The One with The Hat

Chris is obsessed with The Hat. Not like a hat hat, a fast food joint called The Hat. The first time we went a couple weeks ago I had a migraine and was bitter about the whole experience, but today I was in tip-top shape and eager to get my eat on and document this legend!

We've lived in LA for almost two years now and have driven by this seemingly run-down stand dozens of times. I can't remember what made Chris want to give this place a whirl, but I'm glad we went!

We pulled up around back where people were devouring their mountains of food. Seriously, you should see the portion size of all their menu items. Fit for giants! The chili cheese fries are like a foot high, no joke!

Then we got in line to order. What to eat what to eat?

We put in our request and waited semi-impatiently.

I strolled with Fox across the street to get a "full body" shot. Pretty ghetto right? But don't judge a book/restaurant by it's cover/facade!

Making our meal.

Finally our number was up!

Our drink - which should now say 60 years instead of 55 right?

Our delcious food! I got the famous pastrami sandwich and Chris got a cheeseburger.

He's thinkin, "Heaven on Earth!"

Last time we ordered a large fry and it literally came in a paper grocery bag filled to the brim. Today we went for the small fry today and still had tons leftover. We're determined to conquer the fries next time!

Amen to this sign!

Diet starts on Monday...

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The One with the Royal Wedding

I've always been a tad (okay, a lot) bit fascinated by British royalty and kings and queens and princes and princesses and castles and mansions.

I was convinced when I was a little girl that I was going to grow up and be a princess (I mean, what little girl doesn't think/dream/wish that?). I really honestly and truly thought a prince was going to find me and sweep me off my feet and take me to live in his castle atop a hill. But why am I talking in the past tense, a prince did find me and sweep me off my feet (and now we're workin' on the castle part :)

Throughout my childhood I did many-a report on this queen or that queen. Off the top of my head I know I did a report on Mary Queen of Scotts, Queen Elizabeth II, and most recently in high school Princess Diana. I had to dress up like her, talk with an accent while I was giving my schpeal, the whole enchilada. We pretty much look like twins right?

Haha, not so much.

I haven't been able to sit and watch the Royal Wedding in its entirety, but from the snippets I have seen here and there I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face! How cute are Prince William and Kate?

Not to mention her wedding dress - to die for beautiful!

I love the way they look at each other and their smiles and their ACCENTS!

And then they rode off in their horse-drawn carriage, just like at the end of Cinderella - it's a real life fairy tale wedding dream come true!

Anyways, I just love all things royalty. The end.

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The One with Would I Rather

Would I rather have a baby that doesn't like to be held or snuggled at all?

or

a baby who doesn't want to be put down ever?

Sometime over the last week Fox decided that he doesn't want to be put down. Ever. Set him down and he, well, cries like a baby! He wants to be held 24/7/365. When he's awake. When he's asleep. When he's eating. When he's pooping, haha.

But, to answer my question at the beginning, I'd rather have it like this than have him not want to be held and snuggled, because I know some day he'll be too big to cuddle.

This is Fox when he was just a few hours old.

He's always been my little snuggler.

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The One with Missing Jadis

I know I'm a broken record but we're back home now and life is sooooooo much different without my silly bird! He was EVERYWHERE. He was such a part of our lives! Chris buried him next to Frank Jr. as soon as we got home. I couldn't watch.

My soon-to-be-sister-in-law Tanya (who just started a blog and I LOVE it! Check it out HERE) just sent me a video of Jadis and I can't stop laughing and crying over it. She and my brother Eric came out here last December for a few days so he could propose to her but Fox was in the hospital so they had to take care of our pets, including Jadis. This is Eric and Tanya's attempt to put Jadis in his cage so they could use the facilities.

Sorry for such depressing posts lately! I'll get back in the swing of things soon. Time heals all wounds. I'm counting on that.

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The One with Home Sweet Home Day 7

Today was uber relaxed. I'm still very depressed about Jadis. Tomorrow we'll be back in South Pas and will face life without my friend. It's going to be so weird. But we'll get to that when we have to get to that. Today we went to Mikey's Bagels for a little brunch and then chilled and worked at home all day. Eric just got back from college on Sunday and I caught him on camera being silly for a few seconds. This definitely brightens my day.

It was cold today so I wrapped myself and Fox up in Allie's robe and we had a little snuggle time.

We tested to see if Gypsy will chase a laser. Does she or doesn't she?

She most definitely does!

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The One when Jadis Died :(

I'm so sad. So so sad. Oh so oh so sad.

:( :( :(

I know just a few days ago I didn't have very many nice things to say about Jadis (okay, none at all), but I was just trying to be funny. I really did love my bird.

I got a phone call a few hours ago from the boys who are taking care of our pets and he said that when he went to take care of them today he found Jadis drowned in the toilet. That's the second beloved pet I've had drown in a dang toilet. The first was sweet Li'l Chinchilla's three week old baby, Li'l Chinwilla:

I know, accidents happen. I never left instructions that said to keep the toilet seat down. Then again, I never thought Jadis would drown. He loved taking baths!

