WTB

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where: Muckleshoot Casino and Muckleshoot Bingo Hall
Who: Wolf Pack and Company; 10 strong
Why: Fiwa's Belated Non Birthday Celebration
How: Robicheaux Style

DJ D and Foote.

The night was complete with this full on mullet sighting. All business in the front and all party in the back. How fitting it was for the party to be facing our table. There was a perfectly good cocktail waitress working the floor. She could have made bank if she just would have come to our table, especially since the drinks were Alice in Wonderland tea party size.

All good things come to those who wait but seriously? Any time we wanted a drink one of us had to trek up to the bar and order the round.

Darlene (Fiwa) and I started the evening off with a feast of crab.
All good WTB players need a shrine to bring them luck.

Meet Darlene's Pooh Teddy Elle and company. I hear she will be in camo for our next bingo night.
Bobbi Sue's shrine included a troll purse (which I carried as my purse for the night), the crazy cat from the Dollar Store, a mini howling wolf, and the Jesus and Mary action figures.

We really tried to understand what was going on. Whatever happened to regular bingo was the catch phrase/question of the night.

The Bingo B**** or as we called her, the Bingo Mama.
God bless her. She played right back with us, kept us on point, and laughed instead of getting angry with our loudness and cackling.

As we departed the bingo hall, fireworks went off across the street. We took this as a sign of our fabulousity.

We finished the night up by people watching at another spot.

Good times y'all. Good times.

Who is coming along for the next outing? All you need is a sense of humor and a Robicheaux name. Toys and shrines encouraged.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Right Said Fred

Right Said Fred sang "I'm too sexy for my shirt too sexy for my shirt".

Princess sings the tune of being too sexy for her fur these days.

Two weeks ago when it started to really warm up I decided she was going in for a lion cut.

I'm glad I did this last week because it is sizzling this week.

The first few days she looked cold. Today she looks relieved.

I still think she kinda looks like a bobble head and is sporting little old lady boobies.

The Manx breed is either tailless, has a "rumpy", a "riser" or in her case, a "stumpy".

I am not sure why they shaved her "stumpy" since most lion cuts leave the end of the tail full of fur.

Since they did there is not much she or I can do about it except embrace the "stumpy" in its shaved glory.

I can't wait to see what color her fur grows back in. As she has been aging and experienced the trauma of surgery and her teeth being cleaned, her fur has been peppered with silver/gray.

The days of her being jet black from head to toe are long gone.

Do you think they make Just for Cats like the Just for Men hair color?

Hmmm, maybe I am on to something here...

Back in the Saddle Again

Howdy Peeps!

Vacation was great.

I spent a lot of time in R&R mode, which was exactly what I not only wanted but needed.

Today I'm back to work.

Taking it one task at a time.

In these parts we are expected to be HOT this week. I know some of ya' are having hotter temps than the 90s but on this side of the state, 90s with no AC is pretty darn unbearable.

I usually take to the water when things get like this but I am trying to be good this year and not lay like a lizard in the sun. I fear the first time I step foot in the pool I will be drawn back to doing so like the Texas water baby I am.

I'll see how the week progresses. For now, the grind calls and I am going to take full advantage of the coolness that is inside my home at the moment and knock that do list right out of the park.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #91

Do you have a storage unit or place where you have boxes/containers of possibly long forgotten items stored?

If you have not used the items in 18 months will you need or use them in the next 18 months?

This week I challenge you to think about (possibly act) purging some of those items.

Sidebar: I had storage. Someone else cleaned it out for me. *sigh*

Peace and Love Peeps.

A Week

It is that time of the year.

A week of vacation in which I take time to play.

A week of not answering the phone or texts unless I want to or there is a dire emergency.

A week of staying home or going out.

A week of creative possibilities.

A week of organizing if I choose to do so.

A week of sleeping on my schedule.

A week of recharging.

I'm ready.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #90

This challenge is sparked by something I am overdue in doing.

I need to give my little friend some loving in the cleaning department.

The birds have decided to use my car as a target.

Driving with the windows down allows lots of interesting things, dust, and pollen to take up residence inside.

With that being said, won't you join me in washing your automobile?

Peace and Love Peeps.

Gone Fishing

It's been more than a minute since I packed up the ole kit bag and headed out on the road to do what I do.

Send the vibes for safe travels.

Play nicely while I'm gone a'right?

Please and thank you.

Peace and Love Peeps.

4th of July 2009

The day of the 4th found me tired. Really, really tired so I took a 5 hour nap once I arrived home.

See, the night before I did my sleep study at the hospital and slept very poorly. I'll do a post on that after I find out the results at tomorrow's appointment.

Just know the first thing I did - before the nap - was rub against a parking garage column. I was so focused on what was going on behind me, I failed to pay attention to what was going on in front of me.

