My Bridal Shower

My bridal shower was yesterday. It was quite…surreal.

That's me with my ribbon bouquet (in front of all of my loot). Apparently, I have to carry that at the rehearsal. It's made from all of the ribbons from the presents. And did you know, that however many ribbons you break when you're opening gifts, that's how many babies you're going to have?

I BROKE NO RIBBONS. Ha!

I also was surprised at how overwhelming it was. I was even a little teary eyed when talking about how Todd and I met. And you know Rae-rae don’t do mushy anymore. She is SO over that. But I think it just kind of hit me that this is all really happening and it’s very real and very scary and very exciting. It could also be that my stress level is through the freakin’ roof, so it doesn’t take much to make me cry right now.

Like Aunt Mardie’s card. She addressed it to “Binky”. Only my family uses that name. My parents rarely use anything but that name. And I think I was really missing my mom yesterday, and wish so much that she could be there. So when I got home and was re-reading all the cards, I came to Mardie’s and just lost it. It’s like my mom was there. I tear up just typing that now.

Sigh.

It must be the stress.

It’s Amazing I Don’t Have Any Pimples

I have an ulcer in my mouth, an upset stomach and kink in my neck, but by gawd, I have no pimples! I’m okay being stressed if face doesn’t break out. This must mean I am truly an adult now.

I honestly cannot think of an adjective that is strong enough for where we are right now. Chaotic? Tumultuous? Hectic? Disorganized?

We might close today. Or we may close tomorrow. I am on standby for the phone call. Who knows when we’ll take possession. Still need to book movers, but can’t book movers until we know when we’re moving. I want to get all packed, but don’t want to pack the very necessary stuff because I don’t know how long we’re going to need that very necessary stuff out.

Friends are offering to help, but we don’t know what to tell them because there is NO PLAN. I NEED a plan. I cannot function without a plan. I am planless.

I spent all day yesterday either on email or on the phone, sending last minute stuff to our mortgage gal, searching for a circular shower curtain holder for this new freakin’ claw foot tub that is 66 freakin’ inches long, coordinating the electrician to meet our agent so they can give us an estimate for rewiring, researching movers, and all the while, trying to actually do my job. I finally went to lunch at 2:30 and just sat at the little café and stared into space for 30 minutes.

I told Todd, I cannot keep this up for any length of time. I need it done. Right now. Done.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. We’re going to Bellingham this weekend to attend Jessica’s wedding! She’s asked me to sing, so Todd will play guitar for me (our first public performance together! The whole purpose for us meeting!) And then we’ll stay in nice little B&B and catch up on our quality mushy time. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face.

Sigh.

Gotta get through this week, gotta get through this week...

WTFWRD?

"So, in the WTFWRD category this week, how about this question: I'm watching from some distance as my stepson and soon to be stepdaughter are simultaneously packing to move, selling their house, buying a new one, planning a wedding and working, while keeping two young 'uns in school. Which should I do? Watch in fascinated horror (think train wreck), offer to help in some insipid & probably useless way, or vacuum and clean the toilets in my house?"

-Bob

Raechelle would want absolutely no part in such drama and train wreckness. Your stepson and soon to be stepdaughter sound like they are complete gluttons for punishment and need to relax and enjoy their lives, rather than constantly coming up with ways to draw attention to themselves. “Look at me!! I’m so stressed!!” I mean, really.

So, Raechelle would clean her toilets and vacuum, so that when the stepkids finally snap from the insanity and need a place to which they can escape and drool on themselves, you can offer up your home.

Rumor has it, you’re a pretty a good cook too, so I’m sure the stepkids would very much appreciate some kind of gooey chocolate dessert to comfort them.

Thanks for the question!

Sold!

The For Sale sign out front now has a "SOLD!" sign on it.
I think it's time to start panicking....

Ahem...

I mean packing.

Feel The Love

So, remember the RSVP box that I thought was a FANTASTIC idea? And my friend CB thought I was retarded for even contemplating spending money on something so stupid?

CB was in a mood one day and didn't feel like working.

So she made me an RSVP box.

Isn't that just the sweetest? I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. And let me tell you, the staples and scotch tape just add a little something special to it.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

On a more positive note, it's my dad's birthday today. I won't tell you how old he is. He may not like that. But he's retired, and that's all that matters!

He's also sick today. He and mom both have the crud. Let's hope it's not the swine crud, but it's still crud, nonetheless. Send them good, healthy vibes.

Happy birthday, Daddy!

WWRD?

Raechelle would win the lotto so she could quit her job and not have to deal with a certain department and their indecisiveness and their constant need to revise their quotes. Raechelle has been dealing with this since late June and she’s just about had enough.

And Raechelle would have faith in the sale of her house so that she could actually start packing to move (in two weeks). But Raechelle is not so sure this will actually happen, given the experience she’s had with these buyers. So Raechelle is Freaking Out.

Raechelle will, however, be drinking a crap load of wine tonight so she’s got that going for her.

And as if the Universe knew Raechelle was having a bad today, this is her bento box fortune cookie fortune:

A vacation to sunny shores is soon in store for you.

