Sweet Stuff:
Be sure to check out my sweet adorable friend Janet's interview on the ever famous All Cupcakes, All the Time blog. Isn't it funny how we read the same blogs?
There is another neat story about cupcakes here. It appears I am not the only adult or human being who is obsessed with cupcakes. Good.
Special Froggy cupcakes are here. However I am just telling all of you now that I have cussed ... a LOT while making cupcakes that have body parts.
This is my favorite yellow cupcake recipe. You can be creative from there... or just call up *Creative Me* and she'll come over to help. But I am just telling you, the girl makes a MESS.
Anyway. The most important and special thing is to read Janet's interview. She's a famous Cupcake Mistress now. We should all be applauding. *Creative Me* is jealous. In that ladylike kind of way. :-)
Rachael
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
welcome to my life part II
the introductions continue
(a brief introduction to me and my blog for all readers who don't know who in the @#&*@ I am)
me.
the most important member of this cast. I am tall. very. I have blue eyes. I have sort of reddish brownish (should-really-be-colored-more-often) hair. it's long. my hair girl calls it rock-star-hair. I think she's funny. I don't think it's rock star hair. I get my nails done. I love pink. very much. I wear pink almost everyday. even before it was "the new black." when I don't wear pink people ask me if I am feeling ok. I like jewelry. not diamonds. flower pins. brooches. pearls. vintage. however, if you buy me a diamond, I promise not to complain. I hate rings. hate them. and watches. hate rings so much I used to get in trouble with The Former Spouse for not wearing my wedding band. oops. my wedding band and engagement ring are put away for the girls. for later. I am a mom. duh. I have two daughters. they are my life. completely. it doesn't matter to me that I am not a college graduate. there will be time for that later. maybe. or maybe not. I love to take pictures. when I go outside, I see photographs. that sounds weird. but it's true. I always have my camera. always. I take pictures of people I don't know. all the time. SB thinks that's really weird. I am saving for a Nikon D70. digital. must have. I take a lot of photos for family and friends. for free. because I want too. I love to take pictures of baby feet. love to. but not my feet. I applied to a prissy photography school for this fall. you never know. I love to read. tonight I bought Anna Karenia. it looks scary and big. oh well. oprah says it's good. so it must be. I love to write too. I have always been writing. even before the blog. I have many journals that are filled completely. since high school. lots of good stories. one day I'll write a book. maybe. I almost stopped writing once. then a good friend told me she thought I should always be writing. so I kept on writing. it's like therapy. I love Gap blue jeans. it's a serious problem. I only have one designer purse. it was a gift. a perfect gift. it's pink too. which matches my cell phone cover. katey gave me the cover. I might be single forever. unless of course the lead singer of The Killers becomes available. and he's tall. and doesn't wear eyeshadow all the time. then I might not be single forever. in any case I don't mind it so much. relationships are over my head. I have had a couple since being divorced. they all end up being complicated. sometimes men are bigger drama queens than women. just sometimes.
**went with katey tonight to eat Meditarranean food... and then had beignets and cinnamon coffee at Hueys. Fun times. :-) ** more tomorrow.
Rach
the introductions continue
(a brief introduction to me and my blog for all readers who don't know who in the @#&*@ I am)
me.
the most important member of this cast. I am tall. very. I have blue eyes. I have sort of reddish brownish (should-really-be-colored-more-often) hair. it's long. my hair girl calls it rock-star-hair. I think she's funny. I don't think it's rock star hair. I get my nails done. I love pink. very much. I wear pink almost everyday. even before it was "the new black." when I don't wear pink people ask me if I am feeling ok. I like jewelry. not diamonds. flower pins. brooches. pearls. vintage. however, if you buy me a diamond, I promise not to complain. I hate rings. hate them. and watches. hate rings so much I used to get in trouble with The Former Spouse for not wearing my wedding band. oops. my wedding band and engagement ring are put away for the girls. for later. I am a mom. duh. I have two daughters. they are my life. completely. it doesn't matter to me that I am not a college graduate. there will be time for that later. maybe. or maybe not. I love to take pictures. when I go outside, I see photographs. that sounds weird. but it's true. I always have my camera. always. I take pictures of people I don't know. all the time. SB thinks that's really weird. I am saving for a Nikon D70. digital. must have. I take a lot of photos for family and friends. for free. because I want too. I love to take pictures of baby feet. love to. but not my feet. I applied to a prissy photography school for this fall. you never know. I love to read. tonight I bought Anna Karenia. it looks scary and big. oh well. oprah says it's good. so it must be. I love to write too. I have always been writing. even before the blog. I have many journals that are filled completely. since high school. lots of good stories. one day I'll write a book. maybe. I almost stopped writing once. then a good friend told me she thought I should always be writing. so I kept on writing. it's like therapy. I love Gap blue jeans. it's a serious problem. I only have one designer purse. it was a gift. a perfect gift. it's pink too. which matches my cell phone cover. katey gave me the cover. I might be single forever. unless of course the lead singer of The Killers becomes available. and he's tall. and doesn't wear eyeshadow all the time. then I might not be single forever. in any case I don't mind it so much. relationships are over my head. I have had a couple since being divorced. they all end up being complicated. sometimes men are bigger drama queens than women. just sometimes.
**went with katey tonight to eat Meditarranean food... and then had beignets and cinnamon coffee at Hueys. Fun times. :-) ** more tomorrow.
Rach
welcome to my life
well. indeed.
it would appear that I have many people visiting my blog. people I don't know. (hi)
maybe this would be a good time to introduce myself to everyone reading... lurking around the corner. (hello)
my name is rachael. this is my blog. let me introduce you to the cast of My Blog.
former spouse.
i am (not) bitterly divorced. i am Happily Divorced... which, if you ARE bitterly divorced, is something you should try. my former spouse (a title which demands mutual respect and keeps me from being called someone's ex-wife) and I do have our moments, however, have pretty much gotten over ourselves and have fun being parents. you can read more about The Former Spouse here. um. he's shorter than me. he's a law student at uga. he's a cool dad who manages to answer all questions asked by our daughters without pulling out his hair. amazing. he once got really pissed at me for writing in this blog about him, so I said some nice things because he deserved it. he sometimes thinks I am still in love with him - in the wrong sort of way, but, everyone needs to feel needed. when I am referring to him in the sort of way that means I am mildy annoyed, or perhaps paying him a compliment, he is The Former Spouse. when I am talking about him being daddy, he is Ex Husband Wonder Dad... or EHWD for short. yeah, it's not a cute or catchy title. I was tired that night. we met when i was a senior in high school, and he was a freshman at UGA. we made a kid, had a little drama, got married, and made another kid. we were way too young and self centered to be married. he thought I was wrong, I thought he was wrong. no one wanted to budge. we're divorced now.
sarah beth
this is the first kid. she's called SB. she often suffers from the dreaded first child I can sometimes be a huge spoiled pain in the ass syndrome. mostly she's incredible, though. she has her daddy's brains. she loves math and science. she hates anything girly. this means we just painted her room a hideous shade of blue . my dad is trying with all his might to make her a democrat. it will never work. she's very spiritual. she loves her mimi and pa. she thinks mimi's the superboss of the world. she thinks pa runs a close second. her cousin Shawn is one of her best friends. the other one is cassidy. cassidy has great hair. SB was born at my college. in the dorm. that's a long story for another time. I almost named her Bailey. thank god for the nurses in Macon Medical Center. she met her daddy when she was almost two. that's another long story. my friend devin used to send me mothers day cards from her when she was a baby. my friend devin is probably 99% of the reason SB met her dad. she likes magic tricks. she's usually got a reason to be pissed off at me. because she thinks I am mean. she even wrote it down once. mom is mean, it said. she does not think I am mean when I take her to get ice cream or new shoes.
jordin
this is the second kid. she's called a lot of things. J, JLo, Jordy, Jaybird, Becca Jo. she's a dancer. she's a singer. she's the next JLo. for real. she loves sparkly things. especially her red dorothy shoes. she wears them everywhere. when she was born, SB wanted to name her cupcake. then, SB wanted to name her Jesus. so we called her Jesus Cupcake for a while. then we realized people didn't know her real name. her real name is Rebecca Jordin. she's named after two special people who I love. Rebecca is my sister. Jordin is the last name of her dad's best friend. he was surprised when we told him we'd call her Jordin. I haven't seen him since we got a divorce. which sucks. because there should be more pictures of Jordin and him. and because he was a nice guy. we also call Jordin Lola. because for a long time she sang copacabana everywhere we went. she hates that name. she loves her daddy. very much.
people who might have something to say
katey
she's the bomb. gotta know her to love her. you can read her blog too. except she says the word fuck a lot. just so you know. she has three great cats. three. except she's NOT a cat lady. she taught me how to knit and how to make "boundaries." i am still working on the boundaries thing.
kebbyann
this is my best and dearest friend from high school. we created much trouble together. and many fun memories. we did the prom(s) and dated boys that had the same name. we created drama too. and we went to summer school together. and we discussed the appropriate time to lose our virginty. and we wrote The List, which was a list of places we would like to do the above. this list became famous. lots of people added places to The List. her husband is one of my favorite men in the whole world. and he loves her. you can tell by the way he looks at her. he's loved her for a long time. and me too. he was pissed when he found out I was getting married anyway. and kelly and jason have great dogs. I only know one of them personally. when Kelly has babies, I will cry. A lot. and I will tell her (cause it will be a girl) all about boys. she sent me three emails on my birthday.
