Painting Dad

This morning I slowly walked up the stairs around 7:48 in the morning to let the Regmister out. Once I make it to the top of the stairs I find the front room furniture all meshed in the middle, and my dad standing next to a wall with a massive paint roller. Putting the finishing touches on his new red wall.

All of this before eight in the morning.

Maybe this is because the red party is coming up this weekend! Remember the blue party last year? Can't hardly wait.

One low bucket

I am physically/emotionally/spiritually drained.

I need a break from school, work, my house, Utah, all of it. I need to do something that will lift my spirits, fill up my bucket. Low battery is stamped across my forehead. Someone needs to invent a human wall charger, so I can get back to my normal self.

Because the truth is, I won't be vacationing, getting away from school, or home for a very, very long time.

But that doesn't stop my mind from wishing I was somewhere else reading my life away.

Sleepless Night Part 2

I'm sure you were all curious about this - right?

Well it is sort of a long story, and I won't bore you with that. Just know a photographer named Djamila Grossman asked if Brandon and I would be in this project she is working on. She has been photographing people in their sleep. So, for some insane reason I said yes. I'm not sure why, but I'm always up for something different, especially in the name of art. She came over, set up her camera, and left. We spent the entire night trying to sleep with the lights on, and the camera taking a picture every minute (literally). Which my friends, is why I got almost no sleep that night. However, in a strange way the pictures turned out well. Take a look.

Lipstick Lover

It is amazing what a new shade of lipstick will do to a girls spirits. Especially a Lady GaGa lipstick.


MAC Viva Glam teamed up with GaGa and the AIDS foundation to create this lovely shade of pink. Every penny goes towards finding a cure, so you know I had to get one.

I also bought the Cyndi Lauper shade, but that is an entirely different story.

Missing Her

Today is my Mom's birthday. She would have been 46.


I'd give anything to be eating cake with her today.

V-Day 2010

The weekend started out to a great start by watching The Vagina Monologues with Trent and Brandon.



I've heard so many things about it, so I was a little nervous to go. I can tell you the entire thing was eye opening for me, and inspiring to be a better person, especially a better woman. It also was done for a great cause donating the profit to a local rape center. Major respect goes out to Brandon and Trent who were there to support women everywhere.

This was my year to figure out what Brandon and I were going to do for Valentine's day. I decided doing something at home would be nice. I kicked the boy out and decorated his place.




I also set up a little sushi dinner for two.




I even attempted to make my mothers brownies, although that didn't turn out exactly like I would have hoped (there is always tomorrow to perfect that right?). We exchanged some little gifts, but more importantly we had some time for only the two of us. I'm not good at showing Brandon how much he means to me, but Valentine's day gives me a chance to work on that. I hope your love day was just as great as ours.

♥

Pre-Valentine's Day

This year I'm really getting into the Valentine's day spirit! I've been working most of it since the beginning of this month, and it is already here! I decided to give in to the holiday and enjoy the crafts, chocolate, and heart shaped cookies. For work this year we had a department Valentine's day box contest. Working with a bunch of dudes means Jen or I are left to think of something to do and create it. I'm really proud of ourselves, I think we did a great job!




Isn't it adorable?! I spent most of my day yesterday cutting out hearts and making this. Although we didn't win the prize, I still had a great time. I need some nephews or nieces so I can help them do this project. I was in 4th grade all over again!

Also, I made sure all the guys at work had a little valentine today. Each one of them received a pretty princess card with a matching princess pencil to go with it.



Oh how I love to tease them.

I hope you all have a great weekend filled with horribly romantic Valentine's plans.

Sleepless Night

I couldn't sleep last night. I mean I really couldn't sleep last night. I think it had something to do with this hovering over my bed all night...

Sora Designs

I'll be honest, I'm picky when it comes to most things in my life. Men, clothes, friends, books, but especially jewelry. In fact, I usually don't wear any very often because I can't find something I love. Well, all of that changed yesterday when I found Sora Designs on Etsy!

There is not a single piece of jewelry that I do not love in her shop. In fact, I even bought something yesterday. She answers any questions quickly, and my order has already shipped. Here are some pieces in her collection.










I thought I'd share the love.

Daddy Dearest

Let me tell you something about my dad.

He is a clean freak.

