A story of blog-love

Something I have figured out is that as a blogger, I follow other's blogs. Often for inspiration but always because I am interested in the subject. Cupcakes Take the Cake is one of those blogs that I watch for both inspiration and because it is so, way cool. Cupcakes made in every shape, style and flavor AND they have addresses to the best bakeries in America. I am planning a trip to NYC based off of a blog about tiny cupcakes. For realz.

Recently, Stacie (one of the ladies that does the cupcake leg work) did a sliced strawberry throw down. She was looking to see what preserves sliced strawberries best. However, she was frustrated because she couldn't find a product called Fruit Fresh to really round out her throw down.

And this is where I come in. See, here in Walmart-ville, Walmarts maybe create Fruit Fresh as a by-product to stealing our souls. Or they just carry it. Whatever. My great-grandma used it for as long as I can remember and it just seemed like a staple thing fruit lovers had access to. I thought it was a crime that Stacie couldn't find this helpful fruit sprinkle and so I sent an email and an offer. And she accepted my offer and now SHE HAS FRUIT FRESH! Yay!

Perhaps I am more excited because I had the opportunity to reach out and touch someone I have always respected from afar. And I hope to not make her regret giving me her email. But I can't make any promises. I might have a crush.

Going Upper (middle) Class

We recently did the whole birthday hoopla. And with that, Dustin's parents came to visit. And with them came a boat.

This isn't one of those fancy-pants boats that you show off to your friends while your butler brings you another martini. No, this is one of those boats that you get because you love water and can't afford one. And your in-laws really don't want it hanging around, anyway.

It is actually in good condition. The most work will be clean up. A thick layer of Texas dirt covers everything. But it runs and they gave us paraphernalia like skis and a tube. So, COOL!

It should be noted that, if I were okay with it, Dustin might sleep on the boat. He loves it so much. The weather has done very little more than rain in the last few days and he is just terribly distraught about the lack of TLC the boat has received.

And then I come along and say things like, "Oooooh, we are going to need to get some cup holders." And I see him die a little.

Probably shouldn't mention how I feel about getting a first aid kit, huh?

The Throes of Death...by Embarrassment

I live in an area with a LOT of old people. And I love old people. Though not so much driving behind them because I am usually late. But today, they killed me.

My in-laws were here for the weekend and we had a really good time but I am pooped! They left this morning, I made pancakes and decreed it Pajama Day. So now, about 4 in the afternoon, an elderly couple comes to my door (up a 1/3 mile long driveway) to tell me the buzzards are eating the cow food in the field (that is not mine) in front of my house. I am in pajamas and they do not seem to approve. Also, my dog managed to chew up something white into teeny, tiny pieces all over my grass. The woman looked at me, looked at all the pieces and literally SHOOK HER HEAD. "Women these days" you could hear her thinking.

Yes, I have been shamed into dressing. And also getting off the computer. But not before sharing. Because that is how I roll.

Ripley's Find

This is my dog Ripley.

I haven't told you much about her because that is life. But she is an entertaining mutt and we plan to keep her around for the long haul.

Ripley has this lovely (read: life threatening) habit of bringing things up on our front deck. Small children have been know to comment on the condition of our deck ("Messy!"). She clutters it with sticks, rocks and most importantly odd/gross items. It is these in the last category that I will exploit. With regularity, is the hope.

This week, we found something unidentifiable. At first I thought it was going to be part of an animal (say a grottee chewed up ear) but upon investigation, I discovered that it is probably a piece of plastic something-or-rather from a recent burn Dustin did. Regardless, it looks questionable.

Be grateful it isn't the rotted armadillo foot. That thing was straight from a horror movie!