Playing my "KID" card
ooohhh, you shouldn't have gone there, honey...


Let me just say something.

There is one thing, more than anything, that I hate to hear come out of someone's mouth. I hear it often... and everytime I hear it, my skin crawls and I feel my eyes start to twitch.

"Oh, you're just playing your kid card."

You mommies know what I am talking about.
You make plans to go out with friends....
You buy a special outfit from the quarters you have stolen out of the piggy bank for such occasion....
You arrange a sitter and somehow skimp on gas money to pay said sitter....
You prearrange emergency phone numbers, hospital information, and etcetera.....
You get your nails AND toes done... cause any night out is worth at least good looking nails....
You buy that cute pair of shoes to go with the piggy bank outfit... hell, you already blew money on the outfit and nails... go for the feet too, honey
You have guilt for at least three days prior to going out because one or more of your children cries when they find out that, no, you won't be home for bedtime.....

And the night of, or - let's just say - the night or two before comes... and your children start throwing up - or, get a fever, or - come down with some sort of wild, rare once in a lifetime disease, that only children get. Or, maybe - God forbid, you have moment of realization about the expenses upcoming for raising said children... pictures, diapers, medicine, new shoes, birthday parties.... It always happens.

You call your friends, with complete nausea over the fact that yes indeed, you WILL forego another night out with the gang to play mommy. You will, once again, be responsible and balance the checkbook rather than live in sweet, margarita or martini denial... You will stay home and clean up throw-up or administer Motrin every two to three hours all night long... you will take care of sick husband.... and, yet...you hope for understanding, and want to cry because all you want is a few hours of freedom.... who cares what it costs?

And, on the other end of the phone... or, right to your face... some childless person (said friend) says to you....

"oh, so you're going to play the kid card......"

and after the feeling of complete abandonment leaves your heart, and you get over thinking that you are nothing but a mommy now, with no friends besides the ones that meet you at the park to chat while your kids run screaming at your feet... you think....

Let me just tell you something.
YOU GOT IT, SISTER.

I am playing my kid card. Let me get it out of my completely unorganized purse, buried under the miscellaneous McDonalds toys, the crumpled tissues, the broken crayons and the empty perscription bottles... ah yes, here it is.

My KID CARD.

And, sweetie - while we're talking about me playing my kid card, let's turn it over and read the back....

You see, DEAR, I have wiped so many behinds, snotty faces, tears, dirty hands and crumb ridden little mouths that I got this special membership. It didn't cost anything - not a dime... unless of course, you count the endless nights mothers spend trying to figure out how to make it all work, how to afford the school pictures, the cool tennis shoes, the best bookbag, and the most fun birthday party ever.... or, unless the countless tears mothers shed while watching their baby leave on the first day of school, walk for the first time, or just open their sweet eyes really add up to much. It gets me into special PTA meetings, parent-teacher conferences, preschool parties, and the skating rink on school nights... however, there are no spa memberships, frequent flier miles, or Jeffery Dollars awarded for using it at certain stores. I don't get a statement each month, unless that is, you count the reciepts I save from buying groceries, paying the pharmacy, or buying Circus tickets. Minimum payment is next to nothing, unless you really sit down and add up the cost of raising children... school, movies, clothes, food, toys, etc. . And, the only requirements of membership are my unconditional love... even when I really want to be somewhere ANYWHERE else on the planet. No matter how many snotty noses, dirty diapers, accidents, booboos, or tears... I just have to love them the same.

What? You're right... having this card doesn't get you much... unless you count....

• the first time you get to hold your newborn in your arms
• watching all those milestones, first smile, first word, first steps
• sending them off to Kindergarten for the first time, despite shedding mass amounts of tears
• having a best friend(s) that are smaller than you, constantly want to be with you, and think you are the greatest at everything
• watching them write their name for the first time (or, in Jordin's case, just not writing it backwards for the first time... God bless her)
• getting excited about buying Christmas toys
• throwing the first... and then numerous fabulous parties surrounded by your child's friends
• watching them tap across the stage at the first recital
• play their first notes on the piano
• bring home their first "art" project
• go to the first school function
• tell the first bedtime story
• going to see Santa for the first time
• having someone with you who thinks you look great in everything
• helping with the first math problem
• seeing the first "A"
• driving carpool everyday
• buying your first size three soccer ball
• tying the first tap shoes
• introducing them to the ocean
• building your first sandcastle
• neverending mini supplier of endless hugs
• having the same person crawl into your bed at 4AM every morning
• realizing you can't sleep without hearing them breathe three doors down the hall
• buying their first matching outfits
• loosing the first tooth
• forgetting to have the tooth fairy visit
• 
  the list could go on and on, honey. And, really - I guess those don't add up to very much... unless you think EVERYTHING is very much at all.

And, to the friends who have always understood, and loved me and my girls even more... I CANNOT WAIT till you have your sweet ones to share with me.... until then, PLEASE - feel free to borrow mine anytime.

Rachael

Carrying the "KID" card...
a rant on membership into the elite society...

This post will have to be a work in progress. Go and read my friend MALIA'S blog, and find out what I am going to rant about for at least the next few paragraphs. I absolutley love despise people who say things like this .... more later. Right now, I have to go wipe snotty noses and learn more Japanese..... just using my special "kid" card again.

Rachael

International Week
At least at our house, anyway.

So, so far this week we have three Japanese people, and by the end of the week we'll have four at our house - all for the big wedding. I've taught the girls how to say "thank you" in Japanese... A-R-I-G-A-T-O.... now, they've also learned "goodnight," "let's eat," and "Good Morning," as well. We're on a roll for most International Family Award, I'm sure... at least, by the number of stares our mixed family got in Kroger this morning, we're at least on the way.

Rachael

Winter Break
or, every parent's worst nightmare

Here we are again. Or, um - here we are for the first time, enjoying the freakin miserable ever-so-lovely concept of Winter Break. I must hand it to the Paulding County School System... once again - making us parents proud.

Who came up with this monstrosity of an idea? Did that person order miserable crappy weather at the same time? I'm just curious, that's all. I am pretty sure the person who planned this either, a. has a house in Aspen we don't know about... or, b. has no children of their own at home.

Productive? Oh yes. Let me just tell you. So far, the snotty nose girls and I have slept in until 10 AM, stayed in our PJ's until I basically forced them to dress, watched a movie (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) in the completely dark living room, and now - are preparing to have lunch at approximately 2:30 PM or so, give or take my blogging minutes.

So far - the day has been promising. Sarah Beth has marked her territory downstairs, claiming her entire bedroom area as "off limits" to Jordin. This of course involves much shouting and pushing. Then, Jordin has brought her entire toy collection it seems, upstairs to the spotlessly clean living room, and proceeded to turn said area into her own "Diva Dressing Room," complete with plastic Barbie hairdryer.... which I have no batteries for.

This all comes after a weekend debacle with Jim, Jordin and the ballet.... as well as my personal experience with Sarah Beth in Limited Too. Cursed is the person who owns that chain of stores. My wallet started screaming in agony when we went in. Call me a Target girl, but I just don't understand why my eight year old needs blue jeans that cost more than her six foot tall mommy's? Do you?

(more later. must do lunch before DFCS shows up)


Rachael

Oh Atlanta... I hear you callin'....
This came to me by email... so true it's scary.

This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, who has ever lived in Atlanta, has visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knows anyone who lives in Atlanta, knows anyone who has ever visited Atlanta or anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta is composed mostly of one way streets. The only way to get out of
downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach Greenville, South Carolina. All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase, "When you see the Waffle House." Except that in Cobb County, all directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken and..." Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused with Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Place, Peachtree Lane, > Peachtree Road, Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Run, Peachtree Trace, Peachtree Avenue, Peachtree Commons, Peachtree Battle, Peachtree Corners, New Peachtree, Old Peachtree, West Peachtree, Peachtree-Dunwoody, Peachtree-Chamblee, or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask anyone for directions they will always send you down Peachtree. Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. That's all we drink here, so don't ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola. And even then it's still "Coke." A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola, or pop...it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor.

Example: "What kinda coke you want?"

