Hey

Quick post about Newport with Brett's brothers, sister and spouses. It was so fun. I love the Blake family. We talked about it on the way home--how cool is it that every single sibling supports each other, is fun, is strong, is kind.. They have been such a strength to me, to us, to our kids. We missed mom and dad. Next time!

 This is the gang - without us. Seriously there are 100 pictures and Brett and I are in about 3 of them. So I will post those 3 just to prove we were there! This one below might have been taken when Brett and I were coasting to a gas station on fumes. Or on the first day when Brett had to work late and we didn't get there until 9p.m. Darcy, only sis on the left with husband Chris, Brock and Kim next, then Dave and Bobbi Jo, Mark and Julianne and finally Brady and Gina on the right. Oh and us. We're coming!! They don't look happy without us there.

 Never a get together without a golf game..Chris was obviously taking the picture.

 ..and a basketball game. They are such show offs to each other, talking smack the whole time. This particular game ended in 3 injuries??

 Darcy, shown, is always the instigator of all things good and fun.

Swap meet, temple, late night games, shopping, eating on the beach, walks, hot tubs, a Lakers game, and that was all packed into just 2 days. Thank you Blake siblings!

Random things:

Everybody here is freaking out about the snow today. That meant two minutes of heavier stuff than rain that didn't stick, but still...

The weather guy's graphics said FRIGID under today and then showed a high of 50. Huh?

I am really reeeaaaally sick of this cold/cough I've had since Christmas.

Kate is in the 3 percentile of weight. She still weighs 20 lbs--at 19 months. I swear I'm trying to feed her, but she's getting really obstinate about eating. Dang. My other kids were so good at it!

I get to teach early morning seminary this coming week. I am subbing for the best, most educated woman on the planet who all of the teenagers learn sooo much from. So intimidating. I'm a tad nervous, mostly because I have to BE AT the church at 5:30 to be ready when the kids come at 5:50. And Maddie thinks I should bring sticky buns or hot chocolate daily. I will say though, that teaching (well, just being in the same room as) teenagers for a week will be heaven for me.

I get to see Spencer on Wednesday. In Utah. I get to open his mission call with him! For some reason, I'm missing him so much more lately! I call him probably every day now as opposed to bi weekly or weekly, because I just know I want to hear his happy voice as much as I can. I also want Kate to remember him and a bi weekly call just won't cut it. And plus, we're making plans and talking about stuff. My family will be on Skype here. Yeah for Skype. I just couldn't picture me not being in the same room for a moment like that. I measure life in moments. I know we all do, but I REALLY do. If an opportunity comes up that maybe would be hard to make happen or is inconvenient, but I feel it will be one of those "moments" that make a meaningful life, I will take it every time. Here is a cute picture he took with bff Stephen the week before Stephen's mission. I love it because Stephen is way taller than Spence, but Spence must be on a stair or something. Hey-he's still 6 ft tall, way taller than Brett and
I thought we'd ever make.



I watched Horse Whisperer this week. Boy oh boy. First, the music of Thomas Newman. I recognize his film scores every time. He's my favorite movie score composer- over James Newton Howard or even Hans Zimmer. (Jane, he's the guy who wrote the song we used to listen to every day on the way to elementary.) Anyway, second, and most important, Montana ranching life. The cute cowboy kids helping their dads on the ranch, the beauty of Montana. So reminds me of my dad obviously. Finally, what knockout performances by Scarlett Johansen as a 13 yr old, Robert Redford and Kristin Scott Thomas. Seriously good movie. It makes me want to have a horse. Or go to Montana this summer.

Why did I make a chocolate bundt cake? Why? We're all trying to be good and deep down, I knew I might not take it over to that one family like I had planned to. I knew that I would slice away at it until it was gone. Mostly because it was devil's food with chocolate chips baked in and when you take a bite and you get a chocolate chip, well, there's not much better. I figure if I'm good most of the time, and then I just crave something and that craving doesn't go away for 2 weeks, then I need to just get it over with and eat it and move on. I think it's healthy actually to do that. Yeah, yeah, healthy. So I'm sorry that one family, I'll make you something else. Something I don't like as much.

Wouldn't it be cool if every doorknob were like this?

