Photo of the Week

Post 09 Oscars

So basically I love the Academy Awards, I look forward to them every year. They are the last big shebang of the awards season and they are always the most glitzy and dramatic of all the award shows. (SAG's? Who cares. BAFTA's? What does that even stand for?)

This year Jazz and I had set the Tivo and were getting ready to watch the pre- show when he presented me with a crisp piece of paper. On it was a list of all the major awards and their nominees- basically you pick who you think is going to win each category, and you are awarded points when you are correct. Whoever has the most points after the telecast wins. I LOVE GAMES! and I LOVE WINNING. We made our choices and watched the show.

My highlights:

• Hugh Jackman was totally bril (as my friend Adrienne would say). He was the perfect combo of charming and goofy and classy and Australian, plus he did some song and dance numbers! I mean, could we ask for more?

• I loved the throwback to old Hollywood. I felt the whole show had a very 50's vibe to it. Remember a few years ago? When they had "special" presentations from different parts of the theater? Like when the dorks that did the special effects won, they didn't ACTUALLY get to go to the front of the stage? They just stood up in some random walkway and gave a little thank you blurb. Awkward. Thank goodness the producers came to their senses did away with that utter nonsense.

• Ben Stiller's guest appearance as rapper Joaquin Pheonix. Loved loved loved it.
  
  

• The other performers did a fine job- Beyonce and her thighs rocked that weird corset costume, and I had totally forgotten that Queen Latifah could sing. Note to self: watch fewer weight loss commercials and more E! True Hollywood Story.
  
  
  

• Sophie Loren needs to retire from being alive. I get that she is an icon, she is a legend, but good goldilocks she looked awful. Really? Did you borrow that dress from 80's Barbie? Who Sharpie'd on those crazy eyebrows??
  

• Also a highlight for me- the Mastercard commercial about the lost dog. So adorable, I think we rewound it a few times so I could see it again. Find it online and watch it- but not without tissues. I'm thinking of switching over from Visa...
  

• As far as the winners go: I didn't expect Penelope to pull it off, and I forgot how Spanish she really is. Me gusta! I was thrilled for Kate Winslet, as she has been nominated a gigoogly amount of times and this is her first win. Yay for Slumdog, but a little sad that it seemed to sweep EVERYTHING. Spread the Oscar love around a little, you know what I mean?

At the end of the show, Jazz and I tallied up our points. I proudly announced my guaranteed winning score, and he announced that he had beaten me by a full point. WHAT??? I should have ROCKED his score! Stupid foreign films. Rematch next year for sure.

Sunday Catch up

So I realize it has been an abnormally long couple of days between my posts. Not going to lie, it was kind of a weird week for me. And by weird, I mostly just mean sad. Those of you who read my last post know why, and by the way thanks for saying such nice things. Fluffs was the most amazing dog in all the land and I really will miss him every single day.

I took a day off on Wednesday to get it together and to play catch up on my life. I feel constantly behind, constantly trying to get my crap together, have a clean house, laundry done, errands completed, etc. Being grown up is kind of hard sometimes! That being said, here are things that made me happy this week:

Who has two thumbs and always makes me happy? This guy.

This magazine + a bath. I love getting this in the mail.

Bloomin' Onion, Salad, Steak. Done.

These girls.

Packages from home. Thanks, Mom and Dad

It's always the little things that make my day, or in this case, my week. I feel more caught up now and ready to start my week tomorrow. Wait, is it Monday, already?

*Coming soon: 2009 Oscar Recap! yeah!

Until we meet again...

To my little Fluffs,

I'm sorry that I wasn't there today to scratch you and love you and tell you that everything would be okay. I'm sorry that you were so sick and diseased and in so much pain. I'm sorry that your body was shutting down and you could no longer function on your own.

