline...who always has a wet head (and now I know why). I'm considering renaming her 'Ross.'

Take that, Winter!

Snow decided to show up early this year. Not only was it early but it fell in North Dakota-like quantities. It's gorgeous.

However, the snowfall was like the nail in Summer 2010's coffin. Life has not stopped since it got cold, but it is certainly different. We're still busy but in different ways. Now the plan is to do the same to the winter season as we did to the summer - live the hell out of it.

The fun began this weekend. We drove home from church on Sunday and, on a lark, decided to grab our fishing gear and head out to one of the ponds we fished at this summer. It was frozen over and I was excited because I've always wanted to ice fish. McW knocked a couple of holes through the ice and we stood strong against the cold and watched our bobbers float on the icy water.

There was a quick strike at the worm right in the beginning, but no luck. Still, we felt triumphant about being there at all. "This is awesome," we said.

Then on the drive home we stopped along the river. We tromped through the snow and stood along the bank. I tossed my line in and reeled the spinner across the river and, to my amazement, I got a bite! I was too surprised to set the hook and actually catch the fish...but it was a beacon of light in a fishless winter season. I told McW the good news and he tossed his line in and within minutes...

...Take that, winter!

Sweet Liberty

Only one hour left until the four day weekend.

And.

Only one more holiday until I get to decorate la apartmenta for Christmas.

Thanksgiving should be great this year. Combining McW's parents and my parents for the first time over Thanksgiving dinner number one, playing football (Friends style!) and then Thanksgiving dinner number two with the rest of McW's family. I'm looking forward to the whole day - I'm hoping to sneak in mimosas and the parade for breakfast.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, blog land!

Lungs.

Sara Bareilles has a fine set of lungs. She came through town last Friday and just knocked our collective socks off. I've never heard someone sing the notes she sang at that concert. I was inspired and depressed all at the time time - she's just good. All kinds of good.

And.

She cussed like a sailor and dressed like a man.

Could she be any cooler?

Here's an illegal video snipet:

Also. The Cary Brothers Band opened for Sara and the bassist from the band wore the worst/most awesome t-shirt I've seen in a long time. I was fortunate enough to get this picture with him and his t-shirt:

Snow.

On my way of out of my building this morning, this view greeted me from the end of the hallway. The snow seems a little early this year but it's not unwelcome. It's gorgeous!

Love me like a superstar, play me like a steel.

Little Big Town came through town again last night. This was my third LBT concert and they only get better.

The concert venue that most of these bands come through is just little. They sell general admission tickets and you just stand and stand and stand. Pro? If you get there early enough, you can get insanely close to the action up on the stage. Con? There is no clearly defined space bubble. We the people - the concert going public - are left to govern our own concert listening space. This is effective until you realize that your definition of appropriate concert listening space is different from someone elses. My scale of irritability varies depending upon my level of anticipation and enthusiasm for the performers on stage. Little Big Town is my second favorite musical group. I was a neurotic space governor last night.

I'm not proud of myself. I was uncharacteristically rude to the security guard and really rude to an overly talkative, attention-starved brunette in really tall heels. I'm not going to beat myself up over it because the guard and the brunette sort of had it coming. However, at the end of the day - the guard was just doing what he was told to do and the brunette was annoying but was attempting to be considerate.

Anyway. The music.

The first thing about LBT that takes my breath away is how tight their harmonies are. They have been singing together for twelve years and so I'm sure it comes with the territory. Still, their ability to pick the right notes and sing them until the swell fills the room is captivating.

The second thing that comes to mind is the warmth that they all deliver when they are on stage. They all have a sparkle in their eye and a smile on their faces all the time. I don't think it's contrived for stage presence purposes. I think it's overflow from their hearts - I think they genuinely love what they decided to do with their lives.