A big one. In my younger days while visiting him I'd always get a lecture on how I need to make the bed every day, put the dishes into the dish washer, scrub the walls with a hot washcloth. Now maybe you are thinking "Rachel, everyone does that." Not like him though. No matter how I helped him around the house, he always went back and did it himself. Once, while complaining that I never did any yard work I went outside and mowed the entire lawn. Less then an hour later my dad was out there mowing again because the lines were not straight enough in the grass.

Maybe it's because my mom raised me different. Sure she didn't let my room become a giant pool of filth, but was never worried with how many clothes I had on the floor. I did my chores like every other kid, and never was told I was doing it wrong. Instead of being on my case about chores, she was on my case about who I was hanging out with, when, where, how long, were my grades up to par?

It was a giant eye opening for me when I moved in with my dad after high school. I had absolutely no limits with doing what I wanted. I got into a bad habit of strolling into the house at six in the morning without a word of where I was. He never was concerned about where I was being 17, but if the carpet was not vacuumed that day I knew I was in for it. I can't even begin to describe the misery it has put our relationship through. I hate knowing that even if I cleaned things like he asked, it wouldn't be good enough. It never was good enough. Luckily so far this year I haven't received the famous "you're lazy" lecture but I have a feeling it is coming soon. I came home from the gym yesterday to find everything was scrubbed down in my room, the family room, and the bathroom.

Oh no! He has been down here! I think to myself.

I spend the rest of the night avoiding an awkward conversation at all costs, and went to bed early. I woke up this morning and got in the shower when I looked around...

He scrubbed down the walls in the shower? Oh I am so screwed when I talk to him next.

So, it looks like I know how my Friday night will be. Cleaning, and some type of threat to kick me out of the house if I don't work harder. I love my dad to death, but is all of this needed? I need to learn better how to manage cleaning the house, studying, working, working out, and hanging out with friends.

Better luck next time?

Common Knowledge for Humans

Check your pulse. Go on, check it. Feel a heartbeat? Great! Welcome to the human race, so glad you could make it. Before I let you out into this crazy world please remember the following things...

Don't have double standards. Why in the hell would you get pissed off at me for something I said, and then a week later almost say the exact same thing? I'm sorry apparently you have a right to talk crap about whoever you want, but I can't without looking like the bad girl. People are so two faced it makes me sick.

Don't only talk about yourself when with a group of people. Blah blah blah blah, I'm tired of hearing about your life. Why don't you ask someone else a question for a change? You know, you might have more friends if you didn't spend so much time talking about how awesome your life is. I don't care that much.

When you get into a relationship - the rest of the world and your friends do not have to fall of the face of the earth! It is possible to have friendships outside of your love fest. Being that co-dependent is not healthy. And quit defending the person your with when they do something stupid. You're not helping! Be man/woman enough to look them in the eyes and say "Honey I love you to death, but you are acting like a jackass..."

If someone opens the door for you, say thank you. I hate it when I go out of my way to help someone out, which after they look me in the eye and keep walking. I secretly want to yell you're welcome every time I try to help out a stranger. Is common courtesy dead? If it is, please someone show me the memo. So that next time I someone walking to a door with their four coffees, purse, book bag, and laptop I will wait until they can get the door open for the both of us. That seems reasonable right?

Don't lie about dumb things. If you ditched me and the next day tell me "Well, I was on my way to your house when I saw this mountain lion run across the street and get hit by a car. I was so startled I jumped out of my car and ran to help the big cat. I ripped off the sleeve of my shirt to stop the bleeding until someone called 911 to get help. And that my friend is why I couldn't go to dinner with you." Really people? I'd rather get "Sorry Rachel, I'd rather sit on my sofa and eat yesterdays left overs then see your face." At least I'll have more respect for you that way.

When you drive those big vehicles, make sure to signal when switching over to another lane. I know, call me crazy, but I'd like to know if you are going to be cutting me off, instead of slamming on my breaks to make sure you get where you are going.

Now that you have all of this knowledge, being a decent human being may be possible for you. Good luck out their kid! Knock 'em dead.

Reggie vs The Fly

Dear Reggie,

Next time you choose to attack the fly that is sitting on the ceiling light, try to refrain from messing up my folded clothes.


Love,

Mom

P.S. - Thanks for the good laugh!