It's been nice chatting with you. e

Gotta Get Me Some Gouda

So, I got the following voice mail about an hour ago from a woman in Wisconsin. Her accent was sooo strong.

Hi Erin, uh This is uh Sylvia Weston from Wisconsin's Finest Cheese. uh I'm calling from Utah. Uh you seem to uh have given us the wrong address. uh. There's another family living in your uh house and we've got a truckload of our uh finest gouda. So uh they said you moved to uh L.A. or something? So I don't know where you're planning on putting all of this gouda but uh we really appreciate your business ya know. Ya know we have some tough competition out there but uh we're so glad that you uh decided to uh pick us. Anyway, so if you could give me a call back cause uh we just don't know where to put all this gouda ya know ...There's just gouda all over the place (light laughter). Just give me a call back and let me know what to do with all of this gouda. uh Anyway uh nice uh talking to ya uh ok bye bye!

I thought, "What the???" Truckload of gouda? Could she have the wrong Erin Blake? But she's at my old house! This has to be a joke, but she sounds SOOOO real, the accent PERFECT and really who would think of a truckload of gouda??!!

Well, Whitney Kofford would. That's who. I couldn't believe it when she then said, "Hi Erin! This is Whitney. Can I bring 3 friends out for Utah State's Spring Break? I just thought I'd try out my accent. I'm pretty proud of it!" I laughed soooooo hard. Seriously, I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. I've now listened to this message at least 5 times. Above is an exact dictation.  She is so random and so dang funny. She reminds me of my old college roommate Amy. But even Amy would have started laughing halfway through. Yeah! I get Whitney and friends out here staying for a few days! I'm excited!

Seriously, why am I so gullible? Major character flaw I've decided. I believe everything people tell me. Must get smarter Erin.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

-Albert Einstein

Brilliant quote! Especially pertinent to the way we measure ourselves against others and the way we measure our kids. Find the strength, the God-given gift and magnify it. Be grateful for it. Use it for good. Then enjoy the genius of others and their gifts.

That's all.

Brett surfed this weekend. We got the RV and stayed in a State Park on the beach in Carpenteria, a suburb of Santa Barbara for a ward camp out. I love that the ward camp out lasted 3 whole days and over a Sunday. Sand, chilly nights, dutch oven meals, teenagers playing cards by night, warm fires, walks in the morning, watching sunsets, visiting the Carpenteria Ward, learning from others in every way. I'm still thinking about the good food. Memories.

The gig went well.  Really cool. (Well, I didn't comment that it was cool until after it was completely over and I was looking back on it with the pit in my stomach gone.) We had a green room and a band personal assistant and great sound guys and 8 people playing, no mistakes, even by the two guys who only played with us the hour before for the first time. We were up on a stage with blinding lights. I got to sing and dance just enough of course. I can't keep my body still. I got to play little counter melodies on some and B3 organ on others. I mostly got to learn from the musicians I played with. I felt honored to just be there to watch how they work. I don't know how I blended with the other singer who has a much stronger voice than me. I tried to blend, but I don't know. I guess the key will be whether I get asked to play/sing again or not. It was great having my family there in the front row and even better that I couldn't see them. I couldn't see anybody in the dark. Yeah. 

Back to the grind of school, work, house. Love being home though. 

FEAR

My stomach's in a knot. I am getting a headache. Fear is slowly seeping through my body quickening my heartbeat. Why did I agree to do this gig tomorrow? I always forget that I don't actually enjoy THE ACTUAL GIG. I get too nervous. Most of the time on this one I am standing with Lindsay singing back up. I've never stood and sang before..always have had the security of my keyboard and stool. How can I stop myself from dancing? You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Is that appropriate? Or else how can I force myself to look out and smile instead of look down and shake? How many more times can I listen to these songs until I feel like I know them? Why am I using a keyboard that I don't know how to use yet??!! HELP!

That's all.

I love art in unexpected places; someone making mundane things more interesting or someone who gives us something to think about and enjoy. Just because.

I'm missing the Fosters today. Stephen, one of my son's best friends leaves on his mission to Puebla, Mexico tomorrow. As I was saying goodbye to him on the phone yesterday, I broke down crying. It is the end of an era! I love that kid and that family so much. I will miss hearing his polite "thank you Sis. Blake" and his complaining that everyone else is loved more than him :)  My family thought that I was so sad because it was reminding me that Spencer is going to leave. Really, that isn't it. I will just miss and I just love Stephen. And I miss his mom. It was hard on me not being there this weekend.