The poor boy was so distraught when he called. He's an animal lover just like me and I know how terrified and sad he must have been to call me with the news. In a way having him be so sad is comforting. If the person taking care of my pets hadn't cared, that would have made things worse than they are.

I just keep playing over and over in my mind Jadis struggling to get out of the toilet, there wasn't anything for him to grab onto with his beak or talons, and eventually succumbing and drowning. My poor heart. I can't get it out of my mind. I hope he didn't struggle for hours. My poor Jadis.

Why oh why did I get his wings clipped?

I took a video of him a few weeks ago. Whenever we took a shower he'd "fall with style" into the bathroom and climb up the curtain to be right next to the nozzle.

Jadis has been on many a road trip with us. Little bugger always tried to take off my glasses. Or really, he chewed everything that was ever in my hair right off. Bobby pins, hair ties, clips, etc. He'd chew them and break them. He chewed through many cords in his lifetime which we then sent to my dad and he'd fix. He pooped everywhere and squeaked and squawked all the time. He was the king of the castle and even ruled over Joey. But even with all his horribleness, he was my bird and could be sweet. Jadis had a major sweet tooth. He totally belonged in our family. He was always everywhere we went. Rachel and Joey and Jadis followed me everywhere and I'd always say, "Dog. Cat. Bird." Now I'll just say "Dog. Cat." When I first got him I'd take him to work with me every day and he'd just roam around the office getting into mischief. He seemed to pop up in a lot more photos than I intended him to be. Like here, spot the Jadis! The day of my cousin's wedding he flew outside, down the street, and way up into a tree. We missed the wedding to get him back! This is the last picture I took of Jadis just a few days ago for that Evans Family Update post. He sure was a pretty bird what with his green, blue, and red feathers! Jadis in the sunset. He was always on me, right by me, eating food right out of my hand, sitting on my shoulder, my constant companion. He got himself into funny places sometimes. This is my all-time favorite picture of Jadis. RIP Jadis. You will be missed and I'm so sorry you had to leave us so tragically and we weren't there to save you.

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The One with Home Sweet Home Day 6

Happy Easter Sunday!

The Easter bunny visited us last night and left a big basket of candy. Definitely gonna need to visit a dentist after this is consumed...

The Easter bunny, or should I say "Easta Bunny", hid eggs for Chris and I to find.

Fox joined in on the hunt.

We found eggs in the most random places like atop this tubey thing.

Our treasure.

This is the epitome of Fox: put everything in mouth and reach for everything at the same time.

Num num num.

We got dressed up for church and asked Allie to snap a few photos of us.

Thanks for taking pics of us Allie! Happy first Easter Fox!

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The One with Home Sweet Home Day 5

Early this morning we left for the Lake Wenatchee cabin. Fox lasted for about 20 minutes in this cute new outfit, then he had a blowout.

He hasn't had one of those in awhile, but luckily I was ultra prepared and brought not one, but two spare outfits, and he ended up needing both!

The weather here in the Pacific Northwest has been exceptionally beautiful since we arrived. I'd like to think we brought the California sunshine right along with us :) The two hour drive up to the cabin was gorgeous.

Juxtaposition of Man and Nature with the wires and the mountains.

El Cabino!

My parents have worked long and hard to make this a beautiful escape.

This is the best I could get of a view of Lake Wenatchee. It's so beautiful IRL.

I worked for a long time, then finished up and enjoyed spending time with my family. Here's the Evans clan on the Taylor porch.

And Fox is done.

Gypsy tagged along and I got her all wound up and you can't really tell but she's about two or three feet off the ground here jumping up.

The cabin is surrounded by trees. Looking straight up into the leafy abyss.

Fox and his Grandpa played a quick game of pulling sticks. Fox won :)

We packed up and left for Plain. It's a city in Washington.

Snooze fest!

We stopped at Plain Hardware and picked out a onesie for Fox and a cheap Plain shirt for mwah.

Love this display of frames - I want to make one!

In Plain Hardware there's a wall where people have displayed pictures of them wearing Plain Hardware t-shirts all over the world.

Back in the summer of 2005 my parents visited me while I was on a study abroad to London and we went to Paris for a day and my dad wore his Plain Hardware shirt. Now he's on the wall of fame:

Oh and I wanna make one of these too, also from Plain Hardware:

Then we drove to Leavenworth and got some dinner at the Leavenworth Pizza Company.

If this pizza doesn't look delicious, I don't know what pizza does!

Today was also my parent's 28th wedding anniversary! And they said it wouldn't last :)

After dinner we schlept around Leavenworth. Such a fun town.

Horse-drawn carriage!

The love-birds.

My attempt at an Ansel Adams.

All of the stores/restaurants/fast food joints in Leavenworth have been "Bavarianized". Check it:

Bye bye Leavenworth! Until next time!

We stopped at a grocery store on the way home to get some Easter eats and enjoyed seeing a hot air balloon floating in the sky.

Perfect ending to a perfect day.

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