So. Monday night. We were invited to dinner with three other couples. We arranged a babysitter (the fabulous Giann – don’t even try to steal her from us – she’s all ours), and made our plans. Chris texted me multiple times, expressing his anticipation and excitement. “I can’t wait to go out alone with you!” […]
A PSA To Car Dealerships Everywhere.
When Chris and I bought my very first new car in 2003, we started out with a delightful salesman. He was a young Nigerian guy, and he was kind, helpful, and not at all pushy. We’d talked trades, we’d picked out the one we wanted (a beautiful sage green Honda Civic), and right as we […]
The Great Flush.
It took a week for this story to become untraumatic enough to share. A week and at least ten hot, scalding showers. Finally, at five and a half, I am starting to do “rest time” instead of nap time with Ali. Sometimes, mind you. After the first day, she told me she’d rather have nap […]
My Life On The Road.
Much of my childhood, unbeknownst to me, was centered around my Grandfather’s ongoing health and livelihood. Sometime before I was born, the doctors told my Granddad that unless he got active and lost some weight, he would die very soon. My Dad immediately began trying to figure out what he could do to get my […]
Grounded For Life.
This kid is grounded. Consider these symptoms: For our entire vacation last week, he walked around with his finger jammed in his right ear. …Or if he wasn’t doing that, he was shaking his head out to the right, as if he was desperately trying to knock loose a gallon of water from within the […]
The Artistic Train Wreck.
My Dad is an artist. Well, he’s kinda everything. He’s an artist, writer, antique car restorer, race car builder, car mechanic, race-around-the-world navigator, ex-cop, chicken coop designer, beekeeper, home builder, Le Mans Series Race Tech Inspector, woodworker, ADA Surveyor Consultant, and inventor. (What he is not, for the record, is an Excel Pro. At least […]
Blowoutfits.
Originally Published April 8, 2009. Nobody likes dealing with a blowout. (let me take a minute to define – “Blowout: bloe-out v. – an infant or toddler’s poop that exceeds their diaper in such a way as to leach out onto EVERY item of clothing that they are wearing, along with whatever they are sitting […]
Rachel, Child Not-So-Star.
Originally Published February 17, 2010. The year was 1987. I was six years old. There was a movie being filmed in town, and they needed antique cars. My Dad and Granddad both had Model Ts, so they were loaning them to the producers for the movie. And, it happened to be my lucky day that […]
The Fortnight, in Review.
If I were to have a doctor’s excuse for today, it would go something like this… “Rachel is unable to attend her blog today due to a sick and needy baby, a persistently virusey computer, an all-consuming car search, a late-working husband, a severe lack of sleep, and PTSS from last weekend’s potential tornado event.” […]
The Missing Steps.
We all have weak areas in our parenting. Or is that just me? One of mine and Chris’ weaknesses is regarding the passing on of the skill of walking. We’re not exactly risk-takers. We avoid pain, discomfort, and inconvenience more vigorously than Lady Gaga avoids modesty and inconspicuousness. And our children can sense this. And […]