In Preparation for Easter

Its Holy Saturday!! Easter is almost here! Lent has actually gone by pretty quickly this year. I hardly feels like six weeks. Okay, yes it does, but it feel like a speedy six weeks. I think Jack's visit might have something to do with that. At any rate, we now have only three and a half hours left! I might stay up till midnight and welcome in the morning, but I'll have to see. I was up really late last night.

Today has been a big bustle as we prepare for the Resurrection of Our Lord, and we've been rushing about the house all day cleaning, baking and egg-dying like mad. Well, when I say we.... more like me. Me. and Me.

Okay, that isn't fair. My brother made some luscious s'mores muffins for our dessert tomorrow and he's going to make Tiramisu also, which will be so yummy!!! and when my sisters were actually home they helped with the baking a bit. But there were a good couple hours when I was in the kitchen pressing out hundreds of sugar cookies all on my own. With loud music playing.

It actually wasn't that bad. We had a nifty little Designer for our cookies - this cool little gadget - and you could put a roll of dough into it and press out the Sugar Cookies in all these amazing shapes and it was surprisingly fun. I was like "PRESS!!! FLOWER!! *Press* CLOVER!! *Press* SPADE!!... STANDIN-IN-THE-HALL-OF-FAME!!!!!!" *Spins around* Since everyone in my family was gone - some to the store, some to baseball sign up, some to book-reading - I was entirely alone and I took this opportunity to began dance along with the music as my cookies baked. It felt good to be wild and free. Loud music has this effect and me.

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It was a lot of fun.

That was at the beginning of the day when I was chipper and full of energy for our preparation day.  

See My wonderful cookies??

Don't they look just FABULOUS?

They were masterful.

I was very proud.

Standin in the Hall of Fame!!! (yeah!)

After the moping was done and all the wee-on's returned from the store, we lay out newspapers, set out the cups and began dying eggs.

Lots of eggs.

Am I the only one who has never really liked dying eggs? I think fourth grade ended my love for egg dying. It just .... it isn't my thing. But it is fun watching all the little kids plop eggs into the cups and 'oooo' and 'ahhhh' over what happens to them. It was especially fun to watch little Toink making eggs. She was so cute and funny! Her very first egg broke before it had a chance. She had drawn all these pretty little flowers on it and it looked nice, but then Treskie told her it was time to dye it and she crushed it with both hands! Like, totally crushed it. Beyond repair. We were all shocked. The poor thing had thought we were dying the inside of the egg. After that incident she made it very clear that all the eggs had to be dyed "Without the insides on the inside." Which was fine with us.

Even my big brother helped decorate eggs!

and my mommy!! She made some of the 

best ones I think.

We even got my dad to do his own - Look at what he did :)

He drew all 11 of us kids with him and mom at the top. How awesome is that? I don't want to eat this egg.

This is me, attempting to make a purple minion.

I guess he turned out alright. My brother's minion was better though. Look at Joey's Minion!! Look how cute it is! And he hasn't even been colored in yellow yet!

So

Many

Eggs.

By this time I was bored and my imagination was getting burned out and I was starving. I had skipped lunch for snacking purposes later on, so my stomach took upon itself the right to protest from 1:00 on. By the time 4:30 rolled around I was cranky and ready to eat. My human form needed sustenance!  

Once I'd had food I was substantially more cheerful and ready to buckle down to the task of decorating Easter cookies.

I had pressed out so many freakin' cookies! I think there were over a hundred. and we had to do them all super fancy and beautiful because they're Easter cookies and they only way to make them is with beads and multi-colored frosting!!

As odd as it may seem, decorating 100 Easter cookies in several shades of frosting and strings of beads is not a speedy job. We spent close to an hour and a half at the dinner table.

My cookies started getting less and less fancy as the evening went on.

But it was pretty fun anyway. Unfortunately it is way too late for me to share those pictures with you tonight. I'll try posting them tomorrow though :)

Then, because I hadn't done enough baking that day, I floated out to the kitchen to make muffins for our snack. The snack I had skipped lunch for. They were the same muffins I made at the beginning  of Lent, so I knew they'd be good if I did them right. And, of course, I did. And they were epic. The perfect way to end our festive, baking day.



