Life from a mango scooter

Freaking Brilliant!

2011-12-08T14:55:00.001-08:00

My daughter pee-peed in the potty TWICE today! TWICE! She's just started showing interest in using the potty a few days ago and after peeing this morning we ran out to get her little potties! She's Freaking Brilliant!!!

yes- it was great

2011-11-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween? Yep, pretty great! At least this little biker loved it, and all the sugar.

#15- Hang a picture of the temple in the house and one in Ruby's room- DONE

2011-09-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

So, I've done a little editing to my 30 by 30 list. I'll post the new and improved list soon. Until then, here is an update of two items I've crossed off:

15. Hang a picture of the temple in the house and one in Ruby's Room.

17. Bear my testimony in sacrament meeting.

Done and Done.

I've heard the recommendation many times to have pictures of the temple hanging in your house and to hang one in your kid's rooms. I think it's a great recommendation but have never done this because, truth be told, I'm super snobbish and picky about church art. While the general pictures are pretty, if I'm going to hang it in my house I want it to have a bit more personality. Plus some church art is just plain cheesy- which isn't me. So after chatting with some good friends, we challenged ourselves to make our own temple pictures. If we didn't like others, best attack it ourselves. I'll apologize now for the not so fabulous photos, but it's just so much easier to snap a pic on my phone rather than get out my camera. In fact, I'm not quite sure were my camera is... Anyway, here is what I came up with:

In our front room now you will find this temple.

Here is a closer picture. It's a bit on the small, subtle size, but that's just how it turned out.

And now in Ruby's room you will find this temple.

I'm thrilled with how they both turned out. A bit non-traditional, but so am I.

30 before 30

2011-09-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

So many people are doing a 30 before 30 list- Thirty Things to do this year before I turn 30. I initially hadn't thought I would do one of these lists, but then I turned 29. Twenty-nine sucks. It's that year before 30, where you still are in your 20's but not really. I'm definately "late twenties" and it isn't that I think it's old, it's just older than I think of myself. Also the 20's were a big time of change for me. Get engaged, get married, graduate from college, travel, buy first townhome, buy first home, get a carrer, become a Principal at my firm, get pregnant, give birth, become a mom, have serious grown-up callings... I'm a big kid now. So I guess it's wierd more than anything to think I'll be in my thirties.

I suppose this time of change wasn't helped by my nephew who told me "Wow, this is the first time you are 29. After this when you say you are 29, you'll be lying. Wait! That means that you are old enough to lie about your age! That mean's you're old." Gee, thanks.

So, now I'm on to my 30 before 30 list. I think it will be a good way to end off my 20's and ease into the 30's. Plus I'm a big fan of always setting goals and always doing new things and learning. So here's my list. I feel a bit exposed listing some of these as it says a bit about me... for instance, going to the dentist twice a year is a BIG deal for me. I tend to wait a few years between dentist visits without my mom making the appointment for me and tricking me into going. Some of the listed items are a bit odd and may be shaped up more and I've even already crossed a few off. I need two more for the list so I'd appreciate any suggestions. Now, is it bad that a third of the list items are food focused?

1. try a new hair cut or color
2. reupholster a chair
3. take ruby camping
4. run a 5k
5. learn to swim
6. buy mascara and give it a try
7. go to the dentist at least once this year- aim for twice
8. do something with my bedroom- make it a room I actually like
9. enter something into the state or county fair
10. learn to make a GOOD loaf of bread
11. take ruby on an airplane
12. go to the temple 12 times/or once a month
13. get some kicky boots… that’s k-i-c-k-y boots. Not kinky.
14. fix up my grandpas bike and start riding it
15. hang a picture of the temple in the house
16. hang a picture of the temple in Ruby’s room
17. get a thick belt that I would wear over a sweater and wear it proudly
18. bear my testimony in sacrament meeting
19. do something brave
20. perform a new service
21. get a massage
22. send out family Christmas cards
23. eat at all the diners, drive-ins and dives visited locations in Utah that I haven’t been to: Pat’s BBQ
24. eat at all the diners, drive-ins and dives visited locations in Utah that I haven’t been to: Burger Bar
25. eat at all the diners, drive-ins and dives visited locations in Utah that I haven’t been to: Red Iguana
26. eat at all the food trucks of salt lake that I haven’t been to (really bummed I missed the Great Food Truck Race when it was here): Torta Truck
27. eat at all the food trucks of salt lake that I haven’t been to: So Cupcake
28. eat at all the food trucks of salt lake that I haven’t been to: grilled pizza truck (anyone know the name of this truck?)
29.
30.

It's a food thing

2011-08-21T09:50:00.001-07:00

Oh my neglected little blog.... it's a busy life and a schedule-filled summer. So to start to update on some of the recent news I'd like to introduce you to:

This is a new blog written by my very own husband, CHEF JEFF! I've mentioned before how Jeff has become quite the chef here and here. Truth be told, I never cook anymore. Bake, yes. Cook, no. Jeff does the cooking and I let him because he has become SUCH a fabulous cook and he LOVES doing it. He has also become quite the food-aficionado, taking cooking and grilling classes, acting as sous chef for the chef teaching classes, countless hours of food related reading and watching, food eating and cooking experimenting. We are constantly searching out new places to eat. Jeff is now taking this passion of his on the web with a new blog called Hometown Slop. On this blog Jeff will be trying new recipes, sharing recipes of his own, reviewing restaurants and food events, sharing cooking tips and anything else food. So please go take a look and check back often as he will updating his blog much more regularly than I do. And give him some comment-love and let him know what you think.

popsicles

2011-07-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

The true sign of summer!

random bits

2011-05-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I've blogged, so here are a few bits of what's going on in our lives:

Ruby is a crazy little ham; her main goal at church is to see how many people she can flirt with and make laugh from her dancing, waving, twirling, jabbering, running from Mom, laughing and saying "wow, Wow, WOW!"

Ruby is growing quite the fabulous mullet and her hair is constantly shaggy in her eyes. Good lookin!

Thanks in huge for help from my sister, we have ATTACKED the front and side yard this spring- and I gather from all the comments that the neighbors are incredibly grateful.

Weaning Ruby is NOT going well. Just when I think we've almost made it and she is down to nursing once a day, she suddenly gets sick or knocks a tooth or something that then makes her want to nurse ALL THE TIME. I take pity on her and let her nurse, especially if she's sick and I'm concerned that she's getting dehydrated, then we're back to the start... any words of wisdom? Please help.

I got away to visit a good college friend in Vegas at the beginning of May! Loved it! Thank heavens for great friends who love to have you when you call to invite yourself. Thank heavens for a great husband who encouraged me to go and was more than happy to keep the munchkin. Thank heavens for friends who love eating good food, taking daily naps, shopping and watching movies. I didn't realize how much I needed a get away until a few days before the trip, I took a shower and totally forgot to wash my hair. I hadn't done that since Ruby was three weeks old and I was in the stressed daze of being a new mom.

Ruby has a radar for anytime Jeff or I have a drink- and once she sees that drink with a straw, she MUST have it! Recently Ruby walked up to a garbage can in a public place, quickly pulled out a McDonald's cup with a straw, and started chugging down before we were able to snatch it away from her! Ack!

Two weeks ago we were able to run away to Yellowstone with some dear friends. It was a great time and Ruby loved seeing the animals-- but didn't understand why we wouldn't let her pet the bison. We're such mean parents. We lucked out with great weather and even managed Jeff and I getting sunburned foreheads.

Yesterday Ruby accompanied me into the bathroom. She's done this plenty of times before however this time as I finished up my business, she discovered that I have hair in a location that she doesn't. She proceeded to try to grab it while laughing hysterically! I think I'll go to the bathroom without her help now.

she's got talent

2011-04-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder how my car can possibly get so messy. Then I turn around and see this happy face who helps me. How could this much chocolate come from a small chocolate chip cookie?

grandma

2011-04-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago Ruby, my mom and I visited my grandparents. I had not seen them for quite sometime and I was very grateful my mom had me go. It was a great visit. This is my cute little grandpa. He has always been a very loving man and it was so great to see how quickly Ruby took to him and started playing and flirting. Being a mom now, I loved seeing Grandpa talk like a duck to make her laugh and be silly in the same ways he did with me. Ruby, my mom, and her mom. Ruby wasn't exactly thrilled to have her photo taken and wanted to get back to playing with grandpa. Doesn't my mom look fabulous!

Since seeing my grandparents, Grandma took a fall and her health has gone down hill until she passed away this afternoon. Family relationships with grandma haven't always been smooth sailing but I'm glad it ended on a good note. There are a few things I will always remember about Grandma.

Whenever I had some sort of success with school or whatnot, she and Grandpa were always proud of me and they would always tell me.

Grandma was a fabulous story-teller. No one could top her stories and as crazy as they were, they were always fun to hear. Whether it was her crawling through battlefields while she was in labor with my mother or telling Jeff about the brothels in Amsterdam within the first 5 minutes of meeting him, her stories were great.

Grandma was one of a kind and a true original. She did things her way which takes guts. In the temple, just after Jeff and I got married, the sealer had Jeff and I kiss for the first time as a married couple. Grandma responded with clapping and yelling "Yipee" in the very silent room. Who could help but laugh?

Grandma was a fashion DIVA! Only my grandma could shop at the mall at 5-7-9 with the teenagers and pull off wearing a lavender leather vest with polyester pants. She had style!

