Is this safe for children?

I got my niece Emily a Sit N' Spin for her second birthday. However, it is a "Simon Says" Sit N' Spin. (Could anything be more annoying?) The best part, is that Simon will tell you to do all sorts of wacky things, like "SPIN FASTER". Yes, this is a good idea! Does Simon also tell you "Don't yak on the carpet if you get sick!" ?

More Baby Pics

Oops, how did that picture of the cat get in there? Hee hee. That picture was probably taken before she swiped an oranment off the tree. Naughty. In furthering my belief that we have ghosts in the house (was the condo built on an ancient Native American burial ground?) I seem to have also captured photographic "evidence" that we have spirits in the house. And I ain't talking about Jack Daniels. I think I may submit this photo to the Travel Channel's "Most Haunted". Seance anyone?

The newest members of the Warren family are home and happy. They are pretty cute- I have to say. I even got to change some dirty nappies and was "christened" by one of them when she sneezed/barfed all over me. It really wasn't a big deal, poor little girl just had too much to eat. Oh well, another excuse for another cute outfit!

I'm looking forward to the holidays, I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping and planning for some holiday baking. Santa, if you are listening, I desperately want to know how to knit a hat. Scarf making will only take a girl so far. And I need a hat that doesn't make me look like I have a condom on my head. Thanks Santa, that is all.

Cute as pie...

Quinn and Clara

Everything's Bigger in Texas...

Last weekend I jetted on down to Dallas to spend a couple days with my grandmother before she heads back to the Philippines. It was wonderful spending time with family, I even got to meet some aunts, uncles and cousins I've never met before. Crazy!

As there is not much to do in Dallas besides eat and go to the mall, we did exactly that. Near my aunt's house, there is a GI-MUNGOUS outlet shopping mall in which I found some awesome deals for myself. I did also find some humorous items, such as Delta Burke's line of lingerie at the JC Penny Outlet store. Indeed! Like I said before, everything's bigger in Texas.

I learned how to knit and watched a cockroach lose it's life to the end of a broom, courtesy of my Aunt Ruth. Oh the humanity.

On the side of the highway in Grapevine, there were these giant Christmas ornaments just sitting as decorations at every other intersection. It was weird thinking about Christmas when it was 90 degrees outside. It all seemed very bizarre to me.

I've finished my scarf, it's not bad for my first one. It's a little crooked in places, but it keeps me warm nonetheless. I'll be making one for the cat next.

Wonderful News! Babies are HERE!

Wonderful news, dear readers! The Warren babies have arrived! They were born on Friday, December 2 at 6 pm. Quinn Alexa (Baby A) and Clara Bryn (Baby B) are healthy and happy and Mom and Dad are doing great. I'll be seeing them on Tuesday, so I'll be sure to take lots of pictures. Jeremy posted some cute pictures of Quinn to his blog, so check it out... Jeremy's Blog

It's not me, it's you....

Or the other way around. I heard today on the radio that there is a chemical reaction for the feeling of "Romantic Love" in our brains. Coincidentally, it only lasts for a year before it wears off. Then, I guess you are stuck. This makes perfect sense to me know when I think about past relationships and how they never really lasted more than a year. Except for one, and I got married. It really does make me wonder about the notion of romance, and how really, no matter how many relationships you have, that little chemical will one day burn off. Then it is said, that relationships move into a more stable kind of love. Ah, is that what you call it? Not that I don't love being married, fellow readers. I do. It's great. But it seems so funny to me that your body "tricks" you into certain situations. Tricky tricky!

No Babies Yet!

Welcome to Baby Watch 2005. Unfortunately, Jeremy and I won't be seeing our new neices for another week or so. They have to stay in another 7-10 days to let their lungs develop. They aren't quite ready yet! So the wait goes on, they'll probably be here the second week of December. I feel bad for Kirstie, she's ready to get those kiddos out. Alas, you cannot mess with Mother Nature.

Lopez Island

Kate and Jesse with cookie bag.

Mah-Jong Madness!

Kate

Me and Jeremy

This weekend Jeremy and I joined our friends Kate and Jesse and visited her parents on Lopez Island. Got our butts up at 6 am to catch the early ferry out to the island and had a good time. We brought the mah-jong set with us and played a marathon round of mah-jong until all the wine was gone. I love going up to the San Juans, I can see myself living there one day- maybe having a small cupcake bakery and a little farm. The weekend was only dampened by the fact that I FOUND A GRAY HAIR IN MY HEAD. Sigh. Another sign that I'm not a spring chicken anymore. Bummer.

Idaho? No, YOU da ho.

Today someone told me to have fun Ho-Ho-Hoing. Granted, it was an ending to a Christmas list email.

I saw that Idaho? phrase on a t-shirt once. I really wanted to buy it. But then, would I be revealing too much?

By the way, some people are just so pushy about wanting to know about my thoughts and life happenings. Yes, I'm talking about you, Brian...

Have a nice day!

It's not a tumor!