malia
malia is so funny. she has a blog too. you can read it here. we became close friends after high school. I did know her in high school. she has three sweet children. they have a great daddy. I knew their daddy in high school too. malia likes being a mommy, and she's very funny. she told me once I was a good writer. I believed her because she was a friend. I don't think anyone had told me that before. first time for everything.
smartass
sometimes mentioned in my blog. otherwise known as *the crush.* I had a huge, unexplainable crush on this guy for years. years. it only made complete sense once. and it was not the kind of complete sense that lasted very long. so we kissed. and it's still on my top five moments list. I think because I liked him so much. he though I was a pain in the ass, and that I complained too much I think. I couldn't look him in the eye for a long time because I was too embarassed or whatever. we were good friends. and then we went to florida after we graduated, which was awful. then we all left for college. then a really close friend died. and everyone was still mad at me about our bad trip so I couldn't sit with them at the funeral. that broke my heart. cause all I really wanted was to sit with the boys. since I was slightly pregnant and scared. but it's okay now. then I had a baby and moved away. and we sometimes emailed. he is a good friend. we're always promising to get coffee. he's married now. he owns a house and has a good job. he's a good guy. and she's a lucky girl.
queenpeach
another good girl I went to high school with. she is a funny mommy too. you can read her blog here.
mark
the whole reason I picked up a camera in the first place. a conversation I will always remember before I got a divorce. a good friend. no matter how long it's been. read his blog here.
more on the getting to know you later. enjoy sticking your nose in my business. what little there is of it.
Rachael
well. indeed.
it would appear that I have many people visiting my blog. people I don't know. (hi)
maybe this would be a good time to introduce myself to everyone reading... lurking around the corner. (hello)
my name is rachael. this is my blog. let me introduce you to the cast of My Blog.
former spouse.
i am (not) bitterly divorced. i am Happily Divorced... which, if you ARE bitterly divorced, is something you should try. my former spouse (a title which demands mutual respect and keeps me from being called someone's ex-wife) and I do have our moments, however, have pretty much gotten over ourselves and have fun being parents. you can read more about The Former Spouse here. um. he's shorter than me. he's a law student at uga. he's a cool dad who manages to answer all questions asked by our daughters without pulling out his hair. amazing. he once got really pissed at me for writing in this blog about him, so I said some nice things because he deserved it. he sometimes thinks I am still in love with him - in the wrong sort of way, but, everyone needs to feel needed. when I am referring to him in the sort of way that means I am mildy annoyed, or perhaps paying him a compliment, he is The Former Spouse. when I am talking about him being daddy, he is Ex Husband Wonder Dad... or EHWD for short. yeah, it's not a cute or catchy title. I was tired that night. we met when i was a senior in high school, and he was a freshman at UGA. we made a kid, had a little drama, got married, and made another kid. we were way too young and self centered to be married. he thought I was wrong, I thought he was wrong. no one wanted to budge. we're divorced now.
sarah beth
this is the first kid. she's called SB. she often suffers from the dreaded first child I can sometimes be a huge spoiled pain in the ass syndrome. mostly she's incredible, though. she has her daddy's brains. she loves math and science. she hates anything girly. this means we just painted her room a hideous shade of blue . my dad is trying with all his might to make her a democrat. it will never work. she's very spiritual. she loves her mimi and pa. she thinks mimi's the superboss of the world. she thinks pa runs a close second. her cousin Shawn is one of her best friends. the other one is cassidy. cassidy has great hair. SB was born at my college. in the dorm. that's a long story for another time. I almost named her Bailey. thank god for the nurses in Macon Medical Center. she met her daddy when she was almost two. that's another long story. my friend devin used to send me mothers day cards from her when she was a baby. my friend devin is probably 99% of the reason SB met her dad. she likes magic tricks. she's usually got a reason to be pissed off at me. because she thinks I am mean. she even wrote it down once. mom is mean, it said. she does not think I am mean when I take her to get ice cream or new shoes.
jordin
this is the second kid. she's called a lot of things. J, JLo, Jordy, Jaybird, Becca Jo. she's a dancer. she's a singer. she's the next JLo. for real. she loves sparkly things. especially her red dorothy shoes. she wears them everywhere. when she was born, SB wanted to name her cupcake. then, SB wanted to name her Jesus. so we called her Jesus Cupcake for a while. then we realized people didn't know her real name. her real name is Rebecca Jordin. she's named after two special people who I love. Rebecca is my sister. Jordin is the last name of her dad's best friend. he was surprised when we told him we'd call her Jordin. I haven't seen him since we got a divorce. which sucks. because there should be more pictures of Jordin and him. and because he was a nice guy. we also call Jordin Lola. because for a long time she sang copacabana everywhere we went. she hates that name. she loves her daddy. very much.
people who might have something to say
katey
she's the bomb. gotta know her to love her. you can read her blog too. except she says the word fuck a lot. just so you know. she has three great cats. three. except she's NOT a cat lady. she taught me how to knit and how to make "boundaries." i am still working on the boundaries thing.
kebbyann
this is my best and dearest friend from high school. we created much trouble together. and many fun memories. we did the prom(s) and dated boys that had the same name. we created drama too. and we went to summer school together. and we discussed the appropriate time to lose our virginty. and we wrote The List, which was a list of places we would like to do the above. this list became famous. lots of people added places to The List. her husband is one of my favorite men in the whole world. and he loves her. you can tell by the way he looks at her. he's loved her for a long time. and me too. he was pissed when he found out I was getting married anyway. and kelly and jason have great dogs. I only know one of them personally. when Kelly has babies, I will cry. A lot. and I will tell her (cause it will be a girl) all about boys. she sent me three emails on my birthday.
malia
malia is so funny. she has a blog too. you can read it here. we became close friends after high school. I did know her in high school. she has three sweet children. they have a great daddy. I knew their daddy in high school too. malia likes being a mommy, and she's very funny. she told me once I was a good writer. I believed her because she was a friend. I don't think anyone had told me that before. first time for everything.
smartass
sometimes mentioned in my blog. otherwise known as *the crush.* I had a huge, unexplainable crush on this guy for years. years. it only made complete sense once. and it was not the kind of complete sense that lasted very long. so we kissed. and it's still on my top five moments list. I think because I liked him so much. he though I was a pain in the ass, and that I complained too much I think. I couldn't look him in the eye for a long time because I was too embarassed or whatever. we were good friends. and then we went to florida after we graduated, which was awful. then we all left for college. then a really close friend died. and everyone was still mad at me about our bad trip so I couldn't sit with them at the funeral. that broke my heart. cause all I really wanted was to sit with the boys. since I was slightly pregnant and scared. but it's okay now. then I had a baby and moved away. and we sometimes emailed. he is a good friend. we're always promising to get coffee. he's married now. he owns a house and has a good job. he's a good guy. and she's a lucky girl.
queenpeach
another good girl I went to high school with. she is a funny mommy too. you can read her blog here.
mark
the whole reason I picked up a camera in the first place. a conversation I will always remember before I got a divorce. a good friend. no matter how long it's been. read his blog here.
more on the getting to know you later. enjoy sticking your nose in my business. what little there is of it.
Rachael
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Tasteless? Oh yes.
Dear Lord, forgive me for giving into the posts from other parent bloggers about their children's bodily functions.
(in car, post "Drive Thru Lane" from preschool)
ME: Jordin, do you know what kind of music this is?
JLO: Yes. It's classical. There aren't any words. The words are silent. (I have no idea what "the words are silent means... 5 year old logic)
ME: That's right, J. Good. (drive to SB's school continues... me gloating because my child is being all cultured and classy in the back seat... she's now "directing" the orchestra)
JLO: Mommy?
ME: Yes?
JLO: I just did a classical poot.
ME: WHAT? (gloating immediately ceases)
JLO: Yeah. It was silent. (giggle) (pause) Classical but deadly, Mommy. (breaks out into fits of uncontrollable laughter.)
Dear Lord, forgive me for giving into the posts from other parent bloggers about their children's bodily functions.
(in car, post "Drive Thru Lane" from preschool)
ME: Jordin, do you know what kind of music this is?
JLO: Yes. It's classical. There aren't any words. The words are silent. (I have no idea what "the words are silent means... 5 year old logic)
ME: That's right, J. Good. (drive to SB's school continues... me gloating because my child is being all cultured and classy in the back seat... she's now "directing" the orchestra)
JLO: Mommy?
ME: Yes?
JLO: I just did a classical poot.
ME: WHAT? (gloating immediately ceases)
JLO: Yeah. It was silent. (giggle) (pause) Classical but deadly, Mommy. (breaks out into fits of uncontrollable laughter.)
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Weekend Recap and other things against my Better Judgement
Puking Child miraculously stopped puking sometime early Saturday morning, which provided for a few hours of sleep before the chocolate Pop Tart demands began. Ex Husband Wonder Dad (see, I still call you that even when I AM mildly annoyed) offered to take the recooperating Puker for the weekend anyway - promises to get her to bed "on time" and make sure she doesn't overdo it.... either he just plain did what he promised or did a damn fine job covering it up. Either way, I was happy. Showed up with both girls in tow on Sunday morning - at agreed time to get Jordin ready forevery-mothers-worst-nightmare dance competition.