After I did a small grr face and took a deep breath I headed home.
While I slept the wolf pack checked out a new joint. It was our sushi place that recently underwent renovations. They still serve sushi and pretty much every kind of Asian dish buffet style your heart can desire.

When I woke up and started calling them to see what was up, it was decided we would hop in the car with Fiwa's hubby for a field trip to the auto parts store.

It doesn't matter where we go or what we do, we have fun y'all.

After a successful auto parts shopping excursion, Mars and Fiwa's hubby left us. I was hungry like none other so Angie and Fiwa went with me to get my Pho on.

After that we did a quick drive through to pick up some chicken and sides so I could drop that grub off at our local firehouse.

On holidays I alternate between the po po and the firemen and bring them goodies on the holidays to thank them for keeping us safe.

This is the first year I haven't cooked, baked, or picked something up at CostCo and taken it to them. This was also the first year since I moved up here that someone went with me.

Of course they stayed in the car but they were along for the ride. Their loss as some serious eye candy was waiting inside. Mmmmhmmmm.

Once this was done we headed to my place for an assembly line of making extra invitations for V's upcoming birthday bash.

This was soon followed by a quick departure to change, pick up Angie's hubby, and off to the firework celebration we went to at our local park.

Once we set up "camp" a trip to the honey buckets and a mocha for Angie's hubby was in order.

The line for the mochas was long. Very, very long. Like a 30 minute wait time long. Fiwa dared me to cut in line.

No dare was needed. I'm the type, in case you didn't already know, that will make friends pretty much where ever I go. I'll talk to anyone about pretty much anything.

I strolled up to the line, approached a woman, and struck up a conversation. She promptly directed me to the back of the line. I should have paid better attention to her body language and known she was the wrong choice.

As I made way to the back of the line I saw the "Got Cerveza?" shirt and knew. I just knew that dude would be open to conversation. How right I was.

Allow me to introduce you to Rrrrrrrrrrricardo and David.

Rrrrrrrrrrricardo and I struck up a conversation. I found out he used to run karaoke at one of our local hot spots, that he also spent a a few seasons doing his very own Dangerous Catch fishing, and what he spends his days doing for a living now.

Oh and he also let me in on how enchiladas and fajitas are prepared at one of our Mexican 'straunts in these parts. SOY DECEPCIONADO.

As we talked about his Dangerous Catch days I pulled David into the conversation. It was at this point of the wait I found out he was from Cali, owned a vending machine business worldwide, and appreciated my making their wait that much more enjoyable.

Yeah, that's just how I roll.

Mocha in hand Angie, Fiwa, and I made our way back to "camp" and settled in Snuggie style to wait for the fireworks to start.

After the show we headed back to the car and said our good-byes until the morning.

It was a relaxing 4th and I am so very pleased I was able to spend it with loved ones.

I hope you were able to spend yours with your loved ones too.

Peace and Love Peeps.

For Tina: The glitter doesn't show very well in the picture but this is the final design. I would love for you to send me a card so get crackin'!

Simple Pleasure

The last few nights have been cool enough for me to enjoy a simple pleasure in the form of a mug of decaf tea while snuggled on the couch reading the meditation for the day from this book.

Most people I know like to spend their quiet time in the morning. I choose night.

I reflect on the day that has passed.

I focus my thoughts toward the next day.

I thank God for the blessings of the day and say my prayers for those in my heart and mind.

Simple pleasures make my world complete.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Friday Pictorial

Friday afternoon and evening Fiwa and I chillaxed in Olde Burien and at a movie.

We grabbed grub and browsed in some of the stores the area has to offer.

Lots of laughs. Good eats. A picture that spoke to me. Embracing the unexpected.

It was a great way to kick off the weekend.

Another girls day in the area is in the planning stages.

Life is good. Really, really good.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #89

This week I challenge you to pull your credit reports if you have not done so in the past year.

You just never know what might be lurking there.

Knowledge is power and action is key.

Peace and Love Peeps.

It's a Process

To some this may represent a mess.

To me this represents craftiness and a de-stressing activity.

Feast your eyes upon the desk in which I sat down at about a week ago and got busy with the paper, ink, glitter, printer, cutter, scissors, adhesive, and colored pencils.

I was busting out my 4th of July cards.

Late? Yes.

Mass produced? No.

Original design in mind created? No.

Satisfied with end project? Yes.

