HEY!
My blog, it moved.
I am now a successful Typepad Girl.
So, if you've come here because you're doing things like googling my name... (wow) then please, I insist that you visit the new home of me on the web.

Mommyhood.

See ya'll.
RaYch

SP5 (for *knitting rachael*)
(sorry everyone... one last post before the big move)

Dear Secret Pal -

I won't be posting the answers to my questions here... as

a.) I'm getting ready to move to a new address, and working on that is taking a majority of my *spare* internet time (and since I am a mommy and work full time, this all mostly happens late at night... when my eyes can barely focus on anything... lol)
and
b.) I've already emailed them to you! :-)

And, last, but certainly not least... since I am a new *knitter* I don't have a lot of pictures. Also, since this blog isn't really about *kntting,* I haven't really taken any. However, on the *new* blog, maybe I will be able to post some for you.
Ciao -
Rach

Fairwell, Blogger.

Ok y'all. Let's go! The boxes posts are packed almost moved and I'm leaving.... come and visit the new, more *rachael* home of *mommyhood.*

THE NEW IMPROVED ME

Ciao -
Rachael

more from the *free* photography. story later.

me. eating crow. again.

So. My mom pissed me off this weekend.

No surprise there, right?

Right.

She volunteered me to photograph some siblings Saturday morning. She volunteered me because she said, "Rachael is so much better chasing kids than I am," which to me translated as "I don't really want to be bothered with children so Rachael can do it." Of course, however, I am known to overreact (shutup, Jim and Katey), and so I did MY BEST to keep my cool.

It was, after all MY Saturday morning. MY day to sleep in, wear PJ's all day and do whatever the hell I pleased. After being committed to doing this, there was to be no sleeping in, wearing of PJ's all day... or anything of the sort. I was up and dressed and bitching about it by 9:30.

Bitching, I tell you. And there was no getting out of it. These were the granddaughters of a teacher at SB's school. THE teacher who loved my kid and never even had the Great Question Asker in her class. So, I was proverbially obligated.

Mind you, I never mind taking pictures. I am often annoying with my camera. It's always, always with me. In the bag, in the car, on my shoulder. Always. There have only been a couple of times when I have been without it. Drat. So, taking the pictures wasn't the problem. I was irrated because my mom volunteered me ... after she told the teacher she (meaning we) would do it for *free.* Now, my mom charges upwards of $1000.00 for wedding photography. And she's cheap comparably. But even my mom wouldn't *give* away photography. And, usually, in defense of my dear parents, they always pay me for wedding work - as, ironic as it may be, it's my photos that are bought and enlarged for gifts. Always. My mom does a mean group shot... but I am the photojournalist in the family.

Ok. So, was that enough bragging about myself?

So. Off I go. Starbucks spilled on me on the way, get lost and arrive fifteen minutes late. I only put ONE roll of film in my pocket... because I was making a point. Sure. Free. One roll. That's it.

And then I see my subjects.

Charity. Chloe. Baby sister Sarah.

The most heavenly little blond headed blue eyed children you have ever, ever laid eyes on. Ever.

And, their grandmother has them dressed in adorable blue sundresses... and they have a huge old red barn and an old weathered fence. That's exactly when *Creative Me* came speeding around the corner. She held her hand right over my mouth when I tried to explain I was only shooting one roll of film and explained that I actually had four rolls of film in the car, and I couldn't wait to use it all. I stamped my feet in protest, and *She* kicked me right in the shin and walked down the path to the barn with the ever-so-charming Chloe.

And, while I pouted near the swingset, *Creative Me* disappeared with the girls into the field... and then came back and chatted them up while they sat on the weathered fence... and away she flew with the camera... doing what *she* does best. *She* even suggested that the girls change into playclothes (overalls) so *she* could take more. I was so mad I waited in the car. With the spilled coffee smell.

So. When *Creative Me* was all done doing her thing... I had only one thing to say. These pictures would never, ever turn out good. Ever. They would have the wrong sunlight, and the barn was too big and the outfits were all wrong. Yep. I'll show her.

Yeah. And then today I get the photos back. And when I pick them up, everyone in the lab is waiting to tell me which one is their favorite. I heard *Creative Me* saying "I told you so." Again.

Enjoy the photos below. *Creative Me* insisted.

Pictures from the *free* photography I did. Insert foot into mouth here.

I am thinking of movihg my blog to a new address. Will everyone still visit me there? It's much more "rachael" (i.e, pink) than this blog, and I am ready to sort of, end my relationship with Blogger (oh God, I am doing that a lot lately).

So. Promise me you'll come visit when I post the new address?

Malia?

Janet?

Nicole?

Katey?

IX?

Jon?

(and everyone else, too)

Helllllllllllooooooooooooo?

(insert maniacal laughter HERE)

Good always wins over evil!

I have just tricked the $5000 printer at work into doing my bidding!

