Cranky McCrankerson

It’s a rough day here in Raechelle-land. The weather absolutely sucks, Todd is sick again, Kayleigh is getting sick and my house is a cluttered disaster. There is no amount of Prozac or wine that can fix this right now.

Well.  Okay.  Maybe there's enough wine....

Todd was getting better, but then Sunday, the coughing and hacking flared back up and now he’s just beaten back down. And Kayleigh says her chest feels tight and like she can’t get a breath, so they both have doctor’s appointments this afternoon.

Oh, and Tyler is back to eating normal foods again.

And me? Oh, I’m fine. Having a small issue that’s not appropriate to blog about, and it’s just adding to my crankiness, but other than that, I’ll live.

And! This weather is freakin’ horrible. Rarely do I ever flat out bitch about the weather up here, but people, it’s the beginning of May and we can’t even hit 60 degrees. We’ve had 2 sunny, dry days in the last 20. I am sick of being cold and wet.

However, I’m torn between the two upsides of this weather. If it continues to rain all weekend, and Kayleigh and Todd are down with the crud all weekend, Rae-rae gets to either go nuts and declutter her house, or lay on the couch and do absolutely nothing. Both are very appealing to me right now.

Oh! I just remembered that I haven’t shared this with you! Daniela and Sergio will be in town this weekend! We haven’t made a plan, but Daniela did touch base and say she wanted to get together. Yay!

So maybe I’ll declutter tomorrow, and then have D&S over Sunday evening. Or maybe just sleep until noon tomorrow, then declutter on Sunday before we have D&S over. Or maybe just screw the decluttering and I’ll cuddle with Tom all weekend.

Who knows what my mood will be tomorrow. That’s the beauty of being manic – each day is a surprise!

**********

Update:

The evil uterus has awakened from her four week slumber, and she is pissed.

"What?! NO BABY?!  DAAAAAAMMMNNNN YOOOOOOU!"

So I predict that Plan C will be in full effect this weekend.

Somebody get my jammies ready.

*********

Another Update:

Kayleigh and Todd are back from their doctors’ appointments. Todd’s left over sinus ick has become infected in his chest, so now he’s on antibiotics and an expectorant. Kayleigh’s chest lining is inflamed and just needs to rest and take some ibuprofen for the inflammation. Good to know they’re both on the mend.

I’ve Got a Theory

It could be bunnies…..

Kidding.

In talking with my co-worker, Kermit (formerly known as Matabulor), I’ve come up with a theory.

Kermit tends to come over with all kinds of sweets and candy and cookies and chocolate. He’s one of those “keep your co-workers happy” kind of guys. I’ve been doing really well refusing his dark chocolate and gummy bears, but then yesterday, after a couple of weeks of nothing, he brought me a Dove dark chocolate bar.

“I know you’re on a diet, but dark chocolate is good for you.”

True dat, Kermie.

So, I have a little dark chocolate bar in my drawer now to keep me happy in the afternoons.

But then this morning, Kermit magically appeared in my cube with a plate full of chocolate brownies.

“I know I’m evil, but you want one?”

I debated for a good five seconds before I reached out and grabbed on. And it was like the Universe was fighting me – I could not get the brownie off of the plate. It was that gooey and moist. It was just stuck to the plate. Yum.

I took it down in two bites, then wiped the gooey chocolate off of my fingers with a tissue. As I did this, and while finishing my brownie, I declared to Kermit and Mr. Cranky Non-Decorating Co-Worker that screw the diet, I’ve just accepted the fact that I am big boned.

That got a good laugh.

I said, at least I’m happy right? I could be a 100 pounds and a stark, raving bitch. You wouldn’t want that would you?

Kermit laughed, then sobered up and said, “You know. Sometimes, there is a correlation there. Why do you think that is?”

I said, “Because women who are not naturally that thin are starving themselves to be skinny and they have no social life because they’re spending all of their free time working out.”

But look at me! Yes, I’ve got an extra 20lbs on me, but I’m happy! I eat and I drink and I be merry! If I denied myself wine and chocolate and pasta, I would not be pleasant to be around. I would be cranky, and sober, and exhausted.

And come on. Who really wants that?

Wouldn’t you rather have a happy Rae-rae?

Then how about sending Rae-rae some money so she can buy slightly bigger capris?

We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 1963

The Downing Joint Birthday Party was Saturday night, and boy howdy, was it a swingin’ good time. Thank goodness we asked to borrow our friends’ house and bar because there’s no way that many people would have fit into our place.

We started the day off right with a surprise visit from CB. She and her hubby and baby stopped by, and I knew as soon as I saw them come up the walkway they would not be attending the party that night. CB had a balloon and a gift bag, and another bag of goodies. Sure enough, the baby had been sick the night before, so they were leery about leaving him with the sitter. So they made up for it by bring us twice baked almond croissants and makings for mimosas. If you’re going to miss my party, at least get me liquored up before you tell me.

After their visit, Todd and Kayleigh were off to pick up some last minute items, and I (finally) cleaned the bathroom and kitchen. No, the party wasn’t at our house, but I wanted to be able to lay around in my jammies all day on Sunday and not feel like I needed to be domestic.

Come 3pm, it was time to get bouffanted.

Tangent – Last year, CB recommended the lovely salon around the corner from house when my gal Carly left for New York. I started to visit Jamie, and she does wonderful things to my hair. I’m very, very glad I found her. And that she’s walking distance from my house.

Anywho, when I went to get my haircut last week, I told Jamie about the 60s party and how I wanted to get my hair all bouffanted up, so I asked what she’d charge. We chatted about that and then I, very professionally, asked if she’d be willing to do it for trade.

You’re thinking I offered to clean her salon, aren’t you? Well, I didn’t. But it crossed my mind.

I’d found the salon’s blog earlier in the day, and (to be polite) I immediately realized that Jamie’s talent and effort were not really going toward the blog. So I offered to revamp her blog site, in exchange for a bouffant. She loved the idea and said, “Hell, I’d give you free haircuts for that!” Since her blog is with Blogger, like mine, I should have no problem getting in there and beautifying it. And I do love beautifying the blogs. So many colors and fonts and templates. And Blogger makes it so easy for someone like me who has absolutely no clue how to code.

So, I have a contract design gig. Hee.

Where was I?

Ah, yes. Getting bouffanted.

Jamie spent an hour teasing and spraying and teasing and spraying, and finally, I was coiffed.

Back home to get our outfits and accessories together, then Todd, Kayleigh and I headed north to Michael’s. Tyler (who turns 17 next month, by the way) opted to be a typical teenage boy and stay home to play videogames and watch the cats. He’s becoming quite the independent fella.

We arrived with a mere two hours to set up, prepare the food, dress, get made up and start drinking. Don’t wanna be just picking our noses when the guests start arriving, now do we?

The first guests (Walter and Anne win the prize!) arrived around 7:15, and it was all a blur after that. As most of our parties are. Thankfully, Michael’s girlfriend Chris acted as the official hostess (or maid, whichever you prefer), so she was quick to take coats and food when people arrived. That’s the stuff that normally stresses me out. And I had on my three inch heels, so I would have broken my neck running up and down the stairs in that split level house.

