easily distracted

Happy VD!

2009-02-14T09:07:00.003-07:00

Hope your day is full of love and chocolate and hearts and everything else VD is about!

some (more) things you may not know about me.

2009-01-19T21:16:00.002-07:00

Thought it was time for an update to this old list (most of which are still true)

I fall asleep nearly every night with my lamp on, propped up on my husband pillow and more often than not still holding the book or magazine I was reading. Brad says this makes me older than my years. He is probably right.
I still listen to, and buy, Jay-Z's music. Ever since The Vegan told me Jay feature dogfighting in his 99 Problems video, I've felt guilty every time I admire his lyrics (Save the narrative/You saving it for marriage/let's keep it real/you saving it for carats). I HATE Michael Vick for glorifying dogfighting, why not Jay-Z? I'll tell you why-- I <3 near-rhyme
When Joe and I got engaged in Vegas, I repeatedly told him we should "just get married and look we can do it right here!" However, we were NOT pre-married.
Before Joe and I went to Vegas and got engaged, I told my mother I thought "Joe and I should just get married in Vegas." She agreed.
I also told HotCop, who knew Joe was planning to propose and called him immediately to warn him. She also suggested we "buy you a nice white shift dress, just something to wear in case."
I also told my friend Jen I wanted to get married in Vegas. She said "Aww, but it would be so fun to come to your wedding."
I can't remember if I mentioned any of this to Joe prior to the Vegas trip.
Our wedding and surrounding events were just about the most fun I've ever had.
I enjoy watching The Girls Next Door. The girls are, for the most part, annoying and stupid. But I can't stop watching.
I am obsessed with cycling movies on my Netflix queue. For a while I was even taking the movies to the post office mailbox because I thought they were getting returned faster (the next day as opposed to two days later).
Though I do miss Virginia, I don't miss the weather or the bridge-tunnel.
I love food. (You may have known this about me already).
Chances are, I read your blog.
I am far more scandalized by some of the things my college-age relatives and friends seem to be doing than I should be -- considering the stupid things I did at that age.
I REALLY want to buy a king-sized bed with our tax return money. Also dining room chairs. Does this mean I'm a Real Grown Up?
My mother told me she is still waiting to feel grown up.
I know grocery shopping on an empty stomach is dangerous. I also know buying stuff that isn't on my list is dangerous -- that is how we end up with THREE cans of whipped cream.
I have been more sniffly and sneezy this year than any year in the past.
I once texted Joe to ask if there was anything LESS sexy than nasal spray. He proceeded to picture-message me a photo of Beatrice.
I still think nasal spray is less sexy than my cat.
I'm not sure how I raised such a poorly-behaved and sometimes mean cat. I hope this does not bode ill of my parenting skillz.
I would need to get ride of shoes, purses and clothes in order for there to be room for a kid in our current home. If you've met me you know this ain't happening.
I'm excited for 1.20.2009.

What are some things I may not know about you?

0117091702.jpg

2009-01-17T17:03:00.001-07:00

0117091702.jpg
Originally uploaded by kackie

Still free...

On the Bud tour

2009-01-17T16:05:00.001-07:00

On the Bud tour
Originally uploaded by kackie

My favorite beer is free beer!

four weddings and a funeral

2009-01-01T12:21:00.003-07:00

2008 was a year of change. Isn't every year one of change? I guess it would be more apt to say 2008 was a year of Change.

Of this variety:

(photo by Dave/David/The Choice)

And this one:

Rest in peace, Grandma

Also this:

This:

(Not Joe)

And this:

I would not be me if I failed to mention this:

YES WE DID!

And my hair is darker:

I hope 2009 brings us all many unexpected joys.

last new mexican breakfast...

2008-12-28T08:45:00.002-07:00

last new mexican breakfast...
Originally uploaded by kackie

more green chili please.

hate

2008-12-21T15:39:00.003-07:00

I have an irrational hatred of Phillip Rivers. There is no real reason for me to hate him; I'm not a Broncos fan -- not even by marriage -- but I just want to smack his stupid face.

See? Irrational, VIOLENT hatred of Phillip Rivers.

playing with my new camera

2008-12-21T09:54:00.004-07:00

Playing with the zoom.