So lately I've been getting the most hideous headaches throughout the day. It's really been an all day thing, I wake up with one and most likely I go to sleep with one. I am thinking maybe it's SARS or something equally hideous. Wouldn't that just be the perfect topping to my horribly hideous week?

Ok enough pity parties... I don't have any new pictures of me and the mustache, I'll have to bring the camera into work this week.

Two Words.

Final Countdown.

If you don't know the song, listen to it. If you watch Arrested Development on Mondays... laugh your butt off when you think of GOB doing magic.

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

You Don't Say....

I kind of look like Will Ferrell in Anchor Man. Sexy.

GO VOTE!

It's that time of the year when you can exercise your freedom of decision making- make your voice heard!

http://kittenwar.com/

Sugar... oh sugar sugar...

I think I've had too many cookies today. Can't blame a girl for finding a box of discounted Halloween cookies at Thriftway. I think I've eaten two bats and a pumpkin. They are divine. Judge me not. I know you had that Snickers for breakfast the other day...

Speaking of which, I am determined to cut off the Twix. I have two mini-Twix left at my desk (I ate the third one for breakfast) and once they are gone, they are GONE. The detox shall begin.

Halloween was so much fun, I got to wear a fake mustache and hang out with my nieces. I think the mustache is quite fetching, if only it didn't make me sneeze all the time. I could wear one for each day of the week! You'll notice in one of the pictures Emily is not wanting to let go of the pumpkin bucket. She's pretty strong for a two year old, just you watch, she's going to be on the next version of American Gladiator.

I finally ran in my first race this weekend- the Dawg Dash. Too bad I got passed by a little fluff ball dog and a 5 year old. What the hell. I'm an adult! I'm SUPPOSED to win. I'm going to stick with it, keep training and keep running. It's been good for me. We'll meet again 5 year old, then I will leave you in my super-sonic dust! Oh yes, we'll meet again.

An Ode to an Addiction

Twix, sweet and perfect

Caramel dancing cookie

Chocolate, heaven

I Heart The Backstreet Boys

Even more when it's being lip-synched. The head banging part is the best.

Rock on! Click here

Don't say I didn't warn you. Turn up your speakers....

Ummm yeah.

I think that I write too many emails during the day. I rarely communicate via phone that when I was leaving a message for a client today, I almost said "Have a good day, Melissa" at the end of my message like it was a sign-off for an email. I'm such a dork.

I think I need to shut myself off from media for a while- write more letters, spend more quiet time reading or being by myself.

I'm Melting!!

My brain is melting. Serious. I have been working on a project for work for too many hours today and I can't take it anymore. Must... have... break. And what is this FABULOUS project you ask? Oh it's looking up images online so I can find their image ID's. All I have to go on is the little jpeg, so I have to be creative in my search terms. BLEGH! I am so tired of looking at palm trees, babies and cute animals.

In other news, apparently October is "Pizza Month" in addition to "Breast Cancer Month". So today I'm wearing pink and getting myself a pizza after work. Delish.

Which One Are You Again?

Did you hear the one about the woman who gave birth to her sixteenth child and wanted another one? No serious. It's not a joke! Stop laughing!!

Apparently there are true pyschos in the world that don't kill or torture- they just give birth. And keep on giving. Jim Bob (yes, that's his real name) and Michelle Duggar recently made headlines after Michelle gave birth her to 16th child, adding to her litter... I mean family. What shocks and horrifies me is not the fact that this woman WILLINGLY lets her husband near her (fertile man!) but they have made a concious decision to raise more and more children. Want to see something really disturbing? Check out their website: http://www.jimbob.info/ and click on their Family Photo Album. Michelle's hair hasn't changed in 20 years! I'm talking crimes against nature, people!!

For more crimes against nature, click on their "Favorite Family Recipes" link. Oh the humanity.

Call the Fashion Police!

There are few things that really get my goat. However, one of them has no place in modern society. It should have been flushed down the proverbial toilet of life, down into the sewer to DIE. What is it you ask? THE DREADED SCRUNCHIE. The scrunchie of the 80's and early 90's- that little piece of elastic fabric, wrapped around your hair as if it were some sort of DECORATION. Please, women of the world... I implore you.... The Scrunchie should not be used by any means. I see evidence of The Scrunchie every now and then, and it makes me want to call the Fashion Police.

What's next, a tracksuit as business attire??

Leave the gun, take the cannolis...

This weekend I created my last wedding cake for a long while. (That is, until one of my good friends gets married, then I will reconsider). It was a true piece of work, it had me up til about 1:30 am then up again at 5:30 to cover in more ganache. Yes, it took so much chocolate and cream to cover that thing that it weighed a TON. Jeremy actually had to help me lift it so we could get it to the table in one piece. It turned out beautiful with the colors- I'm really happy with it.

After we delivered the cake, we went to Le Fournil in Eastlake and dined on some yummy french sandwiches and picked up a couple french pastries for later. I heart eclairs!!

Does your cat crap in the toilet?!