Grandma came here to the US with her small family so we all could have a better life. I think she would have much rather gone back to her friends, family, culture and way of life in the Netherlands. But she came here and I'm grateful for that. Love you Grandma.

I think the hardest part of losing Grandma is Grandpa. My heart aches for him losing his long-time companion. He has been so devoted to her for years and now his mind is starting to go, making her death more tragic for him. But let's end this post on a happy note. My grandma isn't uncomfortable or in pain. Everyone seems to be at peace. And my dear sweet grandpa is still dear and sweet. Here's a little video of him and Ruby keeping all of us utterly entertained with a few cups.

a hair-raising, tooth-losing experience

2011-04-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning if you would have asked how many teeth Ruby has, I would have told you eleven. However Saturday night she was toddling around in the backyard carrying a water bottle, tripped and fell, hitting her front, top tooth on the water bottle. Now she has ten. Her chompers that used to feature a very toothy smile, has since gone a bit red-neck.

Initially we thought she had knocked it out and swallowed it in all the commotion of blood and spit- yuck- since we couldn't the tooth anywhere. Today she visited the dentist for the first time who also thought she had cleanly knocked out the tooth. But with an x-ray- that she wasn't too pleased about- we found out that she had actually jammed the tooth straight up, back into her gums. ouch. So now we're doing the 'wait and see' thing waiting to see if it will start to come down again or if the contact sport killed it and it will have to be 'extracted'- yuck and ouch. So here's hoping she will get her baby front tooth... again.

It's times like that when I feel totally unqualified to be a mom. Yes I dealt reasonably well with it, but at those times I want an EMT, Nurse, Fire fighter, Doctor, Dentist, and full staff of trained professionals including a Gymnast, a Tight-End or a Wide Receiver on staff that can quickly swoop in and catch Ruby. I need to wrap that kid in bubble wrap so that when she thinks she can climb her dollhouse or rocking moose, she can bounce back a bit. Not entirely reasonable, but it doesn't mean I still don't want it. Thankfully I have good family and friends that fill most of those job descriptions, including a husband giving blessings, one sister that happened to be her for the collision and another who tagged along to the dentist to help distract Ruby -and let's be honest, distract me- from what was going on. But just in case anyone knows of an out-of-work Wide Receiver, let me know. Maybe if the NFL lock out continues, I'll be in luck.

they love eachother

2011-03-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

can't you tell?

pigtails or horns?

2011-02-28T20:49:00.001-08:00

it's valentines day!

2011-02-14T10:18:00.001-08:00

so treat yourself to some sugar!

hard worker

2011-02-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

I am fortunate enough to be able to do some of my work from home. When I do, Ruby loves to help. Like when she filed some business cards of contacts from a recent meeting:

I suppose the other half is filed away in her diaper... helpful girl.

well isn't that just special

2011-01-28T14:57:00.001-08:00

I was discussing with my sister this afternoon how there are some days where you just don’t try, because what you look like right then, is as good as its going to get that day. She had toothpaste down her shirt as I was inspecting the myriad of snot and Ruby-face-mess all over mine. Realizing that I had not remedied the snot smear down the back of the arm of my shirt that a sister at church had pointed out to me as I left the building last Sunday, I opened the Dove Chocolate my sister had just given me:

Ya, right. I’m really feeling it. Who knew that Dove had sarcastic chocolate-

because i think we're good lookin'

2011-01-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

I'm just a little proud of our new family photos we had taken before Christmas. Our friend Carlye Morgan took them and did a fabulous job. Ruby was a total ham- which is usually no surprise since she's such a flirt, but with only a mini nap I didn't know what to expect. Here are a few of the faves.

blogworthy

2011-01-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

On advice of council, I'm sharing my morning yesterday. Start with me- I'm lying in bed, knowing I need to get up. I hear Ruby playing in her crib happily so I decide to take just a few more minutes before getting going. Ruby had after all fallen asleep the last night in her clothes on the way home from my sisters house and I decided she could just sleep in her clothes and I would be that much further ahead in the morning by not having to get her dressed- bonus. I finally get up to collect my happy baby and notice the ankle of her pant leg is wet. I suddenly remember my sister telling me last night that she didn't change Ruby's diaper while she had her and quickly do the math, realizing that she has had the same diaper on since 3pm- over 17 hours earlier. oh. Ruby, not just her ankle, is COVERED in pee. I start to strip her down and discover her antibiotics she is taking for an ear infection have resulted in a fabulously POOPY diaper as well that is EVERYWHERE other than in her diaper. Ruby is much displeased at being stripped as our usual routine is to nurse and have breakfast after she wakes up. In her displeasure, pee and poop covers the both of us. Cue my boss calling me with questions. And my discovery of two of our fish newly died in their bowl in the bathroom-yes, we keep our fish in the bathroom. At this time I give up on working out with my friend and text her the news. This buys me more time to clean up before I am to head down to my sisters house. In our nastiness, I nurse Ruby, get my boss's message, and feed Ruby hummus for breakfast- she is of course covered in pee, poop and hummus now. Good combination. It all looks the same. I get ready to take Ruby into the bathroom to shower, and step in kitty poop on the floor. Great. I deal there, then head into the bathroom, realizing I haven't dealt with the dead fish. I don't have a fish net so run to the kitchen, grabbing a measuring cup to fish out the two floaters. The first cup I find is a big cup, and when I plunge it into the dirty fish bowl, it floods poopy fish water and dead fish all over the bathroom. I grab kitchen tongs and towels to dispose of the dead fish and nasty water everywhere, grab the remaining two live fish with my hand and plop them into a pitcher of water and dump the remaining nasty water away. Ruby and I finally jump into the shower together to get nice and clean. I get out of the shower with Ruby to realize that I didn't grab any clean towels and only have poopy fish towels on the floor. Ruby and I stand there dripping wet and do our best not to make a total wet mess by using a couple small hand towels to semi-dry. I then realize that I haven't fed the fish and decide now, dripping wet naked, is a good time to feed them so I don't forget later. I feed the fish as Ruby wipes her super snotty nose on my naked chest. I've had enough of her bodily fluids this morning and cringe back, spilling smelly dry fish food flakes all over us which expertly clings to Ruby's and my wet naked bodies. Ahh. I scream Ahh. Ruby copies my scream. Ahh. My super-responsive mom body responds by squirting breast milk all over our "clean" naked wet fish food covered bodies. I give up. I throw clothes on our fish food and snot covered bodies, decide to forget the mess EVERYWHERE and leave, stepping in the poopy diaper I threw outside the back door on my way out. I don't care or even check to see if anything stuck to my shoe and walk on the grass, hoping it will remove any newly gained souvenirs. the end.

as cute as a christmas card

2010-12-18T21:59:00.001-08:00

oh wait, this was our christmas card... if you didn't get one

i'm sure it got lost in the mail...

merry christmas!

The Inagural Smore Fest

2010-11-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

Before Halloween, (I know I'm a tad behind) my brilliant friend Stephanie and I threw a party- A Moonlight Smore Party to be exact. Because, really who doesn't love Smores? Stephanie is an amazing blogger and documented the invitations and party on her blog. Click on over and take a look. With a mask competition, Smores bar with unusual and fabulous fix'ns, spooky music, glow sticks, and a few rounds of marshmallow baseball, it's safe to say that fun was had by all. I believe that this was the first of what I hope to be many Smore Fests!

I've got some work to do

2010-11-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

--R. Heinlein ("Lazarus Long")

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

So, Canada, Eh?

2010-08-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Some would consider embarking on a 1900 mile road trip with a 6 month old as courageous, some would consider us stupid- both are probably right. But Ruby did beautifully as we headed up to Pentiction, British Columbia for a family reunion. The town sits between two lakes so Ruby had a ton of beach time & loved it all, especially the water- proving yet again that she is more Jeff's child after all.

Chef vs. Handy Ma'am

2010-07-06T22:14:00.000-07:00

It seems some people are surprised by Jeff and me, but we make an odd but good match.

Example: As mentioned before, Jeff has become quite the chef- and I love it! He's finishing up an 8 week series of classes entitled 'the fine art of cooking'. I've loved eating his homework, such as the steak with roasted asparagus and bernaise sauce shown above. So Jeff's birthday was last week and mine is today (happy birthday to me!)

Jeff received for his birthday: a digital cooking scale, meat thermometer, a long apron to go with his chef's coat, bamboo cutting board, and citrus zester.

Rachel received for her birthday: new screwdriver set, new level (my old one is lost somewhere in a wall of our basement), and a big old Home Depot gift card- YES!

Happy Birthday Chef!

2010-06-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

A big Happy Birthday to Jeff! We love you!
From Rach & your Ruby Sous Chef

grass!

2010-06-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

ya know how most babies hate the feel of grass? i thought i'd let ruby sit on the grass and be entertained as she cringed and hated it (i'm an evil mom, i know). but did she hate it? nope- she loved it. that kid never ceases to surprise me.

it's all downhill from here

2010-06-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

this afternoon ruby would not be pleased- by anything! she didn't want to eat, sleep, play, jump, sit by herself, didn't like her toys, books, exersaucer, swing, floor gym, bouncy seat... nothing. and she definitely didn't like me. so in a moment of desperation i resorted to clifford. the large canine happened to be on pbs and calmed ruby right down. this is the beginning of something bad.

random ruby photos

2010-05-05T11:47:00.001-07:00

well then...

2010-04-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

It's been an odd couple of weeks. One of those twilight, out of body confusion, wierd times.

