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

Redefined

Remember that one family reunion when we not only owned the definition of "puke," but took it to a whole new level? Of course you do. We talk about it at every annual family get-together. Barf Fest 1999. Well, I was preparing for a Relief Society lesson this morning and came across this journal entry. Oh how I wish I could have tied it in to the lesson somehow...

July 26, 1999

I’m in the very backseat of the car traveling on the way to Salt Lake City. We are coming from Boise, ID. We just got done with our family reunion a few days ago at Pinetop (Pinetop is a church owned girls camp). It was fun for the most part. What I mean is it was fun until the last night. It all started when I woke up from a deep sleep and there was Bethany standing there looking down at me. I asked her what was wrong and she threw up. Luckily I saw it coming and I moved (She also told me she was going to puke). That’s how it all started. After that I moved by mom and James. Right after I settled, James threw up, then Kevin, Parker, Abby, and Spencer had their turns. That night was my worst nightmare come true. Just smelling it and hearing it made me want to throw up. I hate throwing up. I’m almost afraid of it. I can’t stand it. Maren and Reed went home throwing up that day and the day before.

The picture featured above was taken prior to bedtime that night. Yep, there's sweet, unsuspecting Bethany smiling right beside me. If only I knew the horrors about to unfold. If only she knew. If only all of us knew... about the Kool-Aide, right? Of course, in the passing years, the journaled trauma has transpired into the most endearing, fond reminiscings. Oh guys. I miss you. You're so far away!

I say we're overdue for another reunion at Pinetop, yeah?

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.

With Gabe in Mind

Browsing Craigslist this evening and came across...

Ketsup? And the eyes? Yikes.

I'm not sure how to comment on this one above.

The point of this one is that his name is "Uncle Tio". Hm.

No one could ever replace Gabe. Never. He's got to make it to 150.

What? You want some more?! This next gal is James's fav.

The ad is what sells it though:

Rahja is loving, loyal, beautiful 8 yr old Australian Shepherd. She is a dog for a woman or family of majority ladies because she was raised by three women and has proven to only allow women to walk her. she is spayed, house broken, walks well on a leash, trained in basic commands, and will play fetch til you stop throwing the ball. She can maintain extended periods of low energy. So if you knit, sew, or just like to watch movies she will sit next to you and love every minute of it.

Rahja does NOT like fireworks...she digs out and runs every 4th of July that she is not brought inside. Other than that, she has no other behavioral problems.

We would like to rehome her because she isn't getting the attention she deserves with health problems in the family and daughters away from home for extra curricular activities and college.

Willing to drive her up the freeway for the right woman/women to love her.

Here was a headliner that we found invitingly enthusiastic:

and another:

And lastly, an excerpt that was randomly read aloud that sounded a little awkward...

Two-Fer

Today is a Two-fer. Two quotes fer one post. They come from Beauty and the Beast by Nancy Willard and Barry Moser. I love love this version. It's out of print but you can still order it HERE.

"Nothing cures homesickness quicker than an unexplored tower."

"It's odd what pleases us when our fortunes change."

And Then We Sort of Grew Up

Pretty much, this post is for you Shauni. In honor of your birthday, the old old house, and the new old house:

1991

1991

1993

1993

1994

2011

1998

2011

From Chapter One

Started reading The Moon is Down by Steinbeck. I love it already. Here's an excerpt:

He turned to the colonel. "Sir, I am of this people, and yet I don't know what they will do. Perhaps you know. Or maybe it would be different from anything you know or we know. Some people accept appointed leaders and obey them. But my people have elected me. They made me and they can unmake me. Perhaps they will if they think I have gone over to you. I just don't know."

Oooh! I love it.

Oh, Mikhail

I'm really feeling the dance fever lately (Not the Saturday Night kind though). I'm starving for culture. I'd pay $700 dollars for a ticket to see Mikhail. Seriously. I'd have to think a little bit if it got any pricier than that. But yeah. He's delicious.

This last one is a bit... no very dramatic and dark. Nonetheless, I love it. *Note- The timing is off on the clip. Dang it. They dance a little too fast. That's okay. I'll just watch my movie at home and you'll at least get a glimpse of the magnitude of his power. He's such a dream boat.

