Going back to Cali

As we get ready to hop on our plane back to California, I am reflective of our trip and the nice time we had. My SIL's house is amazing, decorated to the nines tastefully yet boldly. She is raising 3 great kids - William who just starred in his kindergarten musical debut of "Tiki Tiki Tembo", Ally - who is learning sex ed with hr 8th grade class and Rochelle - who is so 15 is brings back all sorts of memories (15 is the hardest age, I think). The house is also populated with my MIL who works the overnight shift and somehow sleeps through all the ruckus in this full house, my BIL and his best friend - they joke that they would get married if only they didn't have to consummate the marriage, and sometimes my nephew - who wants to play basket-foot-soccer-wrestling-karate and maybe, just maybe ninjas.

Bless Rochelle's heart - she let the boy and I stay in her room all week so we had reasonably comfortable digs. We visited the Zoo and Pike's Market. The backyard was graced with multiple games of every sport known to little boys. We ate way too much and drank even more.

Bonney Lake, Washington is a little different then the Bay Area or SoCal...

My SIL gets her milk delivered.

All the neighbors know each other. Really well.

Some people don't have fences.

The boy bet me $10 I would not see a single person at the grocery who was not of European descent - I lost. Twice.

You cannot purchase liquor at the grocery store. You cannot purchase liquor on Sundays. The liquor store closes at 7 (8 on Fridays).

AND - if you attempt to buy booze at the liquor store and realize you left your ID in your other purse back at the house because you just flew in and are a little bit discombobulated - they will admonish you in front of the entire store, yell at your BF and SIL for trying to purchase for a minor and kick you out. Your whole group will be kicked out of the store. Welcome to Washington, bitches.

“Washington is nicknamed "The Evergreen State" because it sounds better than "The Incessant Nagging Drizzle State."” - Dave Berry

Of all the things to do...

The highlight of the trip so far?

I learned how to armpit fart from 6 year old William. He says I'm not bad - for a girl!

Kentucky Derby Day

I don't know why I love the Kentucky Derby so much. Oh, yes I do, the hats. I want a reason to wear a hat, a tea length dress and kitten heels. Sign. Maybe some day I will make it...

“There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing.” -Will Rogers

Pay it forward

Due to an early morning event last week, I had to be at work at 6:15. AM that is. Now, living in Temecula, that means I had to leave no later then 5 am to make it with traffic and whatnot. Well, my butt was out of the house at 4:52, (we are still talking AM) and thought I deserved to treat myself to Starbucks.

As a girl who is cutting calories and sticking to a strict budget, this was a big deal. Sitting in line in the drive thru, I watch the car ahead of me pull forward and I roll up to collect and pay for my morning goodness.

The girl at the window says "I'm sorry, I don't have a total for you-"

Me (in my head, not out loud) What?! It is before 5 in the goddamn morning and if your are too stupid to figure out the God damn register so I can get my coffee, so help me God, I will climb through that window and show-

"Because that man," and she gestures at the car, "just paid for you."

"-" <-- this is me sputtering like my dear sweet mother

"He said he didn't know you," she continued, "and just paid for you."

"-" <--now I am pushing my credit card at her

"You'd better wave back!" She again gestures at the man's car which is paused at the end of the drive through.

As I wave to him and he waves back and pulls away. I turn to her and say,

"I feel like I am in a movie!"

"Me too," she says.

Made. my. whole. morning. No really. MADE. MY. MORNING. WITH A-CRAP-EATING-GRIN ON MY FACE THROUGH ESCONDIDO.

And no, there was nobody behind me that I could pay it forward to.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world" -Anne Frank (unless there is no one behind you in line!)

Sugar rush!

We tried to make caramel apples the other night. Here's a chocolate "jimmie" one. I used the biggest juiciest Granny Smith apples I could find.

OOoooohhh, this one was made with caramel shortbread cookies. Notice it is also squished. We put them on the plate to soon! (see blog name)

(I need a manicure!) The only problem with our cute apples was the darn caramel. I think I overcooked it because it was C.R.U.N.C.H.Y. Break your fillings crunchy. (again, see blog name)

Does anyone have a good caramel apple recipe? Mainly the caramel part, my teeth are begging you!

“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”

-George Bernard Shaw

It's all fun and games...

Until somebody starts wearing the beer box.

Isn't it fun, to just be silly?

Honest to goodness silliness.

Do you still giggle with your friends? Do they make you laugh so hard you snort?

Can you do something totally ridiculous and then have everyone else in the room do it too?

Do you have friends that you can make an ass out of yourself with no worries?

Sometimes we need to step away from all the seriousness of every day life and just be silly. And we have to pictures to prove it. So here's to letting your hair down and wearing the beer box on your head.

“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun."

-Charles R Swindoll

The roses make up for it

Remember the scrawny cotton candy trees?

Well, the roses make up for it.

I think we are the only house on the street with rose bushes out front. And they look like they are about to explode!

“I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall."

-Eleanor Roosevelt.