Gate One at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport is 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch. It's impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street you started on. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a "scenic drive" and has posted signs to that effect, so that out-of-towners don't feel lost...they're just on a scenic drive."

The 8:00 AM rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM. The 5:00 PM rush
hour is from 3:00 to 7:30 PM. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon, and lasts through 2:00 AM Saturday.

"Sir" and "Ma'am" are used by the person speaking to you if there's
a remote possibility that you're at least 30 minutes older than they are.

A native can only pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue one way, so do not
attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation "pahnss duh LEE-on"

The fall of a raindrop makes everyone forget all traffic rules. If a single
snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days, and it's on all the
TV channels and radio stations as a news flash every 15 minutes for a month. All the grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer. If there is a remote chance of snow, and if it does snow, people will be on the corner selling "I survived the blizzard" tee-shirts, not to mention the fact that all schools will close at the slightest possible chance of snow.

The pollen count is off the national scale for unhealthy, which
starts at 120. Atlanta is usually in the 2,000 to 4,000 range. All roads, vehicles, houses - everything - is yellow from March 28th to July 15th. If you have any allergies, you will die. But other than that, it's a great place to live!

There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia.

There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a couple
no one's ever seen before.

"Onced" and "Twiced" are actual words.

It is not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.

There ain't no such thing as "lunch." There's only dinner - and, then, there
is supper.

'Jeetyet?' is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat yet?"

You install security lights on your house and garage - and then leave both
unlocked.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution covers national and international news on one page, but need 6 pages for local gossip and sports.

You know whether another Georgian is from north Georgia, south Georgia or middle Georgia as soon as they open their mouth (Albany = All benny)

Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite past time known as "goin wal-martin" or "off to Wally World"

Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're
2.

I found this to be oh so very true about we Atlantans. I really do say "Wally World." For the longest time, SB thought it was an amusement park.

Not so bad after all.
So. I was going to post old romantic stories for you... but I got a little distracted.
Distracted because I came home and found flowers and candy... just for me... and from a member of the opposite sex who is not Jim or my dad. Yay.
More later. Must deal with the ailing SB. Fever, headache. Fun.

The incredibly happy
Rachael

valentines day hell....
I hate today. Check back later and I will post some fun stories about Valentines Day... you can cut and paste the little topics into your own blog and answer the questions with your own stories! :-) Hve fun... :-) Anyone want to send me flowers or anything? Well, just in case - I am working all day today at Dobbins Middle School.... I can always make time for a Valentine delivery! Just kidding everyone - have a great day!

Rachael

conversation
(my phone rings at 7:20 PM on Saturday night, a call from Jim, who is keeping the girls....)

Me: Hello? Is everything ok?
(I alwaaaaays ask this.)
Jim: Well, (sniffle) I was just calling because (sniffle) I am not really feeling too well....
Me: Are you ok?
Jim: Yes, I think I just ate something bad (sniffle,cough)
Me: So, why are you calling? Do you need me to pick up the girls?
Jim: Well, (sniffle) I mean, I don't want to take away from your weekend or anything... (sniffle,cough) I was just thinking I might bring them home early.
Me: Jim?
Jim: Yeah?
Me: Who do you think keeps them when I am sick? Tough it out.

Valentine Sweetness
Jordin: "Mommy, did daddy marry you because you were the prettiest girl?"

Mommy: "Of course."



Rachael

Sarah Beth goes to Washington
Buckle up, DC

It appears SB will be making her first political journey at the ripe old age of eight. That's right.... on March 5th, she'll board a plane with my dad and take Washington DC by storm. My dad travels there about once a year to do his political council thing... and this year, SB is joining him. Having a republican conservative daughter, I guess he thought he should go ahead and start the democratic brainwashing early.

So - Washington - put on your seatbelts... nail everything down. Sarah Beth has a list of places she wants to see, and people she'd like to meet. While her aspirations are a little on the lofty side, I still think you all should prepare yourselves... "why?" reamins her favorite question.

Shell get to have dinner with Ted Kennedy and friends... I am reserving comment.

Rachael

What a life, baby... what a life
notes on my exciting lifestyle

Well. It's 10:23 PM. I am busy being me. This involves:

• waiting on washing machine to finish so I can dry clothes (especially Jordin's PJ's for tomorrow... it's PJ Day)
• making long mental to do list that will never be accomplished before bedtime
• researching the Underground Railroad for a bulletin board project at SB's school (yep, that's me Miss Multicultural Mommy)

Actually, in hindsight, my normal life involves none of the above. No. None of it.

• I would never really be that concerned about laundry
• denial is a beautiful thing - and I often prefer NOT to think about all the things I can't get done in even an unreasonable amount of time
• I must've lost my mind when I volunteered to do the bulletin board. I despise all those PTA mommies, and after all, I am not exactly a multicultural expert.... besides, if I were GOING to do a project, I would typically procrastinate until the absolute last minute.

Hmmm. Something must be amiss. Is there a full moon soon or something?

Sarah Beth's school has brillantly decided to have Vday festivities on Friday instead of on Monday. This sucks because now, I cannot possibly procrastinate going out and letting the girls choose their own special 2.99 box of flimsy Valentines. I used to make SB's... I mean, what child would not love to have awesome handmade Valentine cards to hand out to all their friends? Well, I'll tell you who... my kid. The anal one. Last year, in our private school prissiness... I handmade twenty little sticker books, and included stickers for each. SB was a little less than enthused... she just wanted Spongebob or Lizzie McGuire or something like that. I vowed never again. So, they are elated that they get to pick out their own this year. Whatever.

Jordin is celebrating Vday NEXT Friday, the 18th. What the @#@(#* is up with not just having a Valentines party on Valentines day? What? Anyway, feeling VERY VERY dillusional, I signed up to bring cupcakes and goody bag treats. I am a cupcake freak. THIS is the cupcake I really want to do for the party. I can promise you it will involve me cussing like a sailor. I also love THIS cupcake, but - I think the vulgar language would defeat the "love" theme. I'll keep you posted on how it actually goes.

Anyway. If you want to see more precious Vday ideas... check out Family Fun's website, a magazine we love at our house. :-)

File under: organized mommy
um, at least today anyway


So. In keeping with my new, fabulous organized lifestyle.... this morning the girls and I left ON SCHEDULE at 7:30. I mean - we left together - breakfast in our tummies, both shoes on our feet, hair looking good, mommy not totally ready to go off the deep end ... TOGETHER.

Last night, I washed the rock star hair (dear God, someone please talk me into cutting my hair... I really, really think I am too old for long hair and sadly enough I think I should keep it long because Jim and Sarah Beth think it's pretty) and even decided what I would wear today. Wow. That's a concept.

This morning, I didn't make it up at the desired hour of 6AM - slept "in" till 6:30 - made hot breakfast for the girls (toast, bacon, eggs) and then got them up and fed. Anyway, to make a long and horrifyingly boring story SHORT - we were ready to go on time. YAY us.

For tomorrow - I think I will attempt 6:00 wake up call again - God knows that won't happen - and then go for leaving five minutes early.

If this becomes a trend, you all are in trouble.

(oh, and did I mention we cleaned out the car and reclaimed control of the automobile??? The PopTart crumbs were taking over.....)

Rachael

I have now officially Blogged for 1.5 hours. Enjoy. :-)

things I absolutley despise LOVE about being a single mom
oh yes, it's Rachael ranting again ... file under the single fabulous life


I realized the other day while updating my Classmates.com profile that there is a category I just don't see... you see, currently, my "relationship status" is "single and loving it." I hate that. I am certainly NOT single and loving it. I am actually, single and ready to tear my hair out hating it... does anyone know how hard it is to date and be a single mom? Balancing the two are like balancing crystal plates on your head - and baby, I ain't graceful.
I have decided that there are things that make my skin crawl... and sadly enough, most all of them relate to being single... in order, here they are.

"Oh Rachael, don't worry... the right man will come along...."
Um... okay. But, are you sure? Does that mean I must put up with all the other "wrong" men until I am insane enough to just let my guard down and trust the right one???? And besides, I am tired -TIRED I tell you - of waiting on the "right" man. Maybe... just maybe I will lay my head down to rest for five minutes from waiting on the right one and he will stop by while my eyes are closed... hmm?? What if??