And Michael tended bar all night.

His assistant showed up a little later, unbeknownst to me. When I saw him, I didn’t recognize him so I asked “Hi! Who are you with?” He said no one. He’s crashing my party. Then he hugged me and told me happy birthday.

I was okay with that.

Because this was a split level house, and the bar was downstairs and the food was upstairs, I felt like I had even less time than normal to chat with people. I’d be upstairs touching base, and when I’d get back downstairs, I’d notice some guests had left. At least in our little ol’ house you can see when people leave and at least say goodbye to them.

By about 11pm, the majority of the guests had left (after being badgered by me – “You’re leaving?! What do you have to go home to?! Your wife is working tonight!”) and the few remaining settled in the bar for some salsa dancing and Mad Libs. HK, my salsa partner was there, so we got a lot of practice. I even showed Kayleigh some salsa and swing moves. Yeah. Her stepmom is cool.

Finally, the last of the guests retreated around 1am, and by 2am our car was packed up with leftover food, wine, and other party accoutrements. We all finally got to bed around 3am.

And Sunday was a complete waste.

Which is a shame because it was absolutely beautiful outside. But Todd and I could do nothing but snooze off and on all day. We decided that it’s not the drinking that hurts us these days. Well, it does if you over do it, which we did not, and I was especially good because of those three inch heels – there was no way I could walk around AND carry my drink (I think I have a new plan).

It’s the going to bed at 3am. I always thought that the older you get, the less sleep you need, but I slept until 11am Sunday (not a big surprise, I know) and then took a couple of two hour naps in the afternoon. I think your body just gets into the habit of going to bed at a certain time (10pm – shoot me) and getting up at a certain time, and by gawd, if you mess with that, your body says “Screw you” and refuses to cooperate for a day.

But now it's Monday and we're back on track.

So what to plan next?

The Original Mad Men

Feel the love....

Not real sure...but look at that passion!

Walter & Anne.  Too hip for words.

The Mister & Travis

Dancin' Queens!

Love it (the cigarette is fake)

How I Accidently Watched The Royal Wedding

I had no intention of staying up until 2am to watch William and Kate get married. Kayleigh even asked about it before we went to bed and I said, “Uh, hell no.” Yes, I had it on our Google calendar, but I knew there’d be recaps all weekend, and I was fine with that.

But then came 1:47am, and I woke up coughing and no amount of albuterol or cough drops would calm it. Of course, I was pissed off immediately because my precious sleep had been interrupted, but then it hit me.

The royal wedding was starting.

It was fate.

So, I snuck out of the bedroom with my blanket and my pillow and curled up on the couch with Tom. We kept the TV turned down low, so as not to awaken the rest of the household (and thus, be mocked).

I was full of anticipation. Where was William? Ah! There comes William and Harry in a swanky car. Nice. He’s so cute. And Harry looks like a wild frat boy.

And now they walk inside Westminster Abby and take off their gloves and hat and…hand them to some guy? Wait, they didn’t get a ticket back! How will the guy know which hat is William’s?! All the men are taking off their hats and handing them over! No one is getting a claim ticket!

Oh, this is going to be a disaster. Did no one think to plan this part better? I know we only had a few months to throw this together, but people! Maybe they’re using sticky notes off to the side. One sticky says “Will”, one sticky says “Harry”, one sticky says “Dad”.

Well, as long as the stickies are out of sight, then I guess it’s okay. We’ve got a reputation to uphold here. This is a royal wedding! Not a slapstick hillbilly wedding!

Okay, moving on. Yeah, yeah, the boys mingle. William tells a few women they look “fabulous”. Only the English can get away with saying “fabulous” seriously. Harry is figiting. Must be hungover and needing some hair of the dog. You party animal, Harry.

And, now we have parents (well, “parent” and Camilla. I’m still bitter that she’s there and Diana’s not), and oh, the Queen. She looks bored. She’s probably sick of weddings. All the hubbub and the horns and the little choir boys singing so high you think the stain glass is going to shatter. I bet she’s thinking, “I just want some tea. When can I have my tea?” Poor Queen.

And there’s Kate getting into her swanky car! Wow, that’s a lot of train! Poor Dad doesn’t know what to do with all that material. Lacy. Of course. Veil and tiara. Of course. Just classic.

Such a long drive to the Abbey.

Oh, Kate's getting out of the car!  So much train!  Well, not as much train as Diana, but a nice modest train.  So pretty....

Williams back is to her, he won't look.  He's being coy.  Ah, but Harry looked!  Yeah, Kate's looking hot, he says to William.

Now the traditional blah blah blah, marriage, have and hold.  But man, that one guy is scary - the Archbishop of Canterbury says to Prince William and Catherine:

"I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God’s word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful."

I would be terrified.

So no one opposes the marriage, William and Kate have nothing to hide, and William isn't wearing a wedding band.  Huh?  That seems suspicious.....

What?  No kiss?!  Come on!

Ah, glory be to God, the choir is singing, Elton John doesn't know the words to that particular hymn or he just isn't in the mood to sing.  Could be that big speech about marriage being between a man and a woman.  I'm sure Elton didn't appreciate that too much.

Now they're in the carriage, and they're riding off and Kate is waving like a good little dutchess.  They're so pretty.   So many horses!  Goodness!

They arrive at Buckingham Palace and all file inside while the crowd follows on foot.  The appearance of the crowd alone makes me want to throw up.  Too.Many.People.  And that poor line of police officiers, keeping them at bay.  Not a fun job.

So where are they going to appear on the balacony?  Oh, NBC has a little count down clock in the corner of the screen.  Thank goodness!  And there they all are!  Wave, wave, wave.  Just kiss for gawd's sake!

Really?  That's it?  A peck?

I know you don't like PDA, Will, but you are rumored to be a man of the people and the people want some passion!  At least hug her!

Another kiss?  Well, thanks.  But you still didn't hug her.

Now it's 5:30am and it's too late to try and get some sleep, and Todd is now sitting with me and educating me on the British Empire, so I might as well just make some coffee and plow though this day.

We should be able to drink champagne at work today.
It's a holiday.  Kind of.

Wisdom teeth, Concussions and Ulcers, Oh My!

What a weekend. Again, Rae-rae prevails when the crap that wollups her family.

Tyler had his lower wisdom teeth removed last Thursday. Surprisingly, he wasn’t in too much pain, and pretty much just spent Thursday and Friday sleeping on and off. He kept ice packs on his cheeks, but only took the Vicodin a couple of times. He didn’t like the way it messed with his head.

Kayleigh was on spring break (and Todd was gone Friday afternoon) so she was Tyler’s caretaker. And she did a wonderful job. She made sure he was taking his antibiotics, and she would switch out the ice packs for him, and bring him clean gauze.

And that is why she went into the kitchen, to get clean gauze, when her head got all swimmy and her knees buckled and the girl went down.

And the girl’s forehead hit the island butcher block in the center of the kitchen.
And then the girl fell backwards and hit the back of her head on the hardwood floor.