Well, no shit, Sherlock. Is that supposed to make me feel better right now?

Because that vacation to sunny shores is still two months away. And I don’t know if I can make it through two more months of this.

**********

As you may have guessed, there was no question this week. See what you get if you don’t write in a question? See? Wouldn’t you rather read about organizing?

Die, Uterus, Die!

I must have this.

It's from IHeartGuts.com.

I'm thinking it could come in handy when its, you know, that time. And when I get all crampy and pissed off, I can stick needles in it. Like a voodoo uterus.

Fantastic.

"Well, sometimes I vary it a little..."

I'm mad today. So mad, at one point, I had to go outside and walk down the block to keep from throwing something. So, CB took me to Subway for lunch to get some air. She's a good friend. I told her I felt the need for something different, but I didn't think today was the day to make the change.

I'm not good at Subway. Too many choices, too many options. I lock up. CB laughs at me. Sometimes I like pickles, sometimes I don't. I have to think about what mood I'm in as I'm ordering. It's the same thing at Taco Del Mar.

Lately, I've just gotten into my routine:
6" sandwich
Whole wheat
Grilled chicken
American cheese
Toasts
Lettuce, tomato, green peppers and a smidge of mayo. Just a smidge.

But today, when I was asked what kind of bread I wanted, I said Italian herb and cheese.

Gasp! Branchin' out.

And I immediately thought of this exchange in When Harry Met Sally...

Harry has asked Sally to tell him about the sex fantasy she has.

Sally
Well, basically it's the same dream I've been having since I was twelve.

Harry
Which is?

Sally
Okay, there's this guy...

Harry
What does he look like?

Sally
I don't know, he's just sort of faceless.

Harry
Faceless guy, okay.

Sally
He RIPS off my clothes.

[pause]

Harry
And?

Sally
That's it.

Harry
That's it? Some faceless guy rips off all your clothes, and THAT'S the sex fantasy you've been having since you were twelve?

Sally
Well, sometimes I vary it a little.

Harry
Which part?

Sally
What I'm wearing.

My herb and cheese bread was just the spark I needed.

Well, that and the big ass chocolate cookie I got.

WWRD?

We have a question!!

What would be your must have essentials for your cleaning bucket? If I wanted to amass a bucket of cleaning supplies what would I be sure to have and what would I pass on? Rags vs Paper towels? I am thinking I have too many things and would prefer a few multi-cleaners, ya know. And, of course, what works best on which surface. Trying to decide if I should put them all in a bucket so I can tote it around the mansion.

- JamieB

And it's an excellent question to start off this new segment of the blog!

Knowing your mansion (i.e. new condo), I will speak specifically to what I would do in your situation. I had a big ‘ol blog post written (three pages of a Word document) but it was more about what I do in my house and in my situation. You may have gotten some ideas from it, but it was a long read.

So, in your brand-spankin’-new condo, I would put the following items in my cleaning bucket:

Swiffer
All purpose cleaner
A sponge
A toothbrush

It’s a small bucket.

I like the Method all purpose cleaners. They’re non toxic and smell yummy.

And I use these sponges call Turn-Abouts, but you can’t find them just anywhere. It’s odd. But they have nylon mesh on one side (good for scrubbing, but they don’t scratch) and cloth on the other side (good for wiping).

I like toothbrushes because you can get into nooks and crannies with them, and they’re great for baseboards.

I would keep a basket of rags in your closet, next to your cleaning bucket, so when you grab the bucket to go clean, you could grab a couple of rags as well. I like the terrycloth rags from Home Depot. I’ve been using the same ones since I had Mighty Tidy, my cleaning business, back in 2005. They’re very durable.

I would keep the bathroom cleaning supplies in the bathroom, under the sink. I’d have a little basket with:

Toilet bowl cleaner (I have to have bleach in my toilet bowel cleaner)
Bon Ami (powdered scrubber, non-toxic, non-smelly and usually under $2)
Two sponges (the one for the toilet in a Ziploc baggy, so it doesn’t cross contaminate)
A couple of toothbrushes
Gloves
Glass cleaner wipes.
A cup (to rinse out the tub) if you don’t have a handheld shower head.

Since your bathroom and your kitchen are close together, you could either grab the bathroom basket so you could use the powdered cleaner and non-toilet sponge in the kitchen, or (because I am somewhat neurotic) I’d just get another basket with powdered cleaner, a sponge, a toothbrush and an all purpose cleaner and put that under the sink.

I get on cleaning fits rather quickly and if I have to go and seek out what I need to do what I want to do, I get annoyed. I’d rather just keep everything right where I want it.

I rarely use paper towels to clean, even though we can now throw them in the composter. But there is one exception – when you’re cleaning a stove top. Using a sponge just smears whatever it is that you’re cleaning up. Fresh paper towels (or rags, if you have enough of them and don’t mind washing them) make sure that you’re not just pushing the same grease around.

Some people like the all purpose wipes. The only time I use them is in my cubicle at work. And that’s only because it’s just easier since I don’t have a water source close by. A rag wet with water can do wonders. If you’re looking to disinfect, then a cleaner would be good, but just in general, water is fine.

