And the Giant Peach

Shelby was at the grocery store and found James' other half...

Naturally, a photo shoot:

Thanks Shelbs. You're the best!

So Not the Knees

Yesterday night we were out and about having a good time down Main St. See Exhibit A:

Well. We were on our way out, heading back up the street when Shauni grabbed my arm all quiet-sneaky like. "That's Busy Bee Lauren." I didn't get what she said at first but in a split second it clicked. It was not the bees knees. It was the Bee herself. I got so excited I followed her right into the shop she entered. 


Immediately upon entry, I felt all awkward and excited and froze not knowing what to do. Froze. As soon as I came about my wits, I ran outside to the group. She hadn't seen me but, darn it, I wanted to meet her. I made everyone wait till she came out. I had to meet her. I greeted her oober awkwardly. Definitely sounded like a fool. A crazy fool. I didn't care. I got to meet her! She was so gracious and kind. Thanks Lauren for putting up with the awkwardness! 


Who the heck is this Busy Bee I speak of? See Exhibit B:

Yes, that's Tedward standing by her side. Where can you find her blog? See Exhibit C:

HERE

What about Romney?

I haven't done much research on candidates for the upcoming presidential election but I did come across some critical decision-making criterion. This man...

has a vacation home in the same spot that this guy...

made his greatest strides using baby steps.

That's right. Mitt Romney has a vacation home on Lake Winnipesaukee. Yeah. If that wouldn't win someone's heartfelt admiration, I don't know what would.

See HERE for the reputable reference.

Love me Some Scott and Fran

One of the best dance movies. Ever.

Bernard

I'm currently in the process of turning the studio apartment on the side of my mum's house into a cozy little dwelling. What could make it feel more warm and welcoming than by adding a classic Ch-ch-ch-Chia? This isn't a rhetorical question. Seriously. Let me know.

Note: James had a bunch of his friend-girls over tonight. The one and only Shelby provided the respectable name "Bernard" for this sophisticated young pet. He's already off to a good start.

Another Note: I got him at Goodwill, of course.

BLASPHEMY

The Three Greats

1. George Washington

2. Abraham Lincoln

3. YOU

Poll and a Winner

So the little poll on the side? The correct answer is Tiger Woods.

Now for the winner. Remember that one time how there were some embarrassing photos posted about how I look like a poodle? See HERE. Well, somehow at our household we managed to get another dog and he sure is a winner. You could call him my long lost brother...

Which one's the dog? The black one on the bottom. James named him Billy Joel. I know what's probably going through your head now, "Shouldn't she be embarrassed about this timeless photo?". Yes, but here's the deal. I'm tired and the dog is squirmy and this was the best photo out of seven. I'm not takin more than that. Besides, how cute can you look after a day of hammering in the coal mines? On a positive note, I think it captures our stylish poodle-hair-dos quite nicely.

So Far So Good

Toward the end of the year 2010, I started watching my moves more closely. I'd made it almost a whole year without stitches, which seem so unnatural. Was disaster lurking around the corner? It just so happened that the watching payed off. I made it through clear and free from any E.R. experiences and the aquisition of bad bruises was pretty minimal too. Here're a few memories from 2009:

That one time I was out roller-blading and biffed it.

Closer up...

At least you can't see the chin bone like the incident prior to this one.

Moving furniture around the house

Fell off the chair while stapling stuff to the wall.

This is definitely a gross post but the pictures have been sitting in my phone forever and it's time to move on. Besides, my posterity must be forewarned of the clumsy nature bestowed upon them. Also posterity, when you're chin is still dripping blood ten minutes after the big biff, don't stroll down to the house of the doctor who's your neighbor just to make sure you need stitches. Don't be a doofus. Get in the car and go to your local Urgent Care pronto.