On the positive, I love my little family. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father sent us here in families. As we had our Valentine's Dinner last night (at 8:30 with sick Kate and all) I was exhausted. But I loved everyone sitting at that table so much. Sometimes here in Cal, I feel like it is just us against the big world.

Also, this weekend I get to play that music gig. The other singer, Lindsay, has such a great voice. Very intimidating to me, but I try my best to blend with her. We went to a restaurant together last Saturday where Dave and Pat (another guitar player who is really great) were playing and we got to sing a few numbers with him. I have to get over my nervousness. I think I want to do it, then we get there and I am dying! Why do I want to do this?! I need to just seize the moment more. After Vegas, we are going on a ward camp out on the beach in Santa Barbara. The ward goes up there for the whole weekend, goes to church there and will come home Monday. I'm so excited! I want to rent an RV due to having no idea where Brett has stashed tents, tent parts, lanterns since we moved, but we'll see. We can't always have everything we want.

what? Kate is crying already? She's supposed to sleep for another hour. grrrrr

Quite the Kiss eh?

Seeing this statue made me happy inside. There could have been a plaque in this place (by the naval base in San Diego) thanking all of the war veterans. Instead, someone commissioned this and it says more and makes me feel more than a plaque ever would. You can see just how huge this is by looking at the woman's head at the bottom of the photo.

And how fun is this? One look at Bob Hope and these soldiers listening to him, and that's all the artist needs to show. A much better tribute to him for his years performing to the troops than a plaque. Not that I have anything against plaques..

Hooray for art. And for Bob Hope. And for kissing for that matter.

KEEPIN IT REAL

Nothing says "Good morning!" like an impromptu visit from your landlord who flew in from India unexpectedly. Nothing says, "Hey!" like a knock at the door at 8:30 a.m. You realize you are in pajamas and that your mascara is smudgy from the night before, a touch of greasy hair, but who could it be anyway, right? Probably a neighbor or someone bringing back Rudy. (Kidding! We've totally solved the running away problem!) You open the door to find someone who looks intimidating as all get out staring at you.

Nothing says, "Good to meet you!" like telling him you will just run outside and "open the girls' door for him" while he's checking every square inch of your main house only to find COMPLETE CHAOS MESS INORDINATE AMOUNTS OF CLOTHING ON THE FLOOR BOBBI PINS CURLING IRONS SHOES ETC ETC IN PLACES THEY WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE in their rooms. Girls, if you read this before I talk to you, you are in big trouble. This was NOT FUNNY. 

Happy Birthday Spencer!!

As I was mailing his package the other day, I found this letter placed on top. It is so Ali. It made me laugh so much and I know it made Spencer's day too. One of those parent paydays to see one of your children feel this way about a sibling. I will always save this letter!

spencer austin/loy blake-

I LOVE you. Soooooooo much.  You make my dreams come true.  I'm so lucky to have a brother like you!! (i'm a poet and i didn't even know it)

Happy Birthday Broda!!!

10 Reasons Why i love my big Brother Spencer

1- He's super attractive, which results in lots of older girls liking me.  Which results in more people liking me.  Which results in me having friends!!

2- He is freakishly amazingly smart.  But doesn't wear glasses. And doesn't wear suspenders. So that's good.

3-He is SUCH a hard worker.  I always watched in awe how every Saturday you would automatically walk outside and mow the lawn without even having to be asked.

4- He honors his priesthood.  There is nothing better than a brother with an amazing testimony and always answering church-like questions with ease.

5- He is good at choosing girlfriends that his little sister will approve of :)

6- I've never heard him once complain about having all sisters (more to come on this topic)

7- He always beat maddie up... not me.  I can live with the endless jokes but i'm happy i don't have bruises up and down my legs.

8-He's hilarious and always makes mom happier and brightens the family up when we all want to shoot each other.

9- He put up with mom being CRAZY and parenting him like a mad woman so that i would have a nice relaxed experience with mother.

10- He treats me like "I'm the only one that he'll ever love" he treats me like a princess and hugs me when i'm sad, picked me up when i needed a ride, and is always reading my blog, or texting me or just being plain amazing towards me.

