Lexi and Allison

very very adorable... and yes, they DO know it...  

yes... you WILL smile...  

bored to tears... or, to dance recital video... little narcissists.... 

$135.00 worth of tulle and fringe here...  

Dancing 

See... dance pictures today... :-)  

The TO DO list continues
Tonight:

• pack girls and deliver them to Jim at Grammy's house
• drive home in complete and blissful silence
• scan business logo; email files to web guru
• sleep (yay, I LOVE this one)

Saturday:

• meet friend's mom at 9AM for coffee to plan surprise birthday party
• travel to Sam Flax to pick out/up presentation materials
• redo menus from catering company (retype, redesign)
• pick up Jordin's new ballet shoes and tights from dance store
• find all three dance costumes for pictures
• meet Jim at 3:30 to prep Jordin (makeup and hair)
• dance pictures/parents meeting at 5PM
• meet for dinner post pictures
• talk to Jim about school-choice for next year (damn redistricting)
• makeup Sunday School lesson for preschoolers and craft... yuck.

Ho Hum.

Rachael

TGIF
I am so very glad Friday is here. Sorry for not posting much this week - I am a little disenchanted with life currently, which tends to stifle my creativity. You know how it goes. However, for the first time in three weeks, Jim is taking the girls for the night and most of tomorrow - finally found time to fit it in his busy law school social calendar... and I am so glad. I love them to pieces and everything - but it sucks being mommy alllllll the time. I think I have forgotten how to be anything else... yeah - I am pretty sure that's a fact - considering I have no clothes outside of jeans and work clothes ... and, when given a "night off" I would rather stay at home and do absolutley nothing rather than do anything else. Maybe I am just too scared. Whatever. I don't know what my problem is. Anyone?
So, Sarah Beth is finally home - Jordin is elated - we have dance pictures tomorrow (oh dear God, a whole post for another time) and - yes, happy happy - the girls are coming home tomorrow night. Jim is flying down to Florida to spend his Spring Break with his dad. Oh - and, how could I forget - I am overobsessing (oh yes, a Rachaelism that existed waaaay before kids) on why someone won't return my emails... someone I haven't seen in - well, YEARS - and yet I am like, losing sleep over it. Whatever, Rachael. I really, really need a life.

Back to middle school.

Rachael

Rachaels most recent iTunes.....
Since You've Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson
One Two Step, Ciara (it's a Jordin must have)
Get Right, Jennifer Lopez
Naked as We Came, Iron and Wine
Love and some Verses, Iron and Wine
Pirate looks at 40, Jack Johnson (my sister and her surfboard)
Signs, Snoop and Justin Timberlake (gotta be able to hang with the middle schoolers)

Democratic Training 101
(or, Sarah Beth teaches Pa how to get noticed in Washington)

Sarah Beth and Pa are in the final hours of their trip brainwashing adventure in Washington. Today, Sarah Beth was quoted as saying that the Postal Museum was "interesting." This was the "big" night - "Congressional Dinner." Sarah Beth was the only under twenty one year old in attendence apparently, and carried herself quite well. She ate the clams and shrimp without protest, and carried her ice cream dish around the room with her as she mingled. Would someone please tell me who taught my child to say, "it's so nice to meet you" ? Oh yes - I almost forgot about her degree in Fletcher Charm. So anyway. Apparently the child was so well behaved, charming and gracious (you have heard her Macon, Georgia accent haven't you?) that they were invited to a small breakfast in the morning with some congressional people and John Kerry. Dang. Pa does all this lobbying, golfing, and so on for the democratic cause and all he had to really do was take his granddaughter to Washington to get noticed. They even bumped their flight till later tomorrow to attend. I told Sarah Beth to be sure and wear the cute hat I packed for her... and those great earrings. Imagine.

This ought to take years to undo. Damn.

Rachael

Blah
I was having a bad day. Then I found this link (*thanks middleschool fans*). The fourteen year olds in my life know how to make me smile, what can I say? Just don't TELL them I think they're cool.

Rain, rain, go away...
SB and Mimi continue their trek across Washington. Mom is exhausted, I can hear it in her voice.

Jordin is crying because Sarah isn't here... no one to argue with, I guess.

Hunter is eating everything BUT dog food.

