Three Truths

Update 3/16 – 3/22

Monday night Nater and I enjoyed some fine corned beef made by me, in my brand spanking new slow cooker.   And then I spent a couple of hours baking green coffee cake and green dessert (both concoctions were new, and both were amazing – but I’m afraid to tell you what they are and then have Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker swipe my great ideas like the whole “Brookie” incident. 

Tuesday night I made a call out to my local friends to see if anyone would brave the wilds (Wildes?”) of an Irish bar in Redmond with my “crew” – AKA Nater, Zach, Tristan, Becky and Kelly.  Zach mocked my Irish heritage on facebook earlier in the day, so I made him do an Irish Car Bomb, Naturally. 

Becky was very festive with her contribution of Green Peeps (which might have actually been her dinner?)

Becky: It must be nice to have such a great metabolism.

Tristan: No, I just work out a lot.

Tristan: You know, when I went to visit tigers, the tiger handler was missing an arm. 

Nater: How does a stork deliver a tiger baby? You think that would get eaten.

Becky: It’s like telling someone that I had a pet raccoon, cat and pig and then have them guess which one isn’t true.  
Tristan: The Raccoon right? 

Becky: No I gave you three truths. 

Me: Haha Nater, can you text me: I just gave you three truths a cat a raccoon and a pig.

Becky: That’s not what I said, but I like hearing the way to tell it anyway.

Unfortunately, I forgot my phone for this outing so I asked ppl to text me when someone said something funny and now I have no idea what they mean. 

We were talking about greetings, hugs and touching people’s backs and the difference between an innocent touch and a WHOA buddy.  I don’t remember who said this but it’s funny, so I’ll assume Nater.

Nater: I just stick to touching bathing suit areas because I like to touch people where they have the most clothing. 

Zach: We should make a TV show where the cities are made of cards.

Nater: And the whole premise is Toddlers crushing those cities like Godzilla.

Trisan: There are 9 kids in my family.

Me: Whoa! Did they all live in the trailer!?

Tristan: No. 

Okay so this is when he told us the complicated tale of his family tree, around 5 times until I got it straight.  And I couldn’t only get it straight by using me hands to remember which we’re his mom’s kids and which were his dad’s kids using the thumbs on each hand for Tristan and his brother who shared the same mom and dad.   I’ll have to show it to you some time because if I took picture it would just look like I only know how to count to 9.

On Wednesday, we (Cassidy, Nater, Zach, Kelly and I) met at Moxie’s to playtest Zach’s game.   The cards are looking pretty awesome, and I had fun – though I’m not sure Zach loved our “help” but it’s always nice playing with friends.   Thursday was my third evening out on a school night.  Cray Cray.  I met up for happy hour in Seattle with Alicia, Greg, Rollie, Kelly, Maggie, Hannah and Shana.  I was a little late because of traffic. 

Shana: This place is Percy friendly.

Me: Really?! Wait, how did you know I had him with me?

I know – dumb question. 

Shana: I saw the most hilarious response to someone dying on facebook, all thanks to autocorrect and now I want to use it all the time. “Rene, Osprey for your loss.”

20 minutes later

Alicia: My dog sitter is leaving, so I have to find a new one.

Kelly: Rene, Osprey for your loss.

Alicia went to Mexico with Greg, and Shana got her this shirt:

Which is appropriate because Alicia had some unfortunate digestive issues that required a stool sample to be taken to the doctor.

Shana: That is some big time boyfriend duty.

Kelly: Some boyfriends will hold a purse…

Rollie (upon his return from the restroom): There are orange slices in the urinal! My mother always told me to not waste food… so I ate it. 

After that party died down, Kelly, Maggie, Hannah and I headed over to Shorty’s so that Kelly could get some photography on.  Percy wasn’t opposed to this concept. 

On Friday, I was walking back from SBUX when I saw this mama and her pup snoozing while they waited for their human. 

Saw this driver in front of me on my way home, and yes, we were close to the Microsoft studios.

 

On Saturday, Zach woke me up at 8 to tell me something about a car and the dealership and AAA.  I told him I would call back in 30 minutes when I was “awake.”  I texted him to say that I was going to swing by SBUX and that I would meet him at the dealership.  This is when he got very frustrated with me and my inability to comprehend anything in the morning.   Apparently, he got a flat tire the night before, put a donut on, but the car wouldn’t go over 27 MPH.  I drove over to his apartment and he told me that he had called AAA, but because it wasn’t an urgent matter, they wouldn’t be there until 12:30.  This is when I wanted to go home, but Zach wanted to hang out, to which I said, “but you don’t have coffee in there!”  He placated me with a Hershey bar for breakfast. 