Today when shopping for Gour-met cat food for Miss Kitty, I was behind a guy at the pet store that was asking for (and I quote) "the training tool to train cats to crap in the toilet". I nearly died laughing. Some days I wish I carried a recorder because some things are just too funny. I can't imagine trying to train Miss Kitty to do her kitty doo-doo in the toilet, much less trying to teach her how to flush the toilet.

Must... create!!!

There is something seriously wrong with me. I have the urge to buy a bunch of fabulous fabrics and go hog wild on sewing projects. Do I know how to sew??? Noooooo... but I just spent an hour ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over fabrics at reprodepotfabrics.com. Love it all. Especially the sushi prints. I think my desire to move away from cakes and goodies to something else has kept the creative bug in my head looking for fallen crumbs. I say bug because I'm not that creative, but when I see things that inspire me, that little creative cockroach does a jig.

Stupid Blog!

Ok, so I had a good post ready to go and then I realized that I probably shouldn't post it because maybe I might offend someone. OH what good is a blog then?!

My Husband, the Hero...

This weekend was a little bit of an emotional roller coaster. Saturday morning was spent enjoying fresh croissants and coffee after sleeping in til about 9:45. It was lovely, especially after the emotions of Friday and learning of my aunt's passing. Needless to say, sleep was desperately needed and Jeremy was nice enough to go out and get my favorite morning treat. About 10:30 or so, the fire alarm in the next building was going off and smoke was filtering out of their kitchen windows. Peering outside, I actually saw our on-fire neighbors shut their bedroom window, obviously annoyed at the fire alarm that was in full swing. Jeremy and I rushed outside, hoping to see our neighbors leave their burning house. After a couple minutes of no neighbors, Jeremy ran over and knocked on their door, to no answer. Determining it was safe, (no flames) he opened the door and ran inside, asking if people were ok. He said that the sprinklers were on in the kitchen and whatever was on fire was now out. Smoke and water was everywhere. Our neighbors, now throughly confused why there was someone in their house, came out of their bedrooms, still half asleep. They had no idea that their kitchen was on fire, or that the screeching smoke alarms and fire alarm was for them.

The fire department showed up a few minutes later- Jeremy and I retreated to our condo. Our nosey neighbors gathered out in front, four of them, standing and watching- not bothering to ask if our on-fire neighbors were ok. Jeremy was the only one who had bothered to ask if the neighbors were ok, needed water or anything. Our nosey neighbors sat like vultures in front of our condo- clearly doing nothing productive or helpful.

I think I will make Jeremy a cape, for his superhero efforts.

Birthday

Today was a wonderful birthday and I had a wonderful day. I spent some of it with my family and of course my friends from work. I received some wonderful presents- one of them tiramisu from Tutta Bella in Columbia City. My friends and family are so very kind and made me feel very special today.

Today I finally sat down and spent some time looking at the devastation from Hurrican Katrina from CNN and the Corbis newsfeed. I am at a loss for words, moved by the utter desperation and heartache of those survivors.

Please donate to the American Red Cross www.redcross.org. Minimum donation is $5.00 and I know all of us can spare that kind of change. Do what you can, donate what you can. Every little bit helps.

Weekend!

This weekend was pretty busy- but not as busy as last weekend. I finished a cake for a friend at work (her sister was getting married) and after that we had our parents over for a little bbq and some Mahjong! It was the first time my mahjong set has been used since it came from the Philippines over a year and a half ago. It's not the computerized verison either- this is authentic mahjong craziness...

My Husband...

ROCKS THE HIZ-OUSE!

CANDY WITHDRAWL!!! Curse you Peanut Butter M&M's!

Nothing to talk about... nothing to say....

Except for I am still hurting from this past weekend. Today was yoga followed by an evening of cardio. I am thinking that my totally craptastic day was also supplemented by the fact that I am going through some serious sugar withdrawls. Detox is no fun. I had a five minute argument with myself in my cube about taking some M&M's from my neighbor. He's got this gumball machine full of delishish M&M's. Usually, I wait until he's left his desk before I sidle over and take some candy. He's got pennies sitting out on his bookcase so you can help yourself... the candy is just BEGGING to be taken by sugar fiends such as myself. I've been good about candy in the past couple months, but last week was the final tipping point as I slid back into the horrible spiral that is fructose, sucrose, dextrose and all the other ose's.

Wake me when it's over...

To borrow a word from my friend E- today is gonna be a "craptastic" day. Sigh. I'm out of tea, lots to do, and I can feel a headache coming on. Enough to make me slightly cranky. Boo Tuesdays!

What a crazy weekend!

I'm still recovering...Coffee in hand as I type, I'm contemplating going back to bed. Alas, I will continue.

This weekend started off right on Friday night and seeing Pink Martini at the Chateau Ste. Michelle. It was the best time anyone with two bottles of wine and great music could have. They didn't allow cameras at the concert, or I would be posting some hilarious pictures of drunkards. (Not including us, mind you) It was a different scene, a lot of 40-somethings with their picnics and chardonnay- but in the end it didn't matter who you were, everyone was up on their feet dancing and having a fabulous time! I almost got trampled by someone who clearly had too much to drink, however he tried to play it off like he MEANT to do that. Nothing like sitting in a field with a bunch of winos!