Pencils Ticonderoga Style

I really love writing with the Ticonderoga Beginners pencils. They're fat, making them more comfortable to grip. Ticonderoga is a quality brand too. You can feel the difference when you right (Thanks Boo for the intro of those priceless tools to our family). Love it. I found some on Amazon. It's cheaper to buy in bulk and I'm a cheap person, so naturally I went the cheapskate route. Too often this cheapness costs me more than it's supposed to for a cheap person. I ended up paying 20 bucks and got a lifetime supply of these:

Actually, I got 6 boxes of 12 (72 total). I know, such a deal. That's only 27 cents per pencil. Don't be misled by the picture. They're fat, but not too fat like those cheapy ones from the dollar store. Here let me show you by comparison to a "regular" one:

Sorry the quality of photo is so poor. I'm still stuck using the camera on my cell phone. Pathetic, but it is what it is. Here's a picture of its pencil shaving, a beautiful flower:

followed by a close up:

Why oh why am I taking pictures and even writing a post like this? I'll tell you why. I love these pencils. Or is it because I'm avoiding grading tons of papers, specifically the six paragraph reports on the water cycle? I don't know. Actually, I do. Both reasons are valid and ya know what? As soon as I'm done with this post I'm gettin in my p.j.s and going to bed. I'm so tired. So so tired. Over and out.

P90X Baby

Boo borrowed a couple of P90X dvd's from our neighbor the other day. We did the "Plyometrics" one that works out the legs and buns. Holy cow. After 20 minutes I was drenched in sweat. Drenched. Also, after those first 20 minutes I was ready for a rest so when the 30 second break point came up in the schedule, I took it and continued on resting for the remaining 40 minutes of the program while Boonies toughed it out and finished. Does that sound pathetic? Yeah, it is but I feel no shame, even though one of the groupie guys on the dvd has a prosthetic leg and didn't have any trouble at all. It was nice to be able to excercise in the cool of the house during those hard-pressed, precious, few minutes. I'm definitely going to do it again today and plan on making it the whole way through. To bad you won't be there. It's going to be quite a show.

Time's Up

My cell phone contract has been up for awhile now but I haven't gone in for a new phone because my old one was still tickin. The back cover fell off a long time ago leaving the battery exposed but, hey, it still worked. Anyway. I went to Walmart with Boo on Friday and, while in the electronic section, found that with a 2 year renewal of contract, the chocolate touch would be given for free. Cha-Ching. That's right. Zero dollars. We went back on Saturday and sealed the deal.

I'm not too into cell phones, meaning I leave mine at home all the time when I go out and often can't find it around the house when I do want it; however, during the ride home, while fiddling around with my new beauty, I felt pretty excited about my improved situation. After arriving home, I even carried the phone around the house with me. About an hour/45 minutes later, after the excitement died down, I forgot about the new phone in my back pocket, unfortunately. Unfortunately? Yes... I had to take a bathroom break and a split second prior to seating myself, I heard a plop in the toilet. For a millisecond I thought "What in the world? That sound didn't come from me!". As I turned around, I saw my phone sitting at the bottom of the bowl. I grabbed it out lightning quick and dried it off but alas, it was no use. It was ruined!

I headed out to the Verizon store (not at Walmart) to see what my options were. I was disappointed to find that my phone, just hours old, could only be replaced if I payed 50 dollars, as it was insured. Huff. Puhlease. I wasn't going to pay one lick for a new phone. What a big fat bummer. My only other option was to trek back to Walmart with a smidgen of hope. The guy who helped me with the phone deal earlier was still there and... in minutes I found myself in possession of an identical brand new phone, at no cost! What a deal.

Side-note: I checked the model display of my new LG Chocolate Touch phone at the Verizon store and had I renewed my contract there, I would have had to pay 129 bucks (with $50 mail in rebate). For the same transaction I had at their Walmart location! What a well kept secret those Walmart hideouts are. From now on, I'm always checking at Walmart first, naturally. Also, below is a photo of my sometimes trusty, prior phone.

