three day blog

silence is golden

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rachel and I will be running this blog. I will warn you that I am rather unreliable and just about the time that you get all comfy cozy with me, I will disappear for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. I am not a cold hearted woman, though. I love my blog and without getting too sappy, I love my blog readers. You on the other hand, may be getting what is colloquially known as, fed up. The only thing I can tell you about these silences, is that you can assume that my life is either going very awesomely or sucking more than a hoover. In this particular instance I will mention that I am hoovering over here something fierce. I don't like to share the bad on my blog typically but what the heck.... I like humor and my life is so bad right now that it is getting funny. The other fear I have is wearing out my best friend's left ear... the right was blown out about a month ago with all of my incessant whining and I can't risk losing them both because I am way to stressed to learn sign language right now.

So here is the gist of it...
The economy is terrible and Edgard is making less money. I would love to attribute all my troubles to that alone but truth be told we, very unfortunately, lived to the edge of our paycheck. That meant that we got in the ugly cycle of needing to purchase gas and groceries on credit. Add to that our pneumonia fest of late last year which meant we added medical bills as the cherry on top. The fun part is that we got behind on our mortgage in the meantime and so now we have them breathing down our neck. I do maintain that had Edgard been bringing home the same pay he used to that we would be okay but I still rest them blame securely on us considering this is exactly the thing you have savings for---and of course we haven't anything in savings. It would be so easy to blame the economy but we are afraid if we allow ourselves to do that, then we could possibly miss this priceless lesson we are learning now. This is exactly what we are all supposed to be guarding against. But it is too easy to look no farther than that next paycheck---and of course that paycheck will not be less---or heaven forbid, stop altogether.

We did our taxes early as every red blooded American who is owed money by the IRS. Once we got that back we got up to date on our mortgage and have decided that at this time we will pay all but two credit cards. This is a scary decision because I have heard how feisty the credit card companies can be. When I was late on the mortgage I kept in constant contact with them and they were very civil and respectful and even helpful. But then again they always knew they held the trump card in the form of my house. I know the credit card companies operate under the premise of the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but if they ever hope to get any grease out of me they may want to be understanding.
So here we are---in a financial pinch. Care to watch us crash and burn? The only thing is that we happen to be fiesty also.

feliz birthdayo

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:40:00 +0000

It is Irene's 4th birthday today.

So far she is still cute so that is good.

I suspect that one of these birthday we will wake up to realize she is all arms and legs and very klutzy like her mom.

But for now she is still cute---so we celebrate.

from our home to yours

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:26:00 +0000

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sorry about the chicken....still trying to talk Edgard into adding that 5th family member...I don't know if it is working...no babies in my foreseeable future...but hey maybe I could get a chicken!

two weeks under

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:08:00 +0000

How far would you go to lose weight?

Would you allow yourself to be put into a medically induced coma if you don't have the willpower to lose the weight yourself?

I was asked to review a book written by Rivka Tadjer. The novel, named Two Weeks Under, is in one part, about the tantalizing subject of drastic weight loss measures.

Honestly, I started the book believing that it would be about a simple subject of blurred ethics----I quickly realized that this was not the case. Before I had gotten far into the book, I found myself steeped in mystery and drama that didn't let up until I read the last paragraph. An especial treat was the dual personality Doctor---a character so equally intriguing and repulsive at the same time.

For a little more insight...I suggest reading the idea behind the book. That alone makes for interesting reading and shows the author's ability to pull you into a story.

Available for purchase through amazon.

turkey with a side of nuts

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:09:00 +0000

Just in case you were all in doubt about the level to which we have twisted our children....
I offer you Anthony's homemade thanksgiving day card...

So have a happy Thancksgiving and remember to be thanck full because you never know what is lurking right behind you.

my hero

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:44:00 +0000

I read on a blog somewhere (can't give credit--don't remember which, sorry) where the woman asked her husband which actress he found more attractive: Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie. She hoped he would choose girl next door Aniston as opposed to husband stealer Jolie and sure enough he did.

