Isn't that so true sometimes?
Jeff and I did decide to go to New York for our Anniversary after all. We had a wonderful time visiting with his sister, brother-in-law and our little niece. We did a bunch of tourist type stuff - visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, museums, a musical and a bunch of really great places to eat.
We saw the remains of Hurricane Hanna while we were there - we had never seen it rain so hard and so much in our lives. Thinking it would only last a little while like it does here in Utah, we opted not to buy an umbrella from the street vendors. We were soooo wrong, and were soooo soaked when we finally arrived back at his sister's house - even our shoes were soaked through and sloshing out water with every step. But it was fun nonetheless.
Thankfully we were able to enjoy our time there despite the goings on here at home. Jeff's mom was so kind to make phone calls and follow up with my dad the entire time we were gone. I felt so much better knowing that. Which brings me to the sad, sad news:
Two weeks ago - on September 3rd, my sister-in-law was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Tammy was married to my older brother, Danny in 2002. They had a baby girl, Allie, in October of that year. Unfortunately they later divorced and Tammy moved to North Carolina with Allie. We, thankfully, were on very good terms with Tammy and were able to visit with Allie several times a year, and when Tammy would come out to Utah for business, she would stay at my parent's home instead of a hotel. We were able to continue a very close relationship, and in fact Tammy and Allie both flew out twice last summer specifically to visit our family - once in July for my brother Dave's wedding, and again in September for Jeff and I's wedding. Jeff was just commenting the other day that on our wedding day when he didn't know how to affix his boutonierre, Tammy was the one to help him.
The story of her death is quite tragic - she had gone to pick up her younger brother from his night courses at the college, upon arriving home, she parked her truck at the end of the drive so she could pick up the mail and her brother could load the garbage cans in the back of the truck. The drunk driver was travelling in the opposite lane of traffic, crossed the middle lines, crossed the oncoming lane, nearly missed her brother and struck her at 60+ mph. She was thrown over100 feet. We are all hoping that she passed quickly, however, that will not be confirmed until later as we are awaiting the Medical Examiner's report that will be used at the trial against the driver. The story continues and just becomes more and more tragic - too much to talk about right now. The part that is worth mentioning is that unfortunately a legal custody battle has ensued between Tammy's mom and my brother Danny for Allie. It is so easy for me to see both side's points-of-view. Tammy's mom has already lost her daughter - tragically - and now faces the loss of seeing her grand-daughter every day as she has become used to in the last several months that she has been living with Tammy and Allie. That thought is horrible, and I feel so very, very sad for her. On the other hand, I also know that not only does my brother have a legal right, as her father, to have custody and care of her, he sincerely wants her to come back and live here. He wants to have the father-daughter relationship he has not been able to have the last three years simply because of the physical distance between them. He is perfectly able and capable of providing her a happy, healthy and stable home - here, and he deserves his legal right to do so.
Ugh - what a mess. I''m so glad that I do not have to be the judge who decides what the right thing to do is. But for those of you with children, let this be a lesson to you: Make a will. Get it done as soon as possible. Make it very clear what your wishes are for your children and your estate should one or both parents die young. Most of us have a belief that we will live long lives, but we never know when something like this could happen.
Rachael
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Cancer
I hate cancer. I HATE it. I truly do. I wish I could do something to make it go away.
My darling dad is going through six months of chemotherapy after successful removal of a tumor in June. WHY??? does he have to have more chemotherapy after his cancer has been removed??? Because the cancer doctors said he needs to. I don't know what to think about that. This chemotherapy stuff is for the birds. My poor dad has lost over 50 lbs. He is very weak, tired a lot of the time, and is having a hard time being his normal happy self.
Yesterday, Jeff and I went to visit him and my mom at their house. He answered the door when we rang and said he felt light-headed like he had gotten up too fast. I leaned in to give him a hug, and he passed out right there in my arms, and I wasn't strong enough to hold him up. I was trying so hard, but he went down, and I went down too. I'm sure he is all bruised today, and I couldn't help him. That is what I hate the most about this whole thing - I can't do anything to help. I can't make it better, I can't tell him that he'll feel better soon.
And then I keep hearing about all these people dying from cancer at ages as young as and younger than my dad, and I can't handle the idea that it is possible to lose someone you love to this hateful disease. I love him so much - I don't know how I can help him to know that.
Jeff and I have a vacation planned to go to New York City for our one year anniversary leaving this Friday and will be gone for over a week, and I am so scared to leave. My heart is breaking at the thought that something might happen while we are gone. I don't know what to do. :(
My darling dad is going through six months of chemotherapy after successful removal of a tumor in June. WHY??? does he have to have more chemotherapy after his cancer has been removed??? Because the cancer doctors said he needs to. I don't know what to think about that. This chemotherapy stuff is for the birds. My poor dad has lost over 50 lbs. He is very weak, tired a lot of the time, and is having a hard time being his normal happy self.
Yesterday, Jeff and I went to visit him and my mom at their house. He answered the door when we rang and said he felt light-headed like he had gotten up too fast. I leaned in to give him a hug, and he passed out right there in my arms, and I wasn't strong enough to hold him up. I was trying so hard, but he went down, and I went down too. I'm sure he is all bruised today, and I couldn't help him. That is what I hate the most about this whole thing - I can't do anything to help. I can't make it better, I can't tell him that he'll feel better soon.
And then I keep hearing about all these people dying from cancer at ages as young as and younger than my dad, and I can't handle the idea that it is possible to lose someone you love to this hateful disease. I love him so much - I don't know how I can help him to know that.
Jeff and I have a vacation planned to go to New York City for our one year anniversary leaving this Friday and will be gone for over a week, and I am so scared to leave. My heart is breaking at the thought that something might happen while we are gone. I don't know what to do. :(
Friday, July 18, 2008
My husband is FAMOUS
Okay, so not like some super-star or anything, but he is in an article that is currently on the front page of cnn.com! I swear I never thought anything so cool would come of his GI Joe obsession, but I must give him credit - his cubicle was pretty cool. Check out the article here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/07/18/wacky.workspace/index.html
Now we are working on creating a room in our house for all his GI Joes. I was really bugged by them when we first got married - I thought it was childish, but then I realized that lots of guys get fanatical about something. My uncle, for example, is a HUGE sportsman and they have their house decorated in an outdoors/hunting/fishing theme with quite a few stuffed real animals he has caught. So I decided that it is pretty cool that Hasboro has come out with new editions of all the old figures Jeff played with as a kid for the 25th anniversary, though I never imagined that there were so many different guys and vehicles and weapons as there are. I have even watched some of the old cartoons with him - which brings back memories for me too. Though I didn't remember that everyone would say "GO JOE!" or "COBRA!" in unison so often, it's kind of silly, but hey, it was the 80's - things were a LOT different back then.
