Die Paris Hilton! Die!!

That's hotttt.... NO!!!! I can't stop saying that! Oh you of stupid blondeness!! Why must I be tortured by that phrase?

That's hotttt....

Celebrity Sighting! (I think)

I was out and about on Monday downtown and I think I saw Jason Schwartzman from such fame as Rushmore and Phantom Planet. I walked by him near the GAP and I did a double take. Could it be? Was it him? Who knows for sure, but I was pretty sure it was him. So sure that I almost turned around and followed him down the block, but alas, my stalking days are over.

... or ARE they?

Withdrawls...

Well it's been sixteen days since my last post. Christmas was great, a nice time for everyone. Santa was very nice to me this year, I must say THANK YOU. I am however, going through some pretty nasty sugar withdrawls. I got a beautiful box of chocolates from a place in Santa Fe called Todos Santos. They are just as gorgeous as they are delicious. Unfortunately for the chocolate, they have been disappearing quite quickly. And today, I am trying to ween myself off. I kinda feel like Stewie from Family Guy, trying to overcome his addiction to pancakes.

Must... have... chocolates...

Jasper Tate Warren  

Jasper Tate Warren: September 7, 2004 - December 8, 2004

As many of you know, our little nephew was born only three months ago. Faced with many challenges, his little body decided enough was enough on December 8, 2004 at 2 am in the morning. As I sat in the waiting room with Jeremy and his mom, waiting for Jasper to come out of surgery, I knew then and there my life had changed. Without even knowing it, Jasper Tate had touched the lives of so many people who knew him and came to see him in the hospital. He taught me about patience, faith, hope and most importantly, that life is so short and that nothing should be taken for granted. He taught me that life is a miracle, something so special and amazing even when it doesn't give you what you want.

Thank you to all who have expressed your sorrow and your support through this rough time. It comforts me to know that even when the unthinkable happens, your family and friends are always there for you.

A Jasper Tate Warren Memorial Fund has been set up through Children's Hospital. Donations can be made (please specify his name) via phone at 206.987.4844 or mail: Children's Hospital PO Box 50020 Mail Stop S200 Seattle, WA 98145-5020. Proceeds will go to helping babies in the ICU. For those of you who work for a company who supports Matching Gifts to charities, please keep this in mind.

Thank you again,
m.

Foiled... literally...

Check out what a guy at work did to my friend Heather's cube... too funny.

Look at me! I'm FESTIVE! 

December already!? OY!

My goodness how time flies. I have been bad about posting pictures- we've taken tons, just haven't uploaded them to Shutterfly. Here are some good pictures...

Update! Cats in Clothes...

A Santa suit to be exact. I think often times my mind runs away with so-called "Fantastic" ideas. I had this "fantastic" idea of dressing Miss Kitty up in a Santa suit for our Christmas cards. How funny would that be to see a pissed off cat in a Santa suit? (Pretty darn funny, if you ask me!) Target has such a suit, albeit for dogs. J and I found one last weekend and bought it, brought it home and attempted dressing the cat. Well, we got about halfway- and then she started to growl and bite. Wiggling ensued, and unfortunately she got away from us, with the Santa suit halfway off her fat little body. She then proceeded to bang herself against the legs of the dining room table, obviously thinking that there was something attacking her. Sigh. I guess I am just going to have to get a dog.

All you need is Love! da-da da da...

I have this song stuck in my head... I don't know why.... All together now! "All you need is love..."

This weekend was great, J and I went to a wedding at the Fairmont Hotel downtown and it was a fantastic party. The bride is the sister of my good friend Tiffani, the groom, a guy I had math class with in highschool. How nutty is that? All in all, it was a reunion of sorts, I saw some people I haven't seen in a couple years, including the groom and one of the groomsmen. It just made me realize how much time has gone by- 10 years is long to me, but somehow the time has escaped me.

