Football. And Then Some.

Well, we FINALLY won a football game! As TBBE said in his blog, apparently we can't wear our Seahawks gear anymore. It seems to jinx the team. Or maybe we need new gear. Maybe I need a sweatshirt without holes in the sleeve from when I accidentally got bleach on it but didn't know until hours later when I was taking it off and my finger slipped through the brand new hole.

What?

Speaking of jinxed, how else do you explain the fact that we JUST SIGNED Koren Robinson, a wide receiver and former Seahawk, but he was inactive this week because of an injury? What kind of injury, you ask?

A knee injury.

Just like Sean Locklear, Deion Branch, and Mo Morris. Maybe someone should take a look at their brand new practice facility. Could be bad grass. Could be a curse. I'm just sayin'....

In any event, we beat the Rams (0-3) We're still in 3rd place in our division, but at least we won a game. Whew.

In addition to an exciting game of football on Sunday, we cleaned the shit out of Todd's dining room and family room. And afterwards, it occurred to me that I didn't take before and after photos. Sigh. But I'll remember when we make our second pass at his office.

It's the funniest thing, every time we clean a room, half of the stuff ends up in the office. If you remember, dear reader, we just cleaned the office a month ago. You would never know it now. So, it all comes full circle. We still have some boxes and bins out in the carport that I'm just itchin' to plow through, but I think the office may have to be sooner rather than later.

Other than that, I think we're out of piles!
What am I going to do now?!

Ooh, that top cabinet of the pantry is a mess. I think it needs a good organizin'.......

Horoscope

From the Houston Chronicle:

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The decision is yours and yours alone -- for a limited time only. If you decide not to make it, it will be made for you. Either way, you're taken care of, so be happy and worry-free.

Whee! Worry free!
Happy Friday!

The Universe Speaks To Me In Many Ways

Today, it's through chocolate.

I'm treating myself to a Dove Dark Chocolate square, stolen from my boss' closet.

(Ha. Treating myself. These things are my vitamins. One a day keeps me good.)

And, on the inside of the foil wrapper, there are these cutesy little sayings. A "promise", they call it. Normally, it's something uber nauseating like "Read a book under a tree" or "Find the beauty in your day".

Ack! Shut up and just gimme the friggin' chocolate!

But today, it was different. Today, it said: "Don't think about it so much."

[pause]

Well, okay.

Because I WAS thinking about it a lot. I was picking it apart and wondering, well, what does it mean if I feel THIS way? And, shouldn't I really feel THIS way if it were meant to be? And why don't I feel THIS way when he calls? Shouldn't I maybe feel THIS way if I don't see him for two days?

It's maddening.

I'm so hellbent on making sure this is right. Making sure it is EXACTLY what I think it should be. But you know what? It's not. It is not a cookie cutter, pre-packaged, by-the-book relationship.

It's not a fairy tale.

But it has swept me off my feet and made my head spin. And I think I've been misinterpreting that as a bad thing.

Suddenly, I'm 11 Again

As TBBE mentioned in his blog, I attended Kayleigh's 6th grade open house last night.

And, man alive, school seems confusing these days! I don't know how the kids keep up with everything.

They have a piece of paper that they fill out each day for each 20 minute reading session, that answers questions they're supposed to think about when they read. I think they have to turn that in. Then they have this journal where they keep track of the assignments and the parents are expected to sign off on each page and the teacher looks at those pages every day. And the math book has hardly any pictures! It's all word and stats! And you do the questions on this page, then you flip to this page where you follow up or get the answers or something.

Ack.
My job doesn't seem so bad right now.

At least I wasn't the shortest girl in the hallways. That was nice. I told Todd I wanted to smoke a cigarette or go make out in the bathroom. Something wild. Just cause I could.

I love being an adult.
Well......most of the time.

We Have Electric, Part II

A fantastic update for those of you who don't actually KNOW my mama, and therefore, are not on her email list. But if you're still reading this blog, after all of my Ike updates, you obviously care.

So here:

Hi all,

First of all, thanks to my daughter's blog for keeping you (or most of you) posted about us during Ike. We did survive much better than most. As Bink said, roof will need to be replaced, all fences are down and will need to be replaced, and we both almost had heart attacks sitting here on Sat. night waiting for the roof to go blowing off - but we're okay! Lost all the food in the fridge and freezer, so will hit the grocery store this morning since WE GOT ELECTRICITY AT 2:00 A.M. THIS MORNING!!!! Yea! (So, come on Mary - we have lights and food.) Was able to get some gas in my car last night. Darren (neighbor) came by around 6:00 and had passed a gas station out in the boonies and told us it had just opened and there were no lines, so we hightailed it out there and only had 3 cars in front of us. The other places I had tried had lines at least 1-2 miles long. Can't handle sitting in that for gas.

Will spend the day shopping and cleaning up what we couldn't do without electricity, and head back to work tomorrow. I understand our building is open but has no AC and won't for probably another week or so, so we have been instructed that we are more than welcome to come to work, wearing shorts if we choose! Can you imagine that? I'll bet that's not going to be a very pretty picture!

Okay, I have one short day to get a bunch of stuff done, so must get busy. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers and will try to get in touch with each of you later. (And more than thanks to my daughter for being such a good blogger! - I love you.) (her blog address is: http://www.mynewlifeouthere.blogspot.com/ for those of you who would like a good laugh occasionally.)

Love,
Annie/Annette/Mom


Mama gives me good props.

A Raechelle Update

I've been so focused on keeping you updated on my parents that I haven't bothered to mention what's going on with me.

I was told my last day at my current job will be September 30. I had planned to take the rest of that week off, then start my new job on October 6, but failed to realize that since it's with the same organization, I would need to use vacation time. Which I'm not willing to do. I'd rather just take it unpaid. Oh well. I'll live. Then I'll have vacation for the day after Turkey Day and a few days around Christmas.

In other news, I'm a little off today. I woke up mad and have had a short fuse all day. I hate it when that happens. Maybe I didn't sleep well, maybe it's because the moon is full, maybe I'm just stressed.

Sigh.

Looking forward to going out with Todd tonight to see Paul Benoit.

Really. I am.
I just can't muster the energy for exclamation points right now.

Still No Electricity

An update from ma & pa:

They still don't have electricity and from what I've read, it could be weeks. I've tried calling the power company but they can't give any information as to how long we're looking at. I texted mom yesterday and asked if I could get them a hotel room for a few nights, but she said no, they wanted to stay at the house. They're afraid of looters.

Their neighbor's family went back home, so mom and dad are using the generator outlets that are now free. They've got the fridge running (cold water and ice!) and the tv on. At least now, they can see some news and get information about their area.

A cold front came in last night, so they've cooled down a little. They've got the windows open and there's a nice breeze. I'm happy about that. The heat scares me more than anything.

Mom left a message this morning and she just sounds exhausted. People have emailed me and asked if they can do anything, but I don't think there's anything anyone can do at this point. Unless you can magically get the power back on. Since they didn't flood, they're not lacking in the basic supplies department. Kroger was open for a few hours on Sunday (as well as the Cracker Barrel) so food isn't too much of an issue. They just need AC.

As always, thanks for the good thoughts.

Sunday Update from Mom

Sorry I didn't post this yesterday. I suck (as do the Seahawks but we don't even need to talk about that).

Mom called. Their power only stayed on for about an hour on Saturday, so they are again suffering in the heat. She said the roof is going to need to be replaced. There's a couple of "gaping holes". They got out and tried to clean up the yard a little, but it was harder work than they anticipated and, as of 5pm Houston time yesterday, mom was sore and tired and dad was drunk. He'd had enough.

They can pop over to their neighbors' occasionally to get some relief from the heat and charge their cell phone batteries, so that's comforting. I've already tried looking up plane tickets to go there, but from what I gather, they're not letting people in until Wednesday. It's times like these it's so hard to be so far away from them.

We Have Electric!

Got another email from mom yesterday afternoon, around 4:30pm my time. They have electricity.

"I am totally amazed that they got it back on so fast. Thank God for AC! We were beginning to not smell so good!

Bad news - dad just went up to the attic and saw daylight in more than 2 places. Got Garrett and William to come over and go up on the roof and put the tarp on it. Dad, Tish, Jessica and I got the one part of the fence back up (the part by the mail boxes), temporarily so people can't look in Darren and Tish's back yard and see the 2 generators. If we hadn't they probably would have disappeared tonight. Poor Darren is at work - can't come home until tomorrow evening - he's been there since Thur. night. Next job - call the insurance company. That should be much fun!

