Parties and Rubber Bands

I guess you all have stopped checking my blog because I don't ever write. I completely understand 2 months is a long time to go without writing.
Tonight I sit here in my robe on the back patio after just getting out of an extremely hot bath sipping on wine and conversing with my laptop. A long overdue date.

Things have been really hectic lately - I will complete the third and final Christmas party that I have planned in the past 3 weeks come Saturday. That's what I get for not showing up to my extra curricular activities planning committees. Live and let learn - right?

I am looking forward to this Saturdays party though....it's The Hawkins Christmas Party. Always a fun event. Chip and I invite tons of people and just let loose. We understand it's an awkward day (the Saturday before Christmas) but you'd be surprised how many people are ready to leave their family gatherings to tie one on with about 40 of their closest friends. We try to provide a good time.

I don't have any holiday plans. Thursday is Christmas and a day off from work. I hate looking at it like that, but it's the new found truth of my life. Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. The Friday after Christmas when I get off work my mother in law and I plan to travel to the coast to visit my sister in law. I'm looking forward to it. Chip will be at his 5th Annual Mountain Man Retreat and out of site doing boy things with his boy friends.

Once we get back from the Coast, that next week Chip, his mom and I will be traveling to Dallas to watch the Cotton Bowl. Go Rebs!!

Lots of changes going on at the workplace. I think they are all positive. A triple increase in my partner and my workload, but it's a learning experience. Today I placed a rubber band on my wrist so anytime I talk smack, I pop it. My wrist was red when I left work. Trying to keep my chin up - it's only been 2 days since the new process started. Therefore the blog, because I feel either I will not be able write for a while or I will need you guys as an outlet. We shall see.

It's been so long have I told ya'll we sold the Ghetto House? What a monkey off my back that was! Now hubby is wanting to take on different ventures in land. You know what they say about land - They just don't make it anymore. Hardy Har Har. Sigh....my patience are thin, thus I revert back to the rubber band.

2009 will be great! I have no doubts! Chippy and I are on a great start to losing weight. I've lost like 15lbs and he has lost almost 20. We have the Biggest Loser bet going on with Hawkins vs. Overstreet (his sister and brother in law). The stakes are $1,250 come May 1st and which ever couple has lost the most % in body weight wins the pot. Go Hawkins!

The 4 legged babies are doing well. Foster has even joined the Biggest Loser competition and is down from 116 to 107! Go Bubs! We all wish we could eat Science Diet r/d aka "The Magic Food" and lose such a high percentage of our body weight!

That's my update. I hope you and your families have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Much love, RCH

Meet our new couch

I love our new couch! I think it was made for our house!
The Ashley sofa won, but not by popular demand.

http://www.betterrenovations.com/Bermuda/Store/ProductImageBrowser.aspx?productId=39494

This weekend, the poor couch got a good taste of how it will spend the rest of it's life. Hubby never once got up off of it. He even slept on it most of the night. I mentioned we may need to go ahead and purchase another center cushion from him butt pivoting from one end to the other every 15-20 minutes.

Costume

What are you going to be for Halloween?

I need everyones vote. Chip and I have finally narrowed down our couch search after over 3 months. If you haven't been to our house to know what it looks like, shame on you, but vote anyway! :) Your choices below are Lane or Ashley.

Keep in mind the throw pillows aren't a necessity.

Click on the link and check out the Lane Couchhttp://www.lanefurniture.com/Products/ProdInfoDet2.asp?MasterNo=23713&LHF=

Click the link then click on the small picture at the top that is second from the right. It gives a good view of just the Ashley sofa.http://www.betterrenovations.com/Bermuda/Store/ProductImageBrowser.aspx?productId=39494

Much appreciative,
RCH

I will let you know the final decision in about a week. :)

Yay! Safe and Sound.

My family is safe and sound from Ike and that is all I could have asked for! There were a few things here and there that could have been catastrophic, but they miraculously worked out.

My brother had a huge tree limb fall on his house that had it come through would have landed on him as he slept in his bed that night. My mother was at his house that night (two blocks from her house) so it was a good thing her neighbor came outside in the middle of the storm and looked over and saw a limb had fallen on the electric wire that goes to her house and the wire was shooting out flames everywhere. He called the fire department and electric company and it took them a few hours to keep it from igniting from the wind. Had the neighbor not seen this, her house may have burned.

My dad, step mom, niece, and a few others lost power soon after they ate dinner that night. They had a hurricane block party in a couple of locations before the winds picked up. All is well and my dad and step mom are in Dallas for a conference this week. That worked out nicely.

Mamaw, Meredith, friends and acquaintances were all safe and withstood little or no damage. Thank you for your prayers. It's good to know we have God on our side.

