April 14, 2010

• Fudge Cake and McDonald’s

  Here are pictures of the triple chocolate fudge cake that everyone asked about.

   
  I had 5 green candles (worth 10 years a piece), 7 yellow candles (1 year a piece)and 1 blue one – to grow on!!!

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  I just returned from having a wonderful lunch with my good friend, Emily.  It’s been such a long time since we’ve gotten together.  In fact, the last time she saw me, I had just returned from the hospital (September 2009) and was bedridden.

  I look much better now! 

  We met at McDonald’s with our children.  They played while we talked. 

  AND . . . it was the first time in over a year I drove somewhere by myself!  

  I’ll write more about our visit later.

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  Despite the fact my pills (a hormone suppressant) make me have horrible hot flashes, which means I can’t wear my wig, I will share my birthday pictures with you! 

  Warning:  My short, curly hair makes me look like a little old grandma. 

  I *am* a grandma, but I prefer to not *obviously* look like one. 

  Although, when we shopped at thrift stores, everyone cautiously asked if I qualified for a 55 and older senior discount! 

  Why lie?  I mean – a savings is a savings!!!

   
  I got a new muffin tin from the girls.  Mine wear out quickly.  I’m sure if I bought a more expensive brand, they would last longer.  But, I continue to get cheaper ones and replace them when they rust.

    And, I’ve been asking for new telephones for the house.  The buttons don’t always work and our current (double) phone set is pretty outdated.  This new one has THREE phones and hopefully is more reliable!

  When Jesse took Marissa out for the day (on her birthday, February 27th), they went to the mall and he found some crystal marked way down at Macys.  Still more money than he would have liked to spend, but he knows how I love clear glass with cuts in it to reflect the light.

    

  He bought a medium size vase for fresh cut flowers and a match bowl – perfect for serving fruit.  They are just beautiful – real heavy and they reflect the light beautifully.  He said he almost gave them to me earlier when I was rearranging the china cabinet.  I assured him, I can still arrange things and add these two beautiful pieces!

           

  
  My sister, Nancy, sent a package of gifts (for the girls – because: “Happy children make for a happy Mom!!!”) and a beautiful card and gift certificate for me.  She is so creative.  Even the envelope looked great!

     
  

  After opening my gifts, it was time to try that chocolate cake!  I lit the candles and Luci dimmed the lights, so we could see the blazing fire on top of my cake!

          
  
  Jesse insisted on a few pictures of me in front of the cake – so, I acquiesced!

                               

  Me posing and being silly, as it was getting hard to squat, bending my knees to bring me closer to the cake.  Those old knees aren’t what they used to be – and they’ve never been all that great!

                   

  They sang the “Happy Birthday” song and then they sang our family’s unique birthday song.  We make everyone listen to us belt it out, whenever anyone has a birthday.  So, I was serenaded twice by my family!  Then blew out the candles.

   

  One small problem . . .

  I had accidentally used 3 trick candles on my own cake.  The kind of candles you blow out, and then they relight – over and over again!  I don’t use them consistently, so you never know what year or what person might have trick candles on their cake.  After all these years, I tricked myself, much to the delight of my family!

        
  The cake was delicious, and I only wish I had made a thicker swipe of the frosting between the two layers.

  For some reason, this cake rose taller than usual.

  We had a nice time at dinner.  It was our friend’s turn to treat us, and we all ended up ordering a spinach & romaine lettuce salad with walnuts, pineapple tidbits, dried cranberries, tomato, and crumbled feta cheese mixed in it.  It came with its own special flavored vinaigrette dressing.  It was perfect after the big seafood lunch we had eaten earlier.

  It was a lovely day.  Very relaxing.  I had fun looking for thrift store china plates.  And, spending the relaxing time with my family made it the perfect day.

        
                     Two of my new china plates and the pink floral cup & saucer waiting to be washed.
  The cream dish with the gold edge in the background is a Lenox bowl Jesse bought at the antique store we visited.

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  Today was great, spending time with Emily.  I forgot to bring the camera.  It was on my desk with my purse.  Being the idiot I’ve been lately, before I walked out the door,  I covered the camera with a dust cloth so, if someone broke into the house while I was gone, it wouldn’t be seen right away. 

  I know!

  I know!

  I’m dumber than a box of rocks. 

  But, welcome to my world. 

  That’s how it is lately! 

  And just think, *I* have to live with myself 24/7!  Ah yes, never a dull moment!

  Emily and I visited for 3 hours while the children played.  I got to hold her baby, who ISN’T a baby so much anymore.  She even went to the restroom and left me in charge of him.  Oh!  Heart!  Be still!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Brayden is such a CUTE little boy!  I was so surprised to see how much Bethany has grown  up.  She’s a doll. 

  We talked about everything under the sun.  I caught up with people in Emily’s family, the church, Emily’s school classes, etc. 

  She asked me, “In your own words, I want to hear about your cancer experience.”  I shared with her how good God has been to us and how faithful.  We talked about Bible verses and I told her I’d send them to her with the place they are each located in the Bible. 

  If anyone out there is like me, I *KNOW* the verse (sometimes even word for word) but I can’t easily turn to it in the Bible.  I’ve gotten better, but I still struggle with exact Scripture and its location.

  Brayden was due for a nap, and Bethany looked worn out.  Rissy’s hair was plastered to her head with sweat, and we reluctantly decided to put out the 15 minute warning of, “Time to go,” so they could ease into saying good bye to each other.  The children ate at the high stools and tall table and we had no mishaps.  They were kind and polite to each other AND to other children playing there.  We were proud of them all.

  We promised to meet again and do it more regularly.  I mean, where else can you eat for cheap, let the children run wild, and not have to clean up afterward?  I *DO* know I’ll never order Happy Meals again.  The gal at the cash register told me it was cheaper to order a Happy Meal, rather than what I was trying to do.  I wanted to order nuggets or burgers, split a large order of fries, and buy each of us a soda.  The bill was $15 for the 4 of us  -  for McDONALD’S!!!!!  For another $5, I could have taken us all to Chili’s!

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  I’ll save the house renovation pictures for another time.  Everything continues to be torn up and out of place.  The painter will be back Friday morning to finish our bedroom.  At least, tonight, there won’t be a maze to walk through to get from my side of the bed to the bathroom.  I literally took a wrong turn last night, coming back to bed, and had to turn around a try another route!

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 5:49 pm
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