"But Rachael, Jim is so handsome...."
Yeah, let me just tell you - I thought so too... trust me. I know this is the first time you're meeting him and all, but you know, you get over the boyish good looks at about 1.5 years into the marriage. The other stuff, you know -the less boyishly good looking stuff takes over, and your vision becomes clouded. I just don't know what I was thinking... how could I not want to be with someone who is so handsome. Yack.

"when you least expect it, that's when you'll meet the perfect man...."
Oh, dear. What if I have food in my teeth or a bad hair day or a run in my tights or the wrong color mascara? I can't even describe the pressure. It's tremendous.

Of course, truth be told - I actually DO appreciate the things people say to me to encourage me. I am however, worried that I might miss Mr. Right in the crowd..... until then, even though I might say I hate it, please keep laying it on thick - because, I often need to be told that there is a small, tiny, microscopic light at the end of the proverbial tunnel - and telling me that Jim is oh so handsome might keep me from complete insanity. Seriously.

I mean that part about Jim. SOMEONE needs to tell me he has one small redeeming quality.

organization and stuff
(stuff being the operative term here)

So.

I am not very organized.

I know, I know... surprise, surprise, you must be thinking.

Let me just tell you. IF for some grotesque and unGodly reason - my head wasn't screwed on straight - that might be lost too.

I can't find ANYTHING. EVER. I am always missing a shoe, a sock, a pair of jeans, my purse, my carkeys, my wallet, my checkbook.... missing some appointment, arriving late to church.... it seems that, for me at least, being disorganized has been transformed into a fine art that somehow defines me to others.

I buy calendars... really I do. I have a GREAT planner - it's awesome... I have had it for two years now, and I realized the other day (see post about the FairyTale Day debacle) that I should actually start using the damn thing. I mean, I have carried it around PRETENDING to be organized or quite some time. Amazing concept, really... writing down dates and times of where you need to be when. I can even keep up with when I am working in there... isn't that the coolest? So, I am mentally exhausted. Not because I wrangle middle schoolers all day - but honestly because I have been carrying around my planner, with complete knowledge of what's going on this week with me at all times. For example, let me just tell you that:

• Tomorrow, February 8th, Jordin has Spring portraits made at school. (this involves a lot of brown background and a live bunny... I think we'll pass on this one)
• Tomorrow, February 8th, Sarah Beth has a Language Arts test. (I know this because on her last test, she made a 40.... got to retake it and make a 70.... I felt exactly how "Mother of the Year" must feel everyday )
• Thursday, February 10th, Jordin has "P" Day at school... PJ's, Pizza and Pepsi (you know, writing it in the calendar is all you can ask... I didn't sign up to bring anything)
• Friday, February 11th, I am substitute teaching for Mr. Schmidt. (ewww... is this getting scary YET?)

As a small preview for next week, I can tell you that Jordin has a Valentines Day party on the 18th (don't ask me why), and a Field Trip to the Library. Also, the girls are scheduled to go to Jim that weekend.

I am tired of just feeling frantic all the time. Frantic, I tell you, frantic. I hear from people all the time... "oh...." (use lamenting, sad tone here) ".... it must be so hard to be a single mom... trying to keep up with everything....." No, I think - it's no different than keeping up with everything as a married woman - only less man to deal with while keeping up with said amounts of information.... however, as a token of courtesy to all adoring fans of poor divorced Rachael Club, I decided to start at least LOOKING like I have it all pulled together. Hence the actual USE of my planner.

I also cleaned OFF my desk this week. CLEANED IT OFF. I threw away the million and a half papers, coupons, business cards, and etcetera that were overtaking my desk domain. I save things forever... for ridiculous amounts of forever. No, I do not need the Bath and Body Works coupon that expired in October, even though I do want to ask them if they still carry the scent pictured on the coupon... I don't need an expired coupon... hey - I could write it in my planner. These three million letters from the girls schools.... why don't I write the one sentence down I need to know on the appropriate date in my planner???? There is hope yet.

So. This is Me. Rachael Elizabeth Thackston - with a vow to become (ok, sooner or later) the Organization Diva. Get ready girls, cause here I come.

Rachael

Isn't this cute? 

Sarah Beth's Valentines Drawing... hope you can see how adorable it is.... :-)  

Cool? Not so much.
sort of dorky story but I thought it was funny

I had a major revelation today. Incredible. It made me shudder.
I worked today at the new local high school... Hiram High School, to be exact - making me feel as though I was "cheating" on my usual middle school. I filled in for a parapro who works with the physically handicapped children - which was awesome. I laughed the entire day with them... it didn't feel like work at all. I think that is a wonderful feeling.

But let me just tell you. Your normal, everyday high schoolers are just damned intimidating. BIG kids ... HUGE... all dressed completely perfectly and all have highlighted hair and some sort of piercing.... everyone has a cell phone, a car - designer shoes... what happened??

I am standing in the student/teacher basketball game this afternoon - and my friend (well, sort of my friend - we're friends now, I guess) Bo Southerland (that's Mr. Southerland now, to all you laypeople) walks over and stands next to me. Funny, I remember him being shorter... but anyway.

He says, "God, Rachael, we used to be the cool kids in school.... "

I say... "We were cool, weren't we, Bo? I mean, do we think we were cool, or - were we really cool?"

"No," he says - "we were cool. We used to be these kids... funny how I don't feel so cool right now."

" I know," I say, "Me either."

I know ya'll wished I would post something new... don't worry, I am trying. I am pooped... started this week "walking" in preparation for the Atlanta 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer in September... 3 miles every day ... that's THREE miles, people. Damn, I am out of shape. This should help... RIGHT? RIGHT?

I will have an updated blog later tonight.

:-)
Rachael

The Tuesday Hustle....
(begin humming lyrics and music to... "Do the Hustle..." NOW)

Tuesdays suck.

That's right... for our family, Mondays are always awesome. We get up, have a little breakfast, do a little teeth brushing ... and we're off... and usually on time, too! Drop em' off at school, go to said school of choice for the day - work - come home - chill.

Tuesdays, however.... whoa Tuesdays.

The tension starts as soon as the last bell at Dobbins Middle School rings. I can feel my nerves fray almost automatically (I guess for my nerves, this is a defense mechanism at this point in my life), I get hungry, thirsty, and rush out to my car. Off to pick up the tired and cranky Jordin from daycare.... and find her with the 30+ other "afterschoolers", who range in age from preschool to fourth grade.... I gather her as quickly as possible from the monkey pit that is their classroom, and rush her into the bathroom... begging her to go potty NOW rather than later, I resort to a shameful parenting tactic... bargaining....

"If you go potty now, (and not pee in your pants or otherswise later) then you'll be all ready for dance... and mommy will just have to find you a treat."

Shameful, I tell you. Downright shameful.

The ever so cooperative (imaginge that) Jordin puts a three gallon size bladder's contents into the potty - and we change from school wear to dance wear. After asking Jordin three times to take off her shoes and socks, and reassuring her that it's really ok to wear panties under your leaotard, we bundle up and rush out the door.

I am breaking some sort of speed limit, I am sure - but we make it to dance by 4:35, and I am really not sure how.... Jordin skips back to rehersal room, and I chat it up with the other mommies for ten or so minutes... get comfortable in my chair....

OH MY... I FORGOT SARAH BETH.

She usually gets gathered up pre-arrival at the dance school.... in between daycare and dance. However, today - thinking I would save myself some time and skip some traffic - we went the back way.... no traffic - but hey, no eight year old daughter, either! OOPS!

Rush back to McGarity and pick up SB... the wild, Ihavehadwaywaywaytoomuchfun during ASP kind of SB. She comes to me with her shoes off, her hair in a complete mess, and unable to make silence for any length of time. (sigh... the day gets longer and longer, I think)

Throw SB in the car and threaten her life - her tv priviledges ... you know - the odl, getyourshoesbackonandputyourhairbackrightnoworelse routine... run over to Target, return too small pants of Jordin's that have been screaming my name for almost a month now... get the whiny SB a snack of any edible substance.... and go back to Dance School.

