ME in S.D.!

2011-01-25T23:52:00.000-08:00

I will try and post more this year. The end.

Mom, ME and Reality T.V.

2011-01-25T21:58:00.001-08:00

Ok, I admit it. I'm a victim. A victim to reality T.V. Try as I might I could just not seem to vanquish this vice. It did not make my resolution list. Partly because I didn't make resolutions ( I mean, I KNOW what I need to better and I don't need January to remind me) and partly because if you are a "real" housewife, a budding clothing designer, an iconic plastic comedianne, a "Survivor" or really have no talent at all (see "real" housewife) I am probably DVR'ing your antics in ritual. A few observations: these broads that call themselves "housewives" pale in comparison to my amazing mother. I can't even put them in the same category as my self-less, resourceful, patient and modest mum. Secondly, I wish I knew how to sew. Wondering what might have been had I taken Home Ec more seriously or just picked up the talent through osmosis from, again, my mother. Lastly, I'm pretty sure I could get through a couple of rounds Survivor if I were to practice a little trait my mother possesses-integrity. That and an affinity for nature and the fact that I could eat rice and bug-ridden fruit for at least a couple weeks before cracking. If you are starting to sense a theme here you have one up on any given character from the cast of The Jersey Shore. I'm making a little homage to my mom today. Incorporating reality television while honoring my mom...aw the ridiculousness of it all. It's her birthday tomorrow! I'm pretty sure she's not one of those women that's gets all squeamish about her age, but it's not polite to announce that on a blog. Let's just say she is an amazingly vibrant and lovely lady that still makes it hard for me to remember that she gets a discount at the movie theatres! I guess that's what happens when you spend your time fixing, cleaning, cooking, encouraging, coaxing, learning, loving and being a wonderful example!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!LOVE YOU!

ME leaving my camera unattended...

2008-12-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

Interesting things can happen when you turn your back for 5 minutes...
I should have known better, growing up with 8 brothers and everything. You'd think a girl would learn. In my defense, all I can really say is that I've been in California for a while now and perhaps it's weakened my defenses. Perhaps, I have not had to do battle with the enemy in so long that I have gone plain, San Diego soft. But we'll see who has the last laugh....yes, we shall see....

Does anyone else notice the uncanny resemblance???? Eat your heart out Venus, Botticelli should have had such a muse as this!

I'm pretty sure these nitwits were brushing up on their Festivus "Feats of Strength" a little early or something. How else could one explain the great "Iron Ball Toss"...

And the "Leaping Lizard Long Jump"...

Not to mention the "Best Impersonation of a Plumber Log Splitting" contest.......

And lastly...but most definatley, not least....the great and terrible "Chicken Tractor Challenge." .

(I think it's safe to say dear bro Jeff will have to recuperate a bit before he can compete in the Finals).

ME and my Halloween....

2008-11-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

My buddy Mike and I at my work Halloween party: Unfortunately we didn't win the grand prize, or any prize for that matter. I dare say people did just not get the genius of an actual blind man humoring me in this way. No worries, we both had fabulous fun anyway!

For those of you who have seen "Lars and the Real Girl" this Halloween duo, at a party I went to, was hands down my favorite! I even gave her bottled water when she looked thirsty. She was a pretty mean dancer.

(Below): my nieces donning one of my Halloween wigs....Lil' Dolly Parton and Lil' Joe Dirt, respectively.
Their mother actually spent time and effort on real costumes that they actually wore for Halloween...but c'mon these have that special Aunty Janette twist.

ME cheering on the Cougs....

2008-11-25T21:24:00.000-08:00

Pre-game bafoonery.....

Slimby and I.....

Jared can barely contain his excitement. As proven by the dramatic use of the Claw.

Oct. 25, 2008: It was a successful day for the Cougs! Since I'm not exactly posting this on time..I'll try to remember the score. It was UNLV-something and BYU-something..MORE. However, I actually looked it up for those of you who prefer things technical: BYU: 42 UNLV: 35. This concludes my BYU posts for the year. (Nope, not even going to mention that "other" more recent game.)

