Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Celebrity Lunch Date 3

Don't you just have days when you want to hang out with people who will just keep you laughing the whole time?

I think that's what it would be like to hang out with Jack Black.

photo shamelessly stolen from here

Don't you? I mean, I'm sure he gets a little crude at times, but I think if his wife and kids were in tow, he'd be a fun person to go to the zoo with, or something. I haven't seen a ton of his work, but the few things that I have seen are so light and fun. I hope he something akin the guy he plays in The Holiday.


I hope I hope I hope I hope he's that awesome in real life. I hope.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Celebrity Lunch Date 2

Before I say anything, I just want to look at the next person on my list...

photo shamelessly stolen from here

Mmmm.... Cirain Hinds.... soooo dreamy! I would have a lovely lunch with him, I'm sure, once I got over listening to his marvelous voice and staring at his furrowed brow.  He would be so interesting to talk to. He's done so much and been to so many places that I could listen to him talk forever and not get bored.

I first decided I love him when I saw him in Jane Eyre. He is the most amazing Mr Rochester (who, by the way, I am incredibly in love with. If I could bring fiction to life, it would be Edward Rochester).
photo shamelessly stolen from here

Granted, he is one half of the world's worst on-screen kiss in this movie, but still, the pain he feels when Jane is leaving- how much he loves her. Brilliant!

He makes up for it, plus some as Captain Wentworth in Persuasion.

photo shamelessly stolen from here

Oh. My. Gosh. I absolutely love him. I'd not read Persuasion before I saw the movie. And when I finally did read it, I saw him in the role. I *wanted* him in the roll. Such a constant, wonderful man (I also wouldn't mind having a Frederick Wentworth if I can't have a Mr Rochester).

But despite his incredibly romantic roles, I think he would just be so fascinating to listen to. I wouldn't say to *talk* to, because I doubt there is anything I would have to say that he would be interested in, but that's ok. I'm content to listen to him.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Celebrity Lunch Date 1

So I've always talked about my fantasy lunch list. It's not a fantasy *dating* thing. It's not romantic in any way. There are so many people (celebrities count as people, right?) that I hope are as cool as they seem and would be people that I would love to just hang out with for a while, perhaps be friends with. It's a long list- so instead of making you endure one loooooooooong post, I think I'll stretch it out over a week... maybe more (it's a long list. Seriously). And knowing me, I'll probably add to it down the road as more people pop into my mind.

Mind you, these are not in any particular order- just people that have been building on my list for a long time.

Dick Van Dyke

photo shamelessly stolen from here.

Doesn't he just *radiate* awesome? I have always thought he would be so much fun to be around. He has such an infectious smile. He seems like someone who is just always happy. In every roll I've seen him in, yes, but also in interviews and non-scripted scenes. He seems like such a decent guy. I think he would be super funny and that the lunch date would go by so quickly that it would be like the blink of an eye.

Not only do I think he's an amazing person- but I think he's something of a dream boat. No lie. Even though he's... like, 80 something, I think he's still handsome. And remember when he looked like this?

photo shamelessly stolen from here.

Helll-loo! So handsome right? I think I had a crush on him as a kid when I saw him as Bert in Mary Poppins. And then the ever so charming Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And then when I watched every episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show... yeah, I loved him even more. Even in his recent stuff, like Night at the Museum he's awesome.  So loveable- even as a bad guy.

And to read about him, and just to learn things about his life, he is just such an interesting person. He's overcome so much- and still had a good attitude and a great sense of humor about it all.

Yep, he definitely makes the list.

Friday, May 20, 2011

How do I love thee...

Every once in a while I have to go back to remind myself how much I love it. I love it. Every aisle is stacked with stuff that I fantasize, "If I had my own house I would totally put this in ________ room."

There is food too! and cookies and candy! Seriously, anything you could want you can probably find in this store.

What is the magical place you ask?

The Dollar Store.

Oh how I *love* the dollar store. Seriously. When/If I ever move out, my dishes (to supplement the ones I already have) will be dollar store. That way, if I break a glass (which, by the way, they have nice dishes) it won't matter- because I only paid....