My favorite songs from last night were 'The Reason Why,' 'Bring It On Home To Me,' and 'Fire.' I was excited to see them do the build into the last part of 'The Reason Why' and they delivered. 'Bring It One Home To Me' has always been a favorite LBT song and when they started singing it, it was like seeing an old friend. 'Fire' was fun because I had my favorite someone there to kiss.

Little big thanks to Jimmy, Karen, Kimberly and Phillip. You guys deserve so much more recognition than you receive. You are wonderful.

We ruv'a a karaoke!

McW, our friends and I LOVE to karaoke. There are plenty of spots around town that we hit up on a pretty regular basis. We have met some seriously awesome people making our rounds on our karaoke tour.
One of the most memorable karaoke outings we've had was a couple months ago at our favorite dive. We walk in and spot a table full of soul sistas and bruthas (as McW would preface - this is not racist, it is just a fact) who, you HAVE to know, can sing the hell out of any song. I was intimidated. McW? Not so much. He picks out his favorite Smokey Robinson tune and begins. There was no need for him to be intimidated because within the first two measures of the song, one of the bruthas was on the floor bowing before him.

What happened next was too precious not to catch on video...

That's right. Back up dancing.

Meppy Thanksgivmas!

As I stated on a Facebook status today, there are only eight days left until I put up my Christmas tree and decorate my apartment. I love the way everything is going to smell and I'm going to love turning all the other lights off to let the lights on the tree shine.

This year, more than any other of the years in my brief history, has gone by so fast that the upcoming holidays don't seem to fit yet. The fact that Thanksgiving is one week from tomorrow has me almost unsettled. We don't even know what we're doing for Thanksgiving yet. I've been watching the third season of Friends and what I'm most concerned with is organizing a football game like that one Thanksgiving episode. I feel like it's time.

"Too scary!"

This video is hilarious.

Oh! My face hurts from the laughing.



The Feline - Attack.



Sigh No More

1. Watch please: http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/12/sugarland-sigh-no-more-mumford/.

2. If love is done right - it's supposed to help you hone in on the best version of you.

Oh it's been a long time.

Well howdy, deserted blog-land. You're still looking goregous.

I died and went to a summer-type heaven. I've been sent back to spread the good news, however. Adventure? It's out there. Time? It's on your side if you talk nice to it. "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape." Change those "I'd like to's" to "Man, that was awesome's." Consider that the recap.

Today I watched the following video on YouTube:

It made me smile.

Happy Tuesday.

Silly little fun havers.

I Don't Know but I've Been Told...

...if you ain't busy livin' than you're gettin' old.

Sorry, blog.

You know the rules. So do I.

I'm 25. I've never seen this music video. I YouTubed and Wikipedia'd it to better understand the term "Rick Roll."

Rick rolling: is an Internet meme[1][2] typically involving the music video for the 1987 Rick Astley song "Never Gonna Give You Up". The meme is a bait and switch: a person provides a hyperlink that they claim is relevant to the topic at hand, but the link actually takes the user to the Astley video. The link can be masked or obfuscated in some manner so that the user cannot determine the true destination of the link without clicking. When a person clicks on the link and is led to the web page, he or she is said to have been "rickrolled". Rickrolling has extended beyond web links to playing the video or song disruptively in other situations, including public places;[2] this culminated when Astley and the song made a surprise appearance in the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,[1] a televised event with tens of millions of viewers.

It took me a moment to realize that this is the actual music video and not an exaggerated parody.

For Halloween, I want McW to be Rick Astley and I want to be either one of the blond chicks or the dancing bartender.

I'm a Mess.

And I like it.

Let's start with my truck: In the back of my truck there is a half empty case of bottled water, lots of sand, my old chucks that are covered in sand, my pink hoody, my fishing pole, and the washers game board. There is also (this is a little gross) trout blood on my tailgate.

In the cab of my truck there are random groceries, sunflower seeds, sunflower seed shells, sheets of music and a couple towels.