Joe told me I should be embarrassed, but I think even trashy magazines look good w/ the new camera:

Fancy new bowl? Fancier with the new camera!

(yes, that is another trashy magazine next to the bowl. WHATEVER, you read People magazine, too). Click to see them bigger.

royal beer

2008-12-14T12:47:00.002-07:00

royal beer
Originally uploaded by kackie

could this glass be more stupid?

OMG y'all!

2008-12-12T13:48:00.002-07:00

OMG y'all!
Originally uploaded by kackie

Its heeeeere!!!

eating popcorn

2008-12-07T16:08:00.001-07:00

i think

2008-11-30T09:41:00.003-07:00

Good guys are better for, you know, real relationships and marriage and stuff.

But assjacks make for better TV.

As evidenced by: Veronica & Duncan VERSUS Veronica & Logan.

who's that girl?

2008-11-24T18:05:00.002-07:00

thought it was time for a change.

public service announcement

2008-11-23T10:50:00.002-07:00

For all Tivo-using 24 fans:

You probably already know this, but the 24 movie tonight is not called 24. It's called 24: Redemption. Set your DVR accordingly.

Thank you. We now return you to your irregularly-blogged distractions.

i do love Romeo & Juliet.

2008-11-22T19:34:00.007-07:00

Man, I hadn't watched Baz Luhrmann's version of Romeo & Juliet for ages. Probably since way before HotCop and I moved out of our house on N First Street. It's true, I love it-- probably more for the context of my life in which I saw it for the first time than for the reasons I list below:

Michael as Mercutio! Funny AND badass. I will always love the line "Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man."
Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo -- because in this version his main job is to look delectable (sorry honey) enough for Juliet to fall in love with him and not look stupid in a Hawaiian shirt. It's before he got all old and hard looking.
Claire Danes as Juliet -- I'm from the My So-Called Life generation. There is no greater dramatic teenager than Angela. The look she gives when she says "What satisfaction canst thou have?" OMG. Great.
Paul Rudd as Paris! Hot & goofy, exactly what he should be.
Love love love the music.
It's just kind of a steamy movie, don't you think?

I have a love/hate relationship with Luhrmann's twist on the ending -- I *hate* that she says his lips are still warm because HE IS STILL ALIVE OF COURSE THEY ARE. And I *hate* that he says "thus with a kiss I die" after she is awake. But-- but-- as I watched it today I still got that "wait, maybe she'll wake up in time" feeling even though it's FREAKING ROMEO & JULIET for Pete's sake.

I love it. I do.

think azeroth has ever been listed under location?

2008-11-17T18:14:00.002-07:00

For the 'his' version, that is:

Click

OMG, ya'll. (times two. i really should make that a tag)

2008-11-15T12:49:00.002-07:00

Even tho I'm far more excited about Twilight (video begins when site is loaded) than a 20-something married woman should be, I STILL WISH it was Harry Pocket & the Half-Blood Prince coming out next week.

Here's why.

love this.

2008-11-12T20:35:00.004-07:00

joe hates these

2008-11-06T18:14:00.001-07:00

joe hates these
Originally uploaded by kackie

Space boot season has begun!

speechless

2008-11-04T21:11:00.001-07:00

anticipation

2008-11-03T20:32:00.004-07:00

Now that I'm halfway into my second Fat Tire, I wonder if I should have saved my two-beer nite for tomorrow. Celebrate victory or drown my sorrows.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. Thank goodness Presidential elections only come every four years. My poor weak heart couldn't take it.

Is this what it is like to have a husband?

2008-11-02T09:12:00.001-07:00

Is this what it is like to have a husband?
Originally uploaded by kackie

Breakfast in bed!

i just want to go the effing library.

2008-11-01T10:29:00.003-06:00

Ughhhhhhhhh. It's just so irritating that the two freaking municipalities can't come up with an agreement so I can go to the library that:

1. I like
2. is convenient to my home.
3. is conveniently on my way home from work.

I was mad at Louisville for wanting more money from Superior, then mad at Superior for wanting me to PAY FOR MY LIBRARY CARD. I've had a library card since before I even had an allowance. Growing up in my family meant getting a library card as soon as you learned how to write your name. I had that freaking card with my name scrawled on the back in blue ink until I moved to Colorado (and I may still have it). LIBRARY CARDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FREE. Now, of course...