I have a finished card I could share with you but it is at home and I am currently not in residence so I hope the pretty picture above can help with visualizing the finished card:

• White card stock was the base
• Red card stock was the accent for the "Uncle Sam" hat I stamped in black, colored with red (stripes), blue (hat top and brim), and yellow (stars)
• Asymmetrically cut the hat and matted on red card stock in the center of the card
• Added diamond stickle glitter for sparkle on the hat
• Printed "Happy Independence Day" in black and matted it on red card stock which was placed in the bottom right hand corner of the card

Originally I was going to do a smiley face with the hat and fireworks but it looked too busy for my liking. Then I was just going to do the smiley face and hat. I finally decided on just the hat and greeting.

It's a process y'all. A process I enjoy.

I'm thinking since I didn't mass produce the Independence Day cards I will be making some happy summer cards for the month of August. I need a creative project to keep me happy on the inside and balanced all around.

Keep your eyes on the mailbox.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Love Affair with Pho

At least once a week I like to get a steaming bowl of Pho.

I think it is so yummy and is pretty low in fat and calories.

In a nutshell it is Vietnamese noodle soup. The traditional style is with beef. At my local favorite Pho joint there is no need to show me a menu. I will take a small #1 please.

The typical add on garnishes are bean sprouts, fresh basil, a lime wedge, and jalapenos.

This the bowl as it arrives at the table.

Onions, scallions, cilantro, the choice of meat, and noodles are in the broth. The meat continues to cook in the extremely hot broth as the garnishments are added and mixed together.

This particular day the server forgot the jalapenos so I was treated to even more than usual.

The first time I tried Pho was on an extremely nasty, dark gloomy fall day in 2004. I passed by the location and thought what the heck, I am gonna go in and give it a try.

The rest is history.

If you've never tried it, give it a whirl. I think you just might like it.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Snuggie Stylin' & Profilin'

I've been talking about getting a Snuggie since about February. Most folks laugh, scoff might be a better choice of words, at the thought.

After all it is just a blanket with sleeves.

To me it is that and much more.

I'm a snuggler so it is natural a Snuggie would be something I would embrace.

The wolf pack and I joked about getting one and a bump it for each other's birthdays.

With three of the wolf pack's birthdays approaching I decided I was gonna make it happen.

Snuggies for all!

Off I went one Sunday afternoon in search of them. I knew it might be a difficult task to accomplish since it is technically summer. However, knowing this area's cool mornings and evenings I felt pretty confident I would find them.

I struck out on the first three stores I visited.

At this point I was determined. I was going to make a Snuggie mine.

Breaking my self imposed boycott of one of my favorite stores I approached the customer service counter and inquired.

Without missing a beat she told me yes and the exact location to find them.

Off I went and much to my dismay I found them only in dark blue. Oh well I thought and put them in the basket thinking at minimum we would bling them out Laverne and Shirley style.

As I cruised around the store picking up a few other items I came across another end cap in which I literally clapped for joy and squealed in delight. Seriously.

Score! Snuggies to match all of our personalities.

Angie wanted red. Fiwa's favorite color is pink. Maricel is wild with the zebra and I am all about the cheetah/leopard print.

I couldn't contain myself. I had to share the find with someone so I immediately went to Fiwa's as I knew she was at home. After an impromptu photo session in the backyard we went to Maricel's to deliver hers.

J, Maricel's hubby, gave us grief for a while about them but don't think for a moment he didn't want one for himself. He said nope but do know later the very same afternoon when he took a nap, he covered himself in her Snuggie.

Leave it to Angie to wrap herself up kimono style. She has named hers Obi One.

I named mine Chester. Here I am in Angie's backyard chillaxin'.

Fiwa secretly wears hers I believe. I know she has worn it at least once because one Sunday night as we watched tv at her place, she was wrapped up in hers and I was in mine.

We do sport them in public too. Angie was wearing hers at the 4th of July celebration in the park as was I but I wasn't able to do the kimono and walk back to the car with mine on as effortlessly as she did.

We've sported them from the street to the entrance of a house while completing a super secret covert Snuggie style operation to spread love and cheer.

I'm wearing them down on the idea of a Snuggie pub crawl.

I'm fairly confident by this fall it will happen.

So if you've been wondering about getting a Snuggie, I say do. Ours are being used quite often. The only downside is when you wash it lots and lots of lint is produced. Other than this, live on the edge and join us by stylin' and profilin' in your very own Snuggie.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #88

This week I challenge you to be a student of life, to try something new, embrace an opportunity you might otherwise reject.

Explore.

Extend yourself just a little bit and be open to the possibilities.

Don't worry too much about the outcome.

Just do.

Your friends and family can be a source of learning for you.

Ask questions.

Observe.

Be present.

Channel the spirit of innovators and inventors.

If they didn't let themselves be a student and embrace what this challenge is all about, life wouldn't be the way we know it.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Strawberry Festival - Wolf Pack Style

When: Sunday, June 21

Where: Burien's Strawberry Festival

Who: Wolf Pack and Crew

Father's Day 2009 found me in doing something I have not done in quite a few years and something brand new.