My apartment is dusty. My sink is full of glasses and cereal bowls. There are tufts of the feline's fur floating in every corner. I did laundry last week and there is already a full basket waiting to be done.

Let's not talk about my bank account.

The point of my full disclosure? All of these little messes have a story or because of a story - little adventures. Summer finally arrived and I can't find a reason (or am in complete denial regarding the reason) to not enjoy it on a daily basis. I'm tired, sun burnt and poor. Still - not good enough reasons.

I hope you've made plans to have as much fun as humanly possible this summer.

Crazy Cat Lady

Listen. I realize that everyone thinks their animals are cute - more cute than the average animal. Like, "Yea, your cat (or dog) is cute, but my cat (or dog) is unusually cute..." Who's the judge of the cuter animal, anyway? It's generally the unfortunate listener who throws in the towel (who doesn't want to hear any more pet stories) that hands out the verbal medal of achievement, "Oh, THAT is cute."

Seriously though, my cat is really cute. I've got pictures.

Still in the closet. That's bound to change when she meets Joan from across the hall.

I'm not sure she is going to make it through another summer with all that fur. The Stylist suggested we shave her like a lion. If she keeps sneaking into my closet and leaving little fur deposits, I may take her up on the offer.

However, she may find some reprieve in stealing a drink here and there from my mug.

See? Way cuter than your cat.

I also realize that most women are in denial about their 'crazy cat lady' status.

I know I just posted a blog about all the cute things my little feline does.

However. I only have one cat and I don't even own a pair of slippers.

Happy Weekend, Sugar!

We've all made it to the weekend. By the time I am finished with this little recap, it will be 5:00 p.m.

I've been looking forward to tonight for quite some time. My co-workers (some of the fun-having ones) and I are heading out to the ol' ball game. I love our local baseball games. Also - I love fireworks. There will be fireworks after the game tonight. Could life be any sweeter?

McW and I have a bag of peanuts and high hopes for a hometown win. Swing, batter batter!

It's all about who you know.

Connections.

If you know the right people - you can get away with anything.

For instance, a local company has been working with a local cleaning company. I hear that the local cleaning company does a horrible job and charges quite a bit for that horrible job that they do. They've been doing a horrible job for years.

They get to keep doing a horrible job because the owner of the local cleaning company is friends with the one of the owners of the local company. And that is that.

I hear that the local company has complained multiple times to the local cleaning company and nothing has changed. Were this cleaning company owned by someone who wasn't friends with one of the owner's of the local company - they would have been replaced. They would have been replaced by a local cleaning company that cleans.

Were I providing a service for a friend and his/her company - I would be embarrassed if I did a poor job and would be even MORE embarrassed if someone had to complain more than once to get my attention.

As it stands - the local company will continue operating in their building that is riddled with cobwebs, dust, crumbs, sticky floors and smudgy windows. The local cleaning company will continue to be oblivious because, in the end, it's not about the quality of the service you provide - it's all about who you know.

Seamstress Extraordinaire

This last Saturday I made a pot of coffee, two Eggos and two shoulder bags. I intended to make only one shoulder bag - but my pattern was a bit too large (GIANT) for it's original purpose (disc golf bag) so I made number two.  I was so proud of my idea and the execution of the idea (right down to the fact that I remembered how to use a sewing machine...) that I took play-by-play photos. I shared them with my good friend, the Stylist. Sidenote: her blog is located on 'My Favorite Stops' and it's called 'WineSperation' - give it a looksee. You'll not be disappointed. Now - I'll share them with you (hi Mom!).

The pattern pieces all laid out (including the brown nylon lining underneath - I cut up an old skirt for the lining).

Aforementioned brown lining. That skirt never looked better. It was at this point that I should have realized that the pattern I made was MUCH too large for a disc golf bag. I didn't. I persisted.

The bottom and the sides of the exterior.

My proudest achievement: the side pocket.

The completed (nearly) bag. In this photo it looks cute and dainty. In reality...

