It's been MAGICal

Update 3/30 - 4/5

I called Bails to wish her a happy 17th birthday. 

Me: How are you?

Bails: Old.

Me: What does that make me?

Bails (without a moment's hesitation): Perfect.

Zach has been squirreling away magic cards for a while now so that we could have a card house event.  Basically, we take 15 pounds of cards, use them to build a card castle, and then we take rubber bands to knock them down.  You know, you're typical Tuesday night. 

Kelly: Why aren't we watching House of Cards right now?

Me: You're killing me.

Matty: Killing me softly.

Tristan: How many are you bending?

Zach: As many as I can.

Tristan: Why don't you drive it over with your Prius?

At the end of the night... Matty, "Thanks for inviting me.  It's been MAGICal.

I took a lot of pictures throughout the process just in case they didn’t make it to completion.

My memory is pretty hazy on what happened Wednesday through Friday.  I vaguely remember Dawne and Jordan getting back from California, and pups being reunited ever so briefly before I brought Percy to NY.  My parents had their most efficient trip to the JFK yet.  They left at 5 am, picked me up at 6, arriving with barely enough time for Percy to make a pit stop, and then we were back at in JV by 7:15, which meant I got in a quick nap while the world's greatest mom made me a ham before Briana, Eva and their adorable sons arrived for breakfast.  

Briana's husband Rob bought their son Austin a book that was called something like "pigeon takes a bath" but Briana thought the book was really for her in reference to the fact that she barely showers anymore.

Eva: Oh! The schools in Brewster are awesome.

Briana: Really.  You should tell Rob that.  I think we're going to move.

Eva: Oh yeah? Where do you want to move?

Briana: California.  But realistically, Mahopac.

Then... I took another nap, way longer than I expected, but still in time to go down to Sean and Stacey's to decorate eggs.  When I arrived, Bailey was grilling her delicious pizza... which we ate in celebration of her awesome SAT scores.  And yes, Sean did make Bailey convert her score into "old school" score so that us old folks understood how truly great it was. 

Jackie:  You know when Aunt Carla was in high school, she and her friends Sharon and Kristen went across the street to the A&P to get cookies before track practice.  They ate way too many cookies, and then decided to go sleigh riding down a little hill and Carla ended up twisting her ankle and one of the friends peed themselves.

Sean: Yeah, well I went to Grandma's Pies with my friends after the getting inducted into the Honor's Society.  On our way back, I got pulled over.  But when I told the officer we were full of pie celebrating out Society of Honor, he let us go. 

Jackie: We'll be up at 7 am!

Carla: Wait is that really when we're waking up?

Jackie: Oh Carla.

Jackie: Let's go to mass early because we're up early anyway and then maybe it'll be shorter.

Carla: 8 am Mass? Yeah.  I'll see you when you get back.

Jackie: It's never too late for mass, Carla.

Me: Do you mean early?

Jackie: I got it, Carla can just make us pancakes and have them ready for when we get back. 

Jackie: You know the other day, the doorbell rang, and Tim was at the door.

Me: Oh yeah?

Jackie: Yeah, he's going to the formal with Bailey.  So when my mom answered the door, we had to call for her, and when Bailey got to the door... he gave her a big kiss!

Me: Oh yeah!?

That's when Jackie pulled out a big Hershey Kiss

Stacey: Heh.  Never gets old.  Remember when Carla worked for Hiscox.

At one point Sean broke out the glue gun, upping the Easter egg game big time.  Doesn't this one remind you of a Needler? Or am I just a Halo nerd now?

Plus I made a Jesus Egg.

Bailey: It's a wonder we got done so fast (holding up one of Jackie's eggs.)

Jackie: So Aunt Michelle found an old video of us singing Happy Birthday to Katie and one of her parties  The video zooms in and out on Bailey's butt and Michelle became really concerned because she thought [her husband] Doug was recording.  She was pretty relieved when she found out it was really me. 

Jackie: Did Carla say investing for nudes?

Me: No, investing for noobs.  Very similar.

After egg decorating we lost ourselves in YouTube videos, mostly of Jimmy Fallon lip syncing.  I suggested a rad Jimmy Fallon episode of Daniel Radcliff rockin' version of Alphapet Aerobics  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKdV5FvXLuI

Jackie: Dan Radcliffe was found on the street.

Me: What?

