Decisions and happenstance

Aww... I found this in my blog files from WAAAAY back ;)  4 years ago.
So grateful for Baby Olive


"These things happen".  Thanks lady at the monogram store.  I know.  They've happened four times before...each one an absolute blessing.  (I don't think this on report card day or when sass and attitude rule our mostly female kingdom.  I chant it.)

Little Baby was not a surprise, or an accident, or anything other than a decision.  Crazy.  Who decides that? Four independent, healthy, growing children...2 high schoolers...who adds a newborn caboose to that?

We do.

She was thought about, decided on, and prayed for.

She came at just the right time.  Just in time to soften those teenagers.  Just in time for all of us to feel some sweet, baby love.

Making the world go 'round

I'm not really a craft blogger poster type.

But, after joining Pinterest, I realize that's what makes the world go 'round.

I was itching to make a wreath for Halloween. My sister started it all with this...



Isn't it cute? I love it. She claims it was well worth the glue gun burns.

But, I hate to be a copy cat, and went out to reinvent the wheel. (By "reinvent the wheel" I mean "spend far too much time on google and Pinterest looking for the perfect wreath project".)

I came up with this all by my lonesome. A mummy wreath.

I like it.

It's made with decorative gauze from the Halloween decor at the big WM and a wreath form. Takes about 10 minutes. Easy-peezy.

If'ns

If'ns you add bacon to yer chocolate chip cookies...

(a) thinking you've watched enough food network to make it work, and
(b) thinking the Southerners will be giddy with excitement at the idea of a pork cookie and accept you into their fold

...you would be wrong.

...BUT not on both counts!!

The cookies were actually delicious and I have acquired enough skills from "Chopped" to make it work.

The Southerners...meh...not so much. Now I'm just banished as a wierdo. Not so sure that's new for me.

Maybe pulled pork cupcakes?

(BTW - Not Crazy - see?)

My Mom . . . . by Macy

Macy filled out this loving paper all about her mom:

My mom likes to watch wipeout for fun.
She is good at dealing with Reily.
Her favorite food is pizza.
My mom always says, "I'M TAKING A NAP!"
My mom teaches me how to hit Otto with a shoe.
My mom and I always clean.
Mom helps me when I need it.
(Payton's answer was, "When there is no other possible option")
Mom enjoys cuddleing.
We like to cuddle together.
I love her because she is a a loving mother.

Nice.
7/10.
And she ate my chocolate.

the goodest bike rider EVER!!

I love her....even if she claims I don't play with her!

Kharma

Now I would like to believe that a loving mother would not rejoice in the cosmic power of Kharma in relation to her darling little 5 year old; but, I did.

While I was warming a brownie remnant for Rei, she grabbed my Route 44 nectar of life. I kindly (with more sharpness than was likely necessary) told her to put the soda down.

[ Insert Onomatopoeia... (Yes, I spelled it correctly the first time.)A
ll 44 of those glorious ounces and equally glorious pebbles of ice ALL OVER the floor.

crudcakes.

I wiped, mopped, swept, mopped my sticky love off the floor.

crudcakes.

That's ok. Her brownie was cooking the entire time.

[ Insert MWAHAHAHAHAHA! ]

Smokily solidified to the bottom of the bowl. Kitchen smoking.

Kharma.

Don't mess.

Christmas

Reily-isms

Reily is a fun girl. Since I last blogged, she turned 5!! (I know ...5?! It's crazy!)

She does a lot of talking,

a lot of cartwheeling,

a lot of handstands,

and a lot more talking.

All day.

Every day.

That's just about it.

Today she wanted to walk the track at the YMCA. Every lap she would stop at the electrical outlet and fill up with imaginary soda. The next outlet, she would serve herself some imaginary ice cream. We did 1/2 a mile...snacking the whole way. I may have found MY new motivation.

She currently has a little mark on her lip, a scuff of some sort. I asked her how she got it. She launched into a fairly elaborate story about our "Elf on a Shelf", Jingle, sneaking into her room at night and punching her in the face. Mythical beings creep her out. She insists we should send Jingle back to Santa...one way. As for Santa? No likey. She's on the letter route. If he does come to visit (which is questionable with the naughtiness level in this house) he is not to stomp around in his loud boots, and he has to promise to stay downstairs. So many rules. Santa may just skip us.

One more:

Tonight before going to sleep, she asked, "How long is the night?" I replied, "About 11 hours for you.". Reily: "GRRRRR! I can't keep my mouth shut for THAT long!!"

That's for sure.

For my friends who are not losers...

If I can get the rest of you to balloon to your GREEAATEST potential, I would look so goood.
So, in defiance of the BL (Biggest Loser), I'm giving you these...Killer Brownies.
Uh huh.
Yep.
You're goin' down.
So, grab some good, stretchy yoga pants and get cookin'.
I don't have a visual.
I can't make more to get one.
Seriously, I can't.
It wouldn't be good.
I wouldn't be good.


Killer Brownies

1 milk chocolate cake mix
1/2 c. butter, softened...not melted
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. evaporated milk

1 lb. caramels...unwrapped
1/3 c. evaporated milk

1 pkg. milk chocolate chips

1. Mix cake mix, butter, flour, and 1/3 c. evaporated milk. The dough will be sticky.
2. Smash 1/2 cake mixture into bottom of 9 x 13 pan.
3. Bake @ 350 for 5-7 min.
4. Melt caramels and 1/3 c. evap milk. Melt slowly. Watch carefully. You'll be really mad if you scorch this gooey, creamy love.
5. When the cooked brownie mix is out of the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips, pour on the caramel, and squish/crumble the rest of the cake mixture on top.
6. Bake 10 more minutes.