Drove thru the neighborhood and after looking at some places, we can consider ourselves pretty darn lucky.

Okay, gotta go see which of the packages of meat dad wants to grill tonight - probably all of them since everything is already thawed out (ha). Oh well, he'll eat really well the next couple of days . . .

THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE MY LAST HURRICANE, YOU HEAR ME????

Love to all,

Mom"

I guess, all things considered, a new roof isn't such a big deal. They didn't flood, the house still stands and they're okay. It's all good.

Mom Called!

She's trying to call everyone, but for some reason, she can only get through to me. Isn't that sweet?

They made it through fine. Their fence is gone, the tree in the front yard is gone and they lost a few shingles, but otherwise the house is in tact. They don't have power but there's really no flooding. Apparently I10 is underwater though.

Mom said it was horrible. Worse than Alicia. She said the wind just wouldn't stop and even now, she said it's pouring the rain and the sustained winds are around 60 miles an hour. Their neighbors have two generators going, so they had coffee and breakfast this morning. Goober and Miss Squeaky are fine, as well.

There are houses in the neighborhood that have windows out and roofs ripped off, so they're counting themselves lucky.

That's all for now.

Update from Ma & Pa

Mom texted this morning at 8:30am their time with:

"Long night. Can't get out. Will call when I can."

I'm hoping "can't get out" means they can't call out. Not that they're so flooded in they can't get out. Just have to wait and see.

I'll post again when I hear something new.

Thanks to everyone for your good juju.
It is very much appreciated.

Hurricane Humor

Spoke to mom an hour or so ago. She and dad are just watching the LIVE BREAKING TEAM COVERAGE! on Channel 13. They got all of their patio furniture in, as well as the neighbors'. And Goober is freaking out. He's knows something is wrong, but can't figure what. He keeps looking for his girlfriend, Ms. Squeaky. Mom is hoping that she'll show up soon so she can hunker down with them. Hunker. Ha.

Mom sent this to me today, forwarded from a friend of her's on the east coast. I thought it was from her firm. They're funny like that.

**********

Office Procedures Concerning Storm and Office Closings
As we watch the progress of the storm, the following are the firm's guidelines based upon the hurricane's intensity:

Hurricane Category #1
No excuse for being late. Leave earlier to give extra time to avoid fallen trees and limbs.

Hurricane Category #2
Due to the horizontal rain, you may wear jeans.

Hurricane Category #3
Whereas most of the area will be flooded, we suggest you avoid wearing open toe sandals when coming to work. Canoes will be provided to get to the building safely without getting wet.

Hurricane Category #4
More than likely, there will be no electricity. Given that, we will have manual typewriters available to all staff members. Please take extra caution and wear waterproof makeup if Category 4 or above.

Hurricane Category #5
Velcro will be provided to keep you attached to your chairs when the windows blow out. For those who survive, we will have chocolate cake at 3:00 P.M. in the cafeteria.

Insult To Injury

Galveston

From the Seattle Times/AP

It bugs me that I can't find a story telling me how this fire started. And according to KTRK in Houston, there's also a big boat fire somewhere.

And Ike is still 165 miles off shore.

Scotsman Song

I can't find a video of the singer actually singing it, but these pics will make you chuckle. Warning - there are blurry pics of private parts. It's all very PG, though.

For my Scotsman.

Gotta Love The Scottish

TBBE is very upset with Ike.
Nice to know the big Scotsman has my folks' back.

Thanks, babe.

Remembering Rita

The Weather Channel is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing, because I have more than five channels to watch now; curse, because I'm glued to the coverage of Ike. And there's really nothing new to report. Gonna hit tomorrow night. Probably a category 3. Might have the strength to hit a category 4. But still a category 3. It's the storm surge they're worried about. Twenty foot high waves.

Oh, I remember this feeling well.

Let's settle in for a story, dear reader. Got a beverage? Comfy chair?

Katrina, a category 3 hurricane, had hit on August 29, 2005 and my parents, located in Baytown, Texas, had escaped unscathed. In the 27 years they've lived in Texas, they've never really been deterred by hurricanes, and they've never really gotten motivated to evacuate. Mom always welcomed the excitement. We had survived Hurricane Alicia (category 3) in 1983 just fine. That was the worse hurricane since 1961 to hit Houston. I remember going to the bathroom and mom going with me while dad was yelling, "Be careful of the window!" People worry about the wind, the tornados and the flooding during a hurricane. They don't expect patio chairs to come flying through windows. Gotta watch for flying objects.

So, mom and dad didn't evacuate during Katrina. The storm was far enough east that they were only going to get a lot of rain. No biggie.

But then, on September 18, as New Orleans was still reeling from Katrina, Rita formed. And it looked like it was going to follow the same exact path as Katrina. Rita hit a category 5 status, as did Katrina, but weakened to category 3 as it hit landfall, as did Katrina.

I didn't get much work done that week. And I made no attempt to hide it. I stayed glued to Houston's Channel 2's website (even emailed them afterwards to thank them for their coverage), and Steve and I emailed each other, and my parents, and his family, continuously. And I've saved all of those emails. They still have the power to bring me to tears.

The following emails have been edited a bit, for content.

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 11:14 AM
Subject: just dandy

http://www.chron.com/
Check out the Updated Tracking map. They're thinking it's a B-line to Houston. I asked mom how much nagging would it take to get them to evacuate when it came down to it? I fear hurricanes now. And it's been a loooong time since Houston has had a direct hit. I told mom to go to the hill country, stay in a bed and breakfast, it'll be like a second honeymoon....or a first!

And poor New Orleans. Even if it doesn't hit them, they're going to flood again. Crap.

How are you?
rae

RE: just dandy

Crap. Nobody needs this. N.O. is going to be on the wrong side of the pinwheel this time. They're going to get wet. I suspect your parents will be okay.

sgm

RE: just dandy

From Mom:
"I'm not too worried just yet. We'll wait until it gets over in the Gulf. If it stays on the path it's on now, we'll be okay. However, if it moves north very much, then yeah, our butts are out of here! Probably not the hill country though - more like up north somewhere. Umh, let me find out where the casinos are . . . ."

rae

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 11:04 AM
Subject: stuff

From Mom:
"We had planned to sit it out if it stayed a category 3, however, got up this morning and found out that it had progressed to a 4 and might possibly be a 5 by the time it makes landfall. And we're just a little too close for a 5 - we're just across the Bay from Galveston. We're planning on going home tomorrow evening (Thur) getting a few hours sleep and trying to get out around 3:00 a.m. - hopefully can miss some of the traffic (not much, but some). Probably won't be able to find a room anywhere, but that's okay. We have a fairly good little mattress on the futon, so we'll just pull it off and stick it in the back of the SUV, grab some pillows, a cooler of water, sodas, cheese, bologna and bread and head north (knowing Stephen, it will probably be Shreveport, LA -- casinos!). (ha). My biggest concern is looters, so we're taking the handguns with us. But don't worry, we'll be fine. Will try and call everyone sometime over the weekend and let everyone what's going on."

I've talked to Dad and he said they may leave earlier. His shop is closed tomorrow and Friday. Mom said her office put out a memo saying "If you need to skip work Thur and/or Friday, you will be given one extra vacation day." That's so nice of them. Maybe once Rita hits a 5 tonight, they'll think about closing for the rest of the week.

And Shreveport is up by Dallas - north LA. I freaked out too when she said Louisiana.

rae

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:33 PM
Subject: worried

From Mom:
"Okay - I think we're taking off in the morning. Voluntary evacuating in Baytown right now and mandatory at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening."

Then an hour later:"Okay -- just wanted you to know that if you don't hear from us, don't worry. Most cell phones are not working already, and get this -- the banks are cutting off the ATM machines. Sure am glad we hord cash! Don't have much but at least enough to last a few days and maybe ATM machines 4 or 5 hours away are working in case we get desperate, huh? If we don't talk, we'll call you after we get to wherever we're going!"

gotta go,
rae

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 2:14 PM
Subject: phone

I just tried to call Dad's work and his cell and got the "We are unable to complete your call at this time". It has begun.

[que eerie, disaster movie music]

rae

From: Steve
To: Mom&Dad; Don; Marcia; Ann; Mardie
Cc: Raechelle
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 2:34 PM
Subject: FYI -- Raechelle's parents in the path of Rita

Heya,

Thought I'd let y'all know that Raechelle's parents are evacuating Baytown TX tonight or tomorrow morning. The phones are already busy and she can't get them on the phone at this time, so having e-mail has been good. Following this message are the Marsh updates I've been hearing throughout the day.

