Birthdays, Birthdays and more birthdays

I almost let this month get by without mentioning the guys in my life who have birthdays this month.

Tanner was our firstborn grandson and was the most mellow, laid-back baby you ever saw. His personality hasn't changed much. He's just a very easy going kid. Tanner loves sports and participates in football, baseball and wrestling. He also likes golf and is a die-hard fisherman. Tanner is a sweet boy (he probably won't appreciate me saying that) but he really is a sweetheart. Tanner turned 15 on the 15th.






Tucker was born two years and 6 days after his older brother. Tanner and Tucker are good friends as well as brothers. Tuck is the responsible, level headed child of the family. We used to tease him that he was 12 going of 40. However, he has also has a great sense of humor and I love to listen to him giggle, especially when he's getting a kick out of something corny his grandpa has done. He's very athletic and is an intense player in whatever he does. Tucker turned 13 on the 22nd. His most endearing quality, to his grandpa at least, is that he loves the Denver Broncos.


We inherited Tristan when Cami married Wes and he's a keeper. When Tristan was little he reminded me of a colt running around. His spindly legs where always in motion, flying in all directions. Tristan is smart and also loves sports. He is also extremely affectionate and loving.



Tristan will be 11 on the 29th.

Last, but certainly not least, is Ken. He is patient, loving and has put up with my sarcastic and sometimes, sharp tongue for over forty years. Ken loves golfing, fishing, the Denver Broncos and his family. He is a super grandpa.

Happy Birthday to all these great guys! (and to Empress Bee--four birthdays and not one piece of cake! Can you believe that?)

SURVIVOR

Whoohoo! Survivor starts tonight! I'm a relatively new fan as this is only the 4th season I've watched. I held out for a long time because I thought the whole premise was stupid. Once I started watching I quickly became hooked, although I'm always disappointed in who wins. The person who plays the game the best never wins, well maybe they do play the best since they did win. This year I have even joined a fantasy survivor league! How lame is that??? I promise to do a better post this weekend, but for now I've got a show to watch.

MY NEW FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGET

Who would pay $14.95 for an avocado pitter? I had seen them in kitchen stores and thought there must be a better way to spend fifteen dollars. However, after the pain and agony of 4 stitches in the palm of my hand and a $600 emergency room visit, I spent the $14.95 for the pitter and I love it!



The round green end removes the pit and the other end makes perfect (or near perfect) slices



My favorite way to eat one is plain, with a little lemon juice and salt. But when I find four or five good ripe avocados (doesn't happen often in our little town) I make a shrimp and avocado salad.


I found this recipe in a magazine when we were in Seattle on vacation many years ago. We were camping in our tent trailer and I made it for dinner one night. It has become a huge family favorite.

1-12 oz. pkg shelled and deveined frozen shrimp
2/3 cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped green onion
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ tsp. lemon rind
1 ½ tablespoon white vinegar
½ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 medium avocados

Cook shrimp. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain again. Pat dry with paper towels. Place in large bowl, stir in celery and onions. In small bowl combine, oil, lemon peel and juice, vinegar, celery seed, salt and pepper. Pour over shrimp and toss well. Cut avocados in half. Scoop out avocado, leaving ½ inch shell. Coarsely chop avocado and stir into salad. Divide among avocado shells and spoon dressing over top. Yummy!

Blast from the past

Back in the 70's I begged Ken to buy a leisure suit. Thank goodness he ignored my fashion advice. However, he had several shirts that looked a lot like these. What were we thinking? If this makes you nostalgic for the 70's, check this site out.
http://www.plaidstallions.com/fashion.html

Licorice attack

Anyone who really knows me will tell you that I have an often, uncontrollable sweet tooth. It's something that affects most of my family, but my brother and I seem to suffer the most from it. Anyone who really knows me will also tell you that I have spent most of my adult life on a diet. Well right now I am trying to lose a few pounds for a cruise we are taking in a couple of week, yes I know, I'm running out of time. Tonight I am having a severe licorice attack, that is all I can think about, any kind of licorice, black or red though, none of that fruit flavored stuff, that really doesn't qualify as licorice in my book.





I think I better just go to bed and hope it passes by morning. Good night and SWEET dreams.

