When people come home from camping they don't get to sit back and relax, but when I do get home I am so happy to have the modern facilities in life like showering without paying a dollar for 12 minutes. On the downside when I arrive back home there's an ungodly amount of stuff to unload and tons of laundry. This means all of our dirty clothes in addition to sleeping bags pillows and blankets, it all smells like campfire. This is when I put my clothes dryer to the test. This time it just could not handle how many blankets I stuffed inside. It broke. This means lately I have been going to the laundry mat for 4 weeks now. Wash the clothes at home and run them to the laundry mat to fluff and fold 2 times a week, sometimes 3. It was hard for me because I usually like to do a load everyday, no build up. This last time I went to the mat I came back and the clothes were not dry. Oh yeah I put them in the dryer and take off, I know its risky but it beats hanging out there. So my clothes were not dry yet and I sat down next to a man who was watching the opening of the Olympics. The laundry mat TV was on a tiny screen. Now this man was quiet until I sat next to him, then hes all talking to the TV asking me about the fireworks, oh look at the girl in pony tails singing, blah blah blah... He was drunk. The little girl was lip syncing anyway....That's how I saw the Olympics opening.
We finally purchased a new dryer and I could not be happier to have a modern convenience.
I'm really tired today. Last night at 11:50 pm Andrew and I were watching the end of Stir of Echoes when we were startled by crashing, banging, snarling and hissing all coming from our laundry room. We ran to see what the commotion was, Jim who was sleeping came rushing in with nothing but his boxer briefs and a tennis racket.
Katie was fighting with a raccoon which looked like a blurry ball of fur.
Apparently this raccoon came through the pet door and was trying to steal Katie's dog food. That raccoon was scary, it was hissing and lunging. In their fight they had knocked over a bike onto the lawn mower, a cooler was on its side and there was dog food all over.
We finally got rid of it and even though Katie is a good watch dog I could not sleep knowing that a raccoon could come and murder us at anytime while we were sleeping. At 3am I sealed off the pet door with a chair. Our pets will just have to wake us up to go out.
Currently
watching
:
Fallen Release date: 1998-06-17
I saw Step Brothers in Lakewood Sunday evening after going to the zoo. Step Brothers had its funny moments, I guess it really depends on a persons idea of funny. But first I want to talk about the theater.
The theaters in the town I live in are crap compared to the Regal Cinema in Lakewood. This theater had stadium seating where the seats tier down and had the most comfortable chairs I've sat in while watching a movie on the big screen. The armrest lifts up so you can cuddle, fondle or pickpocket the person next to you, whatever your mood. They also have cup holders so just remember to take your coke out of the armrest before pulling it up (you know who you are).
My only gripe is the same complaint I have at every theater. Snack prices. Amanda brought me back a bottled water from the concession stand, I asked her how much it was and she tells me it was $4.50..... $4.50! I yelped just a little to loudly. That's a gallon of gas!
But back to the movie, it was funny. There were some silly parts that I did not find humorous. Like when some kids make Brennan (Will Ferrel) lick white dog shit. Some of the jokes fell flat. However there were enough good ones to keep Step Brothers entertaining for a movie about two men 39 and 40 who act like 12 year olds. I would say that it was better than Semi Pro, but not nearly as good as Talladega Nights. So my advice would be to wait for it on DVD.*
Those adorable otters
Current mood: apathetic
Category: Pets and Animals
On Sunday morning I peered out the window and saw that it was gray and cloudy. Then I hopped on the internet and checked the local weather using Yahoo. Sure enough it was going to rain and the highs were in the 50's. Andrew and I were getting ready to go to the Pt Defiance Zoo and I wanted to dress properly. I didn't want to be too dressed up, after all it takes a few hours to walk the whole zoo. I can't see myself doing that in heeled boots. So I donned the "mom outfit". Black jogging pants with white stripes going down the legs, a white hoody sweatshirt and white Tommy Hilfiger sneakers. Yep I was ready to go. I sadly left my new sunglasses on my dresser. I was looking forward to wearing them, but Yahoo said I would have no use for them at all.
The zoo is in Tacoma about 2 hours away and Tacoma is also where I would rendezvous with Amanda so she could come along with us.
About a half hour into the trip I still felt tired and foggy, I glanced over at Andrew and he was half sleeping leaning against the passenger door, I pulled over at Discovery Bay and bought my self a Star Buck's Double Shot in a can. Andrew begged me for a Java Monster which advertises 'half the caffeine of coffee'. At first I expressed that I didn't think it was a good idea, then he promised he would only drink half of it and I reluctantly gave in.
So now we're back on the winding highway and it's beginning to rain. 30 miles down the road and 11 nonstop jokes later I had to cut the kid off the juice. We were having a one sided animated conversation with him doing ALL the talking. It was funny. My coffee did not seem to be kicking in at all so I drank the last half of Andrew's Monster Drink. Something I don't think people drink just for the taste.