Prayers

Thank you all so much for the continual flow of calls and prayers for my family and friends in Texas. Everyone is in their designated safety spot in preparation for the hurricane that will be hitting down in the uncomfortably near future. Everyone is boarded up, supplied with food, water, booze, flashlights, candles, generators and playing cards. Wharton County, where my mom and brother are does not have a mandatory evacuation, but near by counties do. Same for my dad, stepmom, grandmother and niece in Fort Bend County. They are steadily calling and checking in with me so that I too can keep my sanity 750 miles away from every single one of my loved ones in the middle of a potentially catastrophic time. Sigh.......

I will keep ya'll posted and again thank you for the prayers.

Hurricane Ike

I'm starting to get really nervous about Hurricane Ike headed right towards my family. My mom and brother will be together so that makes me feel a little better. My dad and stepmom will be together and I am going to have to call my grandmother to see what her plans are. She may be going to visit my cousins in Dallas. If Meredith will answer her phone I can find out about her safety. Here is a map of my loved ones. They are all really near the coast. My home town is about 35 miles from the coast. Please keep them in your prayers. I will try to keep you posted.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=28.796546~-95.701904&style=r&lvl=8&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&sp=Point.nw2qfm6z8d5p_Mom%20%26%20Brother's%20House_El%20Campo%2C%20TX___~Point.nxsw1k70ttw6_Dad's%20House_Sugar%20Land%2C%20TX___~Point.npd7hz6xbkwp_Meredith's%20House%20%2F%20Dad's%20Beach%20House_Rockport%2C%20TX___&encType=1

When the dog bites, when the bee stings

Next time Hubby and I go to the hunting land we have to remember the 4 B's.

B #1 - when you are on your 4-wheeler and come to the open land you need Binoculars so that you can see if there is any wildlife in the distance.

B #2 - when you are riding through the woods it is always fun to bring a cooler of Beer to wet your whistle and partake in a bit of relaxation.

B #3 - when you have to jump off the back of the 4-wheeler to mount the new game camera to a tree and your husband accidentally parks on top of a yellow jacket nest you need Benadryl to help you feel better. This was scary because I have never been stung before and didn't know how I'd react. My dad is DEATHLY allergic so hubby rushed me out of the woods to get home just in case I was too. He's sweet.

B #4 - when you are rushing out of the woods and the loggers have just been through cutting down trees they leave big ruts. With all the rain there was a ton of mud you need Boots so that when you get stuck and there aren't any trees around to wench to you have to step knee deep in your old tennie hoppers and jeans to pick up the back end of your ATV so you can get home.

So when you plan to play in the woods don't forget the 4 B's.
Binoculars
Beer
Benadryl
Boots

Where in the World Is Rachel?

It's like that Johnny Cash song, "I've been everywhere." You know the one on the hotel commercial where they say really fast all the places they've been. Well that's me.

Chip and I went to Destin, Florida for his summer regional meeting and I turned it into a work related event so I didn't have to take vacation time. His company paid for the hotel, mileage and most of the food while my company let me visit our branches, briefly, and call it work so I didn't have to take time off. Which was nice because I spent way too much time in their fabulous outlet malls and my new favorite planned community Baytowne Wharf. Sign me up twice for retirement!

While there I wore my cute new b-suit which I was going to post a picture of (not with me in it, but the cute models on landsend.com), but went to the lands end website and want to cry now that they are having their end of summer sale. Poo. We went deep sea fishing which is so much fun. Gots lots of snapper to eat! I do have to say that I prefer fishing from our favorite Biloxi charter than Destin. Oh well, loved the opportunity and had a blast. On the way home we stopped and bought the largest shrimp I may have ever seen. And being that everything is bigger in Texas (I'll get that joke later) I'd figured I'd seen the largest shrimp ever, but no ma'am these shrimp were 9 count. That means 9 shrimp make 1 lb. Whoa buddy can't wait to wrap you up in cream cheese and bacon and smother with scrumptious cheese!

Last week I went to Texas to visit friends and family and it was absolutely delightful! I flew into Corpus Christi and May picked me up and we went to her new house in Rockport. She just moved there like week before last so things were still a little boxed up, but that didn't stop us from finding the box that stored all the wine! My brother joined us for the weekend of the 4th and I truly enjoyed his company, not that I normally don't, but we had a blast hanging out. You see the 4th is a big deal at Rockport. You have a boat parade, party all day in the water with party barges and volleyball nets in the water, Fireworks at night, the Sanders annual cookout and all the booze you can drink. Ummm, it was awesome. Good times, Good times. I got to see my dad and step mom and aunt and uncle - they have houses down there too. George Strait was there at his house and it was good to see him and his fine self. He is 56 years old and is so good looking (all those old balls.)