Jackie: Oh, he didn't live there, that's just where he was discovered.

Me: Thanks for the clarification.

Bailey showed me her brand new redecorated room and super cute formal dress.  They were both awesome, but all I could think of was, Whoa.  Bailey is such an adult. 

Morgan: I picture you as Monica from Friends but I see you as the fat kid version.

Carla: I'm not sure what is more flattering that or when I was called Olaf.

Don't worry, I found my basket on Sunday morning.  My mom was definitely not pleased that I dressed Percy up as a rabbit and then fed him rabbit. Whoops.

Patrick was an altar boy at Easter mass.  I'm not sure if taking pictures at church is cool or not, but I took A LOT of my nephew.  So proud!

Seton was really packed so they had another mass in the school gym.   And that mass, got out like ten minutes before ours did, which is when my sister leaned over and said, "They won."

Jackie: On our way back from church we saw fire trucks going up the road so I yelled, "Oh no! Carla was making us breakfast!" 

[Don't worry, it wasn't on its way to Sean's house.]

The Egg Hunt 2015

Bailey and Jackie opened all of the crazy Archie McPhee presents which was a big hit.  Here are some of the quotes from the opening.

Jackie: Who needs adult diapers when you have instant underpants: just add water.  I'm definitely going to use these one day.

Carla: I really hope I'm here that day.

Bailey: It might take 20 years but she will use those.

Bailey: Emergency Googlie Eyes! I'll keep them in my purse!

Jackie: I'd keep my underpants in there!

Jackie: Ooh! A Sarcastic ball.  [shaking]  Does it need batteries?

Sarcastic Ball: Is the Pope Catholic?

Maureen: It works! 

Bailey: Shakespeare Insult Bandages: adding insult to injury. Oh I get it.

Jackie: She always has to sit on the same chair as me even if there is one right next to me.

Morgan: That’s because you never let me use the computer or the remote. 

Jackie: I change the channel when you need me to.

Morgan: But you don’t let me do it myself!

Jackie: I just like to control everything okay?"

Mr. Larsen’s pup Giz (brother of Sean’s dog Suki) joined us for Easter weekend.  It was the first time I had met this little guy, and he was so sweet and chill.  I’m so glad I did get to snuggle with him for a bit because since he unexpected died.  Super super sad and not just a little bit shocking. 

Giz:

And his bro Suki:

And Bella, who is apparently also a lap dog:

Stacey made an amazing dinner, hanging out with the fam was amazing as always.  The next day, my parents took me and the boys (my nephews + Percy) to Bear Mountain to run around a little bit.  After that, we headed over to King Buffet and I got to find out what all the fuss was about.  It was just a perfect pre-birthday day that was really all about me.  Then, sadly, it was time to head back to the PNW. 

I saw this at the airport and thought it amusing, especially “even if it has no value” paired with the super old cell phone.

I'm My Own Bloom Map

(Update 3/23 - 3/30)

Thanks Kelly for the awesome photos!  

I called Dawne on my way home from work on Monday and interrupted her day at Disney.  Of course! Where else would she be on a Monday evening.  :)  She was concerned that Diana hadn't picked up the phone earlier and asked if I knew how she was doing.  Seeing as I had spent the weekend vegging out with Zach for the most part and ignoring all real responsibilities, I had no idea what was going on with her.  I fixed that by picking up some ice creaming and dropping in unexpectedly - what everyone loves! 

Me: I heard you were having a bad day so I brought ice cream.

Jason: I'm having a bad day.

Me: IT'S NOT FOR YOU!

I'm glad I barged in though, because that meant that I found out Diana wanted to join us for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with us the next day.  Tuesday, I picked Diana, Percy, Kelly and some snacks up for our trip to Mt. Vernon.  As we were pulling off the highway...

Diana: Did you get a map or should we stop and get one?

Kelly: No.

Diana: No?

Kelly: I'm my own bloom map

Kelly: Actually, I could use a bathroom.

Diana: There's a bathroom at the visitor's center... with the maps!

Kelly: Everyone freaking love's reflection shots.