By the time we reached Bremerton the climate control gauge was reading 72 degrees. Then by the time we hit the toll booths (a 4 dollar fee) at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge it was reading 76 degrees and I had my AC on! Andrew had his window partially rolled down. I know this counter acts the AC and could waste gas but the AC was blowing in some strange smelling air.
After I picked up Amanda we went straight to the zoo. First we saw caged owls and ravens. Followed by wolves and a yak, they had more of a humane and open environment compared to the owls little cages. Next was the polar bears. I don't know what it is about zoos but they compel us to state the obvious. Such as:
Polar bear stands near water
Us: (In a excited low tone) Look at the bear by the water I think he's going in.
Polar bear jumps into water.
Us: Ohhhhh! He just jumped in the water! He's swimming! He's so cute! Do you see that? He's swimming.
Polar bear swims around for awhile and then gets out and lumbers over too two rocks.
Us: Where is he going? Oh it looks like he's going to the rocks. Yep he's at the rocks. He's so cuuuuuttte!
Polar bear rolls over closes his eyes and and rubs back on rock, tummy and feet in the air.
Us: Awwwww...he's rubbing his back on those rocks. Have you ever seen anything so adorable? Just sooo cute!
I'm trying to snap pictures through all of our excitement.
We also saw some bably beluga's. Which made me think of the children's song. There was a large crowd around the beluga's tank. A trainer with a microphone would talk to the crowd and get the whales to jump and sing. I learned something new there.
Went through the aquarium which was fantastic, I loved it. Also saw some sad grumpy monkeys, a sleeping tiger, a depressed elephant, photogenic puffins as you can see on the top picture, energetic penguins, a peacock who runs free around the zoo, snakes, and my favortite was the was the sea otters. They would hold each other while paddling around on their backs. Extremely playful, they really looked happy, which is something I like to see.
By now it was hot. I was hot in my sweat shirt, but to vain to buy a T-shirt. All the T-shirts had animal pictures on them. It just wasn't me. So I decided to sweat it out.
We went to Owen's beach which is right next to the zoo. Amanda and Andrew had a fierce water gun fight on the beach with their Super Soakers.
I went to a classic car show last Saturday. It was a perfect warm sunny day. I don't know anything about cars so I'm still trying to figure out what made me agree to go. Probably just to try something new? I don't know. This orange car was my favorite. Again I have no idea what it is...but it's cute. I was surprised to find myself having a good time. Many cars had throw pillows in the back seats. What is that about? Although I don't know cars I still enjoyed looking at them, gazing at the old seats, ancient radios and big huge steering wheels and wondering what sort of life they led. Did this one take a family on road trips, or was it parked in the garage most its life? Did it's owner drag race it? How many owners did it have? Stuff like that.
After the car show we ate some mediocre Mexican food.
I had a strange dream last night. I worked retail at Gottschalk's and Joan Rivers was my boss. Go figure.
But anyway, I went to the 12th Annual Lavender Festival on Sunday in Sequim. Pronounced skwim. Over 3 days of festival the farms have about 33,000 visitors come through. I toured 3 farms. Cedar Brook, Purple Haze and then finally Angel Lavender Farm. When getting out of the car the first thing that hits you is the smell, which made walking through the lush purple fields heavenly. With that lavender fragrance filling the air it made me want to bottle it up and take the aroma home. So we did. The picture here to the left is at Angel. Cortney is picking/gathering a bundle to bring back with us. I also bought lavender soap (I can't ever stay away from soap), oil and some raspberry lavender jam. Did you know that one can make lavender ice cream? I drank some ice cold lavender lemonade and found it delicious but my favorite was the white chocolate raspberry lavender cheesecake. I never imagined all these things we can do with lavender. They even had lavender champagne. While heading back to the car Cortney spotted a twenty dollar bill on the grass. When she retrieved it we found it was actually 40 dollars, so we turned it in to the two elderly ladies at admission because that's how we roll and the ladies looked honest enough
I'll definitely go back next year.
Last night I went out with some friends for a few hours. I somehow lost a card out of my wallet. It's the one I use most so I probably LEFT it on a table and someone snatched it. Pissed off at myself I had to leave the bar early and go deal with that. I canceled it within 30 minutes.
Introducing the Veggie Croissant. I ordered this at The Corner House and it's possibly the best sandwich I ever ate. Fresh sprouts, tomato, cucumbers, red onions, avocado and cream cheese.
We switched to fat free milk and Cortney is not buying into it. We're just trying to eat healthier, and I'll use trying loosely after the things we ate during our 4th of July camping trip.
We had tons of fun though. Plenty of tide pools to explore at Salt Creek. We were rained out right before our last day. As we packed our muddy gear into the Jimmy, I said to the kids, "We'll laugh about this someday".
You have a new song out. 7 Things. So 7 Things you hate/love about some guy. I saw the video, I heard the song...ummm..
I would just like to ask.."Do you know how to count?"
First off. The lyrics AND title. 7 Things. Here we go with the chorus..
