Wednesday, 11.07.07

You know by now last Tuesday Maricel, Ace, and I went to Seattle for a comedy competition at the Comedy Underground in downtown Seattle.

What I didn't tell you is Ace left his wallet in my car on accident Tuesday night.

There I am Wednesday morning getting ready for work. My cell rings at 7:00 AM on the dot. Ace needed me to check to see if indeed he had left it in my car. I trekked downstairs, searched high and lo, and was just about to give up when I saw it wedged between the door and seat. Behold the wallet!

I called him back, shared the good news, and we both went about our days. I figured we would meet up after work at some point.

Little did I know I would end up heading back over to Bremerton and having dinner with him, M2, and her hubby.

I dashed home, picked up the wallet, and headed out. After traffic delays, I picked Ace up at his place.

Let me just say walking up and down a Washington hill in 4 inch heels is not easy, can lead to calf cramps, and someone telling you to wear 3 inch heels next time.

Ok, so I know that wasn't the brightest move on my part but he called me lazy when I said I would wait for him in the car outside the gate. That sounded like a challenge to me so I went for it. Next time I will wait in the car, lazy or not.

We headed over to the Bremerton waterfront for dinner here. For those who don't care for seafood pictures, there are a few below.

I apologize for the lighting in the pictures. I couldn't seem to get it right this night for some reason.

This is a one of the lights hanging in the restaurant and was directly in my view during dinner. It totally captivated me.

Don't you love bread? Carbs go straight to waistline and other places but I am not at the point of denying myself the small pleasure of it's yeasty goodness.

You know by now we also like to have drinks from time to time.

This was not the best mojito consumed but made for a nice picture nonetheless.

My desire was for a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I let the waiter, Matt, select which one. His choice was right on as it paired perfectly with my dinner selection.

Ace goofing and M2 looking purty.

M2's surf and turf. She later had to send the steak back as it was overcooked. Her lobster was just right though. Her hubby had surf and turf too but opted for tempura prawns versus lobster. His dead cow was good to go.

I opted for the lobster special and convinced Matt it would be in their best interest to make my lobster "user friendly". "User friendly" means taking the meat out of the shell before bringing it to the table.

Otherwise, no matter how easy it might be to get it out of the shell, bits of lobster might be flying here, there, and everywhere.

I readily admit it. I am messy like that. I may use a fork and knife to eat pretty much everything but I manage to still make a mess.

As you can see, he complied with the request and we were all thankful he did.

Ace doesn't care for seafood so he chose a burger and fries. Isn't the wrapping so pretty? Just like a little gift wrapped nicely for him come Christmas morning.

Midway through the meal M2's hubby finished his mojito and wanted to try a new drink. He left the decision up to Matt and the bartender. Matt said he would make sure it would be something feisty.

I am not sure a surfer on acid qualifies as feisty but this is what he got and ended up not really caring for the selection.

I have had a surfer on acid before but it didn't taste too much like this one did. What it tasted like to me was when you lick someone's back after the suntan oil/lotion has settled in and been sunbaked for a little bit.

Do you see that? What's that you ask? Look again. That's me in the corner of your eye waving my freak flag.

Apparently, even though we are all from the south, I am the only one who has licked someone with a bit of sunbaked lotion/oil on the skin.

At this point we found out something about Ace that disappoints me. We will get to that in a moment.

We decided to ask Matt if he had tasted suntan oil/lotion on the skin. He hadn't either and god bless him, he didn't miss a beat when the question was asked or when humoring us with an answer.

No blushing. No nervous laughter. No running away from the table as soon as he could. Secretly I bet he has his own freak flag waving in the wind too.

Remember how M2's cow wasn't cooked as ordered? The restaurant said dessert was on them as a result. They selected a slice of pumpkin cheesecake.

I ordered a piece of pumpkin cheesecake too. It was very sweet, almost too sweet, but good. I kinda strong-armed Ace into sharing it with me. I think his favorite part was the peanut brittle.

We also used the forks in a display of not quite good etiquette but in the spirit of flag waving discussion. Who needs a book when you have food to play with?