She called Todd and told him, but the little stoic one downplayed the damage. Until Todd got home and saw her. She had a nice yellow and green lump on her head with a pretty little dent through it. And that’s when she lost it.

She spent the rest of the weekend snoozing on the couch. Don’t worry, we took all the concussion cautions. Including calling Habe and debating on the emergency room and asking her what to do.

Kayleigh’s doing much better now.

And Tyler’s tooth holes are closing up, so he’s feeling pretty much back to normal.

But Todd’s gut is still giving him a hassle. We’ve discovered he feels okay if he doesn’t eat red meat or drink wine. Bummer.

The worse I’ve been dealing with is a freakin’ nose hair that’s gone wonky and I can’t yank out and it’s making me sneeze more than normal.

Whew.

Friday Funnies

I was cleaning up my folders at work and ran across some of pictures that, when I first found them, I fully intended to post them for your amusement.  And then I forgot.

But I had some really good laughs this afternoon.

First up, yes, this is the exact same car I drive, and it just so happens that my car is also silver.

However, I do not have cat pictures in my back window.  I have not gone that far over the edge.

 

**********

Because we've all had at least one pet that was certifiably batshit.

 

 

**********

I've already determined I have a Corgi problem.  I love the little stubby legs and big ears. 

 

**********

Just so.....beautiful.

 

**********

Love the German Shepherds.  Even if they can destroy your house.

**********

I can so hear the song in my head.  With some grunting.  Because it looks like this doggie is workin' it hard!

**********

I don't know.  I just laughed my ass off at this.

**********

And my own personal nightmare, that caused coffee to shoot of of my nose when I read it:

 

Happy Friday!

CRUISE SHIP!

It’s cruise ship season here in Seattle. Every morning on my drive to work, I see the big ships sitting at the dock along Aurora. So pretty. And when Todd and I are in the car together and we pass by one, I always yell “CRUISE SHIP!”

(Well. Sometimes I still yell it even when Todd’s not in the car.)

I’ve never been on a cruise. I wanna go on a cruise. I want to float on the water, swim in a pool, eat until I can’t eat anymore and have a foo foo drink in my hand at all times.

Just….relax.

Actually, this is pretty much what I anticipate doing at mom and dad’s. They have a blow up pool. Maybe I can throw a floatie in there, close my eyes and use my imagination. I can make my own drinks. I’m not above that. But mom will need to cook for me. I’m sure she won’t mind.

I’ll need a show, too. Because on a cruise ship, you get shows. Comedy acts. Dad’s pretty damn funny. I could see him standing up in front of the fireplace, no shirt, short and slippers, telling me crude jokes. That would be fun.

And much cheaper than a cruise.

Back to Our Regular Ol’ Boring Life

Sigh.

Raechelle’s Birthday Week is over. Now we’re back to the same ol’, same ol’. Well, we’ll celebrate Todd’s birthday in three weeks, so that will be fun for him.

I finished up the birthday week with taking Friday off from work. Granted, Todd and I sat in a doctor’s office for two hours and he was so tired and sick he could hardly keep his eyes opened, and when we got home, he immediately crashed on the couch, so I did laundry and cleaned the bedroom and organized the closet, and then had to leave to pick Kayleigh up from school, but hey. It’s better than sitting in a cube.

We didn’t really do a Friday night movie pizza night. Everyone was doing their own thing, so Todd and I watched the vampire movie, Daybreakers. Which was surprisingly good.

My only beef about this movie was the consistency. Ethan Hawk gets repeatedly burned by the sun, but there is damage whatsoever. I call bullshit. Especially when a vampire got burned early in the movie and he was all blistery. And also, we see the vicious ripping apart of someone (fantastically gory) but when we have the sad, goodbye I can’t believe you’re dead scene, the guy’s hardly even bloodied. Um, I’m sorry. I’m pretty sure I saw his large intestine pulled out of his torso. Why isn’t his shirt ripped?

But other than that, good movie.

Saturday, I was up early to get ready for my girl date with Trish. We walked down to the Junction and had brunch at The Tuscan Tea Room.

Oh.My.Gawd.

So good. So beautiful. I felt like I was in a foreign country back in yesteryear. Just lovely. The Tuscan Tea Room has a very elaborate Afternoon Tea, but I’m not a real tea drinker (but I met Ms. Traveler would love this place) so Trish and I had mimosas and breakfast – crepes and french toast.

After brunch, we toodled around the Junction and looked at books, clothes, and doggies. So many doggies. My favorite was the 10 month old Saint Bernard that weighed 90 lbs and knocked me over when he sat on my feet and laid up against me. Such a pretty puppy!

We finished off our date with coffee and a cupcake (still my birthday!) then headed back home. I ended up turning around and walking right back down to the Junction with Kayleigh. I’d seen a sweater there that I thought she’d like (she needs one for a dress she has), so we went to look at it. But the sweater was already gone. Poo. Luckily we a shawl that will work just as well. Productive.

Then back home to eat a quick dinner, then freshen up for the Springer’s joint birthday party at Kenyon Hall. What fun! Those theater people keep me laughing. I love the Twelfth Night gatherings.

We were home before midnight, and crashed pretty much immediately.

And on the last day of RBW, I celebrated in style by sleeping in until 11am. OH YEAH. Then I just laid in bed for a half an hour and snuggled with Tom. I love my Tom.

But the day was actually sunny, so I got motivated and took Kayleigh to her friend’s house, then came back and started on the yard. I mowed the front, back and the area between the sidewalk and the street, I weedeated (weedate?), I raked all the twigs that had fallen from that freakin’ pine tree that I wish would just fall over but not on any houses, and I quickly swept the front and back stairs. In the last hour, the dark clouds started to move in, so I lost my motivation to be a perfectionist. I just wanted it all done.

Todd felt guilty because he was still hacking up junk and pretty weak, so he balanced out the day by going to the grocery store and making dinner. And keeping my wine glass full all evening.

And apparently I overdid it because my left arm and shoulder hurt so bad that I couldn’t lay on my left side to sleep. And I have to lay on my left side. If I lay on my right side, or on my back, my sinuses clog up. Weird, no? So I breathed through my mouth all night, which means I never really slept well.

I downed some ibuprofen this morning and will take it regularly throughout the day, so that I can be assured a pain free sleep tonight. Hopefully.

But damn, the yard looks good!

RBW – The Big Day!

1979, maybe

Sadly, Raechelle’s Birthday Week has not been quite the party I was hoping it would be. But shit (and life) happens, and I’m now 36 so I shouldn’t be so disappointed about a stupid ol’ birthday.

But I am. Because I am selfish and still 14 at heart.

Tuesday afternoon was spent in the doctor’s office with Todd. My hubby has been having some tummy trouble and our doc is thinking either ulcer or gallstones. They took some blood, but those results have since come back normal, which is a huge sigh of relief. All levels/enzymes/sugars are normal.

They also scheduled an ultrasound at 8:30am today. Fun. Even funnier was the blaring phone call at 6:30am today, cancelling the appointment because the US tech was sick. Um…you don’t have a back up? Really?

So we rescheduled for next week.