Saturday morning, after *trying to wake up early (Trying to overcome the headache that is red wine) we packed up the car and took off for Hood Canal and Andy's property on Dabob Bay. We did some clam digging, ate oysters from the bay, had margaritas and tried to drown out the red wine memories. It worked pretty well. The property is so beautiful and was a relaxing time before we had to pack ourselves in the car again and head out to the Gorge.

Sunday. (At this point, I'm half considering ditching the concert and going home to sleep. But must.. trudge.. on...) The ride to the Gorge was quiet, obviously both of us hurting for a little downtime, but once we got there I was in full DMB concert going mode. Sitting on the hill was an experience, I have done it only once or twice but it was great considering our tickets were free! An amazing view, the sound was AWESOME and I could scream and "Wooo!" all I wanted. Fannnnatasic! Jeremy was blown away by the concert- in his words "Everything I expected but BETTER!" YAY! My mission is to turn him into a DMB concert junkie!

Now I am home, have to go to work in a couple of hours. Ugh. Enjoy the pics, it was a great weekend. The first pic is our view of the stage- digital cameras are horrid for dark pictures. I think I can see Dave though! The second pic is our campsite at Dabob. So beautiful!

I can't believe it!!

I got SPAMMED in my BLOG. What the hell?! What has the digital world come to?!

Does anyone know how to get rid of comments?!

Good Gravy!

And not the brown kind! Seriously, I can't believe it's been two years since Jeremy and I got married. I swear that time has flown by. A lot has happened in the past two years; the birth of my second niece, the birth and passing of my lovely nephew, my friends Katie and Jessica having their kids (not together of course, that would just be silly) , the passing of my Lolo, the reuniting of my Lola, great days at the lake in Montana, meeting new and old family members for the first time, a couple of new jobs for me at Corbis, having my two best friends Kate and Eryn in the same state at the same time (yay! It better stay that way!!) saying goodbye to my favorite car, Mr. Potato Beetle Bug, saying hello to our new Calkins Mobile... for god sakes woman, we get it... lots has changed. It's only been two years but man it's been wonderful.

PS. In this picture I look so incredibly shocked. I love it.

Evil walks among us...

... and her name is Emily. Seriously, look at the Tough Girl smirk on her face. She's saying "Oh yeah Uncle Jeremy? Why don't you come over here and ask me to smile one more time?" You'd think she's been watching too much of the Godfather.

Birthday Weekend!

Wednesday was Jeremy's birthday, but we decided to celebrate with friends and family all weekend long. Saturday all of our friends came over for pizza, champagne, cake and wine. Of course, it was my bright idea that we would MAKE our own pizza in 85 degree weather. Jeremy bought all the dough and our friends brought the toppings. What was a good idea in my brain turned out to be a mini-nightmare. Just a note to self- don't try to wrestle with cold pizza dough. My frustrations were quickly drowned out by delicious boxed wine- which we ended up consuming later.

Sunday, after trying to put the pieces of my self back together after a particulary hard night of drinking- we managed to scrape ourselves off the couch, look presentable and visit the family up north. It was a fun time, topped off with a SpongeBob icecream cake for Jeremy and a WWF-like smackdown with the neices. Another note to self: buy two of everything lest you want pint sized rugrats tumbling on the floor and fighting in their party dresses. Once I got over the initial shock that little Emily had pushed her big sis to the ground, jumped on top of her and tried to bite her stomach, I laughed my butt off. I know, I know, karma is gonna get me. But man, oh man ... THAT was entertainment!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Today is Jeremy's birthday and to celebrate- I made his favorite cookies, oatmeal scotchies. I followed the recipe to a T. However, when they baked, they just spread all over the place and are less of a cookie and more a chip. Lame! Anyway, Happy Birthday Jeremy! I hope your 32nd year here is just a good as your 31st. :)


This picture was from our honeymoon in California. We stopped in San Francisco for a couple of days. We didn't eat here.

Babysitting!

Most times, when I am in the presence of babies and a two year old, it's great birth control. I thank my lucky stars that I am sans children. However, my friend Eryn and I went a-babysitting this weekend (Hi Eryn!!) and we had the best time. We sat for a friend in Bellingham who has two ADORABLE twin girls and a DARLING two year old. Typically, the thought of trying to keep track of three children, keep them happy and not seriously screw them up would make me choose a sharp poke in the eye rather than babysit. However, Eryn and I, the responsible, sensible gals that we are- took on the challenge.

Ruby, who is two, was a total riot. She refers to the twins as LucyLiza, instead of Lucy AND Liza. Her first word out of her mouth every single time is "No", however, after little convincing, she quickly changes her answer. I made sure to bring some stickers as an ice breaker- and they promptly ended up all over the couch and coffee table. Whoops. Sorry Kara!! She was such a good girl, even let me wash her hair in the tub which most little kids freak out about.

