My Grandaddy

(Peeps Post #10)

Someone asked me a little while ago when I was going to do another peeps post. I try not to do it too often, mainly because I want them to be special. And it takes me a while to do them, because I want to include everything I love about each person. Which is hard! Anyway, here we go..

Meet my Grandaddy.. Dewey Black.


Look how handsome he was when he was younger. (Not that he isn't now.. I still think he looks rather dapper.)


My Grandpa has Parkinson's Disease. It's something that he has had to deal with for quite a while. It has not exactly been a fun thing. My Grandpa has always been very active. He loves golf. Wait.. he LOVES golf. Later in life he got into bowling and pool. I always thought it was so cool that my Grandaddy was a bowler. None of my friends Grandpa's did that. (Not to mention doing anything with Parkinson's is a trial.)

For as long as I can remember my Grandaddy had sold cars. He and his son (my uncle) owned Black's Auto Sales. I would love to go to his car lot and visit him at work and play. It was right next door to a gas station and I would go over and get treats and have adventures.

I have been lucky that since my Grandpa has retired we have grown closer. Some of my favorite memories with him are the bowling league we were in together or when he would come over to my parents house and we would play pool and just talk. My Grandpa always puts up with my shenanigans. He let's me tease him and since he has a full head of hair has even let me style it from time to time. (I have a picture, but can't find it at the moment)


Once I had to do a paper in college about Parkinson's and I wanted to include a picture of him with it. When I went over to his house, we had a full photo shoot. He is always willing to take goofy pictures and laugh with me.


When I think of my Grandpa and his most memorable physical traits. The first thing that comes to mind is his hands. They kind of curve at the knuckles and are big and soft. Even now when I help him out to the car his hand dwarfs mine. He hasn't been in the best of health lately and has needed more help. He lives in an assisted living place. One night I was there just watching golf with him and holding his hand. As his hand shook from the Parkinson's my mind reflected on all the good times we have had together and I was overcome with happiness. I love my Grandaddy. I love his voice. I love his deep laugh. I love how he says things like "How in the sam hill!? ". I love how he taunts dogs and makes them bark. I love the time I have been blessed to share with him and continue to share with him. I am proud to have him as my Grandaddy.

This will always remain my favorite picture of the two of us. I love you Grandaddy.

Summer Weekend

Wow, this weekend was a busy blur. It went something like this..

- bbq'd with friends.. got to munch on ella bean and london bug.

- went shopping at this fun market with my mom and bon. (we may have stopped at krispy kreme too)

- went long boarding in the city with my hub and had my first fall. (i just love falling down when people are watching)

- played frisbee in the park. (a random dog stole one of bob's flip flops, slobbered on it and then politely returned it..)

- went on a date with my husband in our front room. which consisted of us watching Conan and eating pizza.

-kept bob company while he fixed the bronco. afterward we grilled and ate pasta salad. my husband is a master griller.

with all the busy-ness of this weekend i forgot to take any pictures. well except this one. which i love and am shocked bob actually posed for. what can i say?.. he loves me. Happy Monday!

Who Wore It Best?

Tuesday night Eric came downtown to take pictures and suggested we eat at Charlie Chows. (Mm.. Mongolian Grill) You know how in those magazines they show a couple of celebrities wearing the same thing and they pose the question.. Who wore it best? Well apparently my glasses were that item, and these two girls...cough cough.. I mean guys are facing off in simplycaitlin's version of..

Oh man, you can see how serious this battle is. This was so entertaining for me, I may make this a regular post on my blog. We're headed to a BBQ tonight.. maybe whoever wins this battle can go up against Jon. The challenge? Who can sport the same apron more fiercely?

My voice sounded like a whisper.

So my ears have been plugged up since I have been sick. I didn't really realize this until grocery shopping with Bob.

"Bob, will you grab some bananas?"

"Caity, why are you yelling at me?"

"What?"

"I think you are having problems with voice immodulation." (If you have seen The Best of Will Ferrell you will appreciate that comment.)

Later in the week my ears popped and I realized I had been screaming at everyone I came in contact with. So if I interacted with you in that time.. I apologize for the irrational screaming.

Strawberry Cheesecake Icebox Pie

I got this recipe here. You should also check out her blog, it's pretty hilarious. I have been looking for lower calorie desserts since I have been trying to eat healthier and get into the swim suit from my honeymoon. Believe it or not, this dessert is only 150 calories per serving. (8 servings)

I have been told it tastes better when thawed, so you may want to try that. Here's whatcha need:

Here's whatcha do:


Enjoy!

"Music" (Corner View.. SLC, UT.)

One of my very favorite places to experience music in Salt Lake City is this place..