...it was too big to even be considered as an airline carry-on. Note the strap - the really, really long strap. I'm not so good with proportions.

I did sew an entirely different bag out of an old t-shirt and shelf lining. It will do for now. I will probably pick out some new material and give it another shot.

I will also put the feline in her cage before I start the next project. Her added ass-istance was unappreciated.

What's on YOUR Mind?

Facebook - LAY off! Sometimes I just want to sit with you in the quiet without you constantly wanting to know 'what's on my mind.'

However, on my mind are a few different things.

The first being the fact that I've camped out each weekend for the last two weekends and I feel as though if I don't sleep outside tonight, the Earth may fall out of orbit.

Ok. Maybe it won't.

But I'm crazy about the idea of leaving for a night or two and renting a tent space from Mother Nature (and the Parks Department). The more often, the better. Looking back at last summer I realized that I spent one night in a tent last summer. That's it. Why? I had nineteen jobs. I was a house sitter and a baby watcher. I used to joke about the fact that I couldn't wait for the day I needed a house sitter. If the feline wasn't as self-sufficient as she is, that day would be upon me. Yes. I have arrived. I'm busy - busy having fun.

The second thing spinning around in my mind is my disc golf game, namely my driving technique. Yeah. There are techniques. The one McWHYBAML and I tried last night was called the 'X Step.' Curiosity piqued?

We're learning. And in the process, we lost two discs in the water traps. The daring McDub hopped into one of those water traps and attempted to find the one I lost. Sigh.

Lastly - Daphne Willis. She sings songs. I heard her on the radio last Sunday and I had one of those instant "I like this" reactions. I checked out her website this morning and discovered her music video for a song called Everybody Else. It features Cookie Monster. I like this even more.

The weekend is nearly here. HAPPY Friday!

Lazy.

It was pretty difficult for me to get out of bed this morning. I had a pretty sweet weekend and the fact that it was already Monday seemed more abrupt than usual. 

When I finally tossed the covers off and headed towards the shower, I noticed that my little feline was perched atop the stack of pillows on the left side of the bed. She's normally up and at 'em when I am. She makes her way to sit on the toilet when I'm in the shower and then on to my vanity when I'm curling my hair. 

Not today.

As I was making my way out the door, she was still curled up on the pillows. My resentment for my little sleeper-inner was no match for my adoration - she's pretty cute.

The resentment will return with a vengeance when I get home tonight and discover exactly how much fur she has left behind on those pillowcases (that I washed on Saturday).

Mom and Dad - This One's For You

Earlier today, via Facebook, my mom posted a status update that said, "Hey Daughter, you need something new on your blog. Something about how wonderful your parents are. Thanks."

Ok, Mom.

A good Mom memory: When I had the flu in the second grade - you turned the guest bedroom into a Nintendo room and made up the twin bed with that pretty awesome quilt and you brought me lunch on a tray. You let me play Nintendo all day long that day. That was wonderful.

Alright, Dad.

A good Dad memory: When I was a junior in high school I was driving around a cool but not as dependable as it could have been Mazda Protege. The stereo had been stolen out of it and you told me you were going to get it fixed. You came home that night and told me to come out and look at the stereo. When I walked outside, there was a brand new (to me) Honda Accord. It was a huge surprise and that was wonderful.

My facebook status should now read, "Hey, Mother. Maybe you should tell all your facebook friends how wonderful I am. Thanks."

Big Ol Blog Failure

I've been taking in a lot of life lately and it seems like none of it has transferred over from experience to documentation. I'm sorry, blog. Have I told you lately how cute you look?

Now for some random slices of life that I'd like to share:

McW and I are big frisbee golf fans. I've made mention of that a time or two. At any rate, one of the things that I love about where we go to frolf are the people we end up meeting. For the most part, people are just out to have a good time and drink pretty heavily. We become fast friends with these people.