Spence i really do love you so much. Words won't ever describe how much i appreciate you.  I don't know what i would do without you.  I've nevr met a nicer older brother and friend.  I know i can always count on you.  You mean the world to me.  Enough of the cheesiness.  Please don't go on a mission.  I'm going to die.

Happy 19th birthday, love you, miss you.  

Party Hard.

Love, The favorite sister, aligal, aka Allison Paige Blake

For the record, #9 is soooo not true. #7 is so true. Maddie had the bruises during Christmas Break to prove it. She's the brother he never had. #1 made me laugh the most. It is so Ali.

It was so weird not being there with him on his big day. It was the first time I didn't have the birthday child in my home to celebrate. Weird. I kept calling him asking how the day was going. I'm grateful to his friends and to my family for having him for dinner, making a cake and keeping it fun for him.

In a few weeks, he will be a called missionary. So excited!

Ok. Spence, if you're reading this (and I know you are), go STUDY. And stay PRO.  And Remember Who You Are. And thank you for treating your mother with kindness, respect, and humor all of these years. That's all. Love Mom

Ladies and Gentlemen... my new blog segment...the time has come to announce it...

ERIN AND TARA'S "GREAT L.A. FOOD TRUCK TOUR 2011"!!

-with guest artists Kate and Lo Lo Lo Lola-

That's right. Tara and and I are going to hit all of the top Food Trucks in the greater L.A. area. You see, Tara's mother, one of my bff's Heidi Bingham, was the first one to tell me about food trucks. She was the first to tell me that food trucks are quite popular here. She's often the first to tell me stuff, stuff that is so happening and so NOW. I'd be clueless without her. These trucks just travel around and you have to find them on twitter to know where they are. Never in the same place. Her son Chase, shown here,



 has his own food truck called Ride or Fry. Click on the link and check them out.

The chef's name is Dante, and is a greeeaaat chef. I know this because I ate the best fried chicken and grits, salad and biscuit ever. Their food is technically called Trans-Atlantic African Cuisine. I got to see Heidi, Lance, Tara, and babes Lola, shown here..


(Promise, she does have a body to go along with that intense face. She is lying in a free $900 stroller that her mother, the other young mom, Tara got from being on the Ellen Show Mothers' Day Edition. Only Tara's life is so charmed.)
We sat in the sun and cool Lance treated us all to our delicious lunch. Even me! This day, the truck was parked right next to NBC's studios in Burbank. I waited for them by the Tonight Show entrance. Tara and I are such young moms. Seriously, we both couldn't be any younger with our little babies. We are going to try all of these trucks: the grilled cheese truck, the crepe truck, the waffle truck, Chase's chicken truck again. Then when people come to visit, oh boy will I know where to take them. The possibilities will be E n D l E e S. ok that looks weird. Endless. Endless.

Here is a publicity shot for our upcoming tour 2011. Heidi, shown above, might do a gig or two with us (even though she's waaay older a grandma, but you didn't hear it from me) when she's in town. I hope life isn't too rough on the road. I couldn't do this tour without the support and love of all of the behind-the-scenes staff and family. Shout out to all of you.

You Cheated On Me With Choreography And That's The Worst Kind

Name that show...

I have felt uninspired to blog. It's not that a lot isn't going on..just haven't felt it.

Yesterday, long busy day. Kate was the most hyper baby on the planet during the million errands it seemed I had to run. My conversations with various store owners: (Be prepared. The following is extremely riveting reading.)

Hi. How are you. Nice store you have here. Oh, yes I'm buying some things for my son's birthday on Friday.
I'm sorry. Kate, come here sweetie.
Oh I'm sorry. Kate...
Kate, stop crying. It's ok. Mommy's got you.
Hold my hand. Kate, hold mommy's hand.
Oh, just a second. Kate? Kate? Where did you go?
No no, Kate. That's the store room. Come back.
Mom's almost done Kate. Stay by mommy.
Kate NO! I'm sorry. Really, I can't begin to be sorry enough.
Kate, stay here. Oh I'm dreadfully sorry. Words can't convey my sorry-ness to you.
No Kate. Don't touch.
Wow. I'm sorry.
Ok Kate. I'm not letting you down. Stop screaming.
SO what were you saying? Kate stop it. I'm not letting you down.
I'm sorry, what did you say? I can't hear you over the crying.
Kate, what does a doggie say? Can you sing Elmo? Sing Elmo for the lady.
Yes, I DO love being a mother. It's wonderful. Ow Kate, don't hit mommy.
Well, I hate to cut this short, but we need to be going now. Bye!
Kate, that was a no no. You don't run away from mommy. And no hitting. 
Can you say I'm sorry mommy? 
I sowy mommy.
Oh, you're so dang cute!!! I love you kiss kiss kiss kiss. Smell the neck, nose touch. All is forgiven.


