Weird Al......

Red Butte Garden is the perfect

venue to see some

Weird things

Red Butte Garden for a concert is fantastic.

After that......you need PIE...

Lemon Supreme (from Village Inn) and triple Berry

ala mode.....



FANTASTIC FALL FROLIC

Boyd and I took our 6th grandchild on a road trip with us.  We flew to Oklahoma City to see this little guy get baptized.  This was a big decision, that Milo made.  He didn't come to it quickly, but with lots of thought and preparation.  We are so proud of his decision.  If he remembers the promises he made this day, he will have a full and happy life. 

Jeff baptized Milo and confirmed him.  The confirmation blessing was one of the most beautiful I have ever heard.  I wish I would have written it down.  

It was a beautiful day, with blue skies and sunshine for miles.  

Believe it or not, it was difficult to round everyone up.......

why is that?

This was Mr. Mr. Alex's first trip to Oklahoma, and the trip isn't complete without going to the Oklahoma City Memorial.  It is a beautiful place, and it stirs lots of memories and emotions each time I visit it.  

I love him

 

My kids can look at this picture and attest to the fact that it's true. Over the last 18-20 years it's been a love/hate relationship with me and my body. I was in my thirties when I started to feel comfortable in my own skin. When I took stock of my friends and family, I realized that women are strong and soft. We are healers...of boo-boos and of broken spirits. We are confidantes and cheerleaders. We are at times our own worst enemies. I realized that if all women fought FOR one another and not against each other, we would be such a force for good! We are constantly being told how to look. How to get the perfectly cellulite-free legs.....tight toned abs...firmer breasts...clearer skin...longer, fuller lashes, healthier looking tresses...it's non-stop. I'm ashamed to admit I bought into it....to an extent. Through it all, my sweet Boyd, told me every day...multiple times a day that I was beautiful -- that he loved exactly the way I was -- that he wouldn't change a thing! Why was it so hard for me to believe him? So, here's the deal, I believe him, and I know that this body is a miracle-maker...it grew and birthed three beautiful human beings, who couldn't love me more. They don't look at me and see the imperfections...they see mom. So, I'm going to be kinder to myself, eat right and exercise and know that I'm beautiful. 

Lunch with the Lloyd Brothers

It's that time of year again.  Take your grandparents to lunch.  When Isaac told me about it, I asked if he wanted to each the lunch at school (sometimes it's his favorite) or if he wanted me to bring it.  Last year in the fall I took Subway, but it was decided on McDonalds this time around.  I gotta tell you, Mr. Mr. Twisted Sister was happy I was there, contrary to how this picture looks!!

I forgot to tell them that he wanted ketchup only on his burger, so we had to pick off the pickles and onions........arggggggggg

This guy has the drill down, you sit and smile when Mims wants to kiss ya....I figure I have a couple more years before he starts to object to this in public.....what do you think?

They are some of the most handsome lunch dates I've every had....and cheap, for the cost of a Happy Meal, I get a few minutes with them, and get to see them interact with friends.  It's priceless. I love them so much and and so grateful for this chance.

There was some weird side walking spider looking toy in the meal, and they surprised me by eating their lunch before opening the prize.......Well Isaac ate his entire lunch, those 10 years olds seem to be hungry all the time.  Alex ate most of his, he put the sliced apples in his pocket for later....

(I called his mom on my way home and told her

so she doesn't have a suprise in her washer!!)

The PTA has this figured out.  As you leave you go thru the "Book Fair" I told the boys how much they could spend.  I cannot believe how mature Isaac is, he picked out a book (minecraft) and it was half of what I said I would spend, he said "I don't need anything else" So I spent extra On Alex.  I purchased this book for myself. The way I remember the old lady swallowed a fly "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, poor old thing I think she'll die." was the way it went......well, the "new and improved" version, says: "I don't know wey she

Bubble-Boy.....or Hunchie.....

 

I have had this "thing" growing on my back for several years....My Dr. has been monitoring it and measuring it and poking it......In May, when I went for my yearly, she said: "Patti, this is getting bigger, it's time to have it removed."
I replied: "Can you do it?"
Dr: "No, you need a surgeon."

Humppphhhhh...........(whatever I mumbled)

 

Fast forward to August.  I had an appointment with my family Dr. and I thought to myself:

"Self, while you're there, ask if it really needs to be removed,

and if he can remove it.

So, I did, and he said yes and no.

Yes, it needs to be removed, and no he couldn't do it, it needed

to be a surgeon.

I think what the heck.....(conspiracy theory)

 

Now, backing up.  This this was pretty big, from the outside it looked like an egg was under the skin and if I leaned back on a chair I could feel it, and Mr. Boyd was calling it "Bubble-Boy" while I preferred the pet name of "Hunchie". 

When I would a massage, they would ask: "What's that? Does it Hurt?"

 

So, I had a consultation with a surgeon, and she confirmed it would need to be removed.  She said I could choose, in her office using a local or in the hospital where they put me out......

I chose the office...because I'm a bit scared of general anesthesia.  After numbing me to pieces she

started, and let's say Hunchie was determined to stick with me ..... but the Dr. prevailed and after about 45 minutes of snipping and pulling and more snipping out come this blob of grossness......the Dr. kept saying.."this is like an iceberg, you can only see about a third of it.  The above photo is it crammed into a speciman cup, it was about the size of the palm of her hand and about 3/4" thick.......gaaaaaaaaa.  It was gross.  I can almost hear it plopping into the cup..... 

I lay on this table for over an hour...

 

The nurse brought pillows and warm blankets, it was a not-so-fearful experience after all.  I had a bit of aching that evening but after that............nothin'.........it was great......I showed 48 hours later, that was the hardest part.   So.....good-bye Bubble-boy/Hunchie....it wasn't so nice knowin' ya.

So if anyone needs a surgeon I have a great one. She is awesome

Meet Mr. Bones

Ahh....it's that Haunting Season again....I know it's a bit early, but when Costco has these bad-boys on sale........before September, you snatch them up and decide.....where to place him.

Ah, as the haunting season approaches......

you wonder if late-August is to early

to purchase this guy......but what the heck, I may need to go back

and get him a girlie-friend......decisions on where to put this guy...

He looks comfy under the afgan.....

Who knew his mama-bones paid for piano lessons......

the possibilities are endless......

Did I mention rolls............

I'm always hankerin' for a sweet roll...."like the ones my mama made" I'll never be the baker she is but I can always give it a try......the "sponge"

This is the tricky part, adding the flour slowly, making dough "just right" elastic and a bit sticky....ready to rise...

ready to roll.........not too much flour here either, it's very subjective depending on the temperature of your home, the humidity etc.  I don't make them often enough to get a really good "feel".

look at that cinnamon-y butter-y goodness...

Oven ready...

perfection ..............

The roll is the just the vehicle to get the cream cheese icing

in yo tummy!!

Piggy....

These were so yummy..... washed down with one of the most perfect drinks of all time,

 the Diet Mt. Dew