Who is this lady?

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The One Where It's Cookie Time

Sadly, even though the title of this post is definitely a reference to Troop Beverly Hills, this post is not actually about that movie. But just for kicks, I'll include the Cookie Time song for your viewing/listening pleasure.



Now, if you haven't seen Troop Beverly Hills... I don't even know what to say to you right now. It's my sister's and my mutual favorite movie. I'm trying to design a tattoo for us both to get that's some form of a Wilderness Girl Best Sister Ever patch. That's how much love for that movie runs through our veins. (I know I said this post wasn't about this movie... I promise we'll move on in a second.) A fun fact about the Cookie Time song... I rewrote the lyrics to the song when I was the Risk Management chair for my sorority. Being Risk Management chair basically meant I was in charge of all the rules and legal stuff that goes into sorority events and making sure no one blew themselves up or or drank themselves into a coma or lost an eye on my watch. Needless to say, this position was probably the least "fun" of all the ones on our board, but I tried my damndest to make learning the rules a good time for everyone. So when we came back from summer break my senior year, I literally stood up in front of all of my sisters and sang my own version of Cookie Time that talked about how much fun it is to sign EPFs on time and stay safe and party with a buddy, etc.

... I know. I'm really cool.

Anyway, the real purpose of this post is to talk about a couple lessons I learned tonight while baking cookies. See, Carol and Bob (my parents) are coming into town tonight...


Yes, my father looks like Ben Franklin. No, it's not your imagination.

Anyway, they're coming into town so we can hang for the 4th of July because... that's what normal people do. We're going to Santa Barbara tomorrow then Pasadena for Friday and Saturday.

Oh yeah. And on Friday night I will be AT THE PACKAGE TOUR WITH NEW KIDS, BOYZ II MEN, AND 98 DEGREES BABY!!!!!!!! I'm sooooooooo excited!!! Clearly this concert will require a picture-saturated post. Stay tuned for THAT! (And in case you may be wondering, no, Carol and Bob will not be Hangin' Tough with me at the concert. I'm going with my friend Katie!)

Okay, back to normal programming. So, I decided I wanted to bake us some treats to eat on our drive up to Santa Barbara tomorrow. I debated making red white and blue cookies of some kind, but decided that was too much work and (say it with me now):



So I went with good old fashioned chocolate chips instead.

Using my KitchenAid like a bossss
Round number one. A little too well-done for my liking.
Round number too. Less well done, more just one giant cookie. Hhhhhhh
Anyway, in the process of this whole baking thing, I have learned:

1) The bag says it makes 5 dozen. HAHAHA. In what universe?

2) Beyonce radio on Spotify is the perfect music to accompany baking. Or really anything. 

3) When you run out of parchment paper, wax paper is not a good substitute. I apologize in advance if I kill anyone, especially myself, from eating cookies that had wax paper poison residue baked into them.

4) I will have to run for 2 hours tonight to work off all the cookies/cookie dough I consumed while doing my part to make sure things tasted okay/were not poisoned. 

5) There is too much of a good thing...

Hope everyone has a lovely 4th full of sparkles and fireworks and tasty 'Murrican treats!!


Sunday, June 30, 2013

The One Where I Truly Know I'm in California

Having lived in Southern California for almost 4 years now, I've seen and experienced a lot of things that are quintessentially California. For example, I've seen and driven through tons of LA traffic:

It's my favorite thing ever when it takes me 3 hours to go 50 miles....

I've seen my fair share of small children with their own iPhones/iPads:


I've seen a LOT of bad plastic surgery:

I'm really sorry if this picture gives you nightmares
Basically every restaurant out here has a vegetarian/vegan section of their menu (that is, if the whole menu is not vegetarian/vegan):


And I've had to decipher some very confusing conglomerations of parking signs while out and about:


But I think my experience at yoga tonight REALLY solidified for me that yes, indeed, I am in Southern California.

Let me set the scene.

So earlier this afternoon, I was feeling like a lazy bum since I'd basically been watching Friday Night Lights for the past 3 hours straight. (Yes, I've seen the whole series already, I'm just going through it again. Team Coach Taylor and Mrs. Coach!) So I looked up what yoga classes were going to be at my yoga place tonight and signed myself up for the 6:15 Ashantaga blend class. 