Since forking over the cash is no longer even an option for me, all I can think is that I'd pay the $30 they wanted, and would probably pay more than that. BUT THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE WON'T TAKE MY MONEY. Literally. Therefore, they get nothing. Not my money, not the town's money. BUT I AM* THE ONE WHO LOSES.

My anger is probably irrational, as I think I can join Broomfield or Boulder (and may even be able to use my card in Louisville, my righteous indignation has prevented me from researching thoroughly). But the fact is I already HAVE a library card. I EVEN HAVE A FINE!!

Ugh, this post is going nowhere and writing it is making me madder still. I am being a baby and I don't care. At least you can just close your browser window or navigate elsewhere. Poor Joe has to listen to me.

*Also any other Superior residents who use the library but whatevs.

Remote hog

2008-10-31T22:13:00.002-06:00

Remote hog
Originally uploaded by kackie

remote hog

weird

2008-10-31T18:14:00.000-06:00

(1) While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

(2) Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.

Anything happen?

Waiting to be wed!

2008-10-25T14:12:00.002-06:00

Waiting to be wed!
Originally uploaded by kackie

Waiting to be wed!

amazing.

2008-10-19T09:58:00.002-06:00

Colin Powell and The Salt Lake Tribune both endorse Barack Obama.

I can't talk about it anymore. No more political posts until after the election.

ha!

2008-10-11T16:31:00.002-06:00

ha!
Originally uploaded by kackie

ha!

does this count as 5?

2008-10-03T18:53:00.001-06:00

I stole this post from CK.

Blast from the past!

2008-10-03T14:02:00.002-06:00

Blast from the past!
Originally uploaded by kackie

When was the last time you saw one of these bad boys?

turns out...

2008-10-01T17:50:00.003-06:00

The economy is in the toilet. Well, great!

I heard a great analogy for the bailout packing on NPR (surprise!!!) last night. It wasn't even a commentator, just a listener calling in with his opinion. He compared it to an acrimonious divorce when children are involved. One spouse doesn't want to pay the other any alimony or child support, to make the other spouse suffer -- and the ones who suffer the most are the kids. Sigh.

Additionally...

I don't want "normal Joe six-pack American...in the position of vice presidency." I want a well-spoken, smart person who knows what s/he is talking about.

internets, it's true. we took advantage of them.

2008-09-28T10:32:00.003-06:00

Here is my advice: if your is closing its doors, don't invite Joe, Brad and me. Chances are we'll perform some illegal and/or shady maneuver.

Here is my request: don't turn us in to the authorities.

I didn't even remember this first anecdote until last night. We were headed to a local Mexican place which was closing down after over 30 years of business. We were discussing what the restaurant would be like on its last night when Joe said "Knowing us, we'll walk out on the bill."

And that's when it came back to me. We neglected to pay our last tab at the infamous Wonder Bar. The place was mostly empty and only one bartender was working that night-- the random guy who always provided the worst service of all the waitstaff at WB. I think we only had one drink each that night. We discussed it for 10-15 minutes before ducking out when the bartender was at the other end of the bar. Please don't turn us in, we practically kept that place in business!!

I actually feel more guilty about what happened last night-- and I wasn't even party to it. When we arrived, the place was packed. I dropped off the guys to get our names on the list while I parked the car. When I got in, there were maybe 20 people waiting (mostly in parties of 3 or 4) and the guys were no where to be found. I called Joe. "We're in the back, at the table." Uh, ok.

I sat down at what was clearly a 2-top set for three and asked how they got seated so quickly.

When they walked in, Brad explained, the hostess was calling for "Joe, party of two." Joe (who claimed to be unaware of the fact that Brad had not yet put in our name) said, quite truthfully, "I'm Joe. Except, we have three. Right? Three?" He looked at Brad.

"Yep."

The hostess said it was fine, they could easily remedy that. Thus, we stole the table from poor Joe and his or her husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/friend/companion/etc.

And the queso tasted that much cheesier.

in case it wasn't clear: i'm not voting for McCain.

2008-09-26T18:58:00.003-06:00

"I don't want a president with a bucket list."

- Chris Rock

Source.

quote of the day

2008-09-25T20:07:00.003-06:00

"I'm just another squirrel in this world, and I'm still trying to get my nut."