The twins were amazing. I think the toughest thing was trying to remember which baby we had fed and changed. They were totally content to ride in their swings, drink their milk, and make dirty diapers. Not much too it! However, we should have known better when Kara had left us a note telling us that one of the babies had not pooped in a day or two, so we had better watch out! Thinking that we would escape the monster poo- our luck ran out about two hours before Kara and Vince came home. Damn.

All in all, it was a fun trip up to Bellingham and great to meet and stay with these little cuties. I look at them and realize what an amazing miracle they are, overcoming so much to make it in this world.

Pictures!!

So lazy.

Sorry I haven't been posting lately, I've just gotten so lazy in this heat. I feel like my fat cat, who just sort of plops down in front of the fan. Montana was fun, lots of sun, family and trips to Target. I am not sure why it is when we are in Kalispell we go to the same places- it's like tradition to stop at the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar in Haugen, MT, M&S Meats to get some yummy buffalo jerky (I swear it's so tasty) and perhaps a stop in at The Sportsman Haus to find some great deals on some outdoor wear.

We didn't get the chance to go up to the Park this time, maybe in September when we go back. Jeremy and I did go jet skiing though- and managed to get ourselves thrown off the stupid thing. I have the greatest bruise you will ever (not) see, on my butt, from hitting the side of the jet ski as I went flying off. All I could do was laugh, because it was so dang shocking to be thrown like that.

All in all, it was nice to go, but I was happy to come back.

What happened to us?

I spent yesterday evening with my family, including my two fantabulous nieces. They crack me up everytime. They are growing so fast- it's hard to keep up. I found these funny pictures of Emily today- and at what point in our lives was it not socially acceptable to squish sweet potatoes in our hair? When did it become NOT OK to bang your cup on the table demanding more food?

I love you egg!!

Well actually, I hate eggs if they are hard boiled. Something about the smell. However, if eggs are dressed up in cute little ninja outfits, I could be persuaded to love an egg. Do you need a song to convince you??

I LOVE EGG SONG!

Blegh!

Nothing is more gross than a cold in the summertime. I am not sure where I caught this lovely bit of sickness, but it has not been fun. At first, I thought it was a major case of allergies, then realized after taking my medication, that it was NOT allergies and a full blown case of the cruddies. That was two days ago- Fourth of July was fun, but with me constantly sniffling and blowing my nose it was less than exciting. I've been at home the past two days, trying to get over this cough and all the goodies that come with it! Whoo!

I went with my nieces to the Bothell Parade in lovely downtown Bothell and as all small town parades are- it was quite the event. I think my favorite part was the three nerds on Segways. I laughed my butt off. Aparently, anyone can be in a parade...

Here are some pictures!

You mean, they're not real??

The funniest thing ever- my friend Kate (hi KATE!!) gave me this video to borrow for MKF. It's called Cat Sitter, and is just little two minute movies of gerbils, birds, fish and other rodent like creatures that the cat would be interested in... MKF loved the gerbils and the rats but found the fish and squirrels sooo passé... She's such a snob.

Wedding cake for Derek and Diane

Wedding cake for Derek and Diane
Originally uploaded by melissa's cakes.

This was the cake I did this past weekend. Pale green fondant with white branches and leaves.

San Juan Weekend!

First of all, I should say that everyone must take a mini-vacation and go up to the San Juan Islands. I took a wedding cake up there this past weekend and J and I extended our stay for a couple more days. It was well worth it. Getting up to the island with a wedding cake was not an experience I care to repeat, which might explain the fact that I was drinking a little too much white wine during the reception. That and the fact that the heat started to make the cake melt a little and thus my stress levels went through the roof. It all worked out in the end and the cake turned out fine.

We spent the next day exploring the island and had a one of a kind experience. We were patient enough to see about 30 Orcas swimming by Lime Kiln State Park, playing and breeching- it was truly a site. The pictures don't do it justice, but hopefully you get the idea.

Pictures!

There is treachery afoot....

Today after my workout at the gym, I discovered an evil plot. The scale that is in the ladies lockerroom at my gym was two pounds heavy. How did I uncover this plot of deceit? I stepped on it, as usual and was taken aback in horror. Three pounds?! How in the heck did I gain three pounds since this morning? I could not have had that much water, especially after working out. I stepped off the scale, zeroed it out and heard a loud "THUNK!". Of course, when it is zeroed out, the scale should be level. I moved the little pound measure until it was past two pounds and all of a sudden, it was level.

OH! Such a deceitful plot must only mean that they want you in that gym all the time working out.

Evil doers, beware! For karma will kick your butt!!

TWINS!

Great news! My sister in law is pregnant with TWINS! Can you believe it?! I am still in shock. Time to find a double stroller, double Baby Bjorn, double EVERYTHING! You think I am kidding? Check out this double Bjorn. They have a triplet version available too. How does that work? Babies hanging off of you at every angle? I think my personal favorite is this T-shirt. That's classy. I think I know what I'm getting the Warren family for Christmas!!