Abduction

One time James kidnapped my doll. He took a threatening picture and sent it along to me with a ransom note demanding 1 plate of cookies. He's so tricky. I was going to kill him but quickly realized that by so doing, I'd never get Louisa May back. He got his darn plate of cookies and some accompanying severe threats that, should he start feeling brave with kidnapping endeavors in the future, I'd make sure that he'd never see the light of day again.

Louisa May currently mingles with the Wild Things on my bed (when it's made). She comfortably sports homemade, polka-dot pajamas fashioned by my mom. Her cute pink socks came from the dollar aisle at Target. She hasn't been abducted since the first incident and couldn't be happier with the life she's currently living. Luckily, James doesn't read my blog so he won't get any conniving ideas from this post. I hope you find the safety and protection Louisa May is afforded in your coming endeavors this week. Peace out.

Getting Close to Mothers' Day

Mothers' Day is coming up, which is rather convenient as I've been feeling very grateful for my mom lately. She's simply the best. I wish I had the capacity to express my sentiments in a manner of magnitude that would even come close to the reflection of her inherent, immeasurable quality of character. Alas, here are some tidbits that will have to do, examples of qualities and attributes I've had the privilege of (hopefully) learning from:

1. She values righteousness above, well, the alternative.

2. When she makes mistakes, she's truly humble. For example, last year she got on this kick called "family yard-work time" and held those pow-wows for a couple of weeks straight in the blazing, mid-morning, Saturday heat. (Enter sarcasm) Good one mom (exit sarcasm). It was hellish. After a couple of weeks, we kids gave her a talking to (respectfully of course) and in humility, she obligingly switched the next appointed date to an earlier time of day.

Note: That was not the kind of reflection of mom's humility I wanted to go for, but oh well. Free story for you. On to number three...

3. She knows how to laugh and do so thoroughly. She knows how to laugh harder than anyone I know. For example, a long time ago that wasn't too long ago, she and I were at the deli of the local grocery store. We stood looking at our reflections in the bowed glass. We definitely looked like squatty Oompa Loompas. I waved my arms up and down and lifted my feet. She followed suit. We sat there momentarily, waving our arms doing "The Freddy". She laughed so heartily that I had to stop and watch her laugh. I remember thinking "Shouldn't mom be quiet? People are going to stare!" I was more conscious of her laughter drawing attention than that which would have come of "The Freddy"? At any rate, I loved seeing her laugh like that. I'll never forget it. She can still laugh hard. And I still love it.

Don't know what "The Freddy" is? It's toward the end of the video clip below. Classic dance from some classic girls.

On to number four...

4. She is the hardest worker I've ever met. Ever. On top of that, she is diligent in her efforts, labors, and responsibilities. She doesn't work hard for a week or a month only to cut back and take it easy for however long (not that she doesn't have a balance). She pushes forward, giving her all and then some more, and doesn't look back. Also, her work is always fruitful. If I were an employer, I'd beg her to come work for me. You know what, I think someday I will be an employer (of something or other), and darn it, I will beg her to come work for me.

And now for number five...

5. She has a terrible sense of humor sometimes. If you're ever hungry and want something to eat, don't tell her "I feel like chicken". She'll pinch and poke your arm and say in return, "You don't feel like chicken to me." Terrible sense of humor. Also, don't tell her "I'm tired." She'll reply, "Hi tired! I'm Susan!". Terrible sense of humor. And ya know what? I've kind up picked up on that style too. I feel torturous dread when I hear the corny humor tumble out of my own mouth, but I can't not say it! Aaaah!

All right. There's so much more to say for this post, but I've got to go. I really wish I could post more but you'll just have to come for a visit and drink up her goodness yourself. It you can't stop by, then stay tuned till next year's getting-close-to-Mothers'-Day installment.

Off the Tip of the Tongue

I like the way these words roll of the tip of the tongue (definition has nothing to do with it). Go ahead and read them out loud to get the full effect:

Clandestine

Clever

Pleasant

Popularity

Prominent

Protrude

Quarter

Quitter

Regal

Resilient

Sadistic

Sardonic

Satin

Seamless

Snack

Sniff

Superfluous

Now, after alphabetizing these gems, I see there seems to be a commonality among them; I like words that begin with C, P, Q, R, and S. Hmm. Are there any words you like to say and/or like the sound of?