I love you so much, I think you know that. You and I were the best of friends- we swapped secrets and shared a room, cuddled at night and went on walks together. You loved to go to the preserve around the corner from our house and bark at the ducks and find dead things to sniff. You loved to hop into flower pots and pretend that they were your own personal throne. You loved dressing up in clothes and wearing sweaters in the winter- you were quite the fashion dog and had many outfits to parade around in.

You loved to be the center of attention and loved spending time with the family. You loved to bite and eat your favorite little brown toy- and actually ripped an arm off on accident. Mom sewed it back on for you.

You loved to take rides in the car and I think your favorite trip was to Monterey Bay to see Gilroy the Great White. You loved cheese and all types of meat but hated popcorn and tomatoes (me too!).

I am sad that you won't be there the next time I come home. You won't hide under the bed waiting for me, and you won't lick my feet when I get out of the shower. You won't bark at the front door or the mail man or the squirrels in the backyard.

I'm going to miss you a lot. I'm going to miss your soft fur and your silly little prance and that happy face of yours. I'm going to miss your floppy ears and your bouncy tail and your one white paw. The house will be a little more quiet without you.

I'm grateful that mom was able to make the decision and was brave enough to get you the medical help that you needed. I hope now you can be with your brother Zeus and play to your little heart's content.

Thank you for being around when I needed you, for being a constant source of comfort and companionship. I still find your little doggy hairs on my clothes sometimes and I love that even now you are still with me.

Until we meet again-

Love,

Me

Fundue

You are probably aware that Saturday was Valentine's Day. Most people venture out into the world of restaurants for a delicious meal and a nice dining experience. We are not among those people. Having worked many Valentine's Days serving 2-top after 2-top, I know how hectic and crazy it gets- a line out the door for hours on end just doesn't appeal to me.

For our first Valentine's Day together, we went to Bajio and watched rented movies and had our first kiss. Last year, Jazz came down to Provo and we spent the evening at my apartment. This year we knew we wanted to hit up Bajio again and kind of make it a tradition- plus, there is never a wait. The Shrimp Tacos are seriously so delightful, I can not describe to you the perfection of marrying mango salsa with honey glazed shrimp and fresh rolled tortillas. Like candy, but it counts as dinner.

Anyway, this year I planned to break out our new fondue set that we received as a wedding gift. I had been saving it for something special, and I thought this would be the perfect night. It's a super nice one- electric, 8 different color coded fondue fork things, big ol' pot for tons of dipping. I googled recipes for chocolate fondue, and found tons of great tips and ideas for making delicious chocolate.

These are all the dippers I had ready- let me tell you- the Krispy Kreme donut holes were so AMAZINGLICIOUS. Never underestimate the power of a delicious ball of fried, glazed cake.

However, this is where everything went horribly, horribly wrong. Despite my extensive research, my chocolate recipe turned out, well, disgusting. It called for semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, and some vanilla. Harmless, right? Well, it tasted kind of like burnt dirt. Jazz was so polite and managed a smile while eating an asphalt flavored banana. I felt like a giant fondue failure. How could this be difficult? Just put stuff in the pot and stir! (Why did I not call Chef Morgan on a consult??)

Jazz donned his superhero cape and ran to the store for REGULAR BARS OF CHOCOLATE. Whoever decided that semi-sweet chocolate should be used in a fondue recipe obviously has taste buds equivalent to that of a frog. I cleaned out the pot, reset the table, and then we did Fondue: Take Two.

And it worked. It was delicious. I wouldn't say it was Melting Pot quality, but holy hellbaskets it was a close substitution.

"Hello, this is Dan McDaniels- News Anchor here at your local station LUV2. Don't you just love my chocolate toupee?" Jazz didn't feel too guilty biting him right in half.

Photo of the Week

If you know my mom, you know she likes chocolate.

Not likes, loves.

She is the one that taught me to have a secret candy cupboard in my kitchen.

She is the reason why I have treats in my church bag.

She showed me how to keep refreshments on hand, just in case someone stopped by.

We just got a package in the mail from her- filled with treats and valentines and love.