Yes, you WILL print this invitation the way I tell you to, on THIS size paper, in this color ink, with no error messages or paper jams... haha!!

*you see, in my world, The Printer is the evil villan, and Paper Girl is the superhero. Her cape is pink, by the way... and she always uses proper etiquette.*

I am such a PRINTcess today. :-) Yay me.

Rachael

my brain is mush....

favorite quilt is waitin'

rain is fallin'

goin' to bed



rachael

rain, rain, go away.

What an incredibly lazy day. It's raining cats and dogs here in Atlanta... more rain than you can shake your umbrella at. And, when it stops raining... there's more rain. I can think of a million and one places I would like to be in a rainstorm... work is not one of the most romantic.

The girls and I slept late this morning... made them breakfast and we all sat on the back porch and ate... watching the rain. Jordin told me my omlette looked "gross," and I told her she looked "gross," which quickly went downhill and left everyone giggling and calling each other "gross." Ahhh... it's quite the life I have.

Jordin's bedroom is almost painted in the new (old) house. We started that little endeavor this morning. I call the color, "Strawberry Shortcake Obnoxious," however, Home Depot prefers "strawberry." The painting of JLo's room leaves only the carpet and actual moving left.... we'll procrastinate that for a couple of more days, at least.

I think I am making banana pudding tonight... from my new More From Magnolia cookbook... it's the one I bought in NYC at THE Magnolia Bakery. Banana Pudding is one of their house specialties... and the girls will adore me. They are amazed at anything I do that shows even the slightest hint of domesticity. Scrambling eggs this morning was almost as exciting as this will be.

Gotta decide if I am committing to going back to school this fall. Shall I finish the History degree I started, or just continue to put it off .... ? Arrrg. I hate life altering decisions. So, instead of thinking about it... just call me Scarlett... "I'll think 'bout that tomorrow. " I think I'll tuck myself away somewhere this weekend while the girls are gone and just watch movies... I made a list of all the ones I've been wanting to watch and haven't had time for... I'm thinking of maybe "The Aviator." Got a trusted review. And how can one woman go wrong with Leo? (don't answer that, please)

Rachael

Jordin. In a persistent cartwheel state.

Mysterious Trip cancelled.
Many things realized.
Moving on.

I am a Sometimes Country Music Girl. This was on my radio today. Fate, I ask you?

I've dealt with my ghosts
And faced all my demons
Finally content with the past I regret
I found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with my self
I've been burdened with blame
Trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin on

I've lived in this place
And I know all the faces
Each one is different
But they're always the same
They mean me no harm
But it's time that I face it
They'll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed Home would end up where I don't belong
I'm movin on

I'm moving on
At last I can see
Life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarentees
But I'm not alone
There comes at time
In everyones life
When all you can see
Are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind
That those days are gone

I've sold what I could
Packed what I couldn't
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I've loved like I should
But lived like I shouldn't
I had to loose everything to find out.
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
I'm Moving on

The picture above is my favorite from our wedding this weekend.

This is the father of the bride. His wife, the mother of the bride, passed away suddenly almost a year ago. He stepped away quietly while we were taking some group shots... I thought maybe for a sip of water or to take off his jacket. When he bowed his head... I realized he was saying a little prayer. Maybe he was telling her how beautiful their daughter was... how much he missed her... or how he wished she could be there.... whatever the message, her response must've been comforting, because he wiped away a tear, looked up at heaven, and smiled.

My favorite picture from my wedding this weekend.

funny.
(stop me if you've heard this one....)

so.

my dad. sometimes he's the best. sometimes he's cool. most often, he's everything.
last night, my ever-so-technologically-challenged parents discovered the world of "ringtones." this is trouble. like, of major proportions.
why?
because my mom and dad argue while at the computer. my mom, who doesn't understand why the internet is not her personal magic wand, gets frustrated with my dad, who doesn't understand that just because he couldn't find it, it might possibly exist elsewhere. they can spend hours scanning, editing, searching, typing, and joining. hours. ringtones = hell.

hence the argument that arose when my dad couldn't find the Usher ringtone my mom wanted. (yes, Usher. she's down.)

ok. so, then my dad downloads a ringtone for his phone. he now thinks this concept is a novel one. what ringtone did my dad get? my dad, who's worked for Ma Bell for thirty+ years? you guessed it. the original, old school telephone ring. isn't he just hysterically clever?

so, then he decides my sister and I also need a ringtone. lucky girls. we don't ask for much, considering we're two grown women who pay our own bills and our dad still pays for our cellphones. so, off he goes. becca was smart. sort of. she went with him to choose the ringtone. half an hour later, she comes downstairs with "step by step" jamming from her nokia - her tribute to the nineties and new kids on the block.

and me? my dad comes in grinning like a chesire cat. my phone rings. "long tall sally," it plays.

funny.

cause I've never heard that one before, dad.

like, ever.