Once again, Matt hung in there and took our inappropriateness in stride.

We paid our bills and headed out but not before some more pictures were taken.

Here are Ace and M2's husband.

In case you wondered how Ace and I became friends, it was through these fine folks.

My ex and I used to live above them. Through the years and miles separating us, we have maintained a friendship.

Now allow me to go onward to the disappointing factoid we learned over dinner.

You know him as Ace. You've heard him referred to as Dark Chocolate. We lovingly call him McChocolately.

Allow me to introduce you to The Utensil.

Before y'all go on hating, he knows I am calling him out.

So there we are at dinner and during the course of conversation he shares with us he is the type of lover, because he has body parts that hurt and high blood pressure, that he lets his utensil and the woman do all the work. Since he is that good, he can do this.

He lays there and enjoys the ride but not on his bed. It might interrupt the sheet cleaning schedule. And y'all thought I was bad?

He will dirty up her sheets or get busy on the couch or floor but his bed is off limits to all except for him and Murph.

I'm disappointed on a few different levels but appreciative of the clean sheets.

And while you reflect on that, I leave you with Bremerton's little piece of Vegas...

Peace and Love Peeps.

Random Act of Kindness

We still have lots to catch up on from last week but I feel like starting with today first. Forgive me for being selfish like that.

Most of my peeps had today off. Me? Not so lucky. I was up and at 'em nice and early today. I was taking no chances the predicted windstorm would knock the power out and I would not be able to get done what I absolutely had to.

Yes y'all, we had another fierce windstorm complete with rain today. No power loss in my neck of the woods but plenty of other fierceness to go around and around and around and around.

Nonetheless we (Maricel, Ace, and I) braved the elements and headed out to lunch. After discussion, Panera was chosen.

I think we all had the chipotle chicken sandwich. I can't remember what Maricel's sandwich was as they gave her the wrong number, then someone took her food, and finally she had to get another one made.

Ace had a whole sandwich and apple.

Maricel and I chose a half sandwich, chips, and soup. She had the broccoli cheddar and I chose the clam chowder.
We all shared the sweet treat.
I know it is not right to pass judgment on others, let alone take pictures to publicly out them for all to see, but this one, god please forgive me, was too much not to share with you.

I would like to think her grandchild did her hair and she was wearing it like this with love but she was all alone.One clip maybe but four with that amount of hair? Really?

I'm just saying.

Post lunch, Ace and I were going to take in a movie and maybe a little shopping. Maricel left us to hang with her hubby.

We never made it to the movie. We did shop though.

We hit up Barnes and Noble and Borders. Yep, we're bookish like that.

We were on the hunt for two books Ace has his mind's eye on. Would you believe neither one was found? One has not been released yet and the other one was not in stock.

When all was said and done, I ended up getting two books and he selected one.

Afterward we walked around the mall and Ace spotted this gem. Leave it to him to find the grandma orthopedic shoes and to call out a display.

We thought it was Santa wearing some girly pants and then after the picture was taken, we noticed the Mrs. for Mrs. Fields cookies and it made sense.

Later the thought of the fugly shoes on this and the other displays was a conscious choice so peeps wouldn't be tempted to steal them.

On the way to the grocery store, we came across a homeless man and his dog on the street corner. Ace gave him some money.

As the light changed and I drove onward, my inner voice spoke and said, "Go buy the puppy a jacket and some food."

So I quickly changed lanes and onward to Pet Smart we went all the while Ace was singing "Someone's got their good samaritan on."

I thought the reversible, rain protective, reflective jacket was the best choice for the pup. It even had two little pockets on it and a cut out for the leash.

We probably could have gotten a large instead of the extra large size but at least the pup will be somewhat protected from the elements.

We weren't the only good samaritans either. As we drove back to the corner, another lady was giving him a bag of food.

This little puppy made out today. A bag of food from her and four individual, easy to travel, natural food bags and a doggie jacket from me.

I am sure the man was taken care of as well. Ace gave him money today and I did Friday night too. I am sure others opened their hearts and wallets too.

It makes me even more thankful for what I have tonight as I sit on my couch, with a roof over my head, food in the pantry, food for my kitties, and a warm place to sleep tonight.

