DOW, what?! And Cookies, yay!

Does anyone in my blog-o-sphere understand what's going on in the stock market?  I know that it is down.  I am assuming that most likely the $15 a paycheck (haha- I am obviously more concerned about rent than retirement!) I put in my 401K is probably all gone now.  Hmmm, I know that at one time I understood the whole Bull/Bear Market and recession thing, but it has since left my list of things I care to think about.  In fact, since moving to Los Angeles, I pretty much steer clear of most news items and try to just focus on the good happenings of those around me.  Might be a tad naive way to live life, but it is how I survive in the city of shootings and knifings and the world of bombings and terrorists.   

Which brings me to my current dilemma... it has recently come to my attention that my bank, the simple Wamu with the free checking, has collapsed and been bought out.  My money is safe of course, so that is not what I am worried about.  It just makes all the words I have been hearing thrown around: "Recession" "Depression" "Market Bailout," stand out more.  I have heard my grandmother's stories of the great depression from her childhood.  I can't imagine our technological world turning into life like that, but what would it turn to be? 

Now on a more fun note:  I am going to be making these REALLY delicious cookies tonight for a cookie contest at work tomorrow.  They are a recipe that Christina sent me of these amazing cookies that she brought to a Project Runway night.  I have never made them, so I am pretty nervous, but I knew that I needed something unique to have a chance.  The reining champion is Beth with her pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  Fingers crossed that my Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Cookies turn out well.  And may the best cookie win.

EDIT:  I have added this pic of the final product.  Caleb has the camera with him, so I have to settle for the camera phone pic.  Sorry, poor picture quality, my dark kitchen doesn't help.

They are soooo rich, luckily I could only eat one, so there are plenty left to take to work.

Confession Time

Nope.  I have not finished a single room in my "Seasonal Cleaning" scheme.  Not that I have changed my mind about it being a good idea, I just found it a little overwhelming of an idea to do on my own.  Plus I have been keeping myself sooo busy that I just haven't had the time.  I have luckily over the last few days found the time to at least make my apartment liveable, which is at least the first step.  So I will be returning to the deep cleaning idea around um... Winter.  That way Caleb will be home to help me.

I went to six flags yesterday with some friends to celebrate a birthday.  My head and neck are still throbbing from all the insane rides I did.   I was so brave (crazy) and excited (nervous and anxious) to jump right on these rides (nearly walked right to the exit instead- actually did on 2) and afterward felt exhilarated (sore) and energetic (really, really tired).  Seriously, I had a great time and was really impressed with my list of thrill rides.  

Here are just a few of the many that I braved...

The Viper

Deja Vu

Goliath

Tweak Update:  Caleb and Ashton are in Carbondale, IL (our hometown).  They played a great show last night and it went really well.  They get to hang out with family for a few days before they have to leave to head further east.  I knew this part of his tour would be the hardest for me, because not only do I miss him, but I am also feeling left out of being in Carbondale and seeing our family.

Less than two weeks until I get to see him! YAY!

The "Birds" are in Boise

For those of you following "caleb's band" they are in Boise, ID right now.  They had been in Portland for the last 3 days.  They were stuck there yesterday because they were having the heat fixed in the van and the part wasn't in until this morning.  I guess it actually never came in, so the guy rigged the broken part and gave them a box with 1 new part in it and sent them on their way. They'll have to get the other part and have it fixed the right way when they get a break while in Carbondale.

I got a little irritated yesterday when Caleb's phone was dead and I couldn't get ahold of him, but other than that, I think I am doing really well being alone.  Luckily I have been really tired by the time I'm ready for bed, which makes sleeping alone so much easier. 

I haven't done any sewing.  I haven't done any cleaning since the weekend.  It is hard to motivate myself to get going on that sort of thing.  I won't really be home after work much this whole week, so the cleaning will have to wait until this weekend.  I have a dress that I am wanting to make, so hopefully I will get to start that this weekend too.

Hopefully next post, I will have something more exciting to report.

Seasonal Cleaning

(I am posting this topic as motivation to myself to actually go through with this idea) 

Having moved 7 times since high school 8 years ago... I am no stranger to renting.  I have rented houses and apartments of all shapes and sizes.  When you rent and are moving out, you have to CLEAN that place in order to get your whole deposit back.  The last few times we moved, I found myself irritated that I was cleaning my house for someone else, and not getting to enjoy that deep clean during my year there.  (Not that we're nasty dirty, just that we don't think about cleaning inside the stove or under the fridge very often)  Since we've been in our current apartment for over 2 years now, I came up with the idea to clean every time the season changes.  4 times a year. Inside the stove, under the fridge, etc.  That way we can enjoy the deep clean after we do it, and when we finally do move out, it hopefully won't be as big of a chore.

The first day of Fall this year starts on Monday.  (PS- yay for Fall! I am so bored of my summer clothes and can't wait to break out the stuff I've all but forgotten about)   With Caleb being gone, this time it will all fall on me, which is a little fair since it was my idea, and I could've just thought of something else.  But the task seems daunting.  I think I'll start in the living room.  This is my "check" system.  When I've actually accomplished a room, I'll probably post it up here.  If there is nothing posted, you all will know that I just gave up. haha!  That is my motivation to stick with it.

