VIDEO: Frost Park Fridays? They're chalktabulous.

To the tune of Miss Mary Mack by Tacoma's own Deborah Page (and Paul Uhl) ... here is the latest Frost Park Friday video by AdamTheAlien.



It's chalk-a-rific.

VIDEO: This one's for you, Mr. Izenmania

A bit of an inside non-joke. But it's Friday -- and it's funny.



To all the folks who came out for Frost Park Friday: Menamenah.

VIDEO: Memories ... of Frost Park lunch in the snow

I know it's all warm and springlike and sunny today, but remember just a couple weeks ago when it, well, wasn't? This next video tells you all about Frost Park Friday Lunches, on the day it snowed on everyone. It's weird to think that this was less than a month ago.



Thank you, AdamTheAlien!

VIDEO: "Mr. Manley Goes to Caucus"

When my brother moved up to Tacoma last year, he knew he'd be experiencing new things. But he had no idea what this "caucus" thing was. Today is the Pierce County Democratic Convention, where the delegates elected during the Feb. 9 caucus will continue representing their fellow voters' interests as they put forth a platform of issues Pierce County Democrats care about. Issues like health care, the war, and so much more.

While my brother is not a delegate, he did document the Feb. 9 part of the process he participated in: The Obama caucus for the 27th Legislative District. And while I don't think the timing was purposeful, today it's done.



I think I got a bit teary-eyed at one point. Wasn't expecting that.

p.s. Look out for the work of AdamTheAlien in the Grand's upcoming 72-hour film festival!

Happily ever after ...

I'm happy to report that my kids are obsessed with Alice & Wonderland ... at least the 1999 movie version. It happened to be on some channel the other night, and I fell asleep ... but the Boy became obsessed, and was not happy when I eventually woke up and turned it off. So I told him I'd look for the movie ... and I found it on iTunes for just $5.99! Sweet! So the kids and I are watching a bit each night, and when we're done I'll start reading them the book. They're very excited, and think the whole thing's hilarious with all the shrinking and growing. Yay!

Putting at least a little spring in Spring Break ...

The Eldest broke my heart with a look this morning. It's spring break, and things have been so busy we'd done nothing fun. Sure, they might have slept in a tad until they got taken to grandma's (or preschool for The Boy), but heading off to grandma's to spend the day inside, or the "other" option of following her little brother to preschool for the day were such let-downs that The Eldest was wishing for school to start and pretty much having a "I'm so disappointed in my parents" breakdown. And so I caved. There was really nothing on my schedule that couldn't wait until the next day, so after checking in on one morning thing, my bosses were kind enough to let me take a sanity day off -- which ended up not just being good fodder for The Eldest's spring break book, but also saved the Daddy some headaches and stresses as well.

So what did we do? Nothing that huge. We spent a relaxing day. Starting off with Part II of our Girl's Day Out that got interrupted last month.

The Eldest and I did our favorite Girl Day thing: Late breakfast at The Harvester.



Eldest always orders the same thing: Strawberry milkshake & strawberry pancakes. And all began to get better ...



I quite enjoyed my lake breakfast, too ... the morning special of 2 eggs, toast & hashbrowns for $3.99 ... and some coffee, of course. I usually get the Wrecked Eggs, but I'd already had a bit of oatmeal, since this was an unexpected day off.



After late breakfast, on our way to go birthday shopping for Baby Girl, we made a quick stop for more coffee. I pulled into the Satellite Coffee parking lot and The Eldest got a kick out of the fact that the shop was above the Supernova Tattoo & HAIR Shop. She thought it was even sillier that that's where her uncle gets his hair cut. Anyhow, the smiles just got brighter as she enjoyed the tall chair by the window while I ordered my triple vanilla americano -- yum. And then the fabulous folks at Satellite Coffee gave her -- gasp -- chocolate. Which she actually shared later with friends and sibs. (Surprised it lasted that long ... I think this place will be forever cemented in her mind ...)



After picking up the sibs (including Baby Girl, who is in the middle of Potty Training Boot Camp ... and passing with flying colors) and snagging some lunch, we headed out to Puget Park with Tacomamama's girlie poos. More smiles ensued by all ...



The Boy didn't even gripe that I picked him up early, meaning he missed lunch, second snack, third snack and at least one or two recesses ...



The Eldest's smile ... well ... warmed and mended my heart.



Then we came home and did chalk art.



And it was good.

Spring break is now a success. It doesn't take much, I know, but sometimes a parent has to remember that it takes SOMETHING.

Wow! Now that's (not) a burger!

Not until today have I ever uttered this sentence: "I had super-fabulous, inexpensive vegan food for lunch today!" Oh. My. Gosh. I'm still drooling. I finally had the opportunity to venture into Quickie Too today with the lovely Lady Lisa of mineral. WOW! Neither of us had ever been, so when we met up inside the nondescript gray building at about South 13th and Martin Luther King Jr., we tentatively asked a few questions, were given a sample of a super-tasty Egyptian something-or-other juice-like drink, then ordered. I'd heard fabulous things about, well, everything, but specifically the Crazy Jamaican Burger ...



Wow! Every bite was full of flavor, and the textures were just what I want out of the burger. My burger was piled with herbed, marinated "jerked" tofu burgers on a petella bun, with ripe plantains, grilled sweet onions and heirloom tomatoes and vegan homemade mayo and ... well, really, don't be bothered by the details. I heard from a very picky eater who doesn't usually like tomatoes that she was once told by a friend to just eat it how it comes at Quickie, and so she did, and she is quite glad she did.

My lunch buddy had the "Mac & Yease," which also comes highly recommended. I also hear the New York something or other is also good.

1324 Martin Luther King Jr. Way/1602 South G St. / Tacoma WA 98405
(253) 572-4549
hillsidequickie.com

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I so need to re-read "Alice in Wonderland" ...

I love that this quote is an Alice quote:

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what it is, wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

And so is this one:

"It would be so nice if something made sense for a change."

When I was a child, I wanted my name to be Alice. I'm starting to see why ... Other great Alice in Wonderland quotes that I can identify with ...

"If everybody minded their own businss, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does." -- The Duchess

"I think I should understand that better, if I had it written down: but I can't quite follow it as you say it." -- Alice (I so relate to this one.)

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" -- Alice

"We're all mad here." -- The Cheshire Cat