All you need is love... la da da da.. da...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well this year, I had to do a lot of thinking to really see what I am thankful for... and although there were the obvious choices (which I am so very grateful for every day) it's been tough. The past couple of weeks have been really rough with so many different events going on, not only that have happened to me, but to people that I hold close in my heart. So here is my list:
-I am grateful for my friends and family, all of whom I know have so much strength and love for when life dumps a big pile of poop on them (or me).
-I am grateful for my life, even though I complain about how much I've changed from college to now. In other words "I'm just happy to be here."
-I am grateful for my husband and my cat, who everyday show me that they love me in one form or another. (Although I am finding out that I am very allergic to Miss Kitty, I still love her dearly.)

And that's it. I could say "I'm grateful for my job, I'm grateful that I have a house..." but in the end, if I didn't have my list above, nothing else would matter.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Now go eat some turkey!

Tomorrow is another day!

(Yes to be said with Scarlett O'Hara accent)...
Well indeed tomorrow (today) is another day and so far I've started it off with a latte and a coconut covered donut. How can it possibly go bad? I've been doing research on site designs and came across a hilarious website called KittenPants.org. Kittens? In Pants?! Preposterous! (But hilarious, nonetheless). So this got me thinking... Miss Kitty has told me that she really wants to be dressed up this winter (I caught her laying in my clean clothes last night) and so after some searching, I found some great outfits. Yes, folks... there is a tailor for cats out there... http://www.petoffice.co.jp/catprin/english/#hiyoko. I am thinking with her coloring, she might look best dressed as a frog, but who knows? They are all so freakin' funny, I just might buy them all.

I need a drink...

Today has been a day of all days. Between my boss losing his passport in London, trying to figure out Chinese visas and trying to remain calm and sane... I need a drink.

Cosmo please!!

Movie Review- The Day After Tomorrow

J and I have invested some moolah into being NetFlix junkies. So far we have seen Mean Girls, Bend it Like Beckham and Kill Bill vol. 2. Last night we watched The Day After Tomorrow and I have to give it two hearty frosting covered thumbs DOWN. This movie SUCKED. Not only did you have huge gaps in this plot, the acting was pretty awful too. Dennis Quaid uttered something reminiscent of Last of the Mohicans ... "I will come for you..." YAWN! Apparently, when the whole city of New York is enduring a nasty storm, some wolves had escaped from the NY Zoo. But when the whole city is flooded- most everyone is washed away. EXCEPT FOR THE WOLVES?! They show up again when the city has frozen over, hungry and pissed off. (I would be too if I was digitally created!) Apparently, no one has really survived this crazy nature roller coaster, except for the select few that are smart enough to hide themselves in a library and a pack of rabid wolves. Go figure.

Sela Ward's character is a doctor who has a very sick patient who can apparently only be moved in an ambulance. Everyone has left the hospital, as snow is falling like mad. Sela can't leave, unless she has an ambulance. The tension is almost too great and just right when I am about to fall off the couch with anticipation- someone shows up with a snow plow and an ambulance. Thank god! (Insert rolling eyes here). Miraculously, later in the movie, Sela and her sick patient are in some make shift hospital someplace sunny. How the hell did that happen?!

The movie ends when the few survivors are found and everyone moves to Mexico. The President says "thank you" to our neighbors to the South and begs forgiveness for all the years of treating Mexico poorly. Ah Karma, it will get you in the end, even if the whole world has to become a giant popiscle.

This movie is indeed a disaster flick- it's plain awful.

Garden Gnomes on a blanket!? Crazy!

So I think I may have found a new hobby. There is this cool company that makes retro prints on fabric (including garden gnomes!) that are so cute. Reprodepot Fabrics have my favorite, the Sushi Print. The sushi print is on my favorite pj's and when I saw a similar blanket on BabyStyle.com for $44, I nearly died! MUST HAVE SUSHI BLANKIE! (For my non-exisitent child, of course). Of course I don't sew, so J has offered to take up sewing again so that I can satisfy my craving for cute, hip things. The Garden Gnomes are next!

Things that make me laugh

- Pugs in outfits
- My cat
- A certain episode of "Friends" in which Monica and Phoebe are trying to break it off with their friend Amanda (played by Jennifer Coolidge aka Stifler's Mom) who has a fake British accent. If you have seen this episode (Also, where Ross gets a fake tan) you will giggle when you think of Jennifer Coolidge doing high kicks and saying in a fake accent "Aren't I fabulous?!"
- Any cat or dog in an outfit
- My husband when he screams like a girl... he's very ticklish...