A DOLLAR!

No more freaking out if my gladware disappears or gets melted. Because I only paid...

A DOLLAR!

Taking the kids to a movie and need a snack to sneak in? Go to the dollar store! They have all kinds of sneakable size candies and you only pay...

A DOLLAR!

Need a balloon or a gift bag for a quick "oh-crap-I-forgot-about-the-party present"? Guess how much they are?

A DOLLAR!

Can't find Jiffy Muffins at Walmart (because the shelves there are *always* empty?) No problem! The dollar store has them and you only pay...

SEVENTY NINE CENTS! (you thought I was going to say a dollar... suckers)

Cleaning supplies, party supplies (I seriously want to throw a luau just so I can have a reason to buy some of the party dishes), socks and hair be-bops.  They have it all.

Sure, some things you get what you pay for- and chances are it won't last long... but who cares when you only pay...

A DOLLAR?


this message was not- but should have been- funded by the dollar store corporation of america (i don't know if there is such a thing... i just made it up.)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

'Allo Poppet

So I am insanely and ridiculously excited for this:


Seriously. You don't even know. Even if I have to go alone I'm going opening day.

Because I love


and 


Who wouldn't? Seriously.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Heeeey Batta Batta! SUH-WING!

It's baseball season! How exciting is that?

Ok, I guess it depends on who you are. My nieces play softball, which is always fun to watch. Well, it's getting more fun. When they're little (like my nephew's T-ball team) it's not very fun because it seems that everyone wins and you can get 27 strikes and still have a chance to win. Lame.

But now they are on more competitive teams and they're actually good games for the most part. Wait, I haven't been home for a softball season in at least three years. Maybe it's not as good as I remember... huh.

I played when I was kid. I was good too, I think. When I was younger I was stuck out in the outfield. I hated it because no one could ever hit that far so I didn't ever have anything to do.  But when I got older, I pitched and played first base. It was slow pitch. There's no way I could have done that weird underhand fast pitch they do now. I loved being pitcher. It meant that no matter how boring the game got, I still had something to do. And I wasn't half bad.

I remember one time when a line drive was hit at my head, I put up my glove to protect my face- and caught the ball! Sweet! Then another time when a line drive was going just over my head and I put my arm up in reflex and caught it.

I never played super competitive ball like my sister or my niece. I just played Chubbuck league. We would sign up and then get assigned to a team. Sometimes the teams were good and sometimes not so much. There was one year I will never allow myself to live down. I'm still embarrassed about that team. The coach had a daughter on the team- she was the prissy girly girl in my class at school. Long blonde hair, beautiful clothes, all the most popular friends. Because her daddy was the coach he let her name the team. We were the Beautiful Butterflies. Is that not the STUPIDEST name for a team ever? We were up against teams like the Tigers, the Bulls, The Bobcats... Mascots that are supposed to be fierce. And we were stuck with the Beautiful Butterflies.

It reflected in team spirit too. We were crap. We only won one game that year- and it was because the other team had to forfeit. Plus the uniforms were about as ugly as one can imagine. Yellow. Ugh. White shirts with yellow trimming and yellow iron wording and a yellow visor with white BB on it. Gross.

I always got in trouble for throwing the bat. Oopsy. I would hit it, then chuck the bat behind me as I ran the bases. I guess I hit the umpire one time. Soooorrrr-yyyyy. I could hit hard and I guess it was a good thing because my mom always said that I spent too long running in one place (translation: I can't run).

I miss playing. I haven't played in years and I doubt I could even catch or throw a ball. Wimp. But it's still fun to watch. One of my favorite summer activities in Denver was seeing the Rockies play. They hardly ever won when I went to the games, but still, the whole mob mentality was fun.



This game was my last Hoorah in Denver. I went with my parents. Is it lame of me that I think the grass is really pretty?

Anyway, It's time to break out the ol' mitt and toss around the horse hide! Batter up!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Non-Contest Winner: Melissa

Melissa, up front I just want to say I love you to teeny tiny pieces and I hope my memories of you don't completely horrify you.