After making myself dinner, I pulled on a tank top and my fave Zella workout capris (you can get them here) and drove on over. As I step in the door of the studio, I hear someone talking to someone/something like you would a baby. And as I come around the corner to put my mat down, I almost step on this tiny white dog who is sticking its tongue out at me. So, of course, I say hello to the dog, thinking it's the studio owner's dog and she'll be taking it out once we start class. 

Then I spot the monogrammed basket for the tiny white dog in the corner and realize it's some girl taking the class's dog. As in she not only brought her tiny white dog with her TO YOGA, she also brought her little basket so she wouldn't have to sit on the ground while we Warrior One'd and breathed in and out and did handstands, etc. 

I'm not gonna lie... I'm pretty sure my judge face was at a level 10 once I realized what was going on. I couldn't help it. Even now, just thinking about it, I have full on judge-face. But I made a picture representation so you could get a better idea of what the scene sort of looked like (except the real basket had a polka dot pattern, it wasn't just plain pink).

Take it all in, dog...
I mean, I love living here, but sometimes... 

Saturday, June 29, 2013

The One Where I Feel Like Jessie Spano

Okay, first of all, this is (semi) unrelated to what I'm about to write about but I put on these Nike leggings to wear to the gym and... they are like completely see-through. While I have no problem having VPL at the gym because... it's the gym... I have a wee bit of a problem wearing pants where you can just plainly see my entire underwear. What the heck. I don't want to go commando to the gym. That feels like I'm asking for a car wreck on the way there so when the paramedics come to rescue me, and they have to cut off my pants, not only will I be pantsless, I'll be underwearless too. Mortifying. Additionally, if I do actually make it to the gym, isn't going commando asking for a downstairs infection? I understand this is a very first world problem, but I feel like this is a legitimate dilemma right now. Especially because the rest of my workout clothes are in the washing machine right now. So now I've gotta wait for them to get all washed and dry. I guess I could wear shorts... I've never worn shorts to the gym before. To spin, yes, because nobody's really looking at you in spin, especially if you're in the back row. The gym, however... it's a different vibe over there. 

I know many a person for whom this is true. I, on the other hand, would NEVER judge someone at the gym... 

Whatever. This situation did not deserve all the words I devoted to it. Are you annoyed yet? No? Good. Read on.

So, first, let me explain the title of this blog post. For those of you (mother) who do not know who Jessie Spano is, she was on Saved By The Bell (SBTB) back in the '90s. She was a classic Type A high school student who was unfortunately driven to caffeine pills in one particularly memorable SBTB episode. After consuming about 50x the recommended maximum (I am making this statistic up), she freaks out at Zach Morris telling him she's So Excited... I'm So Excited... I'm so... scared! Observe:


Now... you may be asking yourself... why does NancePants feel so excited and yet so scared?

Because of THIS:


Before we go any further, I just need to clarify that even though that says Nike Women's Marathon, I will be participating in the half marathon. I have absolutely no desire to do the full. But... the astute will also realize that because this race is in San Francisco, I will be running insane hills. For 13.1 miles. But guess what - I will be met at the finish line by either a hottie in a suit or a firefighter holding a box with a 10th Anniversary Nike Women's Marathon Tiffany necklace for me. I had to enter in a random draw for this race - you can't just sign up for it. 30,000 women will be running this race. Just thinking about that overwhelms me, but also excites me. Hence the Jessie Spano comparison. 

The race is in October. I will actually have to fly from DC, where I'll be for a conference in the days leading up to the race, directly to San Francisco. Again, insanity. They sent me a training schedule which starts Monday, July 8. My goal for this race is to PR at 2:50 or under and I'm seriously contemplating a significant diet change for the duration of my training. I'll keep you filled in with what I decide to do. While I trained for my last two half marathons, I feel like there's another whole level of training I haven't hit yet, but I feel like I'm ready to go there. 




I met up with Nicole, who blogs over at A Life Less Bullshit , yesterday. She is on a quest to have lunch with 100 people prior to her 30th birthday and I am so in love with her blog/life I emailed her and we met up at this cool restaurant in Venice called Cafe Gratitude yesterday to discuss her bullshit-free life philosophy. So, no, I didn't know her in real life before I emailed her. I'm not 100% sure how I originally found her blog, but I love it. She is also a runner so we talked about that quite a bit. It was cool to talk to someone who also didn't think they could ever be a runner until they tried it (hell-o story of my life). She also said something that I loved - you just gotta try the things. You may think you know how you feel about something, but the truth is, you don't until you try it, so just try. If you like it, keep doing it. If you don't, stop doing it. Talk about bullshit-free! And yes, obviously easier said than done, but I'd like to stop thinking thinking thinking and just start trying. So here I go.