Anyway, it's pretty cool that he is on cnn.com
Now we are working on creating a room in our house for all his GI Joes. I was really bugged by them when we first got married - I thought it was childish, but then I realized that lots of guys get fanatical about something. My uncle, for example, is a HUGE sportsman and they have their house decorated in an outdoors/hunting/fishing theme with quite a few stuffed real animals he has caught. So I decided that it is pretty cool that Hasboro has come out with new editions of all the old figures Jeff played with as a kid for the 25th anniversary, though I never imagined that there were so many different guys and vehicles and weapons as there are. I have even watched some of the old cartoons with him - which brings back memories for me too. Though I didn't remember that everyone would say "GO JOE!" or "COBRA!" in unison so often, it's kind of silly, but hey, it was the 80's - things were a LOT different back then.
Anyway, it's pretty cool that he is on cnn.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Old Friends
So I got off of work early today and have been "googling" old friends names. It is soooo interesting to see where people are that I haven't seen in over 10 years. I'm glad to see so many people seem happy in their lives.
If anyone ever googles me I hope they see that I am the happiest I've ever been. Life is wonderful!
You should try it sometime, it's fun, googling people I mean - who knows you might find a long-lost friend!
Loves!
Rach
If anyone ever googles me I hope they see that I am the happiest I've ever been. Life is wonderful!
You should try it sometime, it's fun, googling people I mean - who knows you might find a long-lost friend!
Loves!
Rach
Thursday, June 26, 2008
What is this country coming to?
I had every intention of ranting about this issue yesterday, but decided I should wait a day and see if I still felt the same way... I do!
According to CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/25/scotus.child.rape/index.html the Supreme Court of the USA has ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute a child rapist. According to the article, Justice Anthony Kennedy said "We conclude that, in determining whether the death penalty is excessive, there is a distinction between intentional first-degree murder on the one hand and nonhomicide crimes against individual persons, even including child rape, on the other,"
Excuse my french, but WHAT THE HELL???
Obviously they did not have enough data to make an informed decision. Do they not realize that a vast majority of these victims grow up to lead lives full of mental illness, drugs, alcohol, violence and some even commit suicide. Now, how is it okay for the victim to pay for this injustice with his/her life but the same is "unconstitutional" for the perpetrator?
According to Wikipedia - and I strongly suggest reading the whole article -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse
Child sexual abuse can result in both short-term and long-term harm, including psychopathology in later life. Psychological, emotional, physical, and social effects include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, poor self-esteem, dissociative and anxiety disorders; general psychological distress and disorders such as somatization, neurosis, chronic pain, sexualized behavior, school/learning problems; and behavior problems including substance abuse, destructive behavior, criminality in adulthood and suicide. A specific characteristic pattern of symptoms has not been identified and there are several hypotheses on the causality of these associations.
A study funded by the USA National Institute of Drug Abuse found that "Among more than 1,400 adult females, childhood sexual abuse was associated with increased likelihood of drug dependence, alcohol dependence, and psychiatric disorders. The associations are expressed as odds ratios: for example, women who experienced nongenital sexual abuse in childhood were 2.93 times more likely to suffer drug dependence as adults than were women who were not abused."
Sexually abused children suffer from more psychological symptoms than children who have not been abused; studies have found symptoms in 51% to 79% of sexually abused children. Children may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from child sexual abuse, even without actual or threatened injury or violence.
Okay, so I know I said in my last post that Jeff and I would move out of the country if McCain became president, but this is just as bad. I think I'm going to start looking for work in England. (I know, their proper english is practically a different language, but at least I'll be able to understand some of it.)
I am so angry! This will be one of the biggest reasons if Jeff and I decide not to have children. It makes me physically ill to think about how easily this abuse can happen and how many children live with it and are too afraid to tell anyone about it. Think of your children - try to remember when you were a child yourself - how can anyone hurt such an innocent being? But they do, and the Supreme Court has told those criminals that what they have done or are doing is not that bad and it has told those victims that their lives aren't worth shit.
According to CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/25/scotus.child.rape/index.html the Supreme Court of the USA has ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute a child rapist. According to the article, Justice Anthony Kennedy said "We conclude that, in determining whether the death penalty is excessive, there is a distinction between intentional first-degree murder on the one hand and nonhomicide crimes against individual persons, even including child rape, on the other,"
Excuse my french, but WHAT THE HELL???
Obviously they did not have enough data to make an informed decision. Do they not realize that a vast majority of these victims grow up to lead lives full of mental illness, drugs, alcohol, violence and some even commit suicide. Now, how is it okay for the victim to pay for this injustice with his/her life but the same is "unconstitutional" for the perpetrator?
According to Wikipedia - and I strongly suggest reading the whole article -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse
Child sexual abuse can result in both short-term and long-term harm, including psychopathology in later life. Psychological, emotional, physical, and social effects include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, poor self-esteem, dissociative and anxiety disorders; general psychological distress and disorders such as somatization, neurosis, chronic pain, sexualized behavior, school/learning problems; and behavior problems including substance abuse, destructive behavior, criminality in adulthood and suicide. A specific characteristic pattern of symptoms has not been identified and there are several hypotheses on the causality of these associations.
A study funded by the USA National Institute of Drug Abuse found that "Among more than 1,400 adult females, childhood sexual abuse was associated with increased likelihood of drug dependence, alcohol dependence, and psychiatric disorders. The associations are expressed as odds ratios: for example, women who experienced nongenital sexual abuse in childhood were 2.93 times more likely to suffer drug dependence as adults than were women who were not abused."
Sexually abused children suffer from more psychological symptoms than children who have not been abused; studies have found symptoms in 51% to 79% of sexually abused children. Children may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from child sexual abuse, even without actual or threatened injury or violence.
Okay, so I know I said in my last post that Jeff and I would move out of the country if McCain became president, but this is just as bad. I think I'm going to start looking for work in England. (I know, their proper english is practically a different language, but at least I'll be able to understand some of it.)
I am so angry! This will be one of the biggest reasons if Jeff and I decide not to have children. It makes me physically ill to think about how easily this abuse can happen and how many children live with it and are too afraid to tell anyone about it. Think of your children - try to remember when you were a child yourself - how can anyone hurt such an innocent being? But they do, and the Supreme Court has told those criminals that what they have done or are doing is not that bad and it has told those victims that their lives aren't worth shit.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
I got tagged by my MIL to answer a few questions - here goes...
a) What was I doing 10 years ago?
I had just finished my first year of school at Utah State University and moved home to Salt Lake City for the summer. I was working two full-time jobs to save money for school (yeah, save money, ha ha ha).
b) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today
1. Sleep in - here it is 9:00am, and I have already been awake for over an hour...
2. Send an email to some old college friends who I had a very vivid dream about last night.
3. Hopefully talk Jeff into going to IKEA to look for the one finishing piece of furniture for our basement make-over
4. Take a nap or play Dr. Mario - I've become addicted to it again, I last played it when I was a young kid and Nintendo was new.