- Kimbo Slice

it was a long trip, folks

2008-09-21T20:42:00.003-06:00

Yet so short at the same time. I tried to mo'blog, but there is SO LITTLE in Nebraska and Iowa-- and this includes CELL SERVICE.

Flack Gobbler Palin

2008-09-16T21:44:00.003-06:00

What would your name be if Sarah Palin was your mama?

I used my first and middle names.

joe loves it when i show up to the sports bar.

2008-09-16T09:56:00.002-06:00

Joe: The Packers just played double their score.
Me: Like the Video Bonus on Cash Cab!!
Brad: Except, not enough people take the Video Bonus. It's usually so easy.
Me: I know. Double your money!

Truthfully, I probably wouldn't take the Video Bonus on Cash Cab unless Joe was there to make me.

another use for the new afghan.

2008-09-14T19:47:00.003-06:00

Makin' a purrito.

Mexican sundae

2008-09-12T20:18:00.001-06:00

Mexican sundae
Originally uploaded by kackie

Mexican sundae

Joe sent this to me.

2008-09-12T17:27:00.002-06:00

Joe's favorite part: "bad Disney movie."
My favorite part: The whole thing. Matt Damon is cute. And also, you know, saying important stuff.

quote of the day

2008-09-11T20:10:00.002-06:00

"Even though you’re paying your own bills at your own house, you still got to tell your mama where you are going now."

- V. Young

i <3 the daily show

2008-09-08T21:43:00.001-06:00

fantasy football leaguers all around the country just let out a collective scream...

2008-09-08T13:37:00.003-06:00

My sister is going to be pissed!!!

Oh, Captain America-- how will I know who to rank first in the "Cutest Quarterback" football pool?

Seriously though... ouch!!

beautiful bride, fun parties 2

2008-09-07T21:00:00.003-06:00

Another month, another wedding. I'm feeling sad there is only one wedding left in 08 :-(

Joe's sister married the nicest guy this weekend. Now they are off to Tennessee for a honeymoon and Joe's sadness about our "delayed honeymoon" grows ever deeper. Got to know my sister-in-law much better, which was great as she is pretty shy. Wait! I know what will make her feel less shy! I'll post pictures of her on the interwebnets!

The bride and groom share their first dance:

Their cat takes advantage of my carelessness w/ my bridesmaid dress:

OMG, ya'll.

2008-09-02T13:40:00.003-06:00

Hypercolor is back? That's wack, yo.

I had a blue Hypercolor shirt that turned pink (I think). I do remember putting it in the freezer so that it would be all the original color. Anyone else have Hypercolor?

what is YOUR fate?

2008-08-31T14:07:00.002-06:00

what is YOUR fate?
Originally uploaded by kackie

baked goods in August

2008-08-30T12:30:00.006-06:00

So, I've been temping some days... but the days I'm not working I get bored sometimes. Since I'm my mother's daughter, and my sister's sister, this means I've been cooking. Baking, even, although if I were truly my mother's daughter I would refuse to turn the oven on as "it heats up the house."

Meh. I wanted cookies. Chocolate chip cookies, to be exact. We (or, for the sake of clarity *I* ate some of them) and Joe took the rest to work. This time I remembered to use the high altitude recipe and they actually looked like cookies, rather than wafers with lumps where the chips were. I haven't yet perfected them 100%, but we are getting closer.

Then I made brownies, again with the high altitude recipe. From a box, not very exciting.

This morning I wanted muffins-- so I got out How to Cook Everything. (When he says everything, Mark Bittman means it -- there is a recipe for Gefilte fish, yick). Anyway, so I'm tooling around in the Muffins and Biscuits section... when I find popovers!

I remember my mother making popovers when I was a kid and in my memory they are a light, eggy muffiny type thing, the perfect vehicle for Nutella, jam, butter or whatever spreadable goodness you want.

I worried a little about the altitude issue, but decided I wanted to try anyway. They didn't POP as much as I'd hoped and are kind of shrimp shaped, but turned out nice and chewy and browned:

NOT PICTURED: The three I already ate.

All in all, a success-- and a recipe I will be revisiting soon.

BTW, since I stopped measuring success by whether or not anyone else in my house wants to eat my baked goods, my success level has increased tenfold.

Why be vegan when there is cheese?