Yay.


rachael

Washington CD update
Update on the Washington trip: Flight arrived safely in DC (or, CD as Jordin refers to it). Sarah Beth took approximately four or five pictures on the plane, and read to page thirty of her "Because of Winn Dixie" book. Upon asking her what her favorite part of the flight was (you know, it being her very first and all) she replied... "I don't know," and quickly moved on to telling me about her concerns over whether or not she'll have enough film in one disposable camera. We had this discussion approximately three five hundred times before she left. About 498 of those happened before we left WalMart with the camera. Later in the day, another update from Mimi included the news that Sarah Beth has been in the bathroom alot - apparently on a secret mission to check out all public facilities in DC, and make a report to children who torture their parents and grandparents with this practice everywhere.

Maybe they have a secret website or something.

Rachael

So far, so good. SB, Mimi and Pa left ontime for their flight this morning. Jordin and I slept until almost nine, and then went to McD's in our PJ's and shared hotcakes. We have two birthday parties today and a baby shower. We also need to buy new tap shoes. I am sure, somehow - by some small miracle - we'll have time to do it all.

Right.


Rachael

Withdrawal

Less than twenty four hours till SB leaves for DC. We just finished last minute shopping for new books, socks and Game Boy Game. She cashed in her rolled coins and has almost $55.00 pocket money... pretty impressive for an eight year old and her piggy bank. Usually, we call that the "beach money," as she always rolls up a bunch before she heads to the beach house with her dad in the summer. I let her have it now... just for fun. Her teacher has made her promise to "take good field notes" while she is away - so, I bought her a disposable camera as well. Currently, she is out exchanging shoes with Pa - apparently, the old and very wise "Pa" has a hard time buying shoes that actually FIT the child. Could I have returned them? Oh indeed. However, my dad "can handle it," he says, "after all, I've been doing this for years," he brags.

Right. And that's why her shoes don't fit properly.


Rachael

Thought for the day
as told by high schoolers

Me to shall remain nameless senior : So, you're how old?
Senior boy : Twenty. (smirking)
Me: Are you serious?
Senior boy : Yeah, why? You wanna go out or something?
Me: (loud laughter) Try again, sweetie.... to someone besides me.
Senior: That's ok, Ms. Fletcher - I'd rather do the librarian anyday.

Great.

Wisdom imparted by the minds of twenty something seniors who should have graduated two years ago.

Rachael

I just all blogged out. Between finding all my cool pretty dumb canned post topics and completley alienating an old and dear friend - I think my blogging mind is just worn out. I have completely procrastinated packing SB for the Washington trip... she leaves in 48 hours... we have too small shoes to return that she and "Pa" bought together... clothes to wash and weather to check. On top of all this excitement (yes - this makes my dull little life mildly exciting) Jordin and I are visiting old friends in Macon this weekend - which means more packing, laundry washing, and car clean outing. I am so excited.

At the high school today again. Boo. Those kids are just big and mean and spoiled. My favorite part of the day? My favorite smartass (who I had already had a little "discussion" with this morning) got busted in the lunchroom for "dipping." Disgusting. He had to swallow it.... I mean, I guess he didn't have to - but I still compleltey enjoyed that look on his face that was worse than death itself. Ha ha ha darlin... and don't call ME darlin' anymore, k?

XXOX
Rachael

Thursday Threesome
I seem to be addicted....

:regularlyscheduledmaintenence:

:Onesome: Tell about your morning routine. What time does your alarm clock go off? Do you hit the snooze button more than you should? Do you head straight for the coffee or the shower?
Ahhh... the morning "routine" is never routine... the "alarm" (Jordin) crawls into my bed like clockwork every morning at about five thirty. By six-thirty, she is talking up a storm to her very sleepy mommy, who is usually incoherent and just agreeing to whatever Jordin says. Soon, the chatter becomes annoying and after several "tuck ins," (Jordin tucking the covers around my neck... yes, cute but annoying after the fifteenth time) we get up. Sarah Beth is *not* a morning girl... it takes a while and several wake up calls to get her rolling. Up the stairs we go for breakfast - even though PopTarts are the breakfast of champions - I try to make them eat a *hot* breakfast at least once or twice a week. They are amazed that I can boil water... so, instant oatmeal is a plus. I shower, they dress and brush and priss - and we're off. This all must happen by 7:35, as my oldest child breaks out in a sweat if the threat of being someone besides the first person in her class each day looms.