Quick update on "Caleb's band":  They are headed to Portland, OR tonight.  They played last night in Arcata, CA (north of Eureka) and did really well.  People are receiving them well, and they are selling quite a few tshirts, records and cds each night.  If they continue at this pace, they may sell out of their merch before the end of the tour!

And they're off!

First stop Oakland tonight.

MidWeek Update

*** WARNING, DOWNER ALERT***

CB leaves tomorrow for his tour. Of course, this creates a bunch of mixed emotions.

I am...

Excited for him to see so much of this country's beauty.

Proud that he gets to go back to our hometown and play a show.

Happy that he's living out his dream as it is all starting to unfold.

Sad that he'll be gone.

Bummed that I'm left out of this adventure.

Anxiously awaiting the trip I'll take to Chicago to see him in 4 weeks.

Glad that cell phones were invented so I'll be able to talk to him all I want.

Sad that he'll be gone.

Looking forward to watching every show that airs on ABC.com to keep me occupied.

Starting to get that squeeze in my chest that makes it hard to breathe.

Relieved that I can support him in this.

Sad that he'll be gone.

It's just 5 weeks. It will be over and he'll be back before we know it.

And once he's back it'll be holiday season! Yay!

PS- BABY MAMA starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, was probably the funniest movie I've seen all year! Definitely recommending this one!

What I've been up to...

This week has brought us the birthdays of the "twins"

A Dog backpack for Mason

A Skunk backpack for Stella

A bib and burp cloth for my upcoming nephew-
Caleb drew the bird shape based on the fabric pattern, I love it when we "collaborate"

For Mom and Dad- The very rich chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and chocolate peanut butter glaze... yum!... that I made with my new mixer. Smitten Kitchen for the original recipe and much better pictures of the cake (I went a little glaze happy) Thanks! I love it!

On Tuesday, this band's CD was released into stores (release party next Wednesday night- invite poster on sidebar to left) and they were interviewed for this magazine and had this picture as the pull out poster in the magazine. It is a recreation of an old Who Album cover. To quote Kenley from Project Runway- I think they "pretty much nailed it" Don't you think?

Tuesday night, we saw this musical...

It was WICKEDLY WONDERFUL! I can't believe that I went, what- 3 years! without realizing where the storyline would go. I was shocked the entire first act... She's bad!? She's good!?! Woah! And then SURPRISED the entire 2nd act as everything fell into place. I would elbow Caleb and whisper- wow, that's ____! and he'd look at me like he knew it all along. And I loved that he loved it too! I have to admit, I got a little teary at the end during the ovation. It makes me miss theater just a little.

While at the Pantages, we saw that THIS musical is coming next winter. We are SO there.

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season, is watching Christmas videos. I get a new Christmas movie every year as tradition (one I made up for myself a few years ago! haha- the joys of adulthood- starting your own traditions!). We have so many, and the original Grinch is one that I watch several times every year.

Happy Birthday Dear Stella!

Today is my lovely niece Stella's 3rd Birthday!

This morning, Uncle BB and I called and sang her happy birthday and when we finished, she sang it back to us! "Happy Birdaay, dear Stellwa!"

We love you so much Stella and miss your sweet laugh.

You have always had such a gift for accessorizing...

Whether it is with a big poofy bow...

A cute little hat...


Or a big poofy diaper...

I can't wait to see you dance hopefully I'll make it to a recital someday...

You have the best dress up costumes and look adorable as a ladybug...

Or Alice...


or Maggie Simpson...


And you root for the good guys!


Love you Stella! Happy Birthday!


(All photos courtesy of Makaya Larson Photography or Micah Larson Photography) ;)

Happy Birthday Mase!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my super cool nephew Mason!

Uncle BB and I have loved you since you were born...

You have always been a great eater...

(Which may be why you are so helpful in the kitchen and such a good cook)

And you always look so stylish

You have great skill at building...

And you always look so stylish...

You are an awesome big brother and Oliver (and #3) are so lucky to be your little brothers...

You are a wonderful nephew and BB and I miss you and love you very much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday Twins!

Happy Birthday Harmony and Makaya!

I hope this day and this year bring you the happiness, love and peace that you both deserve.

Thanks for being my big sisters too.

I put this picture up because it is the birthday hug I wish I could give you guys today.

What are the odds?

This afternoon, I ventured over to my local Sherman Oaks Joann Fabrics Store.  As I was crossing the parking lot, I noticed a couple approaching the door in front of me.  I get to the door right behind them, and the door shuts right in front of me, the guy turns around to push it back open, and I realize that I am face to face with a guy named Benji, you know from Good Charlotte... It took me about 1/2 second to realize that Paris was right in front of him.  No way right?  Yep.  They were in there about 30 minutes.  They kept calling each other "babe".   I don't like to take pics of celebrities when they are doing normal life stuff, but I couldn't help but snap off one.  This blurry blue streak is her.