3 weeks ago: my mom emailed us from her mission that she hasn't been feeling well. In two months time she had lost her appetite and a bunch of weight but had some sort of mass in her stomach.

2 1/2 weeks ago: Tuesday: mom had a CAT scan, saw her military doctor and spoke with the mission doctor. He was very concerned with the results and sent my parents home early from their mission the NEXT DAY.

Wednesday: Mom and Dad came home. Yeah their home! Oh no, what was it that she needed to come home for?!

Thursday: Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Usher in all the feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, frustration, you name it.

Last week: Surgery. Surgery that went 3 hours longer than planned. Stressful! Thankfully the surgery went really well, but there were many more tumors than expected. Doctors removed a bucket worth of tumors, her ovaries, appendix, gall bladder, half of her colon, and part of her diaphram. Ouch. Thankfully the surgery went well and removed almost all of the cancer. This makes it very likely that chemo will be sucessful with the remaining cancer.

Now Mom is recovering well and expected to be released from the hospital soon. In six weeks she'll start chemo. So with as crazy and difficult as this has been, it's good to look for the silver lining. My mom and entire family has been very blessed throughout this experience, it's great the cancer was caught when it was, my parents flew home before the volcano grounded people in Europe, I've been able to hang out with my dad, my cell phone is full of calls and texts from family and friends, Ruby got to meet her Oma and Opa sooner, and last but not least, I'm going to go wig shopping with my mom.

So, hopefully all will continue to go well. If you want to read updates, my mom has asked that my sister and I update my parents' blog with clever progress posts. So how do you make cancer clever?

identity crisis

2010-04-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

People have been asking if Ruby knows her name yet. With as many nicknames as the poor girl has, I don't know how she could. The first day she goes to Kindergarten, she isn't going to know who she is... unless in addition to Ruby they call:

Ruber
Rubers
Ruby D
Roo
Boo
Boo Roo
Boo Roo Chicken
Babette
Runt
Chunk
Little Onion
Stinkers
Rubies
Jiblett
Rubeth

so where have you been?

2010-03-26T10:24:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago we headed to Oceanside, California. It was Jeff's brilliant idea to get me out of the house and away from the cold. It was brilliant. We decided to DRIVE there, and Ruby did very well and could usually make it 150 miles before we'd stop, feed her and let her stretch. This is her after being in the car 6 hours:

Of course we ate A LOT of GOOD food:

Ruby went to the beach for the first time... she was underwhelmed and slept:

She sported Jeff's shades with style:

We had a fabulous meal at Ruby's Diner which is a restaurant on the end of the Oceanside Pier. With a name like Ruby's, we had to go:

And now that we've been home for a few weeks... I'm ready for the next trip.

Houston- we have some smiles

2010-03-05T12:04:00.001-08:00

time flies...

2010-02-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

And yes we are having fun. And who couldn't when this little face is greeting you? We have some fabulously talented friends who are wonderful photographers. Here's a few pictures taken by Carlye Morgan. Pictures from another talented friend of ours to come soon.

I have to admit that sometimes I just laugh when Ruby cries. Not that I think it's funny that she is crying, but it look at that face.

And look at this hair! I love it. But the poor child is already plagued with crazy cowlicks everywhere. Sorry baby.

She was a very good sport for the photos, though she was rather confused as to why I expected her to nap on a chair, and a rocking chair, and a trunk, and a suitcase, and a basket, and naked...

She managed to pee on Jeff, me, the floor, everything else in her path and poop on a few blankets. And why did no one warn me that baby poop is toxic and will stain like nobodies business? Thank heavens for Oxyclean. So they were messy pictures, but definitely worth it.

suckers

2010-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

This is how Ruby wants to sleep, in our arms or on our chest. And often that's what she gets. We're suckers, and can't help but want to cuddle up to the little thing every chance we get. I can't help but think that in 15 years, she won't be so fond of us. We'll be the lame parents that won't take her to get her belly button pierced or she'll want to walk 10 feet in front of us because we are embarrassing. So now, while we're still her favorite, I'm going to cuddle with her and spoil her all I can. Yes, I do think about things too much.

Yes, we are smitten. We are in deep smit.

But I seem to remember in years past, when I'd be changing the poopy diaper of a nephew or niece, I'd grimace or pull a face at the smell. People would say, "Oh, it's different when it's your own baby. You won't think it smells bad or is gross." ... right... You people were wrong. Still poop. Still smelly. But we're still smitten.

wow, i really AM a mom

2010-01-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

Twice now, when I've seen that Ruby has a smudge of ick on her face, I've licked my finger and rubbed it off! I'm a finger-licker? I never would have thought of such a thing. The humilition for the poor child begins. I just need to get this under control before she goes to school. Sorry cute little one.

Ruby Jan

2010-01-14T17:38:00.000-08:00

Our little girl decided not to wait for her due date, making her debut on Monday, exactly two weeks early. I introduce to you our little

Ruby Jan

7 lbs 10 oz

18 1/2 inches

stinkin cute

To give the quick version of the story:

I headed into work Monday, feeling a bit uncomforatble, but otherwise fine- definately no clues that I would be having a baby that day. Starting around 2:30p I starting having some pain in my abdomen and lower back. It started getting more intense and regular, every 10 minutes. I figured I had just overdone it that day but headed home to rest. I got home at 3:30p and the surges just increased from there as I spent some time in the tub. At this time Jeff called my doctor and doula who both recommended that I head to the hospital to get checked out. We didn't even have a bag packed so dear Jeff quickly threw some things together and we headed in. We drove to the hospital and by the time I was taken into a room, changed into a gown and checked it was about 6:00p and I was told my water hadn't broken. But that was the only thing "keeping me pregnant" as I was dialated to a 9.

From there it was a quick, unmedicated and intense labor with fabulous people supporting me! Jeff was a wonderful, calming and strong support, my dear doula Claire was a saint as she helped me labor, breathe, and change positions, a bonus midwife helped me progress (eventhough she was dressed up and only at the hospital for a meeting), and my doctor and his magic fingers helped Ruby make her arrival at 7:19pm.

I'm honestly still in shock that I did it and that this little beauty is our baby girl! But, it looks like the little nugget would like to eat now so I'll update more soon!

whatever mom

2009-11-06T14:35:00.001-08:00

My mom says she worries about her kids while she's away on her mission. I don't see why. We're fine. Take my sister and me for example: perfectly happy, positive, productive, functioning adults.

Most important meal of the day

2009-10-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I were discussing our usual breakfast routines lately. I can't miss breakfast now a days and his tend to be a bit... creative. After having this chat, this is the email I received from him the other day while I was at work:

"A hearty breakfast of spaghetti carbonara & an ice cream sandwich. Will you still love me when I have to get a pacemaker?"

and no, he's not embellishing...

I think I need sleep!

2009-09-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

I just asked to have all of my calls at the office held for the day. Because just now as I was leaving a message for a contractor, as I was asking him to give me a call back I said, “And Braden, if you could call me back at my direct line, 801-###-####, and I say these things in the name- uh… wha… and if you would give me a call back when you get the chance I’d really appreciate it. Thanks Bye”

Just try not to sound hysterical when leaving the redo message. I don’t think I prayed the second time. I hope.

bows, dollies and all things pink

2009-09-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Have you been waiting with bated breath? We found out on Tuesday that we're having a baby GIRL! We're very excited! Both Jeff and I thought it was a girl but it was fun to have it confirmed. I've never been a girly-girl, but I think I'll be getting some practice. And poor Jeff is outnumbered, but he doesn't seem to mind at all. If you have that thrid eye or sixth sense that I think is required in order to see ultrasound pics, here are a few. The one at the top is a profile shot... isn't she good lookin'?

Here's her hand and arm:

Her foor and leg:

And to show you just how fabulous she already is, her first home movie:

kick

2009-08-29T22:40:00.001-07:00

It's possible that I felt the first little baby kick tonight. It happened just now twice as I was blog-surfing- a "memorable" activity to accompany a momentous occasion, I know. It's possible it was gas, as I'm good at that now-a-days. Jeff think's it was the baby's gas. But it's very possible it was the little runt moving around. To be honest, it was fun, but a bit twilight-zone-esk. Now let's just hope that it doesn't turn out that everyone around me has a pig snout and I'm the only ugly one without one... that would be horror and true twilight zone!

Side note: Ultrasound Tuesday! Hopefully the littl'n will cooperate and we'll find out if it's a girl or a boy. But honestly, this is our child, so cooperation may be too much to ask for.

waterworks

2009-08-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

You throw enough hormones surging through my pregnant body and apparently it brings on the tears- with a vengeance! I'm usually not much of a cryer. Didn't cry at graduation, my wedding, when I got engaged, etc. I'm generally not a weepy girl. I didn't even cry in front of one of professors in architecture school which is a feat of strength that many guys can't say they achieved. But now I cry all the time. And if it's an emotional time "worthy" of crying, once I start I just can't stop. Ever.

But really maybe some of these things are worthy of crying? Watching the movie Australia, crying at each of the 5 endings in that movie. Reading Father's Day cards in the greeting card isle at Smith's. ALL Lifetime and Hallmark movies. Most sappy country songs throw me over the edge. And some of the non-sappy ones. Throwing up is a way emotional experience. And so is being nauseous. And when the serial killer on Law and Order was killed by the Detective's mentor, that was totally a legitimate time to cry. Right?

good thing we're having a kid

2009-07-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

I think we need to consider redirecting some of our energy. But how else will you know if your child's clothes are going to fit? Try them on your overweight cat. She'll love it!