:Twosome: What's on the schedule for the day? Do you schedule every minute or just go with the flow?
Hahahaha... what does "schedule every minute" mean, anyway? Since quitting my work-like-a-dog-sixty-hour-a-week-job in the *city* (Buckhead for all you Atlantans) we have forgotten the word "schedule" at our house... and it's just plain fabulous. I used to squeeze twenty five hours out of the normal day, calling for doctors appointments and teeth cleanings on my lunch, between this bride and that.... now, I keep a paper planner and a pencil, and the world is ok with me.

:Threesome: What do you do to maintain your sanity in this hectic world? Do you find time to yourself each day to meditate, or wait till everyone's tucked in for the night to log onto the computer or settle in with a book? Or, do you run off to the gym and maintain your body while maintaining your mind?
Since becoming a single mom - meditation is found in the most unique of places... watching the girls eat breakfast while I sip coffee from the handpainted preschool mug I've had for eight years, sitting on the porch swing and listening to my eight year old read aloud... watching Jordin pirouette and shuffle step during dance class... those are the everyday moments. On my walks (when they are asleep or away) I do most of my "getting right" with the world - cry - pray- figure out where to go next... and, on vacations - I sit on the beach with my favorite book and my camera - and watch my five year old dance on her stage, with her favorite audience (the ocean). I don't need a "time" each day for my zen - I find it in the everyday moments of life. That keeps me sane.
I am, however, known to always have two things - which somehow have come to "identify" me ... my camera and my notebook... in it, I am always writing the next thing - the old story, the new mommyism, or another email to an old friend... :-)

OK!!! I promise! No more "canned" posts for a while. I will try to go back to the business of being Rachael. Whatever that business is, I am not quite sure. Let you know when I find out. :-)

Rachael

One more TEN ON TUESDAY

Ten Words/Phrases You Love to Use

1) I don't even have time for this
'2) beginning every sentence with 'Like...'
3) ending every sentence with 'ya know?'
4) Jordin, where are your shoes?
5) WHAT EVER
6) Are you SERIOUS?
7) Sarah Beth... are you losing your mind?
8) (to my middle schoolers) Because I am NOT your mama, that's why
9) Jordin... where ARE your shoes?
10) Were ya raised in a barn? (another middle school favorite)

Ten on Tuesday
Ten Songs that bring back memories and why.....

from the good people at TEN ON TUESDAY

1. "A Whole New World," from Aladdin. This was my first "real" dance with a *boy*.... it was at homecoming my freshman year of high school. I went to the dance with Robert; the first *real* boyfriend. I was wearing a HUGE dress, lots of pink lamae', way way too overdressed for the occasion. Naturally, the only picture I have of the occasion I sent to Robert, probably to never be seen again. I will always, always remember this moment... :-)

2. "Today," by The Smashing Pumpkins Today is the greatest/day we'll ever know/can't live for tomorrow/... This was one of the first CD's I bought. During my sophomore and junior years of high school, I rode to school with my best friend, Tinian. EVERY DAY we listened to this song. I really don't know why, other than the fact it simply became a morning ride tradition. There was something about being in that car with the windows rolled down on a warm spring morning listening to that song.... loved it. The whole CD sort of became iconic to me - as it was the first I bought, lots of songs on it remind me of sentimental things.

3. "Cannonball", by The Breeders Sitting in a wishing well/blown to hell/crash/I'm the last splash Ever want to know how I learned Jason (*the boy*) existed? It was this damn cassette tape that started my whole infatuation with him.... last day of school of 10th grade, going out with his best friend, yet could not get enough of this mysterious new kid. Best friend wants to borrow said music from new kid, so - I am volunteered to "run in" and get the tape. In that little ten minute interval, I make it my plan to land the new kid. The rest is history... well, sort of. I actually don't think I really like the song, but it still reminds me of one particular sunny day, on the brink of being sixteen, and owning the world.

4. "Iris," by the Goo Goo Dolls ..you bleed just to know you're alive/ and I don't want the world to see me/ cause I don't think that they'd understand /where everything's meant to be broken/ I just want you to know who I am Even though we are now happily divorced, there is no denying how "much" of my teenage years I spent with Jim. We *learned* a lot from each other in those days, and shared much more than we knew we should. I was busy trying to lose the "good girl" reputation, drowning the pain of losing *the boy* and he was just trying to hang on during the wild, wild ride that was his freshman year at Georgia. All those mornings waking up in Russell Hall made me feel this false sense of knowing everything, getting away with way, way too much. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn't trade those days or experiences for anything. This song was "always" on the radio in Athens - sort of our own version of an unintentional theme song.