An Easy Bake Oven for Adults!

When I was a kid, I wanted an Easy Bake oven soooo very bad. But then the idea wore off and I grew up. A couple of years ago I wanted an Easy Bake oven sooo very bad. Then J told me it was just a light bulb that cooked your food. What? No magic involved? No little heating elements just like a real oven? Booo!

But how about this? The Flavor Wave oven! Essentially, it's a halogen light bulb that cooks your food! Move over Easy Bake! Can YOU cook a frozen turkey? Methinks not!

What has the cooking world come to?

Goodbye to an old friend...

For those who know me, know that I once had a little bird named Tabasco. After college, and moving around to different places, I could not take little Tabasco with me. So, he (at the time) stayed with my parents for a couple of years. When my parents could no longer keep him and I had a feline friend in my life, I turned to a friend of mine at work who was happy to take the little bugger in. For this, I am truly grateful that Ralph had opened his home to such a little fireball. Ralph had other birds at his house and here, we both knew that Tabasco would be happy. Tabasco lived happily with all the other avian friends at Ralph's, so happy in fact, that he started laying eggs. Yes, after all these years of thinking my sassy little cockatiel was a boy, he actually turned out to be a girl.

When my friend Kate and I purchased Tabasco, I was still mourning the death of my beloved parakeet named Chuck. Chuck was funny in his own respect, but it was Tabasco that we picked out at the pet store, let him hang out with us in the apartment, laughed at when he dive bombed off his cage, and gave head scratches to when he (she) asked for them. Tabasco was a one person lover, he hissed and squawked at anyone who would come CLOSE to his (her) cage. But when he (she) loved you, Tabasco would sit for hours happily nestled on your shoulder, occasionally peeping quietly for a little head scratch.

A lot of people thought I was nuts for keeping such a bird, but it's like that with any pet. Once you are "theirs", you love them and care for them all you can. Often times, after the world has come crashing down on your shoulders, your pet is the only one that seems to understand, and more importantly, makes you realize that it's just life, and that everything will be ok.

In memory of Tabasco... 

Devil in a blue dress...

HA HA! Guess what I found in my pile of pictures? Blast from the past! Excuse the poor quality, simply click on the picture to enlarge. 4 Prom Dates you say?! My aren't we a little popular?? Just kidding, this is some of my friends posing for a picture before we went off to pick up their dates. From left to right : Rich, Pat, me (sassy!) Rick and Eddie.

And truth be told, I STILL HAVE THE DRESS HANGING IN MY CLOSET.

Scary.

Get a freakin' load of this!!! 

It's celebrity chef Tony Bourdain! And who is that in the background??? 

Celebrity Chef!

If I were stranded on a desert island, I would want only the bare essentials... fresh water, a good shelter and Food Network. I luhhv Food Network. It's like my version of catnip- I just have to flip on the tube and can watch people prepare and cook food all day long. It's a sickness really...

One of my favorite shows that is no longer on, was A Cook's Tour with Chef Tony Bourdain. A chain smoking, leather jacket wearing smartass- he embodies the word ADVENTURE. He travels all over the world, experiencing life and the cuisine it has to offer. Nothing is too much of a "delicacy" for him- beating Cobra hearts, fried iguana, you name it- I am sure he's tried it. In fact, Tony Bourdain actually introduced me and Jeremy to the French Laundry in Napa Valley (well, not personally). It was on his show when we decided that the French Laundry was a place we had to go! (And go we did!)

Yesterday, Tony Bourdain was signing copies of his newest cookbook at Sur la Table in the Pike Place Market. I didn't get the chance to get a signed copy, but I did get my picture taken with him! Well... sorta...

Playing with the Queen of Ha-aarts...

Ok I woke up this morning singing this song and I can't get it out of my head! I blame those Citi-bank commercials.

Last night J and I met some friends for drinks at this place on Capital Hill called Chapel. It was a lot of fun, I had a couple of great drinks during Happy Hour (Lavender Martini? Delish!) and we reminisced about college days and high school. Well, Eryn and I laughed about high school and her friend Jonathan helped me remember an old boyfriend from college. Ahh... good times. J and I are hoping that we'll make a tradition out of going to Chapel for Friday night Happy Hour, they have great food and some good drinks! Not to mention that the whole experience is littered with remnants from the after-life.