Left relatively on time to make it to the dance competition - SB and EHWD in tow.... made it to Gwinnett on time and in one piece ... and watched competition. Jordin - looking absolutley adorable with her adorable dance friends, put on a great show... left competition for break and lunch. Minor disagreement with Jim over birthday importance.... pep talk from Former MIL regarding setting expectations (love that woman) and then, a talk with my friend Katey about "boundaries." Love her even more.
Ok. So - then, in the midst of the "disagreement", Jim (you know, EHWD) says to me that the root of my problem is that I am still ... "stuck on him." Yikes. This is currently the source of great concern for me - as I am discouraged that my closeness with him has been mistaken for being "stuck". I am concerned that I walk around thinking:
"damn. jim. me. we can do this friend thing and be really good at it. i'll therefore tell him 90% of everything going on and be especially nice as much as possible."
and he thinks:
"damn. rachaels doing lots of nice things. she writes nice things about me in her blog and lets me read them. she's not AS BIG a pain in the ass as before. she must still be stuck on me."
and this bothers me. I want to be friends for the sake of being friends. Simple. Pure. No other hidden motives or agendas. I mean, it's been at least a year since I've done the whole, "let's get back together," idea. A year. Jim, I think this is worthy of thinking about. While yes, putting the broken pieces of our family back together would be wonderful... you know, "for the girls," I think I've sadly realized that I don't know if I would now even if the opportunity ever existed. That's sad.
And, to my women friends - don't get me wrong. In true woman fashion, despite how nice she will probably be, I will cry and have a fit when there is "officially" Someone Else. I will. Then I will promptly get over myself.
And Jim, I would just like to say that we can never write a fabulous book on How to Be Divorced Successfully if one of us is always thinking the other one is still madly in love. How unscientific would that be... Rule #5. Always remember your spouse still wants you back.
There will be no formal conversation with Jim regarding this subject. Primarily because we don't review things said in haste at later dates. Also, because he's the Puking Adult tonight.
And, this is the other problem.
Too many people read this blog who KNOW me. TOO many. Including Jim. Which brings me to my next topic.
Things Against My Better Judgement.
You will note I have added links over there... one of them is Jim's blog. He linked to me... I link to him. Viola. Check out his blog. Leave him comments. Nice ones. Don't get me in trouble.
And if Jim and I do ever write a book.. the cover WILL be pink.
Puking Child miraculously stopped puking sometime early Saturday morning, which provided for a few hours of sleep before the chocolate Pop Tart demands began. Ex Husband Wonder Dad (see, I still call you that even when I AM mildly annoyed) offered to take the recooperating Puker for the weekend anyway - promises to get her to bed "on time" and make sure she doesn't overdo it.... either he just plain did what he promised or did a damn fine job covering it up. Either way, I was happy. Showed up with both girls in tow on Sunday morning - at agreed time to get Jordin ready for
Left relatively on time to make it to the dance competition - SB and EHWD in tow.... made it to Gwinnett on time and in one piece ... and watched competition. Jordin - looking absolutley adorable with her adorable dance friends, put on a great show... left competition for break and lunch. Minor disagreement with Jim over birthday importance.... pep talk from Former MIL regarding setting expectations (love that woman) and then, a talk with my friend Katey about "boundaries." Love her even more.
Ok. So - then, in the midst of the "disagreement", Jim (you know, EHWD) says to me that the root of my problem is that I am still ... "stuck on him." Yikes. This is currently the source of great concern for me - as I am discouraged that my closeness with him has been mistaken for being "stuck". I am concerned that I walk around thinking:
"damn. jim. me. we can do this friend thing and be really good at it. i'll therefore tell him 90% of everything going on and be especially nice as much as possible."
and he thinks:
"damn. rachaels doing lots of nice things. she writes nice things about me in her blog and lets me read them. she's not AS BIG a pain in the ass as before. she must still be stuck on me."
and this bothers me. I want to be friends for the sake of being friends. Simple. Pure. No other hidden motives or agendas. I mean, it's been at least a year since I've done the whole, "let's get back together," idea. A year. Jim, I think this is worthy of thinking about. While yes, putting the broken pieces of our family back together would be wonderful... you know, "for the girls," I think I've sadly realized that I don't know if I would now even if the opportunity ever existed. That's sad.
And, to my women friends - don't get me wrong. In true woman fashion, despite how nice she will probably be, I will cry and have a fit when there is "officially" Someone Else. I will. Then I will promptly get over myself.
And Jim, I would just like to say that we can never write a fabulous book on How to Be Divorced Successfully if one of us is always thinking the other one is still madly in love. How unscientific would that be... Rule #5. Always remember your spouse still wants you back.
There will be no formal conversation with Jim regarding this subject. Primarily because we don't review things said in haste at later dates. Also, because he's the Puking Adult tonight.
And, this is the other problem.
Too many people read this blog who KNOW me. TOO many. Including Jim. Which brings me to my next topic.
Things Against My Better Judgement.
You will note I have added links over there... one of them is Jim's blog. He linked to me... I link to him. Viola. Check out his blog. Leave him comments. Nice ones. Don't get me in trouble.
And if Jim and I do ever write a book.. the cover WILL be pink.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Friday, April 22, 2005
Yeah. So, so far on my weekend agenda, I have cancelled all prior plans to actually HAVE a weekend agenda - due to Puking Child. My favorite.
It should be a Good Weekend.
I must go to bed... you know I'll be up at least thirty times tonight with Puking Child. Amazingly, however, I am willing to bet that Puking Child will be up at the crack of dawn, demanding chocolate pop tarts.
Amazing. My life rules.
Rachael
It should be a Good Weekend.
I must go to bed... you know I'll be up at least thirty times tonight with Puking Child. Amazingly, however, I am willing to bet that Puking Child will be up at the crack of dawn, demanding chocolate pop tarts.
Amazing. My life rules.
Rachael
Thursday, April 21, 2005
I have a great hairdresser. I have followed her from salon to salon - and will continue unless she moves to Alaska or something. I love my hairdresser. She's cute, she's funny, and she loves my rock-staresque hair, which I often hate.
I have a great nail girl. She doesn't speak a lot of English - but, she loves me. We laugh. Her little daughter and my daughter play together. We're part of the family up there. I would follow her around too... she makes my nails cute.
I have never considered becoming someone's anything. Until yesterday.
Yesterday. Me. At my little part time job... the cute little Italian paper store I helped open three years ago.
I notice one of my favorite clients from The Buckhead Stationery Store I Used to Give My Life To has come in.
Me : Amanda... hi!!
Her: Rachael? Are you serious?
Me: Yes. It's so good to see you.
(hugs) apparently, desiging invitations and stationery together bonds two females to the point of hugging
Cellphone rings.
Her (on cellphone to friend) : You'll never guess who I just found. I know - it's Rachael. I found her... yes, you know - my paper girl. I found her!!
Friend parks car (apparently was in parking lot) comes into store. Jubilation.
That's me. Your Paper Girl.
Some people live to win the Nobel Prize, some the Pulitzer. Being called someone's Paper Girl, was something I didn't realize I aspired to. Until yesterday.
I have a great nail girl. She doesn't speak a lot of English - but, she loves me. We laugh. Her little daughter and my daughter play together. We're part of the family up there. I would follow her around too... she makes my nails cute.
I have never considered becoming someone's anything. Until yesterday.
Yesterday. Me. At my little part time job... the cute little Italian paper store I helped open three years ago.
I notice one of my favorite clients from The Buckhead Stationery Store I Used to Give My Life To has come in.
Me : Amanda... hi!!
Her: Rachael? Are you serious?
Me: Yes. It's so good to see you.
(hugs) apparently, desiging invitations and stationery together bonds two females to the point of hugging
Cellphone rings.
Her (on cellphone to friend) : You'll never guess who I just found. I know - it's Rachael. I found her... yes, you know - my paper girl. I found her!!
Friend parks car (apparently was in parking lot) comes into store. Jubilation.
That's me. Your Paper Girl.
Some people live to win the Nobel Prize, some the Pulitzer. Being called someone's Paper Girl, was something I didn't realize I aspired to. Until yesterday.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
I feel like the worst mommy in the world.
I did an awful, miserable, tortuous, slimy thing tonight that I may never, ever forgive myself for... and could, quite possibly, need years of therapy to recover from.
I cleaned out the "Art" box.
Yes. It was there - unassumingly gathering dust on the tippy top of the basement shelves. She was there - in all her protective Rubbermaid glory - holding on to SB's entire artistic existence, from Kindergarten till yesterday. She's so full her top barely fits, but she doesn't mind.
So, of course I have decided to go in a "cleaning out" streak. And naturally, the first box I choose must be the one in the highest possible location that will cause the most emotional trauma when things are discarded from.
I sat in the floor of the basement for two hours - looking back over my sweet little girls' creations - from her drawing on the first day of school to the plastic cup angel, to the self portrait. Tempra paint hands, plastic plate creations, bits of construction paper, stories, and coloring sheets. They were all tucked safely away... until I messed with their sweet, little unassuming perfection.
The box itself was stuffed to the top. Since Kindergarten, I have saved every piece of paper the child brings home. The evolution of her style goes from bottom to top - the simple, primitive stick people drawings with floating heads - to the spelling tests, the monthly journals.... it's become an insane mess of papers - and knowing that Jordin starts next year - and that we're moving to the new (old) house in about a month - I just can't take it all with me. I can't.