Now to the everything is bigger in Texas joke. After drinking the best pina colada in the whole world at MoonDogs in Rockport (a must visit). I went to the bar and ordered 2 miller lites, 1 bud lite and the bartenders t-shirt that says "Everything Is Bigger in Texas." Yup, I received everything I ordered even the t-shirt off his back! I gave him my shirt, well May's shirt (haha!) and switched with him. I smelled like the cologne 'Curve' all day, but who cares! Priceless and fun!

Monday - Thursday I spent in my hometown hanging with my mom, brother, and friends. It was therapeutic and much needed. Thursday afternoon I went to spend time with my grandmother. I think at 88 years old I will still be the same smart ass just like her. She's a pain and I love it. I'm her favorite person in the whole world and I know it and she'll confirm that to you if needed. After over 70 years of driving she gave it up. What a great hurdle to overcome in giving up independence. Chip sold her a Toyota Camry brand spanking new in 2001 or 2002. Anyway, it's a 2002 Camry with 16,168 miles on it. Yes, you read it right - sixteen thousand one hundred and sixty eight miles. We purchased it for mere pennies and will love and cherish her forever and ever and ever until the wheels literally fall off of it. Thank you Mamaw! Also something else during my visit that is completely special was that she passed down some of her jewelry to me. The original wedding ring and band my grandfather gave her. She had to get a new one because she really wore it until she couldn't. It has worn until it is no longer a circle - it's a 'C' shape. It's such a simple ring that tells so much history. This year would be their 70th wedding anniversary, but he passed away in 1986. Later she remarried and he too passed away not too long ago. I have inherited her wedding ring from him which is absolutely precious. Among other things were great Aunt Lee's broaches and a few necklaces that Mamaw rotated, but wore religiously every day.

Friday I spent the day with my niece and we had a blast. She is 7 and straight cracks me up! She informed me that she is no longer wearing lip gloss because it is tested on animals. WHAT! Who are you? You are 7! It was a steady day of random silliness and I ate it up!

Saturday morning I woke up at 4:00 am and drove my bootie back to Mississippi and made it to the river by noon to hang out with a hubby that I missed tremendously and fun friends to play with. I received a terrible sun burn and was working on an 8th wind to stay alive.

I have survived and have made so many memories in just a one week span! What an awesome time. I truly cherish my friends and family - they are my soul, my energy, my being. One thing going to Texas did for me was that it took me out of my daily routine, some may say a rut, and put things into perspective. I hope my new found perspective lasts because it's such a blissful feeling. I don't want to worry so much about work, living for my career, the petty crap. You know what I mean? We only get one shot at this life - why live it for someone else? Live life for who you want to be and choose who you want to live it for and with. That's my deep thoughts by Rachel.............have a good one kiddos! Love ya.

Oh, the silly little games I play.....

I want to give you the random challenge of the day. I love the word Onomatopoeia (occasionally spelled onomateopoeia or onomatopœia, from Greek ονοματοποιία). I love to say onomatopoeia it's fun. For those of you that can't remember what it is; it is a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as "click, "clang," "buzz," or animal noises such as "oink", "slurp", or "meow". You may remember them from back in the day when Batman and Robin would punch someone the words would pop up.....

- - - even though "POWIE" and "ZLOP" are still under debate in my book - - -

I challenge you to use as many Onomatopoeia's today as you can.

Let me know what you come up with and how you use them.

How do you like your steak?

Here is my favorite place to eat within a 20 mile radius of my house. I ate here Saturday night and had a phenomenal medium rare filet with their scrumptious marinade that I want to rub all over my body. In my book it is right up there with Yocona, but more of an au jus.

Today, as you can see from this picture, it exploded. I am sad for the owners of this restaurant and for the owners wife's father. He was badly hurt during the propane explosion and had to be airlifted to Jackson. A few of the workers from the gas company were injured as well while they were changing out some type of valve. I hope everyone has a speedy recovery and open back up with a bigger better facility closer to my house.....like in my back yard, maybe.

I do owe each and everyone of my three readers an apology for not blogging in 2 months. That is absolutely ridiculous on my part and I have no excuse. My mother in law is doing much better, but other than that I've felt like a big poo head with no good news. You know like Debbie Downer from SNL. I will have to think of something interesting to talk about and get back to you....not in two months, in no later than a week. Call and harass me if I don't post - - - (Susan)

Love you all too manies and thank you for your forgiveness.

Go Me!

Yes, you read the time stamp right (actually it's wrong it's 6:50).....anywho - it is too early in the morning and I am awake. Not only am I awake, but I have spent the last 40 minutes exercising! What? Who is this crazy fool typing? No need to fear, you have the right blog - It's me.....Rachel.