5. Visit with my parents and siblings for our weekly get-together. I sure hope little Harbor is there - I love that kid!
c.) Snacks I enjoy
chips - pretty much ANY kind
Hostess cupcakes - Seriously I could not live without these
Diet Coke
d.) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off mortgages for my family
Pay off all of my debts
Invest my money and live off the interest
Become a lobbyist for tougher laws against sex offenders
Buy jewelry... (I love sparkly things)
Get a maid
Oh, the list could go on and on
e.) Places I have lived
West Valley City, Utah
Logan, Utah
Riverton, Utah
Midvale, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
I know, what a boring list of places to have lived, but if McCain becomes the next US President, we're moving out of the country. :)
Loves, Rachael
a) What was I doing 10 years ago?
I had just finished my first year of school at Utah State University and moved home to Salt Lake City for the summer. I was working two full-time jobs to save money for school (yeah, save money, ha ha ha).
b) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today
1. Sleep in - here it is 9:00am, and I have already been awake for over an hour...
2. Send an email to some old college friends who I had a very vivid dream about last night.
3. Hopefully talk Jeff into going to IKEA to look for the one finishing piece of furniture for our basement make-over
4. Take a nap or play Dr. Mario - I've become addicted to it again, I last played it when I was a young kid and Nintendo was new.
5. Visit with my parents and siblings for our weekly get-together. I sure hope little Harbor is there - I love that kid!
c.) Snacks I enjoy
chips - pretty much ANY kind
Hostess cupcakes - Seriously I could not live without these
Diet Coke
d.) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off mortgages for my family
Pay off all of my debts
Invest my money and live off the interest
Become a lobbyist for tougher laws against sex offenders
Buy jewelry... (I love sparkly things)
Get a maid
Oh, the list could go on and on
e.) Places I have lived
West Valley City, Utah
Logan, Utah
Riverton, Utah
Midvale, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
I know, what a boring list of places to have lived, but if McCain becomes the next US President, we're moving out of the country. :)
Loves, Rachael
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ah, the ups and downs of life...
My dad's surgery was a success! The doctor said that when she removed the part of the colon that had previously held the tumor all that was left was a scar! And she was able to put him back together which means that his ileostomy will not be permanent. Yay! So for several days everyone was in really good spirits and thinking that we were near the end of the "cancer" scare. Unfortunately we were all mistaken. :( When the doctor was in doing the surgery, she also took out several lymph nodes to test if there were cancerous cells still in them, and the results came back yesterday - 5 of 22 contained cancerous cells. So that means that my dad will recover from his surgery for one month, then begin his first of six more chemotherapy treatments. Each treatment lasts 2 weeks, and then he gets a month off, then two weeks until the six treatments are completed. THEN they will test the lymph nodes again and determine if he has any cells remaining. Unfortunately he will have to keep the ileostomy bad through this entire process. (He had previously thought he would be free of it within 6-8 weeks from now.) He is the one with the best attitude about this whole thing - which is really good.
A miracle happened yesterday too. My older brother went to the hospital to visit my dad. I know that doesn't seem like much to most people, but they haven't spoken to each other in a couple of years, and I honestly didn't think they would EVER speak to each other again. But I guess it takes stuff like the possibility of your dad dying to make you think and decide to patch things up. Now if I can only get things patched up between he and I, we can all be one big happy family again. I guess we'll see.
Okay, I need to get back to work. Just wanted to let you all know the news.
Loves,
Rach
A miracle happened yesterday too. My older brother went to the hospital to visit my dad. I know that doesn't seem like much to most people, but they haven't spoken to each other in a couple of years, and I honestly didn't think they would EVER speak to each other again. But I guess it takes stuff like the possibility of your dad dying to make you think and decide to patch things up. Now if I can only get things patched up between he and I, we can all be one big happy family again. I guess we'll see.
Okay, I need to get back to work. Just wanted to let you all know the news.
Loves,
Rach
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday Tuesdays and short weeks
Today has definitely been a Monday Tuesday. The day is lasting FOR-EV-ER, and no matter what I do the time just continues to drag and drag. This is not only due to it being the first day back to work after a long weekend, but during that long weekend we travelled to Denver and back. We had a BLAST! Jeff and I drove his new 4-door Jeep Wrangler across Wyoming on our way there and back the southern route via I-70 & Hwy 6. I must admit that the southern route is MUCH prettier, but it did seem to last a very long time. We went out to visit Jeff's sister and her family and see a few things in Colorado, get away from the house and give Jeff a chance to really drive his new vehicle. Jeff's sister is the oldest in their family, and Jeff is the third of four total, but since he didn't find me until after he was 30, the rest of his family seems so much more progressed with their individual families, and we feel like the youngest of the group. For example, we have a nephew who is 21 and going to college in Arizona. This is a little crazy for me to think about because my little sister is just 21 - how can I have a sister and a nephew that are the same age??? Plus, my sister has been married for two and a half years and has a son that is 18 months old, so in reality, my nephew is old enough to be a father... that would make me a great aunt! Yikes!
Anyhow, we arrived at about midnight on Friday and stayed until about 10:30 on Monday morning. We had such a good time visiting with his sister and her family. We went and saw the dinosaur tracks and the red-rocks ampitheater. We went on a scenic drive through the mountains and Jeff and I had a scrumptious Mexican dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. We shopped at the mall (but we got there too late to see Tiffany's... probably a good thing as I'm such a HUGE jewelry fan I most likely would have purchased something). We went to breakfast on Sunday at IHOP where our niece just started her first job as a hostess. We all had different varieties of french toast (Yummmmie!) and spent a little while WalMart hopping looking for GI Joes for Jeff (he is collecting the new 25th anniversary figures - he was WAY into them as a kid, and is having tons of fun seeing them all again). We had barbecued burgers for dinner that night again it was fantastic! We watched Patriot Games and all of a sudden the weekend was over and it was time for us to drive home.
Tomorrow my dad is having surgery to remove the cancer, and I am going to be at the hospital to be a support to my mom during the wait. So that means that I will have missed two days of work this week. The down-side of being a contractor is that I have no paid vacation/holiday time, so I'm working 12-hour days today and Thursday and Friday and will be working on stuff tomorrow at the hospital to make up the remaining 4 hours. So here it is 2:00pm and I have already been here for 8 hours. I'll be here for another 4, yikes! I don't know how long it has been since I worked a 12 hour day, probably over a year since I quit working so many hours when I met and married Jeff.
Yay! My boss took me and the two other new employees in our department on a field trip to see one of the larger substations in the Salt Lake Valley and then one of the smaller local ones. He explained what all of the equipment does and the different designs. When you see those arms coming off the poles, they don't look that big from the ground, but in reality they are like 16 feet long! Crazy!
Anyhow, that helped pass some of the time today, so now it is 3:40 and I only have two hours and twenty minutes left today!
