The Best Vacation Evah!

This past weekend Sarge and I took our respective kids for a weekend at Turner Falls. It was so damn AWESOME!

We got there about 5 pm Friday and finally found out cabin around 5:30 pm. (no my navigational deficiencies had NOTHING AT ALL to do with the difficulty with which it was to find the cabin. The cabin website not having clear directions was to blame.)

As soon as we got settled in the cabin, the kids wanted to go swimming.
We took them to the swimming area near the cabin and let them swim until dusk. Then back to the cabin to grill dinner while the kids showered. The cabin had a kick ass deck that wrapped around half of the cabin.

From the deck we had a really nice view of the water.

After dinner it was time to start making S'Mores! Sarge was in charge of the graham crackers and I had the chocolate and marshmallows.
The kids got to cook the marshmallows.

Saturday morning Sarge and I made breakfast. I cooked the bacon (turkey) and eggs, he cooked the pancakes. While we were cooking Cabbage Patch wandered into the kitchen with her stuffed pig and asked me "Are you making bacon?" I said yes and she covered Piggy's eyes saying "Piggy doesn't want to see that!" lol. She's so funny.

After breakfast Saturday the plan was to go to the caves, come back for lunch, head out to swim until dusk again and repeat dinner and S'Mores. First a quick trip across the street to the trading post to get dish soap. Then my stunning gracefulness shone through like an elephant in a tutu. I proceeded down the stairs and on the bottom step, I twisted my ankle. Yes, really, I twisted my fucking ankle on the bottom step. So back up the stairs I hobble, ice and Alieve and a bit of a rest on the bed. Not wanting to be a downer to the vacation I just got up and got going. Thankfully Sarge was there for me to hold on to when I needed it and the kids were so good, no one was disapointed when we changed the plans from going to the caves to going to swim.

So that was it, the kids swam all morning and played in the mud on the shore while Sarge and I sat and talked and counted the Douchebag's in the area. It was unbelievable.

After swimming Sarge took the kids up to the small cave and I snapped this photo with Sarge's camera when they came down. (his camera because I discovered mine is messed up while the kids were swimming).

Back to the cabin for lunch, the kids took a short nap and we took them back out swimming until dusk again.

Then more grilling, s'mores and watching the stars. Sarge and I saw a shooting star Friday night and Super Girl and Red saw one Saturday night.

Oh yeah, we also had a scorpion in the room. Just a little thing. Sarge took care of that. I would have but scorpions are too much like spiders to me and I didn't feel like screaming like a little girl in front of the kids.
Sunday, we slept in, had breakfast, took showers and headed out. Here we all are outside the cabin. The kids were all so good. I really expected my Tiny Terrorists to be at each others throats but they weren't and it was fabulous.

On the way home despite my faulty directional sense (yes I did tell Sarge to go in the wrong direction), we found the scenic lookout and got some photos. They are so damned adorable!

And the falls.

Such a great vacation, it was sad to have it end. Everything was just perfect.

Wedding Cakes

I've been super busy at work as of late. Doing A LOT of wedding cakes.


This one is actually a grooms cake. I'm not a big Cowboys fan but I LOVE how this cake out.


Meh. I've done this cake several times. I don't even take photos of it anymore it bores me so much.


I absolutely HATE this cake! I loved it until I put on the awful variegated roses they asked for. Variegated roses are best done in moderation.


Another one I dislike. Blah. I dislike the stringy things on it.


This on the other hand, I LOVE. Since all the decoration is gum paste flowers, I had to get that cake as smooth as possible. I love how it came out.

This is another grooms cake. Customers I've worked with before for custom cakes ordered this with the tuxedo strawberries. I told them I had never done them before and they said that they knew I could and paid the $1.99 a strawberry. The wedding cake was like the three tier that I am so bored with.


Ah my favorite shot-gun wedding cake! I get last minute orders for this size cake all the time. I like how it turned out.

And the shot-gun wedding grooms cake. Such a nice couple. I hope their baby was courteous enough to not be born on the wedding day.