Baby Shower

Colette, our youngest daughter, is expecting her second child in about 6 weeks. It's a boy and we are so excited. The last 4 grandchildren have been girls and we love them to pieces, but it's time for some testosterone around here. Her best friend from high school hosted a baby shower for her on Satuday and she got a lot of great stuff. Her grandma, aunt, two cousins and their 3 children came up from Wyoming so we had a houseful of girls. Ken felt a little outnumbered. Saturday night we had a family dinner with 13 females and 2 guys. See why we're so excited for another boy in our family. I only got a few pictures because my camera battery died. :) So typical.

Remembering the day

The day of September 11, 2001 is as fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday. I was getting ready for work and Ken was having a cup of coffee, he turned on the TV just as they were announcing on the Today show that a plane had flown into the world trade center. He shouted up to the bathroom to tell me the news and I thought "how awful" and went on blow drying my hair. When I entered the kitchen they were showing the 2nd plane hitting and we both looked at each other and said "what the hell?" From that moment and for days after we were glued to the television set, horrified by the images we were being shown. As awful as that day was, it was also a time that the United States truly was "united". Along with all the horrible images, stories of true heroism emerged. For a time people were more compassionate and caring. It's hard to imagine, here on the plains of Montana, the fear those living near the attacks must have felt. Our fear was more of what would happen to our country in the days to come. But America survived and our lives have gone on, changed in some ways by the events of the day, but I still believe we are the greatest nation on earth and I thank God that I am fortunate to be living here.

It's All About Me

I don't usually participate in tags, but I'm bored and can't think of anything to post. So here goes--It's all about me!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name, Louise, is after my Grandma
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I don't cry much so I don't remember. My kids think I'm cold-hearted, I think I'm strong.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Don't like it, don't eat it.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 1 boy, 3 girls.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Probably too much, I can be perceived as a smart @##
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, I was only 3 when I had them out and I swear I can remember smelling the ether.
9.WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Only for money, a lot of money
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oatmeal
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I hate to untie my shoes so much that I purposely don't wear shoes that tie.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically, no. Mentally, see question 2
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Chocolate Mint
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? I wish I was more compassionate
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Dad
18.WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Brown pants and brown loafers
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Cseasar salad
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Soulmate by Natasha Bedingfield
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I don't understand this question, maybe green (?)
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Freshly baked bread and freshly bathed babies
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Ken (husband)
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? yes
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football
27. HAIR COLOR? As much as I hate to admit to it, Gray, but you'll never see it that color
28. EYE COLOR? Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVORITE FOOD? I love sweets
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? It was a DVD with Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, but I don't remember the name
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer. I hate being cold.
35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Tiramisu
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Waiting for the rest of the Twilight series to get here from Amazon, so I am reading something by Nora Roberts
38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one
39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Didn't watch TV
40. FAVORITE SOUND? babies laughing
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones
42. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Caracas, Venezuela
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Still trying to discover my hidden talents
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Wyoming

Tanner

Tonight is number one grandson's first high school football game. He'll probably just stand on the sidelines, freshmen usually don't get much playing time, but grandma and grandpa will be there to cheer him on. Unless it's raining, then grandma will stay home and play on the computer. He's a good looking little bugger isn't he?

Men in Speedos

I found these pictures while browsing through my cruise pictures, two examples of why some men should stay clear of speedos. The guy in the bottom pic had his "stuffed" if you know what I mean.

Big Horn Mountains

When I was a kid growing up in Cowley, we spent a lot of time camping in the Big Horns. I always had fun once I got there, but getting there was always painful for me. I used to get really car sick and the switchback roads would get to me every time. Dad got so tired of me getting sick that he stuck me in the back of the pickup and I would just hang my head over the side and puke all the way up the mountain. Now that you have that lovely visual in your head, I'll get to the point of this post.

We spent the Labor Day weekend camping on the Big Horns with Ken's family. I really enjoy camping now that we have our own trailer. With a warm place to sleep, a flush toilet and a shower, camping is fun to me again. Those aren't camping luxuries to me, but necessities. It was a beautiful weekend until it starting raining Sunday night. It rained all night and by the time we left at noon on Monday, it was 32 degrees and starting to snow. Enjoy the few pictures I took, the battery was fully charged and I had the camera in my pocket most of the time, just forgot to use it.