Oh, and my dad is going in to surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00am. His surgery is supposed to last about 4 hours. I think I might come back into work after we get the news that he has come through and everything looks good (mostly I'm going to be there to support my mom), and then maybe I won't have to work so long on Thursday and Friday.
Anyway, please keep my daddy in your prayers tomorrow. I'm sure he's going to be fine, but extra prayers can never hurt.
Loves!
Rachael
Anyhow, we arrived at about midnight on Friday and stayed until about 10:30 on Monday morning. We had such a good time visiting with his sister and her family. We went and saw the dinosaur tracks and the red-rocks ampitheater. We went on a scenic drive through the mountains and Jeff and I had a scrumptious Mexican dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. We shopped at the mall (but we got there too late to see Tiffany's... probably a good thing as I'm such a HUGE jewelry fan I most likely would have purchased something). We went to breakfast on Sunday at IHOP where our niece just started her first job as a hostess. We all had different varieties of french toast (Yummmmie!) and spent a little while WalMart hopping looking for GI Joes for Jeff (he is collecting the new 25th anniversary figures - he was WAY into them as a kid, and is having tons of fun seeing them all again). We had barbecued burgers for dinner that night again it was fantastic! We watched Patriot Games and all of a sudden the weekend was over and it was time for us to drive home.
Tomorrow my dad is having surgery to remove the cancer, and I am going to be at the hospital to be a support to my mom during the wait. So that means that I will have missed two days of work this week. The down-side of being a contractor is that I have no paid vacation/holiday time, so I'm working 12-hour days today and Thursday and Friday and will be working on stuff tomorrow at the hospital to make up the remaining 4 hours. So here it is 2:00pm and I have already been here for 8 hours. I'll be here for another 4, yikes! I don't know how long it has been since I worked a 12 hour day, probably over a year since I quit working so many hours when I met and married Jeff.
Yay! My boss took me and the two other new employees in our department on a field trip to see one of the larger substations in the Salt Lake Valley and then one of the smaller local ones. He explained what all of the equipment does and the different designs. When you see those arms coming off the poles, they don't look that big from the ground, but in reality they are like 16 feet long! Crazy!
Anyhow, that helped pass some of the time today, so now it is 3:40 and I only have two hours and twenty minutes left today!
Oh, and my dad is going in to surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00am. His surgery is supposed to last about 4 hours. I think I might come back into work after we get the news that he has come through and everything looks good (mostly I'm going to be there to support my mom), and then maybe I won't have to work so long on Thursday and Friday.
Anyway, please keep my daddy in your prayers tomorrow. I'm sure he's going to be fine, but extra prayers can never hurt.
Loves!
Rachael
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thank Goodness!
Some days I feel so grateful for so many things and tend to notice the little things especially. Like tea. My new job provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate or hot apple cider to all employees. I know it is a pretty standard perk, but at times like this morning, when I was getting drowsy, I am so glad that I could run and get a quick cup of green tea which has perked me right up. Luckily I am one of those people who doesn't mind the bitterness and in fact even enjoys it, so I don't need any sweetener, etc.
Another thing I am grateful for is my new job. I know I've said it a ton of times, but I could not have created a better position if I were to make it up myself. I am working on our BIG monthly report today, and I haven't run into any problems so far (knock on wood), it makes me feel good to know that I have learned enough to accomplish this task on my own. :)
I am also thankful for sweaters. I know, crazy, as it is in the 70's outside right now, but I think they keep the office at 60. So I look like a looney driving to work in the mornings all bundled up, but at least I'm able to work once I get here.
Oh, and I'm in love with the Spring weather, it is so nice! Jeff and I walked down to Becca and Jeremy's house on Tuesday and played outside with Harbor for about a half hour. He is so much fun.
I'm so glad that I don't have bad hives today - on Tuesday my eyes were all puffed up by hives, I had tiny slits for eyes - embarassing. Oh, and I'm so happy that I am going to get my hair dyed tonight - it has needed it for a couple of weeks now, but I try to push it as long as possible. Those gals at the beauty school have done an excellent job. Jeff thinks I should get some highlights - what do you think?
Loves!
Rachael
Another thing I am grateful for is my new job. I know I've said it a ton of times, but I could not have created a better position if I were to make it up myself. I am working on our BIG monthly report today, and I haven't run into any problems so far (knock on wood), it makes me feel good to know that I have learned enough to accomplish this task on my own. :)
I am also thankful for sweaters. I know, crazy, as it is in the 70's outside right now, but I think they keep the office at 60. So I look like a looney driving to work in the mornings all bundled up, but at least I'm able to work once I get here.
Oh, and I'm in love with the Spring weather, it is so nice! Jeff and I walked down to Becca and Jeremy's house on Tuesday and played outside with Harbor for about a half hour. He is so much fun.
I'm so glad that I don't have bad hives today - on Tuesday my eyes were all puffed up by hives, I had tiny slits for eyes - embarassing. Oh, and I'm so happy that I am going to get my hair dyed tonight - it has needed it for a couple of weeks now, but I try to push it as long as possible. Those gals at the beauty school have done an excellent job. Jeff thinks I should get some highlights - what do you think?
Loves!
Rachael
Monday, May 12, 2008
What a weekend!
Wow, there are so very many things to say today. This weekend was filled with so much fun!
On Saturday we went to Gardiner Village with Jeff's mom and grandma. It was such a beautiful day! (Someday I'm going to start carrying around a camera so I can take pictures of this stuff). But in the meantime, if you'd like to see some, go to my mother-in-law's blog at www.mainstreetmemories.blogspot.com We wandered in and out of stores, found a Jim Shore angel for my mom for mothers day, and just enjoyed ourselves and the weather. Then we went back to the parent's house for some Tres Leches cake that Jeff made. MMMMMMMMM!!!!! Let me just say that it was DIVINE - yes, nectar of the Gods. It is a dense cake that turns out yellow in color (probably due to the 10 eggs it calls for), oh, I forgot to mention that it has so many calories I don't even want to know. Anyway, after the cake has baked, you pour on a liquid combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, regular milk, and heavy whipping cream (yah, did I mention we won't think about the calories?). Then to finish it off, you top it with fresh sliced strawberries. You don't need to sugar the strawberries, the cake is sweet enough to make the combination WONDERFUL!
Then we all piled in the newly re-designed front room and watched some TV, most of us fell asleep. :) Then we had Cheese Steak sandwiches for dinner - again, it was YUM-O! We always eat good food when we go to their house.