And to add insult to injury, Todd either has a bad cold or a sinus infection so I don’t think he’s up for spoiling me today, and neither is Kayleigh as she’s been down for two days with a major case of the blahs. Poor baby. So, we’ll just have to postpone the spoiling.

Pre-voluptuous.  And already a wild woman.

I kinda got the party started last night, however. My neighbor had some gals over for her Jockey Person to Person launch party (sounds dirty, doesn’t it?). It’s like a Tupperware party, but with Jockey clothes (and no undies). They actually have some really lovely pieces of clothing. Their Modal line is soft and flowy. Perfect for us…ahem…voluptuous women who hate it when clothes cling to their…voluptuousness.

I knew half the women there, so it was a nice, social evening for me. With wine.

And because Jane made the mistake of telling me that my Frumpy Friday sweater that I wore was “darling”, I’m wearing it to work today! Frumpy be dammed!

I’m also calling this the Brazen Braless Birthday because the tank I’m wearing under the frumpy sweater doesn’t warrant a bra. Look out!! Stand too close, and you may indeed get some 3D.

CB took me out to lunch, so that was the big celebration today. Well, that and the two boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts she brought in yesterday because, she said, she just couldn’t wait for my birthday. And I’m not proud, but I had three donuts, one banana, one glass of water and three glasses of wine yesterday. Oh, and two pieces of cheese.

I may not live to see 37, huh?

Ice "skating" on the frozen creek

As far as a birthday vacation goes, I’m not 100% sure I get the day off tomorrow, since Mr. Cranky Non-Decorating Coworker had to go home this week for a family emergency. It just depends on how things go today.

Sigh.....All in all, let’s just say this week is shot, and save all that birthday energy for the par-tay. As long as I get to party at some point, I’m happy.

Taking after my mama with a pixie

**********

Update!  It's been a slow day so I get tomorrow off!  Well, off work anyway, since Todd's ultrasound was rescheduled, yet again, for tomorrow at 9am.  Oh well.  I'll just sleep in on Sunday!


My punk rocker costume, 19..8..4?

**********

Yet Another Update!

What a lovely evening. Todd made dinner (roast chicken, pasta and salad) and bought me one of our very favorite bottles of wine (Coppola Rosso) and even got a chocolate strawberry cake that was DELICIOUS.  And we watched Paul Blart, Mall Cop, which was just stupid, but so funny.  I love Kevin James.

First thing Monday, back on the wagon! Until then, let's party!!

Welcome to Raechelle's Birthday Week!

You're excited, I can tell.

RBW started off Friday night with an Archerthon at Dan and Trish's.  As you know, Todd and I don't have cable, so we were just waiting until Season 2 came out on DVD.  But Dan and Trish have Tivo, so they invited us over to catch up.

Have you seen Archer?  It's so bad, but it's so good.  Freakin' hysterical.  And not for the little ones.

Oh, there was wine and beef stew and wine.  Yum.

Saturday was more cleaning at Steph's.  Just a couple of hours this time.  Isabella's birthday party was that afternoon, so I focused on her room and the bathroom since there were a ton of guests coming over.  Even though I was cleaning, and Steph was running around getting ready for the party, it was still nice to just be in the same space with her, Steve and Isa.

I finished up around 12:30pm and went to Target to get a last minute baby shower gift.  Steve came up with the best answer when I was asking them what to get - "A bottle of wine and earplugs."  Fantastic.  I threw in some Boudreaux's Butt Paste.  It's the standard gift from me for a baby shower.  Love the butt paste.

I also splurged on two new bras.  Whee!  One of which I wore today and while it is uber comfortable, it squeaks constantly.  This will not do.  I will not have squeaky boobs.

Where was I?

Ah.  Target.  Love Target.

After Target I headed home, but first stopped at Starbucks to enjoy a little latte and lunch by myself.  It was a lovely day out.

Once home, I was somewhat domestic, but then it was time to clean up and head to aforementioned baby shower.  This was a Twelfth Night baby shower, so of course, it was a fabulous time.  I can't help but thank Todd when we're hanging out with that group.  They are so welcoming and so funny and so warm.  I get all fuzzy when I think about how lucky I am to be part of such a great group.

And they think I'm funny.

We were home early enough to whip up some pasta and watch Witchboard.  Don't judge me.  This movie is AWESOME.  Awesomely bad.  And I still love it as much as I did when I was 11.  Todd laughed at me because I was quoting the whole thing.

"Dammit Jim, those are all signs of progressive entrapment!"

After Witchboard, we tried to watch Saturday Night Live because the lovely Helen Mirren was hosting.  We made it to the news.  Then went to bed.

And Sunday (Day 2 of RBW) started at 7am, with Tom puking on the headboard of the bed.  But, like a mother to a newborn, as soon as I heard That Sound, my ass was up and I grabbed a wad of tissues and held them under Tom and, like a good little sick kitty, he puked right into them.  I threw the tissues away and went right back to sleep.  With Tom curled up against my back.

I finally climbed out of bed at 10:30am, when I heard Kayleigh come out of her room and ask Todd, "Can I make waffles?"

Because I was JUST THINKING ABOUT WAFFLES! Craziness!

So Kayleigh made waffles.  And they were good.

And I felt like shit the rest of the day.  How many years does it take us to learn that a hunk of dough slathered in syrup is not a good idea for breakfast?  Apparently, more than 36 years.

I'm going to be 36 on Thursday.

*blink  blink*

Where was I?

Oh yes.  Feeling like shit.

The waffles weren't sitting well and my uterus was not helping things at all.  Die, uterus, die.  Todd, Kayleigh and I did actually leave the house though (after I fell asleep for a half an hour as I was getting dressed - "Just need to lay down for a minute....").  We needed a new biobin (tall garbage can for composting), so off to Fred Meyer we went.  Got the new bin, got a new laundry basket, got a sugar jar with a little cut out for the spoon, and Kayleigh got yarn as she now crochets.

I was doubled over at this point and just wanted my jammies, so after a quick lunch, we went back home and I snoozed on the loveseat, in the sunshine, with Tom and my blankie with the satin edge.

I'm so tortured on days like that.  I managed to vacuum before I crashed, and the fact that I fell asleep before we even left the house, and then again for two hours when we got home, tells me that my body was obviously busy doing something productive and needed the rest.  But ack, what a waste of a day!

And it completely thew me off because when we went to bed at 10pm, I tossed and turned until midnight.  I finally got up and moved to the couch.  And did NOT slam my toes into the bed, thankyouverymuch.  Tom was immediately snuggled up against me, so we snoozed off and on until 6:30am.

Thus, brings us to Day 3 of Raechelle's Birthday Week!  Work.  Sigh.  But, there is light at the end of the tunnel!  I took Friday off so me and my hubby could have some quality time together.  Spending my Nordie's gift card and our Purple Wine Bar & Cafe gift card.

Shopping.  Yay!

There is also a gal's neighborhood gathering on Wednesday evening and then Thursday is my special birthday dinner (still not sure what that's going to be) and Saturday is another Twelfth Night gathering!  It is a week of parties!  Okay, not my birthday parties, but parties nonetheless.