Shortly after I returned from my mission my stake formed a new single's ward. I decided to give it a whirl. For six months I endured the ward. I hated it. I was the "Primary President" of a singles ward. Two little kids of nursery age. So I spent two hours of my Sunday babysitting. I never knew about activities, I was never told about anything, I didn't have visiting or home teachers that came. I basically had no reason to be in the ward. One Sunday I told my mom, "This is my last Sunday in the ward. I'm going to tell the Bishop he can release me because I'm not going to the ward any more. I'll go somewhere else."

That very day, before I had a chance to talk to the bishop, one of the councilors called me in to release me from my calling and give me a new calling. I was to be in the Relief Society Presidency as a councilor. I'd never done that before. So I decided to give the ward one more chance. It's probably a good thing I did because during the next few months I made some of the best friends I've ever had (albeit much younger than me- which in the eternal scheme of things shouldn't matter, I suppose).
Also serving in that presidency was Melissa. I was nervous about serving with her because my only knowledge of her was from a talk she'd given a few months prior. Melissa was young. She was fresh out of high school and out of her family ward for the first time. I honestly can't remember what her talk was about, but she giggled through the whole thing. She couldn't gain her composure at all. I was so annoyed.
It wasn't until a long time later that I learned she was nervous to the point of a nervous break down and she couldn't help the giggling.  She was mortified that she couldn't control herself. I felt so awful for prejudging her and assuming that she was just a silly teeny-bopper.

That presidency that we served together on changed my life in many ways. It helped me make some amazing friends, and later it took me to Colorado (Hanna, my roommate was also in the presidency and was part of the reason I moved to Co).



Melissa and I surprisingly have a lot in common. Though our heights are feet apart, we are similar in a lot of ways.  We are both ridiculous Disney nerds.  Every year our ward held a talent show.  And every year, Melissa and I entered together.  Our talent was called Stump the Chump. Between the two of us there is not a Disney movie that we can't sing at least one song from. People would call out random movies that they figured we'd never even heard of. Sorry kids, we've heard of them.  We would had to get three strikes to end the game and people could only get us out on stupid technicalities- they would name movies that had no music in them other than musical score. Lame.
Melissa introduced me to a lot of new games. I'd never even heard of True Colors before we played it at her house one night. If you've never played it, I highly recommend it. Funny funny funny! We also played a lot of Scum.  She taught me how to play Kemp, Shanghi, Sequence, and some others that escape my mind. I in turn taught her Poohead and 5 crowns. Even trade, I'd say.

One of my favorite memories of Melissa was the time she came with me on my photo shoot. I was in a photography class and had to take pictures of things that I thought represented Pocatello.  We drove all over town taking pictures of things that are uniquely Poky.  Wait. Let me preface. Melissa if you haven't gathered by now, is a tad scatterbrained (I mean that in the nicest way Melissa. I promise!) and when I am around her- I tend to pick up that quality too. I mean, I have my moments, but it really comes out when I'm with her. -So, we're driving through Old Town looking for things to take pictures of- when suddenly I realize I'm driving the wrong way on a One Way road. I hurried and pulled off to the side of the road- when we were done laughing our heads off I turned around and tried to be much more vigilant after that.

That same photo trip, Meliss and I ended up at ISU. There's a lot of quintessential Pocatello things there, right? We were at Bart's Field and got out of the car. I took a few pictures then we decided we should roll down the grassy hill. We made it a race. On your mark! Get set! GO! We rolled and rolled... and then I felt a speed bump. Apparently when I roll downhill I don't know how to keep going straight. I veered off course and steamrolled Melissa. Seriously, if you've ever seen the two of us together, you will wonder how she survived.