Playing with the Queen of Haaa-arrts... knowin' it ain't really smart.... the joker ain't the only fooooool....who'll do anything for you....

Annoying, isn't it?

World Rally Champion!

As some of you know, Jeremy loves World Rally racing... and I must admit, I have watched a few races and gotten in to it myself. I have a favorite driver, Sebastien Loeb from Citroen. Is it his daredevil racing skills? His French accent? Whatever it is... all I know is that he's a cutie and drives like a bat out of hell. He just won the 2004 Championship. So congrats Sebastien and check out his website. Mesmerizing, isn't it???

http://www.sebastienloeb.com/

Miss Kitty and her new toy from Grandma Calkins. Thanks Grandma!! 

Tita and Snotty McGinty (aka Emily) 

Tita and Alyssa cheesin' it up for the camera.  

Happy Weekend!

This weekend was birthday weekend with the 'fam. Got to hang out with the neices and feed them some sugar. All in all, I did my duty as an auntie.

J taking advantage of the First Class drinkies.  

A look down the Strip. I see London, I see France... 

J and me betting on the ponies at Caesar's Palace...  

Last bite of cake... must... finish... 

Here's me and David's behind at Caesar's Palace. (gotta keep this PG-13 folks) 

Sin City Tales

The Vegas trip was well... a trip. Las Vegas is like Disneyland for adults. You can eat whatever you want, drink out of Genie bottles, go on rollercoasters, see pirates, see Wayne Newton (!) and maybe if you are lucky, see some animals as well. (Sorry Siegfried and Roy, Vegas will never be the same without you).

I had a great time at the conference, I have never seen so much BAD HAIR and sensible shoes (including my own comfy Danskos!) I learned a lot, saw some great speakers, saw some crappy speakers, and flashed my breasts to the entire conference. Well, at least to the "Asserting yourself and your career" crowd. Here I was, walking around with a bag full of free stuff I had collected from all the various vendors (oooh pens!!), my coat and my purse with the top button of my shirt open. Hello boobies!

We didn't get to go to any Vegas shows, but that's ok. I didn't need to see any more half naked men. The replica of David by Michaelangelo was enough for me. Next time, I am DEFINITELY getting some tickets for Tom Jones or Wayne Newton. Jeremy still doesn't believe me that Wayne Newton sings "Danke Schoen".

Eating: we ate pretty well in Vegas. The second night we were there, we decided to try out the Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin. It was a pretty good spread. It was also a great place to people watch. I saw a blushing bride loading up her plate at the roast beef station. More gravy please! There was a lady who was shorter than me chowing down on PLATES of crab legs. Jeremy and I tried to have a game plan, I was told "skip the breads and go all for the meats." Dr. Atkins would have been proud. Unfortunately, I wanted a challenge and after my fourth plate of food, that last piece of cake was putting me over the edge.

After 4 days in Vegas, it was time to go home. After arriving at the airport, we were told that our plane was cancelled due to "weather". Whose weather?! Nome, Alaska? So, we quietly accepted our fate of sitting in the airport waiting area for another 5 hours. Just the smell of smoke and the flashing lights of the slot machines was enough to drive a woman to drink. When we found out that we had been upgraded to first class, that is exactly what I did. Another gin and tonic please! First class isn't all it's cracked up to be (if you are flying to or from Vegas). You don't get a meal, just free drinks and a "snack". Well that snack just turned out to be some heated up cashews, almonds and pistachios. Yes, free drinks and warm nuts is all I got!

Happy to be home and I think I will give Vegas one more try. We didn't get to see a lot of things because of the "inclement weather", but I am sure that it will be more fun next time when I don't have to sit around in a conference all day.

Viva las vegas!

Funky Chicken

Ok, some of you may have seen those boxing chicken ads on TV for Burger King (my money is on TenderCrisp) but have you seen the Subservient Chicken? I kid you not. He does everything from the Electric Slide to building a pillow fort. Now only if he would clean Miss K's cat box, life would be good.