After we finally got the car where it was supposed to be, we picked up food and Tristan made us gourmet burgers.  Mid-cook, Tristan asked Zach to pour beer into his mouth.  Something is not right here. 

Yup, still not quite making it. 

Tristan: Go ahead and eat. 

Me: No, you cooked us lunch, the least we could do is wait for you.

Zach (with a mouth full of burger): Yeah, I would never.

I went home after that to write out my Easter cards, and then showered and went back to Zach’s for a nice evening stroll followed by binge watching the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  I’m not sure, but I think I ended up going for a walk to the dog park with Zach and then more Kimmy on Sunday – with only a smattering of all the errands I needed to do in between.  This is how I get so behind!

Hope all is well and that you have a lovely Easter.  More soon!

CAKE FIGHT!

Update 3/9 - 3/15

Monday, I went to a fancier restaurant with some ladies.  It was the second time I had been to this place, and the second time that I was really not impressed.  The company was lovely though, even though I feel like I ruined the conversation by talking about serious stuff.  I'll get a handle on this whole "being social" thing one of these days!

Ryan and I went to pick up a cake for Kelly's birthday, and while I was waiting for them to write a little something, a lot of other people we're also waiting.

Me: I'll get out of the way.

Wise Stranger: You are the way.

We dropped the cake off at Kelly's door even though Ryan wasn't so sure it was wise.

Me: Are you worried that it's going to get stolen in the "ghetto" of Kirkland?

Ryan: No... I'm worried about ANTS!

Luckily, ants don't know how to hold forks yet, so it was fine.  Actually, this sounds like we left it uncovered.  That was not the case; it was in a box, covered in a bag, under and an awning.  Plus, Kelly loves sharing. 

Kelly was excited about Zach's birthday party invite.  I haven't been invited to many of Zach's parties, but what I do know is that they tend to be messy, cue this aftermath from 2 years ago:

I got a chance to chat with Erika a bit, and she had a delightful story about her son Toby.  I guess he came out of the bathroom very proud of himself.  He was snap, snap, snapping his fingers, a feat he was previously unable to do.  "Look, Mom! I figured out how to snap! All I needed was a little wax from my ears!"  I thought he was ingenious, but his mother was a little grossed out - imagine that.

Random thing that I had to share immediately with my sister and sister in law:

On Friday, Kelly and I opted to spend the evening vegged out on the couch working (Kelly) and writing Monday emails (Me.)  We watched Tomb Raider and decided that it was very wise of us to watch this after going to Cambodia.  For one, Angkor Thom, did not need an entire village working together to knock down the door -- it didn't even have walls! And the lake that Angelina rows up to a village outside side of Angkor Wat? Yeah, it's basically a puddle surrounded by a moat.  We also watched a good number of ridiculous Paul Rudd movies, none of which we had any historical or geographical issues with.

On Saturday, Kelly and I decided to go to the ProClub for mani pedis.  That's when Sean texted me to ask me how I was celebrating St. Patrick's day.  I told him what I was doing, but I don't think he believed me because shortly after, he facetimed me.  To quote Stacey, during this very brief facetime call, "awkward."  Feeling a little guilty by the lack of Irish (three days before St. Patrick's day, mind you) I blasted some pub music and kept it going all throughout Zach's birthday party. Then, periodically, having to explain to all of his guests why we were listing to "jig" music. 

Zach had a big plan for his party that involved purchasing $250 worth of sheet cake.  As a birthday present, because I knew that he only planning on picking up cake, I got drinks and food for people to actually eat.  And at the last minute, because I can't handle ill prepared parties, I panic called Kelly to bring decorations for the cake decorating contest.  One basket full of sugar please!

Zach: Okay, what is something that has happened spontaneously at a party that was awesome.

Me: I'm sorry, you have me confused with someone else.  I plan every moment of a party, and then proceed to be so bossy that nothing spontaneous ever happens. 

Zach had planned an assassination type game for us, that included bonus points for doing, or getting someone else, to do the extra activity on your card.  And because I love to brag, you don't mind saying that I won. 

The bigger activity of the party was a cake decorating contest.  Matty, Hannah, Kelly and I teamed up an created Angkor Wat, complete with Angelina Jolie.  Yeah, buddy.

