Just the two of us

A successful concoction:

One avocado cut in half with pit and skin removed

Several grape tomatoes cut in quarters filling the center and spilling over

Salt and pepper............genius!

The Democratic Donkey and Republican Elephant

Ever wondered what the story was behind these two famous party animals? According to this web site, The now-famous Democratic donkey

was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous.

Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant.

In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.
Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

I don't know if there are symbols for politicians in Canada and other countries but these are sure well recognized here in the USA.

Here's my advice.............Pay attention and listen....then VOTE your choice, and then.........shut up and be the best grateful American you can........millions of people around the world would love to have this privilege, don't forget it.

Fast Draw

Lady di tn said she wished I would talk more about my competition days so here it goes:)

My husband was already a top notch competitor in Fast Draw when we married but I just didn't know how much he loved it...............so after several years of whining and complaining about spending every holiday at some competition, I decided if you can't beat them you may as well join them.

I entered my first contest in 1970 and to my great surprise, placed third. We had been trying have a baby prior to my entering competition and I was just thinking maybe I would postpone it a while when puff.............baby on the way. I continued to compete until my holster wouldn't fit me any longer and took it back up when our daughter was about 1 year old. I continued to shoot until about 3 years ago so that would be a grand total of around 35 years. Now to explain Fast Draw...........

It is a world competition that is governed by the World Fast Draw Association. It is shot with a single action pistol (mostly 357 Ruger bored out to a 45 or a Colt 45) and it is reminisce of the shoot out at the OK corral except you do not face an opponent but rather a target with a light in it or on it. After you have readied yourself, you take a command and from 2 to 5 seconds the light will come on which is your command to draw and fire and hopefully hit the target. There are several different types of draws used: Thumbing which means that it is all done with one hand (my husband is the World Champion for this) and many different forms of Fanning, in which you draw with one hand and the other hand cocks the gun (this is my preferred way of competing). I have always held the belief that a picture is worth far more than words.

These are a couple of ladies I shot with and this particular event is called "step back wax". The target is a metal FBI silhouette and the light is in the middle. You shoot a synthetic wax bullet that is propelled by a 22 blank and it must hit the target in order to stop the clock and record your time. The time is calibrated in 1000's of a second. Here is a little helper....it takes about 15 thousands of a second to blink your eye and these gals are probably shooting around a .3900 here.

My greatest claim to fame was winning the International Championships in 1978, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I continue to hold two World records......Standing Blanks at 10' in 1995 and Walking Wax at 15' in 1997. I won my share of contests like Arizona State, Tombstone, A Canadian competition and etc. but what I was the most proud of, is that I was considered a tough competitor and most always placed in the top 5. I met people from all over the World and traveled to many places most people have never heard of. It was a fun time and people ask me why I have hung it up........ Well, the truth is that World Fast Draw as I knew it, is a dying sport and has been overtaken with other competitions like Single Action Shooting and Cowboy Fast Draw which is similar but yet different and I have decided this old dog isn't interested in learning new tricks. It is a very physical competition and in order to do well you need to be practicing all the time. With only a handful of contests a year in Fast Draw, it just wasn't worth the time for me.

My hubby and I also use to perform Gun Shows around the valley for conventions in some of the big hotels. Here is a picture of him firing at a balloon that I dropped out of my hand............ Yes, this is a VERY old picture (I almost don't recognize myself I am so skinny) taken in 1992 but it was hard to find pictures of us in action instead of with fellow shooters. Blanks are a 45 shell filled with black powder and it is the unburnt powder that breaks the balloon. It creates a spread like a shot gun would. It is the fastest kind of shooting and is popular for the twist fanner's which shoot elimination type competitions and their times are in the 20's.

This is me shooting at the balloon target used in competitions and as you can see....I broke the balloon.

This was the last Championship I won in 2003 at Big Timber, Montana

I sold my custom made gun at the competition last week-end so folks....I won't be coming back but thanks for the memories.

A Trek

Hubby and I often go on "week-end jaunts" but when it adds up to 993 miles, think I best call it a trek:) and so was our trip to Durango, Colo. for a shooting competition this past weekend (I just went along for the ride as I quit competing about 3 years ago).

We left by 5:00 am and made it to the Cliff Castle Casino in time for breakfast, and my always lucky hubby added $300.00 to our pocketbook:)....not to worry he lost it on the way back haha. This is such a pretty casino and their dinning room looks just like the Grand Canyon...truly amazing.