Oh how I wish my gangly, semi-awkward body could express my inner whole in such a portrayal of divinity and grace as the master Mikhail.

Love me Some Scott and Fran

One of the best dance movies. Ever.

Another Episode

For all you fans out there in the High Fives and Knuckles club, here's another episode. It's kind of long which means you have a long time to have fun with us today...

I don't know where the Glozelle "goodbye" (see HERE) came from. It just popped right out. Mental note: Cut back on the Glozelle clips.

To wrap it up, here's an outtake for all those who enjoy potty-humor. It's what makes this post worthwhile.

For all you latecomers, here's the link for the past classic High-Fives and Knuckles Reruns (HERE).

Tumblr?

I don't know what the deal with this Tublr thing is but here we go...

Click the link below:

http://slimpikinsitis.tumblr.com

The Past Little While

1. Time- 5:32

Start time of family dinner that we haven't had in a long time and that the grandparents are here for- 5:30

Speed limit- 45 mph

Speed clocked by that darn camera- 56 mph

Family dinner excuse for speeding- worthless

Price of ticket- $171.25

2. The best place to visit on an average of three times a week- Mesa Frozen Yogurt

The calendar that hangs on my fridge noting the daily flavors available- click HERE

The number of days that have at least one uber-appealing flavor highlighted yellow on my calandar- every single one

The cost (with tax) of a size #1- $1.64

3. What is the very best way to spend your time on a Saturday morning after a late night?- FBYWT a.k.a. Family Bonding Yard Work Time. See HERE for past experiences.

The amount of time it takes to drag your sluggish body out of bed- apx. 15 minutes

The warm fuzzy feelings that you feel for your family as you rake up the neighbors pine needles and leaves that have fallen into your yard- M.I.A.

Watching your mom, who is feeling a little intense, ring your own doorbell about 50 times (I'm serious when I estimate 50) to wake your sister up (who hasn't had any prior notice) to come on out and join the festivities- Priceless.

Welcome back FBYWT. It's been awhile.

Oh yeah... There are some things money can't buy, but for everything else, I'm going to have to use my summer savings.

My Boy, Bob

I watched the Bob Ross show when I was little. He was my hero. He made me believe in myself. He instilled the confidence in me that, in just under an hour, I could paint a masterpiece. I remember that first time I watched his show. My soul was filled with such hopes and dreams for my future career as a painter. I was so excited to get to work.

When push came to shove, I was thrust into the light of reality. Stick figures were my forte and that's where the forte would remain. Even though Bob gave me a false sense of my personal potential, I still love the guy. If I had cable t.v. and his show was still running, I'd watch it regularly. I sure miss seeing a happy tree now and again. Besides, I heard the guy had pet squirrels. Fascinating.

I came across this picture and had to share. Not only is it Bob, but it's Bob made out of Legos. Posting a Lego-Bob is a must. LOVE it:

Source: HERE

One of the Reasons to Be

There are very rewarding aspects to the job of special ed teacher. Getting notes from students is one of them:

I was gone on Monday and Tuesday. When I came back, there were notes on the board written to me from students. "Second best ever"? I love it. I'm so grateful for my job.

Note: I blocked out the name from your view, of course. You know how privacy goes.

It's Time

Lately I've been feeling... emotional. It's the end of the year. Pressure is mounting. At any given moment I'm bursting at the seems with... emotion. Let me elaborate...

Last night James was showing our friend a youtube clip. I watched over his shoulder and at the end... teared.

I think I was touched by thought of all the hard work and dedication it took to achieve their showmanship and strength. Yeah.

Here's the next heartstring tugger Jamsie-boy pulled up:

It was the ending that got me. So triumphant. Those tears started to well up again, but I caught them in time. Close call.

Sooooo.... Yep. It's time for school to be over. It's time.

Harry is my Homeboy!

July 15 is 67 days away. Dear Harry's final installment will be released, emblazoned with charged emotion and omnipowerful magic. How can one loyal muggle-patron and participant of the magical kingdom make the honorable, necessary preparations for the glory so close to come? Surely we can't all stop by and have a go at charging through Platform 9 and 3/4. Surely we can't all sneak spell practice in during break time at work. Definitely we can't all investigate every passerby who might be deemed suspicious of Death Eater status. No, there's but one loyal path to trod. Consumption of the heptalogy. Here's how the plan works:

Thursday, July 14, 2011- Preparations for the grand midnight showing will be in full force. No time for book devouring then.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011- A good day to finish the final, book 7.

