Friday, October 31, 2008
SOOC = straight out of camera
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A reminder to myself
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The difference a few hours makes...
Can you believe the addition my camera captured that same day?
What? You don't see anything unusual?
Let me give you a bit of zoom.
At the risk of totally offending someone; (allow me to rant - I would love to see your comments, whether if you agree or disagree)... HORSES DESERVE THEIR OWN SPACE, AS SAFE AS YOU CAN MAKE IT.
Preferrably free of the mass of children's toys that aren't visible in the above pictures. There are a million things for this poor horse to trip over get injured on. The yard slopes back and is littered with debris and miscellaneous car parts.
I gotta say, I've seen people in the yard with this horse (and a friend has seen the horse be fed from the front door); it seems friendly and ground manners appear decent. It just simply is a really dangerous place for a four-legged friend.
While I'm ranting, I am also being super-grateful for the opportunity to finally have a horse at home. We have a run-in shelter and trees, multiple pastures and plenty of hay and feed. We are truly blessed.
I realize that not every horse-lover has an ideal space for one. I just believe that you should do all you can to make sure you aren't creating hazards for people or pets.
While the yard bugged me, the idea of scooting past my horse on my porch on my way to work in the morning did earn a grin.
Anything give you a double-take this week?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Not Me Monday!

It was not me who picked up a toy chainsaw for Itty Bit this week.
He ADORED it.
Everyone else in Target did NOT adore it.
It was not me who walked around with a bit of a smirk on my face – deflecting the pointed glances with the wicked thought of “hey, at least I can take my hearing aid out!”
(okay, if I can’t laugh about it, then who can?)
It was not me who made a loud remark in Sportsman’s Warehouse about a loose dog and how I felt about people who had the pressing need to bring their pets into public places.
It was not me who wanted to crawl into one of their display gun safes when I realized it was my former horse trainer who’d brought the Yorkie.
(in my defense, I’d been treated for a dog allergy for years and it blows me away how many people think it’s okay to bring them to stores)
It was totally not me who shared my insurance agent’s recent email with my coworkers. It was short and sweet and (kinda) to the point:
“Hey Rachel,
Who are you doing now and are you ready to settle?”
My husband about died when he read it. After insisting that I tell our coworkers what it said, it was not me who got teased ALL.DAY.LONG about “who” I was doing now and did I settle. Goshdarnit those typos are funny!
It was not me who had to tell my kiddo a very serious “NO” and leave the room with a bad case of the giggles when I was changing his diaper and he asked for a bandaid for his you-know-what.
Apparently any appendage is fair game for our neon-colored bandaids.
(Why yes, in case you were wondering… our kid DOES think bandaids are stickers).
It was not me who told my son the name of his new toy car, “Axle”, and watched horrified as he loudly repeated it at a coworker’s birthday party… “AXHOLE! AXHOLE!” Yeah… it wasn’t me who wanted to climb under the table.
It wasn’t me who let Itty Bit “drive” (sans keys) while I fed the horses (again). It wasn’t me who was horrified to find that he had decorated his face with my lipstick.
(ps - please don’t tell Mr. Daddy about this… he would totally not appreciate the lipstick)
It was not me who got totally excited about finding a pair of jeans that would actually fit Itty Bit; tiny waist and long legs. Until I remembered that I was in Baby Gap and said a bit too loud, “OH MY GOSH” at the $49.50 price tag. Yes, that’s right ladies and gents… fifty cents less than I paid for my last TWO pairs of jeans together. For a size 18-24 months pair of jeans. If my *ahem* slightly larger butt requires a bit more denim, then how come it’s half the price of the entire two feet of fabric for the little guy’s pair?