We need a sidecar for the scooter

2009-07-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Why? Our duo is becoming a trio. We're expecting a new little one in January. It's very crazy and exciting. I'm about 13 weeks along. So far the baby and I are both healthy and strong and Jeff has been wonderfully taking care of me (us). The nausea and such was kicking my butt, however thankfully it has greatly improved. I did have to stop mid-post to lose my dinner, which unfortunately ended a really long non-puking streak, but such is life.

Gonna Party like it's your Birthday!

2009-07-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

It was Jeff's birthday yesterday! I hope he had a great 31st! As Jeff said, he's officially "IN his thirties, that's a bigger deal than just being thirty." I love you my Jeffs!

multi-task-talented contractor

2009-06-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

today is one of those days where you feel like absolute garbage, not wanting to move from your bed, secretly hoping that the covers will open their mouth and swallow you whole. i'm trying to sleep the day away with my kitten keeping my feet warm. however there are two contractors in my basement hanging doors and trim. one of the said contractors is loving the country music they are blaring and sings along to every song, and radio commercial. he cannot sing. and i don't think he realizes how the heating ducts transmit his voice better than the music, giving me a one man serenade. so while i'd like to be sleeping, i'm laying here laughing at falsetto versions of toby keith, taylor swift and george strait. at least he likes good music.

You Hula-Hooping-Sex-Symbol You!

2009-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Last night I got my mad skills going. First with my Young Women we shook our groove-thang with a little Car Dancing, turned performance, for a talent show. It was fabulous. All should know the car dance, it's required in my mind and my dear high school/college friends would probably agree. While our car dancing with the girls is usually confined to a car, or the "privacy" of the church parking lot, this was for all the marbles. The Young Women were great, a little car dancing, "sprinkler" and a little "lawn mower." And since I just can't seem to get enough of humiliating myself, two friends and I got a little Synchronized Hula Hooping going on for an additional performance. Hula on the arms, neck, hips, arms to hips, the works. Combine this with some tunes and it made for an entertaining evening. Some people in my neighborhood were apparently very unaware that I "had this in me" as they saw me as very "proper, responsible and mature." Ha! In the words of Jeff, "Wow, you REALLY had them fooled."

I am strong, I am invincible!

2009-05-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

We've taken control of our basement renovation and the last two days have been spent finishing sheetrock. And yes, you are right- I AM women, hear ME roar! It's going well and to top it off, I strapped on the trusty old tool belt inherited from my dad. I felt totally cool loaded up with hammer, nails, screws, tin snips, drywall tape, utility knife, the works. But I'm definitely starting to understand the cause of plumbers crack. Your Roto-Rooter plumber Ralph, he can't help it. The belt just tends to send the pants southward. Anyhow, we hope to wrap up the sheetrock this week and I'll be laying tile this weekend. Our bishop has volunteered to help get me started on the tile, so I'm thinking I should probably remedy the tool belt issue before then... just a thought.

mom's day

2009-05-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Petunia Merryweather!

2009-04-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

La Madre, Mama Mia, Mammacita, or Petunia Merryweather. Regardless of the random names I've given her, she's my mama and it's her birthday. She's a fabulous lady, a fabulous mom and I hope she's had a fabulous birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!

Not a total fanatic...

2009-04-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be good to note that Jeff helps mellow me out and keeps me from becoming a total green fanatic, in his own little way. Perfect example: Jeff is planning that one day he will drive up in front of the main doors of my office in the biggest hummer he can find. He will then proceed to honk the horn, then rev the engine and allow it to just idle in front of the building... this is Jeff's idea of humor...

Green is the new black

2009-04-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

All of you raise your hands that planted a tree yesterday for Earth Day? No one? Me neither. Green is the new trendy thing. NBC Green, Jon & Kate Plus 8 go Green, there’s a green channel on cable, the works. And hopefully you all saw the green episode of Scrubs a year or two ago- hilarious! But this is one area where hopefully trendy will do some good- big 80’s claw bangs didn’t do anyone any good. Unfortunately too many people see being more aware of the environment only as a trendy fad, as a hoax for tree huggers that it is selling you expensive propaganda with no results. I would disagree. Most sustainable ideas do go beyond the warm fuzzy feeling to be intrinsically worthwhile; improving health, reducing waste and saving energy and money. Who can say no to better healthy and money?

Yes, I know green is my career so I tend to get a bit over-passionate, but there's some good to it. I think we have a responsibility to stewards of the earth, not just users. Call me crazy but I don’t remember God telling Adam and Eve to go forth, pillage, plunder and rape the earth. But now I’ll get off my soapbox because heaven knows that I have areas to improve. So if you want to green-up your act, here are a handful of easy green to look into:

Use things you have for cleaners: water, vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and salt- you’d be amazed at how well they can attack water spots, grimy drains and pipes, etc.

Avoid one-time-use cleaning products, i.e. wipes, swiffers, etc. I’m the first to say that I love swiffers, so try to opt for bio-degradable products. Or did you know that you can wash & reuse swiffer dusters? They work even better the second time. I’m also trying out micro-fiber clothes and they seem to work just as well be can be reused. Now I just need to fit one on my swiffer sweeper.

Try greener cleaning products, I like Method brand. They aren’t horribly expensive, usually just $1 more, and Costco even carries their hand soap for cheap. I LOVE their window cleaner. It works just better than Windex, smells minty fresh and is great for cleaning showers.

Avoid vampire loads. Household electronics and appliances continue to pull a small amount of electricity, even when they aren’t in use. It’s estimated that 75% of the electricity phone chargers us is wasted from the charger being left plugged in. Unplug rarely used appliances between uses, i.e. blenders, mixers etc.

Clean out dryer lint- otherwise moist air cannot be vented from the dryer as easily and your dryer will work less efficiently—you will have to run your dryer longer to dry a load of clothes & have higher electricity and gas charges and shorter lifespan for your dryer

Use cold water with your garbage disposal, it saves energy and solidifies grease, which is ground up and flushed away

Drive the speed limit, in a typical car, every 10 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like the price of gasoline going up about 54 cents a gallon- that figure will be even higher for less fuel-efficient vehicles. Hmmmm.... this one will take some work.

Use those reusable grocery bags. I have some big red bags from IKEA that hold a ton and were only $0.79- love them!

Buy local. Look into Community Supported Agriculture for a great way to get lots of fresh produce locally for a good price. I'm checking out this one: http://www.borskifarms.org/

new motto

2009-04-15T13:35:00.001-07:00

from studio mela

p.s. no coincidence at all that i needed a new motto starting on tax day

Peeps in Places- because they should be everywhere

2009-04-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

National Geographic, the world travel magazine of up most refinement, is hosting the most fabulous challenge! The Peeps in Places Photo Challenge. Check it out! The deadline has been extended until April 13th. So where will your peep be? The only way to have made it better would be the stale-peeps challenge; they're tastier anyhow.

To stalk, not to salk

2009-03-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a confessed blog stalker. But really, who isn't? However, then when said blog decides to go private I'm very annoyed. What!? They don't want strangers looking at their blog? Whatev! So I thought I'd share a few of my new favorite victims. I stalk these in the name of things creative.

V and Co.

The Kingston Lounge

Aaron Lifferth's Painting a Day

yeah, i've got it pretty good

2009-03-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Rachivus March 09 commenced with a sisters weekend to Moab. And like any appropriately fabulous road trip, it entailed sufficient laughing, eating, eating some more, and random phrases such as: "Here, these are the ones that didn't touch my butt." and "Peach flatulence." There's a backup story but it's probably best that you don't ask. We even played ultimate tourist by getting matching ankle bracelets and taking pictures in front of the Moab sign.

The weekend rounded out with my 6th Anniversary. More and more I realize that we really are a good match. And, who else would put up with us but each other? Jeff knows me so well and is so good to me. Even with the random things, like letting me know that I should chuck my comb in the garbage because our contractor used it (ahhh!) and warming my car up for me in the mornings. And no one finds our twisted humor as funny as we do. Jeff's sweet-hearted sister once said that she wished she could be a fly on our wall to see what we're like at home. While it's probably best for her sake that such things don't happen, I must say that I've definately got it pretty good.

My ultimate demise

2009-03-10T21:37:00.000-07:00

Artist Edgar Gorey brilliantly chronicled the Gashlycrumb Tinies, showing the "end" A through Z.

Unfortunate but true, I have a talent for drowning on dry land. Therefore, I've found my chapter:

R is for Rachel
Lost to a lazy epiglottis,
R is for Rachel
Who suffocated on spit.

Now, if onlyit were a lovely illustration.

1-801-GONNA-SCREAM

2009-03-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

If I hear the ridiculously loud, three-toned "you screwed up" chime from my phone one more time, I'm going to go deaf! Yes, I am petty enough to complain about dialing three more numbers to always include the area code. Not to mention the fact that the phone number song used to teach preschool children their phone number does not accommodate an area code. How are they to know their area code? I'm going to lose it, but really, I'm only thinking of the children.

Rach-ivus: like Festivus but better

2009-02-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

After a long week in the office and on the road for work I declaired Friday to be Rach-ivus. My own person holiday off of work. I've decided that Rach-ivus will be a reoccuring holiday happening every month in an attempt to keep a bit of my sanity intact.

For this Rach-ivus:

I slept in- mmmmm...