Angie, Kiki (Angie's Mom and honorary wolf pack member), Fiwa, and I started the day off with mass.

Yes, I said mass. I was raised Catholic and left the church many years ago. Kiki is a practicing Catholic so we went with her to church.

Doing so stirred up some memories and surprisingly a sense of peace for a moment or two. The service was different than I remember but yet the same in many different ways.

There was a bonus for us in the day brought on by not one but two baptisms. You can't help but get a warm fuzzy from bearing witness to that.

After church we were hungry and needed to pass a little bit of time so Mel and Ben could join us so off to lunch we went. Pho was the choice. You know how we love us some Pho.

Even though the weather was less than desirable, we caravaned to support our girl Maricel. She was working at the Strawberry festival giving away free chair massages as part of her work's booth.

I think we overwhelmed her boss and co-workers a tiny bit when all of us walked up on them but that is just how we do folks. We stick together like none other.

After a psychic reading, which was total bunk, we fed and hydrated Maricel and proceeded to walk around a bit.

The lady you can kind of see in the below picture seemed to follow us where ever we went. She was definitely dancing to the beat of her own drum. I'm not judging. I am just saying. Speaking of just saying, let me just say she was feeling it.

Her dancing was granola and hippy-esque. I'm all for a person who can feel it and share it with others with the reckless abandon she displayed this particular day. Seriously.

As Mars ate we could see this performer in the distance.

I continue to be amazed at people who can do this with their bodies. The skill, the hours of training, the strength. It is truly a beautiful sight to see.

As our day wound down and we made our way out of the festival we partook in an ole fashioned strawberry shortcake. Some of the others had a homemade ice cream cookie but I went for the cake and so did Mars. Hers is on the left with the whip cream.

Almost at the cars I decided I wanted a fireman's hat. You can read all about that experience here if you have not already done so. Fiwa did a great job with her roving reporter skills.

I totally would have done the escape from the burning/smoke building exercise but since the house was built to educate kids I was unable to do climb through the window and down the ladder. I did enjoy the video and only recently discarded my hat.

The best part of the day for me, other than spending it with some of my favorite people, is soon to follow in another post.

For now I leave you with the wolf pack and crew.

I love my pack. They make my life sweet. I am blessed to have them as a part of my life and to be able to share in theirs.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Lazy Sunday Morning

When: Sunday, June 14

Where: Southern Kitchen

Who: Fiwa and Mo

I needed a chai tea after the previous two nights of activities. Southern Kitchen does sweet tea, really really sweet tea, but not chai.

Fiwa's selection of the morning, including fried green maters.

I am a biscuit and gravy, grits, and chicken fried steak kind of girl.

After we dropped Ace off at the train station early in the morning, we hit up a place near and dear to our southern girl hearts.

Ace was in town for a mutual friend's graduation in case you were wondering; the mutual friend that sparked our friendship three years ago this 4th of July.

Anywho, over the course of the weekend I believe I may have gotten a total of 8 hours of sleep so I was dragging this fine Sunday morning.

We let Jack tell us where to find the nearest Starbucks, which ended up being across the street, but since we couldn't see it from the car Jack showed us the way.

I pulled up, placed my order for a newspaper, chai tea, and proceeded to drive up to the window.

I pay for my purchases, grab the paper, and start to drive off.

Fiwa points out I don't have my chai. Um yea, I drove off without the caffeine. Ruh roh. Watch Mo put the car in reverse and feel pretty darn out of it.

Told ya' I was dragging!

We make our way across the street and realize we're still about ten minutes away from the place opening so we lay the seats back and get comfortable.

We watched the folks - who were running late - get the kitchen and restaurant ready for the day. As soon as the main door was opened, we proceeded to a table in the corner by the window.

There is something to be said for the being the first ones to arrive. This doesn't mean the service or food is better first thing in the morning versus later in the day. I am just saying there is something to be said for being the first ones to arrive.

As I write this I am starting to crave some catfish and okra.

Someone stop me!

Peace and Love Peeps.

Does A Body Good

Usually when you hear the phrase "does a body good" milk comes to mind.

Don't get me wrong I love me some milk. Milk doesn't seem to love me back though.

What I am referring to when I say does a body good is what I believe to be the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast!

I definitely notice a difference in my energy level and hunger throughout the day based off of what I choose to eat as the first meal of the day.

Lately, since I have been home based, I am taking delight in starting the day off with a little bit of this. Not only are they full of goodness, when I cook them like this it is almost as if they are staring at me from the pan and smiling. I either think of that or am reminded of the game PacMan which takes me back to a simpler time.

How about you? Do you take the time for breakfast each day? What's your current favorite choice?

Peace and Love Peeps.