On Sunday we went out to my parent's house. We sat around and talked for a while - Jenny gave us the latest goings on with her family and her brother's funeral. My dad's mom came over for dinner as well as my dad's brother, Uncle Jeff and his wife, Julie and their daughter, Jalissa. We had shish-kabobs (I hope that's how you spell it), which were very very good. The highlight of my day had to be playing with little Harbor - my nephew who is 17 months old. I swear every time I see him I get the desire to be a mom myself. He is so adorable. Yesterday we went outside and he spotted every airplane that flew by, and when there weren't any in the sky, he would hold his hands up in the "I don't know where it is" gesture - SO CUTE! Then he would make the animal noises when I would ask him "What's a bear say?" And he would do this tiny little growl with almost no noise behind it, then at monkey he would say "ooo, ooo, ooo" and his mouth would form this perfect little circle. He jumped on the trampoline while holding my hand, and we barked back at the neighbor's dog when he got up on the swingset and began barking at us. My heart just melts when I say goodbye and he gives me a hug and puts his face up for a kiss, and shakes his little hand back and forth. I also love when I put my hand out, he just automatically reaches up and grabs it. If you couldn't tell - I love that little boy!
Also yesterday I found out that my mom's dad is going to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood next Sunday. That is the higher priesthood within the Mormon church. It is so crazy for me to think of it - my whole life he has been a smoker and drinker and he would cuss all the time and didn't treat my grandma very well. I haven't seen them in about four years - another long story for another day. But I guess he has completely changed around. Apparently he wants to take my grandma to the Temple. My mom told me about it yesterday and mentioned that Dave and Jenny would be gone for the funeral and that Becca and Jeremy would still be on their cruise, so Jeff and I would be the only ones left in town and we were invited to come to church for the event. I quickly mentioned that Jeff and I would be out of town this weekend too - she asked where and I said "I don't know yet, I just know we won't be able to go to church." So if we show up on your doorstep this weekend - I hope you'll be okay with us crashing for a couple of days. :)
Oh! Another highlight of yesterday was my dad wearing this t-shirt that his brother Tim had made for him that says "Be nice to me. Cause I have Cancer, Ya know." HILARIOUS! My dad has been saying that since he got his diagnosis, and previous to that, for about 15 years he has said "I just had surgery, ya know." Even though it had been YEARS since then. He is so funny!
Okay, okay, I'll quit jabbering away. I know you've all got to be bored to tears by now. But just remember that family is the most important thing in life, enjoy them while you have them.
Loves!
Rachael
On Saturday we went to Gardiner Village with Jeff's mom and grandma. It was such a beautiful day! (Someday I'm going to start carrying around a camera so I can take pictures of this stuff). But in the meantime, if you'd like to see some, go to my mother-in-law's blog at www.mainstreetmemories.blogspot.com We wandered in and out of stores, found a Jim Shore angel for my mom for mothers day, and just enjoyed ourselves and the weather. Then we went back to the parent's house for some Tres Leches cake that Jeff made. MMMMMMMMM!!!!! Let me just say that it was DIVINE - yes, nectar of the Gods. It is a dense cake that turns out yellow in color (probably due to the 10 eggs it calls for), oh, I forgot to mention that it has so many calories I don't even want to know. Anyway, after the cake has baked, you pour on a liquid combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, regular milk, and heavy whipping cream (yah, did I mention we won't think about the calories?). Then to finish it off, you top it with fresh sliced strawberries. You don't need to sugar the strawberries, the cake is sweet enough to make the combination WONDERFUL!
Then we all piled in the newly re-designed front room and watched some TV, most of us fell asleep. :) Then we had Cheese Steak sandwiches for dinner - again, it was YUM-O! We always eat good food when we go to their house.
On Sunday we went out to my parent's house. We sat around and talked for a while - Jenny gave us the latest goings on with her family and her brother's funeral. My dad's mom came over for dinner as well as my dad's brother, Uncle Jeff and his wife, Julie and their daughter, Jalissa. We had shish-kabobs (I hope that's how you spell it), which were very very good. The highlight of my day had to be playing with little Harbor - my nephew who is 17 months old. I swear every time I see him I get the desire to be a mom myself. He is so adorable. Yesterday we went outside and he spotted every airplane that flew by, and when there weren't any in the sky, he would hold his hands up in the "I don't know where it is" gesture - SO CUTE! Then he would make the animal noises when I would ask him "What's a bear say?" And he would do this tiny little growl with almost no noise behind it, then at monkey he would say "ooo, ooo, ooo" and his mouth would form this perfect little circle. He jumped on the trampoline while holding my hand, and we barked back at the neighbor's dog when he got up on the swingset and began barking at us. My heart just melts when I say goodbye and he gives me a hug and puts his face up for a kiss, and shakes his little hand back and forth. I also love when I put my hand out, he just automatically reaches up and grabs it. If you couldn't tell - I love that little boy!
Also yesterday I found out that my mom's dad is going to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood next Sunday. That is the higher priesthood within the Mormon church. It is so crazy for me to think of it - my whole life he has been a smoker and drinker and he would cuss all the time and didn't treat my grandma very well. I haven't seen them in about four years - another long story for another day. But I guess he has completely changed around. Apparently he wants to take my grandma to the Temple. My mom told me about it yesterday and mentioned that Dave and Jenny would be gone for the funeral and that Becca and Jeremy would still be on their cruise, so Jeff and I would be the only ones left in town and we were invited to come to church for the event. I quickly mentioned that Jeff and I would be out of town this weekend too - she asked where and I said "I don't know yet, I just know we won't be able to go to church." So if we show up on your doorstep this weekend - I hope you'll be okay with us crashing for a couple of days. :)
Oh! Another highlight of yesterday was my dad wearing this t-shirt that his brother Tim had made for him that says "Be nice to me. Cause I have Cancer, Ya know." HILARIOUS! My dad has been saying that since he got his diagnosis, and previous to that, for about 15 years he has said "I just had surgery, ya know." Even though it had been YEARS since then. He is so funny!
Okay, okay, I'll quit jabbering away. I know you've all got to be bored to tears by now. But just remember that family is the most important thing in life, enjoy them while you have them.
Loves!
Rachael
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sad, sad news...
My younger brother, Dave, got married last year just six weeks before Jeff and I did. He met Jenny online at ldslinkup.com She was living in Florida at the time when they met, but decided to move out here to Utah shortly after the New Year under the pretense of going to school here (somehow I think she may actually have wanted to meet and date my brother). Jenny is such a fun girl! She brings out the best in Dave, and they are perfect for each other. Anyhow, last July her mom and brothers came out to Utah from Florida and California for the wedding. Of course our interactions were only for that one day, but it was great to see and meet some of her family.
Yesterday Jenny's older brother committed suicide by cop. Apparently his wife had recently filed for divorce, and he had moved from California back to Florida to get his life back together. Well, yesterday he went to the county court house to respond to the divorce papers his wife had filed, but had bigger plans. When he arrived at the court house, the officers at the check point asked him to put his backpack through the X-ray. He dropped the bag while pulling out a semi-automatic handgun, and opened fire. He struck an officer in the shoulder, and that officer and the other at the door both fired back in defense, and killed him.