Speaking of birthdays party, Todd and I decided to have a joint birthday party this year.  Make it easier on our friends.  So a couple of weeks after my birthday and a week before Todd's, we will gather and be merry with crapload of people.

In 60's cocktail attire.

It'll be a swingin' good time.

There will be pictures.

Breaking News!

So, you know this all this coughing crap that’s been going on for the last year? I think we finally figure out what the issue is.

On Wednesday night, I decided I was going use my inhaler before I went to bed. Just to see if the coughing was asthma related, rather than allergy related (which is kind of the same thing, as allergies trigger asthma attacks). So I took my two puffs and went to sleep. I woke up a few times in the night, tossed and turned, but never had a coughing fit.

Well, right on!

Then last night, I took my two puffs, went to sleep, and woke up around 2am coughing. Rather than reaching for my cough drops and sitting upright in bed, I took two more puffs off my inhaler and promptly went back to sleep.

No coughing fit.

Yes, I woke up a few times, so it wasn’t a completely restful night, but NO COUGHING FIT.

I really think it’s an asthma thing. With the allergy season in full bloom (HA! Get it? Full bloom?) and with the cats, which I’m very allergic to, my house is just filled with things that trigger attacks. And since my asthma attacks aren’t usually debilitating, I sometimes forget that I even have it. Until I lay down. And then wake up coughing.

Whew!
I hope you all are as relieved as I am.

**********

And.
You know what’s fun about losing your mind? (I can hear my mother’s voice in my head before I even type this….) I buy things for people, and put those things away, only to find those things a year later. It’s like Christmas! In April!

I don’t have to buy Tyler a birthday card next month because I found one that I bought for him last year, which I tucked away, and promptly forgot about! Like Christmas!

This is so like my mother.

Christmas morning was as much fun for her as it was for us. She would sit, curled up in her robe, drinking her coffee, watching me and Dad intently as we’d unwrap our gifts. From her.

“Who’s that from?”

“It’s from you, mom.”

“Oh! Open it! I forget what it is…..oh look at that! That’s a nice watch!”

In her defense, she would shop throughout the year for Christmas, so of course she couldn’t keep track of what all she bought. We’d be at the mall in July and she’d find something and say, “Oh, that would be perfect for Uncle Harold for Christmas!” And she’d buy it.

Then she’d tuck it way in the spare bedroom closet and on Thanksgiving when she’d drag out all of her wrapping paper and bows, she’d find this gift (or gifts) she bought and say, “Oh right! I already got him something!”

That woman cracks me up.

I’m ticking the days off the calendar now. A visit is looming. I’m being all vague about it because I want to stay under the radar while home. I’m going by myself for a whole week. It’s just cheaper than flying three or four of us home, then paying someone to watch the cats and the house. And it’s been a really long time since I’ve gotten to be alone with my parents – no other family, no significant others, no kids. Just me. Acting like I’m 10 years old again, eating Coco Wheats and watching cartoons.

Wait.

I did that last weekend.

You know what I mean.

I’d like to have it in my head that it will a relaxing week. Sleeping in, lounging on the porch, wading in the creek. But if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that my visits home are so busy I have to write about them in bullet points. However, mom has assured me that she only has one major day planned for us and that’s to look for curtains. And maybe couches. And work on her new computer. And get her Outlook email up and running. And that’s it. She swears.

Yes, I’m skeptical too….

General Babbling Update

The weekend arrived none too soon. I was at my wit’s end.

Friday night, we took Gary and Amy out for drinks, since we had to cancel on Gary’s birthday festivities at the last minute last weekend. We’ve never been out with Gary and Amy (or, as I now call them, “Gamey”) alone before. They’re Dan and Trish’s best friends, respectively, so it was nice to extend the friendship past the buffers. It should be noted that Dan and Trish were also invited, but their household is currently under quarantine as they, along with Baby Rosiland, have been quite ill lately. Here’s hoping the crud leaves them alone for a while.

Anywho, we had a really great time with Gamey. I’m looking forward to hanging out with them more.

Despite having a vivid dream where I was kicking the shit out of someone, and actually kicking Todd in my sleep, and being jerked awake when he yelled, “What the hell?!”, I actually slept pretty well Friday night and was nicely rested Saturday morning. However, I was in a funk (the same funk that I’ve been in for a few weeks now) so while we were productive, it was a low energy kind of productive. Todd treated me and Kayleigh to lunch (and I had a margarita the size of my head) so that helped a little.

Saturday night, we attended the Twelfth Night production of Rumors. Very, very funny. I was still cranky, and still in a funk, so we came home and went to bed.

Sunday morning, after cuddling with Tom for a while, I got up and headed over to Stephanie's for her big cleaning.  She needed her house cleaned and I needed a plane ticket home.  So it was a win win situation.  I only did the downstairs (in 6 hours) so I'll go back this weekend and do the upstairs.  I learned a few weeks ago that it's just not possible to do an entire house in one day.  At least, not to my standards.  Breaking it up over two days lets me take my time and do my detail work.  Good stuff.

And after cleaning, I stopped by the store for dinner fixin's and we just chilled out and watched Blade Runner, which I'd never seen.  Shocking, I know.  But it's one of those I just have to see.  Apparently.  And it was neat.  And it made me want to see Total Recall and Mosquito Coast.

So we watched Total Recall tonight.  Holy crap, that's a bad movie.  But very entertaining.


**********

On a completely different note, I think I broke my toe.

I woke up coughing a few times last night, and finally at 1:30am, I just decided to go lay on the couch so I wouldn't wake Todd.  I was putting on my sweatpants, in the dark, and when I brought my left leg down and in the pants, I hit my toes on the wooden railing of our bed.

And I screamed.   And then I threw my face into the bed and screamed some more. 

And Todd woke up.

There's no discoloration, but my middle toe is very swollen.  And very sore.  But I sat with my leg up on my desk at work, lookin' all coolio, yo, so it's not throbbing quite as bad. Raff called tonight to say he had to cancel our run and I laughed.  I can barely walk.  Silly boy.

I'm curious to see how things look tomorrow.

Another Kristin Picture

If it weren't for Kristin, sometimes I'd have absolutely nothing to blog about.

Can't you just hear her?

Heeeeey, girlfriend!

Random Thoughts

It’s been a bad week. My mood is just in the toilet.

I hate this. Todd is being extra lovely and helpful, for which I am very thankful, but I’d like to snap out of it and be happy, please.

An example of my mood?

I’d been meaning to clean the bathroom for three days because Nancy and Bob were visiting Wednesday evening. It had been a while and there was litter everywhere and the toilet was icky and how embarrassing for my in-laws to think that I can’t keep up on my housekeeping?

I never got it done. And I didn’t really care. I came home from work a smidge early on Tuesday and promptly fell asleep for two hours. Then couldn’t really muster the energy to do anything productive. Didn’t even do the dishes after dinner. Just stacked them nicely on the counter.

That’s a clear sign, isn’t it?

**********

I just noticed last night that our dental floss is made in Ireland. Huh. How much does it cost to import dental floss from Ireland? Seems kind like a waste of money. Don’t we make that here?

And it doesn’t even taste like whiskey or leprechauns.

**********

What gets me through a slow work day?