Also, I think I need this amazing tank top from Ruffles With Love:


Who wants to buy that for me???

Thursday, June 27, 2013

The One Where I Felt Like an Adult

I know a lot of you who read this little piece of internet business can relate to what I'm about to write about. So, even though I pay my own billz and have a job and am like "responsible" and legally considered an "adult" by the great USA, it's hard for me to really think of myself as a true adult most times. Well, except when I'm in elementary schools and the kids are in awe of me and guesstimate my age at about 103 (true story... that's how old a first grader thought I was once) and then I just feel ancient. But most of the time, I'm running around thinking about how the "adults" are some people older than me who are in charge and make decisions and actually vacuum on a regular basis instead of when the insane cleaning freak comes out in them every so often.


Like that woman. Let's call her Sheila. She looks like an adult (also, thanks Shutterstock). She never lets the milk go bad or has to wear bathing suit bottoms for underwear because she doesn't have any clean ones left. She always remembers to charge her phone before she leaves the house and pays a mortgage. 

Needless to say, I do not very often feel like Sheila.

Except I did this past Sunday.

Here's the scene: I'm leaving the Village (the Claremont Village, for those unfamiliar) and I get in my car and put the key in and *sputter cough blerhg* <---- that is the sound your almost dead battery makes when you try to turn your car on and you need a new battery.


R.I.P.,  car battery. But instead of crying or calling my dad to figure out what I needed to do, I simply opened my (relatively neat) glove compartment, pulled out my roadside assistance card, and called for help. And then sat and waited with my Starbucks and a copy of National Geographic magazine (girl's gotta have something to read while waiting for Quali-T towing!) and didn't panic. In fact, I distinctly remember thinking "well... that's life." 

...

WHAT.

Who am I? [Sheila, apparently.] The last time I needed to get a new car battery, I called my dad AND I cried and shivered and panicked in the cold, dark parking garage at the Detroit airport and felt sorry for myself for another 3 days following the incident. Now? The only reason I remember I had to get a new car battery is because my roadside assistance card is sitting on my desk waiting for me to put it back in my glove compartment tomorrow.

Being an adult is tremendously rewarding, but feels oh-so-weird at the same time. "With great power comes great responsibility." (Pop quiz - who said that originally?) I mean, it's still bizarre to wake up and look in the mirror every morning and not see my 12 year old face staring back at me. Will that every go away? Will I ever start thinking of me and my peers as the people who are in charge of stuff?

I invite you to share a moment where you truly felt like an adult... and it freaked you out. And discuss.

Monday, June 24, 2013

The One Where You Learn I Listen To Your Conversations in the Bathroom, So Talk Carefully

So I'm in the bathroom at the gym tonight before I started my workout, thinking about how much I wish I had brought a different tank top to wear and wondering if I actually bought broccoli at the grocery store last night or just imagined I did when these two girls/ladies about my age come in chattering at each other about the guy one of the girls likes. The conversation proceeds as follows:

Friend A:"I mean... What am I gonna do about this guy? I like him!" [sounds disgusted at the thought of that]

Friend B: "Well... Why is that a problem? I mean let's be real. You probably won't like him in like a week." 

Friend A: "No, but really, I mean, this guy's just. ... You know." 

Friend B: "Yeah, I know. I hope no one else is in here listening to this." 

Well, surprise bitches! I was listening. And besides sounding borderline dumb, your conversation actually made me smile because it made me start thinking about how one of my favorite things in life is the ability to talk like a total idiot who may not actually be familiar with the English language around your friends and they still know exactly what you mean. 

For example, I can turn to Amanda and say "God, remember that time at Toby's with the fetus and the blechhh?" And she knows exactly what I mean and then we laugh like hyenas for 20 solid seconds. 

Or I can watch the Prancersize video with Shelly and look at her and say "That lady! At the Rose Bowl!" And again, she knows exactly what I mean. 

It's the best.