I wouldn't let SB help... sweetly sent her outside to play. She takes great pride in the things I save that she makes.... it would have killed both of us to have her standing there while I weeded through everything. Thankfully - the job was a little easier than I anticipated... there was a lot of "junk" in there that could be afforded to the trash can - and plenty left for mommy to hold onto.
So - I threw away the now crumpled coloring sheets and random drawings.... threw away a majority of her spelling tests, trashed the faded, falling apart construction paper cowboy who lost a boot somewhere along the way, tossed the paper plate that was Santa's body at one time, and a few collages of magazine clippings. I felt like I was throwing away priceless art - like some curator might show up at any minute and dig my baby's Picassos out of the trash for his private collections. I felt dirty. ... then it got worse ... SB busted me.
She immediately sat down and demanded to know what I was doing - my eight year old protecting her six year old artwork like it was a sibling. I really tried to explain the grown up we-just-don't-have-room-for-everything-at-the-new-house mantra- something she could never comprehend. So instead, she sat with me while we sorted through the end... directing me as to what pieces to save - and what to trash.
So - we save some cool things - the construction paper lion (L is for Lion), the hand made "Mothers Day Tea" invitation, the portrait of mommy (damn, she makes me look good), the Father's Day card, some Christmas decorations, two monthly journals, several stories, some laminated placemats (one for Fall, one for Christmas), the construction paper fish bowl with the orange goldfish (my personal favorite, F is for Fish) and... the decaying Qtip skeleton... he's missing a QTip leg.... but still looks just as happy dancing on that piece of black construction paper as the day she brought him home.
We're going to frame some things and make a mini gallery in the new laundry room... it has high ceilings and empty walls - crying out for some life. I put a folder in my car of the pieces we need frames for - Sarah Beth couldn't be happier. And while we've "finished" the project - it's killing me not to run out to the trash cans and pull it all back out for safekeeping. Now - Jordin's Kindergarten year looms in the wings - I better buy a new box.
I'm even thinking about doing a little surgery on Mr. Skeleton, and giving him a new leg.... just so he'll keep dancing.
I did an awful, miserable, tortuous, slimy thing tonight that I may never, ever forgive myself for... and could, quite possibly, need years of therapy to recover from.
I cleaned out the "Art" box.
Yes. It was there - unassumingly gathering dust on the tippy top of the basement shelves. She was there - in all her protective Rubbermaid glory - holding on to SB's entire artistic existence, from Kindergarten till yesterday. She's so full her top barely fits, but she doesn't mind.
So, of course I have decided to go in a "cleaning out" streak. And naturally, the first box I choose must be the one in the highest possible location that will cause the most emotional trauma when things are discarded from.
I sat in the floor of the basement for two hours - looking back over my sweet little girls' creations - from her drawing on the first day of school to the plastic cup angel, to the self portrait. Tempra paint hands, plastic plate creations, bits of construction paper, stories, and coloring sheets. They were all tucked safely away... until I messed with their sweet, little unassuming perfection.
The box itself was stuffed to the top. Since Kindergarten, I have saved every piece of paper the child brings home. The evolution of her style goes from bottom to top - the simple, primitive stick people drawings with floating heads - to the spelling tests, the monthly journals.... it's become an insane mess of papers - and knowing that Jordin starts next year - and that we're moving to the new (old) house in about a month - I just can't take it all with me. I can't.
I wouldn't let SB help... sweetly sent her outside to play. She takes great pride in the things I save that she makes.... it would have killed both of us to have her standing there while I weeded through everything. Thankfully - the job was a little easier than I anticipated... there was a lot of "junk" in there that could be afforded to the trash can - and plenty left for mommy to hold onto.
So - I threw away the now crumpled coloring sheets and random drawings.... threw away a majority of her spelling tests, trashed the faded, falling apart construction paper cowboy who lost a boot somewhere along the way, tossed the paper plate that was Santa's body at one time, and a few collages of magazine clippings. I felt like I was throwing away priceless art - like some curator might show up at any minute and dig my baby's Picassos out of the trash for his private collections. I felt dirty. ... then it got worse ... SB busted me.
She immediately sat down and demanded to know what I was doing - my eight year old protecting her six year old artwork like it was a sibling. I really tried to explain the grown up we-just-don't-have-room-for-everything-at-the-new-house mantra- something she could never comprehend. So instead, she sat with me while we sorted through the end... directing me as to what pieces to save - and what to trash.
So - we save some cool things - the construction paper lion (L is for Lion), the hand made "Mothers Day Tea" invitation, the portrait of mommy (damn, she makes me look good), the Father's Day card, some Christmas decorations, two monthly journals, several stories, some laminated placemats (one for Fall, one for Christmas), the construction paper fish bowl with the orange goldfish (my personal favorite, F is for Fish) and... the decaying Qtip skeleton... he's missing a QTip leg.... but still looks just as happy dancing on that piece of black construction paper as the day she brought him home.
We're going to frame some things and make a mini gallery in the new laundry room... it has high ceilings and empty walls - crying out for some life. I put a folder in my car of the pieces we need frames for - Sarah Beth couldn't be happier. And while we've "finished" the project - it's killing me not to run out to the trash cans and pull it all back out for safekeeping. Now - Jordin's Kindergarten year looms in the wings - I better buy a new box.
I'm even thinking about doing a little surgery on Mr. Skeleton, and giving him a new leg.... just so he'll keep dancing.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Tuesday Hustle
Hi. I'm back.
apparently, *Creative Me* bolts whenever it comes time to take care of The Girls. damn her.
lots to do today. did the good samaritan act this morning and "sat" with my great grandmother while grandmother went out shopping. she then gave me an early birthday present... even though it's still a week away. picked up jordin's shot record and dropped it off at the school - yes, she's really going to leave me and go off to kindergarten next year. she's not even sorry.
this afternoon is dance - as usual. last practice before the big competition this weekend. gotta find a copy of her birth certificate before then. have no clue where to start looking.
this week totally sucks. i was dumb enough to not ever think i would be divorced - so i planned my wedding (april 17) a week away from my birthday (april 26) which was about two weeks away from mothers day (may 8) . yeah. cause i wanted to be celebrated for like a month straight. and if i put all the big days together jim could never forget them. he always does anyway. i made myself not mention our anniversary, which was sunday. the girls will give me a hug and kiss, and that's the best gift anyway.
yep. all lower case. that's how i feel. all lowercase. improper sentence structure and all.
rach
Hi. I'm back.
apparently, *Creative Me* bolts whenever it comes time to take care of The Girls. damn her.
lots to do today. did the good samaritan act this morning and "sat" with my great grandmother while grandmother went out shopping. she then gave me an early birthday present... even though it's still a week away. picked up jordin's shot record and dropped it off at the school - yes, she's really going to leave me and go off to kindergarten next year. she's not even sorry.
this afternoon is dance - as usual. last practice before the big competition this weekend. gotta find a copy of her birth certificate before then. have no clue where to start looking.
this week totally sucks. i was dumb enough to not ever think i would be divorced - so i planned my wedding (april 17) a week away from my birthday (april 26) which was about two weeks away from mothers day (may 8) . yeah. cause i wanted to be celebrated for like a month straight. and if i put all the big days together jim could never forget them. he always does anyway. i made myself not mention our anniversary, which was sunday. the girls will give me a hug and kiss, and that's the best gift anyway.
yep. all lower case. that's how i feel. all lowercase. improper sentence structure and all.
rach
Monday, April 18, 2005
Weekend Recap
Girls and I had a wonderful weekend.. thank goodness for beautiful weather, despite the blanket of pollen that seems to be covering the city. The girls, however, seem to immune - which is nice - as my coughing and scratchy throat are all I can handle at the moment.
We had birthday parties to attend Saturday and Sunday - which essentially means I flipped on the "Taxi" sign on top of my car on Saturday afternoon. I cut it back off sometime last night. Funny - there's no clean up crew or anything like that showing up to detail... oh well.
Saturday afternoon both girls were invited to one of our dearest friend's seventh birthday.... she's absolutley one of BOTH the girls closest friends - and we spend much time together. The weather cooperated beautifully, and the outside party went over well. Just the right mix of friends and family. Our theme for Saturday? Well, indeed - the eighties return ... it was a "CareBear" party all the way. The kids couldn't break the overstuffed pinata for the life of them, so - Birthday Girl's Dad made some minor "adjustments," and soon enough, there was candy all over the floor of the carport.
Sunday ... we actually made it to church on time... Sunday School and everything.... mommy was in an exceedingly good mood upon our arrival ... causing most of my friends to do a double take as our car pulled into the parking lot.... on top of which, I was having a GREAT hair day. Anyway, post church hustle to pick up a birthday gift for Friend #2. This party was Jordin's - a friend from dance turning five. (Apparently, the girls had never seen each other in anything but tutus and tulle - as they almost didn't recognize each other when we arrived... funny. ) "We" chose a "Fairytopia" Barbie and some cute plastic necklaces... wrapped it all up and grabbed a PB&J at home. Five minutes down the road to the Movie Theatre.... what a perfect place for a party. Twelve kids, one party room, one reserved theatre, twelve tickets to The Pacifier ... and everyone is happy. Even the mommies were happy - nothing like Vin Diesel, anywhere you put him. (If you ask me, anyway) Sarah Beth and I played some video games in the arcade, and then she and I saw the movie with the party.