Along with our love of frisbee golf, we also love to check out the local sheriff's department website. Each day they upload the previous day's arrests complete with mugshots for all to see.

The connection? At least two, if not more, of our new frisbee golf friends have made an appearance on that website. You think you know somebody, right? So far, we've only had run-ins with light-weight criminals...but who knows. The next time we tee up, we may narrowly escape with our lives.

And in entertainment news, The Executioner, McW, Brother McW and his lady - One Bad Ass Chick (OBAC for short) went out on the town to sing some karaoke last night. This is always a great adventure for this specific group of people. Brother McW and McW both hammered out some Stevie Wonder and I tried my hand at an Aretha number. Each time we go out for the karaoke, it makes me wonder if we shouldn't start performing together...maybe a cover band?

That's about all. Again, sorry blog.

Want A Song Stuck in Your Head for Three Weeks Straight?

Ok.



You're welcome.

McWHYBAML and I are going to see these cats live in June. Easy on the ears, they are! I'm excited!

REPOST: Miss Independent - UPDATE

UPDATE: Since posting this last summer, 50% of my personal ad dreams have come true. I will say it's closer to 75% since I rarely ever go to the store...maybe even 100% because I don't even own the yard to grow the tree in to build a treehouse.

Life is good. Why? Because if he can change his own tire...

...he can change mine.

REPOST:

I consider myself pretty independent. I learned last night, however, that the depth of a person's independence is equal to the depth of their knowledge.

I don't know how to change a tire.

Independence flies out the window when it's 10:15 at night and you've got a flat. I called my dad immediately and within twenty minutes, my own personal Triple A arrived.

I made an attempt at preparing the way by removing the jack from the compartment and putting it in the proper position. I also removed the plastic wheel cover as instructed by the laminated diagram that was also in the jack compartment. I tried to loosen the lugnuts but there was no give.

From the time he arrived until the time the spare was secured in place, it seemed like only five minutes had passed. Had I tried to be tire-savvy and replace it myself, the Lord himself probably would have had time to come back and fix it. Thanks, Dad.

Independent schmindependent. The second draft of my personal ad should now read, "SWF seeks SWM to build treehouse, carry in groceries (when SWF goes grocery shopping), and be on hand to change a flat (so my dad doesn't have to)."

Oh, also, "Make out a little."

That is all.

Things I Miss

In no specific order:

    O'Boise Potato Chips.

    Playing the stuffed animal crane game.

    Not realizing what a giant waste of money playing the stuffed animal crane game was.

    Those white pair of Pumas with the blue suede stripe down the sides that I got from the Executioner.

    The local cheese factory.

I'm either hungry or six years old - but those are the things that are on my mind this morning. Happy Thursday, Sugar.

Rebel with...High Cholesterol

I really like chocolate chip cookies. I love chocolate chip cookie dough. So much so that no amount of bold labelling on cookie dough packaging would deter me.

Clearly, if they had to put that on the package, I'm not alone in my cookie dough quirk. Who doesn't love cookie dough? Moreover - don't you buy the cookie dough at the store to eat the cookie dough? I do.

When I worked at TCBY - the best part of my job was the box of cookie dough in the walk in freezer. Was it ethical to remove (gloved) handfuls of said cookie dough? No. Was it delicious? Yes.

On an unrelated note, I've been having chest pains for the last 24 hours. I think it has something to do with the marathon Frisbee golf day McWHYBAML and I had on Saturday. Either that, or my arteries are slowing closing from my unhealthy eating choices.

May the record show, Nestle Tollhouse, that if I do check out - it will be from blocked arteries and not from salmonella.

Happy Friday, SUGAR!

Here's a special treat for your ears, eyes and that little voice inside you that says, "I wonder what it would be like to blow up a piano."

I'd like to blow anything up today. It's not that anything is wrong or bad - it's just Friday and I feel like a chinchilla in a crayon box. It's time for fun and free time. One hour and twelve minutes until freedom. High five!