Thanks,
Steve

From: Steve
To: Annette
Cc: Raechelle
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 2:58 PM
Subject: Good luck, stay safe!

Hi Annette and Steve,
Everyone up here is thinking about you a whole lot, and we're on your side. We all think Rita is a bitch. Please be careful, be prepared, and stay safe. I bet Seattle doesn't look so bad right now, does it?

Hey, I'm the one who suggested heading west towards San Antonio to Raechelle, but now I think it might not be a good idea. It's a 7 hour drive in the best of times. Double that now? Quadruple that? It may still be the best way to go, but if you go that way and it sucks I just want to say it's not my fault. So there.

You're going to be fine. Just try to stay out of the wind and rain.

Love,
Steve

p.s from my sister Ann:
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I'm sorry to hear that they even have to evacuate but I'm glad they are being safe and leaving. If they ever need a place to evacuate to we always have an open door for them!! (Ohio is a little closer than Washington) I do hope that it will miss their area! We will be thinking of them.

RE: Good luck, stay safe!

You make me cry. Ann makes me cry.
I've cried a lot today. This sucks.

But thanks :-)

rae

RE: Good luck, stay safe!

Ann made my cry too. And now you just did. So we're even.
Except my parents are in Brier, so I know we're not really even.

sgm

From: Annette
To: Steve
Re: Good luck, stay safe!
Date sent: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 5:15:05

Thanks for the thoughts! I just wrote Bink and told her that my trip home was normal as usual, however, the traffic headed to S.A. and Austin (I-10 west) was WAY backed up, so no way I'm headed there! We're thinking I-10 east towards Louisiana (if we leave in the morning before anything happens) then cutting up and going north, towards Shreveport. So we'll see what happens. Might end up in WV - you never now. Oh, I think S.A. would only be about 4 hours normally, but earlier today it was a 8-10 hour trip to Huntsville - about a normal hour drive from Houston. Fun, huh? And yeah, Seattle doesn't sound TOO bad, but . . . . .

Later.

From: Steve
To: Raechelle
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 10:55 AM
Subject: How *you* doin'?

Heya,
You probably already know there's cause for a little bit of optimism coming from the Gulf this morning, at least as far as your parents' house his concerned. They're now projecting Rita's path might move east, putting the bay on the weaker side of the pinwheel. And she's weakened a little.

Thoughts? How are you?
me

RE: How *you* doin'? [Here's where I started to panic a bit.]

The storm is now the least of my concerns. Wendy got through to mom. They left their house at 6am. Four hours later they were in Liberty - 25 miles away. They have less than a half a tank of gas, they're not using the air conditioning to save gas, and the heat index is 97 degrees.

Here's a good map.
http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/09/21/evac_hcoem.gif

If you hover your mouse down in the right corner, you get the little box that blows the picture up. Baytown is just east of 146. Liberty is not really "out of the woods".

I'm worried about mom and the heat and them running of gas right in the path of the storm, once it makes landfall. I don't know why they're in Liberty. They should have been in Louisiana by now.

That's how I am. I'm getting nothing done and I'm not hiding it.
rae

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 2:01 PM
Subject: Update

Wendy got through to mom again. She must just be laying on the phone hitting redial.

They're still in Liberty, on 90. There are blockades and police not letting them on 146 - we're not sure why. They still have a half a tank of gas because they just shut the car off when they're not moving. They have plenty of water and snacks. They're both in pretty good spirits, not annoyed, cranky or desperate. There are cops all over the place bringing gas and water to people, so if something does happen to mom, people are around. Wendy found them a room at the Marriott in Dallas, if they can make it there. Wendy's also talking about using frequent flyer miles and some cash to get them plane tickets out of Dallas to come here. If they could just go right, into Louisiana and up into Arkansas they'd be in the clear. Maybe fly them out of Little Rock....I don't know. I'll try and call them as well.

I feel a little better knowing they're not passing out in the car. I just wish they could get moving. 45 is moving north of Conroe - they finally got the southbound lanes open. I-10 seems to be moving a bit better west of Houston.

rae

RE: Update

Possible hints to why they can't get on 146:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/rita/3364527

I wish I could do something for you or them. People here know I'm totally distracted and are starting to ask for updates. Ian, Matt, Allyson, and John send their best. Ian did an easy fix that I was supposed to do, but now I've got to put out a fire.

smooch,
sgm

RE: Update

Thanks. No one here is asking me to do anything. John has popped his head in a few times and ask, how's traffic?

I just got through to dad. Nothing new. They're just sitting there, and he heard from his neighbor Mike (via cell phone) that they're not letting people back into Baytown. So people can't go anywhere. They can't get north and they can't turn around and go home. He said mom was doing okay. He made some jokes about not being about to get out and pee. It was good to hear his voice.

rae

From: Steve
To: Don; Marcia; Mom&Dad; Mardie; Ann
Cc: Raechelle
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:47 PM
Subject: Update: stuck in Livingston TX

Hey,
It has taken Annette and Steve 14+ hours to go 90 miles. They are in Livingston TX and they're out of gas.

Polk county has a (1) fuel truck that is rendering assistance, and they know the Marsh's situation and location thanks to Raechelle and Wendy. Calls to her parents are going straight to voice mail right now, so we can't speak with them directly. Maybe they're sleeping and turned the phones off, maybe they're saving battery power since they're out of gas and can't recharge them, who knows. Raechelle and I have sent text messages with important phone numbers and what we know about where to find shelters (in Lufkin TX, ~45mi up hiway 59). We hope they and their phones are equipped to receive them.

Rita's projected landfall has shifted east, putting Galveston Bay and the Marsh home on the less-dangerous side of the pinwheel. However, Baytown is not letting residents back in, so going back home is not an option at this time.

That's all for now.
Steve y Rae

p.s. I looked over Raechelle's shoulder right now and she's looking up the latest earthquakes in WA on the USGS website. It's Natural Disaster Night here at MarshMiller headquarters.

From: Steve
To: Don; Marcia; Mom&Dad; Mardie; Ann
Cc: Raechelle
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 7:07 AM
Subject: Update: kindness of strangers

We were just awakened by a call from Annette. They're alive and reasonably well, and were able to sleep in a bed last night. The gas truck wouldn't come to them unless they were on the side of the highway with the hood up. But yesterday that was impossible on highway 59. Ordinarily a two-lane highway, 59 became four lanes northbound including both shoulders. There was nowhere to stop the car, so they pulled off the highway to look for gas.

They stopped in the parking lot of a nightclub in Livingston, called J & C Supper Club. Steve went into the bar to ask if they could sleep in the parking lot, and the owner took them home for the night. He set them up on the floor in the living room, but when his wife found out she was almost livid. Annette: "We're not going to take your bed." Host lady: "You either sleep in our bed or you're not staying here."

What were these kind folks' names? STEVEN MARSH and his wife RITA. No kidding.

(Steve Marsh and Steve Marsh)

This morning they called us from I90 west, at a gas station with no gas. Annette told Rae last night was the worst night of her life. Considering what she went through in the hospital a couple of years ago, that's saying something. While Raechelle was talking with Annette, we heard Steve say in the background "You want to go home with them?" Annette, sounding a little surprised and tired said "I'll go home with anybody." Apparently some elderly couple who lives near that gas station was out looking for someone to help, offering to put people up. Annette said she'd call Rae back in a couple hours.

More later,
Steve y Rae

(Bitsy & Ron - Saviors)

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 12:32 PM
Re: I'm sure you would have told me already....

> ...but have you heard anything new?

Nope nothing new. Still waiting for mom to call. I did find mention of a list of refueling yards in the Chronical. I couldn't find the list on the website, so I called someone, got passed around, then someone asked for my fax number and said they would fax me a list of the places. Haven't received it yet.

> How are you?

I'm okay. Talking to mom was good. It will get me through today, knowing that they're (for moment) safe and indoors. Lisa emailed to see how things were. She offered up her cable tv if I wanted to come over and watch things develop tonight. I think I do. I may just get in my sweats and head over and crash on their couch. They're going to be packing to leave tomorrow for the weekend, but I may offer to cook dinner for them, if they want. I'll let you know the plan.

And I'm leaving here at 3pm, maybe a smidge before, just to get out of here.

From: Raechelle
To: Steve
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 2:09 PM
Re: Houston mayor

> sounds like an asshole. Are you watching channel 2?

No, I haven't been watching.

