Because Yellow

Labor Day weekend proved to be both restful and busy at the same time. Oxymoronic I know. After the bridal shower for my BFF on Saturday Justin and I laid around all day Sunday excepting a quick run to the coffee shop. Have I mentioned we've been trying to cut back on paying for coffee? You see we steal it now... No just kidding we don't but we don't indulge as much as we used to. I would like to attribute this to my iron-will however I think it is mostly because caffeine has been mAking my heart beat out of my chest as of late. We have our coffee trips down to about once or twice a week which is far better than once or twice a day. Mmm decaf. 

Monday brought with it a birthday party in the park for a certain four year old boy. Temperatures were in the high seventies-low eighties so we basked in the sun and played some ultimate frisbee (or in my case just ran from one end of the field to the other trying to figure out whose team I was on. 

After that Justin's parents treated us to pizza which was amazing because Justin and I are both hungry hungry hippos. Let me tell you how nice it is to have future in-laws that are awesome. *sigh. I won the lottery with Justin they are just the icing on the lottery. Which if you know me you know I like icing! 

Here are a couple photos from the weekend. I wore my yellow pants to say adios to summer even though part of me is not quite ready to let it slip away. 

Here we are trying to master self portraits 

Here I am trying to figure out how to set the timer camera 

Yay yellow 

A perfect match :)

Justin Pettigrew

Ever since the tragic loss of one Mr. Bubble butt's big toe nail he has (rightly so) been a bit self conscious. I have trouble with toes but toes without toenails are extraordinarily frightening. The following conversation transpired this morning:

Me: you know last night at the bridal shower we talked a lot about you. The girls asked me what you were doing and I told them eating Los Betos.  We wished you would have come. 

Justin: And watch chick flicks? Those are horrible. 

Me: whatever you love them. But you could have done pedicures too. 

Justin: like you would want my toe anywhere near you, you hate it. 

Me: That's not true. If you were to spontaneously combust and every piece of you were gone except your toe I would pick it up and put it in my pocket. 

Justin: you would pick it up with tongs and put it in a bag and put it in your pocket. 

Me: No I would use my hands. Then when I got home I would draw a smiley face on it and set it on my nightstand. 

There is something terribly wrong with that conversation... If justin spontaneously combusted excepting his big toe I should have immediately suspected a Peter Pettigrew type scenario. Obviously he would be performing a bit of complex magic to attempt to escape my grasp before he would ever just spontaneously combust no matter HOW much Los Betos he ate. Duh. 

Feetball

I think there is a reason why football is called football. See the creators of the game knew that one day a certain man would exist. This man would find a girlfriend, nay a fiancé, who enjoys a good foot rub when she is offered one (Not from strangers though that would be weird since I don't have a foot fetish. Now spanking... That's another story).

Speaking of which I may or may not have accidentally messaged a co-worker this today *sigh

Back to my football story. Fortunately Justin still has the superstition he had last year regarding the whole 'I better massage Malina's feet so we can win this feetball game,' situation. So here I am on this lovely Friday eve preceding Labor Day weekend. A thunderstorm is a brewing accompanied by some much needed rain to quell the remaining fires. Feet+football+Friday+Fall=Fantastic

Man Date

As the time passes on day by day we excitedly approach the wedding of one of my best friends. Justin has been dealing with a lot of the behind the scenes drama that goes along with bridal shower planning. I can't vent to my BFF because she is the bride and has enough on her plate. Justin has of course been a rock in this sometimes dramatically turbulent time.

Justin also has tried to offer the best gift advice he could supply. He did not however find my gag gift lingerie outfit amusing. Something about those one size fits all ensembles just don't tickle his fancy. I found the highly inappropriate nature of it hilarious especially the groom-to-be wouldn't supply me with the bride's size information. Joke is on him because that is what he gets for not giving me the proper sizing information.

Justin has been feeling bad for himself because he feels my duty as maid of honor will force him to be lonely on the big day. The following conversation transpired the other day:

Justin: So... can you ask Jessica if I can bring a date to the wedding?

Me: Okay...??? Wait what?

Justin: Well I guess it can't be a girl but I could bring a man date.

Me: Wow...

Justin: I am not going to know anyone and I hate people I don't know so I want someone to talk to.

Me: Gee thanks fiance

Although in all fairness it is rather difficult when the bridal party gets split up from their significant others during wedding festivities. Hopefully Justin will have fun all by himself as I parade around with my BFF... Poor guy. 