2008-08-29T20:53:00.002-06:00

Why be vegan when there is cheese?
Originally uploaded by kackie

Mmm cheese

mccain's VP pick...

2008-08-29T12:37:00.003-06:00

Can be summed up by the text message Joe sent me today:

Alaska, seriously?

Yes, she's a woman. So was Geraldine Ferraro when she ran as the VP candidate (and she still is). I would never vote for a candidate based solely on gender-- or race, for that matter.

weezer

2008-08-27T12:14:00.002-06:00

So, Joe and Brad are going to see Weezer at the Broomfield Event Center (Q: What do Weezer and New Kids on the Block Have in common. A: Broomfield Event Center) in a few weeks.

I decided not to go with them. I mean, it's really not worth $50 for me to sit and hope they play Buddy Holly. What's with these hooomies dissin' my girl? Why do they gotta frooont? ... Oooo eeee oooo I look just like Buddy Holly oh oh oh and your're Mary Tyler Moore...

Ah, mid-90s rock. The soundtrack of my life.

I wonder if they'll play Undone!! If you want to destroy my sweater...hold this thread as I walk away (as I walk away)

Sniff, sniff.

important announcement.

2008-08-23T08:21:00.003-06:00

I know you have been waiting with breath that is bated:

Announcing Beatrice Ann Jones WhiteFeet as our VP nominee. Watch the first Erika-Beatrice rally live at 3pm ET.

Thank you.

Dear Blog Readers,*

2008-08-21T21:55:00.007-06:00

(I guess I could say "Dear Joe & Brad, since they are the only ones I know read my blog.)

Hi! What's new & exciting? Things have been busy around here. Beatrice is fine, thanks for asking.

Joe and I have had a hard time staying in the same state since we got married. We have visited these states in the past (almost) three months: Virginia, North Carolina, California, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia (again), Nevada. With the exception of the trip to VA for the wedding, none of these travels have been together. Still on the agenda: Illinois, Iowa and Pennsylvania. Two out of three together. Tra-la!

Additionally, I quit my job. No, I do not have a full time job in CO yet. I'm temping, which is actually quite nice so far. There are several advantages to this:

I do not work for my old company anymore.*
I don't feel trapped in the house.
I don't wake up at 5 am with the urgency to GET STUFF DONE and think "MIGHT AS WELL WORK."
I don't have the urge to throw up anymore.
I am FREEEEE, tra-la!

Seriously, I'm much happier now. I didn't realize how much happier I was until Joe and I were taking a walk last night. You seem happier, he said. I am. I really, really am. Don't ask me where my next effing paycheck is coming from, tho. (It may be from the lady at the temp agency who said "Oh, I see you used to work at D-Company. My husband used to own a game store." I guess her husband liked STCCG and their son played YJ. Small world! She said the name of the store and I recognized it. Turns out I recognized it because there is one by the same name in Australia, I think.)

Joe benefits, too, not only from a happier me but from tasty, gourmet dinners! Yesterday I made a penne w/ pesto, chicken and toasted pinenuts and today I made roulade of chicken, ham, sage and sundried tomatoes with a sage-garlic-lemon pan sauce. TRA-LA! There was also rice. I burned the crap out of my hand, though, when I grabbed the handle of the pan that had been in the oven. (Go ahead, grab the handle of one of your pans. See how many fingers it impacts?) Also in our kitchen now: homemade pound cake and leftover tortilla soup.

Other than that... business as usual.

*Also known as the post wherein I liberally use the phrase "tra-la."
**I could tell you tales about the massive changes that took place since I moved last year. Not here.

like wal-mart, pandas will always be a staple subject on this blog.

2008-08-20T21:51:00.002-06:00

SO CUTE:

pretty clever.

2008-08-19T10:28:00.003-06:00

Two marketing messages/strategies I think are pretty clever:

Match.com: "It's ok to look."

Crocs: "Love 'Em or Hate 'Em"

One series of commercials that drives me crazy:

Those Budweiser commercials where the annoying bartender girl acts like Budweiser is actually, you know, beer. Bleh.

my post about the Olympics

2008-08-17T13:16:00.005-06:00

Is it wrong that I rooted for Canada over the US in the "Eights Men" rowing event because I wanted to hear "Oh, Canada"?

it's AUGUST

2008-08-15T16:14:00.001-06:00

50 degrees feels COLD in august!

life with, vol. 1

2008-08-14T18:06:00.001-06:00

Life with HotCop:

House Rule: No firearms on the couch (they leave imprints in the microfiber).