Card Catalog

I've been wanting a card catalog for some time now. They're pretty darn expensive to buy on ebay, not to mention the shipping. I've been checking the site Gov Deals which periodically posts dirt-cheap castoffs from all over the country, but no luck has been had. I'm hoping to find one when I go to my school district's surplus sale. Does anybody know of one any hanging around somewhere? Below are two pictures to give you an idea of the rough ideal...

Freshly Blended

bitsandbobbins

Dear Ebay

(Not so) Dearest Customer Service,

Why do you play so hard to get? I want your number and you goad me on and on with questions and endless clicking that leads to nowhere, no number. Well, I'm done navigating your endless sea of complicated Customer Service. I've given up trying to play with your merciless, online schemes. I'll no longer need to visit your site with pleading desire, in search of your number. I asked Google and they gave it to me right away. I don't even know if you're aware that you have a number; It's nowhere to be found on your site, so here it is: 866-934-9647. Oh why did I waste so much time searching for it within the tangled web you've woven?

Talk To You Later,

Erica

Phone Gnomes

Time flies away so quickly. So does my cell phone. I rarely have it. Even when I go out and about I forget to take it. It isn't uncommon for me to lose it and not find it for a day or two. I'm just not a big cell phone fan. I think I was 20 or 21 before I even got one and only did so because my family insisted. One day, at the mall, my sister and mom led me into a cell phone store. I thought they needed pick something up but as we entered my sister informed me, "Erica, it's time." I resisted that instant but a week later found myself in possession of one.

With that being said I'll present to you that which happens to my phone when I lose/leave it laying around the house. Two phone gnomes seem to find it all the time. Often enough, when I retrieve that precious, fine piece of plastic, I find it has been graced with a different wallpaper. Here are some of the photo backdrop surprises:

Phone Gnome James

Phone Gnome Las

Oh how I love my phone gnomes!

My Man Scott

Have you been watching the Olympics? Let me restate that. You better be watching the Olympics. My memories of ice skating competition are gilded with Scott Hamilton's commentating. I often get annoyed by commentators but never have I been bugged by Scott. In fact, it just wouldn't be the Olympics without him. I watch the Olympics, in part, just so I can hear what he has to say. If commentators could receive gold medals then Scott would get one every year. I'm sure of it.

Last night I realized that after all these years of listening to my man Scott's expertise, I've never actually seen him skate. I remedied that this afternoon. I was only too pleased with his performances. I thought he had a perfect combination of grace, power, and technical execution. Some skaters are go overboard when it comes to fluid movement and expression, and some fall short as they skate with stiff rigidity. Some skaters do o.k. when it comes to presentation because though they are making the marks, the transitions into the jumps and spins look too anticipated, structured, and planned. Not Scott. He flies across the ice and makes skating look as though it's as natural as walking down the street. He isn't too flowery in expression yet he moves with poise and elegance. He isn't stiff and rigid but carries himself confidently maintaining strong form. As he cruises along the ice he doesn't skip a beat or appear to move with anticipation, waiting and watching for the next upcoming jump. He simply skates along and when jump time comes up, he jumps, then moves right along keeping in time and pace.

Here are a couple of clips so you can see what I mean...

This one below is his long performance he won his gold medal for:

This one is just for kicks, or rather I should say, skates:

Tauntaun Ta-Da!

Oh man. This has got to be the grossest, funniest thing I've seen all week. For all you Star Wars lovers out there, rest assured that on your coldest, wintry nights you too can have your very own Tauntaun to keep you safe and warm. To purchase one from Think Geek, click HERE. Below are a couple other product pictures. Notice the innards of the sleeping bag look just like the squiggly Tauntaun guts from the movie? Gross, but glorious, sort of (it would be glorious if you were about to die)....

Must find warmth for Luke...

Aaaahh.