Mom just called. They're holed up with the older (not elderly) couple along with 2 other families in an office building in Livingston. The host works for a company that bought the building, so they live upstairs and have an office and more living quarters downstairs. It sounds like a very solid building - not a trailer, whew.

They've slept most of the day, and mom said she just finished a bowl of homemade vegetable soup and cornbread. She says they may just stay after the hurricane. She also says they are very, very blessed. Karma baby. She is very proud of dad who kept his cool all day yesterday. But she said he was really beat at the end of the day - physically and mentally.

That's it for the update. They are safe, in one spot and ready to take on Rita. We may not talk again - I'm sure the cell phone towers will be down after the storm moves on.

Okay, gotta go email a couple of mom's friends.
rae

From: Steve
To: Mom&Dad; Don; Marcia; Ann; Mardie
Cc: Raechelle
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 2:00 PM
Subject: Update: alive and well

Hi again,
Raechelle just talked to Steve -- dialed up and got through on the first try. We were expecting cell towers to be down.

They're fine. They weathered the storm in Livingston and survived intact. They had generator power and have been watching TV coverage of the storm in air conditioned comfort. They're almost out of gas for the generator though, so they may have to rough it soon.

Steve is exhausted and Annette's back is giving her plenty of trouble, but they're hanging in there. Steve said Annette was upstairs watching a movie and laughing, which is a good sign. Steve is entertained by their hosts' 30-pound cat.

Power is out in Livingston, meaning the gas pumps aren't going to work even if there were gas to pump, so they're going to be there for another day or two. Steve went outside and looked at highway 59 and it's already packed with people coming home. He said there's no way he'd want to get back in that anyway. It's still blowing and raining pretty hard.

Reports from their neighbors at home in Baytown are that there was very little damage. A couple of boards blew off the fence. Still, despite a hellish Thursday Steve thinks they did the right thing by bugging out.

That's all for now.
STEVE

From: Annette
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 9:51 AM
Subject: YEA! We're Home.

Hi everyone -- we made it back home late Sat. evening. Took us 1 1/2hours to return, whereas it took us over 14 hours to get to where we holed up. Is that not ridiculous?? I think there's a problem with this evacuation procedure that they need to look at just a little more closely.

We were extremely fortunate that we got picked up off the street (literally) by a very nice family who were just absolutely wonderful and I have no clue how we will ever repay them. Since Livingston, Tx is in a dry county, we will probably buy them each a case of beer and take to them in the next month or so (ha). The morning of the hurricane was very rough, but I did manage to get out when it was calm and take a short video which I will send out later once I get all the photos downloaded on the computer. We lost electricity around 2:00 in the morning, which brings me to the reason why we left so early to come home last night.

Yesterday evening, a neighor had talked with a guy from the electric compnay and had been told that it was going to be about a week and a half before they would have the electric back on up there. So of course that meant that they were going to have to go to their daugher's which was another 2-3 hours north. So we had to make a plan - and that was that they siphoned enough gas from all the vehicles sitting around and put it in our truck to get us home (are we lucky or what!). Plus the fact that they were going to open the gates on the Livingston Dam before it broke which meant that the 2 routes back home would be closed down because in one particular section, they would be under water. Therefore, we got our stuff together in about 15 minutes and hit the road. Traffic was very heavy coming south but was moving at 50-60 miles per hour, so we were home in 1 1/2 hours. We have electircity and water, however, the subdivision has called and advised that they're about to shut off the water - have no clue why or for how long, but of course we both got in the shower very fast - no showers since Thur!

This was something that was probably the most traumatic in my life and I pray to God that I never have to go thru it again. Maybe we'll be retired and in WV before the next one hits! But thanks to all who were thinking about us and were saying their God Blesses.

We were very, very lucky this time. Everyone take care and love to all.
Mom/Annette

[end disaster]

Oy.

I don't think I've ever been so worried about my folks. Mom's remove-a-lung surgery didn't even scare me this badly.

The evacuation process was so much worse than the actually hurricane. I remember seeing coverage of the parked freeways and hearing reports of people dying from the heat. I think Houston learned a great deal from Rita, so here's hoping their evacuations are going better this time around.

However, the Weather Channel now tells me that gas stations are already running out of gas.

Sigh.

It's going to be a long couple of days.

And in case you're curious, mom and dad aren't evacuating. As mom says, they're hunkering down.

Good juju, please. Send them some good juju.

My New Favorite Curse Word

"Crapsauce!"

As said by one of my supervisors when I told her I was leaving.

Love it.

Horoscope

From Yahoo:
Challenged? You can do this, you just have to believe you can! Everyone else does. Take it easy -- you've got more going on than you realize and if you don't slow down at some point, it could all crumble at once! A steady pace is the only way for you to make it through the day.

Challenged is a good word for it. Today, I am reminded of why I started looking for a new job in the first place. We'll see if I can find a "steady pace" at some point.

I am very much looking forward to sushi tonight with Jamie and her mom. Sushi makes it all better.

It's Gonna Be A Helluva Season

The football gods are not happy.

The Seahawks lost another receiver. Burleson is out for the season. Fantastic. We're also missing Branch and Engram. Plackemeier, our punter, was released today, but that one I'm okay with. He couldn't do squat on Sunday.

Bernard and Babineaux were suspended and didn't play Sunday. Not sure if they're coming back for this week's game. Morris has a sprained knee and will be out for a while.

Sigh.

I do not see the playoffs in our future.

And, okay, let's just forget about the Seahawks for a minute. WVU lost. Redskins lost. Huskies AND Cougars lost. WTF?

And Brady is out for the season? You're kidding me?

Hmmm, it's all very suspicious, all of this bad football juju.

Go To The Light! The Light!

I gave my two weeks' notice at my job this morning. I accepted a position, still within my clinic, as a buyer in the Purchasing department. I will get paid to shop. Not for shoes. Trust me, I asked. But for clinic supplies.

Sigh.

It's a start.

I feel good about this.
At least I did.

I don't know when my last day will be. It depends on when my current supervisor feels she will able to "release me", seeing as how this is considered an internal transfer. And yes, that's according to The Policy.

Last night, I felt a weight had lifted and I was free.
Now, not so much. The wind has been sucked out of my sails.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and change is a good thing.

It's still fun to see the looks on people's faces when I tell them. Hee hee.

A Whole Year?

It just occured to me, when I looked at the calendar, that today is the one year anniversary of when I moved into my apartment.

Wow.

A whole year.

It still baffles me, everything that can happen in one year. All of the changes that can take place, the people who have come and gone in my life. I don't cry every day now. I have a new boyfriend. Hell, I almost have two children (but have somehow managed to keep my new, thinner figure!)

I thought all of the "firsts" were done, but I guess they never really are.

At least these are happier firsts.

I Give You.....THE BEDROOM

So! Quite the productive weekend here at Chez Downing.

There was no time to work on Friday night - movies and pizza and friends.

And, Saturday morning, while Todd was taking the kids to meet Katherine, I was SUPPOSED to sleep in, but the excitement of cleaning made it impossible. So I was up at 7:30am, throwing laundry in, taking trash out, loading the dishwasher.

Todd got back, we went to breakfast, then on to Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond for bins and general shopping merriment.

And then. Oh.
The Bedroom.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

And in case you were wondering what a real life blogger looks like, IN THE PROCESS, wala.

Not a pretty sight.....

Aside from bedroom news:
Jamie passed her boards (WAY TO GO, JAMIE!) Now she starts her Real Job. Yay!

Todd and I made three pies at the pie party last night. Two apple and a blackberry....with rum.

And the Seahawks sucked royally today. No amount of mimosa could ease the pain. Believe me, I tried.

Reason # 78 Why I Love Ballard

From MyBallard.

Reason #129 Why I Love My Man

Todd called a little bit ago. He had a quick question.

He was hanging my towel rack above the toilet, and in the process of measuring and actually drilling, the towel rack moved alittle to the left. A full inch to the left. So, it wasn't centered over the toilet.

He asked if I wanted him to redrill the holes and fix it.

This is not why I love him. You would think.....but no.

After I said no, don't put more holes in the wall, it will be fine, really....we started talking about something else. Then a few minutes later, during a brief lull in the conversation, he said, "I'm going to fix it. Yes, I'm going to fix it. It will bug me."

THIS is why I love him. He's as detail oriented as I am.
Or neurotic. Take your pick.

There Are Changes Afoot

Not much to tell you about. I've had a pretty quiet week. Except for work. That's one of those things that's afoot. But I can't tell you about that just yet. Soon. Promise.