Blamimations by Kris Straub and Scott Kurtz.

You may remember the name Kris from my ECCC post - his table was blocked by another artist’s line, so I had to do some crowd control for him. He’s a sweetie.

I love Blamimations because I don’t have to watch it to laugh. The animation isn’t really the funniest part – it’s hearing Kris and Scott do all of the voices and just banter off each other. So, I just stick in my earbuds and plug away at work and laugh my ass off.

Too bad these only come out once a week.

**********

It’s a sad day for me. I just learned (two years after the fact) that David Lake, the Columbia Winery winemaker, passed away.

The David Lake Series is my absolute favorite line of the Columbia Winery wines. It was the wine I purchased on special occasions.

**********

And finally, on a happier note, you know how addicted I am to cute little puppehs and kittehs. They keep me going through the day.

But today, holy crap. I laughed at this one until I had tears rolling down my face.

Enjoy.



**********

Update!

I was in charge of dinner tonight, so I picked up some pork tenderloin, veggies, wild rice and a bottle of Waterbrook Meritage.

Rae-rae is feelin' much better now.

Suddenly, I Have a Strong Desire to be a Runner

Woke up at 4am this morning coughing and sneezing.  Yes, really.

So, I guess the running (i.e. exercising more than walking to and from the kitchen to refill my wine glass) actually wears me out enough to sleep. Or is there something else that’s happening that’s causing me to not cough at all? Odd, since running made my lungs scream for mercy.

Speaking of my lungs, my doctor refilled my inhaler prescription. Swedish Hospital has this beautiful new contraption – MyChart. You log on and can email your doctor, see your medications history, see your appointment history, look at your family’s records, all that good stuff. So I emailed my doctor yesterday and said:

My inhaler is almost out of juice, and I’m wondering if you could call in a refill?

I started running/walking fast and I find that the albuterol helps with the coughing and wheezing afterwards. I haven’t needed a new prescription for the last few years because I’ve been lazy (loaded word) and sedentary. Thank you.

I got an email back a few minutes later saying the prescription was refilled.  Right on.

I won't have a chance to run again with Raff until next Wednesday.  Yes, I could go without him, but I don't know if I'm that motivated just yet.  Let's just take it one day at a time.

And I Ran….I Ran So Far Away….

(don't know the song I've cleverly referenced?)

So, we have breaking news!
I ran last night. And nothing was even chasing me.

Raff is training for the Warrior Dash. I think he’s nuts but anyway.... After some drunken Facebook messaging last Friday night, he told me I should come running with him. And those four glasses of wine in me made that sound like a pretty good idea.

Oh, but then came Wednesday. Uh oh.  I got home, changed into my sweats and 6:30pm came. No Raff. I told Todd, “Maybe he forgot!!” Nope. At 6:35, Raff was at the door, breathing heavy and bouncing around.

“YA READY?!”

Sigh. I guess.

There were a few things on my side. One, Raff has only been training for two weeks. He’s not a regular runner. Two, he decided for this run he needed to wear two pound weights on each ankle. Which slowed him down. Thank gawd.

He kept insisting that we go at my pace, but Raff is 6’4” so three of my strides is just one of his. Inevitably, he was always ahead of me. And that was just fine. Then he couldn’t see me turning red and huffing and puffing.

For a first time runner, I think I did damn good. We ran two blocks, then walked a block. Then ran one more block (okay, half a block – it was a long block!) then walked. Then ran. Then walked. We both have asthma so as soon as one of us started whistling and wheezing, we’d slow down to a walk.

I was home 30 minutes later. I felt overheated and dizzy, but otherwise okay. I’d walked the last four blocks or so, so my heart rate was slowly coming down. I laid on the floor and stretched and breathed, then took a cool shower to get my body temperature down.

And then the coughing started. Oh, geez, the coughing. It was deep and wet and it made my chest hurt. And it kept up all evening. Along with the bouts of sneezing that had my eyes so watery I couldn’t see and that was so loud that the guys Todd was Skyping with passed along their sympathy.

But things calmed down for the most part around 10pm, so Todd and I went to bed. I laid out my cough drop and earplugs, had my glass of water, inhaler and tissues beside my bed, and my spare pillow already propped against the headboard and in place so I could just skootch up in the middle of the night if I started coughing and needed to sit up (this is my standard nightly routine. It’s very sad).

Todd and I did our nightly download and he made me laugh so hard I started coughing again. He said, “You know, it will take a while for your lungs to get used to running, but they’ll get better.”

I said, “Oh. I’m not doing this again. Silly man…..”

However.

Wonder of wonders, I did not wake up once at all last night. I never looked at the clock, I didn’t cough at all, I didn’t sneeze. My cough drop was unopened at 6am this morning when my alarm lit up.

Amazing!

And today I feel pretty damn good. I have a couple of sore places, but I was betting with Todd last night that I wouldn’t be able to walk today. Not so! I’m trying to move a lot today and will stretch really well tonight (maybe even take a soakie) and then we’ll see how I’m doing tomorrow.

Is this the start of a new Raechelle?

And did I mention that, with the exception of a bite of cake Saturday night, I have not had any pastries or desserts since…uh…March 1st, I think. I had some “power bars” at ECCC for lunch, and one of those was coated in chocolate, or probably, fake chocolate, but that’s about it. Look at me, sticking to a plan! Without even realizing it!! CB even invited me to join her for lunch at Azteca yesterday, and I passed. I walked down to my little café and had a salad. So, there.

Maybe I should start up Well Past Voluptuous again?

**********

Annoyance of the day: people who sing in the bathroom.
I realize there are good acoustics in there, but it’s just weird.

Very Late Weekend Update

Last weekend was busy. Period.

Up early on Saturday to help Amy move (Kayleigh joined me) then the stars aligned and Kayleigh had an overnight so Todd and I got to attend a party we were invited to earlier that day. Always fun. And lots of new people. And some…old people. Er. Old friends. ThorNton Creek’s ex-bassist was there was his wife. I hadn’t seen him in a few years and coincidentally, he had just requested my friendship on Facebook! Funny.

Up early on Sunday to make breakfast because Todd’s work partner, Brian, was coming over for an Airship Daedalus meeting (please notice the new banner on the right hand side of the page.  Because I am the best wife EVER).

This has become an every weekend thing. I like it. Brian comes over early on Sunday, Todd makes breakfast, I don’t even bother to ask Brian if he wants coffee, I just fix it for him (cream and sugar), we eat, then Todd and Brian work, while I clean the kitchen. Brian is usually gone by noon or 1pm so we have the rest of the day to be domestic.

However, on this particular Sunday, I was domestic at someone else’s house.

Stephanie referred me to a friend for a spring deep clean. So, I spent five hours dusting, de-cobwebbing, vacuuming and scrubbing a cute, little house. Very gratifying. And an extra $100 to boot!

That night, the money really wasn’t worth it as I could hardly walk. The old body ain’t what it used to be. Todd and I were supposed to go grocery shopping (HA!) but gawd bless my man – when I got home, he said “I’m thinking Chinese take out tonight.”

Right on, baby.