That's all. I'm tired and my brain hurts and its time for me turn in. Otherwise the end of this post is going to get really weird. And I'll kindly spare all of you that. God Bless! And Happy-Almost-Easter!

~Ben The Robot~

Happy Birthday Rober Carlyle!

It's Robert Carlyle's bithday today! 

I just felt like I needed to take a moment and say....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUMPLESTILTSKIN!!!

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That's all.

 

Apparently I'm Ben

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Its been decided. My whole family thinks I am just like Ben from Treasure Planet. Ben the Robot. Ben the crazy, life-deprived robot. Ben the crazy, life-deprived robot who has lost his mind and has way too much energy. Ben the robot who can't stop talking. Ben the robot who Wuv's hugz.

Yeah, I guess I'm Ben.

I guess there are worst things than being to compared to a mentally impaired machine who can't remember if he ever danced with an android named Lupe.

I guess there are worse things then that.

At least I'm not a Hedgehog.

Or a weasel.

Or a squirrel.

I started this post with a point but it kind of got away from me.


Oh Right. Happy Palm Sunday y'all! We only have six more days until Easter!!!

Kuzco

For the first time in my life I actually got Palms ON Palm Sunday, not two or three weeks after. I can not express how happy that made me, how much comfort it gave in this, the last week of Lent. It was all around wonderful to be able to have Mass and read about Our Lord entering Jerusalem with the crowd cheering Him on. It gives the whole day a fresh feeling and it gives you that extra PUSH to keep you going until Easter. You know what I mean?

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Soooo.... update time! What have I been doing? So many things! First off, I actually freakin' turned in resume! That's right. I applied for a job. Just a summer job mind you - The one at the Paddle-board shop that I mentioned a few weeks back. So if you could all just pray a bit.... It would be very welcomed. I'd really love to have money again. And I know how that sounds but.... I have none. And I miss the lovely green stuff. there's only so much you can do without it.

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I went to see the new Captain America movie on opening night. And wow. Just. WOW! It was so good! I think I like it even more than the second Thor, and that movie was amazing! The Winter Soldier, though, it was beyond amazing. It was... Amazing-blazing! There was a lot more of stake in this one too. And it was really emotional. Because well.... Steve. and... Ya' know. Bucky. *sniff* It might even have been better than the Avengers. I loved it to pieces. A-Triple-Plus

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I also finally found a book I like. A book that actually had unique characters and a good storyline and a strong plot. Its called The False Prince. Its the first book in a trilogy, which makes me insanely happy because I loved it so much and I would cry if there wasn't more to read. It reminded me a little of The Thief - It had that kind of feel, that kind of pace. All the characters (Including the main one) were really strong and dynamic with lots of chemistry and actual growth. AND THERE IS A FRIENDSHIP STORY IN IT!! *Jumps up and down* Well, its more of a... hinted friendship right now, but the person who recommended the book says that the friendship is very present in the next books and gets even better! I can not wait!!! I'll have to do a review.

I've been working on my story a bit, but its still so rough it will be a few months before the first draft is finally done. I've got a ton of kinks to work out and a character to make better. Seriously. He needs help. He wasn't suppose to turn out the way he did, and that means I need to do some tweaking. He doesn't make it easy though. He's pulling a Cas. While editing I've also written up a plot for a sister-story. Cause guys, I am really miffed that we sisters have gotten so little recognition. I've thought of maybe three sister stories. Ana and Elsa from Frozen (of course) the friends/sisters in Sorcery and Cecilia - or - The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, and The Penderwicks. In other words, the literature world is lacking horrifically in any kind of sister-like bond in their reading material. I intend to fix that. Or at least try. We sisters deserve recognition dang it! Sisters are cool too!!! I should know, I have nine of them. Maybe when I've actually pulled myself together a bit I'll share some of my thoughts with you. Right now its just an idea. Respect the idea!

As a last Update.... I've really gotten into Fandom crossovers. Especially Superwho. I never thought I'd be a Fandom crossover person. But I guess I am. I even cross-pair a couple people. I never ever thought I'd do that. ever. And mostly I hate cross-shipping. But Belle and Sam??? OMG!! They are way too cute!

