Baking and Chocolate Goodness

In addition to everything else she did, Michelle sent me yummy vanilla and a brownie recipe for my birthday. Well, I had to try it, right?

I've misplaced my camera, so these pictures are being taken with my phone.


In the pan, with foil so I can wrap them up and send them with John to work tomorrow.



Carnage on the plate.

Yum. Thanks Michelle!

Birthday Gifties!

#0 was about a week before my birthday. My cow-orker Russ and his wife gave me a $30 B&N gift card, since I'm 30-something.

#1 was from the kitties - the rear end of a vole, and the entrails laid out delicately with it. They show they care in their own twisted little feline manner.

#2 was from that crazy UCFer Michelle!! I got a copy of Night Watch, the very book that I (while said book was in transit) demanded to know (on her blog) why I'd not read it. Creepy. Cool.

#3 was $$ from my Dad. I'm 36, I don't really expect gifts from my parents, but it makes him happy, so I take his money, and then pay bills. It seems like the sort of thing a parent would approve of.

I know that some friends will have treasures for me on Friday, when about 10 of us are gathering for dinner, with my natality as the excuse. Oh, the anticipation!!

Anyhoo.... Yay! Thank you everyone. I am a very fortunate person in my friends.

July 1

What is today?

It's Canada Day! Fireworks, barbequeueueueues, and singing of that lovely national anthem O Canada. As an Alaskan, I'm frequently mistaken as being from Canada's most western province/territory - Alaska. That's ok, we like Canadians. Even though I do find this song to be hilarious. Serge and Kimby are Canadian. Yay Canada!

What else is it? Oh, it's my cousin Wendy's birthday. Wendy is 3 years younger than me. Her mom is 11 years older than I am. Yes, I come from a family of easy women and early breeders. But you know what? All three of my aunt's daughters have finished their BA degrees, and the youngest in school to become a Physician's Assistant. So, even if we have trouble containing our adolescent hormones, we do put an emphasis on education. And contraception, for this generation. I've always been proud of my aunt for not perpetuating a stereotype.

Oh, and I do believe that it is MICHELLE'S birthday today. Hmm. I wonder what INTERESTING birthday gifties will be arriving this week? The mind boggles....

Rocky Mountain Hi!

Yup, as my regular readers (all 17 of you) know, I am in the lovely city of Denver for another 24 hours. I'm here for a work conference. In the interests of professionalism I am refraining from naming the conference, as they will be receiving a 3 page (as of today) missive on how they can/should/better improve their conferences. The yesterday I thought it was because I was tired and cranky. Two years ago I thought it was because I was new in the job. Today I know that the program committee can't plan their way out of a saturated paper bag. An old super-saturated paper bag, one that's been litter on the side of the road all through the winter, and has endured traffic, sun, freeze thaw cycles, etc.

But, enough of my diatribe.

Getting to meet Janiece and Anne was FABULOUS!!!

Anne graciously and kindly retrieved me from the airport, we had a tasty lunch, and Janiece dumped me off at the hotel, with luggage and John's transmission!

My earrings from Jeri arrived on Saturday before I left Fairbanks. I will take and share pictures later (I think I packed the camera cable...??), but the best news is that they perfectly match the jacket I packed to wear during my presentation tomorrow. Wo0t!!1!

Had dinner with boss and coworker at India House, off of Blake, in downtown. Yum. Chicken Saag. Yum. Tonight I gave into my need for franchise food and had the Thai Lettuce Wraps at Cheesecake Factory. And brought back to my room a piece of Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. Breakfast will be good.

Haven't had much time to do anything fun. Meetings all day (until 6 PM). Had dinner. Picked up a tank to wear under my jacket. No Serge, not an M5 or A39, but an article of clothing. If I did have an M5, I suspect I'd be accessorizing it more than it accessorizing me. An M5 would look really cool in the back yard. Um, anyway, I'm rambling. Probably time to review my talk again and hit the showers.

PS - if you guys can let me know when the cat mats get there, that'd be great. I'm always intrigued by how long things take to get via US Mail. Nathan and my dad got their packages in three days. Other folks, apparently five+.

Soft, Supple, Glossy, and Pink!

I've been meaning to post this, and my procrastination caused a certain amount of stress for some people (Michelle), for which I am sincerely sorry. The goddesses Procrastinata and Overbookite have me firmly in the ranks of their followers.

So, on May 16th, look what arrived in my PO Box!



I'm a lousy photographer, sorry about the quality.

Aren't they lovely? The Burt's Bees Lip Gloss is a great color, and smells like oranges. I want to eat it every time I use it.

The Alba Lip Balm is a Coconut Flavor. It makes me think of Piña Coladas, which makes me think of that darned song. You know the one.