And the movie of the evening was Whip It, which is one of my absolute favorite movie now. It’s just a feel good, funny, sweet, rockin’ movie. Go Drew Barrymore.

**********

Side note - I saw a personalized license plate this morning.

SWT PEE

Um. I wonder if they meant sweet urine, or someone made a typo?

**********

Holy crap.
My 36th birthday is in three weeks. How the hell did THAT happen?!

Happy St. Paddy's Day and Other Stuff

Please enjoy this card I made on Some Ecards.

**********

You may (or may not) have noticed that the link to my blog changed. It’s now simply www.mynewlifeouthere.com

It’s like I have my own website. I’m so cool.
Now I just need to learn how to code.

**********

I saw a quote on building’s sign today on my drive to work.

Do not be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams.

Very poetic, don’t you think? I’m going to try and keep that in mind.

**********

I haven't told you my most recent fantasy, have I?

The house next door to us, on a corner, is for sale.  It's big.  Really big.  Has a media room, a downstairs play area (or music room?), an en suite master bathroom, island in the kitchen, an office off the dining room and a one car garage.

I want this house.

I offered to switch with our neighbors, thinking they wanted to downsize, but I don't think she realized I was serious.  Now I'm dreaming about Todd's series selling and us gaining a large chunk of money very quickly and just offering the neighbors cash for their house.  Which they'll accept.  Yay!  I already have our furniture placed and have gone through our first party there.

What?  Just let me dream, okay?

**********

We watched Red tonight.   Awesome, awesome movie.  Just awesome.  Watch it.

It's awesome.

**********

I hate that I come home every evening and fall asleep for an hour.  What is up with that?  I need to get up more during the day.  Walk around the block.  Do jumping jacks in my cube.  Something to get off my tush.

Um.

Okay. That's all.  I think.

Now Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Blog...

Hi, boys and girls!

Now that the monster ECCC post is done, we can get back to the random things of Raechelle-land.

First, updated hair.

The pic just doesn't show how red it is.  Bummer.
But trust me - it's red.  And I love it.

Ron came over a few weeks ago when Theresa came up, and of course, Tom claimed Ron's lap.  Well, kinda.

Yo.  What up?

Ron didn't provide a solid lap, but that didn't stop Tom.  He was still pretty comfy.

Michael and Chris came over for dinner last weekend.  They hadn't been formally introduced to the new house.  So I made my world famous enchiladas and our guests brought the tequila for margaritas. But they also brought a housewarming present.

That Michael.  He knows me so well.  He knows that Jack and I had to break up recently, but he figured I'd be safe with Gentleman Jack.  Ha!  Gentleman Jack is the biggest whore of them all.

A side note; Michael also brought a cute little flask to the wedding.  When I first saw him, after the ceremony, he wiggled the flask at me and said something like, "Jack would like to say congrats."

Gawd bless him.

Anyway, what else has been going on?

Kayleigh has been sick since Sunday, Todd got sick on Monday, and I took a sick day today for care taking and appointments.  And I also conveniently squeezed in a Habitude trip, using my Christmas present from Ann.  Thank you, Ann!

I am rubbed, exfoliated, buffed and painted.

It's like putting the oxygen mask on yourself before helping other passengers.  One must take care of one's self, before helping others.  So I took care of myself.  And my nails, all 10 of them, are very pretty.  And red.  Ha!

Today was also my first facial.  When the woman put the magnifying light on me and looked at my face, she said, "Do you ever drink water?"  She said my poor skin is extremely dehydrated.  I told her I am well aware.  I ended up drinking lots of water today (hydrating my pampered skin) and I'm celebrating with two three glasses of wine tonight.  It all balances in my head.

What's coming up?

We're helping a friend move on Saturday.  I actually went over after work last week and helped her pack.  I blew through that kitchen!  She was very appreciative.  Like, happy hour appreciative.

So, she moves on Saturday.  We'd been invited to go salsa dancing on Sunday, but Todd has a work meeting, so we'll go next month.  I may just enjoy yet another Sunday with no plans.  Last weekend I was as worthless as a bump on a log.  Didn't get out of jammies all day Sunday.  I laid on the couch with Todd, and Kayleigh on the love seat, and watched movies all day.  How long has it been since I've had that kind of time?

I felt guilty all day.  Maybe I'll actually get dressed this weekend.

Side note; The Abyss is a freakin' awesome movie.  Todd's been suggesting it for a long time, and I kept resisting.  It was underwater, it was some action alien thing.  I just didn't care.  But I gave in, and holy geez, I'm glad I did.  Just beautiful.  And Ed Harris is a hunk.

Anywho.

Let me leave you with a picture of Elvis.  We'd just done laundry and Elvis was enjoying the warm socks.

I love that he has one fang sticking out.  Cutie pie.

Emerald City Comicon

So, I had this whole big long blog post written about ECCC, but upon re-reading, it bored even me.  But now I've got a few glasses of wine in me, so I think I can do better.
WITH BULLETS!

Up at 6:45am on Saturday, stop for a big ass latte and breakfast, on to the convention center!

Arrive at the Minion room, check in, get my bright green shirt and wait.

Quick tour (or power walk) around the event with a Black Shirt (staff member), quick burst of information and instruction, back to the Minion room and wait.

The head chick says "I need 10 Minions for Media!" and I pop up and run out the door to be included.

I am stationed at the front of Clair Kramer's autograph line.  Who, you ask?  Glory on Buffy.  She was wicked bad.

Awesome Steve, Clair's ECCC wrangler, is a sweetheart and gives me tips on line management.  Which I don't need because, at our busiest, we have five people in line.  As opposed to William Shatner and James Marsters, who are on either side of us and have to have lines that weave because there's so many people.

Clair is very nice and chats with me and Awesome Steve during the downtime.

Meanwhile, a bazillion people are milling around in costumes.  Some I know.  Some I don't.  I'm happy to be stationed away from the crowd.

I take an afternoon break while Clair is at lunch and doing photo ops, and go visit my hubby is who hanging out on Artist Alley.  While there, a good artist friend of his, Kris, comes over to say hi and mentions that the artists behind him has a line of people that is wrapping around Kris' table and it's blocking his business.  I ask him if he wants me to put my Minion shirt back on and take care of bidness.  He says, "If you're offering..."

I put on my Minion shirt and head to Kris' table.  He's right - there's a line of about 30 people wrapped around hit table, waiting to talk to another artist.  This will no do.

I break up the line and instruct the group to line up against the wall, across the aisle.  When there's room at the artist's table, I call a few more fans over to line up right at his table.

Kris is very appreciative.  The Staff head of the department pats me on the back.

The afternoon is winding down, the big sought after artist's line has finally dissipated, so I go back down to Media and find Clair and Awesome Steve.  There's no one in her line and they're chit chatting with someone.  I answer questions from attendees.

It's still fun to look at the famous people.

Suddenly, it's 7pm and it's time to check out for the day and freshen up for the concert.

Todd and I walk down to The Hard Rock Cafe and are dumbfounded by the line that winds around the block.  Uh.  For James Marsters?  Uh.  Maybe not.

But wait!  Trish is the fourth person in line at the front door!  We swoop in (which I still feel bad about) and are upstairs at the bar in 15 minutes.

