Surprise

I was cleaning my craft room yesterday.  I have a wooden box in there where I keep CD cases.  The lid was raised up a little which is unusual because the CD's fit perfectly.  When I opened it up...SURPRISE....the CD cases were gone and in their place was all of my scrapbook recyclable papers and on top that was Amy's underwear.  I burst out laughing.  I don't know what went through my 3 year old grandson's head at the moment he was putting this all together but it sure gave me my laugh for the day.  I will ask him the next time I see him, and Amy....you did bring undies with you the last time you stayed.  If you have been looking, I know where they are.

Fozzie's Mini-Me

The Real Deal

My dog Fozzie needed a haircut very badly.  I had neglected to do it because it had been so cold outside this winter.  His poodle fur does not protect him from the cold. He got a little coat for Christmas so I decided it was about time.  I cut and cut and cut and had enough fur to make another dog.  I looked at the pile and proceeded to make him a mini-me. Hi little Fozzie. He wasn't impressed.  Does he have no paternal instinct in him?

The real impostor

Creme Brulee

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

If you see this guy around, tell him that you heard he is an amazing cook.

If I have to have one, I like to prolong my birthdays as long as possible.  Saturday Wayne took me shopping for a new purse and shoes, Sunday we had my family birthday party,  Monday I had lunch with my favorite ladies and a crab dinner, Tuesday I got cards from my Mom and brother, Wednesday...uh nothing, Thursday my friend Rick brought me creme brulee.  Now this is no ordinary creme brulee.  This is the best creme brulee I have ever tasted.  It is as smooth as butter and  so flavorful.  It has just a hint of orange and the top isn't too sugary....it's just right.  This has become a tradition for us.  I'm not sure I remember exactly how it started but he has been bringing it to me for several years now.  Several other ladies have asked how I rate.  Even  my good friend Laura, (his wife)  says she doesn't get it on her birthday.  I don't know how I rate either ladies, but I don't look a gift horse in the mouth.  It is my favorite dessert in the world and I only get it about twice a year.  If it sounds like I'm brown nosing so that he will do it again next year, well you are right.  Whatever works.  Thanks a bunch Rick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are my birthday hero.  You should wear a cape.

I Changed My Mind

I had a hallmark birthday yesterday and was not happy about it.  I have never had a birthday bother me before.  I turned 30 with glee, 40 was wonderful, 50 was fine but 60????  I was mad, mad, mad.  Then I got a couple of phone calls.  A friend from Montana (age 57) passed away in a diabetic coma, another dear friend and sister-in-law (age 59) has more health problems than about anyone I know and is just trying to keep going, and  my Dad's friend just passed away.  I got to thinking (sometimes a dangerous thing, but in this case a good thing) and my attitude truly changed.  I don't embrace 60 but I accept it now.  I am surrounded by a loving and generous family, I have most of my health, I have a beautiful home and all the necessities of life and many of the NOT necessary but fun things.  I am blessed with gifts and abilities from my Father in Heaven and have no reason at all to be sour.  I repented.

The family came over for dinner on Sunday night.   Wayne had made chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes. One of my childhood favorites.  Colett made me a lemon cake with strawberry ice cream that was more than delicious.  My little grand daughters had each made me a birthday card and Millie said she loved me so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so (yes 9 so's...I counted them).  That just melted my heart right there.

My soon to be 14 year old Nick gave me hugs

My son-in-law picked out my silly and racy birthday card

My hubby not only cooks, but cleans up after himself

Grandson Emerson laughs and finds fun in a cardboard box

Daughter Colett gave me pretty new scarf and a new "red" purse, which happens to be my favorite color.

After opening it, the kids had a ball just playing with the paper stuffed in it.

Here they are.  Won't I be stylish?

This is the bad part.  It is what 60 candles looks like....unlit,

and this is what it looks like when lit.  The heat was so intense I had to back away.

On Monday I went to lunch with dear friends Susan, Tricia and Laura and they showered me with gifts and sparkling conversation, my Facebook friends sent me birthday wishes and I got a visit from my sister and phone calls from my loved ones.

This was dinner on Monday night, also cooked by Wayne.   See why I keep him?

Not too many things better than salad, crab with lemon butter and

hot French bread.  He also got me a black purse and shoes.

The only down side was that Amy is very sick with her new pregnancy and I was not allowed to take pictures of her.  She was here, I was not snubbing her.

There is also a rumor that another friend is bringing me the best creme' brulee' in the world today.  I am waiting at my door.  If it doesn't happen that's OK.  It's the thought that counts right?  It was a very good 60th birthday after all.  Hold on I am hyperventilating, but now I am going to try to embrace the # 60.

Winter 2011

I do hate the cold.  When I get really cold my back gets tense and starts to ache.  I start to shiver and my feet and hands get cold even if I have on socks and gloves.  I thought I had left the real cold behind when I moved to Utah.  This is the coldest and snowiest winter since we moved here 8 years ago, and the snowy ruts in the road are reminiscent of my old home in Montana.  I planted box woods which do very well in Utah except for maybe this year. I may lose them all.  When it gets down to 6 degrees, they surrender.  I was looking through my picture files though, and it reminded me how lovely November was.  These are all pictures of my yard around Thanksgiving.  Oh, the good old days. Can I make it through March or until the thermometer hovers around 50 degrees?  I am going to go sit under my down throw and contemplate just that question. 

What?

I got this in the mail a couple of days ago.  I was not pleased and needless to say I did not subscribe.  What is going on?  I am not a kid, nor even a middle-ager, but at 59 (For a few more days anyway) I don't think I am a senior citizen either.  Now if the offer was 80% off all my future dinners at Carrabba's  I would probably feel differently, but to have a magazine company call me "old" is not a pleasant thought.  When did a senior citizen become 55 or 60 instead of 65?  I especially don't want one reminding me it is the Sunset of my life.  This is especially not the case since most older citizens can't even afford to retire until their late 60's  or 70's now.  If I want a senior citizen discount, I want the option of asking for it. 

Thank you Kee

I love getting stocking stuffers on Christmas morning.  This year my daughter-in-law outdid herself.  Candy, fuzzy socks, note pad, calculator key chain, scrabble game and holiday plaque.  I don't usually get that many stuffers and this was really a treat.  Thank you for being so thoughtful.  Shon may have had something to do with it too, but we all know the woman is the one who does the little things right?