my 'stache.

Now I don't have to wonder what I'd look like with a mustache. It's clearly not my thing. Although ... maybe I should have given it more of a handlebar flair. That could make all the difference.

Try it for yourself.

So very happy to be a girl. Today and every day.

kids these days.

People can be so strange. Nearly every week I get the same prank phone call at work: the caller says "Boo on you!" and is then silent. Doesn't hang up, just waits. Is the caller anticipating some sort of reaction? Am I supposed to get flustered and retort with a "No, boo on YOU! AND YOUR MOM!"?

From the sounds of it, I'm guessing that my cute 'lil pranker is female, approximately 13 or 14 years old, and clearly has some unsupervised free time on her hands. I suppose if she really wants to waste her time (and feels good about) prank calling a non-profit children's organization, then so be it. But this blog entry will be the only reaction she gets from me. The least she could do is mix it up a bit for future calls. I'm getting bored with her generic "BOO."

And now shifting gears .... how great is this shirt? I want one so I can stand next to a mirror and amaze people.

the bandwagon.

I jumped on the Coldplay one yesterday and bought Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. (On sale for $9.99. And after applying my leftover $6 gift card from Hilda, I paid roughly $4 for it! I feel real good about that).

When I can't decide whether or not to buy an album, I just lurk on iTunes until I decide which songs are worth my hard earned 99 cents. Hopefully I'm not alone in this. So for all you iTunes lurkers out there, here are my top picks. For what it's worth.

Cemeteries of London
Lost!
Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love
Viva la Vida
Violet Hill
Strawberry Swing

My least favorite: Yes. It kind of makes my heard hurt. No offense, Chris Martin. Your other stuff is great.

introducing --

I won’t lie - Cactus Succulentus has been looking pretty amazing lately. So much so that I made the decision to transfer it from the office to my house. Now my 8 hour a day, 5 day a week attention will be focused on my newest endeavor – mystery plant.

Also from Ikea, mystery plant cost a mere $1.50 and had no identification or care instructions attached. Nothing. With no direction whatsoever, I figure I’ll just focus on water and sunlight. From now on it shall be known as “Jess’s Cool Plant.”


And a closeup of its maroonish lined leaves (the selling point for me).

P.S. If anyone happens to know what type of plant Jess’s Cool Plant is that’d be great.

yeondoo jung.

I realize this is a bit strange, but hear me out. This Korean artist named Yeondoo Jung takes children’s drawings and turns them into photos. They’re so …. whimsical and odd. And for some reason I love the idea. I’ll bet kids are so excited to see their creations “brought to life” like this.

yes, please.

Um, today is National Donut Day. As if I need another excuse. Why Donut Day, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. After a quick Google search I learned that Donut Day is celebrated because (drum roll, please) “In 1917, Salvation Army female volunteers known as “lassies” prepared thousands of fresh donuts to the homesick soldiers that served in France during World War I. National Donut Day was officially established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression.”

There you have it. Do you know what the Guinness Book world record is for donut eating? 26 donuts in 6 minutes. Anyone else feeling sick to their stomach?

I wonder if Donut Day is like 7-11 Day where you get free stuff. I like free.

the one, the only ...

Important news, everyone. Today is June 4th. Which means it's Karlee's birthday! (Better known in the Venable household as Curlie. Please see the above picture. Isn't she cute?) As her husband says, Curlie is a "firecracker" - she has more energy and spunk than the average person. Here are somethings about Curlie that always make me smile:

• First off, her patience with my never-ending birthday promises over the years. Thus far, she's entitled to a homemade apron and a specially designed Lemon & Lime cookbook. (In my defense, I've already purchased the apron pattern and the cookbook just needs to be taken to the printer. So there.)
• Her obsession with pickles and lemons.
• She used to be in love with Tom Cruise. He looks young in this picture so I assume he's in the pre-crazy stage. You're welcome, Curlie.
  

• Our agenda whenever we spent time together: Dollar Store, Arctic Circle (with an ice cream cone afterwards), and the D.I. We rarely deviate.
• Her disdain for "the burn." Doesn't matter what she's doing - biking, hiking, or just walking - that annoying burn takes all enjoyment out of it for her.
• She makes for a pretty cute kitty.

• Her movie taste. She likes everything from The Fifth Element to Annie.
• She is a remodeler extraordinaire!
• She and her husband: bicker, bicker. Kiss, kiss kiss. Bicker. Kiss. Kiss more. (You get the idea)

• Her willingness to foster parent my fish when I moved up to Logan. It was good to know that Hans and Sven were in her capable hands.
• Her not-at-all-scary fishing skills :)

• Her cute freckles.
• Her excitement at being the proud owner of a new puppy. I'll be honest - Fern really is a cute 'lil thing.

• The creative ways she has of changing the subject from Toyota Tacomas.
• Lime green!
• And most of all, Michael Jackson. Curlie is truly scared of him. Of course, I think we can all agree to feeling the same way. Seems to worsen each year.

And on that note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURLIE!

i couldn't agree more.