Try the grey stuff...

Disney Wednesday arrived again before I even knew it. Unless you count my utter and complete excitement leading up to Wednesday... I tell ta with working so much, and everything else that has been going on it is nice to have a little something filled with childlike wonder to break up the week. 

My selection for the week out of the choices Justin gave me? 

Why "Beauty and the Beast," of course. I realized that after one of my last blogs I was subconsciously sad about not selecting that film last time. So this time I gave into my inner psyche's needs. 

I wish I could say the grey stuff pictured above was my idea but it was my sister's. She is better than me at coming up with creative things. I searched for a recipe and discovered that in one of the Disney parks there is a Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant and they serve the grey stuff. Then I found a recipe online and altered it to vegan and made my own. 

It's really more grey than it appears in this photo but hey... I did the best I could. And truly??? It was delish! I also made pasta and French bread which is really more Italian but let's face it all I cared about was they grey stuff. 

Justatise

Sunday Funday is upon us. I spent the morning outside reading Harry Potter in the smoky air; being as we are currently amidst the worst wildfire ever. They said nothing interesting never happens in Idaho and now this. Pffft. 

Anyway it rains ash from the sky from time to time so I feel like the end of the world is coming. However I need to be outside since that is how I recharge. Here was my view this morning.

Notice the ambiance that emanates from the dilapidated dog house. Oh the mystery of what lurks inside... I'm sure 9,000 spiders. 

I had to call my dad today to see how his minor surgery went. Sounds like everything is fine and dandy which is great. I did speak to my mother for a moment. She was telling me about a new plant she purchased...

Mom: It's really nice you should get one. 

Me: Ya okay I usually kill plants but sure. 

Mom: It's called Justatise

Me: ... What?

Mom: J-U-S-T-A-D-D-I-C-E

Me:... Uhh

My sister in the back ground: it says just add ice 

Mom: apparently it's pronounced just.ad.dice but I pronounce it Justatise. 

Me dying laughing: No mom she is telling you it says just add ice it isn't the name of the plant. 

Mom: oh. Okay. Well Just.ad.ice is a nice plant. I need to water mine though it looks a little wilted. 

Oh the joys of my mother. I wanted to tell her to just add ice since it sounded like those were the instructions; but I didn't want to confuse her too much. 

Vamped Up Disney Wednesday

In July when I took my blog sabbatical I am sure I left you all hanging on the edge of your seats when I mentioned Disney Wednesday's. Here is a link if you need reminding of the deets on Justin and my romantic -with an air of youthfulness -new tradition. 

I'm proud to announce that after the first fiasco things have been much better. Justin was up for week two. He selected "Wall-E," and picked up a Whole Foods buffet with cupcakes to capture the true essence of gluttony that is exemplified in the film. Nail on he head if I do say so myself. 

The next week I selected "Tangled," from the choices provided to me. I opted to do an angel hair pasta with garden veggies accompanied by a braided bread.

It was exquisite if I do say so myself. So exquisite in fact that I just pulled a second loaf out of the oven only moments ago. Justin asked me to make it to compliment his dinner tonight. I'm sure you'll all be holding your breath in anticipation of hearing the outcome :)

The other two weeks that passed involved the lion king where I made a savory pancake with veggies in the shape of a lions head with an avocado mane and chopped grape tomato face. Unfortunately for me the outcome looked a little like a rabid murderous lion so I didn't capture it on film. With that whole dentist/lion business  I figured it would just be too much for some people;) For dessert I picked up chocolate vegan ice cream and threw in some licorice bits as "bugs" since I didn't have time to find vegan gummy worms. Lastly Justin had "The Emperor's New Groove," and it completely slips my mind what he did because to my recollection it had nothing to do with the movie but I'm sure he doesn't day dream about obscure film connections to food all day long like I do. 

Unexpected Horrors

When I was a child I used to love to play with snakes, frogs, caterpillars (particularly the kind that turned into monarch butterflies), and once even a detached squirrel tail my sister found in the yard. We loved that thing, but even that couldn't compare to the fondness we had for roly polys. Ah many a summer we spent creating homes and mazes for our many-legged friends. We'd get in trouble for taking stuff out of the garbage to build mansions for them, we'd pretend they were having babies, we'd take them inside and place them on our jungle gym. Poor things. 