Play "hide and seek" game involuntarily with Jordin for almost half an hour - pull her out of costume closet, missing one shoe and drag her to the car. Ever cheerful, elated Jordin talks nonstop the entire way home (all ten minutes of it), starting each sentence with "Guess what Mommy," and sometimes breaking the rule of using a "guess what" within a "guess what."

Peeling my nerves off the windshield, I tow both children home - pull in the driveway and ask both girls to gather THEIR things from the car. You would think I have asked Jordin to catch the moon with a fishing pole - she suddenly becomes very insulted that one might ask a princess to carry so much her two bags in the house. This starts a downward spiral into the wails of "I want my daddy," a usual cry for help amongst children of divorced parents complete copout.

After situating children with grandparents, I grab my bible study stuff and fly out the door to make the twenty minute + drive into almost Rockmart to bible study. And you KNOW I am so relaxed when I get there....

Anyone wanna trade?


Rachael

oh the weather outside is frightful....

but - that shouldn't keep me from WalMart.....

Ahhhhh.... the weather. Winter Storm 2005. Milk and bread supplies are completely depleted at WalMart, trust me I've been. Surprisingly, not to many people buying - just a lot of people walking around with that, "I am so glad we got out of the house or I might have committed murder," look on their face. For me? I rambled through the craft section and then picked up a puzzle (100 piece) for the girls. Apparently, they loved the idea, but not the actual concept of putting it together. Currently, all 100 pieces are scattered about the dining room table... and, I think the dog is eating one or two right now.

What happened to the ice storms when we were little? My girls are so spoiled! CD's, DVD's, video games, brand name clothing, and now.... ice storms complete with power on. WHAT? When I was little, I distinctly remember there being NO power for several days at a time... my mom and dad would cook on the big kerosene heater in the kitchen... yes, politically incorrect. No hot shower for a couple of days - and sleeping under lots of blankets. The girls? They have no idea what that's like... watched movies all day and played dress up. The power is blinking off and on now - SB looks a little concerned when I tell her there may be no lights later.... yes, darling, that means no tv as well.

These kind of days, much like my friend Malia's, are my favorites. We stayed in our PJ's till after noon, and have just been hanging out together.... well, sort of. Sarah Beth went outside at least a couple of times to investigate the ice... breaking off iceicles and measuring how thick the ice on the ground is... Jordin has been playing dress up most of the day... listening to the Walkman and dancing around in her own little world. She made a "hula skirt" out of construction paper, that surprisingly has lasted, despite her constant state of ballet, around her waist for a couple of hours. My dad made an amazing pound cake... and, I don't think hot dogs for lunch have ever tasted better.... something about the cold weather and ice makes all that unhealthy stuff taste good. My mom and I have been working on our scrapbook projects most of the day, and I have been reading my latest book off and on. I am sure by tomorrow we'll be ready to strangle one another with cabin fever... but for now, I am ok with a little family time.

Everyone needs a little sometime..... right?

If not, there's always a trip to WalMart.

Rachael

winter storm 2005
What in the world makes people rush out at even the slightest threat of bad weather for milk and bread? What do you people plan on doing... making milk sandwiches for the next 48 hours?

the adventure continues
(aka... are we DONE yet?)

Thinking I was the world's most wonderful mommy,
I decided to "reward" my children's good behavior with a trip to the movies... ( dear God, Dr. Spock fans, calm down... I don't do it often) I mean, it was "early release" day from school - and I was forced to fill up an afternoon with something besides whining, moaning, and pestering.... yes, I am still getting used to being a full time mommy. It's true, I admit. After all, the girls have been fabulous lately - and I had a few extra dollars to spend on US.... mind you, after this, all few extra dollars would be completely diminished.

So. I come home, make the girls pee as soon as we walk in the door of the house ( you know, BEFORE they actually wet the floor because they try to "hold it" all day... don't ask me why) and send them out to play in the beautiful weather. I check the movie times - and am excited to see that "Are we there yet," is playing at 3:15 at the local (and I do mean local - it's five minutes away) theater!

Damn, I am good - not only are we going to the theater five minutes away (no CHANCE of being late) but - also - we're getting the matinee price!! YAHOO! Only $5.00 to get in to a movie I would otherwise never THINK of seeing. Plenty of time to go by the gas station and pick up the normal priced candy and drinks for smuggling in.... hey - you know, when you charge $4.00 for candy - smuggling is the only answer. I am glad I can teach my girls honesty at such an early age.

So - twenty minutes before said show time - I call the girls inside.
@*(#@*!!
Jordin has on ONE tennis shoe, no socks (meaning that at some point, BOTH shoes have been removed) mud up to her calves, and dirt all over her face.... what has the child been doing, digging a hole to China? I am not sure. So - clean her up. Just in case you don't know, Jordin is, quite possibly - the world's slowest moving child. Now, we are more like eight minutes till show time. Ditch the gas station idea... (Ok Ok God - I got it... stop being dishonest with the movie smuggling... fine....)

Off we rush. I mean, I don't really feel normal if we're not rushing everywhere, so - I am sure that was just God again, trying to make sure I felt normal instead of weird about being somewhere early. Right? Buy the $5 movie tickets, and head inside to begrudingly buy movie theater popcorn and candy. $4.75 per kid for the kids combo - popcorn, drink and candy of their own... really, honestly, not a bad deal for the price. Ok, we'll take that. The lady behind the counter must not have kids. I am sure of this. Because, after preparing said snacks - she informs us that today, they don't have candy for the kids - it's cookies instead. Sarah Beth shoots me a death look - and I quickly reassure her... don't worry, it'll be great! Thinking the cookies are of course, something BESIDES the $.50 pack of animal crackers she is putting with their snacks.

More of the death look from SB. Then, Jordin sends same look.

Guilty mommy syndrome is now in full swing.

So, I buy a $3.25 bag of candy to share. The girls are happy -and, after spending $24.00 on just snacks and drinks - I need some medication. We head off to the theater. SB speaks to some friends from school, and we find our seats. I decide I really would like butter on my popcorn, despite promised better health habits... so, since the movie is late getting started (could have saved me some of that $24.00 ) we go back out for butter.

At this point, I had already made the observation that Jordin was doing an unusually good job at being graceful. I mean, the norm for the child is to spill, trip, twirl, or collapse into something... but, she made it all the way to her seat with that whole snack tray setup. I am content... smiling, actually - and heading for artificial butter. Then, behind me... I hear the sound of spilling popcorn.... alas, Jordin. The sound of spilling popcorn, by the way, is closely related to the sound of change being flushed down the toilet.

I share my popcorn (the only thing that prevented complete meltdown) with Jordin. She, however, is actually quite happy with the $.50 Animal Crackers we were able to retrieve from the popcorn fiasco. So, Jordin ate the $4.75 Animal Crackers, shared popcorn with me, and wiggled for the rest of the 1.5 hour movie.

SB laughed so hard she fell out of her seat. No joke - it's really possible. She's graceful like that. Jordin laughed so hard I was sure that she was either a.) going to wet her pants, or b.) going to shoot animal crackers out her nose. I laughed at them. Didn't laugh at the movie.

Want to hear my review of "Are we There Yet?".... don't waste your $5.00. Save it for the upcoming treats - like Robitica... or something like that. However, if you would like to spend an excess amount of extra money, pick up spilled popcorn off the floor, pray your nose doesn't get broken in the movie theater bathroom - or, see your kids laugh so hard they cry - spend the money.... it was worth it.

Rachael

blogs of note
blogging... your very own fifteen minutes of fame....
a little voyuerism you can't be arrested for.... (oh, my - did that just come out of my mouth?)

some links to my own personal friends, and their lives (as seen through your monitor)

• Becky's Blog... Diaries of a Scrapbooker
• Malia's Blog... Hopeful Perfect Wife
• Kelly's Blog.... Useless Chatter
• Queen Peach's Blog (aka Christy, but let's just call her the Queen)

Enjoy everyone!

Rachael

mommy moment...
(much to the dismay of my children)

Ever just have "one of those" days?