Wouldn’t have been so bad except the sales lady was cracking up at my reaction.
Not that I actually did that or anything. I’m totally cool with plunking down half of a $100 bill for my kiddo’s threads. We’re like so rich, Obama wants to talk to us.
It was not me who put Itty Bit in some new pajamas last night and let him wear the top today. If I had, it would have been just so darn cute…
This is what it might have looked like... if it had actually happened:
What did you not do this week?
Small World
We ran into the photographer who has taken amazing shots of Itty Bit from before he was born up until last year (yeah... we're overdue and taking care of it!)
She said she saw the stroller come around the corner and knew who the kiddo was. She remembered his eyes.
I was flattered at her compliment - and felt a twinge of validation. After all, are there any moms that don't think their kids are the most amazing thing since Ghiradelli milk chocolate?
Please stop by her website to see her talent in capturing those treasured moments. Tell Anne that Rachel sent you! Fairies & Frogs Photography.
Here are some oldies for comparison!
Fall
Fall
Fall's in the making, and what beautiful sights.
Breathing out misty vapor, as they play in the leaves.
Summer has left us, with its warm gentle breeze.
Bundled and snug, in the warm fluffy clothes.
children's giggles and laughter, warms the heart most.
What more could be asked than moments like these.
No riches could buy, nor anything be.
as precious and sweet, as my Fall memories
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Now is When
After a soul-wearying day at work with many issues that screamed STRESS to my overworked mind and my knotted stomach...
I stopped.
I had to pee, I was hungry, and I wanted to catch up on emails and blogs. The kid needed a nap.
Normally he would have crawled onto the big bed with his trusty matchbox cars and entertained himself into slumber.
But I was craving a bit of nothingness today. And lying beside him was the perfect place to find it.
He was delighted. Patting the pillow next to his head, he wordlessly welcomed me to his mini fall-asleep world.
He scooted under the covers and pulled my arm around him.
He wriggled frequently; with all the charm of a little boy trying to be good.
He settled into my side and stared wordlessly around the room.
I took in his profile, his perfect profile.
The one I had memorized from the ultrasounds that had thrilled and saddened me.
The same grainy black and white printouts that reminded me that this beautiful boy faced serious kidney problems.
With him in my arms; somehow I was the one who felt safe, instead of the other way around.
Here he was beside me, giving me permission to pause and enjoy our togetherness without any expectations.
He sighed and my soul echoed him.
His long lashes began to slowly blink toward his cheeks.
They framed his innocent sky-blue eyes which were fast losing their doomed struggle toward sleep.
And as my mind filled with thoughts of gratefulness and scattered prayers for him... I was interrupted.
A tiny sound and he quickly turned to face me. His face was utterly serious as he solemnly announced...
"I burped"
At the speed of warp, we were instantly back to real life where the moments ARE what it's all about. Living in them, not waiting for them.
And if I can't take the time to enjoy his smallness and the very thing I am working for... if not now, when?
Now is When.
Friday, October 24, 2008
What"s in Chocolate?
WELL! thought provoking, and very evocative.
On this particular post there was one statement, that just?????????
O! O! O! what can I say, just left me blank---------
I mean BLANK like in what the H. Just happened??????????(you know that look guy's get when they are in a group of gals and something is said, and they don't get it, and they get that deer in the headlight look???????) GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!! Big time!
Let me try and explain.
- I love the orange Halloween lights around my door
- The boys made me do the orange lights thing...thanks guys
- Plastic mice rawk (thanks again, boys!)
- The air smells best in autumn
- Love the feel of paint on my hands
- Creativity fuels life