Life with Joe:

House Rule: No laptops on the couch (they leave imprints in the microfiber).

In colorado?

2008-08-14T12:36:00.001-06:00

In colorado?
Originally uploaded by kackie

for some reason this freaks me out

beautiful bride, fun parties.

2008-08-11T15:14:00.002-06:00

I had a great time, and cut several rugs. I think I danced more at Nora's wedding than at my own, if that is even possible. Here is a picture of me without a drink, you can tell it's early in the evening because I am not drenched in sweat:

And Tan:

Good times...

Sunny day

2008-08-05T12:45:00.001-06:00

Sunny day
Originally uploaded by kackie

Relishing unemployment

weirdo

2008-07-31T14:24:00.001-06:00

weirdo
Originally uploaded by kackie

Unaware that it is 100 degrees outside

huh?

2008-07-30T14:52:00.004-06:00

The doorbell rings. Through the peephole I see a FedEx package.

I open the door.

Man holding FedEx package: Travel agency.
Confused Erika: No.
MhFEp: No? Dammit. Do you know which one it is?
CE: No.
MhFEp: Really? It's one of these along here. You don't know which one it is?
CE: No.
MhFEp: Ok, sorry about that.
CE: Oh, no worries.

Weird.

yep.

2008-07-30T09:45:00.001-06:00

Shocho is right.

Indexed is cool.

feeding 2 addictions at once

2008-07-25T12:59:00.002-06:00

Heard this on my NPR stream while playing one of my nine active games.

Oh, Hasbro, why do you hate us??

(Also, Joe emailed me about this the other day. But I wasn't playing Scrabulous when I read the email. I was reading my email.)

i don't care what joe says.

2008-07-24T11:24:00.002-06:00

The salsa Brad made on Sunday is the best salsa he has ever made. Just the right balance of tomato and jalapeño, with a bit of bite at the end. Effing good.

I was parked on the couch playing Mario while he made it, only helping with the transfer from food processor to bowl. I wonder if that has something to do with it.

my post about The Dark Knight

2008-07-21T21:02:00.003-06:00

I thought I blogged about Heath Ledger when I first found out he was going to play The Joker. I guess I just talked about it a lot. I was more than a little skeptical.

I was wrong.

Hiiii.

worst movie to watch when still fresh from a funeral, and your husband was out of town.

2008-07-21T10:53:00.000-06:00

P.S. I Love You

Cried through most of the movie.

Vodka in the lemonade doesn't make it worse.

Always an adventure

2008-07-20T18:06:00.002-06:00

Always an adventure
Originally uploaded by kackie

Always an adventure

A hot saturday night

2008-07-19T20:13:00.002-06:00

A hot saturday night
Originally uploaded by kackie

Nom nom

tweet.

2008-07-18T11:59:00.003-06:00

Does anyone have Twitter? If so, email me your username or find me so I can follow you.

If not, get with it people! Sign up! I need a new way to stalk you!

there's a reason they call me HANDYERIKA, people

2008-07-17T16:54:00.002-06:00

**NOTE** What you do not see here is the initial version of part B of this project, which involved hooks, and which turned out to be a huge disaster. So I went back to Lowe's and bought the rack I should have bought in the first place. You also do not see the grease, sweat and tears. Thank you. Please proceed**

Despite the note above, I still KICK ASS.

Note the blank wall:

Note the nimble use of the drill/electric screw driver:

Note the new MAGIC WALL HANGER THINGIE:

Note the STUD FINDING:

Note the CAREFUL MEASURING:

Note the WALL BIKE RACK, PEOPLE!!!

Note the NEWLY ORGANIZED GARAGE:

BOO to the YAH!!!!!

kitteh

2008-07-17T11:13:00.000-06:00

yes, neighbors, i judge you by the content of your recycle bin

2008-07-16T10:32:00.004-06:00

Really dude? Molson Ice?

Jug wine? Are you serious? Plus other wine bottles. I saw those.

A Brother brand printer, sure. Print away. But don't bother to break down that oversize box.

