5 Reasons I Love Arrested Development

I have lots of fave shows, but because I recently (FINALLY!) bought the third and final season of Arrested Development, I'm kinda in that mindset right now...

There's a lot of reasons I love the show, but I decided to write my top five and if you're not a fan of the show yet, you more than likely will be after this!

Yes, sadly, it was cancelled after 3 very enjoyable seasons, and it certainly gives us fans the desire for more!!! One of the big reasons I'm drawn to the show is the attention to detail given to the continuity of plots and jokes. Most shows are pretty good about that, especially recently because (in my opinion) the Internet now allows for fans to get online right after a new episode and discuss why one tidbit of info was wrong, citing an earlier episode. Arrested Development took the time to create ongoing jokes and stories, which maybe sometimes left casual viewers in the dark. Oh well! Here are my top five reasons for liking loving this show! (Please note that none of the following clips were made by me - they were created by other AD fans!)

1 - The Chicken Dance, as Performed by the Bluth Family
Not THE Chicken Dance as performed by your Aunt at every family get-together - no, this is how the Bluth family impersonates chickens to call someone a coward. It started out with Gob's (pronounced like "Joeb" and not "gob" like a "gob of frosting" or something) rendition and quickly became a staple. I find Lindsay's (Portia de Rossi) version funniest, but words cannot express the hilarity of them all at once:

2 - "Come on!"
I'm finding myself saying this more and more lately...it might have something to do with the show...

3 - Tobias' Way with Words
We've all known someone that honestly says things, not realizing that you could easily say "That's what she said!" right after, or any phrase to indicate you picked up the double entendre. I work in a male-dominated job, and JUST as I finish speaking, I'm turning red as about 2 or 3 guys yell "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!!" (Don't get me wrong - I'm sometimes the first one to say it with them, and I've even impressed them with my quick wit!)
With Tobias, however, you have to love that he just doesn't get what exactly he's spoken...

4 - Buster Loves His Family
It's kind of adorable, to be honest. I already sort of talk like this, so it was fun to watch someone else be cute (that's right, I'm cute!). I just love Buster!

5 - Stars! Stars! Stars!
I sadly don't have a clip for this part, but I'll just list off some recurring and one-time guest stars on the show...
Liza Minelli, Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, Zach Braff, Charlize Theron, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Lipton, Jane Lynch, Amy Poehler, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Heather Graham, Ed Helms, William Hung, and of course, Ron Howard as the Narrator.

...yeah. Why aren't you rushing off to get your own copy of Arrested Development? :-)

Ooh, Honourable Mention! It's made "The Final Countdown" much more epic and awesome:

Until next time, I'll encourage, "More touching!"
- Aurora

Goodbye to the Best Cuddles

OK, I know I said I'd be better at updating, but you'll excuse me, I know you will, when you read this one...

Not really sure how to start this one, or where it'll go, so I'll just get right into it - at 26 years old, I now have to deal with my first Pet Death :-(

Amos, the Airedale Terrier, went to Heaven yesterday, quietly and peacefully at home around 3 PM. God must have needed a four-legged angel more than we did. He was 12 years old, which is about the right age for an Airedale to pass, and was the best doggie ever. We still have his brother-from-another-litter, Micah around, and that's easier to deal with, but Micah doesn't have a good heart, so that's kinda poopy.

We knew this day was coming, but weren't sure - some days were better than others, and my family and I always knew each day was another blessing to be shared with Amos.

He came into our lives a little puff ball of adorableness and gave us many fond memories - the way in training class he mastered everything except staying still when a ball was rolled past, how he ALWAYS went for my Lisa Simpson doll, the way he'd pounce on my Mum to grab a snack she was eating, and how he became Alpha Male when Micah arrived a few months later. Amos was a "sucky" dog - he was good for cuddles. He was also a little sneak - he'd make sure no one was around, then creep into your unattended room or purse to grab something he shouldn't. There were many times we had to chase him around the kitchen table and try and corner him. Having Micah barking like a maniac didn't help, either!

He stayed young for many years, but the last one and a half to two years really started to show his age. He started going a little deaf and blind, and it got worse - never to a horrible extent, but never getting better. He started having trouble getting up the stairs when before he would go up and down, no problem. He started sleeping more, and not having the energy he once did. He would perk up every so often, but not as often as before.

