on her 97th birthday

This is my grandma.
Today is her birthday.
She'd be 97.

I made cupcakes.
I wanted the kids to celebrate a little.
I figured cupcakes would do the trick.
(I would have taken the kids to the cemetery to visit her
but I'm not sure it got above 20 degrees outside today.)

A few memories of my grandma on her 97th birthday
{in whatever order they happen to pop into my brain}


Growing up, my sisters and I referred to her as Grandma in Utah.
Not Grandma Helen.
Not Grandma Clark.
just Grandma in Utah
(our other grandma was Grandma in Canada)
When talking to her, we called her Grandma.
When talking about her, she was Grandma in Utah.

She ironed pillowcases and sheets before folding them and putting them away.
I always thought that was strange.
I still do.

When I was a little girl, she gave me tomato soup for lunch once.
I do not care for tomato soup.
Not then, not now.
I didn't want to tell her I didn't like it so I filled my bowl with oyster crackers and ate those.
Slowly but surely the soup got eaten too.
I must have gone through the whole bag of crackers.

When I was in college I used to drive her to ZCMI to go shopping.
We'd eat lunch at the restaurant on the top floor.
It was called The Tiffin Room.
She always ordered a half cup of chicken noodle soup.
I always ordered a grilled cheese sandwich.

She kept a small clipboard under the driver's seat of her car.
When she had the car gassed up at Powell's Gas Station,
she'd pull out that little clipboard and write the check.

She had beautiful handwriting.

She didn't like chocolate.

My grandma liked Avon and Tupperware.

She saved things. Lots and lots of things.

She kept a small sack for garbage inside the kitchen garbage.
It hung on the inside of the garbage can.
When it got full, it got taken out.
She hardly ever filled up the actual kitchen garbage bag.

She put small bags of garbage into the freezer.
I guess that way it wouldn't stink when it was outside in the garbage.
That one's a mystery to me still.

She liked things to be neat and tidy and clean.
If it's possible to inherit a trait from your grandma, I certainly did.

It's possible that she had the best kept yard on the entire street.
Maybe in the entire city.
Flowers, flowers everywhere and nary a weed in sight.

If she knew you were coming she'd've baked a cake.

She didn't drive on the freeway.

She liked to watch the news.
Morning, noon and night.
News, news, news.

She watched The Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday nights at 7:00.

She loved Donny and Marie.

She read the obituaries every day.
She said she was looking to see if hers was in there.

She ate cottage cheese with a few slices of pear on top.
I used to think that was disgusting.
Now I quite enjoy it as well.

She had two sons.
No daughters.
I think that's why she and my mom got along so well.

My mom and grandma used to make each other laugh so hard that they'd both pee their pants.

My grandma wrapped her hair with toilet paper before going to bed.
I guess that preserved the perfectly back-combed curls until the next hair appointment.

She liked to cook and bake.

She liked to take pictures.
I'm glad she did.
Even better, she wrote names and dates on the backs!

Here's a few of my favorites:

my dad with his baby brother (11 year age difference)

my dad (in front) and his friend, Merrill

my dad

Dad and Merrill

my grandpa and dad

two cute little cowboys
(my dad on the right)

one of my favorite pictures of my dad

Grandma's parents
(how many people have pictures of their great grandparents actually smiling?)

my mom
(you thought it was me, huh?)

my mom and dad

I'm not sure who took this one but it's my favorite.
My grandma and grandpa smiling and kissing.
Kissing!

Happy birthday, Grandma.

I found a part time job

We took a little fieldtrip to a local children's museum on Monday. I found the part time job that's perfect for me. I've already been doing it for the past few years...FOR FREE. Now I found a way to get paid for it. I just have to find out if they're hiring.

See those shelves of plastic containers of beans, soup, sardines, peanut butter, chocolate spread (Nutella!), ketchup, juice, honey and whatever else your little heart could possibly desire?

I had to restrain myself from walking around and facing all the aisles (that means straightening all the rows of jars and cans and turning them around so all the labels face the front...a little skill I learned from my days as a loyal worker at Storehouse Market when I was in college). It was very tempting. Those little kiddos do not put their foodstuffs back on the shelves in a neat and orderly fashion.

That's not the part of the job that I'm already doing for free though. That would just be a perk. The part I'm already doing for free is walking around picking up after kids. I do that! All day! Every day! And I don't even get paid for it (and don't even tell me that I get paid in blessings because that irks me like nothing else).



I watched those museum worker guys. They walk around with little baskets and bags. They pick up stray pieces of plastic asparagus, onions, potatoes, carrots, pork chops, candy bars, corn on the cob and heads of lettuce. Then they put them back where they belong on the little store shelves and these little metal bowls. Over and over and over again. I could do that. I could do a really good job too. I'm good at picking up stuff and putting it where it belongs. I could get paid for it!

I probably won't be applying but the thought did cross my mind.