Also, I'm feeling some forward momentum in the luv department. I'm taking my coffeemaker over to Todd's this weekend. And I may just leave it.

G A S P.

We're having a football brunch on Sunday for the 10am Seahawks game and Todd doesn't have a coffee maker. Which is why we're at Starbucks every weekend morning. He has a french press (that I bought him for Father's Day) but we've both proven that we have no idea how to make coffee in a french press. So, I'm hauling my swanky Cuisinart over there. And as I was loading it into my car this morning, I thought why don't I just leave it? I never make coffee during the week. Only on the weekends. And I'm at Todd's on the weekends. Duh.

First a toothbrush. Then a towelrack. Now a coffeemaker.

Look at me.....relate!

And this weekend is already shaping up to be uber busy. Jamie is taking her board exam tomorrow morning (everyone send good juju to Jamie around 9am! Go, Jamie, Go!) so I'll be meeting up with her for celebratory drinks tomorrow afternoon. And yes, we will be celebrating. I just know it!

Then there's my friend's annual pie party (what's your favorite number? PIE!) that I attended last year (and I will not be making a plum pie). This year it's BYOF. Bring your own fruit. Apparently, their fruit trees haven't produced much. I think I'll go with apples.

Then Sunday is the big football brunch, then finishing up the cleaning we started last weekend. Hopefully, there will be before and after pictures. They're good for my portfolio.

Ah, so much to do!
Now, if I can just make through today.....

This Is The Universe Speaking: You Go This Way Now

When Todd and I stopped by my apartment Saturday, I checked my mail. And the Universe left me a little note.

My rent is going up as of October 1st.

Well, huh.

Time to envision with me another pretty picture, dear reader.

We have in front of us a path. You know the path. We've been here before. It's a pretty path. Lots of trees and sunshine. This path is wide. Really wide. You can walk all over this path, side to side, in zigzags. You have options. But you're still moving in the same direction. Forward.

Now, picture the Universe (however she may look to you) putting up those red ropes you see at the movie theaters. She's making a little maze. She wants me to keep moving, but she wants me on the left side of the path rather than on the right side. Or maybe the right side rather than the left. She she puts one of these ropes in my way and it gently guides me over.

She's a sneaky one, that Universe. She knows where she wants me. Oh, sure, I could duck under the rope and run off the path like a screaming lunatic. Or I can trust in her. Keep my hand on the velvet and just let her guide me along. I still have to do the walking. I'm still the one moving forward. But, lets face it, I get distracted easily and before I know it, I could be off in the trees, lost.

The Universe has my back. She won't let me get lost.

(Photo courtesy of Slight Clutter.
Beautiful photographs. Thanks, Katya.)

Busy, busy, busy....

Busy weekend, busy at work, busy weekend coming up. Life is just flying by.

Friday night:

Had a football party at Todd's. Go 'Hawks! The margaritas and good company definitely helped my crappy day.

Saturday:

Rough day. No one in the Downing household slept very well on Friday night, for a variety of reasons, so we were all pretty pooped on Saturday.

Todd and I began the day by looking at a house that is owned by Steve's girlfriend.

[chirp chirp]

Weird, you say? Nah. Not really. It's only weird because it's not weird. Know what I mean?

We met both her and Steve at her house then walked around the corner to the house that was for sale. It was very cute and in some ways perfect. But in a few ways, not so much. So we chatted with them for a bit afterward and had some good laughs standing out on the sidewalk in the sun. Steve and Todd have a few similarities so they banter back and forth pretty well. It was nice to see.

That afternoon, we went to Doug & Ann's engagement party. This was supposed to be at a park, but weather wasn't looking too stable, so they moved it to a restaurant/game room/pool hall. The kids were in game heaven and I kicked butt at pool. Apparently I don't need jack-n-cokes to win four games in a row!

After the party, we ran some errands, which included swinging by my apartment to pick up some more clothes. I had every intention (once again) of planting my heels in and staying at my apartment Saturday night, then going back to West Seattle on Sunday. But, as we know, I tend to get all caught up in the hugs and the fun, so I decided to stay with Todd Saturday night as well.

And the kids were going to their uncle's to play games so that left me and Todd....alone. For hours. Hee hee.

We went out to dinner and then swung by the Corner Pocket to play some more pool and watch football on the big screens. And I declared that the Corner Pocket could very well become my next Lock-n-Keel. Except I won't throw up in the Corner Pocket. Promise.

Sunday:

I took a giant step in the relationship. I left Todd's to go have lunch with a friend at Greenlake. Then went back to Todd's. Just like it was an average day. Like I was living there.

And I didn't panic once. NOT ONCE!

After lunch, Todd, Kayleigh and I went school shopping. Bought some supplies and some clothes. And boy howdy, did the mom in me ooze out! I was holding the pants up to her to see if they'd fit. I made her put on a button down over her t-shirt because she hates going into dressing rooms. I bit my tongue when she held a pair of jeans up and exclaimed that she loved them, even though my first thought was, "We wore those in the 80's and they were ugly then and please don't have them in her size." No, no. If she likes them, she likes them and I am not going to be one of those moms who gives their kids a hard time about what they wear. Within reason. No g-strings sticking up out of the jeans. I mean, really.

After shopping, back to the house for MORE CLEANING!

Today's task: Todd's room.

This time, I took before pics. But we're not entirely finished, so you'll have to wait until next weekend for the before/after pics. We didn't get started until around 5, so Todd worked one corner while I worked on the closet.

His waist size has decreased by a few numbers in the last year, so I got rid of his big pants and tidied up what was left over. I may have even consolidated things in order to maybe, um, make room. You know, in case new stuff needs to be put in there. Somewhere down the line. One of these days.

Ahem.

Where was I?

Right! We worked into the wee hours (7pm) then re-heated some pizza and watched some movies. Of course! Cars (by Pixar) and Raising Arizona ("I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!"), which Todd and I both fell asleep during. Pooped we were.

Monday:

Up somewhat early to look at houses. But first, Home Depot.

Ah, the smell of lumber in the morning. Love Home Depot!

We picked up a towel rack for the half bath (because the towel just gets thrown on the countertop and you KNOW Rae-rae can't handle a towel just thrown on the countertop) and a second towel rack for Todd's bathroom. Because some chick has been hanging out there a lot and she's leaving her towels over the shower curtain rod and they're just in the way. So, now she has her own towel rack.

Not panicking. Not at all.

After Home Depot, the houses. Ack. The seemingly-perfect-but-oh-my-gawd-what-were-they-thinking-with-that houses. It is amazing what people will do to a house to get you to buy it. Yes, the marble countertops are pretty and yes, it's a brand new front door, but do you really think I can't smell the smoke in here? Are you going to knock off money so that I can get the carpet replaced? And what are you thinking with that fake wainscoting? You simply glued wood to the drywall. That doesn't count. And by the way, I know you just painted a piece of wood and nailed it above the fireplace. That is not a mantle. You couldn't even sand down the end of the board? Sheesh.

So, the houses sucked.

Onward.

Back to the homestead for more cleaning. Five hours of cleaning. It was a smidge painful at times for Todd, running across mementos and keepsakes, but he was strong and determined and stated more than once that it was time to move on. I kept the piles separated (Goodwill, give to someone, trash), loaded up my car with donations and provided lots of hugs. We ended up clearing off one whole wall of boxes, and although we declared ourselves done for the day, I strayed to the other wall. I just couldn't stop. Just one more box. One more! But Todd's stomach told us it was time to get some food so we headed out for dinner.

And it was then I made the comment that I needed to go to Target to buy something to wear to work on Tuesday. Because I just didn't want to go home.

Luckily, I had a t-shirt with me that would go well enough with the skirt I had worn on Friday so no run to Target was necessary. Which is good because then we wouldn't gotten home in time for the season premiere of Gossip Girl!

Jessica doesn't stay with me anymore. I can blog about Gossip Girl all I want.

After laughing at and mocking Gossip Girl, the very productive Downings (and Marsh) went to bed.

Whew!

Are you as tired as I am?

And here we are, another week. Ah, but a short week! And you know...I don't think I have anything planned for the evenings. Well, laundry tonight, but that's about it.

Whatever will I do with myself?

Can I Go Home Now?

Sick of this day, sick my mood, sick of me.
Want a magarita. And football. And a hug.

I don't like days like this. Glad they don't happen too often anymore.

Horoscope

From The Seattle Times:

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Romantic cliches no longer apply. Past transgressions could be thrown up to block your moves. This is a poor time to invest your money or to discuss a permanent commitment with a special someone.

