Ha ha!

Even the cats love The Real Housewhores

Last night's gathering of friends to watch/mock The Real Housewhores of NYC was exceptional.  So good, in fact, that the cats even got into it (see photos above).

Jemmy, Loraine and The Tami came over for dinner and a good, old-fashioned Housewhore mockery.  Jemmy made the most delish salad, The Tami brought the happiness trifecta (wine, cheese and crackers) and Loraine brought homemade peanut butter rice krispie treats.  I contributed a loaf of bread (which my mom actually bought for me [true story...]).

Sadly we were missing the third member of the Tourette Triplets - Elsie Clever.  She was home sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection (which I believe is her idea of a euphemism for "the period before her period").

Thanks to The Tami's quick thinking (and quick texting skills) the night before I was able to VHS the sneak preview episode of Real Housewhores of NJ.  Oh - this is going to be a good year...

Noodles and Housewives

Ye olde Jamba crew met last night for a delightful dinner of Thai noodles and Real Housewives gossip.  I just don't think it gets any better than this - do you?

The ladies are all kinds of vocal and loud when it comes time to share their opinions on the Real Housewhores (e.g., "Gretchen and Slade aren't really dating - they just want to be on the show for any reason", "Kelly's pink boots are gross", "Ramona and her husband are either overly medicated or in severe need of medication" and various versions of "I'm up here...you're down there".  Funny how shy they get when their picture is taken, though.  Thankfully Sarah brought her new camera and coaxed some poses out of the ladies.  Unfortunately mine is a gesticulation action shot - not my finest moment...

Another new Crystal Gayle

Behold:  the Crystal Gaysian

In the words of Elsie Clever:

The best part is the guy on the edge of the frame checking her out. Like he's going to follow her into the ladies room to stroke her lovely tresses... Oi. 

New species of Crystal Gayle

Behold:  the Crystal Mayle!

Dean and his BFFs

Dean and Elsie came over yesterday.  Dean walked straight up to the kittehs to give them bear hugs, drools and snuggles.  Seriously the cutest thing I'd seen in a very long time.

When he came in for kitteh hugs he had an enormous smile on his face and was literally (lit'rally) shaking with excitement.  I could hardly contain myself.

Forgive me for recycling an old photo.  In all of the excitement yesterday I neglected to take pictures.  So - just imagine the cuteness.  

That's mighty big, sir...

Gentle readers - I can't believe it's taken me a week to tell you about the trip to Big Sur last weekend.  Shame!

Well, come closer and I'll tell you all about it.  Closer....closer.  Yes.  That's good.  Now listen up.

On Friday morning The Tami, Loraine and I pile into the petite wagon.  The first glimpse of how fun the weekend would be was when we washed down our lunch (at some cute place in Carmel Valley) with chipotle bloody marys.  Oh, yes.  YES!

After lunch it was just a hop, skip and a jump (my mom says that all the time - drives me crazy!) to Big Sur.  We checked into our motel (I love that word - so many connotations).  Then we explored Big Sur for a minute (no, I'm not exaggerating - it's that wee).  When it was time for another adult beverage we stopped at a place called The Roadhouse (another of my favorite words).  Sadly they weren't open yet and suggested we go to the River Inn instead.

Pulling into a parking spot at the River Inn who should walk right in front of us (literally)?  Tim (a friend of mine from my younger days at Pomona College)!  I knew we'd meet up during the weekend but hadn't yet called to say we'd arrived (bad IAH).  He joined us for some beverages (sleazy wahines [pineapple infused vodka and other fruity goodness] for all my [female] friends!).

After spending some quality time bellied up to the bar at the River Inn I felt like we'd met half the town (because we had - Tim knows everybody).  Then it was off to The Roadhouse for dinner.  Hella good Mexican food.

After dinner we returned to the homestead.  The Tami and Loraine were tuckered but I soldiered on.  Hung out with Tim at the motel bar (there was a DJ - so cosmopolitan!).

The next morning we had breakfast at Nepenthe's Cafe Kevah.  Eggs, coffee and an amazing view - what more can you ask for?  Then we headed north to Carmel.  We wandered the streets a bit - doing some shopping (mainly mocking the touristy wares).  Then we met up with Tim and his pals at the Cheese Shop for a wine and cheese extravaganza.  I don't remember how much we drank (it got a bit fuzzy after the magnum of champagne) but do remember that it was a crazy fun time.  We headed back to Big Sur for dinner.  We had the most amazing and delicious dinner at Nepenthe - for reals.  I'll be forever grateful to Tim for that :)

After dinner it was back to the homestead to see the bands playing at the motel bar.  Then off to bed to sleep off the afternoon/ evening drunkfest.  

The next day we had breakfast at Ripplewood and then left Big Sur.  We left rested and a bit hungover.  Isn't that how you should feel after every vacation?