- My toes are kind of cute
Moving right along!
- The best is yet to come..always
- Being older is freedom, if you take care of yourself
- Leaves cushion your path in autumn...take a walk
- Art is better than sleep
- Sex is better than art
- Sometimes you have to eat the dark chocolate all at once
I mean Melody!!!!!!!!!!!!! You might as well have put me in a round room! and told me to take a leak in the corner?????????????
I have no conceptual imagery, or thoughts or memories for relating??????
Why wouldn't you eat it all at once??????
Is it for hoarding and only bringing out occasionally??????
What is chocolate really for then?????????
MAN! I just don't get this:o(
- A Self portrait at midnight is fun
- Smiling makes life better
- You have a beautiful smile
- Go...make your life what you want...
...and tell me all about it.
Now if you will excuse me.......... I really gotta find a corner and relieve myself.............
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Punkin Continued
~
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Punkin Story
Happy Fall Y'all
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Not Me Monday!
It was not me who overfilled the Ziploc baggie with ranch dressing and potato slices (who knew 14 lbs was too much?). As soon as I started shaking, it wasn’t me who watched horrified as it popped open and 12 of those pounds flew in all directions around my kitchen.
And it sure wouldn’t have been me who picked up the ones without yucky stuff stuck to them and put them on the pan to bake. That woulda been like, gross – and some kind of violation to the 30-second rule. It also wasn’t me who pulled a hair out of my potatoes tonight.
~
It was not me who finally got frustrated with the 15 minute wait at Old Navy.
They had ONE lane open at first… with just two people in front of me, one of which was some dude with two kids and some freaky chick in a trench coat and leopard spiky boots who kept kissing all over him. He was obviously not gonna leave until they caved and gave him some price adjustment.
So they opened another lane. Me and another woman headed over there.
They close the lane.
I go back to the other lane. Behind Mr. The Customer Is Always Right Even When My Girlfriend Won’t Leave My Lips Alone Long Enough For Me To Explain It.
Other lane opens again. Only another couple beats me back over there.
I settle in behind them, watching a manager stand idly by chatting with two other employees.
Ringing up the purchases, the chick realizes her jeans are on sale. Her size 12 relaxed fit dark wash jeans.
OMG! I need another pair!
Hon, go get me another pair.
The guy gives her a blank stare that we women all know.
WHAT THE HECK is this woman asking him to do?
You know he’s gonna bring back pair of low rise size 2 skinny leg flare jeans in a light wash. Guys aren’t equipped for these kind of details (sorry hon).
The guy’s deer-in-the-headlights look wins out. She hands him the credit card and says, “I’ll go get ‘em” and shoots me a bright smile.
You know, the kind that says “Oops! I know we cut in line and your kid has been sitting in a wet diaper for 15 minutes, but they’re on sale!”
I glance over and the manager is looking disinterestedly at me – watching the whole thing.
That was it.
It was not me who lost it and raised my voice to a volume that surprised myself.
It was not me who ceremoniously dumped both armloads of clothing on a nearby display.
It was not me who said “YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT WANT TO OPEN UP ANOTHER LANE IF PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO WAIT FIFTEEN MINUTES AND THINGS ARE NOT MOVING!”
Sudden silence.
It was not me who had everyone’s attention. It was not me who had the sudden urge to flee the scene with my soaked son.
But it most assuredly WAS that stinky size 12’s son who decided to block my non-escape with a cart that he was carelessly racing around.
You’re gonna love this – he smashed it straight into the side of Itty Bit’s stroller as I was heading toward the door.
The lesson I didn’t learn? Maybe a bit more patience is in order?
(and dang… I had the CUTEST plaid winter coat for my niece for Christmas!)
Enough Not Me’s… what are yours?