Rach

Ten on Tuesday.
because I haven't blogged all weekend so now I must go overboard

Ten Favorite Things to Snack On
(in no particular order, mind you)

1. baby carrots
2. cheese cubes
3. granola bars
4. Raisinettes
5. red grapes (cold, out of the fridge)
6. Wheat Thins
7. PopTarts (the girls favorite; not just a breakfast food anymore)
8. NutriGrain bars, blueberry (always one in the purse)
9. air popped popcorn (the Archer Farms brand, you can buy on the snack food aisle at Target, thanks Katey!)
10. "white" Trail Mix (also bought at Target... yummy!)

Princesses Return.
They spent the long holiday weekend with dad.... you can read more about their adventures here. If you want the short version, there were many cartoonish wild animals, Jim's realization that he is not "a winner," and lots of table hockey. They came home happy and exhausted. And dirty. So dirty, in fact, that Jim pre-empted their arrival home with a phone call to warn me of their dirtiness. He's never done this, so I knew it had to be bad. Two days, people. Two days since the little darlings had graced the interior of a bathtub or shower. In the past, I think I would have been pissed. Completely. The Princesses dirty? Never! However, I found myself strangely calm and just glad to know they'd had fun. I'm not sure I'm ok with that reaction, however, *Nice Rachael* told me to just shutup and go with it. *Nice Rachael* is often nice and charming, which confuses people. Especially me.

So, when they arrived home, I decrusted them in the shower, cleaned out their fingernails and toenails, made them brush their teeth forever, and them tucked them into bed. They were snoring in five minutes.

Hasn't anyone told them snoring isn't ladylike?

House of Wax.
a cultural obligation

More like, please, please don't waste your money... less House of Wax, and more "watch me chase Chad Michael Murray and Elisha Cuthbert through this old town with my knife...."

One redeeming quality ... Paris Hilton, she gets killed. However, only after about THREE million references to the "sex tape" scandal. She died about 1.5 million references too late.

I was more impressed with the previews, and must shamefully admit that because of my unrelenting crush on Johnny Knoxville, I'll have to see Dukes of Hazzard.

I am slightly depressed. Instead of weekend away, I spent Friday on a "date" with my surfing sister, Becca. Love Becca. Need a life.

Ciao.
Rach

Men.
It starts early, girls.

There have only been a few moments in life where I have cussed for not having my camera. This morning was one of those moments.

JLo and I arrived late to preschool. Today is the last day, and since "graduation" has already taken place, the past few days have been play days... today being "Field Day." You know, lots of games and waterguns and dirt.

About three months ago, construction began on the new SuperWalMart across the small, one way street from Jordin's school. This involves many bulldozers, backhoes, tractors, dynamite, and red dirt (our dirt in Georgia is red, for all you non Georgia types). The company doing all the grading, blasting and digging has been wonderful... met with the parents of the daycare to let them know that they were taking all safety precautions, blah blah blah.

There are more boys in Jordin's preK class than girls. I think something like twelve boys and only six girls. You can imagine the social drama this creates. Each girl must have at least two boyfriends (hey, this is hard to do...). Sometimes, these combinations are switched, shared, combined, etc. . The girls, being the dominant personalities in the class, have taught the boys to play house, dress up and Barbies. I know their parents are proud.

I guess, no matter what the age - men will be men. Because, this morning, as I drove away, noticing the tractors, bulldozers, and the like near the edge of the road ... I looked back at the playground and noticed the boys... all twelve of them, lined up on the fence... hands grasping through the chain link, mouths agape - watching in silent amazement as the tractors, bulldozers and backhoes went about their work. I swear, not one of them was saying a word. Apparently - the girls, who now have no one to boss, dress up or chase - were pissed. They were all about twenty feet behind the boys, in a little cluster, hands on hips, pouty lips stuck out, and wondering what all the trouble was with the tractors. Those boys are going to have a bad, bad day.

What a perfect picture.

Dammit.


Rachael

TGIF
You can tell immediately if someone grew up in the eighties and nineties.... do they know what TGIF means?

Lots to do today. Just in case you're interested.

1. Get JLo to school. We slept in this morning.
2. Take SB to orthapedic appointment regarding the arm that is not broken, yet looks broken.
3. Work. (the subtext that could be inserted here would simply take all day to even type, much less read...)
4. Bank. (yay, money to deposit... maybe I could just donate a couple of pints of blood to daycare for the summer)
5. Pack girls for Dad's house. Think they're going to White Water.
6. Hang out with little sister, visiting from college. (sorry Becca, no where to surf at home.... we're shark free these days)
7. Develop film from wedding (last weekend) and girl scout ceremony last night (maybe I will do something like put the photos in her scrapbook or something miraculous.)
8. Buy film for wedding job tomorrow (beg dad to let me use the new, fancy, digital camera type toy).

Have a great Friday. ;-)

Rachael