Justin is well aware of the many memories I've recounted to him surrounding my fascination with these jolly little bugs. When we moved into our house he discovered a nest of roly polys in that weird sprinkler box that most back yards have. Countless times he encouraged me to go lift the top off and pet the hoard of friends I would undoubtedly find there. 

Many a days passed and just this last weekend in the blazing sun Justin removed the top of the roly poly factory to reveal an atrocity. Black widows... Everywhere. Like 50 at least not counting the egg sacks. Imagine my near pooping pants experience as we attempted to spray them with poison. They resisted because they are such foul beasts. We went to plan B which included a tea kettle and pot full of boiling water. Being as those bastards likely come straight from hell I'm not sure if they survived the whole fiasco. Probably. And now they are probably peeping over my shoulder as I write this planning my death. 

Beastly Appetite

Sometimes I get irritable when door to door sales people come by. It could just be me but more often then not they disrupt us during dinner. As any good sales person knows... Never come between a beast and her dinner. 

A couple weeks ago one such sales associate who was one of those weirdos that rides around in a van selling "magazines" and "books" for like two hundred dollars more than what they're worth. I sat in my lair out of sight from the front door and listened as a shirtless Justin entertained the sales bastard. 

'Just tell him to go away so we can eat,' I thought. My telecommunication channels seemed to be dysfunctional. I listened as the sales person literally asked Justin how much money he had on him right now so he could buy a vegan cook book. I immediately got up and stepped in front of justin. 

Sales Guy: oh you're vegan?

Me: we are trying to eat! Seriously you ask people how much money they have? No. I'm hungry go away! 

Then I shut the door. And I felt kind of bad. *sigh. 

Justin says I should answer the door every time a sales person is knocking. 

And They Lived Happily Ever After... Til the End of Their Days

Two Saturday's ago, July 25th, Justin prepared me for his absence by claiming he had to once again work over time. With a heavy sigh I consented to his need to be a responsible adult. While he was gone I planned an excursion to Jump Creek for later that evening. I excitedly reasoned that the time had finally come to gift a couple of beach towels to my hard working man because Jump Creek has a waterfall with a pool of sorts at the base and we anticipated swimming.

I had a fleeting thought that I had completely caught Justin off guard with this amazingly awesome gift. I was happy. 

We arrived at Jump Creek and parked by where we assumed the entrance to the hiking trail to the pool was. We climbed, and climbed then climbed some more. Sweat beads erupted on my forehead as I began to heave my thunder thighs up the mountain side. Thirty minutes later our path suddenly truncated to a cliff which only an expert rock climber could manage descending.

Dishearteningly we turned round and climbed all the way back to the beginning of the trail. 

With my legs like Jell-o (mostly from fear of careening down the side of the mountain and constantly flexing as we trekked the path) we decided to go ahead and follow the proper path to the waterfall. This was so very easy compared to the one we just completed. There was one bit which crossed a creek. Stones were dispersed throughout the water to allow for safe stepping across the creek. I had to get down on all fours to cross because the perilous two inches of water that lurked beneath the rocks was too much for me to wrap my brain around. 

We made it at last across the creek and to the waterfall.

We watched for ten minutes or so as the hoodlums littering the area drank beer and smoked cigarettes. We decided to call it good and head home. We reached the creek once more on the return journey and I once again placed my sunglasses on my face as I knelt down on all fours and started crossing the creek under the cave like structure it resides in. It very dark with my sunglasses on but I noticed Justin squat down. He was holding what I thought was a stick or a rock in his hand and he asked me to marry him. 

 

Totally and utterly caught off guard I immediately began repeating non-stop, "are you kidding, are you serious?" It was all I could come out with since tired Jell-o legged me assumed Justin was just trying to make me hurry my fat ass up. But dear readers I was wrong, and Justin was serious. And I said yes. 

So forever more I shall always remember Saturday last as the day the one ring was passed from a man to a woman in a cave deep within the misty mountains thus forging an impenetrable bond for the rest of all eternity. 

Abandon Shitz

Man on Phone: Security

Me: Yes, I was coming back from lunch when I almost stepped in poop. 

Security Man: Okay?

Me: Yes human poop. There is a pair of lacy black boy shorts filled with feces in the parking lot. 

Security: Are you kidding me? That's disgusting. 

Me: I didn't know who to call but I didn't want anyone to accidentally step in it. 

Security: What is the approximate location of the poop?

Me: In employee parking... The last parking spot closest to the freeway. 