That was pretty much my day yesterday. Why did I choose to make 50 scotcheroos for a R. S. project when I could have done easy cookies? Or plain rice krispie treats. Why did I mess up the frosting, having to run back to the store and then do it again? Why did I have to put them in the baggies with wet frosting, due to the mess up, thus making the baggies super dee duper messy? Why did my kids have a million things involving me and rides at the same time?! When Brett called at 8:30 saying he would be later, that he was in a meeting he couldn't get out of, why did I just shrug and start laughing and not get upset? It was just funny by that point. I was spent.

Well, I was doing what I always do and stayed in the car listening to music after I brought Ali home from dance. I was just kind of comatose in the front seat, with the heat going and track 12 playing on Good Old War's CD. I saw Brett's headlights coming up the drive. Yea! I gave him a weak smile and he gave me a huge smile and a thumbs up sign. He was really happy about something. He opened his trunk and there was the new keyboard I have been researching and wanting to buy. His "meeting" was with Guitar Center where he bought that keyboard for me and surprised me. I think he knew I wouldn't be able to gulp and buy it on my own, always thinking of a million things I need to pay for before something self-indulgent like that. However, he also knew that I need one if I'm going to be able to play. My first band vocal rehearsal is tonight and the gig is in a few weeks. So this keyboard is just in time! We set it up in the other house with speakers facing me and behind me. I can also put on a CD of the songs I am working on and then play along with it. I am really happy. It is so cool.

So my musing is: Some days are crazy. They just are. Some days you might feel like crying. You just will. It's ok. The next day will be better. It always is. The sun will come up, and life will keep going.  Prayer and scriptures also greatly help get me out of those hard days I've found.

I'm excited because I am going to do something today with one of my favorite people who is in California at the moment. It will be a brand new segment on my blog...one I've been wanting to do for a while. You'll have to wait in suspense until tomorrow!!!

*Also, Disneyland this week was great. Our town's schools had a teacher prep day, which no one else in L.A. did, so the whole town was at Disneyland. So fun to keep running into people, seeing the kids with their friends. No parental lapses of judgement that I saw. The only thing that might constitute a lapse of judgement was seeing little kids in flimsy pirate boots made out of cardboard walking around all day or pointed Jasmine shoes. Mom, Dad, would YOU want to walk around in those? Other than that, it was wonderful. We're getting a system down as to where we eat. We always get BBQ meat and asparagus skewers at Bengal Barbecue in Frontier land, and we know where the healthy kiosks are (the ones with fruit and nuts). There is usually a stop at the soft ice cream place on the boardwalk and now that we found a coconut curry place on the wharf, that will be a regular stop as well.
Kate went 10 times IN A ROW on the merry go round. She would cry as we tried to pry her chubby fingers off of the gold pole and take her seatbelt off of the fish she liked to ride. Way cute.

I saw both Amos Lee and Jon Brion live this week. Big week musically. Amazing. I loved both. Especially Jon Brion. Thanks to the Busks for telling me about him. Craziest performance I've ever seen. My brother Quinn and our friend Bob Farley would LOVE THIS SHOW. Quinn, google him. Google Jon Brion Largo. Everyone else would think it was just plain weird.

OK people. I miss Utah. I miss everyone in Utah. I am doing well here. I can't wait to see all of Brett's siblings this weekend as we have a couples getaway to Newport. All of us! Sis. Elaine Dalton, the General Young Women's President of the church is flying to California this weekend to visit the YW in the Los Angeles Region. She is walking around the Rose Bowl with the girls on Friday, doing a big conference on Saturday and coming to our ward's YW class on Sunday. Just our ward, all to ourselves. How lucky are the girls?

Could this post be any longer? Ha ha. Sorry. e