Took the girls over to a friends house on Sunday night ... planned a "Mothers Day Tea," for the kids at church, made a list of Things to Do for said party, and then headed home to bed.
Anyway... it was a Good Weekend. Made me glad I am a mom... again.
Rachael
Girls and I had a wonderful weekend.. thank goodness for beautiful weather, despite the blanket of pollen that seems to be covering the city. The girls, however, seem to immune - which is nice - as my coughing and scratchy throat are all I can handle at the moment.
We had birthday parties to attend Saturday and Sunday - which essentially means I flipped on the "Taxi" sign on top of my car on Saturday afternoon. I cut it back off sometime last night. Funny - there's no clean up crew or anything like that showing up to detail... oh well.
Saturday afternoon both girls were invited to one of our dearest friend's seventh birthday.... she's absolutley one of BOTH the girls closest friends - and we spend much time together. The weather cooperated beautifully, and the outside party went over well. Just the right mix of friends and family. Our theme for Saturday? Well, indeed - the eighties return ... it was a "CareBear" party all the way. The kids couldn't break the overstuffed pinata for the life of them, so - Birthday Girl's Dad made some minor "adjustments," and soon enough, there was candy all over the floor of the carport.
Sunday ... we actually made it to church on time... Sunday School and everything.... mommy was in an exceedingly good mood upon our arrival ... causing most of my friends to do a double take as our car pulled into the parking lot.... on top of which, I was having a GREAT hair day. Anyway, post church hustle to pick up a birthday gift for Friend #2. This party was Jordin's - a friend from dance turning five. (Apparently, the girls had never seen each other in anything but tutus and tulle - as they almost didn't recognize each other when we arrived... funny. ) "We" chose a "Fairytopia" Barbie and some cute plastic necklaces... wrapped it all up and grabbed a PB&J at home. Five minutes down the road to the Movie Theatre.... what a perfect place for a party. Twelve kids, one party room, one reserved theatre, twelve tickets to The Pacifier ... and everyone is happy. Even the mommies were happy - nothing like Vin Diesel, anywhere you put him. (If you ask me, anyway) Sarah Beth and I played some video games in the arcade, and then she and I saw the movie with the party.
Took the girls over to a friends house on Sunday night ... planned a "Mothers Day Tea," for the kids at church, made a list of Things to Do for said party, and then headed home to bed.
Anyway... it was a Good Weekend. Made me glad I am a mom... again.
Rachael
Friday, April 15, 2005
Check, please.
Who in the @*#(@* ordered all this pollen? Have you LOOKED outside?
Oh, wait - for those of you reading who are not from Georgia or the south in general....
Let me introduce you to some fabulous exclusively southern things.... we have
Who in the @*#(@* ordered all this pollen? Have you LOOKED outside?
Oh, wait - for those of you reading who are not from Georgia or the south in general....
Let me introduce you to some fabulous exclusively southern things.... we have
- sweet tea (iced tea with sugar in it....)
- The Varsity (whadya have, whadya have)
- grits
- kudzu
- Chik Fil A
- Georgia Bulldogs
and I think these are all reasonable good things. Right?
Yeah. Well.. we also have pollen. From about April to July - EVERYTHING in the south is a lovely, shall we say - chartreuse color. Pollen. Everywhere. On everything.
The sign at the Atlanta Airport should actually read:
"Welcome to Atlanta"
Todays Pollen Count is 45,782,328,923,890,283,902
Cute photo bags at Elisa's online store.... tell her I sent you. Go for the Paris and not the Milan, it was a little smallish.
*Creative Me*
the @#*@( is back
Tomorrow, though I am not sure how, I have been talked into actually "advertising" my photography. I am not really sure how I feel about this other than nervous, scared, anxious, embarrassed and etc., but - tomorrow looms. No, I haven't blogged about it before now because I am in complete denial - thinking that if I don't think about it, surely it will go away... (damn, this is a prominent theme in my life)
So - on Wednesday the last-minute-I-should-have-been-preparing-for-this-weeks-ago odyssey began. I sat down with the light table and the magnifying glass and started going through negatives... I mean, it would be a BIT vain to only display photos of my own children, right?Hours later, I have narrowed down the choices and filled out all the cute little reprint envelopes.
Dropped those off at the lab to be enlarged, and then, much to my complete displeasure, Creative Me surfaced. *She* is my alter ego - the one who bakes crazy cupcakes, makes homemade Valentines, and knits scarves. *She* sometimes makes my life hell, and is most certainly the reason I am probably undiagnosed with ADD. Yeah. Well, she's back.
Creative Me decided that my "booth" tomorrow should be fabulous.... It should be pink and girlie and look very artistic. She said she wants to wrap boxes with pink paper and use those to display photographs on... She says she wants a little "tea party" table with all the "tea party" pictures on it.... Regular Rachael tried to argue with Creative Me on this one, (she is so logical and tried to nicely explain that we have waited till the last minute and therefore must forgo creativity) but, Creative Me shoved her in a closet and slammed the door. (I am currently writing this from the dark closet.)
So - she's out there... She's running all over town spending too much money on some crazy idea. She's wrapping boxes with pink paper and ribbons, buying cheap, yet cute frames at Ross and TJ Maxx, and - making a cute brochure to pick up at the booth. Damn her. She's ordered this "photo purse," with Jordin's ballet picture on it to display... She made up cute wording and a sign too. She's very vain, Creative Me, and she seems to think this whole thing is going to go fabulously well - and that afterwards, people will be banging down the door to have me photograph their children....
... At which point, she has promised to release me from this closet... And then, she's going to send me a bill for her services... Or, maybe she'll just take a commission.
the @#*@( is back
Tomorrow, though I am not sure how, I have been talked into actually "advertising" my photography. I am not really sure how I feel about this other than nervous, scared, anxious, embarrassed and etc., but - tomorrow looms. No, I haven't blogged about it before now because I am in complete denial - thinking that if I don't think about it, surely it will go away... (damn, this is a prominent theme in my life)
So - on Wednesday the last-minute-I-should-have-been-preparing-for-this-weeks-ago odyssey began. I sat down with the light table and the magnifying glass and started going through negatives... I mean, it would be a BIT vain to only display photos of my own children, right?
Dropped those off at the lab to be enlarged, and then, much to my complete displeasure, Creative Me surfaced. *She* is my alter ego - the one who bakes crazy cupcakes, makes homemade Valentines, and knits scarves. *She* sometimes makes my life hell, and is most certainly the reason I am probably undiagnosed with ADD. Yeah. Well, she's back.
Creative Me decided that my "booth" tomorrow should be fabulous.... It should be pink and girlie and look very artistic. She said she wants to wrap boxes with pink paper and use those to display photographs on... She says she wants a little "tea party" table with all the "tea party" pictures on it.... Regular Rachael tried to argue with Creative Me on this one, (she is so logical and tried to nicely explain that we have waited till the last minute and therefore must forgo creativity) but, Creative Me shoved her in a closet and slammed the door. (I am currently writing this from the dark closet.)
So - she's out there... She's running all over town spending too much money on some crazy idea. She's wrapping boxes with pink paper and ribbons, buying cheap, yet cute frames at Ross and TJ Maxx, and - making a cute brochure to pick up at the booth. Damn her. She's ordered this "photo purse," with Jordin's ballet picture on it to display... She made up cute wording and a sign too. She's very vain, Creative Me, and she seems to think this whole thing is going to go fabulously well - and that afterwards, people will be banging down the door to have me photograph their children....
... At which point, she has promised to release me from this closet... And then, she's going to send me a bill for her services... Or, maybe she'll just take a commission.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
In an effort to teach my children to appreciate music - I keep this little notepad in the front seat of the car, and write down the names of songs they like... yeah, it's silly. Jim has taught them James Taylor and Dave Matthews (God bless them) and I am trying for my little part in all the action.
So, about every two weeks we have a new list. I download it from iTunes, and make them a CD for the car... hey, it beats the same Kidzbop CD repeatedly, you know?
This week, Jordin had a classical, NPR style bent. We listened to the classic, "The Fairytale Suite," by composer David Lyon. Jordin calls classical music, "the kind without words." She tolerates it until she catches herself falling asleep... I also have her doing a little Broadway... like stuff from Hairspray, and Suessical.... of course, then we go back to things like I just found myself downloading from the list :
So, about every two weeks we have a new list. I download it from iTunes, and make them a CD for the car... hey, it beats the same Kidzbop CD repeatedly, you know?
This week, Jordin had a classical, NPR style bent. We listened to the classic, "The Fairytale Suite," by composer David Lyon. Jordin calls classical music, "the kind without words." She tolerates it until she catches herself falling asleep... I also have her doing a little Broadway... like stuff from Hairspray, and Suessical.... of course, then we go back to things like I just found myself downloading from the list :
- Switch, Will Smith
- This One's for the Girls, Martina McBride
- She's not just a pretty face, Shania Twain
- Since U Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson
- Get Right, JLo
I guess everyone needs a little shallow in their life, right? RIGHT?
Rachael
Damn. I bet you wished you could come here and read some interesting post about what I did today. Sorry. You'll be dissapointed.