I wouldn’t have a spray glass cleaner. The ammonia that sprays into the air is icky. I like the Windex wipes. They still reek of ammonia, but at least I’m not spraying it. For some reason, this makes me feel better. And I just use the wipes on mirrors. I clean windows with a wet rag and squeegee.

I would have furniture polish on hand, maybe tucked away in the closet, behind the rags, but polish doesn’t need to be used at every cleaning. Swiffers are fantastic at picking up the dust and keeping a hold of it. I've found that feather dusters don’t really hold the dust, so I’ve never been a fan. Although, I’ve read that *down* feather dusters actually attract the dust, as do the static dusters, so maybe I was just using the wrong kind. I still love my Swiffer, though.

Okay, I think I've babbled enough. Thanks for your question, Jamie. I hope I answered it well.

Until next Friday, that's what Raechelle would do.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Yay, it’s the first day of school!

Except Kayleigh is in 7th grade now, so she starts tomorrow. The 6th graders in her middle school start today, though. It gives them a chance to get used to the big, new school without all of those daunting upper classmen.

I had no idea why mom and dad were so happy when I went back to school. I totally get it now. There's just something about getting back into a routine and structure and early bedtimes.

But I had forgotten about the traffic that comes with school. I need to adjust my morning a bit.

I Think I'm An Adult Now

Well, it's official. We bought a house.
Finally.
Look familiar? It, too, is a 1922 Craftsman. Just like the house we're leaving.
We like our Craftmans. Craftsmen?

We saw this house on Wednesday, after it had been pending, then came up active again. We wrote up the offer that night, the seller countered and we accepted.

BAM! What's the time on that?!

It's a three bedroom (almost - we need a door downstairs to close off that area), two bath, with a one bedroom, one bathroom rental cottage in the backyard. The goal is for that to be Todd's office and our studio. But it's rented right now, which just means we don't have to get used to larger mortgage just yet. It will be a bit tight in the house until we ask the renter to leave (spring maybe?) but that's okay. Because it is a mere one block off of California Ave.

For those of you not from around here, California Ave is the main, downtown West Seattle street. Where it crosses at Alaska, that's call The Junction. That's where you want to live.

And now that's where we live.

Todd and I fell in love with it as soon as we walked inside. And as soon as I realized that oh my gosh, it has a walk in pantry, and on my gosh, it has a walk in master closet, it was a done deal. You just can't find old Craftsmans, even redone old Craftsmans, with a decent closet and a pantry. But this one has both. Sold!

We're anticipating moving in sometime during the last two weeks of September. Which gives us a month to get it somewhat up to speed before the wedding. Talk about cutting it close.

And related to cutting it close, you know that Todd and I are all about the signs. The signs control us. Well, we had said if we didn't have any decent offers, and didn't find a good house by September 7, we were done. We'd try again next year. And then lo' and behold, on September 2, everything falls into place. I was temped to email The Universe (because I have his email address now, and we're friends on Facebook - The Universe is hip like that) and ask just what did he think he was doing? Could he maybe have not of waited until the last minute? Sheesh!

But I see the beauty here. I see the learning experience. I'm no dummy.

I am, however, officially a homeowner.
Crazy.

WWRD?

Raechelle would have written in a damn question when her very favorite blog asked her to! But no one sent a question. So, we have no column today.

And I sure don’t have the brain power to think up a question. I have too much going on in my head. House stuff, wedding stuff, work stuff. Ack!

We’ll try again next week.

Until then, enjoy your (hopefully three day) weekend.

And this kitty picture that reminds me of me and TBFE. Except we have less fur and we don’t sleep in the sink.

My Soon-To-Be Son...

....is 5'9" now.


Mom wanted a photo, so see how big he's gotten, but he doesn't like to have his picture taken. I said we could blur out his face, but he preferred to stand beside me, turned around.

Whatever.

It still shows how big he is, and how tiny I am.

Speaking of my kids, my soon to be daughter bought me a present yesterday.

It says "Shoe Fund".
Does she know me or what?

Todd already put some change in it. I'm well on my way!

WWRD?

I had dinner with Jamie last week. She just bought herself a new condo! Yay!

She was asking me questions about organization and packing, and I told her about Stephanie’s email a few weeks ago.

Steph was cleaning her office and thought, “Would Raechelle keep her printer manual on her desk, and if so, where? Or would she file it away?” She said she should just wear a necklace when she cleaned that said “What Would Raechelle Do?” or “WWRD?”

Todd took it one step further and said, “How about WTFWRD?”

Get it? The WTF?
No? Ask a 20 year old…

Anyway, guess what Stephanie got for her birthday?



I’m so good.

Jamie thought that was great (as did Stephanie) and said that should be a blog feature. What Would Raechelle Do?

I like it! And you know how I love talking about organizing and cleaning and preaching the gospel of vacuum cleaners. So, on Friday I’ll start a new feature of the blog. WWRD? Or maybe, when it’s a tough question, WTFWRD?

So use that link “Email Me!” on the right and send me your organizing or cleaning questions. I’ll pick one per week and answer it.

It’s not like I have anything else going on, right?