Activities Director needed!

Are you an organized soul how can help a ragtag group get their shit together? We are looking for someone who can organize activities for our group, such as Kayaking or Tennis. Responsibilities include coming up with an idea and a plan of action and then notifying all parties involved so that they know about said plan. We would like to remove the incidences of people feeling left out of activities because we thought we invited them, when apparently we didn’t. Or having people seem confused about plans that were made (even though they were involved in the planning) because they didn’t seem concrete enough!
Salary to be paid in Margaritas!

Free things

I love getting things for free, but who doesn’t? Currently my favorite free thing is…free internet. That is how I’m blogging right now, by stealing someone else’s hard earned money.

Hard and fast balls!

Carmel, Carla and I played some tennis yesterday, who was our opponent? A ball machine! That was my first time playing against a ball machine, it was fun and quite a workout! We ran from one end to the other and back again, then the women that works there came out and was like “would you like me to fix the ball machine, you guys look like you are working hard?” Apparently we had it set to random so we were running our asses off for no reason. Once the machine was set correctly it was not as chaotic but still just as much fun. How much fun might you ask? Well never fear I’ll tell you. It was so fun that I forgot to take pictures while we were playing. Here are some of the clean up when I remembered I wanted to take pictures.

Refilling the ball machine

Carla picking up millions of balls

Carmel posing, me pretending to hit a ball, as you can see my form is totally crap even in a pose (plus I need to pull up my pants, I swear I have longer legs than that!)

Hell Yeah!!!

Finally!!! S’mores have been enjoyed!!! I think they might have be enjoyed to much (if possible). We had a BBQ this weekend while I was home visiting my family and after months of wanting them I finally go to eat S’mores. I was like coming home, it was just as I remembered them; crispy, warm, melty and gooey; in a word perfection. After the first classic ones my mom and I moved on to the Graham, marshmallow, chocolate, marshmallow, graham combination. This is my new favorite way make them, tons of marshmallow yummy!!! Then I tried Nicole’s “grilled” graham and chocolate, marshmallow, graham combination; which consisted of put a graham and chocolate on the grill while toasting the marshmallow. I didn’t enjoy that one as much it was a little to melty for me; kind of like a chocolate syrup S’more.


Yummy!!


Mom enjoying her S'mores so much it is all over her face and hands!

How many trees are too many?

There is the house by my mom's that I HATE! Okay I HATE the yard, the man that lived there was insane, he kept adding trees and bushes to the middle of his yard with no rhyme or reason. Most people remove trees in the middle of their yard because it looks weird and makes mowing the yard a nightmare! So every time I would come home to visit this man had added more trees and bushes, it was ridiculous!! Late last year the man put his house on the market and I was so please because I knew whoever bought it would remove those stupid trees, I am pleased to announce that yes the trees are being removed!!! The downside to this, who would have known that there could be a downside to this, my mom’s neighbors have taken some of those damn trees and transplanted them on to there property line!!!! There is a line of Lilac bushes that separate their property and my mom's and they added like 3 more bushes(which match okay) then they added this Evergreen tree that looks exactly like a Christmas tree(and look utterly ridiculous)at the end of the line!!! I might know where we can get a cheap Christmas tree this Christmas!!!!

Technology comes late to this house

My mom bought my old laptop from me and I’m not so sure that it was a good thing. Since she got it all she has done is play solitaire and poker. I kid you not, she stayed up till at list 1pm every night playing games. She said herself that she was going to get nothing done, let me tell you I totally believe it!

Chores...when do these end?

While I love visiting my family, I have decided that I like to do a sneak attack visit rather than a planned visit. When my family knows that I’m coming things tend to get saved till I get there. This time I got to help my mom wash the carpet, and sweep out my grandma’s garage, I HATE sweeping anything! I am glad that I can help out but I still like to bitch about it.

Flight home

Travis and I flew home to visit our families tonight. Here we are kicking on the plane, where we got into a slight tiff, because I was trying to tell Travis about my day and he was not looking at me, nor paying attention, I like most people don’t like telling a story when the person I’m telling it to is looking anywhere but at me. Travis contends that he can’t listen to someone while looking at them without asking inane questions like “what are your pants made out of?” “Why are you wearing your hair like that?” I say that is not true because I have had MANY conversations with him where he can look at me with no problem. The solution was that I stopped telling my story and looked out the window for awhile. I am very glad that I did otherwise I wouldn’t have got this fantastic picture of Mt Rainier!

Don’t worry dear readers Travis and I were completely back to normal before the flight was over; never underestimate the power of Sky Mall (the best air magazine around) to bring friends back together. I love to go through it and find the craziest, unneeded thing I can find. One of my favorite things is the huge crossword puzzle that hangs on the wall like a gigantic art piece.

Sky Mall how I love you!

Best Dessert!!!