Blog surfed- catching up on all the blogs stalk

Shopped at Home Depot- buying recessed cans and browsing lighting

Bought 3 pairs of shoes- this could only be done in the name of a holiday

Ordered a webcam- yes mom, I'll be comming to a Skype call near you

Planned a girls weekend for my sisters

and watched Pure Country.

A good holiday all in all. Here's to next month.

Let’s just get this over with and shoot me now!

2009-02-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

Hi. This is me crying “Uncle!” I’m done. The last week has been out of con-trol and I’m ready for it to settle some. And how do I deal with this? Blogging out my frustrations. Yes, it is very passive aggressive. And yes, there are starving children in Ethiopia that wouldn’t appreciate my pathetic whining, so it’s good that they don’t have a computer to read it. The following has all happened in the last 7 or so days:

Jeff got bit by a dog while showing a house to clients.
A roof leak, discovered by water filled bubbles in the bathroom ceiling dropping water. Call the roofer.
Working late nights. Remind me that I love my job. Usually I do, just not particularly at the moment.
6 Days with NO HEAT in our house. Thankfully friends and family took pity on us to house us and our cat. Our cat repaid the kindness, by trying to run away and scratching my sister’s face. Sweet little thing.
My body doesn’t seem to know what time of the month it is. It’s confused. Someone please send it a memo. Or rather a calendar.
My office moved. Oh the joy of moving! I now have lost a bookcase. But don’t worry; the movers brought the shelves that go it in.
I forgot to call my sister to wish her Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday Deb! I'm a bad sister.
Now we’re home, but with no heat in the kitchen or Jeff’s office. Temperatures above freezing are over-rated anyhow.
Jeff has a knee brace and sore back. Ice and Heat, ice and heat. I suppose the freezing temperatures in his office will cover the “Ice” part. Bonus there.

I thought I was dealing rather well with everything until today. TOTAL clog in the toilet and tub. Note: when we flushed the toilet, it came up in the tub. Completely disgusting and I’m pretty sure it’s not supposed to do that. The toilet had to be removed to snake the drain. Thanks to our neighbor who came to our rescue- as we literally didn’t have a pot to pee in.

Marketing works- even on reality tv

2009-02-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, Jeff and I were watching John and Kate plus 8. I gotta admit that it's a personal favorite. True, Kate is a bit scary, but there's something about that I enjoy and find amusing. And the kids are just too cute. So a few weeks ago they aired the episodes of the Gosselins going to Hawaii. Not ten minutes later Jeff, my personal travel agent, jumped online. Lo and behold, a cheap Expedia package later, we spent a week on the North Shore of Oahu. Thank you Gosslins! Can you go to Europe next? Maybe the Gosselins go Greek? I have to admit that the Gosselins are losing a bit of their cute factor since they moved into a $1.35 million dollar home, but their little show still influenced us to go to Hawaii- no complains here!

But now that we are home, here are a few of the things we will miss:

Farmers markets and the goodness of fried food things

Touring the North Shore:

Fresh roadside fruit, mini-pineapples, pineapple ice cream & shaved ice:

Hiking:

And getting a little R & R on the beach,

watching wales jump in the ocean, & sea turtles swim alongside the beach:

Now remind me...

2009-01-27T23:20:00.000-08:00

Why exactly do we live in the snow when this could be our backyard? I fail to find a good explanation, or any explanation for that matter.

Happy Birthday Padre!

2009-01-16T13:49:00.000-08:00

It’s my dad’s 70th birthday! He’s one of my favorite people and I’m grateful to have him as my dad. Sure, we don’t always gotten along or agree on a number of things, but he loves me through all shades of hair or random things that I do, and I appreciate that. To commemorate his birthday I thought I’d throw out there a list of all the fabulous things my dad had taught me over the years, in no particular order:

How to tell the difference between an F-16 and F-18.
To have an appreciation for This Old House
And no, Steve Thomas does not know what he is talking about
To stand up for yourself.
How to rotate tires on a car.
The correct way to use a hammer.
How to dance and kick someone’s butt at the same time
To have eye contact when you speak in front of people
How to use every power tool he has.
How to change oil on a car without dropping the bolt in the oil
That women should have bangs (obviously I don’t listen to that one)
To appreciate a Dr. Pepper while sucking on a piece of dark chocolate in your cheek.
How to shingle a roof
Stand up for what you believe, even it isn’t popular.
What an oil filter wrench is
How to teach a church lesson- especially Gospel Doctrine, yes very scary
That “there is no more important safety rule than this: To wear these, safety glasses”
How to drive.
How to drive a stick-shift.
How to drive a truck in a canyon… when you’re 14
How to drive in the snow
A car should not leak oil on a driveway
Dunford chocolate cake donuts are the best and treats taste best when hidden in a secret stash
Baby drives a Mercury
To appreciate General Conference
Always warm up your car when it’s cold (thankfully jeff often does this for me)
How to fix hole in pants with duct tape
That it’s duct tape, not duck tape
Shakes should be thick, and preferably chocolate
The good way to get on and off a roof with a ladder so you don’t fall off (as you can guess, I needed to be taught that one)
The power of priesthood blessings
How to torch a wasps nest
You gotta love the Man in Black
Gene Kelly is King! And you can’t beat a Cary Grant movie
Always give your boss an honest day’s work
That hauling coal requires you to get black bugers in your nose
If you can climb a tree, that means you can figure out how to get down
Best naps are taken in a recliner
How to line up the TV remote such that you don’t have to pick it up to turn the TV on.
You get cracks in your tongue when you get older
How to lay a parquet floor
What a testimony is
Not to let your gas tank go below a 1/3 tank in the winter (still working on this one)
The correct way to use a BOSS bench oscillating spindle sander
To be rightfully annoyed when someone uses a BOSS incorrectly
Turn off the curling iron when you are done
Not to be the first to pull into an intersection
Girls should know how to do anything boys can do
Girls should have their own tools
A girl should be the first to pass the safety test in shop class
Don’t ask “does your dog bite?” It may not be their dog.
Dogs won’t bite you while you are on your bike if you keep pedaling
How to start a car by rolling down hill
Why a compound miter saw is so much cooler than a regular one
Sean Connery was the best James Bond
Don’t waste things
Why prophets are so great
How to change lanes the least when driving somewhere
“Pre wash” your dish before you put it in the dishwasher by licking it off
Why my mom is so great
How to drive mom nuts by licking your plate
How to properly smash aluminum cans with a wooden shoe
How to replace a light fixture and to replace a light switch after you broke it
Respect every President, even if you don’t like him
Respect the military
Save your money and don’t go into debt.
Money isn’t any good until you spend it.
Pennsylvania 6-5000!
Don’t work on Sundays
The fabulous entertainment of JAG, Walker Texas Ranger and It’s a Mad Mad World

Resolution: Walk and Chew Gum

2009-01-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

Or as my husband states it, "Honey, maybe let's start with chewing gum while seated on the couch. Then we'll talk about walking."

Rude? Maybe.

Honest, funny and well-deserved? Decide for yourself.

It started, well, probably at birth. I have a foot issue. Walking-ly challenged one might say.

Imagine a two year old toddling around. Her sisters have shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat, because, really what two year old needs pockets? Then imagine this two year old falling forward, and with her hands restrained in her pockets, the metal edge of a step was the only thing to catch her face. Hence, the two scars on my upper lip.

Fast forward throughout the years and you'll see many, m-a-n-y, broken shoes. Shoes that spontaneously break soles, sandals flipping off of my feet, straps snapping, causing me to catapult forward, usually into the ground or down a few stairs. Mind you, I've never fallen down a flight of stairs, I save falling for small cases of 2-5 steps only. The series goes on and on...

High School- Heading out to a day of sketching, stoping first to slide uncontrollably, yet in slow-motion, down the painted BHS letters in the back parking lot, rubbing my knee into the asphalt. Hello new scar.

College Barn Dance- New cowboy boots, slipping, center dance floor, to my potential death under scores of sorority girls and fraternity guys trampling me to the tune of "Cotton Eyed Joe."

Only 2 square inches of ice- basically anywhere, it could be the only 2 square inces of ice left in March, and I'll find it, just to fall on it. Repeatedly.

A City Hall Attic- A few years ago climbing though 100 year old rafters and beams, walking tactfully along the boards laid out for us, as to not step on the insulation between the beams. Until there is a 10" gap between one board to the next, enough for me to unknowingly fall in the gap, to step plunging through the ceiling of City Hall. The knee of my other leg hitting the beam just in front of me, stopping me just long enough to catch myself with my arms. Thankfully we were in the attic to plan for replacing the celing and rennovating the building- I just started demo earlier than planned. Perma-bruise to remember that one by.

Come last week- Walking down 4 steps at work, ready to head home. Only 1 step left. I decide to just be done walking down the steps, launching myself forward, landing on both knees on the solid hardwood floor. You can imagine the two matching black bruises on the bottom of each kneecap.

So now you tell me. A good resoulution? Hmph. Jeff is right about the chewing gum...

Cowboy Up for Christmas

2008-12-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

"A total blog slacker" you say?

"Ooh, me! Ooo, ooo, that would be me!" I say.

But now you're thinking to yourself, "But that couldn't be what I think it is. A pink cowboy hat?"

And I say, "A pink cowboy hard hat" to be exact. That's right I got a new hard hat for Christmas and it's a cowboy hat! I am so excited to go to my next site visit donning this sucker! What contractor wouldn't be impressed? And yes, everyone in the office does envy me.