The Cathedral of the Madeleine. The acoustics are ridiculous. A while ago I attended a men's choir performance. When I heard their voices and the organ.. I seriously felt like I was in heaven. (It was closed when I went to photograph, but the inside is magnificent.)

This works perfectly for the corner view, because this cathedral is within walking distance from our apartment. And it's cool because it's a Utah Historic site.

Experience music all around the world.. (see jane for the links)

BobCat Conversations

Overheard this weekend:

{CAT} "Bob we need a new can opener.. what about this one.. it's cheap." (looking at a breast cancer awareness pink can opener)

{BOB} "Not a pink one.. at least get one that's gender neutral."

{CAT} "It's a can opener..

{BOB} "Yeah, but somehow you will get a picture of me using it and it will appear on your blog."

.........................................

{CAT} "Bob, I think you would like this movie.. it's about mobsters."

{BOB} "Monsters?"

{CAT} "MOBsters"

{BOB} (disappointed) "oh."

{CAT} "What are you twelve?"

{BOB} "Do you really want to start this argument? You're the one that gets scared watching the history channel."

{CAT} "That man had a scary voice!"

{BOB} "I rest my case."

Father's Day Weekend

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day. It was such great weather. It seemed like the perfect temperature every time I went outside. We were able to chat a little bit with Bob's dad on the phone. And we had a seriously yummy Greek feast at my sister's house to celebrate my dad. We think this guy is pretty great..


No more swine flu for me.. Happy Monday!

Our Papa Bears

Our Dad's are some of the hardest workers we know. And also the sweetest. We are incredibly blessed to have such amazing dad's in our lives. Happy Father's Day!

I am on the mend and should be back to my usual blogging Monday. Thanks for all the sweet comments, texts and phone calls. Enjoy your weekend.

Here piggy piggy..

have the flu. will be out of commission for a while. hopefully will be back to blogging soon. and yes.. i get sick more than anyone else on the planet. uggh.

they say since it's not flu season anymore, they are treating it as the swine flu. leave it to me to catch that darn bacon flu.

I have a fun house mirror in my bedroom.

Why is it that when I look in the mirror I'm not seeing this?

Why is it that I walk out of the house and suddenly feel like I'm on display and people are seeing this?

And why do I have the feeling that if I were a guy I would think I looked more like this??


Seriously guys, whats your secret? And while we're on the topic, how is it that us women lose 5 pounds in a month and all you have to do is decide you're going to lose weight and you instantly drop 15 lbs? Ah, the mysteries of the universe.

To make your own work of art click here.

We're not at the fair anymore Toto.

I woke up this morning at 6:30 a.m. and drove to the fairgrounds. But I didn't go to the fair, I didn't eat any bright pink cotton candy or funnel cake. No, I went to get my drivers license renewed.

Yes, as bizarre as it sounds, there is a DMV in the fairgrounds. Not next to it, no right inside the gates. Does anyone else find this a little sick? I mean come on, I have always associated the fairgrounds with happy jolly-ness. Not a place that I have to get to five minutes before it opens to stand out in the rain with strangers. When I walked up a man in a suit looked like he was going to hit me with his brief case if I even thought about butting in front of him in line.

I walked in and was immediately instructed to fill out a form that asked me every question in the book except maybe if I was a registered sex offender.. oh wait.. nope they asked me that too (What does any of this have to do with driving?) I finally finished and went up to the desk, gave the lady the form, and then she sent me to sit down and wait.

So I waited, and waited. Finally it was my turn. I wear corrective lenses so that meant I had to be punished by taking an eye test. For some reason every time I take one of those things, my palms sweat. Like I am going to find out I've gone blind in the last five minutes or something.

I pay my money, and then she informs me that I can't keep my old DL picture.. no I have to take another one. I should mention it was incredibly early and I didn't have time to put on makeup. So I ended up taking what will go down in history of the DMV as one of the worst pictures taken (You know they have a board in the back that they hang up the real "doozy's" and snicker as they walk past.)

Why is it when I leave the DMV I feel mildly abused? Happy rainy Thursday?

My backyard in Salt Lake City, Utah

This week the corner view theme is "Out your back door or window". We live in a four-plex apartment in a house downtown. Luckily we share the backyard, so we can grill and have summer parties. This is what you would see if you peeked out my back window.

See other backyard views..

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana,denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, jenna, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa,britta, virgina, april, rebecca, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, angelina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama amanda, jenell, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, jillian,

Random little list for a Tuesday post.

(random little picture of russ, me, and eric way too late at night. Why is it the weirdest pictures happen after 10 p.m.?)

- I have a weird thing about returning the carts at grocery stores to the cart stalls. It drives me crazy to keep them by your car.

- I think one of the worst and most painful things ever is when water goes up your nose. Is this what they're talking about when they refer to water torture??