You know... the kind when everything could go a little better... when the world could possibly find some small way to throw you a bone, and just doesn't? The kind when you want to wail, resembling any preschooler you know... "it's not faaaiiiirrr!"

Grits in your hair, stain on your brand new white shirt, forgotten bookbags, lost lunch money, who knows where the shoes are kind of a day.

Yep.

So, this morning - I am busily getting Jordin ready for "FairyTale Day" at her preschool .... frantically searching through every leotard, feather boa, and tutu we have - Sarah Beth finally gets frustrated and asks her Grandad for a ride to school ( I mean, the child begins to sweat if she's not there at least twenty minutes before the bell rings....). I try patiently to explain to Jordin that while she would be adorable... she just can't wear ballet tights and leotard outside in January... could we wear something else? Perhaps this? Jordin looks a little skeptical at the idea of my own personal Tinkerbell creation... but she gives in.... .

On go the pink pants, the pink long sleeved leotard..... the white lacy socks, the pink strapovers.... out come the dress-up wings and tiara.... Jordin begins to look a little more interested in the idea .... she's feeling Mommy's Tinkerbell groove.... curl her hair, spray it with glitter hairspray (it's ok that is takes four washes to get it out... it's Fairy Tale day, after all....) Apply some blush and mascara - some glitter eyeshadow... and finally - the crowning moment - placing her pink feather Tiara on her head.

Jordin is elated.

She does look like a punk rock version of Tinkerbell, and I am ok with that.

Rush to school to make it by 8AM.....

Walk into the classroom - Jordin beaming ....

Realize no other kids are dressed up.... and dress up day isn't till Friday.


Oops.


Rachael

Tuesday.

• Wake up at 5AM and realize how warm and cozy bed is.... especially when not sharing it with anyone under the age of eight.
• 6:30 AM - Phone rings... "please, Ms. Fletcher, we love it so much when you come to our school, grace us with your lofty presence and subsitute teach today..." (ok, ok, maybe it didn't happent EXACTLY like that... but you get the idea...)
• 6:35 AM - Begrudgingly roll out of bed and walk upstairs, half blind and desperate for coffee.
• 6:40 AM - Shower.
• 6:50 AM - Wake up girls, twenty minutes later than usual... this causing the anal retentive Sarah Beth to insist she was right about wanting to set the alarm clock last night... she just KNEW I would MAKE US late!! Realize she is a complete drama queen, and move on.
• 7:10 AM - Serve Eggo waffles for breakfast.
• 7:30 AM - Kiss girls goodbye... they catch a ride with "pa" to school on the mornings I work.
• 7:31 AM - Listen to quiet sound in house.
• 7:32 AM - Cut on radios and TV because quiet sound bothers me.
• 8:00AM - Arrive at middle school
• 8:30 AM - Receive warning from other teacher about seventh period class.
• 8:50 AM - First period.... why can't middle schoolers come to class with what they need for the day? Why?
• 9:50 AM - Second period... I wonder how many kids will ask me how tall I am today.... go ahead and write height on the board under my name.
• 11:06 AM - Take 25 middle schoolers down the hall to lunch. Attention moms of middle schoolers - I am so glad I don't have to take these children anywhere but down the hall.
• 11:31 AM - Prepare to leave lunchroom after digesting meal that contains all calories needed by me for entire DAY. Oops.
• 12:00 PM - Free periods arrive! Catch up with high school friends who are now teachers.
• 1:00 PM - Hallway monitor. Once again, Attention mothers.... I am so glad these aren't MY kids.... :-)
• 1:10 PM - Praised by fellow teacher for having very "positive attitude" (ahem - please see 1:00 PM activity)
• 3:00 PM - Dreaded seventh period arrives. After several thoughts regarding making their lives miserable, realize they are funny kids. How tall am I? READ THE BOARD!
• WHY CAN'T MIDDLE SCHOOLERS COME TO CLASS WITH PEN AND PAPER?
• 3:55 PM - Tell sweet little cherubs goodbye for the day. Promise to retun.
• 4:15 PM - Pray that I'll make it to SB's school while all the while IGRNORING the "empty" gas sign...
• 4:20 PM - Pick up SB
• 4:25 PM - Praying begins again. Dear God, at least to the gas station... if you don't mind, that is....
• 4:35 PM - Bring SB home and listen to her read for thirty minutes.
• 5:00 PM - Fall asleep.
• 5:45 PM - Wake up, realize must pick up Jordin from dance....
• 5:55 PM - put gas in car (note: thanks for answered prayers)
• 6:05 PM - pick up Jordin from dance.... retrieve child from costume closet.
• 6:25 PM - Drop Jordin off at Mimi's house
• 6:50 PM - Arrive at Bible study
• 9:00 PM - Arrive home ... hear message that tomorrow is Fairy Tale Day at J's school.
• 10:20 PM - finish blog so we can sleep... and find Fairy Tale costume.

Sigh....
Well.... earlier today, if you could have been here for the thirty milliseconds it was posted... I had a great post. A really great one. One that would have certainly gained the attention of bloggers everywhere... the kids were gone - and it was just me, my mind, and the keyboard - highly combustible when mixed together. What happened to said post? I am really not sure. Some sort of bull@&#*@ about an "internal server error." Yay. Internal server error crashes my complete masterpiece.

What did I post about?

What was so wonderful that I am now posting about how wonderful it was?

Silence.

That's right... silence. Beautiful, blissful silence. Silence in the complete sense.... the kind of silence that you can hear... the kind that you can feel - the kind that makes your head swim with all kinds of thoughts that you never have when always engaged in conversation with the preschool set. Silence that overwhelms you... silence that makes you sit and just enjoy being still. That is what I posted about. It was amazing.

I sat here and blogged away for at least forty-five minutes, talking about my adventures today and how the only sound I could hear was the sound of my fingers hitting the keyboard. How it was so wonderful to post and not be breaking up arguments, dividing My Little Ponies, or redressing Barbie. I didn't have to answer any homework questions, find any missing socks, or decide whose turn it was to pick the afternoon tv show. It was just silent. My creative juices surfaced and flowed ... and flowed and flowed.

Until I realized that perhaps silence can become too much of a good thing. Until I became a little nervous that the keyboard sound was the only thing I could hear, and that actually hearing myself think for once was a little overrated. So, I put down the blog and found a Barbie to dress.... she looked a little lonely.

Rachael

Reception and Open House cards 

Inside wording for the invitation 

The inside of the invitation... too bad the tissue looks crooked... oops! The tissue is a beautiful handmade paper... :-)  

This is the outside of the invitation I designed. 

Wedding Weekend
Wedding, wedding and more wedding.

Calm down, dear reader, I don't mean me.

That would be like asking, if I said I felt yucky... "Do you think you're pregnant?"
"No," I reply sweetly, "no chance in HELL of that."

The plans continue for the wedding of my (sort of) sister, Natsuki Oku - from Japan. She's coming here to get married at the end of Feb., so my dad can give her away. Naturally, this means my mom and I running around town and the general vincinity like chickens with our heads cut off.... Saturday morning we returned to the paper store to pick up envelopes for the invites that I designed... paper for the programs and guest cards, her wedding album, and other miscellaneous things that every wedding can't be without. I have become like the movie, "The Wedding Planner," - always involved with weddings, but never getting married... much less falling in love.

Oh, I'm sorry... that was my other personality - the one I like to call "very-bitter-about-still-being-single Rachael". She's a real bitch.

So... here are pictures of the invitation... enjoy.

Is this really my weekend off?

THINGS TO DO ... SATURDAY EDITION

• Mail all mail not mailed this week (see below)
• Find receipt and return too small pants
• Drop off girls... 10AM to Jim for overnight
• Tell someone I won't be at church on Sunday (catering job, $$)
• Buy red shirt for Sunday job
• Buy envelopes for invitations I designed
• Buy ribbon for invites
• Assemble
• Get mailing list from mom and address
• Find out if LOVE stamps are out yet
• VACCUM CAR!!!
• reorganize girls closet (it's scary right now)
• mail ebay auctions
• finish painting in dining room
• find out when dad can rent floor sander and buffer
• sleep
• eat
  

... sometimes, life is grand.