Security: Groundskeeping and House keeping will have to duke it out because I'm not cleaning that up. 

Seriously who poops their pants and then leaves the evidence in employee parking of the hospital??? These are strange times we live in. Shudder. 

Engaging News

How strange is it that I selected August 1st as my blog return day instead of July 31st (J. K. Rowling and Harry Potter's birthday)? Weird. I need to be better at planning these things. 

While I was away something exciting happened... 

I know what you're thinking, 'Malina you spank Justin every damn day.' Yes this is true but look closer my friends:

Yup. It's official Justin decided to make me an honest woman. We are beyond thrilled. I was absolutely surprised and will share the engagement story with you soon. I just wanted to give a grand re-entrance because it felt appropriate. 

Now the real fun will begin with planning for our special day. Feliz Navidad :) 

See you in August

I am taking a little rest from blogging :) I shall return in August. 

Oh Deer

A few days ago I explored the sidewalk sale at Fred Meyer with a friend of mine. Fortunately for my pocket book I found nothing to purchase though I can't say I didn't find anything of interest. 

Many years ago I discovered that there was this product called deer away. 

Fred Meyer had an entire shelf outside devoted to half off deer away. I wondered why anyone could possibly wish deer away. And how you could ever manage to get a deer within the distance to spray it in the face with deer away is beyond me. Whenever I try to get close to a deer it bounds away except that one time when I was in the passenger seat of the car Justin used to pet that one deer in Montana. But animals always flock to Justin so really the deer weren't trying to come see me that day. 

Anyway the next day at work we were surrounded by deer. I'm not sure what happened. But I think maybe those very deer saw me at Fred Meyer and were super happy that I didn't buy the deer away. In fact deer are probably always stalking me because they are waiting for that day where they can finally tell me that yes I am a Disney princess. 

A Lad + a Terrible Din

Justin and I decided to start a new tradition because we are sappy romantics who can't get enough date nights. Our tradition? Disney Wednesday's. Beginning last Wednesday Justin selected three Disney movies we own. I secretly picked one of the three and planned a dinner themed around the movie. 

This seemed like such a cutesy idea and despite the horrific outcome I think we will keep it going. I selected "Aladdin," as our movie and decided upon an Indian cuisine of naan and dal. I love me some dal but only when it comes from Whole Foods because they cook with magic. Mine tasted like tomato paste and raw beans. Justin was a trooper and pretended to like it before making us both a salad. Lame sauce... literally. Even the genie couldn't fix my disaster. 

Also I was highly disappointed because once upon a time I owned a Jasmine costume from my dance recital when I was nine. I must have thrown it out. All I could find was the headband so I wasn't received with the same excitement I would have been had I been lucky enough to find, and squeeze my ass into my costume. There is always next week. 

Face to Face

I have been trying to be super diligent with face care given the fact that I'm nearly thirty. I think we had this conversation back when I scared the pants of Justin with this beauty-enchanting mask. 

I had an extra long 4th of July weekend since my boss just must know how darn patriotic I am. I may have fallen asleep before the fireworks but hey it's the thought that counts. 

Back to my face issue... Since I don't believe in Botox/face lifts/collagen etc I've been trying all kinds of new face products so one of my BFFs and I got to try a mask from Lush together the other day. 

I must say I like the Serial killer mask better. Not just for the pizaz but for the overall benefits it provided to my skin. Now I know. And Justin knows too for he has been warned that from now on the caffeine masks will be included in my beauty regimens. 

Aside from that I enjoyed a lovely dinner for one with some summer bruschetta because despite my having an extended holiday weekend Justin had to work over time. Don't worry he got to indulge when he got home. 

I accompanied dinner with a large free (yay star program) Starbucks. All in all a pretty darn good day if I say so myself. 

Lord of the Jersey Shore

A few days back I found a list of complaints Justin had made that I had recorded on the notepad in my phone. It was when he was highly stressed before a trip we took and he was firing off issues he was having every thirty seconds or so. I have been forbidden to share those complaints so I started a new list of Justin-isms. These are not complaints but rather random things he said:

1. While I was playing a game on my phone I said, "could it be the answer to my question is Serena Williams?" To which Justin replied: "That's so weird because golf is on too!"

2. While playing our new Lord of the Rings game Justin asked me to hand him "Bro-o-Mir instead of Boromir. I asked him if that was Boromir from Jersey Shore but he didn't find it funny. 