I couldn't sleep, not for any particular reason but I figured I'd make the best of the situation. I mean swim suit season IS around the corner and the thought of that scares the day lights out of me. I'm not sure why it scares me because it's not like the last 28 years of my life I hadn't worried about it; one would think I'd just accept the fact of being the girl swimming in a t-shirt. We got the ski boat out and moved it to the garage I guess it has been sending me subliminal messages as I come and go throughout the day and reminding me that I will have to put on a swim suit in the all too near future.

So I will keep you posted on how that's going. I probably won't have any awesome recipes to post like SM2, but will fo sho try a few of hers! Speaking of food and health - let me tell you where my mind was this morning as I exercised......typical me....I was doing this DVD that has dance moves on it (try not to get a visual)and the instructor said ok guys, don't forget to breathe......now let's do the salsa! My mind immediately thought of Chips and Salsa! Yum-o! Who eats Chips and Salsa at 6am - or thinks about Chips and Salsa at 6am - whilst they exercise! Really now.....this is a bigger problem than I thought!

Ok, off to take a shower. Maybe if I continue this routine I will post more often too. Yeah right, let's not push it. One thing at a time and I'm starting with this swim suit issue.

Have a good day!

Tuesday Night

I will be at Casa de Susan Tuesday, March 4th for girls night at around 7:00. I am looking forward to seeing her beautiful face - along with a few others and having a beer or two. No late night though, I have a seminar early Wednesday and her and her hubby have a meeting extra early the next morning too.

Hope to see some of you there!

Oxford Bound

Mark your calendar..........this coming Tuesday and Wednesday night (March 4-5) I will be in Oxford. I have a bank seminar on Wednesday and Thursday during the day at the Downtown Inn. I am not sure what the agenda for the seminar is on Wednesday - it may last a little after 5 and include dinner. So the best night for together time is more than likely Tuesday night, if anyone is up for it.

I will be staying at Casa de Susan, if they accept my imposing in their beautiful home.

Again, I ask for nothing more than the steady flow of wine or beer and a good friend or two to hang out with. How fun does that sound? Sounds a little like Heaven in my book!

Hopefully I'll see some of you soon.....if not maybe next time.

Crack Me Up

I love my friends. I love reading their blogs and cracking up laughing and the funny antics they recreate for my entertainment. Keep on posting and don't ever stop - you guys help me keep my sanity, especially here lately. Things with my mother in law are going well. As I tell everyone when they ask how she is doing....she is doing way better than any of us! She came and stayed with us for almost a week since her husband contaminated her house with the flu. She is absolutely a hilarious nut case. I wish I could blame everything on drugs or a brain tumor.....it is obscene. It freaks people out when she says it, but those that know her know how funny it really is. I am still in awe at all of the people that continually call, stop by, bring food or flowers, etc. I told her she was going to have to leave my house because I have gained weight from all of the awesome food people keep bringing. I feel morally obligated to eat it, I mean really - they went through all of that trouble to make it then bring it to my house. She went back home Tuesday and I am still relishing in the left overs. YUM-O to good food, I want a brain tumor! I did have the stomach bug last Thursday, nobody brought me anything but Gatorade and a thermometor as they wore a S.A.R.S mask. I was shunned to my father in laws pool house so that I wouldn't have contact with anyone. Thank goodness it was only the 24 hour bug, I thought I was dying. I was making out my Last Will and Testament and picking Bible verses I wanted read at my funeral as I steadily talked to myself and fell in and out of consciousness. I even called my mom 800 miles away and told her she better come soon if she wanted to see me alive again. She didn't come. That's ok...I will remember that folks. Glad I pulled through. This weekend is my nieces birthday party - she is 2. It is at my house since I live in Switzerland. Those of you that come from divorced homes should know what I mean. My house is neutral ground. I don't really live in Switzerland. That's about all I know. I am at my mother in laws house waiting for her husband to get home from work.....(it's 7:00 p.m.). She can't be alone for the next 30 days so at 5:00 when I get off of work I come relieve her friends that hang out with her during the day until he gets home. He should be here soon, so I will sign off for now. I am in dire need of an Oxford weekend....Susan I may come visit soon!

'll remember that folks.

Sabbatical

Here is where I will be posting from for a few days/weeks.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriennewamble

We recently found out my mother in law has a brain tumor. They will remove it Tuesday and we will know more once that happens.

Please keep us all in your prayers ~ we really need them.

Goose

My Katie Goose got groomed today and I had them shave her beard off....she literally looks like a goose now with her little head and long snout. I keep telling her how pretty she is, even though it is pretty funny looking. Her head is so tiny and her body is soo big ---no she's not possessed the camera gave her red eye and I didn't fix it.