After leaving SB to finish her movie upstairs... took Jordin down for bed early - she misses her daddy tonight (even though we'll see him bright and early tomorrow morning) .... fell asleep while tucking Jordin in ... woke up to find SB curled up in my bed... on my side - under my blanket... :-) And even though it's mine - it looks more snuggly wrapped around her.

Sweet dreams.

Rachael

A few of my favorite things.... from today....

Jordin: Eww... I am not having brussel sprouts... I hate brussel sprouts. (please, keep in mind - the child has never come close to or thought about the brussel sprout as a food previous to tonight's dinner....)
Me: Jordin, these aren't brussel sprouts, (lying embellishing truth to my advantage) these are little, tiny, baby cabbages.
Jordin: (Perplexed look... as if to say - damn, mommy - you got me on this one... I thought you said Brussel Sprouts....)
Me: So, I think we can try these sweet little baby cabbages, don't you?
(twenty minutes later, as Jordin scrapes her plate clean....)
Jordin: Mom, I loved the baby cabbages... yummy! But, I still hate brussel sprouts, ok?

(note : the same above tactic applies to eating salmon as well... at our house, it's known as "Jonah's Whale Tale".... must be something about biblical refferal and food.....)

Me: (snuggling up to Sarah Beth at bedtime) What was happening on the movie you were watching?
SB: Oh, they were playing bonopoly.
Me: You mean, monopoly.
SB: No, bonopoly mom... say it the right way.

By the way, dear reader.... I love it that people think my children are adorable. I really, really do. Take today - as a matter of fact - I am teaching at the middle school again where dear friend from high school is a teacher.... mind you, dear single friend who has never been married or thought about having children friend from high school.... the inevitable, "So, Rach - what are you doing later? You should meet us at (insert local restaurant name here) for dinner! Wouldn't that be GREAT?"

(alas - I begin to ponder the mechanics of getting myself and two fabulously tired children ready for dinner out.... )

"Friend," I say - "I would love to do that... I just don't think the girls would be up for it... "
"Oh, don't be SILLY... " she says, " just bring them... your girls are just so precious!"

(oh dear me)

Yes... precious. They are certainly that. I can imagine how fun excruciating that would be... my two overly tired children in a sit down restaurant surrounded by single people who have no children of their own. Oh yes, very entertaining!

And, as she rambles through and about the wonderful times we are bound to have together, I begin to ponder the "precious" value of my children at dinner.

• Mom, she's touching my napkin.
• Mom, can I have chocolate milk with dinner?
• I don't waaaannnnt thaaaat... I waaannnnnt thhhiisssss.....
• Whhhhhhy cannnn't I haaaaaaave thaaaaat?
• Well, SHE got it!
• Why don't I have a red crayon?
• I dropped my napkin again!
• Mommy, why does the girls bathroom have all boys in it?
• Mommy, why do boys stand up to pee?
• Mommy, can you button my pants?
• Oh, I forgot to wash my hands.... sorry
• Mommy, where is our food?
• Mommy, what are you talking about?

Yes. That would certainly be the epitomy of pleasure. Note to everyone, the Fletchers dine at home most frequently for reasons left mentioned above. Please add this to the list of "please-don't-purchase-that-sticky-gooey-toy-that-makes-alot-of-noise-for-the-Fletchers either.

Thanks!
rach

YUCK, really?

You Are 31 Years Old

31 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

THE TO DO LIST ...continued
(these are from Monday's list)
Return the too big pants... buy new fitting pants. (um... where is the ^&!@^!& receipt?)
Finish my new book.... My Antonia....
Blog
Laundry
finish bible study homework

and now, the new stuff

• mail IRS form
• mail student loan form
• mail postcard invitations to scrapbook party
• check in with "singles" to make sure we're on for this weekend
• balance checkbook
• fill out SB's reading sheet
• find out if SB can still buy a yearbook

ARGGG! Why is so much stuff left over!!??

Rachael

...and one more thing....

... and this is important. Maybe the most important thing you will read today.

(there is a link below - you just have to read through my fluff for a while to get to the point, ok? Do me just this one favor. )

I have a lot of politically minded friends... :0) To my admiration and surprise, some of them you couldn't have paid me to believe they would ever be so... (ahem... Kelly... :-) ) I get emails every day from friends (and oh yes, my former MIL) directing me to their latest find - the latest bit of information or news... all of which I read and remain grateful for receiving... you can't be and educated citizen - or responsible voter - without knowing as much as you can take in - from all the angles.

So... I'll just tell you. I am about as conservative Republican as they come. I don't know how this happened - my dad is as flaming southern Democrat as they come. (This makes for much discussion during dinnertimes and election years) I am a supporter of our President (W) and, most importantly, supportive of our troops overseas right now. I have a dear, dear friend who is there - waiting ever so patiently to come home to his wife, new son, and children - and even he has shared with me the importance of knowing that America is behind him.

However, as you read the following - put your political beliefs aside for the time being. Democrat, Republican, Kerry, Bush - whatever... just take a deep breath and take in what you are about to read. I found the link to this blog on another friend's site.... the link title caught my eye - and, being a selfish American - I went right to it, thinking I would find the online journals of an AMERICAN family in Baghdad... what fun it would be to read about their adventures. What I found was quite the opposite. These are the journals of a mother and her sons... currently voluntarily displaced from their home, traveling the middle East and Europe as they wait for safety in thier hometown. The mother, Faiza, is the main writer - (though you can link to her college age sons sites as well.) A mother who has sent her boys from their home to college - specifically away from Baghdad. Their lives have been rocked by explosions, gunfire, casualties, and strife. These are her journals as she travels, as she worries about the upcoming elections in Iraq, and as she longs for home. They are a middle class family - with the father owning his own company - three sons - and Faiza - who seems very well spoken and much more educated than I.

I found it tearjerking - imagining my comfy life here in the states... insulted to think that this would never happen here or to me. Imagining sending my girls to far away foreign lands - keeping them from the familiarities of home. Faiza misses the simple things - dinnertimes, the market, her neighbors... and says, much to my surprise - that many Baghdad natives have left home, spreading themselves throughout the middle East and Europe - waiting to come home.

What did I find most intriguing? The things, as an American - I had never thought about. Imagine an election in your country for the FIRST time.... the division felt between the two religious groups there - the Sunni and the Shi'aats. Also - the fact that I have NEVER ever, had to even imagine leaving my home... my Kroger, my Target... even my street. And, that as I read, I found no hatred of Americans as a people - but a sadness of a country occupied, a country that, despite it's occupation, longs for true democracy.

Did it change my support of our acitvites there? I am not sure. My new hope is that we, as Americans, will be able to offer TRUE democracy to Iraq - and allow the kind of peace that will allow Faiza to return.... HOME.

A Family in Baghdad

Rachael

And the week goes on....
Been substitute teaching all week at the middle school... missing out on what goes on in the rest of the world... as I am locked away between the hours of 8 and 4. I love it, though - and the kids seem to like me, which is nice.... amazing what a few BlowPops in your purse can do for you with middle schoolers.

"Oh.... you're one of those subs that is actually going to make us DO our work...?"

(Yep, that's me... Ms. Fletcher.... the model of discipline and good behavior....)

"Cool."

My favorite question from the week....

"How tall ARE you?"

...and by telling them how tall I actually am -and watching their eyes glance to the floor to see if I have on heels.... I have gained a few "lofty" friends - you know, the girls who were just like me in the sixth grade... tall. They find me during their lunch period or locker breaks for a quick smile and a hug...

My favorite quote to them.... "yes (insert name here) carry that book around... you'll really look intelligent... impress all the ladies....whoa - actually read it and who knows what will happen?"

After having been there most of last week, I realize that there is almost nothing as fun as walking through the hallways to "Hey! Ms. Fletcher! Are you gonna be our sub today?" Or, spending my "free" period in the libary yesterday, reading a book - and being bombarded by the sixth grade English class that I taught last week - all wanting my opinion on the books they were checking out.... they left with my personal favorites.... (insert pat on the back here... what a feeling....)