Why can't any of you bother to put your stuff in a bag, as requested by the homeowner's association? Perhaps then you would not be judged so harshly by me, The One Walking to the Mail Room.

Also, important Mike Rowe update (or, you know, from the past):

Hi again, pretty! You look young!

foodstuffs i used hate, now i don't.

2008-07-15T21:07:00.003-06:00

Foodstuffs is a stupid word.

Mustard (many a fast food burger was scraped for me by Mom and Dad)
Mayo
Tomatoes (no sauce on my pasta, no tomatoes on my BLT, no SALSA)
Any cheese that wasn't white (pretty sure it was limited to American)
Crab (no seafood)
Calamari (no seafood, really)
Tuna (I mean it)
Onions
Salt and vinegar chips
Beer
Diet Coke, Pepsi... Diet Anything.
Hot sauce
Sushi (I still only eat the vegetable kind)
Beans, any kind.
The heads of broccoli
Artichokes
Mushrooms. Although I guess I don't LIKE those so much as TOLERATE them.
Sour cream (what was I thinking??)
Salad dressing (any and all, and then I started to like Italian).

not sure

2008-07-12T17:38:00.004-06:00

I wouldn't mind seeing Mike Rowe in all his rugged prettiness, but I'm not sure about Dirty Jobs in hi def.

Yick.

Test2

2008-07-11T09:50:00.001-06:00

Test2
Originally uploaded by kackie

Typical Friday morning.

Test

2008-07-10T16:27:00.001-06:00

Test
Originally uploaded by kackie

New haircut!

yeah, what he said.

2008-07-09T07:52:00.002-06:00

I haven't got the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out.

David Sedaris

brief note on weather

2008-07-08T15:13:00.001-06:00

"Rain showers" in Colorado are for lame-os.

if you read dooce, you've probably already seen this.

2008-07-08T12:00:00.003-06:00

But I thought it was funny enough to re-post:

"It could be a crackhead!"

grandma

2008-07-07T11:45:00.003-06:00

94 years old

seriously, this is why i don't bake.

2008-06-27T10:40:00.002-06:00

Joe and I split the first piece of the cinnamon-raisin bread I whipped up in the new bread machine. I ate the REST OF THE LOAF.

In other much sadder news, I'm flying to Cedar Rapids, IA (yes, that Cedar Rapids) on Sunday for a family emergency involving my 94 year old grandmother, Mable Valentine. She lives in the northeast corner of IA, in a small town called Sumner. I can't remember if there is a stoplight in the town.

what the spork?

2008-06-26T11:22:00.002-06:00

Ha.

"we'll find out when a traditional mommy goes from Leave it to Beaver to My Two Dads for the next 30 days!"

2008-06-25T17:42:00.005-06:00

Ah, Morgan. It's good to have you back.

So far...

A hunter from North Carolina went to live with a family of PETA vegans for 30 days. He dressed up like a chicken and "killed" Colonel Sanders. He saved a baby calf and fell in love with her.

A former football player spent 30 days in a wheelchair. He was allowed to stretch his legs once a day, and spent a lot of time with

NOW:

A Mormon mommy went to live with a gay couple and their 4 children for 30 days.

Dude, I love this show.

burning

2008-06-20T08:01:00.002-06:00

I made salsa last night.

I got jalapeño juice under my fingernail.

It still burns this morning.

Ow.

we had a good time

2008-06-19T15:31:00.002-06:00

We hope you did, too.

Other photos here

powerless morning

2008-06-18T11:50:00.002-06:00

Not an accurate description.

The power flickered twice before it went off for a couple hours at about 8 am. Joe missed his usual bus, and I missed some work time trying to find a place that (a) had power and (b) had wireless. Both Panera and my neighborhood coffee shop were out.

I ended up at LaMar's donuts. A donut shop is not the worst place to be forced to work, that's for sure.

at the top of my to do list: don't have a nervous breakdown.

2008-05-19T10:11:00.002-06:00

Four million other things follow it.