Monday, May 9, 2011- The first day to kick off the spree. There are 65 days from this point to finish the race. This leaves 9.28571 days per book.

So, I'm posting a schedule on the sidebar for you loyalists, for Harry. To the doors of the magical kingdom we are about to reenter (or the covers of the books), I exclaim "Alohomora!"

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.

Quotationish Excerpt

"Most of the people went quietly, but three children in the front row of the grandstand put up quite a fuss, saying that they had to find their sister Katharine, who'd done something terrible, but a sister was a sister and they'd stick up for her, anyway."

From Half Magic

By Edward Eager

Tra-La-La

Have you ever read this guy?

He's pretty great. James likes him. I like him. Naturally, there needed to be made a decorative pillow. So that's exactly what I did. All you need to do is print off a coloring page and trace the pattern on fabric. Stitch it up and whah-lah.

Here's the front:

Here's the back:

Yes. They are. Those are real underpants on the back of the pillow.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Really wish I would have bought one of these when they were available. I waited too long. Dang it. Double dang it.

Here's the shop of the chick that sells them HERE.

Conference Weekend

Aunt Yvonne and Benjo. Miss you already. I feel like I hardly saw you! Ben, maybe next time we'll find the Pop shop that was shut down. It has to be reopened somewhere. Remember when we stopped at the gas station and asked if the shop was nearby and then that clerk tried to sell you HIS pop instead? What was he thinking? There's no way he had a sarsaparilla behind the counter. Maybe we couldn't find the shop since we didn't invite Bushaw. Next time let's invite her?

Remember that time we watched conference and we were so excited?

I miss you Aunt Yvonne and Ben!

Masterpiece Made

So remember this gem and how it was a total of $6.50 at Goodwill?

It was a beautiful landscape in and of itself. It definitely sparked my imagination (I'm being serious with no sarcasm). But there was a beckoning for more. I answered that call by adding a few touches. Transfers from another masterpiece. It cost me a total of $0.50 and the addition was rescued from D.I.

With a few clips and some detailed snipping, I extracted the specimen. I'll confess that I felt terrible cutting apart a book but there was no way around it. It had to be done. And now, here's the beyond unbelievable final product:

I wish you could see it in real life. It's pretty legit. Here are some close up details...

The white stream/streak in the above picture is the gleam from the lamp above (I know you were dying to know what the slight disturbance was).

Overall, the project made my dreams come true. I love it. It hangs above my bed. I love it. And it only cost $7.00. What a deal. What a deal.

Afterward: When I bought the painting, I knew I wanted to add something but I wasn't quite sure what. Full credit for the Wild idea must go to my genius mother. She's so smart.

BLASPHEMY

Thrifty-Nifty

"Erica, why haven't you posted any sweet thrift store finds lately?"

I know the question has been on your mind. I've been very busy. But here, let me indulge your insatiable interest and inquiry...

This here is my regal lion statue. Location of purchase, Deseret Industries. She's good lookin, I know. If you look slightly to the left, you might spot my prized manual typewriter which is in perfect working condition. Where did I purchase it? Goodwill. It was $7.99 and not even half-off day.

I hate to reveal too much too soon but I can't resist. For awhile now an idea has been turning over in my head. I saw on some blog that a lady bought a vintage seascape featuring a ship sailing a stormy in the night. She added her own artwork to it, an enormous octopus cleaving to the whole of the ship as if fighting to drag it under. It was rad. I can't find her webpage anymore I sorely wish I would have bookmarked it. Anyway, I started keeping my eyes out for a cool opportunity. It came last week at Goodwill with the price tag of $12.99 (before the half off). Here's a peek at the upcoming masterpiece...

It really is a shame that you have to behold it's fine character from the view of a cellphone camera. Until the car and student loan are payed off, this will have to do just fine. For the final product, I'll borrow someones camera so you can get the full effect of the awe-inspiring piece. What am I going to add to it? Oh, I bet you want to know. It's a surprise. Knowing me though, I'd probably gather it has something to do with children's literature and if you did gather that much, you'd be right.