Here are two of the other three cakes, b/c the third was in appropriate for me to share.

And yeah, our mini Cambodian replica totally won.  Zach allowed everyone to have a piece of cake, and then it was time for the main event - a food fight.

Zach: I don't understand, when I did this before, everyone wanted to participate.  We must be getting old.
Me: Um, I don't if you notice, but it's the old people that are participating.  I think it's because to threatened everyone with a hose after the fight - you don't warn people, you just do it. 

Zach: Lesson Learned.

When Kelly sent this picture out the next morning, she got a colorful response from Matty:

A powerful and thought provoking photo, Kelly. The subject's fetal position symbolizes birth. The juxtaposition of cake and cowering is a statement to the absurdity of simultaneously fearing and celebrating our own aging.

Happy Birthday Zach!!😜

After the fight, we played some games.  Tristan came in from the hot tub with a towel around his waist.  Which is when Paul yelled across the party, "Dude! Put your abs away!"

We were playing Catchphrase.

Hannah: It's a boy band...

Me: HANSON!

--- we didn't get it, but the answer was Beach Boys ---

Tim: They aren't a boy band! They are genre defining band!

Clue: Wolf Down Food

Guess: New Asian Restaurant!

The next day, we all kind of slept in.  When I finally did, I asked Nater and Zach if they wanted to go out for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.  Nater, "So what you mean is meal."

Nater: I was going to help you clean up this morning but you weren't there.

Zach: Yeah I went home last night. 

Nater: Later we can have a movie night.  You can come in when you're done shoveling but we'll watch "Holes" so you feel like we're helping.

Nater: Yeah, so few people will help you shovel the next day.

Zach: Next party won't be such a big mess.

Nater: You said you wanted to have a tie dye water gun party next!

Because I wasn't shoveling, later, Zach would say I was "relaxing" but I assure, I was not.  I finished the evening by buying a slow cooker and making Diana and Jason some corned beef!

A-Choo

Update 3/2 – 3/8

Hung out at Zach’s to watch Elementary early in the week.  He was well on his way to making cheese fondue when I arrived.  Tristan told me a story about how he grew up in a trailer, and because his mom liked to make a lot of fondue, he assumed that fondue was considered a “Trailer Trash” kind of thing.  I thought his story was very amusing. 

Tristan: What?

Me: Why do you say “what” every time I laugh at something you say?

Tristan: I figure if you tell me why I was funny, I’ll be able to figure out how to replicate it.

Me: If only it were that simple.

Tristan declared Zach’s fondue, “Cheese wine.” I was surprised Zach liked it, with his aversion to all things alcoholic, but Zach just explained, “I guess I would rather eat wine than drink it.”

I was walking up on the Mezzanine, looking down at the Magic and Warhammer(?) players.

Me: Look at those Nerds

Darren: Right, how many LAN parties have you had again?

Me: Just the one – you know that, you were there. 

We had a fun little baby shower for Christy in which we used our licensing powers for good.

I’m going to miss that lady!

On Thursday, I came home and saw this critter swimming along in a lazy fashion on Lake Sammamish.

On Saturday, Kelly got me up early to do a little Barre3 – a combo of Pilates, Yoga and Ballet.  I totally made it through the class, for which Kelly rewarded me with coffee.  I felt alright the next day, but on Monday, man did everything hurt.  Later that day, I met Dr. Rach & Jen for a walk around Green Lake.  I thought that Percy would be tuckered out when we got back from our nearly 3 mile walk, but nope, not so much.   I, on the other hand, was exhausted and treated myself with a nap.  Just like these turtles that we saw on the lake:

Meanwhile, my west coast fam was hamming it up at Disney for Jordan’s birthday weekend!

On Saturday, I met up with Kelly and her parents at the dog park.  I explained to them that I am trying to re-teach myself how to sneeze.  The thing is, when I sneeze, I feel like my head is going to explode and my eyes might fall out of the socket.  I told my mom this, and she was most unsympathetic.  Lucas told me I need to stop putting my tongue on the roof of my mouth and instead say, A-CHOO!  Sound simple, but I only sneeze once a day and so it’s really hard to remember before it’s too late!

After the park, I ran a bunch of much needed errands and finished up just in time to pick Kelly up for a photo session at the Arboretum.  Here are some awesome shots, and also how Kelly became the Percy’s official photographer!

Now, if I could just remember to bring him treats next time, maybe he won’t be so huffy about being bossed about. J

I hope you have an amazing week!