I cannot imagine what his family must be feeling right now. Thankfully I have not had to deal with such a tragic loss with a close family member. Don't get me wrong, there have been many deaths in my family, but all from expected health/age-related problems.
My mom has been pretty bummed about this - she says that as a mother, she feels so badly for his mother. She, unfortunately has had to think about/deal with a suicidal child, and her suicide attempts. I have never seen things from this side of the street - it is completely different to see how this has affected so many people. Yet I completely understand the pain that comes with suicidal thoughts, and how I wasn't thinking about how my decision to kill myself would affect other people, only of how bad the pain was and how much I wanted it to stop.
I feel so terrible for Jenny. It is hard to know what I can or should do to help/support her at this time. I wish I could take some of her pain away. I'm so glad that she has Dave though, he is so kind and understanding and empathetic. He will take care of her and help her through this rough time.
I guess I learned a huge lesson today - that the things that we do affect other people in ways we can never know.
Yesterday Jenny's older brother committed suicide by cop. Apparently his wife had recently filed for divorce, and he had moved from California back to Florida to get his life back together. Well, yesterday he went to the county court house to respond to the divorce papers his wife had filed, but had bigger plans. When he arrived at the court house, the officers at the check point asked him to put his backpack through the X-ray. He dropped the bag while pulling out a semi-automatic handgun, and opened fire. He struck an officer in the shoulder, and that officer and the other at the door both fired back in defense, and killed him.
I cannot imagine what his family must be feeling right now. Thankfully I have not had to deal with such a tragic loss with a close family member. Don't get me wrong, there have been many deaths in my family, but all from expected health/age-related problems.
My mom has been pretty bummed about this - she says that as a mother, she feels so badly for his mother. She, unfortunately has had to think about/deal with a suicidal child, and her suicide attempts. I have never seen things from this side of the street - it is completely different to see how this has affected so many people. Yet I completely understand the pain that comes with suicidal thoughts, and how I wasn't thinking about how my decision to kill myself would affect other people, only of how bad the pain was and how much I wanted it to stop.
I feel so terrible for Jenny. It is hard to know what I can or should do to help/support her at this time. I wish I could take some of her pain away. I'm so glad that she has Dave though, he is so kind and understanding and empathetic. He will take care of her and help her through this rough time.
I guess I learned a huge lesson today - that the things that we do affect other people in ways we can never know.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
For some reason I feel like throwing myself a pity party tonight. I keep thinking of all the crappy things that have happened in my life, and feeling like I need someone to say "You went through hell, and I'm sorry you had to, it wasn't fair, you didn't do anything to deserve it, you are a good person." I guess I'll just have to say it to myself.
It's hard though, those old familiar feelings that I can NEVER do anything right are starting to creep back up, and I'm struggling to understand why. Why me?
I just spent about an hour typing all of the reasons I deserve a pity party, then realized that this is the internet and I probably should not post such things here. I guess I need someone to talk to.
Okay, I'm tired of my own whiny-ness. I need to get over myself and just get some sleep, everything will look better in the morning.
It's hard though, those old familiar feelings that I can NEVER do anything right are starting to creep back up, and I'm struggling to understand why. Why me?
I just spent about an hour typing all of the reasons I deserve a pity party, then realized that this is the internet and I probably should not post such things here. I guess I need someone to talk to.
Okay, I'm tired of my own whiny-ness. I need to get over myself and just get some sleep, everything will look better in the morning.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Friday, Friday!
Sung to the tune of "Monday, Monday..." This morning I seem to have gotten ready for the day especially quickly because it is 7:20 and I'm already at work. I guess it makes sense since I don't wash my hair every day, but instead opt for every other day (keeps my locks more shiny and not dried out). I neglected to change the alarm clock to compensate for this extra time. Oh well, now there's time to write a quick blog. :)
Jeff is so very cute in the mornings! While I was unemployed (for 5 whole months!), he used to write in his blog about how hard it was to leave for work while I was still all snuggly in our bed. Well, now the tables have turned. I am the one who gets to say goodbye while he is all sleepy and comfy in bed. Most days I'm just in such a hurry to get to work that I don't take the time to appreciate how very cute he is, but today... today I just stood there for a few extra seconds and smiled and felt so much love for this wonderful man. He really is the best person I have ever known. He is so selfless and so easy-going. I guess maybe he helps to balance me out, because I tend to be selfish and a stress-ball most of the time, but have noticed that I'm much calmer since I've been with him. I love him! Not only is he wonderful, but he helps me to be a better person too. What more could I possibly want?
On to a new subject... I have lost 10 pounds since I started my new job a little over three weeks ago. Yay!!! I decided that I would step on the scale this morning and was quite surprised and pleased to see that my hard work is paying off. :) Believe me, opting for apple slices over fries at Mickey-Dee's is not very easy, but I am seeing that it is worth the effort.
Well, I best be getting to work - I am creating an Access database for the first time in my life, and it is difficult, but sooooo much fun to learn (except when I want it to do something and I'm sure I have entered the right formula only to see a response that says #Name? or #Error) but so far I have figured out the snags and am starting to feel a bit of confidence in my ability.
Have an excellent day!
Loves!
Rach
Jeff is so very cute in the mornings! While I was unemployed (for 5 whole months!), he used to write in his blog about how hard it was to leave for work while I was still all snuggly in our bed. Well, now the tables have turned. I am the one who gets to say goodbye while he is all sleepy and comfy in bed. Most days I'm just in such a hurry to get to work that I don't take the time to appreciate how very cute he is, but today... today I just stood there for a few extra seconds and smiled and felt so much love for this wonderful man. He really is the best person I have ever known. He is so selfless and so easy-going. I guess maybe he helps to balance me out, because I tend to be selfish and a stress-ball most of the time, but have noticed that I'm much calmer since I've been with him. I love him! Not only is he wonderful, but he helps me to be a better person too. What more could I possibly want?
On to a new subject... I have lost 10 pounds since I started my new job a little over three weeks ago. Yay!!! I decided that I would step on the scale this morning and was quite surprised and pleased to see that my hard work is paying off. :) Believe me, opting for apple slices over fries at Mickey-Dee's is not very easy, but I am seeing that it is worth the effort.
Well, I best be getting to work - I am creating an Access database for the first time in my life, and it is difficult, but sooooo much fun to learn (except when I want it to do something and I'm sure I have entered the right formula only to see a response that says #Name? or #Error) but so far I have figured out the snags and am starting to feel a bit of confidence in my ability.
Have an excellent day!
Loves!
Rach
Friday, April 25, 2008
Stimulus Package
Yay! I just read on irs.gov that Jeff and I will be getting our "stimulus package" on May 16th! Such good news! I had seen a different schedule earlier this year that said that we wouldn't get our "rebate" until September since the last two of my social is "94" we are at the very end of the list. But hey, it's $1200 free bucks! Though I know where $826 of that will be going - to pay for that root canal from yesterday... Yow! My mouth hurts something fierce today - if you ever have to face a root canal, I would suggest that you have your tooth pulled instead! Seriously, it was NOT fun!