 

*SQUEEL!!!!*

I also like Dean and Clara. They would really fit for me. Of course both these things are AU. And very well thought out. which is why I like them. I want them. And wish we could have them. Mostly, though, I just need Superwho. I love Superwho. Superwho is the Crossover I can TOTALLY see. Why can't we get these actors to cross for a special episode?? An episode for the fans?? Why can't they give us that gift? Haven't we earned it??

 

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THIS IS WHY  I NEED SUPERWHO!!!! 

*Breath*

That's all. I'm done now. Now that I've dumped my geekiness upon you, I can go.

 

I'm leaving.

 

I'm going

 

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 ~Ben the Robot

   

HELLLLLLLOOO WORLD!!!



Amy Pond

I am finally ready to sneak out of my Sulking Corner and do a blog post. Yes, I said Sulking Corner. I have been sulking and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm having Post-vacation depression. Serious Post-vacation depression. So its been hard for me to blog about Jack's visit without moping. But now I am ready. *Snaps neck*

Here's the thing. In the weeks before Jack came out my whole family was really, really nervous. As in, "WHAT IF SHE HATES US???" Ridiculously nervous. This was a friend coming to see us. What was there to be nervous about?? Me, I was fine. I was just super excited. I would randomly burst into song, or jump and down and giggle, or rush about crying "TEN DAYS TILL JACK GETS HERE!" and altogether freaking out, but in a good way. We had bunches of stuff planned and, surprisingly, we got 90% of it done. (We never did watch Final Season....)

What is the best way to describe Jack's visit?


Jeremy Renner

It was one of the best two weeks I can remember. There was absolutely NOTHING to be nervous about. Cause, Jack, she fit right in. She was NORMAL!!! We could seriously talk about anything, from our favorite TV shows, to how hard it is riding a bicycle with a skirt (It can be a real pain. Trust me) It was so much fun to talk to someone who was like us! The first day we tried not to be too weird: we wouldn't want to freak anyone out - but by the second or third day we were comfortable enough to be as weird and eccentric as always. and it was awesome. Cause SHE JOINED RIGHT IN!!! It was like finding a long lost sister. I'm not kidding.

 

There was so much we wanted to get done while Jack was here, watching all of five seasons of Leverage, at the top of the list. That's 72 episodes over .... fifteen days?

We watched lots of Leverage.

 

We also managed to watch Kate & Leopold, Fourth-Two, Three Amigos, Italian Job and two Tim Hawkins concerts. It was awesome.

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We also did a bunch of simple little things, like go out to Coffee or Jamba Juice (LOTS OF THIS!) walk on the pier, going off the hill to look at bookstores and window-shopping at some of the shops around town. There was also a good deal of hiking and walking, and shoving-in-a-playful-way -and-running-off--before-getting-shoved-back.

 

HIKING!!

 

MORE HIKING!!!

AND PICNICKING!

 

Window shopping was loads of fun. There was this really cool shop full of all sorts of .... Everything, from wooden treasure chests to some of the most amazing Kaleidoscope in the world. At first I just thought it was a type of pendant - it looked like a necklace, but it wasn't. It was a teeny-tiny Kaleidoscope!!! These things were smaller on than my pinkie finger. AND THEN I LOOKED THROUGH THEM AND THEY STILL WORKED! My nerd came out. I've always thought of myself as more of a geek, but there is a touch of nerd in there. And kaleidoscopes the size of a baby's pinkie, that you can actually look through and see fireworks - those bring out all the nerd in me. I was squealing and getting all excited, and the lady was so nice, cause she let you touch and hold everything, and it was just so much fun.

 

THE SHOP!!!

 

 

We also spent a good deal of time lounging in the sun with books. And lounging on couches with books. And sitting at the table with books. And curling up in blankets with books. Because nothing says time well spent like reading in company.

 

AMY!

 

ME AND JACK!!

 

ALL OF US!!