The Stylist and I

How'd she get her name? Well. She is responsible for my mane. She keeps it looking like it does.

I love the foil part. It allows me to realize some of my rodeo queen hair dreams.

Today was a day of decisions as I wanted to do something different with all this hair. When you've got long hair, generally the only thing different to do is cut it. I'm pretty picky about the color (have been ever since Mom dyed my whole head yellow ((love you, Mom))). I thought about opting for something like this:

Turns out I'm just not ready to make the change. This head of hair and I have been together for a long time. It's a pretty good partnership.

Countdown to Sugarland: 3 Days

While trying to figure out a way to get backstage to the upcoming Sugarland concert, I stumbled across Jennifer Nettles' new blog. I'm convinced we'd be good friends were we afforded the luxury to meet one another. She's a personal hero of mine - I assume that once I see her perform live, the feeling will only grow.

She's an entertainer. Read this. You'll be entertained.

Blog From Jennifer–A Not-So-Day-In-The Life


April 27, 2010

“A Not-So-Day-In-The Life” by Jennifer Nettles

Everyone likes to think the life of a musician is all parties and Dom, private jets and shopping sprees. For some, this may be true. For me, it is not, and this fact has been known to disappoint a few people (Though these are the same folks that scurry to read the “Stars: They’re Just Like Us” section of the celebrity rags which captures and displays, for the amusement and amazement of the tabloid hungry viewers, celebrities at the grocery, buying coffee, pushing their kids on the swing, picking their noses etc etc. Hypocritical of those folks to clamor for Brad and Angie’s cotidien, kid-infused pictures strolling the hairspray aisle at the drug store, while hoping to see me swinging from the chandeliers, but I digress…..). However, as I have had a stellar day today, fit for a Robin Leach voice-over, I thought I would share it with you for your voyeur within.

This story is set in Las Vegas where I am to celebrate the ACM’s. I don’t particularly care for Vegas as it makes me think of Disney Land for drunk adults who stumble around without looking where they are walking, blissful to have left the rugrats with the grandparents and, consequently will then proceed to drink as if they’ve just been released from prison. I have to be in a wildly festive mood to darken the door of a casino as it is largely ruled by four of my least favorite things:

1. Drunken adults making up for lost time in gymboree or church so they party like it’s 1999. Again.

2. Recycled Cigarette Smoke. This is where the casinos, in a effort to keep people inside and gambling, allow smoking but try to cover it up with some sort of coconut scent which just ends up smelling like a coconut flavored ass on fire.

3. Cold. In an effort to keep people awake (and to keep the burning coconut ass smell less noticeable) the temperature of a casino is freezing. Remember my olympic blog? I’m not very fond of the cold.

4. Loud, continuous, dinging noises. Annoying unless one is completely smashed or 3 years old.

Now I realize that my personal opinions of our fair City of Scandal may make me sound like a complete and total itch-bay. But, fear not my sweet swillers of sin, I have found an oasis in this dinging, drunken, neon desert and am able to actually enjoy myself on several levels!

I love being from the East Coast while working out West. The time change works in my favor and allows me to feel complete Virgo satisfaction by having me naturally wake before 7am. This is the case today. I casually make my way down to a lazy breakfast where I sip green tea and write in my journal until my breakfast arrives at the table: egg white fritatta and a side of mixed berries.

After breakfast I go and work out. The hotel has a really nice gym and I don’t feel like I need to disinfect every inch of it. Plus, since it’s Vegas and most people are here to forget their minds as well as their bodies, I pretty much have the place to myself. Another perk!

After my workout I stroll by the spa desk and make myself an appointment for a massage. I return to my room and had a shower with some yummy smelling bath products by Bulgari, provided by the hotel. By this time I need some lunch in order to make my massage appointment on time (and since I had breakfast at the ass crack of dawn, I am hungry already anyway:-).