There was nothing special today... just the usual... overslept this morning with the girls - barely got SB to school on time and had that awful feeling that I might have to walk her in to school in my PJ's.... rushed back home to try and enjoy my few hours of solitude before going out to work... picked up the girls - Jordin in the "drive through lane," as she calls carpool - and Sarah Beth from the sidewalk of her school.... came home and piled up on the sofa with both - popcorn and a movie - SB made me promise to stay awake - argued with Jordin about the dynamics of doing cartwheels in the house - made SB put on tennis shoes before going outside (God, do you know how MEAN I am?) - let Jordin "fix" my hair - and then brushed out all the knots she "braided" out - told Jordin how to spell a million words.... took them out to dinner at Atlanta Bread Company with mom - SB orders something we know she'll never eat and glides around the room speaking to everyone she knows - buy mom and I a coffee and chat with neighbors - try to not snicker when SB tells me that we have taken her out to a "nice" restaurant for dinner... I mean, it's much nicer than Stevie B's after all, right?
The night goes sour as I insist SB do homework and, shocker - actually bathe herself. Listen to her tell me how much I dislike her - how I love Jordin more than her - how I must not want her - all because of a bath..... yeah.
Put girls to bed - rub Jordin's back - but apparently not like daddy does it so she "lets" me stop... read email, read book, download music for Jordin from iTunes ...... find a list of nineties music, reminisce, miss everyone a lot... download it all... then realize maybe I am getting old. You think?
:-)
Rachael
There was nothing special today... just the usual... overslept this morning with the girls - barely got SB to school on time and had that awful feeling that I might have to walk her in to school in my PJ's.... rushed back home to try and enjoy my few hours of solitude before going out to work... picked up the girls - Jordin in the "drive through lane," as she calls carpool - and Sarah Beth from the sidewalk of her school.... came home and piled up on the sofa with both - popcorn and a movie - SB made me promise to stay awake - argued with Jordin about the dynamics of doing cartwheels in the house - made SB put on tennis shoes before going outside (God, do you know how MEAN I am?) - let Jordin "fix" my hair - and then brushed out all the knots she "braided" out - told Jordin how to spell a million words.... took them out to dinner at Atlanta Bread Company with mom - SB orders something we know she'll never eat and glides around the room speaking to everyone she knows - buy mom and I a coffee and chat with neighbors - try to not snicker when SB tells me that we have taken her out to a "nice" restaurant for dinner... I mean, it's much nicer than Stevie B's after all, right?
The night goes sour as I insist SB do homework and, shocker - actually bathe herself. Listen to her tell me how much I dislike her - how I love Jordin more than her - how I must not want her - all because of a bath..... yeah.
Put girls to bed - rub Jordin's back - but apparently not like daddy does it so she "lets" me stop... read email, read book, download music for Jordin from iTunes ...... find a list of nineties music, reminisce, miss everyone a lot... download it all... then realize maybe I am getting old. You think?
:-)
Rachael
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
10/Tuesday
Ten favorite foods.
1. Sushi... love it... sorry.
2. Tomatoes... in anything.
3. Captain Crunch Cereal
4. My former MIL's Tequila Lime Chicken... yum.
5. Chicken Marsala
6. White pizza
7. Chips and homemade salsa
8. hot bagels from Goldbergs Deli
9. salads
10. fresh strawberries
Ten favorite foods.
1. Sushi... love it... sorry.
2. Tomatoes... in anything.
3. Captain Crunch Cereal
4. My former MIL's Tequila Lime Chicken... yum.
5. Chicken Marsala
6. White pizza
7. Chips and homemade salsa
8. hot bagels from Goldbergs Deli
9. salads
10. fresh strawberries
Monday, April 11, 2005
Feeling somewhat nauseated after The Bachelor - I tuned into SuperNanny... did you know that an "appropriate" time out time is one minute for every year of age? Hmmm. Does this mean that the half an hour time out I gave SB for running her sweet little mouth earlier today was psychologically damaging? Hmmm. If so, I would prefer the damage to be related to her sassy little attitude, if possible... just in case anyone cares.
Hmmm.
Ok - so - it appears a lot of you have taken me up on the offer to "read" my blog. Yay for me. I have heard the nicest things lately about how much everyone enjoys being able to keep up with me and the girls here - about how much everyone didn't know I loved to write - about how much everyone enjoys reading it. GREAT! Most of you who know me, are reading this because I invited you too - there was no accidental invitation - all of you should be here for one reason or the other... however....
If you are reading my blog - and, let's say - know me personally, go to church (as all good southern girls do) with me - hang out at the park with me - went to high school with me - I am just going to say this one, and only one time... listening?
This is just me... my life, and everything that goes on in it. If you don't want to see your name here - or, are afraid by what you might find out, see, not see, learn or etc., then please, you won't offend me by going away ... right now. I always try NOT to mention names if someone might be embarrassed or offended - but, occasionally the worst happens. I really don't want to hear anyone else's whining about what they read... I'm not twistin' your arms, people.
Capeish?
Bueno.
Rachael
Ok - so - it appears a lot of you have taken me up on the offer to "read" my blog. Yay for me. I have heard the nicest things lately about how much everyone enjoys being able to keep up with me and the girls here - about how much everyone didn't know I loved to write - about how much everyone enjoys reading it. GREAT! Most of you who know me, are reading this because I invited you too - there was no accidental invitation - all of you should be here for one reason or the other... however....
If you are reading my blog - and, let's say - know me personally, go to church (as all good southern girls do) with me - hang out at the park with me - went to high school with me - I am just going to say this one, and only one time... listening?
This is just me... my life, and everything that goes on in it. If you don't want to see your name here - or, are afraid by what you might find out, see, not see, learn or etc., then please, you won't offend me by going away ... right now. I always try NOT to mention names if someone might be embarrassed or offended - but, occasionally the worst happens. I really don't want to hear anyone else's whining about what they read... I'm not twistin' your arms, people.
Capeish?
Bueno.
Rachael
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Sarah Beth safely home from Brownie overnight.... only one HUGE bruise across her back where she somehow managed to fall OUT of the tent.... only my daughter could be so graceful. Other than that, I have heard that she lost $5, ate LOTS of marshmallows and chocolate, and had cereal for breakfast. Yep. Tomorrow she's going to a movie with Jim (ex husband wonder dad) and then he's driving to Valdosta for his marathon law-student-needs-a-summer-law-student-job interview. Now, just so YOU know... we ( I always refer to myself as we, have you noticed?) want Jim to be successful and have a great summer job... however, it scares me to have him THAT far away .... sad, isn't it? Of course, he promises that we'll work it out - and we probably will. We always do.
Rachael
Rachael
Friday, April 08, 2005
TGIF.
God... could it be I am losing the title creativity thing? Let's hope not.
Today was awesome... you'd be amazed at JUST how much one can accomplish upon knowing that their sweet little darlings will be leaving as soon as the little hand hits the five.... A LOT.
Up early and out to Target this morning with Mimi and the girls in tow... which is always atreat hour of agonizing torture. Mom wants to buy the girls some clothes, however, so my lips are sealed... if it takes an hour ... it takes an hour. We did find skinny Minnie Sarah Beth a swimsuit that I thought was suitable... yes - that's me - the twenty-seven-going-on-forty-mom who worries about her eight year old daughter's ass being covered in public. Further - I would just like to add that no bathing suit for an eight year old should be smaller than a bra top. My child doesn't need a string bikini at age 8... and believe me, she would have given her right arm to have it.... yeah - and - she asked me for a bra today... and while, I could create a whole post on just that subject - I'll go back into denial and the Barbie aisle, thanks.
So, $37.92 later, along with a rather grumpy Jordin and an out of control Sarah Beth, we manage to the car and Mimi quickly drops us off at home... it would appear she's "had enough," as she likes to say. I fix lunch for the girls admist complaints of the menu choice, and then - serve it to them anyway. How many kids are getting a hot meal at lunch everyday over Spring Break? (well, probably a lot more than you think, but please don't tell SB that... ) The girls, who were amazing NOT hungry when served, eat two plates of lunch each.... amazin,' I tell you... .
We packed SB for camp... you know, the standard.. shorts, flip flops, sunscreen, etc. . Jordin can't find any socks - no surprise there - and Jim (wonder-ex-husband-dad) calls to say he'll be EARLY to pick up Jordin... (thank goodness)... listen to SB ask 3,000,000,000,000,000 questions on the way to camp drop off, and finally start answering with stock answers, "yes," and etc. . No telling what I promised the kid...
Drop the darling off at camp with her little Brownie size friends. Cry. Call Jim immediately to make sure at least Jordin misses me.... yeah, right... . Cry.
Who decided she was old enough to go on a camping trip???
God... could it be I am losing the title creativity thing? Let's hope not.
Today was awesome... you'd be amazed at JUST how much one can accomplish upon knowing that their sweet little darlings will be leaving as soon as the little hand hits the five.... A LOT.
Up early and out to Target this morning with Mimi and the girls in tow... which is always a
So, $37.92 later, along with a rather grumpy Jordin and an out of control Sarah Beth, we manage to the car and Mimi quickly drops us off at home... it would appear she's "had enough," as she likes to say. I fix lunch for the girls admist complaints of the menu choice, and then - serve it to them anyway. How many kids are getting a hot meal at lunch everyday over Spring Break? (well, probably a lot more than you think, but please don't tell SB that... ) The girls, who were amazing NOT hungry when served, eat two plates of lunch each.... amazin,' I tell you... .