I don't much care for the sound of this.......

Just One Of The Things I Do To Amuse Myself

Every month I write out a rent check. And I put it in a plain white envelope. But mama always taught me not to just put a check in a plain white envelope because you can see that it's a check and someone might steal it. So I have to wrap the check in a piece of paper so you can't see that it's a check.

With me?

Well, using a piece of plain white printer paper was getting annoying. It was a lot of folding. The envelopes aren't the big long envelopes. They're the short ones. So the paper was always way too big and well, I'm exhausted just typing about it.

A few years ago, I ran across these great pads and gadgets in a stationary store. Their stuff is hilarious (be sure to check out the website).

I bought this pad:


I thought Steve would find it helpful. I actually used to fill a sheet out and put it on his keyboard so that when he got home, he'd be in the loop.

Anywho, the width of the paper is the exact width of the envelope. So now, I wrap my check up in a Mood Alert sheet.

And I fill out.

Some days, my overall mood rating is a 3, some days it's a 9.

I'm curious if the person who opens the mail at Ballard Realty enjoys seeing what mood I'm in when I write out my rent check. I hope they chuckle.

Random Thoughts

I can't remember what I'm doing when I walk in the kitchen sometimes, but I can remember random Spanish words, like most of the months (Abril, Septiembre, Octubre, Noviembre, Diciembre - apparently I can even remember how to spell them), frio (cold) and imposible (impossible).

Weird.

**********

We have officially hit winter in Seattle. The high is supposed to be 62 today and it's rained for the past five days. Fine with me. It's more fun to watch football when it's cold. And you don't sweat when you cuddle.

**********

Had din din with Jamie last night. We've gotten into the habit of making a once a week dinner date. I love that. We went to La Carta de Oaxaca, an authentic, yet overhyped, Mexican joint. The food is okay, I guess, but there's always this long line of people out the door trying to get in. My theory is that one person (probably from Fremont - MeOw!) deemed it "trendy" and suddenly everyone and their freakin' brother has to go there, thus making Ballard just as crowded and frustrating as Fremont. West Seattle ain't lookin' so bad these days.

**********

Have I given you an update on the mouthguard situation? No? Well!

I used my whitening tray for a few nights and that helped the pain in the tooth, but rubbed the roof of my mouth raw. Poo. So, I sucked it up and spent $18 on an official NightGuard. Which was a complete joke. With Kayleigh's assistance, we boiled this thing according to the directions, then I put it in my mouth and bit down so that my teeth would make an impression and it would fit snuggly.

Crock o' shit.

Either it's a complete rip off or my jaws are just not strong enough to bite down as far as I need to. Regardless, my teeth only left a tiny little dent in the tray. So I'll send it back. Because there's a little "Satisfaction Guaranteed" note on the side of the box. And I am not satisfied.

And my tooth still hurts.

**********

Red meat is no longer my friend. We were never really buds. Merely acquaintances. But after the pirate party in CA and me treating myself to a big ol' chunk of it, well, red meat is no longer my friend.

It was somewhat entertaining though when, after I took a big bite of said red meat and "juice" (let's just say "juice"....red "juice") dripped down onto my chest (not boobs....just chest), I got to act out a little vampire victim scenario for Todd's friends, with his help. Maybe that could also be considered an audition? Cause, ya know, I'm datin' a director.

**********

I'm freezing right now.
If my fingernails weren't painted red (hussy red!) then they would be blue.
I want my sweatshirt.

(This is not a haiku.)

**********

Apparently homecoming season is upon us!

The majority my blog hits are coming from a google search for "homecoming mums". The gals are getting excited about what their boys are going to get for them! Or maybe it's the boys who are googling so they know what the gals want?

Maybe Todd and I should go to the West Seattle High homecoming football game. And he can buy me a mum and I'll buy him a garter. And maybe I'll get a pimple right on the end of my nose. Just like high school! Ah, to relive my youth!

Excuse me while I throw up........

At least I'd get to make out with a boy after the game.

**********


Sigh.

That's all I got.

Whee.

California Pics

I just had a thought. Which is surprising since it's not even noon yet.

I just assume that those of you who read this blog also read Todd's blog. And that's probably not true, huh?

So, maybe I should link to the pictures of California trip, too.

Enjoy!

I Am Screwed.

Apparently, crows can remember a face. Great.

Not only do I have to worry about crows dive bombing me, now I can't even scream at them and flip them off because they will remember me. And they will plan their great attack.

Perhaps when I'm down at the Locks, all by myself, enjoying the sunshine. Laying on a blanket, eyes closed. They will recognize me. And they will swarm in a giant murder, descending upon me with their oily little feathers and loud caws. They will peck at me with their beaks as I scream for help. But no one will help me. No one likes crows.

Eventually, the horrible beasts will grab my lifeless, bloodied body with their ugly, pointy feet and carry me off to their nest in order to continue their merciless execution.

No, I haven't seen Hitchcock's The Birds.
Why?

Home....And Then Some

Yes, we're back! Todd has done a great job of laying out the activities day by day, so I really don't need to rehash all of the details.

I will say it sure didn't feel like a whole week. Although, on the plane ride home yesterday, I suddenly became very exhausted and passed out for I don't know how long. Guess everything caught up with me. Meeting new people for an entire week tends to take it out of you.

And it was good dip in the parent pool. I didn't really go under......just doggie paddled to the edge a couple of times. Which, if you think about it, isn't too bad for my first full week with the kiddies. I know Todd was worried that I was going to get sick of him but that just wasn't even an issue. He still had me laughing until I had tears in my eyes on the plane ride home.

But, oh, it feels good to be home.

I ordered in thai food last night, had a glass of wine, took a long bath and painted my nails. This morning, I ran errands and just enjoyed being back in Ballard.

And now I'm off to piddle a little more until it's time to get ready for dinner. A special dinner. Dinner at Salty's. Today marks a whopping three months with Todd so we're celebrating. Is it just me, or does it feel like three years? Hard to believe it's only been months.

Speaking of relationships, our hostess with the mostest, Beth, said something a few nights ago that made my mouth just fall open. And opened up a whole new train of thought for me.

By now you've realized that I don't use this blog to spout about my feelings regarding Todd. There's a lot going on inside my head (and heart) and he's aware of all of this, but I don't want my blog to be therapy anymore. You guys were great this past year when I needed an outlet, but now, this relationship is so.....important....that I don't want to let everyone completely in on it. It's more complicated than boy-meets-girl-they-fall-in-love-cue-mushy-music. Todd and I each have our own baggage and issues from the past and I think we're doing a fantastic job of working those things out. So please don't think that just because I don't gush about him means I'm not in love with him. I am very much, 100%, completely in love with him. And his kids. How on earth could I not be?

That said, I tend to freak out every now and then. Sometimes it's because of a trigger from the past, sometimes it's because I fear making the same stupid mistakes I made last year, and sometimes it's because I feel like I'm just sitting in the corner, picking my nose, while this relationship happens around me. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm even participating. Like I'm not in control. And that makes me panic.

So when Beth said that her relationship with her husband took on a life of it's own when they were dating, I literally gasped.

A life of it's own.

Picking my nose.

See how it's the same?

Apparently, when a relationship is right, it just happens. Momentum takes hold and you just have to try and hang on and not get thrown over the side. This is a completely foreign concept to me.

My longest and most pertinent relationship ever began with complete denial. We were just "hanging out" for eight months. Spending Friday night through Monday morning together, sure, but we were just "hanging out". We never, ever, used the term "girlfriend" or "boyfriend". Then we really never lived together those first few years. We just "stayed with each other" because of whatever the current situation was. We didn't really get officially domestic until year four when we got a joint bank account (in addition to our own checking accounts).

This is my frame of reference. Healthy, right?

I thought we were just taking it slow. Now I see I had a chain around his neck and was dragging him down the beautiful path to domesticity. A path he so clearly was not happy to be on. Oh, I think I probably knew that, but dammit, I am no quitter!

So, to have a man who is gung ho about domesticity and togetherness completely throws me. I don't know how to do this if I'm not dragging them kicking and screaming. That's my way of being in control. And you know there's no way I can drag Todd anywhere. The man is huge.

Anywho. That's what's going on. Todd is at the end of the relationship path, arms wide open, tapping his foot and waiting on me. He's probably checking the time every now and then because he's a planner and our social calendar is constantly jam packed. I can see the kids too (along with every gatekeeper I met this past week), jumping up and down and cheering me on. "You can do it, Raechelle!"