From the lil'est fan... (thanks Em for being a good sport and letting Cannon wear True Blue) ...To the family's most senior...um, that is...most mature..er...the ones who graduated before the rest...."Y" veterans...the Bakes and Tanners gathered to enjoy the day!

ME and 12 Males...

2008-06-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, sounds like a single gal's dream come true..... but alas, they were all under 14 yrs of age and full of adolescent sweat glands (and other smelly boy vapors). My nephew, Cody (far left in blk tee), just turned 14. So naturally for his B-day he wanted to creep around in dark corners shooting at various objects and people in plastic armour. Sounds like fun! So I joined him and the rest of his posse. Not one to toot my own horn (too loudly) I think the score sheet speaks for itself..... Keep in mind these are wild, practically rabid, teenage boys that will stop at nothing to stalk, tag, dominate, intimidate, and vaporize you at every TURN! Brutal! Oh, and "Darth Vader" next time we meet no amount of dark force will be able to save you from the wrath that is "Aeon Flux!" I will have my day.....

ME at Mike's Graduation

2008-06-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

This is my buddy Mike. On June 4, 2008 Mike graduated from Cuyamaca College with an Associate's in Science (General Studies) at the age of 47.

What's also excellent about this achievement is that Mike is totally blind and relied heavily on the generosity of the kids and teachers on campus, transportation workers, and employees of Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center (where he resides) to help him get to class, collect assignments, type up homework, and make it there in one piece! Great job Mikey!!!

ME exposing my sister's latest debacle

2008-05-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

Kimby Always Has So Much Fun - Some Might Say A TON!
(click link for TV clip on Dave's page)

This is my sister, Kimby, pre-Mt. Olympus fiasco....
(it's like I taught her nothing at all...) I kid, I kid, she is a much better hiker than myself and we are all just thankful that she is back safe and sound!!

ME in Utah (sometimes I'm not in S.D.)

2008-05-27T23:32:00.001-07:00

I visited SLC this past Memorial Day weekend and played with Kimby, Kev & Em and baby Cannon. I even got to visit those Shakin Bakes in Payson and be some sort of guinea pig for Dave's cheese/couscous eggrolls. Mmmm...couscous.

Here Kimby is giving the camera her best sideways glance while traversing the Canyon. I, of course, have a smile because we are about to encounter discount shopping. That and I was just soaking in how much I miss those Rocky Mountains and my lil' sis. It really was a beautiful day and we were enjoying some sweet tunes along the way. Also, she bought me some delicious tomato soup earlier and my tummy was full.

ME hiking Lake Blanche on my B-Day

2008-05-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Kev cannot contain his excitement. Little did I know that he was plotting subterfuge for the infamous "Death Hike" and I would soon become slave to frighteningly flimsy air, ravenous mountain wildlife, and polar ice cap temperatures.

See, definate "plotting" going on here...

I think this sufficiently demonstrates my sixth sense kicking in and my wanting to flee, but as you can see, my captors are having none of it....

Lone Wolf, trying not to show any signs of weakness...

More plotting....

Kimby calling on some weird, other-worldly, powers in order to keep me tamed and under their control...

Stealth-like, I move in secret to attempt another escape. But I think they put something in my water bottle and, as you can witness, I appear a bit dazed and confused. Side note: I also have reason to believe that whatever they put in my water bottle caused additional side effects such as: leg stiffness, semi-cursing, head-ache, wimpishness and irritability.

Victory and Freedom!

Disclaimer: Em and Cannon took no part in the diabolical scheme to torture me that day. Kevin and Kimby are somewhere down below as I had to wrestle them down the hillside and leave them for the mountain squirrels.
You may or may not want to view another "version" of these adventures at http://www.kevandembake.blogspot.com/