Other fun stuff the kids did at the museum:

played in the water

Not my favorite area. Why would you include a water area in an indoor museum? I don't get it. Splashing. Messy. Wet. Not good.

sat around being lazy and let people just carry them around all day

relaxed in the helicopter on the rooftop

This was one of Danny's favorite areas. He would have stayed out there the whole time if it had been a little less chilly outside.

went grocery shopping

I considered following him around and throwing things into the cart willy-nilly like he does to me when we're at the real grocery store. I didn't though. I'm nice like that.

Plus, there were no Oreos, Ding Dongs, powdered donuts or sugary juice boxes at this grocery store. It wouldn't have been much fun tossing plastic bananas, eggplants and cabbage into the itty bitty cart.

got dressed up in somebody's hideous fashion rejects

This was probably Cate's favorite area. A kitchen with a fridge and a highchair for the baby doll. Heaven for this little girl.

built stuff with big vinyl blocks

Surprisingly, not as interesting to Danny as I thought it would be. He'd rather go grocery shopping.

As for me, I think I could move into that playhouse with Cate. She can have the highchair, tacky clothes and big fridge with fake food.

I'll take the skinny mirrors. All of them. I swear I lost 10 pounds when I was in there.

And now I'm off to update my resume...just in case.

say cheese

We missed you, Abby and Emma.
The girls were sorely out-numbered.

To whomever was praying for well-behaved kids that day,
THANK YOU!

It worked...mostly.

I'm just pleased as punch that the FotoFly guys were able to make Grandpa smile...mostly.

My sisters and I sure do make beautiful babies.

santa hats all around

I like to imagine that we live in Florida and take Christmas pictures with lush greenery in the background.

I like to imagine that my arm isn't as freakishly long as it looks in this picture.

I like to imagine that my little girl will get lots more sleep tonight and this miserable cold that's come to visit her will just go away.

I like to imagine that the stockings will stuff themselves.
Or that Santa will actually just do it himself like he's supposed to.

I like to imagine that all those chocolate caramel cookie brittle squares I've eaten over the past few days will not take up residence in my hips and thighs.
Maybe they were diet chocolate caramel cookie brittle squares.

I like to imagine that I'll have a very merry {and relaxing} Christmas.
That one will hopefully become a reality tomorrow.

Not sure I can say the same thing about my freaky arm appearing less freaky.
Or the cookie squares being a healthy treat...like celery.


Merry Christmas!


ho

ho

ho


p.s. Look at this version of cookie brittle I found. I'll be giving it a try very soon!

just in case you're trying to gain a little weight this holiday season

Let me help.

Whip up a batch
(or two or three or four like I did)
of this chocolate caramel cookie brittle.

I don't really love that name.
It does sound tastier than what they really are.
Chocolate and caramel covered saltine crackers.
That sounds a little weird.

But sometimes weird is good.
And this time, weird tastes good.
Really really good.
Just ask my neighbors.

It's all part of my not-so-secret-anymore plan.
Get the neighbors fat so I can look skinny.
That's what kind of good neighbor I am.

See the bottom of those caramely saltine crackers?

Sweet AND salty.
In my world, it doesn't get much better than that.

I altered the recipe a tiny bit.
Sometimes I like to do that.

Double the crackers.
Instead of using only one sleeve per batch, use two.
I tried it with one sleeve the first time and it was so sweet.
Almost too sweet for me (and that's saying a lot).

Bake it at 375 instead of 400.
I just about burned the first batch.
It wasn't pretty.
Almost burned caramel does not taste good.

Break into perfectly even squares.
I'd have to name mine Chocolate Caramel Saltine Squares.
How can I be expected to just break it up all willy-nilly?
I tried.
I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I like squares.
I don't like crazy odd shaped pieces.

Add festive sprinkles to the top before the chocolate dries.
That way they can pass for a Christmas neighbor treat.
Otherwise, they're just chocolate saltines.


That's all.
Go ahead and make some for yourself.
Or maybe even for Santa to eat after he drops off the presents.
I think they could pass for a cookie.
It's in the name after all.

Christmassy this and that

I had a little chat with Cate about the meaning of Christmas.
She then walked into the front room,
faced the tree and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.

I came across these nativity cards on the world wide web.
I thought it would be a fun way to help us remember the reason for the season.
We played like Go Fish.
Jarrett (the 7-year-old) got quite frustrated that I let Cate play.
She just wanted to keep all her cards.
Danny didn't really get it either.
I think we'll play it like Memory next time.
And maybe I'll laminate them.
Cate's not very gentle with paper.

And now, Santa Pictures: 2010 Edition

Also known as My Kids Are Fraidy Cats
and
If Mama Had Known She'd Be In All The Pictures She Would Have Put a Little More Effort Into Her Appearance

At least Cate didn't cry.
She said the cutest thank you when Santa gave her the candy canes.

And then there's my little boy.
I prepped him for this big event.
He was happy about it.
He said he didn't want to sit on Santa but he'd tell him what he wanted.
I was totally ok with that.
He was looking forward to seeing Santa.
He lied.

It's a good thing Santa is so patient and kind.