The Curse of the Mini Candy

Ah that time of the year again- there is a crispness in the air, the leaves change colors and stores stock their shelves with bags and bags of mini candy bars. They are so cute, so small so... so... delishish!! What harm can one little mini-Twix do to me? Or that mini-Kit-Kat? There is joy in every mini-wrapper I open, as I pop these mini's into my mega mouth. My favorite is Twix, hands down, no contest. How I wish that these mini's made me stay mini too... but no dice. These little babies are evil in a bite size portion.

But soooo good.

How I love fall.

In case anyone was wondering... Miss Kitty is FAAAAT. 

Vegas Baby, YEAH!

J and I are going to Vegas on Sunday (the holiest of all days, I know...) for three days of sun, fun and The Adminstrative Professionals Conference. Jealous yet? While my husband is cruising the strip and winning us some moolah, I will be in an air conditioned room with lots of others learning about becoming a great Adminstrative Professional. Oddly enough, I am excited about attending this conference. I need some administrative assistance myself.

I was hoping that Medieval Times had a restaurant in Vegas, but sadly no. Oh well. Maybe CSI will be filming while we are down there. How cool would that be? I'd love to be an extra. Look for me as "Drowning Victim #1".

Hooked on crock pots...

Yes, I love you crock pot. Oh you of wonderful magic, I throw all my goodies in before work and come home to dinner ready to go. It's like having a personal chef- except I don't have to pay him as much.

Sure you are limited by the Crock's capabilities... but what else can you throw raw food into and 8-10 hours later (on LOW setting of course) get a wonderful delishish meal waiting for you?

Oh crock pot. How I love you...

Crunk!

So, if any of you out there have tasted Crunk- please let me know. As my husband is a fan of the Dave Chappelle show, I have watched it many a time and laugh everytime I see Dave's impersonation of Lil' Jon. Now, I had no idea who Lil' Jon was until I saw the D.C show- but now I am fascinated by this personality and his wonderful way of expression. "Wha?! Yeaaah!"

Now I find out that he has his own energy drink called Crunk. Crunk? You say? What the hell does that mean? I looked it up in the Urban Dictionary online and apparently crunk means "Crazy Drunk".

Hmm. I see. Well then, carry on!

Mork and Mindy

Did you ever watch Mork and Mindy when you were growing up? I did, I loved that show. Last night, my new nephew was born at 2:30 am. Jeremy and I came home from the hospital at around 4:30, bewildered, bewitched and one could say- slightly bothered. The whole experience was slightly surreal, as no less than 12 hours before, we were watching little baby Jasper doing disco in his momma's belly. Now, we have this little baby before us- sweet and innocent, totally unaware of this world in which he has arrived.

Jeremy and I tried to go to bed- but we lay in the dark, each wide awake thinking about what we had just witnessed.

"Are you awake?"

"Yeah..."

"Babies are so weird."

"Did you ever watch Mork and Mindy?"

"Yeah, wasn't it an off shoot of Happy Days?"

"Oh really? I didn't know that...Do you remember their baby? How he was born in an egg and was like 60 or something? He aged backwards."

For the life of me, I can't remember what Mork and Mindy's baby's name was... I guess I could look it up, but it's kind of a challenge to see if I can come up with the name 3 days from now, when I am sitting on the bus, or eating my lunch at work.

Welcome Baby Jasper Tate Warren, and I hope you like Mork and Mindy.

Wedding aftermath

A friend from work got married on Friday and I was so happy to make the wedding cake. However, as some might know... I get really stressed out during construction. I didn' t eat much Friday as I was trying to make my deadline and literally get to the church on time. The ceremony was lovely, the reception was great and as I watched my cake like a nervous mother, I downed a couple glasses of wine on an empty stomach. Oh crap, a sweet little lady just put her finger in the cake... hand me another glass! Oh look, how cute a little girl ran up and took a swipe of the frosting... Champagne you say?!

By the end of the night, I didn't care who ate the cake, I just wanted the spinning to stop.

I have to say that my husband is the most wonderful man in the world.

He went out and bought his hungover wife tatertots this morning, and didn't laugh when all that red wine came back to haunt me.

Yawn!

It's late and I am waiting for a cake to come out of the oven. What's new?