I'm just having one of those weeks where I am feeling EXTREMELY grateful for all of my amazing friends, whether they live near or far. Serious sap factor over here. But it's making me want to listen to a little Joe Cocker. And I can't complain about that.


Sunday, June 23, 2013

The One Where I Can't Believe How Long It's Been Since I've Written

Hot damn.

It's been a while.

Hold on, I need to clear out the cobwebs from this place. 


Okay. Now that we have that out of the way. I don't really have a good excuse for not blogging recently. I mean, I've been busy, but when am I not? First things first, I realize I never told you what I got my sister as her epic birthday gift.


What, you can't tell what that is from this high-quality picture? Okay, just in case you need a hint... I got her her own personal Beyonce The Giant Metal Chicken!!! Click that link in case you are not sure what I am talking about. [Mom, there's a lot of swear words.]

ANYWAY. I've been gallivanting around...

Taking my dad's bomb.com cowboy boots... 

Loudly expressing my displeasure with these sparkle crotch shorts at Victoria's Secret...


Going to baseball games...



Wearing those cowboy boots to Tim McGraw concerts... 


Baking insane tie dye cakes for certain friends' graduation parties...



ConGRADulations, Amanda!!!!!!!! 


Going to beer festivals...



Witnessing grown men engage in beer-chugging contests...



Taking hotel selfies like a boss...

 And making a good, old-fashioned fortune teller to help predict my friends' futures.


Oh yes, and dating dudes. What's up eHarmony. Neil Clark Warren sort of knows what he's doing, I guess. Haven't met anyone super special yet. And dating is time-consuming, y'all! [Side note: can we just talk for a second about how much I wish I was Southern so I could say y'all legitimately?]

So. There ya have it. The super condensed version of my recent life. I promise I won't abandon you like that again. Trust me, I know what it feels like. I'm debating trying a legit boxing class this week. And by debating, I mean I am making myself go, I just haven't decided which night I'm going to. Cuh-LEAR-ly I will report back on that.

I will leave you with one of my new favorite songs. Luke Bryan. Stop. Except don't.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

The One Where It's Scary... But That's Okay

So last night, I left work and I was really tired and a little PMSy and kind of wanted to go home and just put my face directly into a lasagna, similar to something Garfield the cat would do...


But I had signed up for a late yoga class, so I forced myself to go. And I'm SO GLAD I did. First, there were these 4 8th grade boys in there with their moms who clearly had never done a second of yoga in their lives and so it was interesting to see how far I've come since I took my first yoga class a few years ago, because I'm sure I looked like they did (or worse). What's that called? Social downward comparison theory? Regardless, it works. I felt like a rockstar.

Then I felt like a DOUBLE rockstar because I DID A HANDSTAND! Assisted, but still. I was a little afraid I was going to kick my preg instructor in the face, but I didn't. And let me tell you something, realizing you can do a handstand kind of makes you feel invincible. 

I wanted to insert a cool picture representing how invincible I felt (since my personal photographer had the night off and was not there to document this handstand business) but if you google invincible, all you get are pictures from comic books and boats named Invincible. Use your imaginations.

Anyway, I was scared to try this handstand thing, because let's be honest - throwing your legs off the ground and relying on your arms to hold you up can be kind of scary when you haven't been lifting weights like a champ your entire life. BUT IT WORKED. And then my the instructor said she's teaching a whole workshop on inversions next Sunday. And my stomach clenched thinking about a whole 2 hours of that. But then I thought, "that is EXACTLY why I should sign up for it." So I did. 

And then when I was driving home, I started thinking about all the things I was scared to try, but once I did, I'm so glad that I did because now, I know that I hate it (unusual, but Pure Barre, I'm looking at you) or (more likely) I like/love it. 

Some examples that fall into the I Tried It and I Like/Love It Category:

1) Running. 

Shelly and me after our first half marathon

We've been over this, but just to rehash, I never ran. Ever. Then I started. And now I like it. Love is still a bit of a stretch. But running is firmly in my Like category.

2) Sushi.


I was afraid of raw fish. UNTIL I ATE IT and realized my life would be incomplete without this deliciousness. I'd be happy eating sushi twice a week. My bank account, however, would not be. 

3) Roller coasters.


The thought of voluntarily going on a machine that takes me upside down at ridiculous speeds?? Um, why? But again, THEN I TRIED IT and I realized the nausea you feel afterwards is a small price to pay for the adrenaline rush!!

