Dinner party anyone?

Horror! My beautiful china pattern is being discontinued! Shame on you Royal Doulton! Even though this isn't the best time for me financially (job instability and all) I have purchased an obscene amount of china. That's it to the right, Moonlight Rose. I called in some early Christmas present favors and my next credit card bill will cause heart palpitations but I'll have place settings for eight and be all set for a royal tea party. The financial plus side is that I'm getting it all for ~80-90% off the retail price. I am on a deal alert list for a Royal Doulton outlet store so that is how I found out about my pattern and the sale. The outlet store is already a good deal where everything is discounted 30-40% to start with and then starting Labor Day weekend everything is buy one get one free. It makes me feel a little bit better knowing that I am getting a super deal. Now I just need a dining set that will seat eight and to live somewhere where there is enough guest parking...

No fried chicken for YOU!

Ok, I give up. I can admit defeat. I am incapable of performing the simple task of frying chicken. It does not matter what temperature it is frying at or how long it sits there in the pan, the middle will not cook unless the outside has been thoroughly scorched and removed of all tasty flavor. Three times I have had to stop frying and put the stupid chicken in the oven for twenty minutes so that all nasty Campylobacter, et all, will die a hot, horrible death. I think this is God's way of saying, "Holly, thou shalt NOT eat fried chicken." But I WILL prevail. Fried chicken is good and just because I didn't grow up in the South does not mean that I can't eat it. It just means I can't cook it.

Go Blue Angels!

Got to see these guys in action yesterday over Lake Washington. There was one sneaky one that buzzed right by us unexpectedly which caused all manner of chaos with the babies, dogs and local birds in attendance. It was SO LOUD you could feel it in your belly! The planes were so close you could read the writing on the planes (Fat Albert too) and sometimes see the guys' helmets! (Though after looking at the Blue Angels' website it appears there may have been female pilots in attendance too.)


After that it was off for a visit to the Reptile Zoo in Monroe, home of the Reptile Man. Always wanted to stop by because it looked like a fun tourist trap but I discovered it is a really neat place that just happens to be in the middle of nowhere. The world's ten deadliest snakes were in attendance (all alive mind you, no taxidermy here) as well as tarantulas, an empire scorpian and a two-headed turtle!

Below is a West African Bush Viper. I think it is pretty.


Have you ever seen an Alligator Snapping Turtle? They are uuuuuugly. Would not want to meet up with one of those; the one at the museum was 3 feet long! There were HUGE anacondas, pythons, cobras and alligators. They let the tortoises out in their backyard too! The one outside while I was there just cruises around, slowly, and munches on the lawn. In fact, that is what both of their names are: Cruiser and Cruisella (if I remember correctly). Very neat. I recommend going if you are a herp fan or if you just like seeing creepy crawly things behind the safety of glass or plastic.

Cure for the summertime blues :)

Here are some pics from the rafting trip this summer. First, me riding "bow maiden". I still can't believe I was able to hold on. Our guide said that he thought I'd be a floater for sure.



Next, our boat (all members visible). The look on the faces of the two guys in front is priceless! Note how the big guy isn't even paddling. He fell out two minutes into the first rapids... top heavy I guess.

What a blast!

It has been SO hot here lately! Western Washington was never meant to be anywhere near 100ºF. Things have cooled down a bit this week but I hope history doesn't repeat itself until I have AC or Central Air (yah, I'll be able to afford that). Seems the rest of country has the same problem only slightly amplified... In the meantime, Sugar will be practicing her "dead kitty" impression on the floor while I do the same on the couch but with an intermittent spray from the squirt bottle normally reserved for my plants.

Work, who needs it? Oh wait, I do...

Today feels like a Monday. Here is the sentiment for today:



I am actually working but, at least for today, blogging is so much more fun!

The Purrrfect Lifestyle



Here's my orange creamsicle Sugar. My blog just wouldn't be complete without my baby. For pictures of actual children that I love please visit my sis' blog.

Welcome to Hollywog's Pond!

Cheesy, yes but it was the best my co-worker could come up with on short notice. Apparently I couldn't comment on Erika's blog without creating my own. Hmph. So here it is. I have joined the hordes of bloggers at last. Let's see if I can keep up with it.