Stupid humor gets me every time

2008-12-19T14:24:00.001-08:00

Johnny Cash Week

2008-11-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that I've declared it Johnny Cash Week? To reverence the legend, I've been challenged to wear black this week, seeing as I didn't have a Burning Ring of Fire handy. Not that wearing black is much of a challenge for me, but feel free to join in to Walk the Line and honor the Man in Black.

12-0 Baby! 12-0!

2008-11-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Fabulous game Saturday my friends! Fabulous! Can you say BCS? Yes, that's right! And there's nothing quite like being at the stadium for a big one like yesterday's game! The sights, the sounds, the drunken old men, the stadium "Ute burgers" with cheese, the camaraderie of high-five-ing strangers, the frostbite chapping your butt... It was a beautiful thing. So wherever you are right now, give it up to Utah: stand proud, throw your fist up into the air, and give a yell with a big old "GO UTES!"

waiting for me at work this morning...

2008-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

notice I've been demoted to a no soil plant. but i will prevail.

Not so much "on the wagon" anymore

2008-11-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

About 24 hours ago I blogged about Raoul. This afternoon while sitting at my desk I noticed he was leaning. I touched him and a bit of his little plant was sitting loosely in the soil. Next thing I know a third of my plant Raoul CAME OUT OF THE POT IN MY HAND! It was like a bad horror movie! My poor dear sweet Raoul! What have I done to you? Devastating I tell you.

When my sponsor came down to my desk, she dealt with it very professionally, and proceeded to freak out. She doesn't know what to do with me now as she never figured that I would fail at a supervised succulent that I wasn't allowed to water. And she's a good support as she told me that "the plant committed suicide because it had such a smothering mommy."

But I'm freaking out here. And now my sponser is acting as Plant Protective Services (PPS) and taking my plant away "for its safety." My Raoul plant is in a foster home and it's been less than a week! I'm thinking the only reason my cat is alive is my husband. And I definitely should not be left alone with children. I've heard that in many 12 Step Programs, you are not allowed to have a relationship until you have kept a dog alive, and prior to that kept a plant alive. A PLANT! The point with me is that I can't keep a plant alive! Now tell me, what's the step smaller than a plant? Mold?

So now, who knows what step I am on. My sponser said I shouldn't worry as she would bring me a plant she received as a start from our mom that I would NEVER be able to kill. "What plant?" I asked.

A pothos.... Yeah, I've already killed one of those.

12 Step Program

2008-11-10T20:14:00.000-08:00

I've entered a 12 Step Plant Program. I didn't exactly enter it as much as my sister threw me into it. She's created the program herself and felt that I needed emergency intervention, or rather my plants needed a serious intervention.

Step One: Admitting you have a problem. Hello, my name is Rachel and I kill plants.

Step Two: Eliminate plants from your life. All of the plants in my home were surgically removed and sent to the garbage. I swear that they weren't all dead, or at least not completely dead. There were a few good leaves left.

Step Three: A plant-free home life. Maybe that is why I was so compelled to by the big flower pillow at IKEA- I knew I was going to be void of real plants. The flower pillow I can't 'love to death' as my sister accuses me of doing to my plants. Yes, I love my plants, but I don't love them to death, I really don't... and apparently I haven't gotten over denial.

Step Four: I have recently received approval to pass to step four. A supervised succulent at work. I'm allowed a succulent, it lives at my desk at work, and I'm only allowed to water it when I get approval from my sponsor (sister). It's a very happy plant that takes sunny vacations each weekend at my coworker Jonathan's desk, because it's closer to a window. My plant's name is Raoul- but I promise that naming your plants is completely normal. Unless it sends me back a step, then I'll reconsider.

If I'm sucessful at step four and move on to new steps, one day I'll live a happy life, free from dead plants.

Behold, my two new loves:

2008-11-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

Virgin Pina Coladas- My dear friend Holli introduced us to the wonderful world of Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut; an absolute must have for making the correct Pina Coladas.
My new Beata Pillow (pronounced Pilla) from IKEA- I doesn’t go with anything in my house whatsoever. But I love it. It’s even slightly velvety, which may make some people gag, but makes me smile. Oh the simple pleasures of life.

To con the Con

2008-10-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I went camping with friends a few times while we were dating. Some of you can attest to this as you were there. However once we got married Jeff refused to go camping with me. Apparently going camping was was just to "con me" into marrying him, and now that we're hitched he doesn't have to play that "charade" anymore. My husband firmly believes that as long as there are hotels, we should "do our duty to support them." Whatever. But now after five and a half years of marriage, I conned Jeff into going camping down in Goblin Valley! Who's the Con now?

And doesn't he just look like he's enjoying himself.

"You're so domesticated"

2008-10-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

That's what my mom would say if she saw what I was up to lately. Anytime I would do something crafty, domestic or otherwise traditionally homemaker-esk, she'd tell me I was "so domesticated!" So here are a few bits of what I've been up to that would make my mudder proud:

Brownie Sandwich Cookies

Mr Crocheted Caterpillar

Homemade Grape Juice

And why yes, the grapes did come from the vines in my backyard.

And yes, my sister and I are totally juice'n pros now.

And yes, we were somewhat underwhelmed to get only 8 quarts of juice from a literal ton of grapes.

this delay in programming has been brought to you by:

2008-10-06T19:40:00.001-07:00

A severely needed 9 days away in Cape Cod and Rhode Island,

A fabulous meal at Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House,

Made possible by a happy husband,

An outing to the real Mystic Pizza in Mystic, CT (and yes, the sauce is special),

Brought in part by a ferry to Nantuckett,

Made possible by a generous grant of Dramamine (make that a double),

A beach full of sea shells,

The number 90,

And the letter "S."

love + marriage... oh and torture

2008-09-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

As the political season is well underway, we've been watching the different conventions and speeches of the parties. After hearing a mention of John McCain's prison experience, I asked my husband Jeff what exactly happened. Jeff gave me a short explanation saying that, as a POW in North Vietnam, McCain was imprisoned and tortured for five and a half years.

"Wow!" I said. "Can you believe that? Five and a half years? That is such a long time. That's as long as we've been married. To be tortured for that long? Jeff, can you even imagine being tortured every day for as long... as we've... been marr...ied..."

I quickly realized what I was asking, at the same time noticing Jeff had a rather awkward and uncomfortable look on his face. I didn't have him give an answer to my question. And as a good husband, he didn't volunteer one.

GO-O-O UTES!

2008-09-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

It's football season friends! It's finally here, which is the true bearer of fall. The Cowboys won yesterday and the Colts lost- can you get much better than that? And as this post is well overdue, let's all sing in honor of the fabulous two Ute games, shall we? All together now:

I am a Utah Man, sir, and I live across the green,
Our gang it is the jolliest that you have ever seen.
Our coeds are the fairest and each one's a shining star,
Our yell, you'll hear it ringing through the mountains near and far!

Who am I, sir, A Utah Man am I!
A Utah Man, sir, Will be 'til I die. Ki-yi!

We're up to snuff, we never bluff, we're game for any fuss.
No other gang of college men dare meet us in a muss.
So fill your lungs and sing it out and shout it to the sky,
We'll fight for dear old crimson for a Utah Man am I!

GO-O-O UTES!

Saturday was the first home game for the Utes this season and we were there, back in good old section 33. I've said this before, but you would think that the student section is the most rowdy that you could find, right? Oh no my friends. Try out the season ticket holders! They are crazy and the smuggled in alcohol is a pleanty! At the final game last year, two guys snuck in a cordless blender and a camelpack full of margarita mix. Did I mention these two are in their mid 50's? It's by far the most entertaining section ever! Once we watched part of a game in another section and it was full of cute little families and such, and it was so boring. If a game is ever going poorly, I don't worry too much because the 80 year old man who sits two rows behind me will start swearing and I'll be happy and all will be well again.

Why instant messaging makes my day

2008-08-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

My sister, who is one of my coworkers, sent this chain of gems. While we usually use IM for very official work purposes, occasionally we have bits like this:

M says:
Imagine me setting up bottled water in a bowl of ice because a) it looks refreshing and b) the *@#* water bottles weren't cold enough.
M says:
Imagine people on a conference call around the large table chatting about millions of dollars.
M says:
Not regular people, mind you, artsy people from THE (insert art center of choice).
R says:
well you do need cold water to be artsy. only if you are civilized.
M says:
Imagine seeing artsy people scuffling around and me hearing the word towel
M says:
Imagine me lamely handing a board member a roll of paper towels and hearing That bowl of ice has leaked all over the table and imagine that this board member is my boss.
M says:
Imagine me running downstairs for a replacement bowl and absorbent tea towel.
M says:
Imagine an embarrassed woman dodging discarded office chairs in an attempt to stealthily sneak into the conference room without making any noise to disturb the meeting.
M says:
Imagine a large butted woman in a skirt shoving her way between two annoyed artsies to sop up a puddle.
M says:
Now, if you can, imagine this woman crawling in her skirt, onto the table, trying to quietly sop, and with a wet tea towel, shorting out the conference call box, immediately bringing them meeting to a Fourth of July Firework type ending.
M says:
I hope you could properly imagine that last paragraph, because it's only imaginary. But you know that is what was going through my mind the entire time I was sopping...
R says:
wow... that was ultra-fabulous
M says:
Thank you...thank you very much....