4) Driving.


Let me explain... when I was about 8, we were visiting my aunt and she let me drive her super fancy pants Lexus golf cart (complete with A/C and tape deck thankyouverymuch) around her neighborhood. Well, at one point we made a U-Turn but instead of hitting the brake, I hit the gas and ended up almost driving us into a water meter. SCARRED FOR LIFE. Except really only like 8 years. I'll never forget getting into the car for the first time after I got my learner's permit with my dad and my heart literally felt like it was going to beat out of its chest. But we started slow. No U-Turns. And guess what... now I definitely Like driving. Usually too fast, but I have places to be, people!

5) Singing karaoke.

Killin' it in my birthday crown up in Big Bear
So, first, I have a pretty good voice, all right? Let's just get that out of the way. But back in 3rd grade (8 was apparently a rough year for me) my best friend at the time (who I am no longer friends with. She has since turned cray...) convinced me my voice was not very good and she was a better singer than me and I should just stop trying. I held onto that thought for YEARS. Pretty much all the way through college. In high school, I did choir, but nearly crapped myself before the audition, even though my song was really easy and I knew I was going to do fine. I NEVER tried out for solos and in college I refused to try out for the small jazz ensemble I would have LOVED to sing in because of her voice in the back of my head telling me I wasn't good enough. Never mind that I hadn't even spoken to her in over 5 years at this point... her voice still played in my head. Well. Then I met Amanda. And basically, she has taught me first, not to hide my light under a basket and second that someone's always going to be negative to you or about you. FORGET THEM. Do it anyway. Be fabulous. I sang karaoke for the first time with her (in the room... not her singing with me!) and even though I shook like a little newborn lamb, I did it. And then I was hooked. Now, I LOVE karaoke. I'll sing it dead sober. I'll sing it with a live band, with a karaoke track, whatever. I LOVE it.

So, as I've said previously, be scared. Do it anyway. You never know what you'll discover you like. What things have you tried that scared you but you're glad you tried it???

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The One Where Carol Hankel Comes to Town

So I am fortunate enough to have a mom who is able to come visit me for random weekends and I'm also fortunate that this mother of mine enjoys doing fun stuff. This past weekend was full of Fun Times With Carol. She arrived on Friday and we went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa... holy pure bliss. It was amazing. In case you are unfamiliar with the concept of a hot springs spa, just think of a place where your life is basically metaphorical fresh laundry and puppies. Except you get to float around in a pool all afternoon and can use as many towels as you want because there's always a fresh supply. I mean... heaven, right? Oh yeah, and this particular spa is located at the base of these mountains. 

Legit picture I took. Didn't have to Google for this one.
Ridiculously crappy pictures of our wine/frozen drinks... but they were good. Trust.


Don't let this picture fool you - the sun was out and it was glorious.
I noticed when we were changing that my mom and I had gotten matching manicures earlier in the week... obviously not on purpose. So I made her take a picture in the locker room with me. I'm glad she can roll with it and doesn't question my need to take photos of everything.

I mean... identical!
And then after all those tough spa times (lounging takes work, yo!) we met up with Amanda for dinner at Market Broiler, a seafood place, which was delicious. I'm glad I ignored the idiot on Yelp! who went there even though he was allergic to seafood. ... Are you kidding me? Why even write a review of the place, then!? Anyway, Amanda ordered this RIDICULOUS meal called Fisherman's Stew... it required a bib.


Her pile of seafood extras when she was done with it!
I know... it doesn't look like much, but it was tasty.
And then about halfway through our meal, I hear the girl sitting in the booth behind us tell the waiter (who was also our waiter) that her seafood pasta "Has too much fish in it" and asks if he can "take some of it out" ... Again, are you kidding me? You come to a seafood place, you order PASTA, and it still has too much seafood in it for you? Really? I don't even know you, and I hate you. 



And then OBVIOUSLY we had to order 2 desserts for the 3 of us.


When our waiter set them down, I touched his arm and said, "I'm sorry, I think there's too much fish in here. Can you take some of it out?" totally deadpan. And he was trying to hard not to laugh, which is always amusing to me. 