Weekly Challenge #6

Make this the week you get a jump start on 2008.

Purchase a wall calendar, refills, update your PDA...whatever it might be.

If you wait until January, there might be slim pickings at the store y'all.

And in case you are wondering, I use a variety of organizational tools to keep me on task.

Above is my new 2008 mini wall calendar that will hang on the cork board in the kitchen. It is a quick snapshot of pretty much everything going on.

I use a 12 month wall hanging erasable calendar in my office for project planning and a quick review of issues that might come back to haunt three to six months after the fact.

I would be lost without my PDA. It has it all. Meetings, appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, deadlines, tasks, travel arrangements, lists, etc.

Overkill you might be thinking but this is what works best for me.

I plan my personal appointments a year in advance. Yes, you read that correctly. A year planned out each November, usually over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

I sit down with my wall/kitchen calendar and mark off my hair (every 7 weeks), brows (every 3 weeks), and facials (every 6 weeks) and create a word document for the people that keep me pretty and pampered.

I make a note of when my yearly, physical, teeth cleanings, eye check ups, etc. are due and call for those 2 months in advance.

I'm going to go hide now. For some reason I feel exposed for sharing this with you.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Come On!

I was all set to be in for the rest of the night and a certain someone, whom I have seen more this week than in an entire month, summoned me from the coziness of my home.

He told me to "Quit hiding and come on!"

Blame him for the lack of updates, which I was planning on doing tonight.

Damn you.

Now I have to go and get pretty again and brave the darkness of the night and trek to Seattle without my girls.

Y'all know who he is dontcha'?

By Request

Wanna' see my organizational "genius" (Ha!) "Grandma says I suck" handy dandy binder up close and personal?

Well, you may not want to but some others do so in the spirit of honoring requests...

Back in the day, this used to be what we call a fact book for work. Now it is my hobby/crafty fact book.

The dividers are labeled techniques, projects, ideas/templates.

Off to the left is a birthday and anniversary (outdated) list. The green card stock is an example of the Easter card for this year I need to file in the ideas/template section. The index card contains next year's St. Patrick's Day greeting and this year's possible Thanksgiving greeting.

To the right is the beginning of my stamps. I sat down one Saturday afternoon about three years ago and tried to group all the like stamps together and got busy documenting what I had on hand.

As I buy new stamps, I add their images to the corresponding page if they will fit. If not, I just add to the space available on the last page of this part of the binder.

Below are the last two pages of stamped images currently. It has a little bit of everything going on. Fall, Father's Day, Easter, random images, etc.
This is an example of the ink pads and their color and type description.
Additional examples of ink pads and their descriptions as well additional current stock lists of other ink pads, foam stamps, embossing powder, Pearl Ex, glitter, chalks, acrylic paints, punch info (dimensions, what I have), wish lists, stores to check out, envelope sizes, etc.
Random shot of former cards and projects made plus ideas for future projects.

I created this out of necessity. My eye is drawn to the same type of images and colors and I like to avoid duplication of purchases. Plus if I am browsing in a store and I see an idea I like I can check to see what I have on hand before purchasing exactly what the example shows.

The initial binder set up took me about four hours to do and now, as long as I stay on top of it, it takes no time at all. The stamps are added as soon as I bring them home and before they get added to their storage bin.

I do the same with the inks.

I check/update the powders, glitter, paints too. I update my PDA as the stock changes but don't print the lists and put in the binder except for once every three months.

So there you have it. Another glimpse into my OCD, organized self...

Tuesday Tales

When: Tuesday, November 6

What: 28th Seattle International Comedy Competition

Where: Seattle's Comedy Underground

Who: 16 Comedians, a Host, Ace, Maricel, and Mo

Time: Good Ones

Last Tuesday, as I am pounding out the work, I get an email from Ace. It says "I want to go to this! Let me know. Tickets are $15.00."

First, it was a nice "interruption" during the day. My friends, god love you all, pretty much know between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM during the work week, is not the best time to reach me.