Deodorant cures Kankles

2008-08-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Let me explain- No, too much. Let me sum up. (anyone catch that movie reference?) Anyhow, I went golfing for my first time last Friday. When I first started in the architecture industry, I was told that if I wanted to be successful that I needed to learn to golf. At first I thought it was a joke but now realized how much business is truly done on the golf course. Jump to last week and my work had an in-office golf tournament. Since this would be me making a fool of myself in front of my coworkers, which is pretty standard, I decided to go. To ensure I would have a good time, I guilted one of the good office golfers with the biggest ego to be on my team. I figured that if nothing else, I could enjoy myself tormenting him with my mad and fabulous golf skills. I ended up having a rather enjoyable time and did reasonably well. I was rather impressed with myself especially considering my complete lack of grace or athletic ability. The issue however is that we golfed at a lovely course in the middle of a swamp near the airport. Beautiful yes, but the mosquitoes found it beautiful too. And they decided to have my blood for breakfast and brunch. Apparently my right arm and right ankle are tastier than the rest of me as evident by the 8+ bites on each. This left me ridiculously burning bites which have swollen my ankle to what my sweet husband has now deemed a Kankle.

Kankle n. when the calf has so much fat on it that it blends with the ankle forming a kankle, also spelled cankle.

In my furry of burning and frustration, I was told that deodorant helps take away the sting, itch and inflammation. In summary: Today, my pits and my ankle smell like Wild Freesia- and I’m itch free. Oh, and the kankle is going away too.

The sweet fruits of summer

2008-08-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Straight from the vine in my back yard. And what fruit doesn't taste better with ice cream?

Payback

2008-08-12T16:46:00.001-07:00

So my family has yet again conspired against me. Specifically, two of my sisters and my mother. I recognized my brother-in-law’s handwriting too but I won’t hold anything against him as I suspect was just a pawn stuck in their evil little game. What game you ask? A game to blackmail and embarrass me. There is no need for details. Just know that while the older sister was stressed out from starting a new job, my other sister was also getting a job and sending her youngest off to kindergarten, oops, I mean 1st grade (all too traumatizing) and my mother was preparing to leave the country for two years they seemed to be able to weasel in enough time to conspire against me. To be honest I’m not mad, just shocked and appalled… well actually not appalled. I would have done the same thing they did, if given the chance. While I work with one of the sisters, I figure she is already receiving her punishment by being associated with me. Plus I’ve told a number of stories about her to my, now our, coworkers, never expecting that her world would ever collide with my work world. But this leaves my other sister and my mom. What to do with them? For now I’ll leave my mother be, but just for now. But my other sister deserves a little-somethin-somethin. I’m considering the following: Someday when I get pregnant, I’m not going to tell her for as long as I can. Hopefully six months. The best part about this penalty is that it will keep her guessing. She’ll never know when she is being punished or not! Because you know what they say about payback… ha ha ha (evil plan laugh)

lds + green

2008-08-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

So I've added some new blogs to my side list. Blogs which chat green things from an lds perspective. Now while this is the ultimate in cheese and I was reluctant to do so, I decided to add them after reading this fabulous post from Green Mormon Architect. Number 7 is my personal favorite.

The Top Ten Reasons to be a Green Mormon:

#10 Mormons are cheap and being sustainable saves money

# 9 The prophet said to plant a garden

# 8 Being translated is the smallest carbon footprint of all – just ask the Three Nephites

# 7 You can now be even more peculiar than all the other peculiar people in your ward

# 6 The stuff in Revelations doesn’t sound so bad if you believe in global warming

# 5 Feeding 5000 people with a few loaves and fish is really the way to go

# 4 We don’t have enough commandments yet

# 3 The earth already represents the lowest kingdom – making it worse leaves only outer darkness

# 2 We’re already used to saying, ‘It’s against my religion…’

# 1 Free your guilty conscience

The Dutchies are Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-08-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well they’re officially off this morning, on their way to their mission in Antwerp, Belgium. These past few months, and especially last few weeks, have been an incredible experience helping send off my parents with a going away party, their speaking in church and being set apart. It’s been so impressive to watch their lives and years of experiences come together with such a perfect culmination in this mission. No, it’s not that they’re dying or anything but it’s good grand-finale, if you will, for their send off. Not only were all of their kids and grandkids gathered together, but many many of their friends from years back showing their support and love for my parents. While it sounds bad, I’m so excited to send them off. This is the perfect place for them to be and it wouldn’t be right for them to be anywhere else. I watched my dad give a fabulous talk in front of a chapel full of people- and he doesn’t talk to people. My mom is taking a leap into a country and language she doesn’t know- and she’s doesn’t do the unknown. Plus she’s actually excited to do it. My dad has spent years of studying to perfectly prepare him and my mom has mothered and cared for people for years preparing her. And I must say that now I feel like the proud parent, so amazed by their accomplishments thus far, sending them off to a crazy big rude European world, scared for them but so happy too. Too bad I couldn’t pack them a lunch, with a note written on their napkin, walk them to the bus stop, and send them off with a big lipstick kiss on the cheek… but I suppose I’d have to wear lipstick first and that isn’t going to happen now is it?

Click here to check out their blog.

I’m sure Martha Stewart would not approve

2008-07-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve been married 5 years. Over 5 years really- 5 years and 4 or so months. So why does this matter? Because as Jeff was rummaging through a filing cabinet for blank envelopes he found 32 written, sealed, labeled and unmailed thank you notes from our wedding. Thank you notes for these people, and these people, and these people, the high school boyfriend’s parents, my aunts who came to the wedding from California and Washington, and two people which are now dead! Yes, I do feel like a schmuck! Schmuck- from the Yiddish shmok meaning “fool,” “contemptible person,” “a clumsy or stupid person,” or an “oaf.” Did I mention that it’s my filing cabinet, so I can pretty much guarantee it’s my fault? Yep.

Etiquette says send out thank you notes within 3-6 months after a wedding. So I’ve clearly passed the “recommended” time frame and there’s no, “but if you are a moron who loses the thank you notes” footnote to etiquette. So I figure blogging my idiocracy in this matter was a good first step. But what would Miss Manners say now?

Promoted? Part two

2008-07-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

An elderly woman in my neighborhood often has a difficult time coming to church as she is an amputee. On these Sundays, Jeff and a couple young men usually go over to her house to give her the sacrament.

Yesterday as Jeff approached her house, the woman’s granddaughter saw him coming, yelled to her grandma in the house, and went inside. When Jeff got inside the woman said, “My granddaughter just yelled to me, ‘Grandma! God’s here!'”

And Jeff’s response? “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

Promoted?

2008-07-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

It seems I’ve reached that place. That place where birthday cards are now laced in black, and contain words such as “aging,” “old-lady,” and “gravity.” My nephews gave me a black balloon yesterday. I’m now closer to 30 than I am to 20, but I thought I still had some good years left before these cards would come around. I wouldn’t have thought much of it until it added up to 4 cards, 1 text and 1 balloon all with a similar message. What in the world?

Happy Birthday to Jeff!

2008-06-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

It’s the big Three-Ohhh for him! Which I shouldn’t make too much fun of since he’s still young and I’m not all that far behind him. I hope Jeff has a great day! He’s the best husband ever!

I am woman, hear me roar!

2008-06-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

I did it! I biked 40 miles at the MS 150! And I must say, I did pretty well. I wasn't at the front of the pack or anything like that, but considering that prior to training for this ride I had only been on a bike maybe three times in the last ten years... I think I did rather well and finished in pretty decent time. My goal going into it was not to end up in the SAG'n Wagon, which picks up anyone who has crashed or can't go any further- and I totally didn't need them and really did rather well on top of that! If it sounds like I'm ring'n my bell, I am, because I did it, and it was an awesome feeling coming across that finish line. Apparently I started sweating like sponge at pedal one because I ended up with a steady stream of sunblock in my eyes, leaving my eyes stinging and crying for the first 5 miles. Thankfully there was a line of bikers in front of me with neon jerseys so I could just follow the brightly colored blurs. One of my coworkers, Mark, rode with me just about the entire time which really helped; it was like having my own personal cheering squad going up the hills and it helped the time pass quickly to pedal and chat. Yes, believe it or not, I can bike and talk at the same time. Just don't ask me to chew gum too. Anyhow, it was a fabulous ride and I live to tell the tale. My body is tired and a bit achy, but I haven't been too sore at all. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was reasonable, and now I can brag that I've been to Newton, Utah. You're jealous I know.

This is my coworker Tracy and her hilarious son Wolfie. They made the trek up just to cheer for us at the finish line! It was awesome! There were tons of people at the finish line cheering and yelling, telling us we did a great job and thanking us for riding. It almost made me emotional to have all this going on, realize what I had just done, and the cause that all of this was going to help.

This is sweaty, disgusting, but very satisfied me and my friend Camille at the end of the race. The additional cheesy look in our grins is probably part delirium and part anticipation that now we get to end our droughts from Dr. Pepper (for me) and Diet Coke (for her).

A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported me. Next year I'll be hitting you all up to come ride with me!

Close enough?

2008-06-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

If you know that people are going to stop by your house, and you don't have either the time or ambition to clean, does it work to just leave out some cleaning supplies, maybe a vacuum or cleaner, as if to say, "Oh! You just caught me in the middle of cleaning the house and buffing my walls"...

Did I say Nazi?