The seven things I hate about you The seven things I hate about you Oh you You're vain, your games You're insecure You love me, you like her You make me laugh You make me cry I don't know which side to buy Your friends they're jerks When you act like them Just to know it hurts I wanna be with the one I know And the seventh thing I hate the most that you do You make me love you
Okay Miley Cyrus, the seventh???? You just listed 10 things!
Just wanna tune in real quick, busy busy week but on Sunday I found time for the beach, Andrew accidentally ran into the surf with my cell phone in his swim shorts so yesterday I bought a new one... Same number.
On Monday Jim's mom and sister came over to visit for a few hours. After they left I grabbed my camera and headed down to the city pier to see the Tall Ships.
When I came back home I took the memory card out of my camera to show Jim the pictures of the schooners on the LCD screen. After I told him that the ships were giving tours he wanted us to go down and check it out. So I grabbed my camera and went back to the pier again. Like a dummy I thoughtlessly left my memory card inside the SD slot of my computer. It didn't matter, because we missed the tours.
On July 1st the ships will race from here to Port Townsend. From Port Townsend they will sail to Tacoma to attend the Tacoma Tall Ship Festival. One thing I noticed was all the male deckhands had tans and hair down to their shoulders kinda like a hippie pirate look, I wondered aloud to Jim if it was some requirement.
Amanda graduated! My pictures turned out soo bad. For now here is two of the terrible ones I took. Family will have fun finding her in this one until I send out the photos shot by the actual professional.
Where's Waldo? photo..you'll find her.
Amanda graduated from high school almost two weeks ago. It was held at the Tacoma Dome, it's been 2 and half years since I've been to the Tacoma Dome, and that was for a Green Day concert. This time it wasn't for a concert, but too see my daughter on one of her (and mine) happiest days. She graduated 10th in her class with honors.
I had so many emotions.. some I can't describe, one was, wow, there is my little girl who I watched take her first steps. Now shes walking across stage to receive her diploma, which caused my chest and heart to fill with a mixture of pride, joy, and sadness. An end of an era. As I've heard before this is where one dream ends (high school ) and another to begin...tuition is already paid and she'll start college.
Don't you hate it when you burn your tongue on hot chocolate/tea/etc...and then in a couple days you realize that you actually killed one of your taste buds and if you rub your tongue the wrong way against your teeth it hurts!
The male child went to his dads this weekend. While he was gone on Saturday his mid-term reviews came in the mail.
It read :
B I'm thinking....good A+ right on! A A A
Then....F a big fat F standing out glaring up at me.
How does that happen?
When he got home on Monday I was all prepared to sequester him to his room until the end of the school year but he told me that the mid-term standings were on May 12th, which was two weeks ago and he already made up the grade to a C. I was suspicious so I got on the schools Family Access to check it out for myself. This is where you can view your child's current grades and class assignments. I'm ashamed to admit that this was the first time I actually used it. I logged on and to my surprise found out that he actually raised his F to a B- in two weeks. That was a close call. I think he's the type that slacks at the beginning of the term and then scrambles to play catch towards the end. That or he's purposely playing with me.
I'm on day two of dropping him off at school. This morning I noticed it took half an hour to get him there and come back home with no stops. So that's an hour a day. About 14 extra dollars in fuel for five days. I enjoy the time with him though. Tomorrow we're going out for breakfast before school.
Gas prices are alarming. While driving my son to school I'll have to coordinate in other errands for better fuel efficiency. Those cheap Geo Metro's that I use to make fun of are looking more and more appealing, especially after I found that they get 46 MPG. That's the same as a Toyota Prius.
My friend says that maybe higher gas prices are a good thing. She may be right.
I'll jump in and play devils advocate here.
CONS: Adios to the traditional "American way of life" as we've known it. Goodbye small town vacation spots, no one can afford to go there. So long road trips to Grandma's house and Sunday family drives out in the country. I'll miss those.
PROS: We will see more people using public transportation and carpooling. It will force people to give up their polluting cars and now have to take the bus, walk, or ride a bike. Everyone knows a lot of Americans can use the exercise.
But still......I'm really going to miss road trips
Currently
listening
:
Weezer (Red Album)
By
Weezer
Release date: 2008-06-03
The neighborhood is buzzing with lawn mowers. 20 minutes ago I tried to start my lawnmower and finally found that it was out of fuel. We lent it out with 2/3rds of a tank and the person we lent it to brought it back empty. Not nice.
=================================
Weezer released a new video (the CD isn't even out yet) on YouTube and it's going viral. It features a lot of YouTube stars such as Chris Crocker, that Numa Numa guy, Mento's and Coke experiment etc. I found it pretty entertaining, put a smile on my face anyway. If you can catch the memes and references you'll like it.
One thing I think they missed was Rick Astley. Where was he? I can't count how many times I got 'Rick Rolled' this year.
I've been been listening to Weezer for years, man I love these geeks.
Procrastination over, now I need to go buy some gas.
Currently
listening
:
Weezer (Red Album)
By
Weezer
Release date: 2008-06-03
apathetic
adventurous
grumpy