5. "Right Here Waiting,"by Richard Marx ... Oceans apart/day after day/and I slowly go insane/where ever you go/what ever you do/ I will be right here waiting for you Funny story. Sweet, precious memory. I had this amazing, amazing crush during the eigth grade... on a boy much, much shorter than me... an amazing, long lasting, precious friendship emerged from such crush... and we became the BEST of friends. I can think of only a few people that I have loved as much in my lifetime as I have loved him. It was my first taste of what a true friendship was, and was one of the only to stand the test of middle and high school, and even a few years after. We used to make these "tapes" of our favorite songs and mail them back and forth to each other during the summer - before the days of drivers licenses and our own cars. This song, no matter what else changed on the tape, remained a constant. He even played it at my wedding. And, as much as it puts a lump in my throat to hear it... our lives have taken their seperate paths - his in one way and mine in a direct opposite. We always want to try to rekindle our friendship - but we are too seperate now to know where to begin... No matter how different our lives become, I will always love him just as much as I did then... and this will always, always remind me of every hysterical, sad, serious, silly, perfect moment we shared. Since then - my most magical moment in life (since my girls) was our chance meeting at the mall - holding his baby girl. :-)

6. "Cumbersome," Seven Mary Three (sigh) /I have become /cumbersome /to my girl / too heavy/ too light/ to black/ or too white/ too wrong /or too right/today or tonight/cumbersome My friend Jason bought this CD on a night he and (now wife) Kelly were fighting. I know this because the two of them were my best friends - and we spent the entire night driving around with this CD in Jason's truck. Bigger than that, really - is how it will now alllllwaaaays remind me of all of our times we spent together. I remember both before they knew the other one existed. I remember counseling Kelly in our fabulous days in summer school on whether she "should" or "shouldn't." I remember too many nights with both *Jasons* causing whatever little bit of trouble we could find ... we were very *risque* and all slept over at my house when the parents were away, went to proms together... everything. They were (and are) a huge part of my life... and this song will always remind me of that night - and every other memory. *love you Kell* Oh, and incidentally, thanks to my advice... Kelly DID.

7. "Meet Virginia," by Train She doesn't own a dress/her hair is always a mess/catch her stealin she won't confess/she's beautiful ...meet Virginia/she never compromises/loves babies and surprises/wears high heels when she exercises/ain't that beautiful/...well she wants to be the Queen/...I can't to/...meet Virginia.... This song was immensely popular when I was pregnant with Jordin. I loved it. Still do. So much so, that I came about two minutes away from naming Jordin, Virginia. I thought it was a great song about a crazy girl with a strong personality, afraid of nothing... I still love Train music... ;-)

8. "Champagne Supernova," by Oasis ...slowly walkin down the hall /faster than a cannonball /where were you when we were gettin high /Some day you will find me/Caught beneath the landslide/In a champagne supernova in the sky This song was *the* song the year I graduated from high school. Again, one of those unintentional songs that I remember being on the radio at a *few* memorable moments that year.... on the way to a secret meeting with *the boy* after leaving senior prom... in the background when I finally, finally kissed *the crush*..... heard when sitting quietly in the room of one of my dearest friends, after finding out she was pregnant..... and, most memorably, it was on the radio the morning I drove to graduation. I guess it will always be synonymous with my senior year, and everything that happened then.

9. "Carolina in my Mind," by James Taylor in my mind I'm goin to Carolina/ can't you just see the sunrise /can't you hear the moon rise... seem a little strange to find on my list? Well, it's one of the most important. If nothing else, Jim is a sweet daddy to his girls. When Sarah Beth was only two, we began that great experiment that is now filed away under special memories... you know, living together in a little tiny house, just trying to make things work. Sarah Beth loved her daddy just as much then as now - and it was his job, per her request, do "sing" at bedtime... he always sang this to her. I remember standing outside the room, waiting for a kiss and hug from *the girl*, and hearing him sing to her. She was so sweet and small then... and we were so, so innocent of what lie ahead of us.

10. "Copacabana" by Barry Manilow ..at the copa /copacabana/ the hottest spot north of Havana /at the copa /they fell in love WHAT?!?!? You must be seriously questioning my music taste now... but, have you met my daughter, *the diva*? Jordin has one favorite song, and this is it. We spent a year, yes a year, singing this EVERY WHERE we went, and even taught her a few little shimmeys to go a long with her adorable three year old self being Lola. We still call her Lola to this day - and I finally pried the red sparkly "Lola shoes" off her feet about a year ago, two sizes too small. I think things like this are precious - and this will forever remind me of her childhood.

