Makin' whoopee

I can only imagine how many returns I would get on a Google search of the term "making whoopee." In my case, I didn't actually make any whoopee...pie, that is. Although it is most definitely on my list of to-do's; I even  have a recipe lined up to try. But last Sunday was not the day for that attempt. Instead, we enjoyed the pre-made version from Trader Joes.

The pies were my family's weekly extra-special treat. I recently realized that the boys were getting used to dessert after dinner. The habit just kind of snuck up on us. Granted, they generally got fruit juice-based popsicles, but it still isn't a good habit to have. So we rather abruptly discontinued their daily after-dinner-sweet-treat routine but appeased them with the offer of something extra-special on Sundays. It's a lovely compromise because now I can make a weekly treat without feeling bad about adding to their sugar intake. Once a week is okay with me! (Daily, not so much.) And, suprisingly, they're actually quite content to wait until Sunday.

After a day filled with activities (church, pet adoption visit, grocery store, picnic, park) we returned home and just lounged. Well. The kids did. When I  strolled into our backyard this is what I saw.

Two pairs of feet in our new hammock.

Oldest Son was playing his DS while Youngest Son looked on. They have their moments, but in general they play together so well. Their personalities complement each other. Amazing. They are ever so lucky.

A 500 year flood

I'd prefer to keep sadness out of this blog, but I really want to record this recent local catastrophe. It seems like it's the least that I can do. I feel that if I don't mention it, it's as if I'm pretending it didn't really happen...

Photos: www.11alive.com

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, "The flooding around Atlanta this week is one for the record books. The rivers and streams had magnitudes so great that the odds of it happening were less than 0.2 percent in any given year. In other words, there was less than a 1 in 500 chance that parts of Cobb and Douglas counties were going to be hit with such an event."

The "1 in 500 chance," translated in terms of years means that a flood of that extreme would likely occur once every 500 years. One expert, taking into consideration the level of flooding that occurred at Clarkdale Elementary, stated that he thought it was an event even more rare than once every 500 years.

In my world, this was a local event and yet I still can't believe it happened.

Unexpected lesson

If you accidentally brush your teeth with Desitin, you must wipe it out. Rinsing will not remove it.

This is what my visiting mother-in-law learned last weekend. When she told me what happened, I about collapsed with laughter, there is something just insanely hilarious about it. Three days later I can still feel the mirth bubbling up each time I remember the incident.

(Image from Desitin.com.)

For those of you not familiar with baby products, Desitin is a diaper rash prevention cream. When applied, it creates a barrier between baby's tush and any moisture which might "suddenly" appear in baby's diaper. The cream is basically waterproof. Hence the part about "Rinsing will not remove it."

Cracks me up!

How cute is this?

(Updated for 2015!)

My oldest would be so sad if we had one and he couldn't fit in it.

Blindly driving through the night

I'm having vision issues. Easily rectified, I assume, but that in combination with wonky headlights does not make for relaxed non-daylight-driving.

As I headed into the office in the wee hours of the morning, I caught sight of two branches JUST in time to swerve and avoid them. That's when I realized that I tend to "blindly drive through the night assuming that the paved roads ahead will be clear of debris."

But don't we all do that?

Doodles by a 16 year old

Okay. So I'm a little late. (I'm SO nowhere near 16 years old!) And maybe they're more like something a 13 year old might doodle...

For the past year or so I've been admiring various simple illustrations of girls. I've purchased a few original works from Etsy artists that I admire (like TheBlackApple, MarmeeCraft, and CraftyFolk), but I also want to create one myself. The problem is that I canNOT draw. So I'm practicing. I mean. "Simple" is my criteria. Eventually, and with some practice, I should be able to create "simple." Yes?

p.s. The girl on the far right is inspired by a sketch drawn by the talented owner of  http://aprintaday.blogspot.com/. I'd link to the original image, but I couldn't find it.

To my friend Claudia

When I think back to my college days with you, an image of me half-doubled over with laughter as we cross Landis Green always comes to mind. (I distinctly remember talking about "my roommate" with someone and that person responding, "You mean that girl you're always laughing with?")

Thank you for being my friend. I'm an oddball in a such a non-traditional-oddball-kind-of-way that even oddballs think I'm odd. It takes a very special (and rare) type of person to be comfortable with me. I am grateful to have met you.

Working mom guilt

Well, not really. What I experience on a daily basis is a longing to be with my kids. I don't feel guilty about being at work because I understand that it's what I have to do. Now, if I wanted to be at the office, and chose to do so rather than staying home...then I would feel guilty. So, instead, I'm just a little bit heartsick everyday.

Last night's smile

Cool evening. Boys are sleeping with their windows open. I think how lovely it must be to hear the fountain tinkling away outside.

Suddenly Oldest Son says, "Omigosh, that fountain is making me have to go pee!"