Finally, yesterday, my Mum came to me before I left for work - she told me Amos wasn't doing very well, and today may be The Day. I made sure to pet him, and tell him he's a good boy. He raised his head, as if in one last moment of recognition, to let me know he knew I loved him very much and wanted him to be ok. I went to work, and my Mum called that morning to let me know she and Dad decided to put him down that night. I was upset, but accepted the fact as the best choice. Around 4 PM, she called my work again to let me know Amos had passed on his own, on his pillow, at home - just like we'd wanted him to, and I'm sure that was where he wanted to go, too. We have a large backyard, and that's where Amos now rests.

Last night was hard - I took all the news in stride, but once night fell, I cried, thinking about him being outside and cold and alone. I had to stop myself, reminding myself he isn't physically outside. He's in a better place, and happier and healthy.

I'll miss giving him cuddles, and having to make sure he isn't sneaking into my things. I'll miss the way he'd nuzzle into your knees in the morning, and how frustrated he'd get at the giant blue plastic ball that he couldn't fit in his mouth. I'll miss the time I cried over my first broken heart and how he quietly jumped onto my bed and sat beside me, and how he whined when he knew we were cooking pasta, hoping to snag some later.

I love Micah as much as Amos - just differently, as if they were my children - but I can say he was and still is the best boy ever, and I'll never forget him. Love you, Amoski Boy, and I know you're somewhere good where you can eat all the pasta you want!

Week of Cupcakes, Part 4

Huzzah! The last post!

After seeing my St. Patrick's Day cupcakes, a co-worker approached me to make cupcakes for her step-daughter. Of course, I agreed! She enjoys "girly" things, and Audrey Hepburn, so this gave me a few things to work with.

Also, got to use Colour Mist for the first time - it's like airbrushing your frosting, super fun!! I used cake decorating tips, too, as opposed to just applying frosting with an offset spatula:

Ahhh! I really enjoyed these - simple, girly, and needing a little creativity. It was fun to JUST decorate and not be totally precise with cupcakes for once. Plus, I mean, I got to airbrush cupcakes! (NOTE - if you decide to use Colour Mist, OPEN A WINDOW! They have a strong aerosol smell!)

Ok peoples, that's all for my week of cupcakes! I'll start posting a little more on a regular basis now, I'm sure!

Keepin' it simple,
- Aurora

Week of Cupcakes, Part 3

Hello, again!

Ok, I'm almost done my posts about the Week of Cupcakes I've had! Last Sunday was Wrestlemania 28, and I was super-excited to be watching it with my boyfriend and his brother. The lineup wasn't all that exciting, but it wasn't horrible and if you're a WWE Fan of certain stars and they ARE at Wrestlemania? You're happy either way!

So, time with the boyfriend, a good friend, and Wrestlemania? How to make this better?

CUPCAKES!!

The idea came to me while making the cupcakes from the last post - it hit me like lightning, and I got REALLY excited and could not wait to make them up! And so, I present my version of Wrestlemania 28, in the cupcake medium...

From left to right, starting with the top row:
Edge, Undertaker, Triple H, The Rock
Sheamus, Santino, WM 28, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio
Natalya, John Morrison, Trish Stratus

I won't lie, these took a bit of work, but were so worth it! My Dad kept teasing me, saying I should add little arms on the sides of each cupcake to flex. Honestly, though? If I had more time and was more confident in my abilities, I totally would have! Maybe next year I'll make a ring out of the cupcakes...I'd just need to get wee little figurines to put in the ring...

Well, that's this post done up - I will say I ate the John Morrison cupcake, and it was just as tasty as I imagine he would be in real life! ...uh, I mean...aw, dang, can't say that any other way, can I? Ha ha ha, oh well...

(Yes, I have a dirty crush on John Morrison. My boyfriend is fully aware, and is ok with it. We each have a Celebrity Pass. I forget his...)

Live each day like it's Wrestlemania!
- Aurora

Week of Cupcakes, Part 2

Sorry I've been lax on posting - this week literally flew by and before I know it, it's Friday night, I'm exhausted, and thinking I should catch this up!!

So, this last week has been FULL of cupcakes, and I'm sharing what I've done with them - this post is from a set I did for another co-workers birthday. I was excited to try this design out, and SO pleased at how they turned out as a whole! All I had to go on was that her fave colour was red:

She loved them so much, she took the large one home to show off to her family! GREAT idea for Mother's Day, too, if you think that far ahead :-) I shall post the rest later this weekend - for now, I'm gonna curl up in bed and watch some 30 Rock and laugh myself to sleep...

Hope you find a flower - edible or not! - in each day you live,

- Aurora