Done.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm so over this.

Sundays with Ben

Ben: "Hey Rach. I have a few fun projects I need you to help me with after church. Okay?"

Me: "Sure Ben. But do we get to go to Lowe's?" (I have a small obsession with Lowe's)

Ben: "We'll see." (His answer to everything.)

So, after church he just tells me that we have to run over to 165 real quick. Then we pull up to this construction site...



Ben: "Ok. Come on. I need your help." (As he grabs unknown instruments from his truck.)




Me: "Wait. What? Here? My fun project consists of asphalt, heavy equipment and port-a-potties!! Ben, I have nice clothes on."


Ben: "Yep. Um. Here. Hold this. And walk over there about five feet or so and set it on that block of asphalt."




Me: "This is stupid. And I have my favorite shoes on. You know what happens if they get ruined. Don't you? Hey Ben. Don't you?"





Ben: "Now take your grade rod and walk over to that other block of asphalt, stopping every five feet or so."

Me: "My what???"



Ben: "Thanks for your help. Wasn't that fun?"

Me: "Can we go to Lowe's now?"

Ben: "Lowe's? Who said anything about Lowe's?"

He's lucky it was such a pretty day and that I was in a semi-good mood and that I knew I had Podnuhs waiting for me at Mom's house and...that it didn't very long.

Ben, FYI, surveying does not equal a fun job especially when I have my favorite wedges on and there's dirt (and physical activity on my part) involved.


Afterwards we went to Mom and Dad's house to eat lunch for Mom's birthday. I hadn't even swallowed my last bite when Ben started rushing me to leave. Project #2 was calling his name. In case you didn't know, Ben loves "projects." In fact I think he lives for it. He really likes it when I help him too so he can boss me around. It's the only time he's allowed to.

We finally leave Mom's and he actually allows me to change clothes this time. As I'm putting on my Toms he asks, "Is it okay if those get wet?"

Me: "Ummm. No. It's not okay. And why would I be getting wet? I have no desire to get my feet wet today, Ben."

Ben: "Change shoes and hurry up. You're burning daylight!"

Me: "Sir, yes, sir!"

Come to find out, my fun project #2 was cleaning out the pool, peeling the old nasty tiles off, and hosing down the pier/boathouse. Yep. You read that correctly. Ben's idea of fun, ladies and gentlemen.

(Don't tell Ben this but I did enjoy hosing down the boathouse. I love to pressure wash stuff. It's good for my psyche)

I did eventually let him take over since he was breathing down my neck the whole time and constantly checking over my work.



Then we got to watch the sun set over the pond and golf course. And it made everything worth it.





**I have to say, having a camera phone is like the most convenient thing ever.**

A little sidenote:

Heather and I leave for LA Saturday morning. Since when does California have cold rainy weather? Big bummer.

The End.

Vero's Birthday

Yesterday was my dear mother's birthday. I think she turned 29.

It reminded me of one of the best gifts we (her children) gave her a few years ago.

You see, my mom kept talking about how she wanted to redo her kitchen. She wanted to paint the walls a yellowish color and she wanted her cabinets a distressed black. We knew she'd never talk Dad into helping her so we just figured it would go on the "list." The list of things-you-really-want-to-do-but-will-never-do-because-you-can't-get-anyone-to-help-and-you-don't-want-to-do-by-yourself. You know about the list.

Well, our dear sweet eldest sister, Heather, had a bright idea. Mom and Dad were going to be out of town on Mom's birthday so we (the children, our significant others, and anyone else that wanted to stop by) would do it all for Mom while she was gone. Bad idea. Stupid idea. TERRIBLE idea.

I don't know how she did it, but somehow Heather talked us all into helping her. So, Heather, Blake, Ben, Josh, myself and I think Hannah and a few other friends had a break-in painting party. And let me remind you that this was Heather's idea and therefore she was responsible for buying the paint, getting the supplies, etc...all the prep work.

We painted and painted and painted some more. There was a lot of painting and even more complaining, but we finally finished the hardest part. The paint was on the walls and the cabinets had their first coat of black paint. Now, we just needed to let everything dry and then we would "distress" the cabinets.



We literally spent all morning and afternoon painting. We were tired and grumpy but we were finally able to take a break while the paint dried. But that's when disaster struck. We noticed that the black paint on the cabinets started bubbling up in some places. The next thing we know the cabinets were literally rejecting the new paint job.

The paint peeled off in huge layers. All that work...for nothing. Our blood, sweat, and tears went into that stupid kitchen and we had a bigger mess than what we started with. It was a nightmare.



So, while Heather cried and backtracked her whole planning process, we had a little fun of our own.