It's only Thursday?!

I am dragging today. Woke up wishing it was Saturday. It could be that I was up late watching one of the worst movies ever. Two and half hours of my life, wasted away watching the HULK. Two words. Anger Management. Chill out. Life is what you make it, my Jolly Green Giant. If you make it all about you, then yes, you will get a little upset sometimes. I did find it slightly amusing though that no matter what Bruce Banner was wearing BEFORE he turned into the Hulk, he always ended up with the ratty purple shorts on when he got really pissed. Maybe that was the problem all along. Shorts were too tight.

Don't see this movie. You'll just end up hating yourself for sitting through it.

Sasquatch Festival!

Hidey Ho all! A great Memorial Day weekend was kicked off by heading out to the Gorge to see 26 bands play at the Sasquatch Festival. My favorites were Ray LaMontange, Kanye West and seeing this crazy band, The Arcade Fire. All in all, there was a lot of fun to be had, especially since the people in the box seats next to us were a special kind of CRAZY. I don't know who put on a better show- the bands or the crazy drunk/high/drunk lady dancing next to me.

Here are some pictures- Enjoy! Click on me!

Finishing touches

Finishing touches
Originally uploaded by melissa's cakes.

Here's me putting the final touches on the cake I made on Sunday.

Weekend!

This weekend was a busy one, making a cake for a friend of mine's friend- a friend of a friend! The result was pretty good- I was happy with it! I just hope it tasted good!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I've never won anything on the radio- seriously... but this morning, for some reason I got really lucky.

Jeremy and I won tickets to the Sasquatch Festival, an X-box, a CD library of the bands at the Festival, VIP Parking and passes to the Cliff Club (not sure what that is...) and a camping pass for the weekend.

I am in shock. I really am.

What a way to start a Friday.

Emily and Jeremy

Emily and Jeremy
Originally uploaded by melissa's cakes.

Tito Jeremy teaching Emily all about RC cars...

Reasons why I love my husband...

Oh no, a sappy post about my husband. Wait! Before you boo me off this blog- check it out...

1. Just got new Dave Matthews CD for me. HOW LOVELY!!!
2. Bought tickets to see Pink Martini at Chateau Ste. Michelle in the summer... LOVE IT.
3. Bought tickets to see Carbon Leaf at the Zoo in the summer... Who cares if I thought they were Irish!?!
4. Plays with my doting nieces who love that he plays with them...

See? Ok, I'm done now...

Miss Kitty is phat.

Miss Kitty is phat.
Originally uploaded by melissa's cakes.

Get in my belly!

I know that I don't have the fattest cat alive, but man oh man does she come close...
Here are some more pictures of MKF. CAT!

DOH!

I just ate a fortune cookie that HAD NO FORTUNE!! What does this mean? What kind of future do I have?!

Oh the humanity.

Giddyup.

Lately I've been really bad about blogging. Life has just been really busy will all sorts of stuff, and it seems that there is never a good time to sit and blog. I know all of you out there have been dying for some new dirt (uh yeah sure ya-betcha), but unfortunately I don't really have much. Or at least that I can share publicly. Maybe next week.

Today when I was driving up to meet a friend for a cake tasting, I was passing this truck that was towing a trailer that said "Boarders for Christ" on the side. I laughed, thinking of the movie "Saved" that I saw on Friday. Skaters hate cops, but I guess they can love Jesus.

Good Luck Kelly!

My friend Kelly is going to NYC to be on Good Morning America for his famous Gnome Knapping Saga. How funny is that?!

http://www.kellykeeton.com/blog/

That's hottt....

I just love the media. I think they love a good gnome story. A friend at work, was a gnome nabber and got his story on KOMO TV last night. Check it out!!!

GNOME NABBING

Just a thought...

My friend Kate left a vase of flowers on my doorstep this weekend, thanking me for moving her cats to Tacoma. A very nice gesture.

I know that there are some guys that read this. If you are a guy and have a girlfriend/wife/whatever... GO BUY HER SOME FLOWERS. Honestly, does anyone REALLY need a reason to give flowers to anyone? And you know what? She'll love you even more when it's for NO REASON at all. She'll think that you are so thoughtful and so nice! When you are in the daily grind of life, a lot of things become routine. Step out for a moment and try something out of the ordinary.

Ok, I will get off my Dr. Phil soapbox for now. Good luck with the flowers.

Makin' banana pancakes...

The new Jack Johnson cd has a song called Banana Pancakes. It makes me laugh. Jeremy made me pancakes this weekend that were called "Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes" and they were so yummy. You want the recipe? Click here: PANCAKES!

The rest of the weekend was spent with our friends in their new abodes. Kate and Jesse moved to Tacoma and John and Heidi moved to Lake City. Both places are so very cute and nice. Kate and Jesse moved to the Stadium District of Tacoma, which is a darling old neighborhood with some great architecture. John and Heidi moved into a beautiful little bungelow in Lake City with a great kitchen. Seeing both places made the "I wanna move" itch a little stronger this weekend. Instead, I went to Ikea on Sunday and bought some new curtains for the bedroom.