When I saw his email addy pop up in my work email I was pleasantly surprised and secondly, I was relieved it wasn't an emergency. Anywho, my immediate response was count me in even though the show didn't start until after 8:00 PM and the event was on a school night.

Fast forward to Tuesday night. It started out as a comedy of errors. Maricel got off of work early so we could meet Ace before the show to eat. He was running late, missed the ferry, and ended up driving around.

That's what we call it because literally you are driving around Puget Sound.

It's a 60+ mile drive and the only other way to get there from where he is or me to get to him, T, or M2, is to get on one of these.

What you see on Grey's Anatomy is an accurate representation.

It is a part of our everyday life if we choose to utilize this form of transportation.

I love me some ferry boat . The price? Not so much.

Of course with the rising gas prices around these parts, it is quickly becoming worth the price of a fare.

Ok, sorry to digress. Back to the Tuesday tale.

Maricel arrives. I try to buy tickets in advance but the website is down. We write down directions and head north to Seattle.

Directions seemed easy enough:

Left on 4th

Left on S Jackson

Right on 2nd

Arrive at destination

Um, not so much. Maricel and I were out for a nice Tuesday night drive. It took us 3 times to finally find our way there.

But hey, it was all good. Since we were meeting early for grub before the show, we had plenty of time to spend going around in squares.

We arrived hungry, thirsty and with smiles.

Long Islands and water for us. Ace later had Bud Lights.

The chicken club Maricel and I each had. Ace had a burger.

We were one of the first peeps there so guess what? We got to sit up close and personal. We were right by the stage. Ace was worried he would be heckled since he was arriving late but...

...he arrived before the show started. However, this didn't stop us from being picked on and becoming part of the show.

Why the comics selected us and not the "the 80s called and want their hair back" group complete with a woman in their group who I promise you looked like she was hating life instead is beyond me.

We would have gotten pictures of them for your viewing pleasure but we were skeered we were going to get our butts kicked if we snapped a shot or two. The stink eyes we were getting were enough to deter us from even trying.

Ace was called out for laughing when the host was talking about working at a Mexican restaurant and later got a high five and a fist pump by two other comedians. I got to play with a man's balls during his act.

I was laughing so much about half way through the show I had to break out the Excedrin because I got one of those headaches. You know the ones I am talking about right? I get those a lot.

Check this out for a review of the comics. We were at SIIC: Preliminary Week Two - Night One show.

Plans are in the works to attend the finals.

Another night of good times y'all, good times...wish ya' had been there too.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Just Do It

You have a voice.

Let it be heard.

One vote can make a difference.

We are fortunate and blessed to live in a country with a democratic process.

Please do not take advantage of this right.

Grandma Said I Suck

Seriously y'all she did. She said I sucked.

She did say, "Excuse me for being rude" prior to saying the words and it was meant as a compliment but honestly, my reaction was "Whaaaat?"

I spent the day with some of my favorite people, T, Ace, Marie, M2, M2's husband, and their daughter yesterday.

First up for the days was a 50 mile drive to pick up T. We went to Poulsbo, one of my favorite places to visit.

Rubber Soul, not the Beatles' sixth album, is food for this girl's soul. It is the place where inspiration can be found at every corner.

Paper, stamps, ink, embellishments, punches...you name it, you can find it there. The staff is always friendly and supportive. The atmosphere welcoming. A little slice of heaven on earth.

So there we are, T and I that is. Browsing. Getting ideas. Deciding on our holiday cards.

Grandma is doing the same with her granddaughter. She notices my handy dandy binder containing all of my stamps, ink colors, stock supply list of powders, glitter, acrylic pant, etc. She asks if she can see it.

"Sure", I say and hand it over to her. She asks if I teach classes or sell my cards and I tell her no.

She proceeds to say I am organized and T tells her yes I am. She makes her way to part of the binder with my ink pads represented and shows her granddaughter I used the same stamp and then typed the description next to them (the same fireworks stamp inked with each of my stamp pad colors).

I said, "Actually that is my handwriting." She looks up from the page protected sheets, turns to T and asks if it is my handwriting. T tells her yes it is.