Saturday, October 18, 2008
SOOC = straight out of camera
A glimpse

Friday, October 17, 2008
The Bigger picture
Are all the small things ganging up on you?
Are you so far up to your buttocks in Alligators, that you can't remember that the main objective was to drain the swamp?
STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take a deep cleansing breath........
Find your center......
Just one little happy thought......
Just one!!!!!
That's all it takes......:o)
SEE YOU CAN FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. heres mine
~ DEEP BREATH~
~ CENTER~
~HAPPY THOUGHTS~
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Chance of sun?
Where are the brakes on this thing?
The autumn days are flying by without any consideration for my desire to just PAUSE for awhile.
To get out and kick leaves, walk among pumpkins, enjoy the foggy air around the lake again.
This little bit of outside is disappearing before that season of indoor coziness.
The horses have their thick winter coats already. I see them stamping at the gate in the morning, whinnying and exhaling white clouds.
The frost on our brilliant dahlia summer garden, and the dwindling supply of apples in the backyard remind me.
The chill urges me to scurry inside - to warm myself by the fire. It's time for fleece blankets and fresh baked bread and books.
Though I love it, I'm still fighting it.
Give me one more day warm enough for a t-shirt and jeans and let me ride bareback in the back pasture. Just once more before the cold settles in and indoors seems all the more delicious.
(ps... Stacy at The Land of K.A. gave generous permission to use her gorgeous photo above. Please head over and check out her other beautiful pictures!)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Runs in the family?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Not Me Monday!

It was not me who picked up a jacket and wondered just how much snot on the shoulder was “too much”… just so I wouldn’t have to wash it again so soon.
It wasn’t me who had three crazy girls over to make truffles. See, that’s not my house, right?
It was not me who told the kiddo to quit being rough with the dishes… then not follow through until one got smashed. And both of us were of course not barefoot amongst the shards.
It wasn’t me who swapped the ranch mix with the CHIPOTLE ranch mix and pretty much rendered our entire huge batch of roasted potatoes fiery hot and inedible. (Anybody brave enough? We have a rather large bowl left…)
It was not me who was too distracted to see Itty Bit sneak a jar of seasoning off the counter. But I most certainly was the one who noticed the lovely shade of orange that our white carpet is enjoying.
What have YOU not been doing this week?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I'm just gonna come right out and say it
For some crazy reason, (and I know I’m not alone here… I’ve read my share of other mommy blogs) within a few seconds of me stepping into a shower, my kiddo finds some urgent task that only mommy can do.
This morning I snuck to the bathroom, eased the water on, tiptoed into the hot spray, silently slid the curtain shut and sighed.
My hair was barely wet when I suddenly felt a crash next to me and something hit my leg.
Stifling an urge to shriek (since these kind of unexpected things happen a bit more often with a 28-month old around), I jumped and looked down.
Crash.
Thump.
Bang.
SMASH.
Until I realized that I was indeed showering with five famous guys… one of whom happened to be a law enforcement official.
Confused yet?
This is how my audience looked after they were thoroughly cleaned and dried:
Itty Bit had the brilliant idea that mommy needed company, or at least some automotive entertainment while showering.
Actually… I think it was more of a subtle hint to get out of the shower already and let him have a bath.
MAN, who runs the show around here anyway???
Thanks to Chicka, Lightning McQueen, Snot Rod, Ramone, and Sheriff for their guest appearance
(and if you're a dad who knows what I'm talking about... set me straight and link up your kid-interrupted story!)
SOOC = straight out of camera (take 6)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Score 5 - Etsy!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
It's funny until... well, til it's outrageous
I chose instead to insert my leading man's picture and see what Itty Bit should have looked like.
It took a couple minutes, so I switched screens to work for a bit. I returned to find this:

Uh no... it doesn't really look like our kid. Of course I would love me some of those curls, but I thought he looked a bit sleep deprived. He's awful pale, don't you think?
And like a coworker said, looks like someone hit him right between the eyes :)
~
So I continued on. I left the same picture of me. Why? cause it was BEFORE I had a kid and had time to actually soak up some rays - tan and no glasses. We'd just gotten done with a volleyball game and that was one of my favorite things to do.
Swapped out Mr. Daddy's pic for a different expression.
I had no idea the effect it would have.
OH. GOOD. LORD.
.
.
.
.
.
.

How the heck did that happen?
The only thing my friend could say was, "He's gonna wonder whose he is."
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Mr. Daddy

You were compassionate and caring at home.
That I think you are amazing.
Monday, October 06, 2008
What qualifies as an emergency around here...







911, what's your emergency?
Daddy ate all the M&Ms!
(ps - he was actually giggling throughout the photo shoot)