Thanks, Mom.

2 Years Later

Dear Jazzy,

Two years ago today I was getting ready for our very first date. I was really nervous, so I compulsively cleaned the whole apartment top to bottom before you came to pick me up, just so it was sparkly for the five minutes you came inside.

I think it took me longer to get ready for this date than it did for me to get ready for our wedding day. I had picked out a new shirt from my favorite store, and wore my fancy jeans- deciding on shoes was the hardest part. I was ready probably 40 minutes before you arrived.

When you rang the door bell, I ran into the back room so it would appear like I wasn't quite ready yet. Kenady answered the door, and you came in looking all adorable and smiley. You met my roommates and my sister and then you gave me purple flowers. I think you knew that my favorite color was purple. I had the same type of flowers put into my wedding bouquet just to remind me of the first time we met.

You took me to Ottavio's on Center Street. You were such a gentleman and opened all of my doors. We sat in the back at a small little table for two. You ordered spicy sausage that was way too hot for you to eat with your poor little tonsils, so I shared my pasta with you. Secretly, you saved the top of that to-go box that I doodled on.

After Ottavios, we went for a drive. We headed up to Bridal View Falls, past Heber and Park City, and soon found ourselves in Salt Lake. We talked about our families and our college experiences, swapped our worst date stories, and discussed our favorite things. When you stopped to get gas, I went in to use the bathroom but really I called my sisters to tell them how much I liked you.

We arrived back in Provo and it was getting late, but I invited you in to watch a movie. My roommates had wisely left the living area clean and empty, and we put on in a DVD. What to watch?! agh! the pressure! I put Talledega Nights in because I truly believe that you can not go wrong with Mr. William Ferrell. About half way through the movie, you made a move for my hand. I let you take it.

When the movie ended, it was even later than before. I walked you out to your car, which had been booted.

So we called the Stupid Provo Parking Authorities and while we waited for them to come, we sat on the concrete sidewalk and stayed warm in the blankets that my mom made. They came and released the boot on your car, and we said goodnight.

I wanted you to kiss me, but I'm so glad that you didn't.

It was the perfect first date.

Now, two years later, we are married and I get all the kisses that I want. You are my best friend and I am so glad you came into my life.

xoxox,

Mic

2/6/09

Dear Grey's Anatomy,

What is the deal? Just as you started getting back on track, you totally disappointed me last night. You are clearly my favorite television show, but lately I have been more excited for 30 Rock and American Idol. What gives?

I appreciate the idea of a cross over show with Private Practice, really I do. But you advertised it for like a month and then last night THERE WAS NO CROSSOVER. I even fought my early bed time to keep my eyes open for another hour just to see McDreamy in LA or whatever. THEN after that you said "Haha, SIKE, it is actually NEXT WEEK that we are having this amazing never been done before 2 hour miracle event show."

Lame.

Let me discuss your story lines a little bit.

1. Derek and dark and twisty Meredith. I'm already tired of this proposal thing. Just do it already. Roses in the room? Lame, been done. Meredith, I swear if you get all dramatic and think Shepherd is getting all weird and now you are finding strange rose petals in your bed-- and decide that maybe he isn't the one for you-- I will hunt you down and murder you. Stop it now.
2. The angry doctor and Dr. Yang. Really Cristina? Really? The guy that stands you up and then shows you his ugly cry face? That guy? You can totally do better. Plus, he looks too much like an older Spencer from the Hills with that weird red beard. Pass.
3. Dr. Torres.. Stop feeling sorry for your single self and move on. Do you really miss that Dr. Hahn THAT much? At least your bangs are growing out. For awhile there I could barely look at you.
4. Bailey! Pull yourself together! Where is that saucy black woman I know and love?
5. Where, oh where has George O'Malley gone? I know he is quitting the show pretty soon, but cmon, give the guy a little break. You don't have to phase him out so soon. I kind of miss him. Just have a big dramatic death scene like normal.
6. Mark Sloan, be still my heart. How are you so hot? You make Patrick Dempsey look like a teeny bopper boy band member. Please make it work with Little Grey. She is good for you.
7. Izzie Stephens- You are quite possibly my favorite person (uh...I mean character). Smart, hot, funny, compassionate. I'm glad that invisalign is working for your teeth. But when are we going to find that giant tumor that is undoubtedly causing your crazy Denny visions? Oh Denny Duquette... your rugged good looks and your sad little facial expressions just suck me in every time. I kind of want Izzie to die tragically and have a spin-off show about her life in heaven with you.