We went shopping on Saturday, which was fun... minus the iPhone saga. I'm going to confess to the internet how much of a dumbass I am, so hang on for the ride. I know, this is totally going against the image you have of me in your brain as someone who totally has it together 100% of the time (ha), but here's what happened. So my birthday present from my parents this year was a new iPhone - HOORAY! I have had an iPhone 4 for a couple years and the home button was starting not to work on it, plus the 5 is just so sleek, so I was very, very excited for this gift. So we go to the Apple store...

You can literally purchase this set for your kids to play with... HA!
And get the phone. I activate the new one, and put my old phone and the box my new phone came into in a plastic Apple store bag. We proceed to Macy's. I'm trying on clothes, come out of the fitting room, find my mom, and realize I have left the Apple bag somewhere. Heart stops beating briefly. Because even though it's my old phone in there, I'm convinced someone will still be able to get on there and get all my stuff off of there and steal my identity and then I'll be living in a cardboard box because I will no longer have a credit score and that's where my mind goes.

So I race around searching for the bag, but it is GONE. Like NSync circa 2001.


After about 20 minutes of looking, I have to concede that somebody has taken the bag. And nobody turned it into a sales counter, so they just took it because it had my phone in there and they wanted it. At least I didn't leave my M&M cookie in there, too... But seriously, I was also pissed because the box for my new phone had the new charger and headphones in there. As someone very wise once said, I hope they needed it more than I did. [asshole] And now I keep thinking "If only I hadn't taken the bag from the Apple store and just put the stuff into my purse! IF ONLY!" But you can't dwell on what could have happened, right? 

The rest of Saturday was fabulous. I bought my first ever dress from Banana Republic! And then it turns out my mom and I just really like to match each other because on Sunday I pull up to get her from her hotel and lo and behold... more matchy matchy times.


I was sad she had to leave on Sunday morning, but I'm going home this weekend for my sister's birthday/Memorial Day, so I'll get to see everyone again on Friday. I am SO EXCITED to give my sister her birthday gift. But I'm assuming she may read this, so you'll all have to wait to see what I ended up getting her. Let's just say it was difficult to find... 

Monday, May 20, 2013

The One Where It's My Birthday and I'll Karaoke If I Want To

Finally... the full birthday story. I apologize there are so many pictures. But what fun is a blog post without pics?! Also, I just want to say that I was BLOWN AWAY by how people helped me celebrate my birthday this year. I would have to say it's the best one yet. And I'm seriously grateful. I felt, and still feel, so LOVED! So... without further ado...


Went for a morning walk/jog. I love this trail.

It's the little things.

Calla's present box was too good not to re-post. 

My office went to Buca di Beppo for lunch. I LOVE their birthday song!!!

Monique and me!
Very nice. Todd and Rich. And a watermelon in the background.

Ben and I look happy... Monique looks... scary!!! ;)

Again, the cake.

Dinner started with draaanks, obvi.

Mikey: "I'm going to put my arm around you and look like your boyfriend."
Me: "All righty."

Mini Lady Liberty in Farrell's [Terrifying] Ice Cream

Mikey had a masquerade mask in the back of her car. Of course. So I tried to get it on this little pig in the front of Farrell's. That's my "I don't know what I'm doing" face.

He deserved a kiss!

My free birthday sundae. Thank god it was free because the whipped cream was disgusting!

You can see the terror in Mikey's eyes. Our waiter was mean to us, thinking he was being funny, but really he was just mean. 

Then the next day we drove up to Big Bear. With my GIANT pinata in the backseat!!! We named him Percy!

Moe was on the lookout.

I forgot to ring this bell, but it was available for use!



The following includes a nice variety of the decor in our super klassy cabin:
















And obviously we had to use the immersion blender to make drinks with fresh strawberries in them.


Shelly, wearing Percy's head. Scary, but funny.


Dancing.

And that was the last picture I basically took on Friday night. No need to document the insanity/karaoke from the times at the bar... Use your imaginations!! Saturday night was spent lying on the couch, eating Jack In the Box, watching Married to Jonas and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And Sunday was spent doing this:


I have to say, hands down, this was the BEST birthday I've had so far in my life. Percy was the best present ever. My friends are awesome. And I hope this post inspires you to buy your friend a birthday pinata next time you're not sure what to get someone. You're welcome for the gift idea. Also, I am trying to figure out how to get a hilarious video of us busting Percy open with our bat on here, but Blogger keeps telling me it's processing my video, but then it doesn't finish. Hhhhhh why is technology so annoying? Anyway, Happy Monday to you all!!