Sammy Sighs

Hey, remember me?

I think Mom forgot about letting me talk to you all lately. She's been all busy with Brooklyn and Chloe this summer. So, I've been hiding in the closet a lot. Then, they left town without me. As you know, that makes us very sad.

Today, Sissy and I ran out and made her take us in the truck to the store with her. I don't care how hot it is out. This was cool for me.
I just stick my head right in the air conditioner vent and cool off! Silly Sissy hasn't figured it out yet!

I just wanted to say hi so you all don't forget me!

Wyoming Words

We spent the last couple days of our vacation in Wonderful Wyoming...our home towns, with our parents. What a great end to the week. We sure did enjoy seeing them, and being there. Tina rode along, and we sure did enjoy her company.

The kiddos got to make memories with their Great Grandparents, and I got to be "home" with my parents. It was great!

More photos of our trip, including our trip to the Black Hills earlier in the week are in the photo album: Vacation 2008.

Spending time with our grandchildren this past week was truly a blessing for us.

What's For Supper?

I don't know about you all, but nothing sounds good. I look at some of the blogs I read, and their recipes look so good, but I just don't feel like cooking. I think I need a maid.

Pioneer Woman Cooks had a wonderful bagel sandwich recipe. My daughter wants us to try it. I'm game, so next time I go shopping, I'll get some of the ingredients.

No one else here will eat it, I know that.

Do any of you feel like cooking?

Sweet Face

This is my "niece" dog..Teka. She is getting elderly. She has such a sweet face. I just love her.


(Teka's mom is my sister I referred to in the post right below this one.)

For My Sister

The Wizard of Oz was on last night. I texted my sister, Jolyn, to tell her. She didn't reply. I think that it could be because she HATES that movie, and always has. So, of course, I have to tease her about it as much as possible. I don't think she tuned in.

Vacation 2008

Here they are...



See new photos in Vacation 2008 Album and Summer Fun 2008.


I have added photos there....and there are none of me in MY swimsuit...so there, Helen Mirren. (I am still feeling bitter about that whole thing...I mean, come on...she doesn't diet or exercise? How does she get those abs? I think we deserve to know...)

Mikkelson Trail

Last Friday, Brooklyn got his first ride on the Mikkelson Trail in South Dakota. He (and we) rode about 12 miles. We picked a fairly easy part of the trail (Crazy Horse Trailhead to Hill City), but that little guy pedaled non stop! He did great. More pictures are in the Summer Fun 2008 album.

More on Helen Mirren

First---NOTE THAT THIS PICTURE TO THE RIGHT IS NOT ME....!!!!

For real, I can't imagine what it would be like to look like this at age 63. Click and read this on one of my favorite blogs.

What do you think?

I am thinking that yesterday I rode 12 miles on a bike trail in South Dakota, so I should look like this any minute.

Of course, though, that may not take effect immediately because I had a turtle cheesecake icecream cone (YUM) in Keystone.

Augh.

Best Buds Hang Out

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Brooklyn got to spend the day with Bailey at his house. They had SO MUCH FUN. Monday afternoon, Bailey came over to our place, and they swam in the pool, rode bikes, played in the play room, ate supper and just had fun hanging out. Aren't friends, old and new, just the best!

Lasting memories!

A Ten Mile Day

Sunday we rode 10 miles...little guy did great. I got a bit of sun on my shoulders, but had a good ride.

Sunday Birthday!!!

Sunday was Tina's Birthday! Since she was away, we didn't get to celebrate much. I did however, make her some scotcharoos this week. This post was from last year....she has had a LOT of changes in a year! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!

Field Trip

Brooklyn had been wanting to see Jailhouse and Courthouse Rock since passing it on the roadway many times. So, we figured, what the heck. What an easy way to make him happy! So, off we went on Saturday for our "field trip". Here are a few photos of the day, and more can be found in my pictures in the Summer Fun 2008 album.