OH MY GOD, I just ate the best dessert!!!! Carmel and I were going to go Kayaking today after work, but holy cow today was CRAZY!! We ended up leaving close to 3 hours later than we where suppose to leave, so that sucked. We were like "screw kayaking, let's drink!!!" We went to The Melting Pot (a fondue place) I was in the mood for one of my favorite drinks but they didn't have blueberry vodka so the bartender had to make me one with blueberries and vodka, it was very tasty. Carmel had a Strawberry Basil Lemonade, also tasty but I only liked it at the beginning when it wasn't very Basily. We started out with some Swiss cheese fondue, nothing to write home about, it was the normal cheese fondue. But than came dessert, I have four words for you.

Bananas Foster Chocolate Fondue

It was like I was in a dream, nothing could possible be that good could it? Oh but it was not a dream, it was just a culinary masterpiece in my mouth!!! We both were like crap we should have just got 2 of these instead of the cheese, I so wish we had. I have a smile on my face just thinking about how god damn good it was! I am bummed that I didn't take a picture so that I could show all you lovely people how amazing it is, I will post one soon enough I am so going to go again!!! Carmel and I were like Wednesdays need to go something like this; Melting Pot, Kayaking, Melting Pot, Kayaking.

Glistening Pleasure

If you want a good time I highly recommend you take a listen to Natalie Portman's Shaved Head's first CD Glistening Pleasure!!! Travis and I discovered them last year at Bumbershoot and have been fans ever sense. We attended the CD release party tonight at Easy Street Music and as always they delivered a hugely fun time. Travis and I did feel slightly old because most of the other fans were young teens, but hey that just shows how hip and cool we truly are.

Riding the bus

When riding the bus:
1. Don't start talking to people when they clearly don't want to talk to you: how do you know this, if someone has headphones on and is reading, they don't want to talk to you. Yes, I'm talking to you weird lady who started yakking at me even though I was both reading and listen to music, then had the nerve to look bothered when I didn't talk back!!!
2. If you are 20-30 years older than someone don't hit on them! Dude who could have been my dad, ain't going to happen so leave me the hell alone! Plus don't kiss my hand!
3. Take a bath or shower.
4. If the bus is empty, don't freaking sit with me, sit in one of the 17 empty seats crazy lady, you are so lucky I didn't bump your ass on the floor.
5. To say this make me feel like my grandmother but, stop all the cussing youngins, you aren't impressing anyone and you make me want to wash your mouth out with soap.

Swimming in Sheets

There is nothing I love more than a soft set of sheets. If I wasn’t as frugal as I am, I would pay hundreds of dollars for the softest sheets I could find! I love waking up in the morning cuddled up in soft sheets, I love going to sleep wrapped up in soft sheets, hell I love the idea of doing anything in soft sheets!! I love when I put on a fresh set of sheets, my favorite set are ones that I stole from my grandmothers house when I moved to college, they were these beautiful different shades of thick blue stripes that bleed into each other a bit.

I loved those sheets. When I would put them on my bed I loved to just slide on to the bed with nothing but the fitted sheet, my roommate used to call it swimming in my sheets. I loved those sheets so much that when I finally wore a whole in the fitted sheet I had my grandmother turn the flat sheet into the back of a quilt so that I would always have them. After looking at these amazing dark blue silk sheets for a month or so I finally bought them, I love them they are so decadent; the one problem with them is that the comforter tends to slip off the bed because the fitted sheet and top sheet together are indeed slippery as silk, but once I slip into them I forget any problem I have.

I really shouldn’t be allowed to go into a store that sells sheets because I usually come out with some. I love to walk around feeling all the different kinds of sheets they have to see which ones are the softest and then what color I would like in those sheets. I tend to lean towards blues and purples but I do have a set of maroon ones because they were incredibly soft and on sale! Today a friend and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and I found these great sheets made from Bamboo (how cool is that) you would think that Bamboo wouldn’t be too soft but let me tell you, you would be wrong! I carried them around with me for about 30 minutes while we shopped trying to convince myself that I really needed these $85 dollar sheets. Sadly I couldn’t make myself by them, but the next time I get a 20% coupon I am going back and in the mean time I will dream about them!

Taking over the world!

I sent the link for my blog to my cousin Kristen today and somehow she knows my secret plan of world domination because this is her response back to me.

This is a brilliant idea and this is what I think we need to make happen. I totally can see you becoming this world famous blogger/commentator. You have always been so funny and witty and clever – it’s totally your calling. We need to combine your story-telling and frankness with my PR skills and turn you into the next Perez Hilton but not just focused on celebrities. You should call me this weekend and we should start on our plan!!! I don’t know why I never thought of this before!!!

Watch out world you are soon going to be taken over by Shannon and Kristen!

Apparently I’m becoming outdoorsy

Normally I'm not what you call an outdoorsy girl; I love the comforts of well... comfort. A couple of weeks ago my friends Carmel and Melissa asked if I wanted to go Kayaking and I was like, why not. Let me tell you I was scared to death that I was going to fall in the lake, either getting in or out the damn thing but happily I did not! I must say that I did some research on the subject before we went. God I love the internet where else can you pull up videos on how to get in and out of a kayak, how to paddle, and generally not make an ass of yourself?