Sweet, huh?

I thought it would be a brilliant idea to ask my own husband---not that I need any extra proof of his marital perfection---but I asked any way.

"Who do you prefer...Aniston or Jolie?"

His answer....?

"Can't I have both?"

Ahhhh...be still my beating heart.

....and yes...those were the most unattractive
pictures I could find of the ladies in question.

...he does, after all, read this blog...

Hi Edgard.

...he he he.

ummmmm....

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:01:00 +0000

Soooo it might be fairly obvious at this point that NaBloPoMo is a bust. See, Mrs. Smith? I told you I wouldn't last until the 15th. Never underestimate my powers of failure, for I will always reach new heights....or would that be extraordinary lows?

bwaaa haa haa

By the way, does anyone happen to have the correct spelling for an evil laugh?

...but I think, looking back on it...I am impressed I made it as far as I did even if some posts barely counted. I mean...I like to look at the glass as being half full...even if the water is putrid.

a good deal

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:53:00 +0000

Would you be interested in a $100.00 gift card for from Home Depot? Then follow this link and enter to win! It is really easy I promise...in fact this is my own entry. And just think...with a hundred bucks worth of duck tape...your holiday shopping would be done! Sounds good to me....

weeks end

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:51:00 +0000

I am realizing that weekends are going to be very tough for this writing a post everyday thing.

yeah....

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:57:00 +0000

I definitely think that I am getting these posts in way too last minute...I will try to plan ahead...someday.

the bean crop

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:46:00 +0000

I am taking the opportunity to show off the kiddos in their Halloween costumes because they rarely look this cute on a daily basis. *sigh*

As you can see Anthony is taking his roll as knight, and protector of princess Irene, very seriously. Well--he started taking it more seriously after I told him to stop slaying his sister with his sword. Irene was protecting herself of course, but it was still disconcerting to see such a sweet princess cold cocking a knight...

After that little interlude, we went to our church's harvest party and the kids had too much candy--and it instantly put them to sleep like sugar always does...

er wait...?

The reality was that after they got home they bounced around like mexican jumping beans---not as high as daddy though, because they are only half mexican but still enough to drive us both crazy.

I hope you all had a great Halloween and I hope you are %100 more ready than I am for the upcoming holidays.

ooops

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:59:00 +0000

I think I might be a little too last minute with some of these nablopomo posts...

where did I go wrong?

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:37:00 +0000

When I simply explained the democratic process to Anthony yesterday, I found that my son was hoping for McCain to win. I asked him why and he said "because he looks like he could run the country". I told Edgard later that night that Anthony didn't want an African American president. Anthony's eyes widened in shock and he said "how did you know" I already knew that Anthony was half Mexican but I am dismayed to learn that the other half is hillbilly. It is, I suspect, that he just saw something familiar in McCain rather than actual racism on his part but I am shrewd enough to determine that this is an important time to guide him to a better understanding of what makes a person who they are. I think Obama will offer me some great teaching opportunities for my kids. Anthony is now very excited about the fact that history was made last night. I also told him how Obama's mother, like me, is white, and his Father a minority like daddy---and then I asked Anthony who he thought was better....his daddy or his mommy. He gave all the appropriate answers and it was one of those rewarding parenting moments to see the little light bulb go off in his head.

It seems also that he is budding into quite the little communist with some of his ideas for this country---

but I will leave that until later.

9 months of rain!

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:31:00 +0000

See my water rats?

When you live in rainy Oregon where you get nine months of rain...you just have to make do.

I remember my days as a puddle jumper.

Those were the best times to play.

Heck with those boring sunny days...

film cheese

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Do you have a favorite cheesy movie...? When I say cheesy movie, I mean so dorky you don't like to admit to people that you like it. It probably is one that you watched as a child before you had the ability to discern bad acting, terrible special effects, impossible 1960's hairstyles, etc.