This too, shall pass...

Lately there has been a lot of drama going on around my workspace. I can't wait until people have settled down and stopped whining. There. I've said it.

Now get back to work.

Unassuming chocolate egg... 

Unwrap it, we will... 

DEAR LORD- CHOCOLATE EGGS AND PEEPS! 

Happy Easter!

Although it poured rain all weekend long, Easter was pretty exciting (well if you were under the age of 4). The egg hunt for my nieces was inside this year and it made me reminisce about days of old and what my Easters were like as a kid. I remember one year I got a "Panoramic Egg", which is a sugar egg with an Easter scene inside. Being the crazy sugar fiend that I was, I tried to eat the egg one day when no one was looking. No one told me that it would taste like crap!

Well, I hope you got your fill of Easter goodies. I for one can't eat sweets like I used to. But I can sure bust them open to see what's inside!!

Here are some pics of my lovely nieces and their Easter egg hunt. Enjoy.

Click here for pictures!

I go walking... after midnight....

Well boys and girls, apparently in addition to being crazy, I am the kind of crazy who sleepwalks. Yes, it was reported to me this morning that I crawled across the bed last night and FELL OFF my bed. Still asleep and GIGGLING no less... I crawled back into bed and fell asleep. I have no recollection of said incident, although my back is killing me something awful.

Curious as to what kind of crazy I am? Check out this article on sleepwalking. I guess I need a vacation because the stress is really getting to me. Good news though, I will never be allowed into the armed forces. I guess they don't want me wandering out into the desert asleep with a rifle.

It happened again.

"Can I help you with anything, ma'am?"

Since when did I become a ma'am? I really don't remember when I signed up for that. It's not like I checked off the Ms., Mrs., or Ma'am box when I went to my last doctor's appointment. At what point in your life do you suddenly graduate from Miss to Ma'am?

There is this Richie Cunningham look-alike at my beloved grocery store in Renton Village who asked me the other day if "I needed help out with my groceries today, Ma'am". I froze, about ready to throw my sugar-free jello cups in his face. Am I graying? Is my posture starting to deteriorate? DO I HAVE A SIGN ON ME THAT SAYS I AM OLD?!

I know I know, the poor chap was just trying to be helpful. But for the love of all that is holy- please don't make me feel like I should call you "Sonny".

HUH!?

Sometimes I freak myself out.

I am sitting here doing expense reports, listening to some music when this thought ran through my head:

Hey this song would be a great song for an ice skating routine.

HUH?! Why did I just think that? WHY WHY WHY.

People are strange...

Yesterday when I was in the mailroom at work picking up everyone's mail, I walked into a strange conversation between two co-workers. They were discussing a letter that was sent to our office, trying to determine what department it should go to. " I don't even think HR could deal with this..." one person said. That peaked my interest (as I handle most things HR)

Apparently, a family had sent us a letter asking us to give them information on a little Romanian boy they had found a picture of in a text book. THEY WANTED TO ADOPT THE BOY. What kind of twisted thought process is that?! "Oooh look, this Romanian boy must not have a family and must be adopted by us." Simply based on what these people saw in a book, they thought it might be a good idea to write to the providers of the image for information on this little boy. First of all, the image was probably 10 years old and second, WTF?!

Perhaps I am overreacting. Perhaps these people are just so selfless that they want to save the world.

But who is to determine who needs saving?

Wow... so you're like... kinda famous.

This past weekend was spent in a small room with about 15 cake decorators learning how to make the most beautiful gum paste (sugar) flowers from Nicholas Lodge, world famous cake decorator extraordinare. I was by far the youngest of the bunch (and that ain't saying much!) and the only one not wearing "Mom Jeans". It was quite the experience.

Nicholas Lodge is indeed quite famous- he made Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding cake.

Here are some pictures of the flowers that I made. And NOTE: They are not real. I had to put them up high so MKF couldn't get her little kitty paws on them. She loves to munch on flowers.

Click on this, baby!

Things I hate about being sick...

- Being sick.
- The red patch under your nose that develops from blowing your nose too much. Sexy!
- "Sick" breath. Again, Sexy!
- Not being able to watch tv because the room doesn't stop spinning.
- Not being able to taste anything because your tastebuds are sick too.

Meh.

I have a tapeworm named Terrance...

This is such a heart warming story, about a little boy who has overcome cancer. He named his tumor 'Frank'. In this day and age where it seems everyone has cancer, I am happy that there are some good stories out there.

I don't know many of you that name your tumors, but I think I have a tapeworm named Terrance. No, I don't have an actual tapeworm (gross) but when I get a hankering for something really bad, like a big block of Ghiradelli Chocolate from Trader Joe's (smothered in peanut butter, of course) I blame Terrance.

I heart wine.

Ok, what's worse?

-Being drunk and pretending that nothing is wrong, but slowly stumbling around...
or
-Just accepting your state and stumbling around anyway.