I, however, am very gingerly walking toward him, while just trying to stay in the middle of the path and not fall down. I'm just being very, very careful. The path is uneven and if I rush, I'm going to hurt myself. Todd has been down this path. Hell, you can even see his big ol' footprints in the dirt. He OWNS this path. But it's all very new to me.

I wish I could paint. It would be a pretty picture, wouldn't it?

Okay, enough babbling. I gotta get ready for dinner. It's raining out but I am not deterred. I am wearing my new gold strappy shoes! I mean it!

Composting - A Beginner's Tale

A few weeks ago, the city distributed BioBags* to put food waste in. Once the bag is full, we can just throw that in the community compost container down by the garbage. I aspire to compost (and I'm all about appearances), so I was going to spend $40 on a pretty stainless steel countertop composter like this:

But then I thought, "I have these bags. I just need something to put the bag in." And wala!

Ugly, but functional:


Still ugly, still functional, but now with pretty green bag hanging out of it.

Only $6! I'm so smart. The only drawback is that the $40 stainless steel container has a charcoal filter to help with the smell of rotting food. My little Goodwill container's lid is one of those sealing lids so that will help, but I'll need to take the bag out pretty frequently.

Looks like the BioBags are only about $6, too (for 25 of them). Now it's just a matter of finding a store nearby that carries them. Whole Foods? PCC?

Let me know if you've seen them anywhere.

*They also have litter box liners, dog waste bags, trash bags and leaf and lawn bags. The bags are made of corn, not plastic, so they break down naturally.

California, Mid-Week Update

I could give you an update on our California trip, but let me instead refer you to TBBE's blog. We collaborated. More efficient.

Suffice it to say, 1) we're having a great time, 2) Todd has fantastic friends and 3) I'm not running away screaming. Which was apparently a concern.

No, no. All is good in Taechelle land. Or RaTodd land.
Still working on it.

I Been Tagged!

By Heather from H-in-London.

So allow me to babble about myself for a minute.

Here are the directions:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Here are my 6 unspectacular quirks.

1. I fear crowds. Maybe not "fear", but I panic. Like, wringing my hands and twitching and looking around nervously because I feel like I'm in the way and if one more person touches me I will freakin' LOSE IT. Todd knows this and he is fantastic. He'll move me to the nearest wall or to the edge of the crowd or just stand in front of me with his back to the crowd. And he's much like a wall, so it's comforting. Thanks babe.

2. I say "interesting...." when I have absolutely no response to something someone has just said. "My chicken just won't stop pacing around the coop! Can you believe that?!"

"Huh. Interesting....."

3. I always think I have something in my teeth. I'm constantly checking my teeth in the mirror (or in a knife, if I'm at the table...although I'm discreet). Dinner dates are murder.

4. I can't go out of town without cleaning my apartment. Taking the trash and recycling out, scrubbing the tub, vacuuming (but that's fun stuff) and doing laundry. The thought of coming home and needing to do ANYTHING ruins the whole vacation.

Guess what I'll be doing tonight?

5. I have hyperacute hearing. Steve used to say I had superhearing. I can hear something rattling in the wall in my office and I've called facilities so many times to fix it, they think I'm crazy. One guy even asked if anyone else could hear it. So now I hit on the wall a lot to try and make it stop (which it does....for a minute). I mute the commercials (if I have the remote) because my head needs a break when watching TV. I hate whistling (she says as she hears someone in the hallway....whistling). It should be a happy sound, but I feel like it just adds to the already excessive amount of noise I have to tolerate on a daily basis. If you don't have to make noise, don't make noise.

6. It is imperative that the toilet paper pull from over the top, rather than from underneath. And I am not opposed to actually changing it in people's houses. People I don't even know. Underneath may be their preference, but when I'm sittin' on their potty, it's over the top. But I'm considerate, so I'll put it back the way they had it when I leave.

To Todd's friends with whom we will be staying next week - consider yourself warned.

Okay! Time to tag. I'm so sorry, guys. But I know that every bad thing that happens to me is a direct result of breaking a chain letter in 5th grade. Swear.To.Gawd.

Kayleigh
Tricia
Marcia
Jake
Ann
Ms. Traveler

California Dreamin'

What to say?
I am tired
Eyes are heavy
Sat in the sun at lunch
Big mistake
Back in my office
Blah

Short timers disease
Vacation a comin'
Finding it hard to work
So I plan my wardrobe
Always take a fleece
Even to California
Just in case

Hair appointment Friday
Sprucin' up for new people
Wanna feel cool in Cali
No mani or pedi
Gotta choose wisely
More money for shopping

How many hours?
72 hours
Touch down in San Jose...?
Or Sacramento?
No idea
Don't even care
Letting someone else plan for a change

Will you miss me?
Can I blog from Todd's phone?
Maybe from our hosts' computer?
Cryptic little updates
To keep you on the edge of your seat
Don't forget the camera this time!!

How many hours?
72 hours
Sigh

Weekend Update - GO! GO! GO!

Rumor has it that Todd isn't too motivated this morning to blog, so maybe I can get this done before him. Hee hee.

Friday night - FOOTBALL. Yeah baby! Seahawks won their first preseason game against the Vikings and we had a small, but nice, crowd to yell at the TV with. And Trish and I now have every intention of making food and being the hostesses with mostestess every Sunday for the games. This big plan was decided after a couple glasses of wine, so we may need to reevaluate.

Saturday morning consisted of a full on breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon, then a mad dash to Ikea for organizing gear. In and out in 45 minutes. A new world record, I'm sure. We came home with drawer organizers, bins for the office, and cargo nets for all of Kayleigh's stuff animals, which are now hanging above her bed. I personally would be afraid those things would fall on me in the middle of the night, but she's young and daring, so we'll see how it goes.

The afternoon was extremely productive, until we had to run off to dinner and "Crazy For You", a play done by Todd's theater group, Twelfth Night Productions where I got to see my man in true form as the cool popular guy. After the show, the cast was milling about, chatting with people and one after one I would hear, "TODD!" in a very high, screechy female voice. Quite popular with the ladies, he is. As a matter of fact, even last weekend when we were in Bellingham, I heard that familiar screech. In the consignment store where we were shopping. I said to no one in particular, "It's a good thing I'm not a jealous woman. This could get ugly."

And Sunday began early with a last minute dash to meet our real estate agent (after stopping for much needed caffeine, of course) to view a house. A very cool-retreat-like-would-accommodate-a-pool-table house. After that, there was more organizing and cleaning (I'm infectious, I tell ya!), then dinner, then Blazing Saddles (which, yes you guessed it, I had never seen) and a glass of wine. What a lovely way to wrap up a fun weekend.

Again, I had every intention of coming home yesterday afternoon, but for some reason, I just wasn't able to tear myself away from the big, burly man hugs, so it turned into a full weekend visit. A good sign, since I'll be spending seven straight days with the Downing clan here in a few days, doncha think?

And, Happy Monday, what did I find when I emerged from the bathroom this morning?

A latte and a croissant from The Best Boyfriend Ever (herein known as TBBE).

[insert big ol' mushy grin here]

Whew! Done!
What's the time on that, Bob?

Tattoo Time

Since posting pictures of our tattoos is all the rage now, here's mine.


Pardon the blur. Hard spot, Todd's camera phone, trying not to expose too much.....you get the idea. Yes, those are my Hanky Pankys.

I got this when I was 19 and drunk on peach wine coolers. My friend, Val, bought it for me because I won a bet. What was the bet, you ask? I asked a guy at Paragon, a club we frequented, what toothpaste he used.

Stupid bet. I know. But I got a tattoo out of it!

I picked a moon and star because I'm a night person.
Well, I used to be. Now I have to be in bed by 10:30pm.

Sad.

My, What You Can Do With Photography...

From the front page of CNN.
Rumor has it, John Edwards had an affair.

At first glance, who is the bad guy here?

Although I didn't actually read the article, I'm guessing from this photograph that this tramp seduced that fine, upstanding man. Look how the sun falls on his face, almost illuminating his halo. While this evil home wrecker, judging by the harsh light and scowl on her face, I'm sure only comes out at night as looks like the sun is setting behind her.

I want a photographer to follow me around and only publish the photos that make me look 1) clear skinned, 2) thin and 3) innocent.

If you are a photographer, and interested in being my employee, please click the "Email Me!" link to your right. I promise you will earn your money. I don't know how much money at this point, but I'm sure we can work something out.

You Can Take The Girl Out Of The Country.....

A new site to check 50 times a day. See more dog pictures.....