Today has been a roller-coaster of plans... my dad called at lunch time to see if Jeff and I wanted to fly to sunny California for Jeff's birthday. I was all for it, and called Jeff to see if he could get the time off. We both got Monday off, then my dad said he needed to make sure he was allowed to fly, so then the trip was tentatively on hold. Then my dad got clearance to go, but they wanted to wait until next weekend since it is my sister's husband's birthday then - it would be like a double celebration. The only problem is that Jeff has month-end next week, so he could not get the time off. So - we're back to our original plan to go to New York on May 8. Though my mom & dad and sister & brother-in-law and nephew might be going to New York too! (Don't worry Brandi, if you're reading this, they'll get a hotel room.)
So, it looks like we're set up for another restful weekend at home - which is just what I want/need! Though in the conversation I just had with Jeff he mentioned that maybe we should clean our house... yeah, we probably should, but it's so not fun. We'll see. Happy Day, it's 3:35, and I only have 25 minutes of work left today! Yay!
Have a great weekend, and if you end up going to California/Disneyland, I don't want to hear about it. :)
Loves, Rachael
Today has been a roller-coaster of plans... my dad called at lunch time to see if Jeff and I wanted to fly to sunny California for Jeff's birthday. I was all for it, and called Jeff to see if he could get the time off. We both got Monday off, then my dad said he needed to make sure he was allowed to fly, so then the trip was tentatively on hold. Then my dad got clearance to go, but they wanted to wait until next weekend since it is my sister's husband's birthday then - it would be like a double celebration. The only problem is that Jeff has month-end next week, so he could not get the time off. So - we're back to our original plan to go to New York on May 8. Though my mom & dad and sister & brother-in-law and nephew might be going to New York too! (Don't worry Brandi, if you're reading this, they'll get a hotel room.)
So, it looks like we're set up for another restful weekend at home - which is just what I want/need! Though in the conversation I just had with Jeff he mentioned that maybe we should clean our house... yeah, we probably should, but it's so not fun. We'll see. Happy Day, it's 3:35, and I only have 25 minutes of work left today! Yay!
Have a great weekend, and if you end up going to California/Disneyland, I don't want to hear about it. :)
Loves, Rachael
Thursday, April 24, 2008
When it rains it pours.
Yeah, so I woke up this morning to SNOW! What the crap??? It is supposed to be Spring! I am sooooooo sick of winter/snow/cold/having to wear socks & shoes! Last night Jeff and I walked to the mailbox to get our mail and I didn't wear any shoes. It was wonderful! Though Jeff will tell you that I said "Ouch" quite a few times - which is true - I LOVED being shoeless. This is one of my most favorite things about Spring/Summer/Fall - I get to wear sandals and flip-flops! (I wore sandals today anyway because I can't stand the idea of socks and shoes again!)
So, I've had a little earache for the past week and decided I should probably get it checked out - it was getting progressively worse. Turns out I don't have an ear problem at all, I have a sinus problem. It also turns out that it is a good thing that I went to the doc because one of the medications I am taking for my hives (haven't had them for a week now!) is an immunosupressant. So my doc prescribed me antibiotics, gave me some nose spray and ordered Mucinex as well. AND she said that if I ever start to feel even the tiniest bit sick I should come in to see her so it doesn't develop into something worse.
I get to go see the dentist again today to finish my root canal...not so much fun, but I'm glad it is finally getting finished - though the $800 bill is extremely undesirable. I have spent a ton of money getting these teeth straight and healthy - my smile is worth the expense.
So last night I was all primed to go to bed at 10 again, but then we watched Star Wars III, and then I couldn't fall asleep, so I ended up not falling asleep until 12:30. BUT I didn't have any caffeine after 5:30, and I noticed that I slept better once I did get to sleep, and I have only been a little drowsy at work today.
On a side note - I love Thursdays. I used to think that Friday was the best day, and maybe it still is, but Thursday has moved right up on my list.
Okay, I better get back to work.
Loves! Rach
So, I've had a little earache for the past week and decided I should probably get it checked out - it was getting progressively worse. Turns out I don't have an ear problem at all, I have a sinus problem. It also turns out that it is a good thing that I went to the doc because one of the medications I am taking for my hives (haven't had them for a week now!) is an immunosupressant. So my doc prescribed me antibiotics, gave me some nose spray and ordered Mucinex as well. AND she said that if I ever start to feel even the tiniest bit sick I should come in to see her so it doesn't develop into something worse.
I get to go see the dentist again today to finish my root canal...not so much fun, but I'm glad it is finally getting finished - though the $800 bill is extremely undesirable. I have spent a ton of money getting these teeth straight and healthy - my smile is worth the expense.
So last night I was all primed to go to bed at 10 again, but then we watched Star Wars III, and then I couldn't fall asleep, so I ended up not falling asleep until 12:30. BUT I didn't have any caffeine after 5:30, and I noticed that I slept better once I did get to sleep, and I have only been a little drowsy at work today.
On a side note - I love Thursdays. I used to think that Friday was the best day, and maybe it still is, but Thursday has moved right up on my list.
Okay, I better get back to work.
Loves! Rach
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Happy B-earth-day
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I also just so happens to be Earth Day. Same day, every year - Mom's birthday and Earth day. So we went to Training Table (a Utah original) for dinner and had famous cheese fries with the Ultimate dipping sauce. My younger sister, her husband and son were there too. I got to sit next to the little one - he's 16 months old, and therefore got the duty of dipping his fry in the sauce over and over and over again. He would suck the sauce off and hand it back to me without eating the fry. I tricked him a couple of times though by getting a bite-sized piece of chicken and dipping it and when he went to grab it, I just shoved it in his mouth and said "What a good boy!" and clapped, so he ate it. My sister had dressed him in the cutest sweater vest that had his initials embroidered on it. Every time I get to see him it makes me want to have a child. He is so adorable, and all boy!
So my new job is so great! I am having such a good time learning so much! I haven't had to go to one meeting yet! Yay! I love just being able to do my job. Now if I could only get over this mid morning drowsiness life would be perfect! I told myself that I was going to go to bed at 10 last night, but then Jeff and I watched Star Wars I and II and all of a sudden it was 12. Oh well, there's always tonight, right?
I better get to that work.
Loves! Rachael
So my new job is so great! I am having such a good time learning so much! I haven't had to go to one meeting yet! Yay! I love just being able to do my job. Now if I could only get over this mid morning drowsiness life would be perfect! I told myself that I was going to go to bed at 10 last night, but then Jeff and I watched Star Wars I and II and all of a sudden it was 12. Oh well, there's always tonight, right?
I better get to that work.
Loves! Rachael
Monday, April 21, 2008
I hate being talked to like I am a child!