I personally have two...
The first is Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959). I think the acting is good in this movie but the special effects are laughable by todays standards. A really good part, though is the score by Bernard Herrmann---this guy lends an ominous tone to any movie. But the embarrassing fact is, that when I used to watch it as a child, I had a huge crush on Pat Boone. Yes I said Pat Boone....but this Pat Boone not that Pat Boone. When I grew up I developed a (still-going) crush on James Mason....maturity has its advantages.

My second movie is Jason and the Argonauts (1963). The acting is touch and go, but the special effects---done by Ray Harryhausen and the score, again by our old friend Bernard, are just really great. I dare you to watch the part with Talos and not get creeped out, and the skeleton army is fun....the rest of the time you can laugh at me. I didn't develop any crushes on anyone in this movie...I think it has something to do with all of the heavily bearded men. I like goatees...but the full beard is a bit much for me. And while we are on the subject of hair...this movie reminds me of the time that my mom kept me home in the 5th grade to perm my hair. What can I say? It was the 80's. But now this movie and that chemical smell of burning hair are linked together in one truly fond memory.

So now, your turn...out with it!

What is your favorite movie(s) from childhood that is uber-nerdy now?

The nerdier the better.

mother dearest is to blame

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:30:00 +0000

My newest addiction is my mother's fault...she sent me the link to the Pirates of the Caribbean online game. I have to say, I enjoyed the movies tolerably well...and I am not wholly unaware of national talk like a pirate day...

...but, all in all, pirates aren't my thing.

Wellllll... weren't my thing.

Now....I am Rachel Bluemorrigan---captain of my own ships...a light sloop named Scarlet Rogue, and a galleon, the Red Queen.

I am also a sometimes crew member on other people's ships as well as skillful with the sword and pistol.

....also, I'm a complete nerd.

what the heck....

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Why not!

my mature readers

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:25:00 +0000

I have to say that I was impressed how mature you guys were about my last post. I know some of you personally (and the rest internetally) so I know that you all run the gamut, politically speaking, and that all of you believe in the power of voting. Yet not one of you stooped to any low blows. I am proud of you guys seriously.
A little update on the guy that sent me those emails...

I wrote him the following email:

Hi Xxxx,
I hope everything is going well with you.
I was wondering if you might remove me from getting the forwarded emails? Thanks so much and a pleasant rest of the week to you.
Rachel Xxxxxx

This was his response:

Wow. I am sorry. I have a friend named Rachel Xxxxxxxx that asked me to forward some of these emails. I hope they did not offend you. I don’t even remember who you are.

I am sure that was supposed to make me feel better. ha.... ha.... ha....
I just have to say shame on you Rachel Xxxxxxxx, whoever you are, for requesting those emails... you give the rest of us Rachels a bad name...cheesy pun intended.

palin vs obama or.... the ignorant hillbilly email

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:38:00 +0000

I am so angry right now.

I mean really boiling.

I am going to take a moment to talk politics. I truly never thought I would mention them here...but that was until I got a couple of ugly forwarded emails about Obama and Palin.

Now before I tell you about about the emails, let me tell you that by choice I am politically apathetic...I do not vote. That little revelation has the miraculous ability to bring democrats and republicans in absolute unity to collectively yell at me. And before you email me or comment with your opinions about that (which I will only moderate if they contain obscenities or are disrespectful in the extreme) just understand that I have heard all the arguments.

So on to the emails...

In the first one, Obama was shining Palin's shoes which was ugly enough.

But the one I received today, which really touched a nerve, simply questioned: "which Christmas card would you rather receive from the white house?" and then showed a picture of Palin and her "perfect" white family and the other was Obama with his "inappropriate" family.

It just angered me because, by those standards...my own Christmas card is unacceptable...my own children not good enough because they are not white. It takes away all of the issues, all of the reason all of the thinking and brings it down to racism.

arrrggghhhh!

Damn...isn't it obvious that this is an ignorant bigoted message????

Why is this acceptable to send around in an email???

How many people are okay with this--on either side???