And we are, again, dumbfounded to find that you cannot get food in the upstairs area of The Hard Rock Cafe.  We have lived on trail mix and power bars all day and just want some REAL FOOD.  Ain't happenin'.

James goes on.  Woohoo.  Trish and I belly up as close to the front as we can get.  He's cute.  But I'm tired and hungry, so I leave Trish to drool and rejoin my husband until James is done.

Actually, we don't even wait until James is done.  We've heard enough.  GIVE US FOOD.

We wait 30 minutes for a table, even though we see numerous tables that are empty.  I wait in line for the bathroom because there are only two unisex bathrooms.  And once I get in there, it is freakin' disgusting.  No urinals, only a toilet.  For a unisex bathroom.  What the hell?


We wait 20 minutes for our drinks and another 15 minutes for our food.  The waitstaff tries hard to be "cool" and "hip" but end up just being rude, immature and disrespectful.

The Hard Rock Cafe?  Not ever again, even if you paid me.

Finally, dinner is over and we return to the upstairs to see KrackleFest.  Which will begin after the two rappers.  Which is two rappers too long.

We say goodbye to Kyle and wish him a good performance, then go home and crash.

Sunday!  Up at 7am, stop for a big ass latte and breakfast, and on to the convention center!

I check in at the Minion Room, then immediately head to that hot shot artist's table from Saturday.  There will be no line problem this morning!

There is no line problem because the artist isn't due in until noon.  Great.  I head down to Media to assist Clair and Awesome Steve again.

But I am quickly reassigned to Jonathan Frakkes' line.  He was on Star Trek and he's freakin' hysterical.  He and Brent Spiner are having a ball.  Jonathan's line is pretty hefty.  I manage the back and make sure people weave.  It keeps me busy.

After a while, I am reassigned to Bruce Boxleitner's line.  And not for line management, but table management.  Which means I am between the first person in line and the table where Bruce is sitting.  I take pictures of guests with him and chat a bit.  Like asking what that round thing was that he was signing.  It is an identity disk from Tron Legacy.  I didn't see it.  Didn't really care for the first Tron.  I don't tell Bruce that.

When the line gets slow, Bruce, John (his ECCC wrangler) and I chat about the pictures that are laid out.  Fun stuff.

Finally, Bruce needs to leave for his plane, so we start packing up his photos and taking down the booth items.  Bruce is frantically looking for something to put his wad of money in and John and I are having no luck finding anything.  Bruce says he could put it on his carry on, but I remind him that the carry on will still need to go through the xray scanner and be out of his hands for a minute.  He pauses and says, "Right.  That won't work."

Then Bruce remembers a little teddy bear that one of his fans gave him.  "Where's that bag with the bear?" he asks John.  John gets the bag, and Bruce takes out the bear, looks at me and says, "Here."  The bear has black sparkly wings and little antennas with hearts on top.  A bumble bee bear.  I come home with Bruce Boxleitner's bumble bee bear.  It's a nice ECCC keepsake.

Bruce leaves, and I head back upstairs to check out Mr. Popular Artists' line.  Everything seems to be okay.

It's almost 5pm, so I take off my Minion shirt and hang out with Todd and the gang for the remaining time.  I still minion though; I help them clean up the area and pack up their stuff.  I turn in my badge as we head to the car and we wave goodbye to ECCC.

Update:
Todd visited with Brian this week, one of the owners of ECCC.  Brian said I went above and beyond what any girlfriend or wife would usually do for their geeky man.  And I had a fantastic time, to boot. So my wonderful husband got me a promotion - next year, Black Shirt.  Staff member!

BWHAHAHAHA.

Random Friday Babbling

I haven’t had chocolate in two days. I am making a conscious effort to not eat sweets. Too much wine, too many sweets, not enough exercise. So, sweets are dead to me. Long live wine.

**********

Speaking of being fat, it’s Frumpy Friday here in Raechelle-land. Ann gave me this big, gray sweater that, at first glance, appears to be a wool poncho with a cowl neck. It’s not flattering on me at all. But I’m wearing it at work today. Vanity be dammed. I am comfy.

I’m thinking though, with a pair of black leggings and my black stiletto heel boots and no tank top underneath, it could make for a sexy outfit.

**********

Maybe tomorrow night for the James Marsters show and our buddy, Kirby Krackle?

Wha..? You don’t know who James Marsters is? That’s Spike, from Buffy, silly! He is a guest at Emerald City Comicon this year, along with Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton, Nicholas Brandon, THE William Shatner and a bunch of other people I don’t know all that well.

Oh, and did I mention I’m volunteering at the con? Me. Non-comic geek. Volunteering at a comicon.

Because my husband has a booth where he will be pimping his wares (as well as do all of his buds) and I thought, wouldn’t I be just the coolest wife if I volunteered to participate in something I have absolutely no clue about, just to be near my man all weekend?

That’s right. I WOULD be.

Also, I might meet famous people.

**********

And so I’ve dyed my hair the brightest red yet for the event. Can’t appear *too* normal this weekend.

Pictures soon.

**********

I think I’m going to leave the blog on Blogger. I migrated it over to WordPress, and while I LOVE the fact that I can have all of my blogs under one domain name, WordPress is only customizable if you know HTML. Which I do not. And don’t really have the time to learn right now.

If I can’t change the color of my font relatively easily, screw it. It’s too much work.

**********

Speaking of being technologically challenged, I signed up for a Twitter account. I don’t know how to Twitter, and don’t really want to Twitter. I just want to stalk….er….follow a few people I love.



....time lapse….


Twitter update:
I now follow five people on Twitter and have uploaded a profile picture. Still don’t know how to post a tweet. Or a twit?

It is a slippery slope, my friends.

**********

And now that I can see photos that Twits post, I wanna be at ECC!! I just talked to Todd. He’s there with his buddies and he’s seen Kyle and the famous people are signing stuff and I have to wait until tomorrow!!

It’s like a party I can’t attend yet. Crap!

Smells Like Change

Picture with me, dear reader, a big ol' vat of promise.  Promise and hope and prosperity and success.  Now picture a gigungus spoon of action.

This spoon has been stirring the pot o' promise for years.  It took big muscles.  And grunting.  But now, the promise is swirling on its own.  The momentum has taken hold and it really doesn't take much muscle to stir this promise anymore.  You just keep the spoon of action in there to keep it moving, not really to mix it.

It's very exciting.

I'm not really sure what happens when you completely remove the spoon.  I'm not sure if the promise goo will get to spinning so fast it will explode and make a mess in the kitchen. 

It's a mystery.

But I'm very intrigued.  Momentum is taking hold in many aspects of our lives and it's hard to hang on.  Kinda feels like the beginning of my relationship with Todd.  Clouds are parting (metaphorically of course - we still live in Seattle) and the sun is starting to just beam.

In addition to all of this momentum, I'm also transferring the blog to WordPress.  Also very exciting.  I still have some work to do, but I just wanted to warn you.  Hopefully, I can combine all of the blogs into one to make it a little more.....efficient.  Cause you know me.  I'm all about efficiency.

I will keep you posted.