However - working all week means many, many things are left undone... laundry, cleaning... the car is making desperate cries from under all the "stuff" to be cleaned, and - I think there is at least $135 worth of dance recital costumes that were supposed to be hung up as soon as I brought them home... um, a week or so ago.

Hope you all are managing well this week! :-)

Rachael

To DO List for MONDAY

• Return the too big pants... buy new fitting pants.
• Check with Dad about upcoming weekend schedule.
• Take Jordin to dance rehersal at 10 AM
• Stay for Parents meeting at 10 AM
• Help Sarah Beth spend money before her pants catch fire
• Read my new book.... My Antonia....
• Blog
• Laundry
• Send mail to Kelly's parents in Kansas
• finish bible study homework
• make snack for bible study on Tuesday night
• Ministy meeting at 7PM
• Plan Girls Night Out

And, the dice roll.... how much will happen.... how much won't....

Rachael

Hey YOU!!
yes..... you there... staring at your computer screen... the visitors from far and away.... yes, I am talking to YOU!

This is the thing.

Everyone loves a blog.

We love to read them, we love to write them.

Are you visiting my blog?


My problem? What makes you think I have a problem? I just want to know you came by - want to know that you might come back again - that my life - or at least my life according to my own fifteen minutes of blog fame - is interesting - exciting - worth reading about. I find myself spending countless hours obsessing over blogs -reading my other favorite blogs (see my list below right) and catching up on the lives of people I have never even met. It's Disney style voyuerism in the finest American way... via the internet. So.... tell me you came by... post a comment, add me to your Blogroll... you know, let's be friends! Ok... I am looking forward to hearing from you.....

Girls finally in the bed... another exciting weekend. Actually, despite the constant arguing and bickering, it was rather refreshing to spend the weekend with them ... Dad has been clocking in for a while on the weekend thing. Lucky me.

Bought Jordin her new dance shoes on Saturday... involved MUCH bitching and moaning from me (though silently, of course) regarding purchasing a pair of Jazz shoes she can only wear for two or three months at the most before it's time for a new $48 pair of ugly tan leather booties. However, upon arriving at the dance apparel shop, Jordin spotted a teenage girl buying her first set of pointe shoes.... she was completely enchanted, making all of my $48 worthwhile.... well, at least it was a temporary bandaid. We also left with new $18 tights.

Drank margaritas with my friend Tina on Saturday night at Longhorn's.... ran over to Target to dash in and check out the blue jeans (on sale, thanks Katie Fleck... ) and picked up Jordin two new pairs of jeans and a clearance pair of pink T-strap shoes. ... hey, at $4.98 - I'll buy her anything. The pants, alas -are too big (@#@@#*&!), but the shoes are perfect.

Tomorrow - the girls are out of school - Jordin has a rehersal for her dance recital from 10-12 - Sarah Beth has $10.00 burning a fire the size of Texas in her pocket - and I want to go to the fabric store... of course, there is a church ministry meeting at seven - so, we'll see how much actually happens. Gotta return the too big pants - and of course the damn sale is over.

Drat.

Rachael

..the funny things Jordin says.....

So, I bake cookies.
I read "Family Fun" magazine... and try all the cute cupcake recipes.
I cut paper dolls, and dress them too.
I have a box to organize my extra ribbon.
I can cook a mean turkey for Thanksgiving.
I can fold napkins... know what a complete place setting of China looks like...

Apparently, all this has rubbed off on my children.

Friday at school, during discussion of the upcoming weeks of preschool...

Ms. Lisa: "We have a holiday on the 17th. You won't be at school on the 17th. Does anyone know why?"
(Jordin eagerly raises hand and proceeds to obnoxiously wave hand around in order to gain attention)
Ms. Lisa : "Yes, Jordin, what holiday is the 17th?"
Jordin : "It's Martha Stewart Day, Ms. Lisa."

I think it might be time for less cupcakes, and more American History.

Rachael

Dad's sweetheart 

Swollen nose and all.....
No worries everyone, I survived the day; though it has been a long one.

(yawn)

I was fortunate enough to blessed with some stronger than normal Tylenol medication this morning for the swollen knot that has become my nose. That helped. I went from not being able to feel anything but said swollen knot to being able to feel nothing, and I do mean nothing from the neck up. Beautiful. My favorite comment this morning at church was certainly the old favorite, "yes, your face does look really swollen."

Oh, thankyoueversomuch.

Jordin continues to ask if my nose is sore, though I have reassured her at least three million times that it's not her fault, and that it was an accident.

We had little Cassidy over for the afternoon to play - and considering the 71 degree weather we seem to have been fortunate enough to have, it was a gorgeous day for a playdate.

Bought two gallons of Martha Stewart "seedling" green today for the dining room. Can't WAIT to paint tomorrow.

Ciao -
Rachael

mommy abuse
ouch....

last night Jordin, whom I was picking up early from dad, threw her head back (you know, to be dramatic and swing her luxurious hair around) at the same time I was bending down to help her get her blue jeans buttoned..... her head hit my nose so hard I saw stars... literally. This morning, I feel like my face has been hit by a truck.... thank God it doesn't look like it... I think my nose is broken. Ouch. Anyone have an ice pack, something stronger than Alleve, and maybe a babysitter - so I can go lie back down? Jordin is quite the little nurse, however... maybe she won't try to be "luxurious hair nurse" today.

Saw Lemony Snicket last night... fabulous movie.

First Friday 2005...
And here we are.... at home.

Enjoying my favorite kind of Friday ... the kind where, reluctantly I send the girls off to Athens with Jim for the weekend, and I ramble around the house for a while. Spent an hour in Michaels - lots of cool ideas but NO spending... and, then decided to eat dinner while watching television. Now, I have found a Lifetime movie to entertain me.

Jim wants me to come to Athens tomorrow night and take the whole fam to the Lemony Snicket movie.... this means either

• a long day of driving - then bring the girls home post movie (more driving)
• or, spend the night in Athens
• or, just say no, can't make it this time.

(sigh)

It's hard when we've worked so hard to be friends and put the girls first always to say no... on the other hand, I HAVE to work on moving on. Doing things sans girls.... sans Jim.... I hate the thought of it.

Rachael

Attention Amber Frey ... please go home.
Setting Single Moms back ANOTHER 30 years....

(prepare for "vent" mode)

The Today Show (NBC).

Oprah.

I've just about seen enough, honey. Let me just start by telling you - God bless you. You are obviously a brave and strong woman to stand up and testify, essentially, in the name of a woman and infant you had or would never meet. I don't deny you your good health and fortune, nor do I think you should be called anyone's "mistress." And I sincerely mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Now. All that being said.

It's time to go home. Sell the book, make lots of money... pay your legal fees, buy a new car. Move away from California and build a new life. But please, Amber - go home. I have listened to your interviews with Matt and Oprah - and all I can do is stare in complete amazement... the stereotype that I try so hard to run from is sitting right in front of me. The stereotype that every single woman runs from is sharing her story with the world....

• You really slept with him on the first date?

... and you don't mind telling the world about it? Listen everyone... I had my first daughter when I was 17 - started dating AFTER my divorce when I was 23... everyone understands that these things happen - completely... but when asked WHAT you were thinking, WHY you felt you so comfortable as to go ahead and hop in the sack with the man?

".... well, he had been prescreened by my friend, Shane...."

"... I just felt I could trust him...."

are you kidding me? The DAY my friends start to prescreen men for me - the day I think that simply because my friend set me up it's ok??? Please, dear future tall, handsome man of mine: I am not a desperate woman. Trust you? I hope so.. but, you know -

• You let him pick up your child from school by the third date?

Ok, you trusted him. I get that. Really. However, this makes me cringe. I guess I am just way, way too protective of my girls. You are going through some serious relationship with me before you are picking up my children from school by yourself. They have a daddy already, thanks.

I hate it. I am here - waiting - patiently, mind you - for Mr. Right. I don't mind waiting. I have a checklist three miles long - hell, maybe I am "over" waiting... whatever... and the guys I have dated - wonderful. Fabulous. But these stereotypes of single moms... you know, desperate for affection, searching for a father for their children - they are killing women like me... ARRGG!! So, please Amber - pack it up and run on home, honey. Let the book do the talking, and you can just go back to leaving the rest of us single mom's be. Thanks.