The highlight in Durango for me was staying at the Historic Strater Hotel. It is on main street and a easy walk to all the festivities and of course it is beautiful. The ceilings were just so pretty......

as seen in our room and of course there was

antique furniture everywhere. Their dinning room was just the best with great food so how could you go wrong. We had come here back in 1985 and did all the other fun things like the train ride to Silverton and rafting down the river so just a quiet restful time to be had by me.

While there we wandered into a gun shop and found the most amazing display of stuffed animals I think I have ever seen............here are a few pictures I couldn't resists to take

Was such a treat to get out of the hot summer heat but as always........ miss my bed and my animals.

Careful

A picture is worth a thousand words

Did you know

The humps on a camel's back do not hold water but are actually heaps of fat and flesh and can weigh as much as 80 pounds!

This is why camels can go for as long as two weeks without water.

Here are a few more interesting camel facts:

Camels can produce up to 600 liters of milk a year.

Camels can't close their nostrils.

If a camel is really hungry it will eat anything including people's tents, sandal's and blankets.

Camels can run as fast as a horse, if not faster.

In some countries camels are a source of entertainment......camel fighting attracts audiences of all ages in several countries around the world.

Have you ever rode a camel?

Motivation

I don't know if you are like me but many times I need to find something to motivate me to get things done.......like for example

New wire organizers for some kitchen drawers...................My kitchen drawers desperately needed a going through!

A new revolving spice rack (some of my spices were so old I was afraid to use them) haha

We also did a little updating by removing the carpet in the family room and putting in some tile and we had the grout for the rest of our tile re-colored.

It is amazing how refreshing just a few new changes can be!!!!!!!!!!!

Just the two of us

Tuna Meltaways

1 3 oz. package tuna

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

1/4 cup finely chopped carrots

1 tbl. Miracle whip

3 English muffins split

Heat broiler. In medium bowl combine all the above ingredients except the muffins and mix well.

Spread it equally on the muffin halves and place in broiler pan, broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until lightly browned and bubbly.

Serve with sliced tomato's and chips

Gifts

Several years ago I made it a habit to give handmade gifts, especially for baby showers, but over the years I have let it dwindle away. Recently I came up with an idea that is sort of handmade but without all the work.........................................

I go to my local used clothing store and find a cute basket and fill it with baby items. This one has disposable diapers lined around the inside, a rattle, a small baby bottle (from the dollar store) and a little cotton summer outfit that happened to be in the same color scheme of pink and purple. Makes for something a little different and saves money not buying one of those gift bags.
Do you have a favorite way to give gifts?

Summer Olympics

Don't know if you are fan of the olympics or not but think about all that is involved than what we see. The years of training and sacrifice that has been required and the times of winning and losing to establish whether or not you can qualify to go. Doing everything in your power to stay healthy and stong to be able compete and the injuries along the way.

One Cowgirl brought to my attention some information about the equestrian team that is competing there this year.

and I was amazed to discover that the horses have to have passports!!!

and here I thought I was a big deal for getting my passport....................................................

Just a little bump

I had this little bump on my nose that just didn't seem right so off to the dermatologist I went. After a biopsy I was informed my little bump was a basal cell carcinoma. The next step was to have a procedure called Mohs surgery to remove it. Monday was the day to do so and although I am quite sore and have a black eye, I am so thrilled to have it over with. I am a big baby with needles and etc. and was told that the numbing would be VERY painful....well, you can call it a miracle due to people praying for me but the first numbing was not bad at all...what a shock! The second numbing that was required was a bit more uncomfortable but fortunately it is over pretty quick. Not sure how many stitches there are.........................................

Now, for the really good news....with this Mohs procedure you come out with a 99% cure rate. It is a long procedure because the layers are tested each time before they do the constructive surgery ( I came out clean on the first layer) but the procedure took 6 1/2 hours so it was a long day. Stitches come out next Monday and I should be good as new.

This is going to be my lotion of choice from now on.......or one that has sun protection in it..........

Knick Knacks

Knick Knacks...you never know how much of it you have until you have to move all of it!! I am having my carpet re-stretched today and all of it has to be removed so they can move the furniture and the same in closets...the floors have to be cleared.

Now just take a peak around your place and see if you don't gasp!

Bet you didn't know

There really is a Chef Boyardee but his name is spelled Hector Boiardi. He was an Italian Immigrant that came to the US in 1914 when he was 17 years old.

