It's A Teenager!

On Sunday, September 26 when Abigail Grace Holmes had a birthday, I started thinking....

How long exactly does it take to go from this....

TO THIS???

Through the years it seemed a long time...

but it really happened overnight.

Happy 13th Birthday, Absie!
I know that you know that I love you and
I don't have to "hug and kiss you all the days"
but I'm going to whether you like it or not,
because you're still my little baby girl.

And In A Strange Mozzarella Cheese Follow Up Post...

If you're checking this blog and reading this post, STOP! You must read the post below this first. And, it would probably make more sense for me to wait and post this one tomorrow or the next day, but I'm on a roll and the greatness may only continue for the next few minutes, so I'm going with it.

I should have titled this, "String Cheese: So Many Recipes, So Little Time!" Large amounts of string cheese are devoured in this house, especially since I've been (kinda, somewhat, sorta) eating on the Flat Belly Diet Program. I'm on the 3 days on, 7 days off plan. And, let me tell you, that's not actually working. So, gonna need to get more serious about losing weight. And exercising, which I'm sure I've mentioned on more than one occasion that I. do. not. like. But, I digress...

I took this picture because it represents a big portion of what I've been focusing on this month. Yes, string cheese and almonds. Don't you wish you lived my life? The problem comes not in the foods I'm told to eat, but in the willpower, people. Or, in my case, willpower, see also lack of. I will follow the plan strongly for days, eating my 1600 calories a day. Most days you could wave a chocolate chip cookie under my nose, and I wouldn't flinch. Now, a snickerdoodle or oatmeal cookie, that's a different story. Does it smell like cinnamon in here? Anyone? Anyone?

And, while these two posts really have no impact on the world at large, or me apparently, for some reason I felt the need to spend a good 30 minutes of time talking about string cheese. I guess I could have written one post entitled, "String Cheese: Friend or Foe?" I can answer that. Foe, when breaded, fried in oil and eaten with marinara sauce. Friend, when eaten straight from the package as part of a healthy, 1600-calorie-a-day diet. And, since honesty is the best policy, I think I have to say I prefer "Foe," dipped in marinara, of course.

Did I Mention They Were Homemade?

For some people, "homemade" means they take it out of the box or bag, stick it in the oven, allow it to cook and then serve it. Of course, I've even done this and joked about it being homemade because I. made. it. at. home. Yea..so...

These mozzarella sticks are what my mother and grandma would call "made from scratch." And, before you ask, no I did not make the cheese. (Although I could if I wanted to because Martha Stewart has nothing on me.) I did, however, make the batter, coat them and fry them up. Let me tell you, I'm actually not sure if it was worth the effort, but they were very tasty. I could, in five minutes time, drive down to Sonic, plunk down $2.99 or so and bring 5 of them home with much less effort. But, this was just something I wanted to try -- for fun. And it was! The girls and I ate every last one of them. Let me know if you want to try them for yourself. I'll be glad to share the recipe.

When It Rains, It Flash Floods

The effects of Tropical Storm Hermine were seen yesterday in Arlington at Grace Prep Academy. Jeff drove the girls to school as he always does when it's raining hard. I-20 is usually a nightmare trek, so I was glad to stay home and watch the rain as I drank my coffee. He dropped them off at 8:00, only a few minutes late. Two hours later, the girls texted us telling us they were going to be evacuated by Arlington Fire & Rescue. Rebecca's text (almost) made me smile:

"We are fine! No danger! Do not come to the parking lot. It is flooded. Cars are almost covered! D:"

Students were evacuated to Arlington ISD school buses and driven to the church around the corner where we picked them up a couple hours later.

Here are some pictures I received that people took on their iPhones...



It's shocking what can happen in just two hours. The principal later said she wishes she could have sent the students with cars to move them to higher ground, but there was just no time. I am so sad for the amount of loss that will be experienced with cars and property; however, it is just stuff. (Notice I can say this freely because my car was not in the parking lot.)

This is definitely not the way to make the local news. I am grateful for the safety of everyone, however, and thankful for God's protection over the girls.

Dear Maybelline,

Here are three of your top-selling mascaras. One of them is not like the others. Can you tell which one? I can.





Mascara #1: You promised that my lashes would be VOLUMINOUS, and oh, they were. I think. But every time I turned around there were little flakes of black all over my face.

Mascara #2: You promised that my lashes would be COLOSSAL, and oh, they were. I think. But every time I turned around there were little flakes of black all over my face.

So, Maybelline, you leave me with no choice: I must return to the old tried and true, GREAT LASH, in the "pink and lime green since the dawn of time" tube. I will be returning to the mascara of my youth. And, it's cheaper than those other "promise the world, but don't deliver" mascaras you're putting out there. Stick with what you do best, people.

Sincerely,
Blackest Black with No Flaking