And - single women everywhere - these things are signs that you should be asking questions... as Oprah so gracefully said yesterday - "things that make little pink flags start waving...."

1. only available by cell phone
2. has "water" running in the background every time you talk (Scott said this sound was "soothing" to him)
3. gives you his address to send him a card - to a PO box sixty miles from home
4. first tells you he's never been married, then that his wife is dead, then that his wife is only missing.

I feel MUCH better now.

Sunset  

Jim sent me the pictures of the girls from the beach trip last month... some of them are awesome, and I will post them for you...

Sarah on the beach...December 04 

Back in the Swing of Things
Well, that's it. Christmas and New Year's officially passed, and the girls returned to school on Tuesday. They had a wonderful time in Florida with Jim - and were almost as happy as I was when Tuesday morning arrived. I've finally recovered all living room from PHT (post holiday trauma) and am slowly, slowly getting laundry under control. As I was taking the girls things downstairs to their bedrooms, I realized just how much STUFF they actually have... too much. I think this week, while they're enjoying school, I'll slowly move some older goodies towards Goodwill. It's time, you know?
The girls are adjusting to my more present status in their daily routines. Before, while working sixty plus hours a week - we didn' t do much on the "family" time... I didn't even realize how much we depended on my parents (Mimi and Pa) to get us through the week. I saw them for an hour or so every morning, and the same or less in the evenings. Pa did breakfast, Mimi did homework, bathtime and supper - and I safely crossed home just in time for bedtime stories. Since having my "revelation," (you know, realizing I was tired of working sixty hours a week for people who less than didn't appreciate me and all the money I made them... but I am not bitter, really) I am :

• picking them up in the carpool line
• taking them to the library
• going to Matinee movies
• rollerskating (imagine - six foot tall mommy on rollerskates for the first time in at least ten years... )
• making bubble baths
• kissing the ouchies to make them feel better (ewww... not a glamorous job...)
• doing laundry (so, we have a few new pink shirts and a few less white ones.... )
• reading stories (yes, the voices too)
• coloring
• dressing Barbie (at least sixty times a day; does this mean my children are somewhat addicted to new clothes?)
• driving to dance lessons (where in the #&@^# is the missing ballet shoe???)

and the girls are simply amazed. I am not saying that to be vain at all... it's funny. They cannot believe I can do any of this stuff.... Sarah Beth now wears a watch to be sure we are going to make it anywhere on time, and Jordin .... well, she's just happy to go anywhere. I made dinner last night - you know, actually cooked a complete meal from scratch (which, they didn't complain about, mind you) and Jordin said to me, with eyes as wide as quarters... "Mommy! I didn't know you could cook!"

I love it. May I always be a source of complete amazement.

Have a good day!

Hi Tech Frustration

Things I want to do on my blog but can't figure out.... *@(#*@()#*~!!

• Add people to my "Blogroll," and actually have them appear on my blog
• Make a new, less "free-Blogger"esque template (oy, this would require me knowing HTML, hahaha.... that was maniacal laughter.... I was married, after all, to the King of the Internet for three and a half years.... where is all that now?)
• Have a photoblog somewhere else besides my blog
• Do that cool "strike-thru" thing that all the cool blogs I read have

.... well, the list continues, but not to bore anyone to pieces. Maybe I will go and dust off my library card today and check out an HTML book. Hmmm... if anyone "stopping by" from anywhere in the world has any ideas... PLEASE! I am pulling out my single mom card and waving it around... HELP!!

Beach Bums
The girls arrived home safely from the beach trip at about 9:30... Jim kept sunscreen on them, so they came home unscathed from the sun... however, neither one had brushed their teeth or hair in a few days... ugh. Sound asleep with many adventures to report. More tomorrow. Enjoy the pictures... we have a new scanner!

Look how much the girls have grown... Summer 2003 

Jim and the Girls Thanksgiving 04 

Girls Christmas Photo 2004 

Sarah Beth's 8th Birthday 11.11.04 

Jordin chatting with dad....  

a day well spent, indeed....
(a day in the life of a single mom when the kids are away)

6:00 AM - Body clock briefly wakes me up... realize that because there are no kids home, there are also not seven night lights on throughout... darkness prevails. Turn over and go back to sleep.

9:00 AM - Wake up again. Smell brewed coffee from pre-set coffee maker. Realize there is no one to make breakfast for... turn over and go back to sleep.

11:00 AM - Wake up again. Smell old coffee. This is getting ridiculous. Drag self out of bed as if it's 6:00 AM. Decide that PopTarts do NOT sound good for breakfast. Make scrambled eggs and sausage... realize no one is complaining about no PopTart rule. Enjoy quiet breakfast watching CNN. Still, hear no complaints from AWOL Peanut Gallery.

12:30 PM - Check email in pajamas.

1:30 PM - Take shower. Think to self - I should probably do SOMETHING productive today. Go upstairs to craft supplies. Get out photographs and seperate. Become stingy about what photos to give to Jim.

2:00 PM - Dry hair and get dressed. Sit down on bed to put on socks. Realize - bed is not made, no children to supervise. Turn on TV. Watch COPS marathon. Realize - my life is not really that bad after all.

2:30 PM - Doze off in warm, unmade bed. No one comes to wake me up with insane question about anything.

3:00 PM - Wake up - panic briefly that day is wasting away. Clean out car completley. Gather change and extra $2.00 found in car and go get lunch. Eat and watch more "grown up" tv.

4:00 - 7:00- Work on craft projects like scrapbooking and etc. . Think about New Year's resolutions.

7:00-8:00 - Chat with parents. Eat dinner with parents who have brought me leftovers from lunch with friends. Yummy. Have dessert with dad. He made Fried Pies. Yummy.

8:00-10:30 - Finish craft projects. Help mom look up something cool on the net.

10:30-present - Blog.

New Years Day....
New Years Day 2005. The girls are away at the beach with Jim - he's at the Outback Bowl today... the girls I am sure are torturing their "other" grandparents... You know, these are the grandparents that see the girls about once or twice a year, and then only when Jim himself initiates the visit. So, I am sure they are completely deluged with a million and four questions, not to mention Jordin's usual show of whining and crying when around someone she feels she can manipulate... Sarah Beth I am sure, has not slowed her usual million question a day rate for the two of them, and I am positive both have complained about at least a meal or two.

Jordin left last week promising to return home to share her adventures.... "well," she added, "at least the ones I don't forget..." This clears her of any reponsibility when I ask them about their week, and the only thing they can muster about a week long visit to Grandad's fabulous beach house on the crystal clear shores of southern Florida is.... "I can't remember."

As for me - I spent last night with close friends, watching a couple of Lifetime movies, eating, and relaxing in the hot tub. Eating is not so bad, however, relaxing in a hot tub or watching Lifetime movies - especially the combination of both - is detremental for a single person who is decidedly tired of being single.... watching Lifetime movies is like sheer torture - all of which end with the perfect love story ending - you know, lost loves reunited despite horrible and strange, often decades long periods of seperation, or - the inevitable chance meeting of soulmates on a busy subway or street... and yet I continue to wait.... and, the hot tub idea... yikes... I'll pass next time on the warm relaxing hot tub experience with my sweet and dear friends who were celebrating their eigth wedding anniversary last night.... it was almost like a Lifetime movie... here we are - sharing our anniversary with our sweet, poor single friend Rachael.

My New Year's Resolution this year?? Well, there's a list of em', baby - but, at the top - to find that peaceful feeling that reminds me that it's ok - that someday, somewhere - I am sure to meet "him," and be a part of something for the rest of my life. That's my resolution. Yeah, yeah, it sounds really cheesy and storybook - but it's truly what I seek. I hate the panic feeling that sets in when I think about being single for the rest of my life.... it's scary. Maybe this year I can at least drop the panic thing - work on the rest some other time.

Happy New Year to you and yours -
Rachael

UPDATE - Just spoke to the girls, they can't wait to come home, even though they've had a wonderful time. I am so glad. :-) I've missed them.