Dang. This was fun. ....whew... glad that emotional recap of my life is over.... now, I need some serious therapy....

XXOX
Rach

Lunch
"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch." -Orson Welles

1) Do you take your lunch hour at work?
Yes. Of course. You mean skip the lunch hour and spend another hour with middle schoolers? Pass. I'll take on the lunchroom anyday.

2) What is your favorite place to eat lunch at?
Ha ha ha... in the lunchroom, of course. However, when not at school, I love to sit at Atlanta Bread Company and watch people....:-)

3) What do you usually eat for lunch?
I am a huge salad fan. As a general rule, I do usually skip the normal school fare for a salad....

4) Do you have anyone that you eat lunch with on a regular basis?
Yes. 25-28 middle schoolers full of teen angst and some mean food throwing skill... I have never seen tater tots fly like they do in a middle school lunchroom... with precise aim.

5) If not eating, what do you usually do on your lunch hour?
Read... check my email... blog.... watch "The Young and the Restless..."

Monday.
Wow. Whoever thought of giving kids a break in the middle of February, when rain is on the forecast? Oh, the things I could do to YOU. I really think I heard the Heavens open and sing out this morning when the last one gave me a kiss and hopped out the door....

We're all back to normal now - no foreigners at our house, all in our own beds (well, except for Jordin who insists on being my personal bedtime bodyguard... ) and all back to school this morning. Sarah Beth is debuting her new hairstyle today to all the little snots in her class, and - Jordin, who cut off a chunk of her hair in a moment of complete boredom in the bathroom, would also be debuting a new style.

Oh - and, please pardon this random insertion... want to know my absolutley positively favorite thing about being tall? When people look at you, the first place they go is your feet - to check and see if you're wearing heels. No baby, this is just unadulterated height. No artificial preservatives. I want a shirt that says, 6'0"... that way people don't have to wonder. They could just read the shirt.... what a concept. Of course, then under the number, I would want the word, "no," as in - "No, I don't play or ever plan to play basketball. I actually detest basketball and everyone who stereotypes tall women as basketball players." Think they would get all that just from the "No"?

Want to read a great blog? Go and check out my new "friend" Dave's blog... Blogdaddy. It's a great one - I pull it up to read during my planning period at school, and a big red screen comes up flashing "PROHIBITED VIEWING MATERIAL." So, you know it's a good one. :-) I do love the controversy. You know, controversy like wearing pink fishnet tights to church on Sunday... that's my kind of Sunday.

Rachael

Rachael

New pictures for ya'll
(The Divas and their wedding)

Family traditions...  

Jordin 

The Divas do a wedding...  

My girls have not been in bed before 10 or 11 every night this week.... because of said company in the house, they've been "camping out" rather than sleeping in their beds.... so, could someone please, please explain to me what in the hell they are doing up at 7AM on the first morning that everyone is gone? Anyone?

We have to make three trips (count em, three) to the airport today. The girls and I are only volunteering for one of those - take my "friend" back to his plane home. More about my weekend later.

Rachael

Relationship Therapy 101
too much family time is a bad, bad thing

Let me just explain something to everyone... maybe this will stop further conversations with my mother, my Japanese sister and mother, her husband, my DAD (for goodness sakes) and my own sister and her boyfriend.....

Everyone listening?

Ok.

While you all think I am a fabulous girl (and damn, I do appreciate it) there are few things that actually make members of the opposite sex feel differently. I know it's a shocker, but - here they are in order......

1. I am twenty six years old, and divorced. (this is not average. what in the hell is she divorced at age 26 for? What did she do to the poor guy?)
2. I have two... count them, TWO children... GIRLS. (not that girls make it any worse... but you know, I COULD be one of those scary, psychopathic single women who is desperatley seeking a father for her children... Hello, Amber Frey... "I know we just went out once and all, but you don't mind picking the girls up from school and then taking them to dance and feeding them ... DO you?" I think the average single man my age is terrified of a woman with children... WAY, WAY too much pressure there.)
3. I am six feet tall. (and, while this alone wouldn't usually be a problem, the first two factors certainly limit the dating pool when you put all three together.... a tall, divorced mother of two... scary! However, a tall single redhead in a bar.... that might be a different story)

So. I understand that my friends and family think I am a great girl... supermom... and as cool as humanly possible. THAT makes me the happiest person in the world. It keeps my Superwoman cape tied securely around my neck, and makes those cute blue (or were they red) knee high boots fit EVERYTIME I try them on. Thank God. Those thoughts keep my going. And honestly, I am flattered that everyone thinks these things of me, and that we CAN have hour long torturous, agonizing, make-me-feel-like-you-are-pulling-my-toenails-out discussions about who I should date and who I shouldn't. But, mom and sisters, here is the bottom line..... (I can only say it here cause they will never, ever read it... lol)

1. I am not settling again. (did it once, I'll pass on round 2 and just wait it out)
2. Yes, I am picky. For a reason. (been married to the guy that was shorter than me for three or four years... I am over that novelty.)