Danny did better last year.
Still no lap sitting but he got close and kind of talked to the big guy.
Oh, well.

I took pictures of the kidlets before church on Sunday.
Here's my cute Cate.

And my darling Danny.
Look at that sweet smile!
See? It's possible. He can do it.
I can't remember what I bribed him with, but it worked.

The obligatory Put Your Arms Around Each Other picture.

Also known as Pretend You Actually Like Each Other.

Good grief.
They're killing me with cuteness.

In other news, Grama Bama and Grandpa are on their way.
They decided that they loved Laramie, Wyoming so much that they'd stay there an extra day.
Ordering room service.
Treating themselves to some much needed spa treatments.
Enjoying the beauty of Wyoming snow.
Eating bon bons.

I told the kids there was too much snow and the road was closed so that they wouldn't have their feelings hurt that their beloved grandparents weren't in more of a hurry to see them.

I'm not sure what Danny actually heard when I explained where they were though.
He told me that there was a big pile of snow by their door and they couldn't get out.
Ummmmm...that's possible but not exactly what I said.

We're praying for their safe arrival and hoping that they can muster up some excitement after leaving behind their beloved Laramie.

Remember how thrilled they were to get here last year?

And last but not least, I came across this Present Game.
I am most definitely going to be giving it a try with my kiddos some time in the next few days.

I'll even be kind and let them use some of my gift baxes for it.

By golly, my kids are going to learn how to be gracious gift givers and receivers, even if it kills me.

p.s. You all know I'm kidding about some of that stuff, right? Sometimes I worry that my pathetic attempts at humor just go whizzing on by leaving people scratching their heads and wondering why I am not more heavily medicated. Oh, well.

look what we made this afternoon

First of all, don't be jealous of my grumpy kid. I'm a lucky, lucky mom. I know. The rest of you only get to experience the grumpy stuff when your kid wakes up too early from a nap, or doesn't get a much needed one. Maybe there's other times. I don't know.

I'm the fortunate mom that gets to see the grump when a wonderful neighbor and friend comes over and makes the Star Wars snowflakes for him. Wouldn't you know it would be the friend who loves making beautiful things out of paper who came to the rescue of this uncrafty neighbor? (And she takes the most gorgeous pictures of my babies, but that's beside the point.)

Candis did it. She folded that paper and made the magic happen.

Behold, Darth the snowflake.


And the Boba Fett/Clone Trooper combo snowflake. A few of their helmets turned out a little wonky, but Danny didn't seem to notice. I think it adds character. Thanks, Candis! We love them!


I'm pleased to report that it's been a few hours and both snowflakes are still intact and resting peacefully in their place of honor on the fridge.

While Candis did her magic with the paper, I made these.

Behold, red velvet sandwich cookies.


After I made those little pieces of heaven, I attempted to make dinner. I sent Danny to his room for some quiet time (because he kept trying to get food out of the fridge and that was really getting on my nerves).

He made himself comfy on the bed and took a nap. It started around 6:00 and ended around 9:00.

Behold, the sleeping boy.


He's still awake right now. I'm hoping that he'll look just like he does in that picture above some time before midnight. It's a lofty goal. I know.

to do list: star wars snowflakes

A friend of mine sent me a link to these Star Wars snowflakes (Hi, Debra!). It's good to have friends who are looking out for ways to feed my son's obsessions. She even let me borrow her exacto knife because mine is nowhere to be found. Some of the cuts aren't from the side so scissors just won't cut it (hee hee).

Here's the problem. I can't figure out how to fold the paper. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've tried 3 times but the directions are just not helping me. I know Dan would help me but he hasn't been around much. Work work work work work.

So my poor little Danny is left with a mommy who can't fold paper and cut out a template. Well, I probably could cut out the template but I'm not sure what size it's supposed to be. Maybe it's in the directions somewhere. I don't know.

I'm throwing up my hands for now and giving up. The Star Wars snowflakes are being added to the to do list. I have all winter to make them. For now, I'll just show them to Danny online and let him keep on bugging his daddy to make them for him. (You're welcome, Dan.)

Look at Darth Vader with the Galactic Empire logo in the middle. How clever.


Speaking of Star Wars stuff, take a look at these finger puppets I found. Holy moly, they're adorable! I would get them for Danny but I'm not sure he'd appreciate their cuteness. He'd try to make them fight each other and then who knows what would happen. I can just see them unraveling right before my very eyes.

Plus, I can't figure out who all the characters are supposed to be. Who's that tan guy next to Han Solo? I'm not sure if I love Yoda as a finger puppet, but Darth Vader has never been cuter.

Wouldn't it be great if someone turned them into gloves? Just remove that mystery tan guy and stick the Stormtrooper (or Clone Trooper?) in his place. Knit the missing glove part and there you go. Dang, I wish I was crafty.


p.s. Danny saw the snowflakes as I was writing this. I asked him who the guys were. Clone Trooper. Boba Fett. Darth Vader. He got them all right. That's my boy.