Grandma then looks at me and tells me I am blessed. I have a gift to be organized and have handwriting like I do and then proceeded to tell me I suck.

If Grandma says it, it must be. I was taught to respect my elders so I'll take her word on it.

From there we headed down to another store to see if I could find a decorative storage box in lieu of the box I still want (and will be getting) from the Container Store. Watch. It will be my luck I go to get it/order it and they won't be carrying it anymore.

Post a quick walk through, we hit up another little slice of heaven on earth, Sluys Bakery. You simply can't go to Poulsbo and not visit the bakery.

We took the purchases down the picnic area and promptly got down to business.

A pumpkin spice donut that was pure perfection.

We did not share the donut. We are greedy like that.

We shared the iced raspberry shortbread cookie and a troll house cookie too.

A few of our pictures from the picnic area looking toward Liberty Bay.

This gentleman was wearing an orange wool sweater and was biking around the boats. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon in my opinion.

The picture doesn't do the view justice.

Fall goodness. It was definitely brisk and felt like fall.

This was taken on the way back to the car. It exemplifies, to me at least, the Pacific Northwest. Kayaks on the rooftop screams coastal, active life.

After I dropped T off, I met Ace to see Dan in Real Life. The movie starts off a bit slow but once it gets going, it is well worth a trip to the movie theater.

Afterward, Ace and I were hungry so it was time for dinner. We both settled on a nice hunk of dead cow.

He had the chopped steak with a double order of fries.

I had steak and grilled shrimp with mac and cheese and broccoli with the onions from his steak.

Ace finished it off with a chocolate mousse shooter. I had a tiny sample since I had already had my sweet treat with T for lunch and I didn't think the ingredients would agree with my tummy.

Following dinner and dessert, we headed over to M2's to visit and see Ace's Boo and my angel, Marie. She is town for the week.

We caught up, played with M2 and her husband's daughter, and rounded out the evening by watching Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters.

Good times peeps. Good times.

Weekly Challenge #5

Reach and touch someone is this week's challenge.

Someone you have been meaning to talk with.

Someone you have not heard from in quite some time.

Someone you miss, you love, you have been thinking of.

Pick up the phone, send a text, compose an email, mail a card...simply make an effort at contact.

Sex in the City Pho Style

Do you Pho?

We Pho.

It's yummy.

It's even better on a cold fall night with your girls.

Kyla, Maricel, Melissa, and I met for dinner Thursday night.

It turned into a scene straight out of Sex in the City.

Good times y'all. Good times.

Kyla = Carrie

Maricel = Charlotte

Melissa = Samantha

Mo = Miranda

Fitting character descriptions for us. Tonight I took a quiz and confirmed the assessment. I am 40% Miranda, 30% Charlotte, 20% Samantha, and 10% Carrie. Who knew?

Following laughs, seriousness, some sex talk, and dinner, Maricel, Kyla, and I met some of the boys for Thursday night.

Representing West Side, Hook 'Em, and Peace is how we roll.

Steve doing his best Billy Idol impression while sampling Goose on the rocks with limes for the first time.


Tyler's version of a money shot.


My boo boo.


Kyla, Tyler, and I had a slumber party post the festivities. As I was loving on Jasmine, I must have overstimulated her love kitty self because next thing I knew, she bit me on the nose.


Now this is nothing new but drawing blood and leaving her mark like this is new.


It took about five minutes for the bleeding to stop and realized my rubbing alcohol had expired. I had to use antibacterial "on the go" gel to disinfect it. This might not have been the best choice but I'm not taking any chances with cat scratch fever.

Guess what else has been added to the shopping list? Yup, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.


I leave you with a warm fuzzy; Chris and Kyla showing some love.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Completely Normal

Hearing the sentence with "everything is completely normal" from a doctor is always a good thing.

Music to my ears.

I called this morning and there was a cancellation.

I took full advantage this afternoon and went to have my foot looked at.

Post x-ray, the doc said it is swollen, I should take it easy, and it might be a good idea to quit kicking people to allow for healing.

Right there with ya' doc. On the same page. Listening to what you have to say.

But do I have to stop kicking ass? Really? That's going to be a bit hard to do...