Here's a little history about the landmarks:

Located just 2 miles south of Bridgeport Nebraska on State hwy 88 - near the Bridgeport Golf Course.Located just 2 miles south of Bridgeport Nebraska on State hwy 88 - near the Bridgeport Golf Course.

Courthouse and Jail Rocks are two of the most famous landmarks of the mid 1800's westward migration. Nearby is the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. The rocks were vanguards of the unforgettable scenic wonders that travelers would encounter farther west on the trails, including Chimney Rock and the rugged Scott's Bluffs.

Hundreds of overland emigrants mentioned Courthouse Rock in their diaries. Often called a "castle" or "solitary tower," the name Courthouse was first used in 1837. One 1845 traveler described the rock as "resembling the ruins of an old castle [which] rises abruptly from the plain. . . .It is difficult to look upon it and not believe that art had something to do with its construction. The voyagers have called it the Courthouse; but it looks infinitely more like the Capitol."

Courthouse and Jail Rocks, rising some 400 feet above the North Platte Valley, are erosional remnants composed of clay, sandstone and volcanic ash. The rocks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in the Nebraska Natural Areas Register.

To an emigrant who had never seen a mountain, or even a bluff, Courthouse Rock and its companion, Jail Rock were quite stunning. Many pioneers were so enraptured by these bizarre geologic features, they took a side trip of several miles--on foot--just to get a closer look.

Historian William Hill said "A lot of them really did a lot of sightseeing along the way. It's kind of amazing to think that some of them would walk 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 miles off the trail just to see a sight like Courthouse Rock."

On down the road, was Chimney Rock.

It was so much more fun seeing these things through a child's eyes.

Technology?

So, I thought I'd try out "Twitter" (See on right side). I am not sure if I will like it, or even use it ..but we'll see. If not, I can delete it later. I don't usually seem to have THAT MUCH going on to update with Twitter, I'll bet. I also decided to try out Google Reader, so I can get all my favorite Blog Updates and read them without having to go into each site. I think I will like that.

There is so much out there to learn and do...if only we had the time to do it! I can only imagine what my grandkids will be learning and doing technology wise.

Just have to do it wisely, right?

Summer Fun

We rode bikes on Sunday from home to Carhenge. Brooklyn did great....rode almost 8 miles, and still had energy! Old grammy did ok, too, proud to say. Gotta get ready for a couple fifty mile days this fall on the Mikkelson Trail!

Thumbs Up!

If you haven't watched it, rent it! Seriously...

Best Buds

Brooklyn has a best bud here, my friend's son Bailey.

They really have a blast together!

Independence Day

Here are a few Independence Day Memories.

(purple smoke bomb)

Hope yours was fun, too!

Curel Lotion Trial

I tried the Curel lotion that I wrote about in a recent post. I guess it works ok. Using it does help with the itchy crawlies---and helps with dry skin. As for some other menopausal symptoms such as crankiness to the heat and impatient (sometimes even hostile) feelings towards spouse and others----well, it doesn't help that. But, sometimes a glass of wine (or two) does.

Disclaimer...I don't think the lotion said anything about moods! :0)

Flies

Flies are just yukky. So are these traps...they work well, catching lots of flies. But, they stink and it is creepy to see all the flies in there...some dead and some still fluttering. Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.

I think I hate flies.

A Lifetime Supply?

We surprised Brooklyn with some fireworks Monday night. He will light them off on Friday, when hopefully Adam can also enjoy them. He was so excited...his words were "you got me a lifetime supply"! Ha.

I think Grandpa had a bunch of fun picking them out.

When Brooklyn woke up, he had his plan in mind on which ones to light in what order, etc...he must have dreamt about it all night long.

It's fun to enjoy things through children's eyes and hearts...

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking....

Saturday morning, Tina and I and Brooklyn did some garage sale stops. One of the places had these boots in their flower bed. I thought, oh, my mom would so love that.

I think I would prefer cowboy boots or combat boots or some other kind rather than hiking boots, but this was a cute idea!