We packed SB for camp... you know, the standard.. shorts, flip flops, sunscreen, etc. . Jordin can't find any socks - no surprise there - and Jim (wonder-ex-husband-dad) calls to say he'll be EARLY to pick up Jordin... (thank goodness)... listen to SB ask 3,000,000,000,000,000 questions on the way to camp drop off, and finally start answering with stock answers, "yes," and etc. . No telling what I promised the kid...
Drop the darling off at camp with her little Brownie size friends. Cry. Call Jim immediately to make sure at least Jordin misses me.... yeah, right... . Cry.
Who decided she was old enough to go on a camping trip???
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Day Four.
(Chuck E. Cheese and other nightmares)
Have you ever asked yourself, post seemingly great idea... "what the @#*@& was I thinking?"
Took the girls (and five other children, that makes SEVEN total, mind you) to "kids favorite place on earth," Chuck E. Cheese's. Yeah. Me, my friend Stephanie, and about three million other mommies had this same idea today.
Pictures later.
Rachael
(Chuck E. Cheese and other nightmares)
Have you ever asked yourself, post seemingly great idea... "what the @#*@& was I thinking?"
Took the girls (and five other children, that makes SEVEN total, mind you) to "kids favorite place on earth," Chuck E. Cheese's. Yeah. Me, my friend Stephanie, and about three million other mommies had this same idea today.
Pictures later.
Rachael
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
DAY THREE
...the adventure continues....
I am back at work again today... the girls have begrudgingly gone to daycare and on a skating field trip. Their little lives are so tortured. Skating.... friends... junk food... no parents... I mean, what will I think of next? No, there will definitely be no fun at all for them today. I did manage some Starbucks on the way home to calm the mommy-you're-so-mean-for-leaving-us-here-with-all-our-friends-we-never-get-to-play-with nerves... amazing how it only takes $1.93 to calm me down.
...the adventure continues....
I am back at work again today... the girls have begrudgingly gone to daycare and on a skating field trip. Their little lives are so tortured. Skating.... friends... junk food... no parents... I mean, what will I think of next? No, there will definitely be no fun at all for them today. I did manage some Starbucks on the way home to calm the mommy-you're-so-mean-for-leaving-us-here-with-all-our-friends-we-never-get-to-play-with nerves... amazing how it only takes $1.93 to calm me down.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Today.
much to the girls dismay, today we have a "to do" list....
much to the girls dismay, today we have a "to do" list....
finish cleaning out girls room- finish spring wardrobe overhaul
- pack up winter clothes, seperate for goodwill and little friends
- finish going through toys, etc... donate to Mimi's church
- drop by library and donate gently loved books
take SB and J shopping for needed shorts, flip flops and etc.- take car for service
- weekly car clean out/wash/etc
You know they are just thrilled.... thrilled, I tell you.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Junk Email
hate this stuff... yet find the titles mildly entertaining.
hate this stuff... yet find the titles mildly entertaining.
- Get Paid For Your Opinion! (Tim, maybe you should warn these people... :-) )
- Claim your complimentary Handbag
- PSP Gamers online forum Rachael Thackston (what??)
- Eliminate Your debt the Christian way (no... not enough fun)
- Have a kitchen or bathroom that needs updated - it could be on us (try a whole house and we have a deal...)
- Rachael do you prefer shopping at Target or Walmart? (well, that depends... I mean, I own stock in both and prefer Target when shopping without the girls and Walmart when with the girls but it's usually crowded and full of rednecks not to mention.... oh, nevermind)
- If you use it ... You will Lose It
- Money Deposited Tomorrow Into Your Checking Acct. (YES!!! FINALLY!!!)
- Mortgage Assistance - THE CHRISTIAN WAY! (once again, NO.)
- Hot New Career Opportunity
- Need Quick Cash? (duh...)
- Meet Real Christian Singles (once more... no - emphatically... NO.)
- Please do not let your cash advance go unclaimed
First day of Spring Break, and all is well, well, well.
Well for me anyway. I escaped home for a few hours of work in my favorite little shop...
Sarah Beth is on the golf course with Pa today for nine holes of agonizing bathroom going fun... and the worst part is, she'll probably beat him. (she took her little clubs today... cute!)
... and, when I last saw Jordin, she was at home with Mimi, playing Barbies and wearing her new swimsuit. Better not to ask.
:-)
Rach
Well for me anyway. I escaped home for a few hours of work in my favorite little shop...
Sarah Beth is on the golf course with Pa today for nine holes of agonizing bathroom going fun... and the worst part is, she'll probably beat him. (she took her little clubs today... cute!)
... and, when I last saw Jordin, she was at home with Mimi, playing Barbies and wearing her new swimsuit. Better not to ask.
:-)
Rach
Sunday, April 03, 2005
"The Club"
and other politically incorrect activities
What do you suppose is the fascination with children and things they shouldn't do? Why, for example, must Sarah Beth insist on running through mud puddles and soaking her shoes, when I have asked her at least a bazillion times not to? Why must Jordin insist on doing "luxurious hair move" (i.e., tossing head back to flip mane of hair around to back) even though she has already almost broken my nose while doing so? Why?
Sarah Beth and Jordin have a new favorite place to play. And, if you haven't guessed already from the previous paragraph... it ain't makin' momma too happy. Granted, it's their favorite place in the world - the only place where some sort of sisterhood utopia must exist, as they can play for hours there and never raise a voice at each other..... it's affectionately dubbed, "The Club."
Dying to know where "the club" is? Well... right on the banks of the creek behind my house. It appears that an old tree's branches are growing towards the ground, making a perfect little cave between the trunk and the branches, just on the creekbank. We have toted dolls there, barbies, dress up clothes, and even snacks. Blankets, pillows, cups, and even Hunter on occasion.
Now, when I was little, playing in the creek was no big deal. I would be down there for hours at a time.. hours. I would slip off my shoes, slide down the bank, and land in the creek. After investigating all the animal prints on the side of the bank, and chasing away any and all wildlife (included, but not limited to water spiders, misc bugs and insects, the occasional raccon, etc) I would then tromp up and down until bored. This was a favorite past time. Of course, I was also allowed to ride my bicycle to the end (THE END 1.25 miles) of my road by myself. I was also allowed to dress up in actual "scary" Halloween costumes... also, I was allowed to "win" a softball game with my team. Whoa.
Something about my own children dancing down the creek bank disturbs me. I mean, what about scary snakes and BIG spiders? Has anyone thought about the quality of that water? And, are there bobcats down there waiting to make their afternoon snack out of my children? What if an eColi virus strain is traveling through the creek? What if Jordin thinks it's funny to drink the creek water? WHAT IF?!!!?? Jordin told me the other day that on the first trip to "the club," that apparently "the mommy dear was really scared when we got there so she just ran away to find another place to maybe take a nap or something." WHAT?? A LIVE ANIMAL?
I mean listen, we had mommies here at the Easter Egg Hunt that were flat out appalled that my kids were allowed to run around barefoot in the yard. These of course, were the same SUV driving mommies who had a strange fear of parking in grass. Weird. Anyway.
I ask you... what has changed in the twenty or so years that I was a kid? Why are my children forbidden to mention "the club" in my presence? Why does Sarah Beth think I am completely lame for not letting her play there? Why are the bicycle rides only a story I can tell? (calm down, people, there will be no riding outside of the driveway) Why don't I let them dress up in scary Halloween costumes? And, why, WHY can there be no official "winner" at the soccer games? All of the above just seems icky now... especially the thought of the girls playing anywhere near the creek. I guess in the years since my childhood, the danger of drowning or something else awful has just increased. That has to be it. But, I can assure you - if it gets too quiet over here, and the girls are no where to be found... stand on the back porch and yell their names... you WILL hear rustling down by the creek... and see the two of them come dashing to the house, each one screaming that the other one 'made me do it.'
Oy vey. Raising kids is hard... especially politically correct kids.
and other politically incorrect activities
What do you suppose is the fascination with children and things they shouldn't do? Why, for example, must Sarah Beth insist on running through mud puddles and soaking her shoes, when I have asked her at least a bazillion times not to? Why must Jordin insist on doing "luxurious hair move" (i.e., tossing head back to flip mane of hair around to back) even though she has already almost broken my nose while doing so? Why?
Sarah Beth and Jordin have a new favorite place to play. And, if you haven't guessed already from the previous paragraph... it ain't makin' momma too happy. Granted, it's their favorite place in the world - the only place where some sort of sisterhood utopia must exist, as they can play for hours there and never raise a voice at each other..... it's affectionately dubbed, "The Club."
Dying to know where "the club" is? Well... right on the banks of the creek behind my house. It appears that an old tree's branches are growing towards the ground, making a perfect little cave between the trunk and the branches, just on the creekbank. We have toted dolls there, barbies, dress up clothes, and even snacks. Blankets, pillows, cups, and even Hunter on occasion.
Now, when I was little, playing in the creek was no big deal. I would be down there for hours at a time.. hours. I would slip off my shoes, slide down the bank, and land in the creek. After investigating all the animal prints on the side of the bank, and chasing away any and all wildlife (included, but not limited to water spiders, misc bugs and insects, the occasional raccon, etc) I would then tromp up and down until bored. This was a favorite past time. Of course, I was also allowed to ride my bicycle to the end (THE END 1.25 miles) of my road by myself. I was also allowed to dress up in actual "scary" Halloween costumes... also, I was allowed to "win" a softball game with my team. Whoa.