I brought this entire thing on myself, by the way. I invited the man I know everyone loves to Atlanta this weekend, even though I am already ready to take him BACK to the airport before he's even here. So, a huge philosophical discussion of my dating life ensued. Yikes. It's a scary, scary topic.

And just for the record - if Mr.Right is reading.....

1. Yep, 26 and OH-SO-VERY-HAPPILY-DIVORCED. (I DO carry a DIVORCE card... lol) I really need one of those tags for my car, like the ones that say, "let me tell you about my grandchildren," that says, "let me tell you about my divorce." Summing it up in as few words as possible... we got married way, way too young when we thought we knew everything. One day, we realized we didn't. Ok?
2. I do have two girls... the sweetest, most cool, amazing little divas ever known to the south. We live in feather boas, high heeled plastic shoes, and glitter hairspray. We ride horses, ATV's, fish, camp, skate, color, play soccer, dance, and everything else under the sun. We exist to change Barbie's clothes, watch Princess Diaries, and read Junie B. Jones. They don't need another daddy - but you're more than welcome to hang out with us. ;-)
3. That's right... six feet tall. If you can handle it, and you're shorter than me... let me know. If not, be able to look me in the eye and tell me you love me... cause I learned early on that I really can't dance with someone shorter than me. :-) Thanks.
   
   Just be patient girls. Someone will think my Superwoman getup is cute eventually.
   
   XXOOX
   Rachael
   
   
   
   
   
   

Wedding Week Update
International Week continues...


Wheeeewwww... I am feeling soooo much LIGHTER after my post yesterday... like I am floating...

The big wedding is now two days away. Might I mention that I love weddings? Not really. I spent a year of my life planning them for other people, and soon realized that I really AM a bitter divorced woman, as well as hopeless romantic all at the same time. It's like having split personalities.

Today, we are meeting with the church wedding coordinator to "run through" the order of service. I am going along.

You know me and my small town redneck radar.... it's been ON all week. First, the stupid people at Regions bank wouldn't accept my "sister's" (hey, it's just easier calling her my sister than explaining away the whole exchange student story) traveler's checks... because, "they are in Japanese...." and they "don't accept Japanese traveler's checks." Well, sweetie - I could understand that ... however, just because they have Japanese characters on them, doesn't mean that US DOLLAR phrase written in plain English, or that HUGE MASTERCARD logo (again, plain English) don't mean a thang.

Hence, I made the teller feel really, really dumb, and the branch manager accepted the checks. This of course, was after a phone call on my cell phone while in the bank to Mastercard Traveler Services, in which I spoke to a sweet British lady who thought my accent was "charming." She spoke with the branch manager(on my minutes, I might add), explained the MASTERCARD UNIVERSAL logo, and the branch manager accepted the checks. No apology to my sister, by the way, after the teller handed them back to her as if covered in disease.

And then ... there's WalMart. I don't think people in WalMart have ever seen or heard of Japanese people before. Did we all have third arms? Oh, no - wait - that's just the stupid people staring and listening to a foreign language besides spanish... I mean, is there such a thing?

And have you ever noticed how LOUD people talk when they think you don't understand them? Two people that we knew stopped to speak to Nats (that's short for Natsuki)... they got really loud and really slow all of a sudden. Natsuki's eyes got real big. Hooowwwww aaarrrreee yooouuuu ddoooooiinnnnggggg????? Connnnngggggrrraaaattttuuuullllaaaaatiiiioooonnnnss.
Natsuki replied.... "thanks - we're totally excited to be here," in her perfect English. "Amazing," she said... "do they think if they are louder my mom will understand them?" No, Emiko just smiles and says, Thank you to everything. No matter how slow you speak, English doesn't get any easier. Get it?

Way to rooollll out the red carpet, Paulding. I am once again PROUD.

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... :-)