Well, I hope this is some food for thought. Please pull yourself out of the drama tv gutter and give yourself a little respect. I don't think you want to subject yourself to the embarrassment of being beating out in the ratings by Bones or Hell's Kitchen.

Much love,

Micci

Photo of the Week

My sad, sad, little cake.

It looks like a smurf vomited up frosting.

IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS, OKAY?

Post 100

OUR 100th POST

Congratulations to US! Yeah!

February 4th, 2008, Jazz started this blog for our "pending future together." He knew he was going to propose to me and that I would possibly say yes and this blog would be a good way to document it.

And document we did. We posted about an average of one post every 3 1/2 days. Not too shabby.

Anyway, I have been dreading writing this post because it is the *1ooth* and it needs to be fancy and special and shiny.

But then I was all like, wait, I should not treat any posts different.

They all should be shiny and special and fancy.

So here is today's very normal and regular post.

So I worked in the restaurant industry for a long time. I have literally done every job you can think of: washing dishes, cleaning floors, grilling, baking, expo-ing, prepping, hosting, bartending, and serving. Also lobster killing, but that is for a different post.

Sometimes I miss working at a restaurant, it always kept me moving- it was different every single day. I miss the simplicity of showing up for a shift, working for a few hours, and leaving with a full day's pay in my pocket.

Since I have this experience, it has given me a different perspective when I dine out at a restaurant. I feel pity for the servers when the food is burned,I understand they are so busy that my drink is a little late. I always tip well even when the service is pooh pooh.

We were out to dinner on Saturday night at Texas Road House. It's a lot like Logan's for the California crew- delicious bread, steaks and salads. The ribs are so tasty I could possibly eat three whole cows worth. We love going there, but the wait is usually like 2 hours long. I kid you not, people stand in the lobby and wait for TWO HOURS for a MEAL. We are obviously above that, so we did call ahead seating and were seated within five minutes of arriving at the restaurant.

Our server came over after a few minutes and was perfectly friendly, did the standard offering of an appetizer and a fancy drink. We just sat and waited for our food and chatted.

And then I had en epiphany.

I am extremely old and annoying.

When we were directed to a table, we asked for a booth. I HATED people who did that, it would totally throw off my plan for seating the next five or six guests. We ended up sitting at the table anyway because a booth would have been a longer wait.

When I ordered my water, I asked for lots of ice. I used to make so much fun of the customers at my tables that did that- I would give them all ice and like 4 ounces of water. Now I hate it when the server pathetically scoops 3 sad little ice cubes into my water and after three minutes my beverage tastes like soup through a straw.

The country music was so loud, I actually thought about telling my server how obnoxious it was. We couldn't even hear each other engage in our pleasant and grown up conversation. What?? Who am I??

Morgan ordered a water, and then whipped out a Crystal Light on-the-go Packet and proceeded to make her own strawberry delight. I'm not gonna lie, that one kind of made my jaw drop. Seriously Morgan? seriously? We are THAT table?

Our food was late (but delicious), our service was terrible, and we watched as our charismatic server chatted up the blond hottie at the table next to ours- totally oblivious of our need of ranch sides and drink refills.

For once my server instinct did not kick in. I felt no pity for him. And I certainly didn't give him any pity when calculating his tip. But seriously, when did I become such an old lady?