Don't worry, I'll still have time to play Scrabulous. Priorities, people.

read this with my morning cup(s)

2008-05-16T09:33:00.003-06:00

On my Joy of Cooking daily calendar

THE NOTORIOUS HISTORY OF COFFEE

Coffee has always thrived on adversity. In the Arab world, where the coffee plan was first cultivated commercially in the fifteenth century, coffee was widely consumed by the populace but condemned by Islamic leaders for its supposed intoxicating effects. Coffee was banned repeatedly as it traveled from Constantinople to Venice and then to Vienna and other European capitals. The beans were initially sold by pharmacists and eventually in cafés--which became notorious hotbeds of revolution and enlightened thinking.

HOTBEDS of REVOLUTION! ENLIGHTENED THINKING! Coincidence? I think not!

cranky.

2008-05-14T19:26:00.002-06:00

Thinking about all I have to do between now and next Saturday (when we leave for Virginia) makes my head hurt.

I'm cranky.

one of those jobs where you travel around and try different foods.

2008-05-09T13:26:00.003-06:00

You know, like what Anthony Bourdain does. I want me one of them.

Except, on my show no one will be able to hear me chew. I hate how on Bizarre Foods you can hear Andrew Zimern chew. I guess some people think it's more "immersive" but I just think it's gross.

fun, busy weekend.

2008-05-06T19:14:00.003-06:00

Not as wild for me, it seems, as it was for others.

As far as I know, all attendees still have all fingers and toes... and no "rules" were broken.

Hope you all had fun!

THIS IS COLORADO... GO HARD OR GO HOME!!

MAY DAY MAY DAY MAY DAY!!!

2008-05-01T14:36:00.001-06:00

30 DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING

MAY DAY MAY DAY MAY DAY

some thoughts on the postsecret event last night

2008-04-27T13:07:00.003-06:00

Frank Warren is cute. I almost said my secret is that I have a crush on him.
I didn't bring my books to have them signed. It would have been pretty cool, but the line was long.
People shared secrets. Some were powerful, some... weren't.
Frank said he receives about 1,000 secrets a week and only posts about 20. Now we know why he doesn't post the other 980. Because they are probably uninteresting.
An attractive person can become unattractive when they go up to the mike and open their mouths. Brad agrees.
Frank takes it all very seriously. This is good because if it were me, I would yell at the microphone ramblers... SPIT IT OUT!
The best part was learning about the SECRET secrets... the ones that didn't make it into the book because, for example, Mickey Mouse would sue your ass.
The funny secrets are great.
Brad, Joe and I all knew going in that none of us would be sharing a secret. Or crying (although I almost cried). It was bit of a relief.

Questions I should have asked:

Has anyone ever shown up at your house? (The PostSecret address is Frank's home address)
Where do you keep all the postcards? (Frank keeps all secrets that are sent to him.)
Do you do all the legwork yourself? Scanning the postcards, sorting them, etc.

it's not a secret.

2008-04-09T18:58:00.005-06:00

Brad, Joe and I are going to the Lifetime of Secrets event in FoCo later this month. Woo hoo!

Since we're (Joe and me, of course) already engaged, I don't think this will happen (at least not to me). But I hope there are many new secrets and that Frank will sign my book(s). I am so excited!

[Here is where a picture of the tickets would go, except Brad has them]

75 years of legal tastiness

2008-04-07T11:51:00.003-06:00

New Beer's Eve - Cnn.com

Yum. Beer.

I'm pretty sure I learned to like (or not hate) beer at college. Many red plastic Solo cups of Natty Lite later, I have come to actually enjoy a tasty brew every now and then.

And I'm not the only one:

"It is the product of choice for underage drinking," said Michael Scippa, advocacy director for the Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog group.

watched it twice, right in a row.

2008-04-04T14:42:00.005-06:00

If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl-- but by all means keep moving.

spoke too soon

2008-03-31T15:03:00.002-06:00

It snowed Saturday night and last night. Brr. Guess we won't be enjoying the new outdoor furniture again tonight.

We're sorry, State of Colorado. We should not have tempted Fate and Mother Nature with the purchase of outdoor-use only items.

SIGH.

sunny day in CO

2008-03-29T14:46:00.002-06:00

Enjoying the new bistro set on our balcony.

please, someone tell me how

2008-03-27T13:21:00.002-06:00

How is Seventh Heaven motivation while working out? I mean, I love me some crappy television... but that is the CRAPPIEST of ALL THE CRAP.

Who knows. Maybe people hate to watch The Food Network when I'm there first. Emeril is a little annoying.