So off we went to rent some kayaks from Agua Verde and head out on Lake Union. After my successful entrance into my kayak I was ready to go!! What fun, it was so beautiful out; it was the perfect day for my first time kayaking! We went over to Gas Works, then we floated about and chatted a little then headed back to eat some great food from Agua Verde! By the time we left we had plans to go again!

The next time out was just Carmel and I but we still had a great time. We went a little further this time; we went around Gas Works then across over to look at the house boat that was in Sleepless and Seattle. Let me tell you that crossing over to the other side of the lake was a little rough and we had to dodged many boats! This time I did bring my camera so I have proof that I'm becoming outdoorsy!!!


That's right I'm kayaking!!!


Watch out here comes Carmel!


Beautful Seattle

Dressing this

My family and I love this dressing!!! How much you might ask? Well enough to have to order it online and have it shipped from Missouri!!! Normally we have my Aunt bring bottles of it in here in her luggage when she comes to visit from Illinois but she has not visited lately and we are almost out. My Aunt is the one who introduced it to us so it is only fair that she is our supplier. She isn't the biggest fan of doing that because she thinks the security people must think she is crazy bring 20 bottles of dressing with her. I just ordered 12 bottles today to be shipped to my mom's house, when I visit next week I too will get to bring bottles of Hendrickson's home in my luggage!

Everyone loves S'mores!

For about a month I have had the biggest craving for S'mores, I blame it on the summer time BBQing. While visiting my family a couple a weekends ago for my Niece's Baptism I bought all the makings for S'mores than I ran out of time before I got to make them. 4th of July the BBQ grill was already out when I got to the party (and no one wanted to relight it) so yet again no S'mores! I have been shut down from eating S'more too many times and last night my mother has the audacity to call me and tell me about how the neighbors gave her a S'more and it was the best thing she has eaten in a long time! She is now on board with my idea to make S'mores when i come back next week. So until that time this cupcake had to stand in for the real thing.



Let me just say that it is the best cupcake that I have ever eaten!!! I would like to add that it is also the messiest cupcake I have ever eaten. But God bless America it is well worth the mess because it is Awesome!! I recommend running to Trophy Cupcake on Sunday or Monday and eating one or maybe two!

I have never eatten so much meat in my life

So normally I'm not that much of a carnivore, but apparently if you bring it around on a stick and cut some off for me I will eat a ton of it! Yesterday some friends and I went to, Ipanema's Brazilian Grill at the Harbor Steps, where it is all you can it meat on a stick!! It is great, these dudes just walk around with different kinds of meats and if you want some they cut it off for you to enjoy. I think they had about 10 different meats going around for lunch, at dinner they said they have about 20. Let me just say, 10 was enough for me. Oh yeah they also have a salad bar for some non meat foods.

I still Heart Chris!

Another day and another phone call to Chris for help with my computer. Today I couldn't get my computer to hook up to Travis's WiFi so I was like "let's call Chris", and yep he did help me once again, so Chris you still rock!

I Heart Chris!

My first blog is going to be about my love for my good friend Carmel’s husband, Chris. Now before you starting thinking, “What is wrong with you Shannon that is someone’s husband!” never fear I don’t mean it that way. I mean I love that Chris is so computer savvy that he has taken my new computer and made it better, well first he helped me (meaning I bought him some dim sum and he did all the work, you can see pictures here on my friend Travis’s blog http://weekendfrenzy.blogspot.com/, and a picture of some file transferring) transfer all my info from my old computer to my new one, then he made it better!

I was so excited to finally buy a new computer, one that Chris helped me pick out. After about 5 or 6 years, my old one was quite the dinosaur in computer age. After having to wait for it to arrive in the mail, I quickly installed my favorite computer game, The Sims 2, on it and got ready to lose an entire weekend (who am I kidding about a month) to building my Sim community up and getting it running. I was ecstatic when it took less than a minute for the game to load, on my old computer you clicked start then you could go and take a shower, make a sandwich, maybe do some dishes and it still wouldn't be done loading! I go to create my Sim-self and the game freezes!!!! I think to myself that can’t be right and try it again only to learn that yep that is right The Sims and Vista don’t like each other! Of course I went right to Chris and begged him to help me! He took my computer home and removed Vista and installed XP (yes that is right I’m one more person who said Vista your crappy and downgraded to XP), which of course meant he had to transfer all my pics and music back on to my new computer (I don’t really know the whole process, that is why I went to him) but needless to say he did it wonderfully.

So now I have my computer back and have lost my free time (not to mention my sleeping time) to The Sims; I have graduated college after joining a secret society of course, gotten married to my college sweetie, I just opened my first restaurant, started my garden so I can make better food for said restaurant, my dogs have had 4 puppies (well on my way to meeting my lifetime aspiration of raising 20 puppies) and woohooed enough to become pregnant with my first of six babies (Daryl my husband’s lifetime aspiration is to marry off 6 children), God bless America I love The Sims!!

So this first blog is dedicated to you’re Awesomeness Chris!!! Thank you for being you and helping me become The Sim obsessed person I was meant to be!