I make my way to the restaurant where I proceed to read Bust Magazine, seated outside, until my fish tacos arrive. The kind waitress asks if I want a glass of wine to which I reply, “I’d like all of them but I can’t today”. I pay my bill and head in the direction of the spa.

The spa is wonderful with comfy robes and, my favorite, cucumber flavored water. (I love this stuff. I also read somewhere that there was a smell test conducted on men and women to see which scents were the most arousing. For women it was cucumber. For men, pizza. No joke. Hey, I read it, so it must be true right?!). I meet my therapist, chose an essential oil scent I like (too bad they don’t have pizza oil as an option. I’m interested), and have a wonderful massage that leaves divets in my face for about 2 hours. I also buy some face moisturizer because I am currently almost out of mine and do not want to be caught in a desert without some.

After my massage I return to my room, read some more, doze a bit, make some phone calls, send some emails and take another shower to wash off the pizza scent, just kidding, to wash off the massage oil.

Presently I am sitting outside by the pool, having a snack and listening to the three little british children in the pool say things like, “Duddy, I wont to du a hondstond in the wotah” (translation: “Daddy, I want to do a handstand in the water”). These are the only children I’ve seen here (Probably because they’re British and don’t know that children aren’t allowed in Vegas and that they should have left them with grandmummy and grandduddy. Poor things are probably trapped here in the Icelandic volcanic ash business!). I came out here to sit and read, but ended up writing this blog instead, and to let my hair dry in the arid desert breeze because I left my hairdryer at home. Duh. In the meantime, I wish you all “champagne wishes and caviar dreams”.

New Look!

Oh, Jenna! Thanks so much for the great new design. You were ever so patient and awefully quick on the 'What I want' uptake!

Check her out:

Hooray!

I Don't Believe in Peter Pan, Frankenstein or Superman!

All I wanna do is: Bicyle! Bicycle! Bicycle!

I've purchased a bicycle. And it's beautiful. So beautiful that I'm afraid to lock it up on the bike rack outside. So.

It's doubling as unconventional decor and additional seating.

Globe Trotter...

...I am not. I don't own a passport.

My goal, by next time this year, is to 1) acquire a passport and 2) use said passport for more than a secordary source of identification. I'm not sure I care where I go - although I do have Dublin programmed into my iPhone weather tracker (I can tell you that this Sunday it's supposed to be 59 degrees and mostly sunny there).

Thats all. I'm ready to fly the friendly skies sometime in the near(ish) future.

Take it easy, Monday!

Monday threw up all over my desk this morning. There was no easing into it (aside from the Cinnamon Dolce and the blueberry scone) - it was pedal to la medal.

Oi!

Good thing it was a great weekend.

 

T.the Lord.I.F.

Curly (a.ka. Boss Lady) is heading out of town today for a few days today.

She's a pretty unconventional boss.

The office is pretty bare - lots of folks gone. This translates into a 3:00 p.m. chips and salsa party at the reception desk.

We informed Curly of the plan to throw the party at the reception desk and her parting instructions were, "Don't forget about the beer in the fridge."

Thanks, Curly! Have a nice trip!

The Life.

Happy Scrabble Day, Sugar!

It's upon us again, friends! National Scrabble Day. McW and I celebrated in style. In addition to spending nearly three hours playing the game today, McW even formulated a spreadsheet that totals possible word scores. I don't know that anyone showed better Scrabble Day spirit than the two of us.

We are currently pitted against one another in a likely seven game series. He's up 2 to 1...but after we finish what we started this evening...we'll probably be tied up, 2 to 2. It was, and will continue to be, an intense rivalry.

I remember having more fun than these snapshots indicate. We were concentrating - and consulting the Scrabble dictionary. A lot.

Don't judge.

Jesus Pageant

T.G.I.M. I've never said this in my life. After this weekend, it's a totally appropriate sentiment.

