I know it is well past the time of boiled eggs for Easter, but we are well on the way for summer picnics and the tradional "deviled egg". The thing is - how do you get the shell to easily let go of the boiled egg inside? I have tried any way that has ever been suggested but nothing seemed to work - until today.

Theron said he had read that if you put a tablespoon or two of cooking oil into the boiling water the oil absorbs into the poroused shell and coats between the membrane and the egg white allowing the shell the virtually slip off. I tried it, it works, I was amazed! I asked Theron where he got the information and his answer was "the internet". I asked for a specific because I had also searched the internet for advice but never found idea. Theron turned away as he sheepishly said "from somebody's blog".

Thanks Theron! and thanks whoever you are that enticed Theron to read it on your page.

I just got back from Cleveland and have another little tip to pass along.

When I arrive at Rachaels's home I found that Christopher had a sliver in his hand. The kind that sits right by the palm and you can't get to it. Rachael had tried the needle approach but the sliver was determined to stay and Christopher was determined that he would not let her near him with a needle again.

I remembered the trick I learned from my dad while I was little and used on my kids.

Fill a bowl with hot water, large enough to fit the hand or foot that houses the sliver. Add about 1/4 cup of salt and stir. Soak the affected appendage until the skin starts to get pruney. You may find the sliver sitting on the surface. as soon as it comes out of the water, if not pinch a little as if squeezing a pimple and the sliver should pop right out.

Thanks, Christopher for reminding me of this llittle trick and for saving other little kids from the needle.

Home again - for awhile!

I got harrassed last night for not updating my "BLOG" and leaving those interested hanging with the thought that I never made it home from my last excursion. I guess you can never take too many vacations. I have decided however that you should not take a cruise while you are young or you may never have the desire to see Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the purple mountain majesties or the fruited plains. We recently returned from a cruise to Belize and Guatemala (our 2nd trip there and our 3rd cruise). It becomes very addictive to vacation that way and we found ourselves wishing that our kids and grandkids were there to enjoy it with us. I am doing my share to keep the airlines from going under during this recession. I will be going to see Megan for her 4th birthday in two weeks. Rachael and her kids are coming to spend Easter with us and we are hoping that Allen will bring his girls up to visit at the same time. We won't be able to classify "Allen and his girls" much longer since they are expecting a baby boy in July. We are more than excited. Jessica's baby Parker is in the hospital with RSV and we are all praying for him to get better soon. You don't fully realize the joy of being a parent until you see your own kids being parents and even doing it the way you did.

On the Road Again

I have left the humidity of Chicago and am now in the dry desert of Southern Utah. Blanding to be exact. I had 48 hours at home to do laundry and repack the bag. Little Lindzie turns two this weekend and Theron and I have come to help celebrate. Her birthday is actually on Tuesday but she was too excited to wait for her presents. It was 11:00 pm when we arrived but the girls were up waiting for us. Lindzie kept telling us it was her birthday. Theron asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said "A puppy" . With that response we had to give her the present. No, we didn't get her a puppy, just a backpack harness that is a stuffed puppy http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-8808247-6750566?field-keywords=backpack+harness&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1 She loved it!! She woke up this morning and first thing wanted to put the harness on. For a very independent 2 year old this may give mom a little relief when walking to grandma's house or visiting the mall when they go to the city. It has a little pouch that can have a snack stored for later. Theron thought it was a crazy idea until he saw how much she liked it.

I've been told that I should add something to my BLOG daily but I don't have that much worthwhile to say. I was shopping the other day and saw a little tag that said "we have children to love, we have grandchildren to love us back". I'm not sure that is really the way it is but it sounds good.

I have been enjoying my time here in Chicago. It is nice to have some one on one time with Christopher and Megan. When they are in Salt Lake with us we always have such a crowd around. Christopher and Megan seem to think that I am here for the sole purpose of spoiling them. I"ve not been told differently so that is what I am trying to do.

Megan has taken over her mother's kitchen. Just yesterday she baked 6 cakes and a pan of cupcakes. Then she and Christopher at every bite. They forgot they were saving some for their mom and dad. It is a good thing those EasyBake ovens only hold about three teaspoons of batter per cake. On Friday Meg made a perfect batch of instant chocolate pudding on her first try. She is a natural in the kitchen. She can lick a spoon with the best of cooks, and even does a fairly good job of cleaning up after herself.

Christopher likes me to sit with him and read, play Sorry, or throw the football around. He took me to see his T-Ball game yesterday and we all about froze to death. What fool would sit at a kids ball game for over an hour in 45 degrees and howling winds. I think we are called "Grandma". Here's a grandma trick that I taught Christopher the other day. He has a pair of levi's that are really hard to snap. Put a little ChapStick on both pieces of the snap and it slides right in.

Oh, No! Another Grey Hare.

So here's the deal. Jessica said I should have a blog of my own since I enjoy reading everyone else's page. She said it would be nice to have a place to check out the older ideas of life. Hence my address. I enjoy reading your blogs because I can look at them and remember, and appreciate having been there, done that! I have also learned a lot reading blogs. Like, multiple sets of dishes are the norm, and expecting flowers for no reason is to be expected. I have also learned a lot about my daughters. I have found out that they are very strong emotionally. That they can and will handle situations with more maturity than I could. Read into this page whatever you like and maybe you will find something useful like how to get bicycle grease out of dress pants or other old wives tales that work.