I Can Have Smarts?


Free-IQTest.net - IQ Test

Oh, yes I can. ;)

Things Are Good

I've had the best day EVAH. In no particular order...

I got a perfect cup of coffee and let the Tiny Terrorists get Slurpees - for breakfast.

I had a lot of pizza for lunch.

I spent the afternoon with four kids playing Rock Band.

At no time was I even remotely tempted to sell ANY of the kids on Ebay and instead wished they were all mine (not just the two I arrived there with).

Washed someone else's dishes.

Got a few precious moments to spend talking to an amazing man.

Went to the doctor.

Yanked the ex's chain for a few minutes.

Got the best hugs in the whole world.

Discussed a December wedding and all the fabulous stuff I could do to make it AWESOME.

Discussed our upcoming vacation weekend with the Tiny Terrorists.

Found a $50 gift card and took the Tiny Terrorists shopping (the shopping was planned all week, the gift card was a nice surprise).

Spent $42 on outfits for me and the girls (mostly them) and $8 on dinner.

Saw the CUTEST TINY dog and thought of D.

Laughed and laughed and laughed and smiled.

Wished it didn't have to end.

Cakes Even Your Mother Would Love

Mother's Day cakes... a little late. This one ended up being bought for a birthday though.
Got this design from a tattoo. Loved this one, didn't sell though.
This was an order. Apparently the mom is a wine snob... or she is a wino... whatever. I went with Merlot on the bottle instead of MD20/20 just to be safe.

Wedding Cakes

Back To Cake

Murder

This past weekend Sarge and I drove up to Guthrie, OK for a Murder Mystery. It was so damn awesome! We got to dress up in 40's clothes (he looked so dashing!), eat god food, try to figure out a murder with a group of somewhat drunk people and stay and a fabulous bed and breakfast. THEN on the way back, we stopped off in Pauls Valley to see the Toy and Action Figure Museum. It kicked ASS!

The Stone Lion Inn - So fabulous.

Shady attorney Randall Fairgate and his insanely jealous wife Jane.

The mural of the Egyptian God Smutt as he presents the pharaoh his gift of Viagra.

The DC characters in action figure form. So. Fucking. Cool.

Oh yeah... I cut my hair.

Cute isn't it?

I'd write more and catch up on things since my last post the beginning of February, but i have to get ready for work now!

Late Valentine's Cake




Just late posting. My favorite Valentine's cake. It was for a little kid school party.

What Did She Say?

Cabbage Patch was just reading nursery rhymes out loud.

Her: Hot cow buns, hot cow buns, one, two, three...
Me: What? Hot COW buns?
Her: *ignoring me* Hot cow buns, hot cow buns..
Me: Hot CROSS buns, not hot COW buns!

Holiday Confusion

Cabbage Patch: Only one person didn't do Valentine's Day.
Super Girl: Who?
CP: Matthew.
Super Girl: Why?
CP: Because his parents don't want him to.
Me: It's because of his religion.
CP: What?
Me: Like how we don't celebrate Christmas and Easter.
CP: We celebrate Easter!
Me: No, no we don't. Your dad does.
SG: I celebrate Groundhog Day!
Me: ....

Totally Worth It

Paying other people to run the birthday party. The kids had a fab time, the grown ups had a great time and I didn't have to do anything other than show up with cake (and money). Yay for gay party planners who do everything!

Why I Rock

Because two days before a wedding someone can book me to make THIS: And I make it happen even though today is Valentine's day (busiest day of the year).

Seriously... who books a 4 tiered cake that feeds 134 people with two days notice? Who?

A two day notice for a wedding cake should be THIS:
People are crazy.

Happy Birthday Super Girl!

Holy shit! I have a 10 year old!

VD Surprise



It's a candle! So damn cute! Such a sweet surprise. I love it!

(Sicko, you thought it was something that would require antibiotics!)

Things That Make Me Laugh

Cabbage Patch said she wanted to be a tattoo artist when she grows up.