From The Ex To Steve

Some readers have noticed that in my Props for Shaun post, I referred to my ex by name. No more "The Ex". That's because the ex...er....Steve and I are talking again.

We hadn't spoken since the first of December and that was probably best. After six years, you can't break up and just act like everything is okay. He wasn't part of the mistake or fiasco, just so you know, and he was smart to remove himself from anyone involved. But, for the most part, that's all behind us and he's in a great relationship and I'm in a great relationship, so we're friendly again. We've even had dinner together and we still quote the same movies to each other in the middle of a conversation. Old habits die hard.

I'm happy that I still have Steve in my life. Because after six years of living with him, I can't just act like he doesn't exist (plus, he cracks me up. He's a funny guy). And I'm so very happy that Todd understands that, just as I understand that Sam was a huge part of his life and is the mother of his children, so she will never be completely gone. We can talk about our pasts and the people in them and no gets all bent out of shape or competitive.

I think I'm a very lucky woman.

It's A Sickness, I Tell Ya....

I just meant to drop off some stuff. Stuff from Todd's after we cleaned out the basement. And then I just thought I'd go in to see if they had shorts cause, ya know, mine are too big and I'm going to California in a couple of weeks.

Then somehow I found myself in the shoe department, and REALLY, I was just looking for some cute flats that I could wear with a couple of my dresses. But then I hit the boot aisle and well....crap.

Because I don't have brown ones, that's why
And they were $8.

Shoot me.

Glutton for Punishment

I just made the very grave decision to look at the swimsuits on the Victoria's Secret website.

And from Ordinary Angels, I hear Micah's voice in my head:
"What the hell were you thinking?!"

They've got all kinds of categories:
Beach Sexy
Miracle Bra
Very Sexy
Body by Victoria
Shop by Top
Shop by Designer
Shop by Category
Destination: Summer
Must Haves

And I found myself mumbling, "How about a "I'm 33 and I Weigh More Than 90lbs and I Just Want to Cover My Ass" category? Where's that one?"

They don't have that category.

Oh, but Newport News does. They're ugly, but they cover yer tush.

Oy.

That's okay. My cheap little suit suffice for the mere week I need it. That's one of the perks of living in Seattle. You don't really need to have a swimsuit. Unless you're one of those water lover types that likes to swim and kayak and crap. Luckily, I am not one of those people.

I prefer wool sweaters, thankyouverymuch.

Weekend Update

Mondays are so much better when you get smoochies as you leave for work. By your boyfriend, not just by some random neighbor that you've accosted. Trust me on that.

As mentioned in said boyfriends' blog, Friday was dinner with Kenni and Joel. Sneaky, sneaky Joel.

But before dinner, Todd and I went to Target to get me a nightguard. Look at me, actually following a professional's advice. Well, I got two sport mouthguards. One for my place, one for Todd's place, because I'm one of those tramps now who keeps her shampoo, soap, toothbrush and deodorant at her boyfriend's house. We haven't progressed to clothing yet, so you parents can just settle down. It's just toiletries at this point. And mouthguards.

Speaking of which, could this picture BE any cuter:

Tiny little girly deodorant, and big manly tall deodorant. That's me and Todd, in a nutshell. And no, I'm not afraid to show you our deodorant. So there.

Where was I?

Oh, mouthguards.

So I bought two of them, and did the whole boiling thing and, holy crap, those things are HUGE. There is no way I would be able to sleep with that huge chunk of....whatever..... in my mouth. I'd rather just go for the root canal. One time shot, lots of good drugs afterwards.

But, upon further consideration, I tried my whitening tray that I got a few years ago. Same concept. Plastic, molded to my teeth. I used it Saturday night and wala! No headache Sunday morning. I'll try it for a couple of weeks and see if the pain lets up. I'll keep you posted. Because I know you're just on the edge of your seat, aren't you?

So after the mouthguard experiment, off to dinner. I'm going to forget to mention the Raechelle's-an-idiot-and-walked-into-the-men's-room-AGAIN-story. Unlike Todd. Thanks, babe.

Saturday was a Bellingham trip. Farmer's market, meeting Todd's sister and niece, then lunch and shopping with his mom and a visit with his grandparents. Then I branched off and met up with Jamie for din din, and back home where I tried to stay up for Saturday Night Live, but was unable. Because, apparently, I am no longer a young whipper snapper.

Esther had friends over around 8:30 Sunday morning, so I was awake bright and early. It seems they were hanging out in her bedroom and bathroom which is, of course, right above my bedroom and bathroom, and they were quite chipper (and loud). So I tried to be optimistic and take it as a sign to get my day started. Four cups of coffee helped.

That afternoon, I visited with Kim, Tim and Milo for a bit. Then Kim accompanied me to Macy's for a quick shopping trip, including the dreaded bathing suit search since I'll be in beautiful California for a week. And, I swear to gawd, not one bottom that I tried on covered my butt. And you know my butt ain't that big. The suits are just getting smaller and smaller. I told Kim, if I wanted my ass to show, I'd just go naked. What's the point in spending $60 on a suit when I'm hardly covered? So, bathing suit shopping was a bust.

On the way home from shopping, Ruby almost got creamed by a very large and green minivan. That thing wanted in my lane something fierce, so to get out of her way, we went up on the curb. Scared the crap out of all of us. I think Ruby was actually shaking on the rest of the drive. So, to calm her down, I took her to Brown Bear and gave her a good washing and vacuuming. She seemed okay after that. Poor baby....

And then back to Todd's for dinner. But first, a quick trip to Marshall's, just to see if maybe they had any bathing suits left. And wouldn't you know it? Found a suit. That is the exact same style and cut as the one I just gave to Goodwill four months ago. Perfect. This one is brown and blue though. I tell you this because you probably will not ever see a picture of me in it. Unless I'm drunk. Which, let's face it, is not unheard of.

So, shopping, dinner, a nice chat with Tyler then Jim Gaffigan. Oh my gawd, Todd and I laughed until our throats hurt. He is freakin' hysterical. "Have you tried the Hot Pocket Hot Pocket? It's the Hot Pocket filled with a Hot Pocket. Tastes just like a Hot Pocket. Hot Pocket...."

What a nice way to end the weekend.

And here we are at Monday! Ack.

Actually, my day isn't too bad. Time flies when you....uh....don't work.

Oh, kidding, kidding. I work. Occasionally. Most of the time.
Rarely.

Wha....?

Is It Tomorrow Yet?

What the hell is up with the universe today?

I can't count the number of cars who almost ran or eased into me because they weren't paying attention to what they were doing. Or the number of people I almost hit with my car because they stepped off the curb, cell phone to their ear, completely unaware that there were cars zooming past.

Here's a tip for ya: PAY ATTENTION, PEOPLE. Take yer freakin' cell phone away from your ear and look forward. How hard is that? You are not the only one in this world and one of these days, people are going to quit slamming on their brakes for you just because you're too engrossed in whatever it is you're doing to notice that there is a car coming RIGHT TOWARD YOU. Dumbass.

Okay, maybe I'm a little grumpy today.

I had a dentist appointment this morning and apparently, a root canal is not in order just yet. I have a crack in my tooth, that runs up by the nerve, and we suspect I am grinding my teeth at night (just like I have for the last 25 years) which is aggravating the nerve every day and not giving it a chance to calm down.

So, he suggested (and has been suggesting) a night guard (for six years now). Maybe I'll actually break down and buy one because it's just pissing me off now and I'm pretty sure I'm killing my stomach with the amount of Advil I'm taking on a daily basis. And the tooth pain is making the entire left side of my head hurt so that when I cough (freakin' allergies) my brain feels like it's trying to somehow exit my skull.

And then there's MS (not PMS....we are not in the "Pre" stages anymore) which just makes me want to rip out my own ovaries with my bare hands and throw them against the wall. I work in a clinic. We've got plenty of gauze. I think I can do it.

When I had my first "woman's doctor's appointment" at 17 (I think it was 17), the doctor came into the room and asked, "Now, what can I do for you?"

And I very calmly and maturely said, "I would like a hysterectomy, please."

I think my mom laughed. Only three years of being a woman and I was sick of it. Screw. This.

Sigh.

Enough about my uterus.

I am very much looking forward to this evening. Todd and I will be taking one of our faithful readers, who is visiting from Houston, and her husband out for dinner. I think we'll go somewhere on the water. Because we know how to impress our fans.

And then afterward, mucho cuddle time with my man. I think that will make all of the aches and pains magically go away. And if not, well, who cares. I still get cuddle time.