3. After returning from his trip to California Justin listed off all the food he had consumed. Among those food items were fried cucumbers and Mazzah sticks (I think he meant fried zucchini and mozzarella sticks). 

Unfortunately this list is not as expansive as the complaints list but being that I would like to live a little longer we will just roll with it. 

Also today I went to the store for some lemons and strawberries but I found this: 

Oops. 

An Unexpected Journey

"It's a dangerous world out there, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep you're feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.' -J. R. R. Tolkien 

Except when you do step out your door you might stumble upon something fantastic which allows you to escape to middle earth and battle your enemies just like Gandalf did. 

I'm telling ya used bookstores is where it is at. Justin found this game at an exceptional bargain ($12 my friends). Between this and the Jane Eyre set I picked up the other day I think we have a new favorite pastime. 

Also we explored downtown for about two minutes. Specifically just the backside of this interesting building across from the used book store. It was sweltering today so we couldn't venture too far. 

My favorite part of this is the ice cream cone. "Keep clear," let us try to persuade you not to keep clear by placing a tasty ice cream cone on the door. 

My favorite part of this one is the handsome man standing with his hands in his pockets. 

X Ray Vision

The day has finally come; Justin is back home from California. Finally. Finally, finally, finally. 

This morning I stalker called justin about six times each time his phone was directed straight to voice mail. This was highly bothersome since I figured he likely realized how much of a cat-obsessed, narwhal-loving, Harry Potter believing weirdo I am and decided to get out while he still could. Fortunately I was wrong and he left California earlier than originally planned and thus was home when I got off work. 

I was so excited to see him that I had to busy myself by attempting to organize the office I was at today. I found this video about "X raying," 

Seemed pretty fishy to me! Anyway I'm finally home and Justin is sprawled on the couch snoring away like a little rhinoceros except with a bigger butt. Life is good :)

Treasure Hunting

With Justin being out of state I have been trying to keep myself busy to occupy my mind. Today I ran a bunch of ho-hum errands before weaving my way into historic downtown Nampa to a lovely little used book store. I had been eyeballing this particular store for sometime but had yet to get the chance to visit it. 

The kind employee asked me if I needed help finding anything since I essentially was standing there motionless in awe. Something about the smell of used books paralyzes me in a strange kind of euphoria. I explained my desire to find a nice hard cover copy of "Jane Eyre," and of course asked for Harry Potter to see what editions he had in stock. 

His Harry Potter selection was seriously lacking but he did happen to produce this lovely copy of not only "Jane Eyre" but also "Wurthering Heights."

I knew I had stumbled upon a treasure so I didn't blink when I saw the $15 price tag I immediately agreed to buy it. 

When I arrived home a simple search revealed the set to be worth $100 more than what I paid at a minimum. Needless to say it was a great find. To fill my Harry Potter void I decided to have a Harry Potter movie marathon... Why I didn't think of this sooner is beyond me :)

Notice the quote on my coffee cup :) which was part of a gift exchange I did on reddit last month. 

Travelatrocity to Home Sweet Home

Sometimes I feel like I should leave town more often. After being violently ill on our trip back from Baker City yesterday I was affronted with some work news that I was less than enthusiastic about receiving. Coupled with the fact that I hadn't eaten in 24 hours, the fact we had to stop five hundred times on the way home thus turning a 2.5 hour trip to 4-5 hours-ish I was in a right foul mood after said news. 

I called Justin and vented once I got to headquarters and was able to be in the privacy of my own car. He listened intently and offered advice as he normally does in rough times. I disconnected with him and headed home to find this:

It led to a series of notes in the house and this gorgeous plant (notice the vase)

and some brand new lawn chairs for out back. I tried to get photos but when I did I was faced with an eight legged beast so I scurried back inside before I was attacked. 

I can't begin to put into words the comfort in having someone so thoughtful and appreciative to come home to. I guess it is true what they say... home is where the heart is. *sigh I'm being too sappy so ta ta for now. Before you go please take a moment to appreciate the beautiful new cell phone case I got. 

Everything my little heart could desire. 

Veni,Vidi, Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered. 

And I almost bought a dress because the kitty totally picked one out for me. 

Unfortunately it was a bit short for my liking. I wanted to buy the kitty but she wasn't for sale. I do highly recommend visiting Mad Habit should you find yourself in Baker City, Oregon and if you like cats, cute dresses, art, and jewelry. 

Here are a few other amateur iPhone photos I took while on my work trip;