Trail master

Much to my joy, Chris was able to piece together a motorcycle in time to participate in this weekend's trials event somewhere in the boones between Grass Valley and Truckee. It basically involves driving around "courses" in the woods going over rocks and other obstacles while trying not to put a foot down. This was like heaven to me given my deep seated love for dirt, motorcycles and exhaust fumes (dear Jesus, please don't smite me with lightening for typing a bold faced lie). But I was there to support the old man, so I trudged hill after hill to bring him water and get photos.
The best part of the day?
Sitting in the shade of the truck, enjoying the breeze and eating. The rest of the time I spent collecting inches and inches of that crappy, powdery dirt all over my person and in my shoes. I literally looked like Pig Pen when we left. Oh, did I mention 'port-a-potties'?? But, to the event's credit, they were the nicest bunch of riders ever. They were very friendly and helpful with all of our questions. Even the little 7 year olds that were kicking Chris' butt!

Friday frivolities

As a treat to myself for making it through the week without giving anybody 'the bird', I let myself sleep in an extra half an hour this morning and caught breakfast at my favorite early morning bakery;
I had a lemon poppy seed scone fresh from the oven. Chomp, chomp, chomp.

After work I went and visited Susan for a little bit. She'd come to see me the day before at work, but I was just heading to a meeting so I had to kick her to the curb. After my visit I was starving so I had some lunch at Wilson's old stomping grounds, Mountain Mikes, before heading over to the movie theater to use my free movie pass from giving blood on Wednesday. I went and saw Salt with Angelina Jolie. We'd talked about going to see it, but Chris also wanted to see Inception and The Expendables (coming out next Friday) so I was starting to doubt we'd be able to squeeze it in together so I ditched him and went by myself (I love you, honey!). All the hard core action and stunts reminding me of my own life. It was like watching a documentary.

Before leaving town I stopped at the Post Office to pick up some new stamps and found the most awesome, cutest, non-retarded stamps ever;
They're called 'Sunday Funnies' and have Beetle Bailey, Calvin & Hobbes, Archie (my favorite), Garfield and Dennis the Menace. These have got to be some of my all time favorite stamps. Get out and get some before they're all gone!

Final countdown

Phew, the week is almost over. It's been full of meetings, deadlines and staff reports. Today was one meeting after another including a regional transit meeting down in Chico, but at least on the way home I got to stop at Jamba Juice for a little late morning treat.
Look at how talented I am driving while drinking and photographing. But at least I'm not being irresponsible and talking on my cell phone, right?

I went shopping at CholoMaxx tonight and got most of my list taken care of so I can spend my Friday afternoon really enjoying myself by cleaning the house. Oh joy. Didn't I just do that? Oh yeah, I'm married to a tornado of devastation.

Bribes for blood

Today was a blood drive in P-town at the Vet's hall. I had my co-worker go to lunch early so that I could leave earlier and be there when they opened at 12:30. I got there at 12:37 pm and was already 19th in line!? But I persevered and managed to get through the check in, passed my iron test (dropped like a rock), and checked all the silly boxes about not being a carrier for all toxic diseases in about an hour. Then it took me another 45 (freaking) minutes sitting in the donor recliner before one of the nurses came over and finally got me hooked up. The entire process took me two whole hours. Unbelievable. However, I did get cake. Two pieces in fact.
That helped ease my pain. As did the free movie pass to the local movie theater AND the free ice cream coupon from Baskin Robbins. Score!

Back at work I got an email from a co-worker that she had some more hand-me-down clothes for me. Last time she cleaned her closet I scored handfuls of dresses so I was very excited. I haven't gone through the bags yet, but I'm sure there's something useful out of the three full bags!
Yes, the shirt on the far left has a feathered collar. The old people at church are going to love it!

Tonight was bible study down the street at Lulu's. She made a delicious stuffed chicken from S&S Produce and homemade rice pudding. She makes the best food. Even with one of her wrists in a cast. When we were done we got a tour of this year's garden (her husband is a gardener extraordinaire). The star of the show was a big-ass three week old pumpkin.
They also had some Bidwell melons growing which are like super sized cantaloupes. They're from a seed stock that were planted by John & Annie Bidwell back in the late 1800s.
We can't even grow a couple of measly lemons, yet they're growing produce the size of small Volkswagens. Slightly unfair me thinks. Unless of course they're willing to share, then grow baby grow!

Time capsule

Love this next story - check out these two licenses of Chris'. One is from 2006 and one is from last month. Same zip up fleece, same plaid button up, same goatee, same glasses.
Unfortunately it wasn't a coincidence, he really has been wearing that same outfit everyday in-between.

What's the best way to end a long day at work?
Coffee ice cream over a slice of chocolate banana bread. So.Freaking.Good.

The beer fairy strikes again

The ever elusive beer fairy stopped by my work today to bestow upon her favorite little government worker a scent-tastic surprise;
A little beer for the boy, and....
A crap load of wonderfully scented candles for me. Nag Champa, clove, frankincense & myrrh, cinnamon bun and pumpkin spice. They're hanging out on the dining room table infusing the whole house with scented magic. I'm in nasal love. Sniff, sniff...

Bananarama

No world traveling or races for us this weekend. Just some down time at home playing with motorcycles and reading. The only outing I had yesterday was to the mall in the morning to return the tank top I'd bought Friday that was too long in the neckline. But instead they made up some dumb rule that I couldn't trade the shirt for another equally priced item since I'd used a coupon on the purchase. I clarified that had I bought the placement item (a purse) on Friday the coupon would have applied thereby making it the same sale price as the tank top, right? Right, but they wouldn't apply the coupon to the trade item, only to the original. So I just kept the damn shirt, but not before making a snide comment about just having to give it away because as I'd told them, it didn't fit. Sometimes the lack of common sense befuddles me.

After a long morning at church today (I filled in for the music director during second service and had to count money after church) I came home and prepared to make a chocolate chocolate chip banana bread loaf from an online recipe. I've been saving, or rather I've been too lazy to throw away, three very ripe bananas that were screaming to be put in some sort of baked goods. So out came the Kitchen Aid and a counter top full of ingredients.
Exactly 78 minutes later, out came a loaf of chocolate love;
Like the cupcakes I made last weekend, I only intend to hold on to a couple of pieces and then shuffle the rest into the hungry mouths of my co-workers. I did eat the end piece and was very happy with the final product. Because my piece had so much 'crust' it wasn't a moist as I image an inside cut would be, but I'm sure it won't go to waste. I want Chris to finish playing with his motorcycle on the living room floor so he can try his piece and sing it's praises!