Imagine... Martha Stewart and me!

Casting calls are open for the next Apprentice, except instead of going head to head with Trumpy himself, it's MARTHA STEWART. I can't quite imagine what that would be like, would she make you create the perfect pie crust for a winter's morn', or make you sew a dust ruffle that is both stylish AND functional? She would indeed scoff at my small collection of Jade-ite, but then I could taunt her with my ability to make italian meringue buttercream. Sigh, I am not sure I could just quit my job in hopes of becoming Martha's Apprentice, but I can still dream of what might have been.

Manahmanah!

CAUTION!! Only click here on this link if you promise not to hate me. I cannot be held responsible for the following material. Note: this link requires you to have speakers- and for those speakers to be turned up.

Manahmanah!

Dave Matthews Band is coming out with a new album!

Shocker, ain't it? I think I have every Dave Matthews album that has ever been released (except for the super sneaky imports). Jeremy uploaded all our cd's onto the iPod and his one comment was "We have a lot of Dave Matthews...".

But for now, I have something new to look forward to! http://www.dmbnewstudioalbum.com/

Me and Alton Brown... well he's in the background somewhere. It's like "Where's Waldo" 

Celebrity Chef!

Today I will be making a third installment of my Celebrity Chef Tour. Alton Brown of Food Network's "Good Eats" will be visiting Starbucks Corp. offices and my sister invited me to come along. YAY! I am so very excited, cookbook in hand! Hopefully I will be able to share some photos soon, so stay tuned!


UPDATE!! Here are the pictures from my recent celebrity chef sighting! Photos.

"This is Kyle, he will be joining our Squirrel Army..."

Walking around in downtown Seattle always promises some treat for the day. Whether it be a celebrity sighting, a beautiful blue sky (rarely seen in January, mind you) or a crazy man and his pet squirrel- it always is a good time.

My friend Jessica and I walked past a man today in Westlake Square who was telling a bystander the pitfalls of having a pet squirrel- for instance, "when the little sucker bites, it always hurts!"

I am not sure which one was completely crazy, the Squirrel Man or the lady that stopped to talk to him.

"Napoleon! Give me some of your tots!!"

Well folks, I've seen it all. My friend Eryn (knowing my love for tater tots) just shared with me the funniest thing ever. DARTH TATER.

GET OUT.

"I don't want to be a pie..."

This weekend started off with a celebrity sighting! Yes, Jimi Hendrix's (supposed) cousin called me a "rich girl" on the bus on Friday night. He went on to have a very loud discussion about iPods and DOS with some of my fellow bus riders as I pretended to sleep and ignore him. Jeremy just laughed...

We finally did it! Yes, Friday night was Chicken night at the Calkins household and we finally visited the Popeye's Chicken in Renton. One word: DELISHISH. It was fantastic! Jeremy went a little overboard and ordered the thirteen piece bucket- as in his words "It's a good deal". A good thing that comes in 13 pieces is no longer a good thing. Hurg.

The rest of the weekend was spent avoiding chicken.

What are you doing today, Napoleon?

"Whatever I want to do, GOSH!!"

Yes, that is how I feel. Except I don't get to do whatever I want. If it was up to me, I'd be outta here so fast and on my way to make cookies or cupcakes with the nieces. But, as life as I know it does not permit such crazy antics, I will be good and do what I'm supposed to do.... for today.

In the words of Eric Cartman....

"It's cold up heah!" Yes folks, the weather is getting colder and colder. Jeremy is convinced that last months tsunami is triggering a global change in the weather- and pretty soon we will be huddling together for warmth as temperatures will drop to a ba-zillion below... a la "The Day After Tomorrow" (horrible movie, by the way). So start stock piling your cheezy poofs and down blankets.

Weekend!

This weekend was filled with flowers, cake and some pretty corny wedding music! Did I go to a wedding? No! I worked at the Seattle Wedding Show at the convention center. It was an overload of all things "Wedding" and then some! I even saw a celebrity! Sunni Kobe Cook was at the Seattle Wedding show- she was standing outside of the booth I was working at. Too cool! HA!

I had great response to the cake that I created for the Simply Wed booth- it was a relief and a HUGE ego boost to have people like my cake. Some lady even asked if I would send her a picture of it... well... sure... if you are going to let me MAKE it for you. Geez, I guess I should start protecting my work as an artist.... Hee hee!

Seattle Wedding Show! Here is the cake I did for the Seattle Wedding Show and the Simply Wed Booth.  

An OUTRAGE!

Things that piss me off:
- Mean people
- People who call other people names

AND THE FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS A CHEAP SKATE.

The "Leader of the Free World" has only pledged $10,000 of his own money to help the Tsumani victims of Southeast Asia. A man who makes over $400,000 a year, has investments in everything, doesn't pay for his housing and yet- all he can cough up is $10,000?

My "Hero" award of the day goes out to Michael Schumacher, F1 driver and 7 time world champion who is pledging $10 million dollars for the relief effort.

Eat pooh, Mr. Bush.