I know you don't care, but....

Landscaping, Part II.

When I was little I used to wonder why neighbors & family would blather on incessantly about remodeling and/or landscaping projects they had done when we would come to visit. My parents would politely listen and perhaps even ask questions but I was sooooo bored. Who cares about someone else's grass, really? New toilet? Whooo-hooo...

So what I'm saying is, I know you don't care about my new flower beds. Me talking about it makes me seem like a 60-year-old trapped in a younger body. Incredibly domestic. But because of the staggering amount of time Matt and I slaved outside over the past 3 months of weekends, I will subject you to pictures from one of our projects:

The before:

And, the after. Was it worth it?

Not Ashamed to be a Chocoholic...

Yes, I know, I know.... I have been slacking on my blogging duties lately. Two little things I like to call "work" and "laziness." I am burdened with a lot of each lately. Alas, I will bless you with a goofy picture of me without too much backstory....

So there I was, Matt's ball wrapping up, me finishing the unusually delicous chocolotate cake - And I notice, to my amazement, that I was the only one at our table who didn't scarf down their cake. I'm not shy, so I asked Abby if I could have her piece. Apparently, this was incredibly funny to everyone, something about me being a "pig." Whatever, two pieces of cake is even more delightful that one piece of cake, I have no regrets.... Except that the other ladies thought it would be really cute if they took a picture of me gorging, shoving all the rest of the cake at the table into the picture that I didn't actually end up eating. Yeah, so there's your picture.

Chipmunks dude, Chipmunks!!

I just want everyone to know I like chipmunks. Here is a picture with one of the less camera-shy little fellers that likes to hang out in our backyard. That is, until Matt started throwing things at the cute little guys....

I Hate Crocs

I didn't even know what they're called, but I noticed a bunch of the neighborhood kids and some (gasp!) adults wearing them too. I'm all about comfort over fashion, but these things are just straight ridiculous. I'm glad someone else shares my thoughts....

http://www.ihatecrocs.com/

Matt's Big Challenge

And I thought I had funny dreams.... Some quick background here: Matt is prone to bouts of sleep-walking every great once-in-a-while, usually after he's been sleep-deprived for a while. He doesn't normally walk around, but usually sits up and starts talking, eyes wide open and all - so I don't always recognize immediately that he's not in reality. This of course makes it funnier.....

Anyway, we've been on opposite schedules lately, with me getting home very late and Matt waking up very early. So when I get home I try to be very quiet, and, being the stealthy ninja that I am, Matt usually continues to sleep soundly. One night last week I was laying down and heard a mumble. The "conversation" went something like this:

MATT: mmmmmblemble mummmble mfle MBLE! mfflllfe mbll mfbllle.... What time is it?
KACIE: (quietly) Late - sorry, didn't mean to wake you up...
MATT: You need to tell him to weigh in.
KACIE: Do what? Tell who?
MATT: The fat one! That rolly-polly 12-year-old over there...
KACIE: 12-year-old, what???
MATT: Everybody has weighed in but him, he needs to weigh in!!
KACIE: (attempting to muffle uncontrollable laughter in my pillow)
MATT: (after a long pause.... ) They think I'm not watching, but I notice these things!!

Yeah, so that's about it. My entertainment for the week. The best part is that Matt has absolutely no recollection of this or the dream it came from (nor does he ever). I imagine he must have been dreaming that he was a counselor at fat camp, which I also believe to be his secret dream-job.

Sorry Sarah!

I just can't do it. As ridiculous as it sounded to me initially, after doing a little research I would feel like too much of a cold, heartless, you know... if I poked fun at the idea.

A quick backstory here: A relative, eh, "Tim" called one day with the really bright idea to get a helper-monkey for an arthritic relative who requires daily assistance from a nurse/caregiver. At first I thought Tim was joking, the words "helper monkey" bringing images of chaotic zoo scenes and flashbacks of Zack as a toddler to mind. I felt bad though when I realized how serious Tim was about the idea, and I admit after consideration it would be pretty neat. Helper monkeys are pretty amazing actually and provide a great deal independence to the folks they help. However, our relative doesn't really fit the target profile for the particular non-for-profit group.

So my heart softened I stopped making fun of Tim. Surprisingly though, my saintly sister has been begging me to post a blog poking fun at "Tim." But I can't bring myself to do it, so here is a picture of one of the cute little fellers in action....

http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org/

Backyard Badassery

This is my friend Michelle. She cares about two things: crime fighting, and hearing conservation for the unborn. I think that's cool. I also think its really cool that she had a pistol readily available for this picture. Seriously though, the smaller of the two marksmen should be celebrating their first birthday today, so congratulations!!

(note: Michelle, thanks for humoring me with the shooting-range pose)