Upon his arrival, he immediately got a job as a chef at New York's Plaza Hotel, where his brother worked as a waiter. After moving to Cleveland in 1929, he perfected his spaghetti and meatball recipe. His customers kept asking for bottles of his pasta sauce so they could have it at home and he obliged. He then added cheeses and pasta to the sauce.

The result were so popular that he started to sell the products in the area stores, and later in stores outside the area. Boiardi remained an advisor in the canned pasta business until his death at age 87 in 1985. And yes, that is Hector's picture on the label.

Just a little trivia to brighten your day...................................

Runner up for the Nobel Prize

Irena Sendlerowa 1910-2008
May 12 marked the death of a 98-year-old lady named Irena.During WWII, Irena received permission from the Nazis to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist.She had an ulterior motive...Being German, she knew the Nazis' plans for the Jews and smuggled infants out in the bottom of the large tool box she carried. Larger children were placed in burlap sacks in the back of her truck. Also in the back was a dog that she had trained to bark each time the Nazi guards allowed her out of the ghetto and back in.The soldiers, of course, wanted nothing to do with the dog, and its barking covered any noise made by the infants and small children. Irena managed to smuggle out approximately 2,500 children before she was finally caught. When she was captured, the Nazis beat her severely, breaking both her arms and her legs.Irena kept a record of the names of all the children she smuggled out of that Warsaw ghetto and kept them in a glass jar buried under a tree in her back yard.After the war, she tried to locate any parents who may have survived so she might reunite the child with its family. Most, of course, did not survive the Holocaust, and the vast majority of the surviving children were placed in foster homes or adopted.Last year Irena was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but she lost to Al Gore, who won the award for presenting a slide show on Global Warming.

Meme

Scattergories
Use the first letter of your first name to answer each of the following.
They have to be real places, names, things - nothing made up. Try to use different answers than the person in front you you that had the same first letter.
You cannot use your own name for the boy/girl name.

1. What is your name: Monica
2. A 4 letters word: Mold
3. A vehicle: Mercury
4. A city: Manchester
5. A boy's name: Mack
6. Drink: Milkshake
7. An occupation: Miner
8. Something you wear: Moccasins
9. A celebrity: Michael Douglas
10. Something found in the bathroom: Mint Mouthwash
11. Reason for being late: Mudslide
12. Something you shout: Mom
13. An animal: Mink
14. A body part: Middle finger
15. Word to describe yourself: Marvelous
If you would like to play just add your name to comments and say I'm in....looking forward to your answers:)

Not your imagination

Yes, I did post a speech that was supposedly written by Andy Rooney and it was brought to my attention that is was not true. I should have checked it myself and here is a site that you can do that on....Truth or Fiction. It was given to me by a friend and I assumed it was on the up and up. Even though I agreed with the content I wouldn't want to publish something that is not true so if you left a comment that is why it is now gone..............................................

Family musing

So many times we know each other simply as part of the family.
Yesterday, I went to visit a cousin who is younger than I and found how little I really knew him. We only saw each other at family gatherings and in the later years these were basically funerals (not a good time to visit). Well, to my great surprise I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and his wife. I have often felt that this scenario of not really knowing your family was true with family members who were older than I, like my Uncles and Aunts. Rarely did I know them as I would now that I am an adult but more through a kids eyes. Strange isn't it to be related by blood but not by what you have in common. Maybe that is why there are often family strains......................................................................

Just the two of us

It is only my hubby and I and for the most part we go out and eat but with the high cost of things of recent have decided to cook at home one or two times a week. I like to try new recipes so will share the good ones with you....who needs the bad ones?????

Be warned.....I like easy and fast, and cheap isn't bad either:)

CHICKEN CLUB PASTA SALAD

1 Pkg. Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad ranch and bacon pasta salad mix

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used 1/4 mayonnaise and 1/4 miracle whip)

1 1/2 cups cut-up cooked chicken or turkey ( About 1 1/2 pounds thick sliced turkey from the deli)

Chopped celery (to taste)

Cherry tomatoes (to taste)

Cook pasta mix as directed and rinse with cold water when finished. Drain well.

Mix the seasoning mix with the mayonnaise, add the pasta and chicken and chopped celery.

Place on a lettuce leaf and top with quartered tomatoes.

Serve with hot french bread of club crackers.