One of the days we out to the meadow and spent the day laying the grass, talking and reading and singing and randomly remarking on fandom-related trivia. We discussed our favorite books and our annoyance with popular reading material. We drew and wrote. And we all took turns petting and admiring the famous Jawn. He was so adorable! I love him so much more now. I hope he enjoyed himself while he was here - even though we couldn't have too many cookies.

 

JAWWWWWWN!

Isn't he the most adorable thing ever??

 

AMY!

 

JACK!

I think the day in the meadow was one of my favorites. It was just so fun and relaxing to lay about doing nothing. Well... if nothing is the proper term. We exchanged embarrassing stories about the stupid things we did as kids, the dangerous games we would make up, and how playing Red-Rover was about life and death when we did it. Then I finally worked up the courage to boop Jack's nose. And she booped me back.

And I swear that was the best part of the visit. 

BOOP!

In honor of our geekiness we decided to order our Jamba Juice and coffee under a false name. Luckily, wherever we went, different people were serving us, so we could do it more than once. I did it THREE TIMES! I ordered under Gwen for coffee and then the first time we did Jamba Juice I ordered as Amy Pond. The second time I did Jess. 

Gwen

Amy Pond



Jessica

Its ridiculous how much fun it is, giving a false name. It made me feel so excited and fangirly beause (In case you didn't notice) we had all agreed to use fandom names. Just to make it more interesting.You could tell my sister and I were on the same wave length, though, because the day I ordered as Jess she ordered as Jo. I was like "Great. We're both dead. Our ghosts are haunting Jamba Juice."  After Jamba Juice we went out to the park and had a semi-picnic and listened to music.

We wanted to make sure Jack got a look at Mahri and Amy's cabin, so the day we had coffee we crashed over at their house and stayed a few hours to munch on muffins and scones.  We even got Sammi to come along that time. That made me very happy.

 

ME AND JACK!

 

TINY!

 

KAT! AND MAHRI! AND AMY!

 

SAMMI!

 

COFFEE!

Then we went home, listened to Psych the Musical (And sang along) and talked. And had quote-offs. And obsessed over fandoms. And shared the hate we have for one exceptionally annoying fictional character. Then we started preparing dinner; Now you know how accepted Jack had become. She was helping clean potatoes and chop onions and sprinkle spices. We had a festive dinner with loud conversation and hand waving. We scrubbed dishes and sang.  And we booped  noses. and we punched each others shoulders. And we shouted out movies quotes. And we PARTIED LIKE ITS EIGHTEEEENNN-EIGHTY-EIGHT!!!

 

 

 

SAMMI! And Chloe! And Toink!

 

 

THE WEEPING ANGLES!

 

And We watched more Leverage!!!!

 See a pattern here? *Grin*

 

All in all it was an AMAZING sixteen days. Jack fit right into the family and having her around was like meeting a sister you never knew you had. Seriously. I mean, in those last few days even little Sammi Toink was calling Jack her big sister. How cute is that?!!

 

JACK AND SAMMI-TOINK! 

 

"This is Jackie.  My Jackie. She's my big sister."

 

The last evening Jack was here were getting the End-of-vacation mood swings, and we were all a bit melancholy. We tried to keep the mood light - we went down to the beach with coffees and talked and had tons of fun.... but it was still bitter-sweet. We kept trying to think up ways to keep her. "You don't HAVE to go. We could kidnap you. Or you could sleep in too late on accident." Jack was warming to the ideas, adding a few of her own. "I could pretend to be sick. I could say you wouldn't let me go and I was forced to stay against my will." It was a feeble attempt to soften the oncoming end, but we did our best.
 

 

Basically no one wanted Jack to go. We didn't want that last day to end. We stayed up past midnight trying to keep Jack's time from running out on us, savoring our last evening with her and trying not to remember that we'd have to get up before the sun and say goodbye.

But as long as we stayed up the sun wouldn't be held back, and all too soon we'd have drop her off at the airport. and it was super depressing and sad. And I think I might have cried a bit on the way home.

So..... Yeah. Jack's visit was the best thing that's happened since our family reunion. And it was hard when it was over. But all good things come to an end and.... well.... No. No, I'm just very sad.

And I don't know how to end this post.

So I'll end it with a hug. Jack? This one is just for you.
 

Hugs

 

God Bless!

Bella