Something about my own children dancing down the creek bank disturbs me. I mean, what about scary snakes and BIG spiders? Has anyone thought about the quality of that water? And, are there bobcats down there waiting to make their afternoon snack out of my children? What if an eColi virus strain is traveling through the creek? What if Jordin thinks it's funny to drink the creek water? WHAT IF?!!!?? Jordin told me the other day that on the first trip to "the club," that apparently "the mommy dear was really scared when we got there so she just ran away to find another place to maybe take a nap or something." WHAT?? A LIVE ANIMAL?
I mean listen, we had mommies here at the Easter Egg Hunt that were flat out appalled that my kids were allowed to run around barefoot in the yard. These of course, were the same SUV driving mommies who had a strange fear of parking in grass. Weird. Anyway.
I ask you... what has changed in the twenty or so years that I was a kid? Why are my children forbidden to mention "the club" in my presence? Why does Sarah Beth think I am completely lame for not letting her play there? Why are the bicycle rides only a story I can tell? (calm down, people, there will be no riding outside of the driveway) Why don't I let them dress up in scary Halloween costumes? And, why, WHY can there be no official "winner" at the soccer games? All of the above just seems icky now... especially the thought of the girls playing anywhere near the creek. I guess in the years since my childhood, the danger of drowning or something else awful has just increased. That has to be it. But, I can assure you - if it gets too quiet over here, and the girls are no where to be found... stand on the back porch and yell their names... you WILL hear rustling down by the creek... and see the two of them come dashing to the house, each one screaming that the other one 'made me do it.'
Oy vey. Raising kids is hard... especially politically correct kids.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Cool new book
It's amazing what a little Target at 9:45 PM can do for the soul.
Eric Carle is one of my favorite children's authors. He is probably most known in the land of preschoolers for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." We love his books at my house - and have a vast collection of his "work." This year, in fact, Jordin received her very own copy of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See," from Gov. Sonny Perdue. She says she's reading it, but heaven knows she's got it memorized, unless of course she has learned to read while holding the book upside down (god bless her little left handed self).
(dear God, when did I start talking about children's authors like fine art?)
Anyhow... tonight at Target, I saw the "new" one.... "Mister Seahorse." It's all about FATHERS who take care of their BABIES ... you know, those new fangled "modern" parenting styles. Oh my, probably not something that the religious conservatives in the world would go for. No, it's not about stay at home dads or anything peachy like that... it's about daddies who are caring for their little unhatched offspring all by themselves. Neat. Leave it to good ole Eric. He comes up with some cool concept, paints a few amazing illustrations - and bingo - a new addition to the bestseller list.
I flipped through the pages... another amazing classic. However, rather than be one of those crazy moms who thinks her daughters can play football and be in boy scouts if they want to - I left it serenely there on the shelf... just waiting for the right daddy to come along.... :-)
(incidentally, if you want to know more about Eric's work, or see his new release, "10 Little Rubber Ducks," you can check out his site linked above....)
It's amazing what a little Target at 9:45 PM can do for the soul.
Eric Carle is one of my favorite children's authors. He is probably most known in the land of preschoolers for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." We love his books at my house - and have a vast collection of his "work." This year, in fact, Jordin received her very own copy of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See," from Gov. Sonny Perdue. She says she's reading it, but heaven knows she's got it memorized, unless of course she has learned to read while holding the book upside down (god bless her little left handed self).
(dear God, when did I start talking about children's authors like fine art?)
Anyhow... tonight at Target, I saw the "new" one.... "Mister Seahorse." It's all about FATHERS who take care of their BABIES ... you know, those new fangled "modern" parenting styles. Oh my, probably not something that the religious conservatives in the world would go for. No, it's not about stay at home dads or anything peachy like that... it's about daddies who are caring for their little unhatched offspring all by themselves. Neat. Leave it to good ole Eric. He comes up with some cool concept, paints a few amazing illustrations - and bingo - a new addition to the bestseller list.
I flipped through the pages... another amazing classic. However, rather than be one of those crazy moms who thinks her daughters can play football and be in boy scouts if they want to - I left it serenely there on the shelf... just waiting for the right daddy to come along.... :-)
(incidentally, if you want to know more about Eric's work, or see his new release, "10 Little Rubber Ducks," you can check out his site linked above....)
Friday, April 01, 2005
Gratitude Disclaimer.
So... I just want to add a teeny little disclaimer to my blog. This week was one of great distress regarding my blog - and, while I think it's all resolved now, I think it time to "right" the situation by sharing some things I don't usually think to say.... ok? Ok.
This blog is about me... and who I am I? Single mom Rachael. I have told you all about my "kid card," the million questions per day, the snotty noses and the cussing British teacher. I have written my woes about dating, raising children, and just day to day life... and no blog about or by a single mom would be complete without some mention of the (former) significant other... his name here, is Jim... Jimmy when I feel like being slightly annoying....
What can I say? The boy, despite my divorce status and semi-annual arguments, is the father of my children, one of my dearest friends, and one of the great loves of my life. Even now, three years later, I can tell you that I have never loved anyone quite to the degree of Jim - and 90% of that can be found in the faces of my sweet children - who act and look (though sometimes not in the best of ways) just like him. I see his face in theirs every morning when they crawl into bed with me, bedhead and sleepy eyed - and I hear his voice every time Sarah Beth presents a reasonable argument against whatever I might be telling her to do ... and that's often, people. The child is a future litigator, I swear.
Why the disclaimer? Because, despite what you might think from reading this... our relationship is one that I cherish, and share with no one else. I know no other divorced couple who is getting along as well as the two of us... or who has decided to raise their children so well, together. While I am custodial parent - Jim has chosen to make the absolute best of life - bettering himself with the best of education, community service, and mentorship. He is at the top of his class, and making it all work while being a father at the same time. And, while I do find it mildly (ok, INCREDIBLY) annoying that they come home most often with each other's clothes on, and no hairbows, he does a damn fine job being daddy... all the time. He is there when he can be, and sometimes even when he can't be - and is always forgiving of change of schedules, dance recitals, and the millionth question when I am tired of answering.
We do dinner or lunch together at least twice a month - talk about parent teacher conferences, homework, shoe sizes and funny things they say. I call him upon their request, and he always has as long as needed to soothe whatever feeling has been hurt, whatever question needs to be answered, or whatever argument needs to be solved. Sarah Beth rarely asks me her "scientific" questions anymore... as she knows I am always going to tell her daddy knows better than I do.... of course, now she says that boys know more than girls, which we all know is obviously not true... but, I digress.
Every divorced couple should be more like us... raising our children together, and forgetting the rest of the stuff in the middle. It's really not that important anyway.
Well... usually.
:-)
Rachael
So... I just want to add a teeny little disclaimer to my blog. This week was one of great distress regarding my blog - and, while I think it's all resolved now, I think it time to "right" the situation by sharing some things I don't usually think to say.... ok? Ok.
This blog is about me... and who I am I? Single mom Rachael. I have told you all about my "kid card," the million questions per day, the snotty noses and the cussing British teacher. I have written my woes about dating, raising children, and just day to day life... and no blog about or by a single mom would be complete without some mention of the (former) significant other... his name here, is Jim... Jimmy when I feel like being slightly annoying....
What can I say? The boy, despite my divorce status and semi-annual arguments, is the father of my children, one of my dearest friends, and one of the great loves of my life. Even now, three years later, I can tell you that I have never loved anyone quite to the degree of Jim - and 90% of that can be found in the faces of my sweet children - who act and look (though sometimes not in the best of ways) just like him. I see his face in theirs every morning when they crawl into bed with me, bedhead and sleepy eyed - and I hear his voice every time Sarah Beth presents a reasonable argument against whatever I might be telling her to do ... and that's often, people. The child is a future litigator, I swear.
Why the disclaimer? Because, despite what you might think from reading this... our relationship is one that I cherish, and share with no one else. I know no other divorced couple who is getting along as well as the two of us... or who has decided to raise their children so well, together. While I am custodial parent - Jim has chosen to make the absolute best of life - bettering himself with the best of education, community service, and mentorship. He is at the top of his class, and making it all work while being a father at the same time. And, while I do find it mildly (ok, INCREDIBLY) annoying that they come home most often with each other's clothes on, and no hairbows, he does a damn fine job being daddy... all the time. He is there when he can be, and sometimes even when he can't be - and is always forgiving of change of schedules, dance recitals, and the millionth question when I am tired of answering.
We do dinner or lunch together at least twice a month - talk about parent teacher conferences, homework, shoe sizes and funny things they say. I call him upon their request, and he always has as long as needed to soothe whatever feeling has been hurt, whatever question needs to be answered, or whatever argument needs to be solved. Sarah Beth rarely asks me her "scientific" questions anymore... as she knows I am always going to tell her daddy knows better than I do.... of course, now she says that boys know more than girls, which we all know is obviously not true... but, I digress.
Every divorced couple should be more like us... raising our children together, and forgetting the rest of the stuff in the middle. It's really not that important anyway.
Well... usually.
:-)
Rachael
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