Cabbage Patch has to do a project for Black History Month. One of the people on the list of notable African Americans is RuPaul. I didn't take any convincing to get her to decide on RuPaul as her subject. I'm thoroughly impressed that her teacher would include RuPaul on the list.

Extended Hours

I worked forEVER today. Really. It was forever. Infact I think I'm still at work and I just THINK I'm home. The worst part is that I didn't finish everything. Man it was a busy day. HUGE shipment of product. Bad weather blowing in spurring many people on to SHOP for groceries. I even left a cake undone. I just had to leave, it was 2 hours past when I was supposed to get off work. 2 hours. Tomorrow is a day off for me, but I'm going to go in to do that damn cake. Gah!

And bad weather... blowing through now. Just heard the thunder. Listening to the weather on the TV now. Have had calls from Sarge and K tonight alerting me to tornado warnings in my area. *sigh* Gotta love those men. Ah! Tornado warning cancled for my area. And.... the tornado sirens just went off...

Hair Change

One Week To Go

Super Girl's 10th birthday party. I'm just now starting to get stressed. How awesome is that? I'm a bit of a control freak in the party area. This year I'm paying for the party AT a place, like I did with her sister's party this past year. It was super easy and yet super hard. Easy because I just throw money at this place to make it happen all I have to do is show up with cake and children. Hard because I have to give up control on this and THAT is making me a little MENTAL. I know, I know, get the fuck over it. I'm trying!

Rude?

One mom RSVP'd for her child today and then asked if her older daughter could come along. I honestly didn't know what to say so I just said yes. I've been that kid who's sister went to the party and I got to stay home, I lived yes, but I kind of felt left out. I don't EVER do this when the Tiny Terrorists get invitations, just seems pushy and rude. Just weird.

Hair Color and Stuffed Olives

I colored my hair... really, really dark brown with burgundy over. And cut bangs in. I really like it. Though it still shocks me every time I see myself in the mirror.

I ate 10 or so stuffed olives tonight. Some with garlic, others with jalapenos. mmmmmmm.

BSG

Holy shit! Un-fucking-believable! Damn I wish it wasn't ending.

Procrastination...

Sending out invites for Super Girl's party just now. Party is the 15th. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

I suck.

Bragging

Just had to tell people how very proud I am of my oldest child. Super Girl's 10th birthday is on the 13th and we are having her party on the 15th. Earlier this year the girls and I walked in a 5K for Heroes For Children, some of you may remember me asking for donations for the team we walked with. That experience made such an impact on Super Girl that she decided to collect donations for Heroes For Children in lieu of getting gifts for her birthday.

If you'd like to support her in this endeavor, you can go to the Heroes For Children web site and make a donation in Super Girl's honor. http://www.heroesforchildren.org/donate.html (contact me for her name to do that in - I really didn't name my kid Super girl.)

I'm humbled by her compassion and generosity. And so glad she's my little girl.

Thanks
Judy

Gang Lands

Today I made a birthday cake for a gang member. My first gang (and probably only) gang cake. WTF?

Change

My goodness this website sure does need a change. I've had this same background for probably 5 years as I got the background from my exboyfriend. I like it really, I just think it's time to change things up a bit. And for the life of me I can't think of what to do. Blah. Rut. Blog Rut.

Moving on, D has moved out (mostly) and Super Girl is itching to move into that room. More changes on the horizon. It's all good.

Work is in a constant state of flux at the moment. One person quits, the other part time person is turning out to be somewhat flaky and no clue how it'll work out with the new person when she's hired.

And I'm blogging once again. I kind of fell off the earth for a while. I really was feeling over exposed. I'm not sure I'll go back to regularly blogging on MySpace. To much drama, etc. over there. I'll stay here as I've blogged here for 10 years, just not sure about MySpace.

Now I must get some laundry done and the livingroom straightened up before I head to bed. Inventory tomorrow so I HAVE to be at work on time. Blah. Not enough days off.