Again I say arrrggghhhh!

oh yeah...p.s. this many emails to someone you don't really know personally?

Ridiculous and inappropriate!

new mow knee uh

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:36:00 +0000

So after a fun few hours in the hospital and multiple attempts at x-rays on a child who only stands on her tiptoes....we got a diagnosis. Irene has pneumonia! What do you mean this sounds familiar???

You would think that I might take pity on her at a time like this and wouldn't make her talk or sing songs since she has lost her voice, right?
And now enjoy a song from Irene (starring pneumonia):

Just a friendly little hint...you might need to turn the volume UP!!!

idiom

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Well I thought homeschool was going okay, but this morning Anthony asked me what language Archibald, from veggie tales, speaks.

When I told him english, he said

"eng...what?"

As Anthony's teacher....should I be worried?

seriously!

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:47:00 +0000

I am not sure....
but I may have a slight problem with procrastination and follow through....

.

no hay problemo

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:22:00 +0000

So I am doing this whole homeschool thing and I am really thinking... what's the big deal???

This is so easy.

I don't get all the stress and complaining that I am hearing from other homeschool moms.

This is a piece of cake!

So I'll let you know how day two goes.

idiot's guide to teaching

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:01:00 +0000

I am now embarking on year two of irrevocably ruining my son's academic career.
Otherwise known as:

Rachel does homeschool.

The program that I am doing consists of classes three days a week with an actual teacher with actual brains. He is taking creative writing, beginning piano, and beginning drawing. I am not sure...but we may be a little heavy on the creative side.

For academics, we are doing a curriculum called Calvert. I just received the box today and this thing has everything---down to the very pencils....so I guess I could have saved that $0.99 at Walmart. But my favorite thing is that there is a guide that tells me what everything is for.

Thank goodness.

I hope it has pictures...

...and an instructional dvd...

....and a real live teacher.

The great thing is that all of this is for free because we are getting the Calvert through an online academy that is a fully accredited public school. A public school without the evil influence of "the man". I don't know what means but it sounded good. Honestly my reasons for homeschooling are multi-layered, one of which is that I want to be very involved in my children's education. I know all the typical reasons that people are not fans of homeschool...the biggest one being the social aspect. I have thought about this and I have plenty of activities that he does to keep him social---adding up to pretty much 5 times a week for social activities. I defy anyone to find any lack there. I also plan to be very well rounded...I want him to learn so much and I want it to include so much more than being at a table with a book! I am just so excited...!!!

I am probably sounding like a nerd.

Oh well...nothing I can do about that.

I'm a nerd.

extraordinary procrastination: beyond the call of duty

sotsublehcar@gmail.com (Rachel) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:50:00 +0000

Seriously....don't you love how I say I am going to do something (i.e. my last post) and then I just disappear for nearly 2 weeks? It seems like whenever I tell myself I need to do something, I end up doing everything else but that particular thing. I think I am going through my teenage rebellion---15 years late. I skipped it the first time around. I didn't have any of the fun that all the normal teens have... You know...

...alcohol poisoning, girls gone wild, teen pregnancy... I just really had no fun at all. So now the revolt from my sheltered teen years is coming out by rebelling against myself.

You are welcome mom and dad.

I do fully intend to write that book list. I just wished I would have realized that there was actual work involved before I opened my trap.

Oh well.

And speaking of work...my name is being passed around at my husband's workplace for my mad skillz as a web designer. I guess better that than having it passed around for other reasons. Although I think we should all be proud of our talents wherever they may lie...no pun intended.

Without giving away any major information I ended up getting a call from someone that wants me to design a sign for his storefront in our local mall. I have already submitted the design to him and now we are emailing back and forth to fine tune it. Imagine...if he accepts the final design...my sign will be seen by millions of shoppers, punk teenagers and snot nosed whiny kids.

Ahhh, sweet success.

But before success I need to do the actual work. And I am afraid procrastination is not an option as he has a deadline tomorrow...luckily I also happen to be a procrastinator who likes to get things done in the 11th hour.