Note: this recipe makes enough for four but makes a great leftover lunch:)

Brunch

Brunch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brunch or bruncheon is a meal eaten if one misses breakfast or lunch. It may be used to combine breakfast and lunch into one meal.[1] The term is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch(eon). Brunch is often served after a morning event or prior to an afternoon one, such as a wedding or sporting event. While common in the United States, according to Punch magazine, the term was introduced in Britain around 1896 by Hunter's Weekly, then becoming student slang.[2]
Some restaurants and hotels serve brunch, especially on Sundays and holidays. Such brunches are often serve-yourself buffets, but menu-ordered meals may be available instead of, or with, the buffet. The meal usually involves standard breakfast foods such as eggs, sausages, bacon, ham, fruits, pastries, pancakes, and the like. However, it can include almost any other type of food served throughout the day. Buffets may have quiche, large roasts of meat or poultry, cold seafood like shrimp and smoked fish, salads, soups, vegetable dishes, many types of breadstuffs, and desserts of all sorts.

The bottom line----------------------------------pigging out!!!! Went to my first brunch with my Red Hatters Sunday and everyone should go at least once in a lifetime.

Smoking

Isn't this an interesting advertisement? After 35 years of smoking like a steam engine I finally succeeded in quiting neatly 12 years ago. All I can say is that I have never regretted it. With the cost of living the way it is I can't imagine the quilt I would feel at buying cigarettes.
How about you....did you or do you smoke?

If you want to quit....I am telling you it is worth the agony to do so and if you have already quit....I say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Drum Roll Please

Here SHE is.....the USS New York! Made from the World Trade Center !

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on September 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensign, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there." Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're coming back."

The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

Matches with mine:

Isaiah 61:3 (King James Version)
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Wheat Field

I borrowed this picture this morning. It reminded me of the time I spent in Montana as a kid visiting my Grandparents. Montana is flat and when the wind blows the wheat field looks like waves of water and the smell.......................you will never forget the wonderful clean fresh smell. Thanks for the memory Kidscattleblog.

Timeshare

Wyndham Kona Hawaiin Resort

Several years ago while on a vacation to the big Island of Hawaii my hubby and I bought this timeshare. We have never stayed here but rather have traded it in every year to go to a different location. Our first trade was to Whistler, Canada then Panama, then Branson, Mo. and then Mederia, Portugal. This year we are hoping to go to Quebec, Canada.

Now we have had our timeshare long enough that it is paid for with the exception of the yearly upkeep fee and the exchange fee required if we go with a bigger company like RCI but here is some advice if you have never owned one and are thinking of doing so.

1. If you are not really open on your travel dates.......forget it. Even with giving any travel time for one whole month, it is still a maybe to get into your desired location.

2. NEVER buy a brand new one. There are many, many for sale at a much cheaper rate for people that have become disenchanted with them (Be sure and use a licenced Realitor).

3. Know your reason for buying one....is it to travel around the world or is it to go back to the same location that you dearly love year after year...the last one is the best reason because you will not have any need to make exchanges and are assured your yearly trip.

4. Try to buy one that is in one of the larger groups like Wordlmark. You have more opportunity to be able to make a trade within your own group and not have to use the RCI group which allows you to trade with all groups and requires not only an exchange fee but also a yearly membership fee as well.

5. Never buy one below a gold rating (that means the desirably of it and gives you a greater exchange power and resale value).

I don't think that this has been the best financial endeavour we have gotten involved with and we have considered selling it a few times but I always go back to one fact........it encourages us to go somewhere we may never had gone had we not had it:)

HAPPY TRAILS.........................................................................................

Celebration of Independence

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/Impish_Dragon/?action=view&current=Untitled.flv

Issue changes

For months on end all we heard was the controversy of the war....should we have gone in, are we winning, when will we leave, why did it start, what was the goal...................

Now we have a new song to sing:

I recently heard someone on TV make the statement that maybe our gas woes was good for us..............I think I may agree with that statement, we are indeed the most blessed country in the world and the biggest whiners ever! Typically we blame someone else..............but the truth is, out of sight out of mind. Ten years ago congress tried to get the okay to start drilling but President Clinton veto it. If we would have drilled then, we would have the oil we need today and be able to tell these other countries to take their barrel of oil and you know what but people are still singing the same old song...."Even if we start drilling today we won't get any oil for 2,5,10 years". Well, maybe it isn't just about us and fortunately there are some who's song and life reveals this truth. http://g.dwgsee.com/wake/index.htm