Randy's Birthday

SWISH.....that is just how my week passed. I can't believe that it has been over a week since I last blogged and I have been trying to post at least twice a week. Please don't remind me that this is age related!

Yesterday, March 31st, was Randy's birthday....his 49th! And, it seems only like yesterday when he was delivered after a very difficult labor. He has been worth every pain and scare I had.

We are very proud of Randy.....he is a very caring and loving son. Quiet, but capable, extremely neat and organized...he keeps everything ship shaped. He is an excellent handyman and very mechanical. He loves his 'Man's Land" in the 3rd bay of his garage. Does this sound like a proud Mom talking? Yep, I am.

Randy has a beautiful daughter, Tiffany, who lives with her husband in California. His delightful wife, Dana, is a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines. They have a very lovely home in Seattle that they share with two dogs....Bernie & Duffy. He is a Director with Alaska Airlines and a Reserve Officer with the Seattle Police Department. His first job after graduating from College was a baggage handler for a small commuter airlines (he actually loved that job) and he just continued to climb ladders and continued to climb the Corporate ladders. We are proud of his accomplishments, but most of all, we are proud of the person he has become. He has said when he retires, he is going to go back and handle baggage, as he loves to be outside around the planes....he loves the smells, activity and the entire environment.

We rarely get to celebrate his birthday with him, but each year Shari fixes his birthday dinner and bakes his absolute favorite oatmeal cake....we enjoy his birthday dinner and eat his cake...... then call him to sing "Happy Birthday". He enjoys this and thinks it is a hoot.

Thank you, Randy for all the weekly phone calls that I look so forward to....thank you for your kindness to Dad and me. We love you and are soooo proud of you.

I have rarely given this recipe out, as it was a favorite of Freida Odegaards. She made it for us when he was a little boy and it has been his favorite all these years. It has to be made exactly as written, otherwise it just doesn't turn out.

RANDY'S QUICK OATMEAL CAKE:
Pour 1-1/4 cups boiling water over 1 cup oatmeal...let stand for 20 minutes.

Cream: 2 eggs
1/2 Cup Crisco Shortening
1 Cup white sugar
1 Cup Brown sugar

ADD: Oatmeal
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon soda
1-1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Cup chopped walnuts

Bake in 9X13 pan for 35 minutes @ 350 degrees

When cake has cooled add Topping:

1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup Angel Flake coconut
6 Tablespoons Butter
6 Tablespoons Cream

Mix well and spread on top of cooled cake. Place under broiler until brown...approx 4-5 minutes. Watch carefully as it will burn easily.

Hope you enjoy this as much as Randy does.