Melissa, for the longest time was absolutely shocked when anyone would swear around her. It was funnier than anything the first time I heard Melissa slip out a choice four letter word. We laughed and laughed. A couple of years ago, Melissa came to visit me in Colorado. I lived just down the street from the Dam Road. It was funnier than anything to hear Melissa talk about the Dam Road. hahaha Also on that Colorado trip, We went to the Olive Garden. Melissa and Kimberly had salad (Hanna did too, but only a couple of bites- I don't eat thier salad) The next day Meliss and Kimberly were supposed to go home, but they were hit with a hard case of food poisoning! It must have been the salad! Like any good friend (smirk) I bought them some medicine then left them and went to church. Haha! Those poor girls. They lived- but it will definitely be a hard trip to forget.

And now, Melissa teaches high school. And, I'll admit, I'm jealous of her. Yes, yes, take note people. I, Bakeshow, am jealous of Melissa Wilding.  She has a career in her chosen major. She bought a house and is having (what looks to me to be) a lot of fun decorating and making it hers. She has been RS president (just to be clear, I am NOT jealous of that. That is a calling I never ever EVER want) and has shown how great her service is. She's a good friend to everyone and includes everyone in her planning.

Melissa. I love you so much and I'm so glad I can count myself among your friends.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

MOVING DAY!!!!!


The boxes are packed! The linens are folded and cupboards are bare. 

The truck has been going nonstop all day.



It's Moving Day!

How exciting!? How wonderful to be moving!

Only...

It's not *my* moving day. It's my sisters. Sigh... Oh well. Someday it will be me. In the meantime, enjoy a little Mickey Donald Goofy action.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Just in Case You Haven't Seen This Yet

I'm pretty sure this is the funniest picture comparison I've ever seen:





Obviously it's been doctored a little, but still.

Hilarious.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Beating the Blues

So all weekend I had the blues. And today when I woke up. It was snowing. Yeah... that didn't help.
BUT! As I was hiding in my cave the other day, I got a song stuck in my head. It is probably one of the funniest songs I've ever heard and I started laughing. I'm pretty sure my niece, who was also in the basement, thought I'd gone round the bend. But this song can't help but make you feel better.

It starts at 1:20 (the whole video is good though- and this is part 2 of 2 for the whole program...)

Turn up the sound, watch it, rock out and then tell me if it doesn't make you smile.


If it doesn't, then you have no soul. I adore Ludwig Von Drake. I've decided he's the best cure for my case of the blues.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Rainy Day

I'm having a rainy day. I've got the blues and all I want to do is stay home and eat and read a good book. Any book. Or watch a movie.

I like the rain. I like the sound it makes. I love the smell. I love that it makes the world green.  Most of all I love the fact that rain is not snow.

photo shamelessly stolen from here


It means summer is coming. Which means reading books outside, and picnics. It means swimming and sunburns.  Hopefully it means moving out. Away. Or both.

Probably not. Maybe it's just a tease and it is going to snow tomorrow. Rude.  Maybe it's just raining because it knew I wanted to go to the park today. And now I can't. Maybe I should be mad at the weather maker.

Nah, I still like the rain.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

It's Not Easy Being Green...

...with envy.

Last September-ish I heard that Wicked was going to be in Boise. I told everyone. I told my sisters. I told my nieces. I told friends. At the time I was too poor to even think about going. I wanted to, but I couldn't. When the time came for tickets to go on sale, I was too poor. (Heck, I'm too poor now- but this is my blog and I can complain if I want to.)  And now, my sisters, my nieces and my friends are in Boise and going to the Matinee performance of Wicked today.



And I'm not.

I have to work.

My sisters, nieces and friends are all wearing green for the occasion (it's just something weird that we do). I am wearing black. I'm mourning the fact that I didn't get to go. I'm mourning my poor-ness. I'm mourning that I live in a town where nothing cool happens (rarely, ok. I realize once in a blue moon something remarkable comes to town). And I'm really super homesick for Colorado today. Like, extra super lots more than I usually am. Like, looking for jobs there and wondering if I could afford to live there on my own.

Anyway, I am the one who introduced my sisters and nieces to Wicked. So I hope they have a wonderful time without ME because without ME they wouldn't have taken the trip to see the show that I made them fall in love with.

Truly, No good deed goes unpunished.


I hear ya, Elphaba.