2008-06-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

At church, groups take turns doing a Sunday Sacrament Service for the rest home in our neighborhood. It had come to the time where my young women were to do the program; prayers, speakers, musical number. My young women do not enjoy doing these things to begin with and it was made worse by the fact that it involved “old people.” They are freaked out by old people; healthy, sick, small, boisterous, jolly… it doesn’t matter. If the people are over the age of about 75-80, my girls can’t stand them. Knowing they would be less than thrilled, the conversation went something like this:

R: “Okay girls, we’re in charge of the Sunday Sacrament Meeting for the rest home. We need VOLUNTEERS to help”

YW: whine, complain, “we did that last year”, moan, moan, moan, “old people,” whine, “gross,” grumble, grumble, “I spoke in church at Christmas”, blah, blah, blah, “not it”…

R: “We can do this one of three ways. You can sweetly volunteer to do what you want to do. You can take the chance and draw a card from my hand that will say what you will do. Or I can go all Nazi on you and dictate what each of you will do.”

I suddenly realize I am sitting next to our German foreign exchange student.

R: “Oh, um, what I meant is you that won’t have a choice and I’ll just tell you what to do.”

YW: “Yea, go Nazi on us! If we don’t do what you say will you put us in a gas chamber?”

The foreign exchange student’s face turns red and gives me a well-deserved scowl.

R: “I shouldn’t have said that… what I mean is…”

YW: “I like the Nazi way! Are you going to kill our families, starve us…”

Yes, this would be one of those times at church when varied and inappropriate curses run through your mind…

Damn Feline

2008-06-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

I’m not talking about my cat, but rather an unknown neighborhood cat that commits its heinous doings under the veil of darkness.

To back up, yesterday I got a ton of starts and plants from my neighbor to plant in my front yard. Given that we’ve been focusing on the back yard, the front was starting to look like a pathetic wasteland that would be used in a public service announcement about serving your poor elderly neighbor… Oh wait, my yard was already used for that earlier this year. (Stay tuned to a commercial break near you.)

Anyhow, I was digging in the front yard last night until after dark. I wasn’t able to get all of the plants from my neighbor in the ground and had to temporarily put them in big containers until I could plant them this morning. So I got up early today and was planting along and a few plants in, I caught the unmistakable smell of cat feces. I figured I had dug into an area where a cat had made a deposit, grimaced and continued on- silly cat. Then I realized as I was planting the next few plants that those stunk like cat pee too. All of the plants in two of the large pots, which smelled like flowers last night, now emit cat pee! A cat sprayed my plants last night! And this left me, gagging and planting pee-tainted plants! Did I mention that I opted not to wear gloves this morning? Yep... damn feline.

My time to beg

2008-05-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, I'm training for the MS 150 Best Dam Bike Ride. For it, my team, the Flying Spokes, is raising money that will go to Multiple Sclerosis research. (Check out the team logo!) In Utah, 1 in 500 people are diagnosed with MS, in comparison to 1 in 10,000 in Texas. Since I'm still emotionally scarred from the door-to-door soliciting bit for the Jump-a-Thon when I was 9, this is my non-pressure way of begging for money. If you would like to support the cause, click on the link below where you can donate online. It allows you to enter any amount you would like. I would really appreciate your support!

Donate to MS Research- causing me to drag my butt 40 miles on a bike!

How are you?

2008-05-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

So as previously mentioned, and as can be seen by my lack of posts, it's been a bit busy here. No time to even ride the scooter--- A sin, I know. But I really shouldn't complain about it, because really, who isn't busy?

My dad has always been bothered by Americans and how we throw around the phrase, "How are you?" On the phone, on the street, with sales people, everyone asks how you are doing. But his complaint comes with the fact that really, no one cares. Asking is routine and hardly anyone waits or cares to hear the honest answer of "how you are." My dad's friend Henk, from the Netherlands, also noticed this about Americans and asked my dad about it. Henk and my dad both agreed that Americans are rude and phony. (Wow, dutch people thinking Americans are rude... that's a joke right there.) But in all seriousness, I don't think it is really such a bad thing to edit out the details with a quick, "good" or "fine."

A coworker who's desk is near mine at work should learn to be a bit less honest and rely on a simple "fine, thanks." Doesn't he know that no one cares? As he speaks on the phone everyday, I get to hear repeatedly about his shoulder surgery, his slacker kids dropping out of high school or his long night in bathroom... I'll spare you the gory details. I don't need to hear this, and my guess is that the person on the other end of the line wasn't interested either. Too much information.

But the reoccurring answer from my coworker that drives me up the wall is, "I'm up to my elbows in alligators." Then a few months ago apparently everything must have gotten worse because now he's "Up to his eyebrows in alligators." What!?! Alligators? What is that even supposed to mean? If anything, it makes me think he has too much time on his hands if he can make up ridiculous little gems like that. Apparently it all comes down to alligators? It just takes me back to something my mom used to tell me: "Don't go around telling people your problems; half of the people won't care and the other half will think you got what you had coming to you." In applying this to Mr. Alligator... I'm pretty sure we'd all fall in the same camp, rule out his old-man humor, and be perfectly happy with a simple, "I'm fine."

take deep breaths... or I could...

2008-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Work has been really stressful the last couple of days, and I think this is what I'm going to do to deal with it:

Idol-phobia

2008-05-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

I must say I’m not a fan of American Idol- any of you Idol-ites can continue your blogsurfing. I admit that I did watch a few of the initial tryouts back in the day of William Hung to laugh at people who think they can sing- I’m mean like that. Plus, from listening to the nature of Simon’s critiques, I think he would be a great Architecture School professor. But I'm ready for all the Idol-hype to be done. Why, you ask? What turned me off to American Idol was Clay Aiken. And he topped it all off with that "Invisible” song. It’s the theme song for a stalker.

…” Whatcha’ doin’ tonight, I wish I could be a fly on your wall.
Are you really alone, Who's stealin' your dreams, Why can't I bring you into my life, What would it take to make you see that I'm alive…”
“…If I was invisible Then I could just watch you in your room…”
“…I keep tracing your steps, Each move that you make…”

Hello? Creepy! Plus, hasn’t anyone noticed that he looks just like Drop Dead Fred? I’m waiting for him to pick a bugger and put it on someone’s face.

Look, they're the same person.

The Dutchies

2008-05-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Notice there is a new link for my mom and dad 's new blog, recording their mission preparations and upcomming ventures in the Netherlands. Come to find out, my mom doesn't have fingerprints... sounds a bit shady to me.

more trip photos... just humor me

2008-05-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is the land of incredible cemetaries- A great cemetary in St. Simons, GA:

The confederacy is alive and well in the South:

Christ's Church, St. Simon's Island, GA:

Fabulous homes in Beaufort, SC, the second oldest city in SC:

The South suited us well and we miss it. All Jeff needed was a 50's era Ford pickup and a basset hound named "Bruiser" to cruise down the county roads with and it would have been complete!

"if alabama is the heart of dixie, then georgia is its soul"

2008-05-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

At least that's how our trolley driver Chris put it. And Savannah, Georgia was a hoot! The outer skirts of Savannah, not so much, but the downtown and historic district were great. Here's a few pics:

Mmmmm.... Dodge's Roadside Chicken

Angel Oak on the way out of SC. It is 1400 years old with the largest branch 89' long:

And now Savannah:

If you've seen "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" this is Kevin Spacey's house:

This is the square where Forrest Gump sits on the park bench... the movie makers took the bench away...

The Lowcountry: Charleston, SC

2008-05-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Now that you've heard the gripes of our trip, let me clarify that it was a fabulous trip up until the point we arrived at the Charleston, SC airport for our almost 24 hour venture home. I've received many strange looks in response to hearing where we went, so I thought I'd post some pictures of our vacation destinations. The South is beautiful and just doesn't get enough credit. Plus the food is heavenly!

Travel Plan:

Fly in to Charleston, SC and spend a few days there.

Saunter on down the SC coast to Savannah, GA and spend a few days there.

Drift down to St. Simon's Island, GA to spend a night (with a detour to FL so we could say we've been there.)

Wander up to Beaufort, SC and spend a few days there.

Mosey on back to Charleston, SC to attempt to fly home.

Charleston, South Carolina:

Is this hell? No, It’s O’Hare Airport

2008-05-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

We’ve returned and recovered from the black hole of hell, otherwise known as the Chicago O’Hare Airport. I’m convinced that it really is hell. You think you are progressing forward, going somewhere, but you’re not- you’re just waiting. Everyone on the other airlines are going places, so you think that if you just wait, it will be your turn. But it never is. You can’t sleep. The benches are ridiculously uncomfortable and jab into your side, it is cold, too bright for sleeping and the repetitive announcements about leaving your luggage unattended never stop! And so what if I left my luggage unattended? No one is here to mess with it! There’s no food and they only pretend to have Starbucks open 24 hours, but it really doesn’t open until 5:00am, which never comes! The keepers of hell make you think it’s not so bad by having clean restrooms, but for all I know the handy toilet seat covers are reused and I probably have flesh-eating butt bacteria. But I’m convinced that I’ve cracked the code. When we all die, we’ll find out that hell is really spending eternity in the Chicago O’Hare Airport and nothing like Dante’s Inferno. There are no levels or circles of hell… just terminals. This is the place where bad people, murderers, dentists and the inventors of ankle-socks go.

this is what I get...

2008-04-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

for praising the chicago airport restroom... I'm stuck at the chicago airport for the night. We had a flight canceled and now we get to enjoy the clean restrooms anytime we want all night long until our 6:05am flight. Oh... (sigh) the joy... I can't express my excitement... hmmmm.

Anyone what to know what is worse than airplane sleep? Airport sleep! Worse by far. It made going to the dentist even sound less horrific... and for me, that says a lot! But dentists are for another blog.