- I make the weirdest squinty face when I'm concentrating. It is no doubt, the ugliest face you have ever seen. I wish I was more aware of it when I do it. Seriously, I look semi handicapped.

- I would rather poke needles in my eye than be in a tight enclosed space. I am incredibly claustrophobic and it gets worse the older I get.

- I think I am the worst person in the world at math. Seriously, it's time we all know who it is... ME

- When I look at signs for a long period of time I try to scramble the letters to make other words, and I constantly think of how you would pronounce a word backward. I think I get this from my dad.

- I have always secretly wanted one of those cute high pitched voices some girls have. Or one of those sexy lounge singer voices.

- Whenever any song from the Beach Boys comes on, I can actually feel my mood get better. Their songs make me so happy. When I was younger I had the California Girls tape and I completely wore it out.

BobCat Vs. Wild

Do you ever watch Bear Grylls on Man Vs. Wild? He does some crazy things. He eats.. well he eats every gross thing you can imagine. He slides down glaciers.. he climbs tall trees.. he repels out of helicopters. He basically shows you how to survive in the wilderness.

Well this weekend Bob and I went on what we thought would be a simple little hike in the canyons. We started hiking up a little dusty trail. Then it forked off. Suddenly we were in the dun.. dun.. dun.. wilderness.

If Bear would have been with us, he probably would have instructed us to find a dead animal carcass and hide inside of it for warmth.. not to mention eat it's eye balls as food. (If you have never seen the show you might think I'm being gross, but he really does that.) Well instead we kept hiking and the trail got more and more steep and shrouded over with trees and spider webs. We were walking sideways on a steep incline. The bugs were buzzing.. our shoes were trying to keep traction. I kept insisting it wasn't a trail, but Bob informed me that it was, and we couldn't go back at that point anyway.

Finally we made it down the hill and came to a big stream with rushing water. What choice did we have? We stripped off our shoes and socks, and waded in to our upper thighs in the some of the coldest water I think I have ever felt on my skin. We did it for Bear.

We were laughing the entire time as we were stumbling around. It was a fun little adventure for our Saturday. Then after all of our hard work Bob decided to cook us some steak and crab legs on the grill. It was nice to just chillax outside and feel the cool air.

The only downside to such a fun weekend was waking up this morning and realizing I had a million mosquito bites. Oh well.. Happy Monday!

Ensign Peak

Bob and I hiked Ensign Peak last night. Perfect weather, perfect view, and a perfect reminder I am a tad out of shape. Here are a few pictures from our little hike.. (Hey I had to have an excuse for stopping every now and again right?)

It's a bad economy after all..

Homer: I have a great way to solve our money woes. You rent your womb to a rich childless couple. If you agree, signify by getting indignant.

Marge: Are you crazy? I'm not going to be a surrogate mother.

Homer: C'mon, Marge, we're a team. It's uter-US, not uter-YOU.

Marge: Forget it!

"Beaches" Salt Lake City, Utah

I kept trying to find time to go to the Great Salt Lake and show you the pretty beach and gorgeous water. But since I didn't have time, and since I'm stubborn about posting old pictures for the corner view. I decided to improvise and show you how I relax at "the beach" when I'm at home in the city. Mmm, close your eyes, and feel that cool bathtub breeze.. imagine the yellow rubber ducky as a seagull flying overhead.

Yes, I realize "my beach" isn't as spectacular as the one's in Australia.. but work with me people.. I live in a landlocked desert!

Build a sand castle with these people..

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, couturecoucou, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage,trinsch, c.t.,jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana,denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e,janis, kari, jgy, jenna, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa,britta, virgina, april, rebecca, b, kyndale
samantha, karen, kristina, angelina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, di, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama
amanda, ali, jenell, guusje, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris

Ella Grace (Holga Prints)

At first I didn't love these. Then I reminded myself that Holga's are meant to be dreamy. They aren't supposed to be crystal clear.. and are more artsy than a regular shot. My favorite part about this shoot, was that Alana was able to get the classic (and might I say gorgeous) shots. And I was able to step in every now and then and get shots that were completely different looking, and maybe even a tad more.. well for a lack of a better word.. dramatic.




When the shoot was over I took the last photo on the roll of my co-photographer and her fam.

Welcome Baby Ella "Jella Bean"

(Baby Ella Burrito shot taken by me with Bon and Jon's digital camera)

Our dear friends Bon and Jon just welcomed the sweetest little babe into the world. I'm addicted. Congrats guys!

Alana and I went out to do a little photo shoot of her this weekend. I shot with Ms. Holga. I needed to make sure she still works so I can take her to San Diego in August. The one scary thing about shooting with film, is I can't make sure I'm getting a good shot until it's developed. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some sweet holga pictures to show you.

*To see the fabulous shots Alana got, click here.