My friend, The Executioner, and I were asked to lead worship at a girl's conference last weekend. Little did we know, it was a girl's pageant. That's right. Dresses, tiaras and satin capes pageant - for Jesus. There were bright spots during the weekend - but I still shudder a little when I think of some of the things I heard and saw.

I thought to myself (and out loud to some close confidants)...is this really beneficial? What are we teaching these girls? Does the Lord look at something like this and say, "I'm really glad this is how they are spending their weekend! You - a little more Vaseline on those teeth! You - your sash is crooked!" Granted, right now he is probably saying to me, "You - quit being so critical ... and I've got a few things you should straighten out, too."

Touche', the Lord, touche'.

Still. I had a pretty negative reaction to what went on this weekend and I'm still trying to process it. I believe down deep (real deep) that someone probably started this program with good intentions. Teaching girls about the confidence that comes from knowing that God has a plan for their lives is right on. Teaching girls that the reward for learning about that plan is a tiara and a title? Pretty left of center, in my opinion.

Rant. Over.

The Executioner and I did manage to take these photos before our last run at the talent portion of the pageant. Enjoy.

Under Construction

Blog. Looks. Gross. I'm working on it. In the meantime, here is the inspiration for this evening's musical project. Wish us luck.

Sauted. Sealed. Delivered.

I based my grocery list off that fun little blog I mentioned yesterday. I'm glad I did. For dinner I made a mushroom, onion, avacado and egg scramble. I snuck in some feta cheese and wrapped it up in a whole wheat tortilla.

My mom called while I was cooking and the conversation went like this:

Mom: Hey! What are you up to?

Me: I'm sauteing some mushrooms...because that's what grown-ups do.

We all have different definitions of adulthood and what the threshold is. Sauteing mushrooms was my rite of passage.

To the Grocery Store I Go

Say a prayer for the grocery store recluse - I'm headed that way. I'm going because of this blog: acakeforawife.blogspot.com.

I'm really only going to buy what she puts in her oatmeal. That's right. Oatmeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Back in the Saddle Again

Recently, I answered yet another Craigslist posting. This one was for a local composer looking for someone to do a little singing for his compositions. McW and I met up with local composer and local composer's wife a couple weeks ago to hear about the project.

Turns out, they are super nice people who don't run their business out of a meat packing plant (praise the Jesus). I headed up their way last night for a recording session and had a ball. We're working on an R & B number this week. Why? Because I'm a soul sister at heart.

I'm really excited about another opportunity to do this thing that I really love to do. Hooray!

Happy April Fools, Sugar!

Well. I got pranked. I believe I said to Curly yesterday, "We need to stay on the offense against the pranks so we're not on the defense this year." But we got lazy (or didn't have any energy left after last year's shenanigans).

Or so I thought.

The Stylist dropped off a little gift on my desk last night after I had left for the day (with a little bit of help from Curly...).

Just wait, my friend. Just wait.

We Drove. We Danced. We Conquered.

I'm still smiling from our quick jaunt up to Montana. The oh-so-fun couple threw a great reception! It was really great to cut loose with my family (including my karaoke king Dad and my Black Eyed Peas lovin' Mama) and life of the party boyfriend.

Ah, the cake and the happy couple. They are equally silly and are a perfect fit.

Speaking of silly...

...while the photo above captured what seems to be a rather tender moment - McW and I managed to cut all sorts of rugs on the dance floor. Lots of spinning, some of the running man and a pretty good rendition of the 'Carlton.'

And.

There was plenty of karaoke to be enjoyed. Some of my favorite performances from the evening included Mr. Roboto (sung by the bride), Shoop (..ba doop ba doop ba doop..sung by the sister of the bride), Vanilla Ice (sung by the groom) and the wide variety of hits performed by my personal Entertainer of the Year which included Luck Be a Lady and Tears of a Clown. The photo above is from Islands in the Stream. Ah ah.

Thanks for getting hitched, you two. We had a whole bunch of fun!