I Love February

The unpredictable weather. The short month. The silly holidays. Pink and red. Hearts and flowers. And I get to make pretty cakes. I get to give the ones I love a token of my devotion and affection (and take one of them to see the King Tut exhibit).

Dear February;

Be my Valentine. I'll even put out on the first date!

All yours,
Judy

I HEART Starbucks

Cup #76

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating - in work, in play, in love. the act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. to commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."

Anne Morris

What a lovely sentiment on a cup filled with my favorite beverage.

Ambition

Her: Hey mom, when I grow up, I'm going to make Kung Fu fighting Peeps.
Me: That's great honey.

Yay! Time to order COOKIES!! This is Cabbage Patch's first year to sell cookies! Super Girl is very excited and has set a goal of selling 250 boxes this year, last year she exceeded her goal of 200 boxes thanks to you guys! (remember the money the troop earns from the cookie sales goes to help fund activities for the troop.)

This year there are new cookies - Dulce De Leche. And of course all the old favorites. And still just $3.50 a box. Here are the varieties to choose from:

Lemon Chalet Creams - Tasty Lemon sandwich cookies
Trefoils - shortbread cookie
Do-Si-Dos - crisp oatmeal cookies with creamy peanut butter filling
Samoas - vanilla cookies, covered with caramel, rolled in toasted coconut, and striped with chocolate.
Sugar Free Chocolate Chips (NEW!))
Tagalongs (my personal favorite) Tasty cookies topped with creamy peanut butter and covered with chocolate.
Thin Mints (who doesn't love these?!?!?!)
Dulce De Leche (NEW!!!) Inspired by the classic confections of Latin America, these sweet, indulgent cookies are rich with milk caramel chips and stripes

Again this year the Girl Scouts are offering the Troop to Troop option, as in the Girl Scout Troop will send cookies to the military troops. If you'd like to do this, please let me know as payment for those orders is due right away (the cookies are shipped directly from the bakery to the military).

Let me know what you'd like to order! (feel free to pass along my info to anyone you know who would like cookies.)

Hugs!
Judy

*note - if you are one of the few people who won't order unless one of the girls calls you personally, email me back with your phone number and a good time for one of them to call and give you their schpeel.

January: Blustery Winds, Cold Rain

Kitties

Told You There Would Be Photos

Wedding Cakes.

Happy New Year

Wow, it's been a while since I posted. Life has been busy to say the least. I'll fast forward to the holidays just to save time and skip over all the depressing, boring crap (save it for a therapist).

The Tiny Terrorist Invade Disneyland.

This year my dear sister D took my offspring to California for their winter break from school. The entire break. (Yes she is somewhat crazy) Meaning the progeny spent Hanukkah and New Years Eve at Disney. They also went to the beach, saw the Walk of Fame, put their little hands and feet in prints around Mann's Chinese Theater, saw Miley Cyrus (gag) getting in/out of her limo twice, saw the Hollywood sign, got to fly first class part of the trip and just had the best damn time two kids could have for nearly two weeks and still want to come home to their mother. The Tiny Terrorists are so damn lucky to have an aunt who adores them so much. I am lucky my sister is so good to my girls and is someone I can trust with my kids.

D sent me photos just about every day of their adventures (of which there were many) and I can't wait to sit with her and look at them all.

So that freed me up to... WORK! and do lots of it! I did have time to spend a night of Hanukkah with Sarge and his boys. We made an awesome dinner, opened pressies, watched a movie and had awesome chocolate cheesecake. It was probably the best Hanukkah I've had in many years. And then I worked more! My manager took 4 days off after Christmas starting with the Saturday after Christmas, leaving me, the Assistant Bakery Manager, in charge. yikes. I managed to not burn down the bakery. But it wasn't easy! New Year's Eve was again one of the best one's I've had in years. Quiet, low key, dinner, games, movie with Sarge and his boys.

2008 has been a really weird year. The end of the year being so much better than the middle of the year. I'm hoping that the good stuff is a trend that will continue through 2009. And for you too, may 2009 be a really weird, wonderful year!

I'll post photos of cake and stuff tomorrow - promise!