I don't know what they put these crates all around for, but I can only imagine it was as a prop for Percy.  Diana had the swell idea to wear bright colors, meanwhile Kelly was all, "Grey or Black?"  I also brought treats and toys for Percy.   I brought one toy that was mediocre on Percy's list because I thought it would get his attention without causing too much excitement.  Neither the toy nor the treats really worked.  Finally, brought out the big guns, his duck.  He went gonzo.  I gave Kelly the duck to hold onto and when we got out at the next field (did I mention that none of the field allow dogs?) and Percy is whimpering because he knows that she has it.  That's when she started squeaking the duck whilst 30 feet ahead of me causing Percy to bark.  I countered by letting go over Percy all together and let Kelly try to take pictures with Percy jumping all over her.  YW.

On Wednesday, Diana and I found out that Jimmy John's will deliver right to the inside of the cancer center of the hospital.  How convenient - and less upsetting to those around us than say... having Indian food delivered.  I also learned that despite how many people go through chemo treatment, and how ever many questions one might ask, there are always new things that you find out.  For example, Diana learned that if she eats candy and covers her nose with perfumed fabric, the gross effects of the medicine being injected at the beginning and end of treatment is mitigated.  Every time she figures something out, my first reaction is "why didn't anyone tell you this before!?" but then I force myself to get some perspective and I'm just happy that she figured it out.

On feel like maybe Friday I spent trying to catch up on these updates and then ended up getting distracted instead.  Weird.  Saturday, Zach and I headed over to Dr. Rach & Ander's for brunch.  Anders made some kind of quiche/casserole thing that was DE-LISH (and made me feel like maybe we didn't need croissants AND top pot donuts before that.) Lauren and Sheryl joined us with their adorable baby.  They were talking about looking for a new part time nanny, and Anders and Rach said they should also see if whoever they found would be up for also watching their baby.   This is when Zach started laughing.

Lauren: What?

Zach:  I'm just imagining you being very shady when you're describing what you need. "Right so there might be a second baby.  It's not ours.  We're not sure.  Don't ask questions.  I mean who knows if we'll even pull this acquisition off."

And, I took a video of Henley intensely staring at Zach holding Percy.  Zach accentuated the situation by moving around so you could see her little head moving back and forth. 

Then we were talking about TV, and one show (Super tripper? That can't be right...) was something that some of us were not familiar with.

Anders: [I watch it] Sometimes. It's on too late

Me: So now you're too old?

Anders: I only watch Columbo and Mattock.

Dr. Rach: And Murder She Wrote.

After brunch, we went to Archie McPhees to get my nieces birthday presents. 

Zach: Tiffany! Who does this remind you of?

Me (laughing): I don't know!

Zach: Come on!

Rach: We know someone that this would remind us of?

Zach: It's SO obvious!!

(Well it wasn’t to us… J )

Anders (on the answering machine in stock): Oh! I need one of those.  I'll connect it to my iPhone.

After Archies, we walked around Greenlake where I regularly had to remind Percy that it's okay for people to run, even though he's never seen me run.   We ended up coming home from the jaunt and taking a quick nap, because watching people run is exhausting. 

Later that evening, Kelly, Matty, Hannah, Dr. Rach and I headed over to the Bemis Building for Mary's art show.  This building is wild, man.  It's a bunch of artist's lofts that people both work and live in.  When they have a show, like on Saturday, people display their work on the walls (like Mary did) but also open their homes to people to look at their art on their own walls.  Pretty special, right?   I didn't take pictures of Mary's pictures, b/c that's a little weird, but I did take a picture of Mary and Mukul walking past her photography. 

We stopped by one loft, and there was some Monkey Bowl punch (can someone from college please email me at let me know what we used to call this hodge podge beverage at Penn State? Thanks!) A gentleman offered us beverages, which Dr. Rach declined. 

Dr. Rach: No thank you. I'm Pregnant.

Gent: Are you sure?

Dr. Rach: That I'm pregnant.  Yes, quite sure. 

Then we wandered into another loft where photography was happening, and the only real quote I have here is, "Look at the light, don't go to the light."

The following morning, I received a call from my brother.  Sean said, "I need you to apply for your birthday present.  I promise it isn't for an army T-shirt or a mortgage."   The rest of Sunday was filled with a walk at Marymoor, followed by Tristan making us lunch.  While he was expressing his culinary skills, we also played some board games.  After a big bowl of pasta, Kelly made the brilliant suggestion that we move ourselves over to the coach to lay down.  She legitimately took a nap, and Zach and I watched more of "Turn" and Tristan hung out with Kelly's dog Piper. 

Tristan: I just got a mouth full of tongue and not the pleasant kind.

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!