It's best to wait for them to cool. If this is a lesson you wish to learn the hard way...they'll still taste delish!!

Lesson Learned: Charity & Death

My little Reily has several neuroses. She's also quick to establish new ones. She's always been curious about babies, armpits, and death. (Yep, armpits)

This weekend she and the other primary children were blessed with the opportunity of singing to the residence of the Sterling Home. The residents are chronologically gifted*. Our friend, Katie, celebrated her 100th birthday recently.

They all did an amazing job singing their little hearts out and even accepted those sweet, yet slightly suffocating, hugs and kisses.

Later, Reily confessed that she started to cry "just a little bit" when she was singing. When I asked her why... "Because I thought some of those people were a little bit dead. But, they were just sleeping. They looked a little dead though."

Since then we've had several discussions on the difference between sleep and death.

Oh, Reily.

What the fuss is all about.

Blaine and Dr. Drake's research came out in Nature yesterday.

It's caused quite a scientific buzz.

If you're into that sort of stuff, here are some links.

For those who like and can understand big words:
Nature

For those who like big pictures and little words:
Wired

I'm sure there's a TLC reality show in his future.

Dear August,

I thought we were done with each other?!
You need to take your mayhem and torture someone else.

AND...how DARE you drag September into this. A car robbery and all those bills from August's destruction...let's call it quits. Please?

You need to go away. I can't afford to have you in my life.

I don't care if you are my birthday month. I don't need to turn another year older. Besides, my birthday checks can't even cover your damages.

Bah-bye!
So long.
Farewell.
Ciao.

This doesn't need to be a bitter break up. Just go. Leave September where it is. We need football season, and if Reily doesn't have a birthday...the world would likely end.

Just go.
Now.

No more calls from the sheriff, the foundation repair guys, the dentist, the school, or the doctor.

Just move on.

Stay away from my family and friends. Go find some really mean people. They need you. They deserve you.

I'm not answering your calls, emails, or texts anymore.
Gone.
August...out!

Did I mention our GPS unit was stolen out of our car? yep. yay.

August...in summary

car tires - flat
car locks -unlockable
car - unstartable
car windshield - eaten by baboon
internet - gone
tv- still gone
phone service - installed incorrectly
phone - broken
blender - cracked
fan light - pulled apart
carpet - chewed
foundation - cracked, and drifting downhill
library - $28 fine
son - stitched
mercury - spilled
car - sprayed with oil; unwashable because of aforementioned baboon
dr. appt - late
doctor - mad
skin spot - undiagnosed
insurance card - missing
doctor - rich

Alexander and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day - sympathetic
Calamity Jane - laughing

Me - ready for September

First Day of School

The kids started school last Thursday

(angels sing)

3 schools.

Departures at 6:30...7:00...and 7:30.

Why is he so grumpy?

He got the most sleep!!

Everyone seems to be happy with classes and teachers. I think it's going to be a good year.

Why animal shelters are full.

Save the carpet.

Save the dog.

I fixed it (ish) before Dad got home...lucky dog.

The Cosmos...

Reily: "Does God ever sleep?"

Mom: "No. He has a pretty strong spirit that keeps him going."

Reily: "Oh yeah, sweet potato fries make you really strong."

Birds & Bees II - the final chapter?

Reily will not let the subject die.
She asked again...in the car...with her little friend right beside her.

I told her it was something we would talk about as a mom and little girl, not with our friend.

She came in my room today while I was folding my molehill of laundry. (Really, it was a mountain, but I'm trying to change my perspective.)

Anyway...

It was a perfect time and there was no real escape in sight. So, I got out the human body book and blah, blah, blush, blah...

After we were finished, she said, "THAT'S how babies are made?! Ok. Next, I'm gonna need your wedding dress."

This girl is on the fast track. I'll try to derail her. Watch out world, you've been fairly warned.

2nd Grade Epicurean

Mom: "Macy, I need to make some cookies. Would you like to make them?"
Macy: "I was thinking we could make caviar or cream brulee."

Where did she come from?

Bloomingdales?
Saks Fifth Avenue?
Rodeo Drive?

Birds & Bees & Primary - Oh My!!

Reily and I had a little whispered exchange during Primary singing time at church today.

R: "Do Moms & Dads REALLY make babies?"
me: "Yep."
R: "How?"
me: "Uhh....we're singing."

I think that will do for another year or so.

Faling in love with Fallingwater

I didn't know how important this place was to me. As we drove the long-ish road I got all butterfly-ish.

This is one from my bucket list.

I was giddy. More so than my children. But, I think they found glimmers of enjoyment; like the algae-ridden pool and the slicker-than-snot rocks in the river.

I enjoyed all the artsy fantasticness of the place. Frank Lloyd Wright has always been an idol of mine.

love

love

love

Oh yeah, on the way, we drove through Normalville. Small town. It was a nice break from the Crazyville we've been living in. I guess I could say, "Nice place. But, I wouldn't want to live there'"

But, that would be the jealousy speaking.