Okay, so I lost my new badge for work. I know, I know, I've only worked there for a couple of weeks, HOW could I possibly loose my badge already? I don't know! But unfortunately the fact of the matter is that I have lost it. So I walked in the building and straight to the Security desk and inform them that I have lost my badge and need a new one. The girl behind the desk asks for my name and when I give it to her, she says "But you're a brand new employee! How could you have lost it already? Okay, I'll give you a new one. But you better not loose this one, these are EXTREMELY expensive and practically irreplacable. I'm going to make you one, but understand that these are EXTREMELY expensive. If you find your old one, please bring it back to us as it can be used again."
Then she haughtily hands me my new badge as though I were simply careless about my badge and basically a complete idiot. RUH!!! Hello?!? I am an adult here, I do know how much these badges cost (I used to be in charge of them at another job somewhere else.) And yeah, they're expensive, but you just gotta go with the flow, people lose their badges sometimes, it's going to happen whether it is that persons first week or they have been with the company for 17 years.
Plus it is not like I was purposely being careless. I just can't remember where I put it when I got home from work on Thursday. I wish I could just visualize myself taking it off and setting it ... WHERE? Dang it!
Jeff and I talked about traveling to New York this coming weekend for his birthday, but it turns out my boss is out of the office until Friday of this week, so I can't ask if it is okay for me to have the time off before I need to book the flights. So... it looks like we won't be going this weekend afterall. But we are tentatively looking at the weekend of May 8th for a reschedule. Here's hoping that I can get the time off. :)
Loves, Rach
Then she haughtily hands me my new badge as though I were simply careless about my badge and basically a complete idiot. RUH!!! Hello?!? I am an adult here, I do know how much these badges cost (I used to be in charge of them at another job somewhere else.) And yeah, they're expensive, but you just gotta go with the flow, people lose their badges sometimes, it's going to happen whether it is that persons first week or they have been with the company for 17 years.
Plus it is not like I was purposely being careless. I just can't remember where I put it when I got home from work on Thursday. I wish I could just visualize myself taking it off and setting it ... WHERE? Dang it!
Jeff and I talked about traveling to New York this coming weekend for his birthday, but it turns out my boss is out of the office until Friday of this week, so I can't ask if it is okay for me to have the time off before I need to book the flights. So... it looks like we won't be going this weekend afterall. But we are tentatively looking at the weekend of May 8th for a reschedule. Here's hoping that I can get the time off. :)
Loves, Rach
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday Morning
Now that I am back in the working mode I have been unable to sleep in. Even on the weekends! I LOVE sleeping, so this has been a very weird development. Yesterday I woke up at 6:45, and today I woke up at 7:00. I am so used to sleeping on the weekends until around 11 or 12. (It's two minutes to 12 right now and Jeff is still snoring away.) Anyway, I have all of this extra time and I'm not sure what to do with myself. Oh, there is plenty of things for me to do (it has been WAAAAY too long since I last swept and mopped the kitchen floor), but this is my day off - my day to relax, okay, so I'm just not motivated to do anything productive.
This morning I got an email from Geni.com reminding me that Jeff's birthday is on the 27th, and I thought it would be fun to check things out on my family tree - how big it has gotten in the last year and a half. Geni is a way cool site. You can network with your family and get info on the latest happenings. My mom created our family site last year in February and now I have information on fourth cousins twice removed, it is cool to see all of the connections. I recommend checking it out. :)
Okay, I think I'm going to go wake up my cute husband and tell him I'm tired of him sleeping all day long. Have a great Sunday!
Loves! Rach
This morning I got an email from Geni.com reminding me that Jeff's birthday is on the 27th, and I thought it would be fun to check things out on my family tree - how big it has gotten in the last year and a half. Geni is a way cool site. You can network with your family and get info on the latest happenings. My mom created our family site last year in February and now I have information on fourth cousins twice removed, it is cool to see all of the connections. I recommend checking it out. :)
Okay, I think I'm going to go wake up my cute husband and tell him I'm tired of him sleeping all day long. Have a great Sunday!
Loves! Rach
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Ah, it's been a week.
Well, I've officially made it through my first week of work. I spent the first four days almost constantly online doing training and learning very interesting stuff about power. Thankfully the last couple of days I have been doing my actual work - I mean the stuff they are paying me to do. It is SO fun!!! I am learning so much, and feel really good about the work I am able to do. I guess in those five months that I sat at home I forgot that I am pretty knowledgable about some things. I have been so exhausted when I get home though - I had gotten really used to those afternoon naps. :)
My new visiting teachers came to meet me today. I'm always so unsure about what I should say/do around new people, especially Mormons. I have a very good understanding of the LDS religion - I should, I spent 23 years as a very devout member. When I was a young teenager I went to church every Sunday by myself - my parents/family were going through a period of inactivity, but I knew that I should be at church and not out to eat or at a movie with them. I lived the high standards of the church - very strictly. I was considered a "Molly Mormon" which in Mormon terms is one of the people who seem to do everything right. I even went through the Temple when I was 21. So, it is awkward when members of the church ask why I am not active now. It is so confusing to know what I should and shouldn't say. I don't want to affect their beliefs or freak them out, but the truth is the truth, right? Thankfully I didn't get this question from the new visiting teachers, just a short message about marriage.
That's all for today. :)
My new visiting teachers came to meet me today. I'm always so unsure about what I should say/do around new people, especially Mormons. I have a very good understanding of the LDS religion - I should, I spent 23 years as a very devout member. When I was a young teenager I went to church every Sunday by myself - my parents/family were going through a period of inactivity, but I knew that I should be at church and not out to eat or at a movie with them. I lived the high standards of the church - very strictly. I was considered a "Molly Mormon" which in Mormon terms is one of the people who seem to do everything right. I even went through the Temple when I was 21. So, it is awkward when members of the church ask why I am not active now. It is so confusing to know what I should and shouldn't say. I don't want to affect their beliefs or freak them out, but the truth is the truth, right? Thankfully I didn't get this question from the new visiting teachers, just a short message about marriage.
That's all for today. :)
Friday, April 11, 2008
Blissful Happiness
I don't think I have been so happy in my entire life as I am at this time. Sure I have problems, who doesn't? But I have finally found the love of my life and he is the most amazing man in the whole world. Everything else just falls in the background when I think of him or am with him. We could be doing absolutely nothing and I would be in heaven just because I am with him. He takes such good care of me. Today my hives returned in a REAL bad way, and when I got home Jeff rubbed Icy Hot all over them. He kept sneezing because it is SO very pungent, but he didn't let that stop him. He opens doors for me, he lets me have the first bite of our dessert, he listens to me, he holds me when I need it, and he loves me. Sometimes I wonder if it can really be true.
And his family is so great. All of them. I truly feel like part of the family and very loved.
Life is wonderful.
Loves! Rachael
And his family is so great. All of them. I truly feel like part of the family and very loved.
Life is wonderful.
Loves! Rachael
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