I am really digging my new hair, although I know once I wash it- the sassy styling from the Salon will be gone. Sad. Too bad I'm not Jennifer Aniston and have people to fix my hair every morning. That and it wouldn't be so bad to bake cakes for Brad Pitt. Mmm... cake.

Do you ever think about how weird the person was that decided that LOBSTER would be something tasty to eat? "Oooh look, a spider of the sea, I bet that's goood".

Just add butter...

AFTER!!! 

Before.... 

Countdown- 31 minutes

31 minutes til my haircut. I will share pictures when we get back later.... wish me luck!

An angel in a penguin hat... 

Here's one of my favorite pictures... 

Birthday... come and gone...

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a pretty great day, the people at work decorated my cube, my husband brought me flowers and I got my eyebrows waxed! Who could ask for more? My parents hosted a party in which our families were there, it was pretty nuts. (As usual...) kids running around, lots of food, lots of people... it's great!

However, my neice decided that she was going for a swim in my parents small waterfall/pond. Well, she really didn't decide, gravity did. Poor thing, she was just looking for "fishes" and got a closer look. As I helped her out of her wet clothes and gave her a bath, she said to me, "I don't want to do that again..."

I don't blame you kid... soggy pants are never fun.

Mmmm... Gelato!

You know, it's a shame that gelato isn't as easily accessible as ice cream. There is nothing better than a scoop of creamy delishishness... especially if it's coconut delishishness!

My friend Eryn is going to NYC soon, I told her that she needed to check out the Magnolia bakery. Has anyone been there? I have heard rave reviews, even Sex in the City gals get their cupcakes there. Cupcakes and Cosmos anyone? I have their cookbook and it's fantastic, but I want to hear about the real thing!!

There are strange things afoot... 

Birthday

Well the birthday is tomorrow. I think the funniest comment is from my sister who claims that my neice is "excited for your birthday because she can't wait to wear a hat and eat cake!!"

Who would blame her? I wonder where the idea of the hat and cake came from. I read somewhere that the candles on the cake symbolized the light to keep away evil spirits. That I understand. Get yer own chocolate frosting!!!

Rug Doctor Cometh

What could be more exciting than cleaning your carpets on a Saturday morning? Well strange as it seems, it's satisfying to run that steam cleaner over those damn stains and see clean carpet beneath. Margarita Spill of 2003? Gone.

Out damn spot.

Hoffman's "Fine" Pastries

So, it's been a year that Jeremy and I have been married. And what better way to celebrate tradition than to eat that soggy cake that has been sitting in your freezer for an entire year. But wait! I decided that I would have the bakery that made our cake make us a new cake "top"- a fresh one. However when Jeremy and I sat down to eat our beloved wedding cake, we discovered that the cake that I had ordered from the bakery was not the same cake that was in our freezer. After emailing the bakery to let them know my utmost disappointment, I receive a call. They called to tell me that the cake I ordered was the cake that was ordered and not wedding cake. As I proceeded to tell the lady that the cake that I had ordered from them was our ANNIVERSARY cake she said, "Well, that's what was ordered and we didn't know it was supposed to be for your anniversary."

Disappointed? YES! I've worked in customer service for many years and I have to tell you that this experience will never happen again because I WILL NEVER BUY from them again!

I had a similar experience with some cupcakes bought at the Dahlia Bakery in Seattle. The cupcakes were dry and expensive for what you got. After voicing my displeasure at these supposedly wonderful cupcakes, I received a handwritten apology and a call from Tom Douglas himself! Now, THAT my friends, is excellent customer service. I love the Dahlia Bakery and will go back time and again! I have never had that experience with them again...

Countdown

The countdown is on. 6 more days till the hair that I have been growing out for a year will be gone. GONE. That's ok, it's for a good cause. I am donating my hair to Locks of Love so that some deserving child will be able to have a wonderful hairpiece. I know that it will be hard to part with my hair (part.. hair.. har har) but it will grow back. If I let it. Considering that I have been shedding all over, spending waay too much on conditioner and driving myself crazy, it will be a nice way to celebrate my 28th birthday.

Yeeehaw.

Day 1

Oh my goodness. First day of starting this blog. What do I say?