Come to find out Heather didn't know about water based and latex based paint and sanding and, you know, all that "useless preparation stuff." And, we certainly didn't think to ask.

So, we called mom and apologized and pretty much left it just like this.

She and Dad spent the next few weeks fixing what we started. And we haven't been allowed in their house since. Kidding. But, we certainly haven't been allowed to give her gifts anymore...unless of course they come in small packages.

I can say this for sure, we don't even listen to Heather's bright ideas anymore. She has been permanently banned from suggestion-giving.

Happy Birthday, Mom. I swear we had good intentions.

The End.

Home Improvement with Rachal

I've been on a home improvement/decorating kick lately. Actually, my bestie, Misty, and I both have been which isn't a very good combination. It's probably not the best time either since we are moving in a couple of months. But, at least I can plan ahead for the new house, right?

I'm slowly trying to buy things for the new house and that's not as easy as I thought. I have an idea in my head of what I want my home to look like, but I'm not certain my "vision" is going to work in the new house.

I did hit up the Paul Michael sale in January and finally got chairs for my new dining table. I went again last week and bought a few more things...(excuse the iphone pictures)

The lamps on the floor cost $15 each! I love a good bargain.

Here's a better look at my glasses I bought. I've been obsessed with them for a long time, but never bought them. Then when Misty went back with me she assured me of just how fabulous they are so....SOLD!

And somehow both Misty and Ben talked me out of this fabulous chest of drawers. I really like it but they insisted it's not practical. But who really cares about "practical?" It's so pretty.

I also found this new blog, The Lettered Cottage, that I absolutely love. I wish Ben and I could do home improvement projects like them! Her design style is a lot like mine except that she's actually good at it. It's definitely inspirational. Everytime I read it I'm ready to go home and knock a wall down or something. She also has an e-book that is very helpful if you are into design/home remodeling. I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

Sorry so boring. I just realized this was a post about absolutely nothing. Except that if you like house design you need to check out that blog. Now.

LA bound!!!!

I'm so beyond excited right now.


I'M GOING TO SEE OPRAH!!!


Not only am I going to see her show, it's her After-Oscars show in Los Angeles where she interviews the big winners of the Academy Awards from the night before.





Oh.My.Goodness.


Going to the Oprah Show has been on my bucket list for quite some time. And, now that it's her farewell season I've been trying to get tickets for like the last 6 months. Of course, I didn't think there was even a chance of getting them but I tried anyway. Apparently getting tickets is like winning the lottery...and I won!!


These few words have absolutely made my day, my week, my month, quite possibly my year...

"Great! You and your guest are booked for the After Oscars Party in LA! Please see the attached document for show day details.

Thank you!

Audience Team"

Uhhhhh...Somebody pinch me please.

So, Heather is going with me and we are leaving next weekend for Los Angeles. I've never been to the Pacific coast so I'm just as excited about that.

I have to say that it couldn't have come at a worse time though. Here's my schedule starting next weekend:

Go to LA for a few days

Come home for one day

Leave for New Orleans/Mardi Gras for a few days

Come home for almost a week

Leave again for New Orleans

Come home for about 4 days

Leave for Nashville for 3 days

Come home for one day

Leave for Las Vegas

Come home for two weeks

And finally leave for Ireland- the most exciting part!

My head is spinning. Can I borrow a day planner? Anyone?

Yea, I know. Misty already told me...I have real problems, don't I? But let me clarify, I am NOT complaining. My favorite thing to do in life is travel so I'm a very lucky girl. I realize that. It's just a lot going on in a very short amount of time.

I'm going to pack my bags. I can't wait for that LA weather!

Over and out,

R

Feelin' the Love

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't like Valentine's Day. I think it's a stupid useless holiday. There's too much pressure and too many hearts. Way too many hearts.

That being said, I'd like to send out a big V-day shout-out to my Valentine. Because this "holiday" isn't going anywhere so I guess I ought to embrace it. Plus, I have the best valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day Ben. I love you...even though I don't always show it.
For example...not washing and matching your socks.

But, let's be honest here. Does anyone actually like to match socks? Doubt it.

Some things never change. Growing up in the Holstead homestead, if you found a pair of matching socks it was like winning the lottery. And if you were caught wearing Dad's socks there would be hell to pay. I remember Dad asking Josh one time..."Son, are those my socks you have on?" Of course Josh lied and said "no." Come to find out Dad had written TIM across the bottom and Josh had his feet propped up on the couch. Oops. He never was a good liar. How did he not see the magic marker when he put them on? And didn't he know the consequences of wearing Dad's socks? I'd just assume wear some pink socks from when I was a toddler than take a chance of accidentally putting on Timbo's. He was NOT kidding.

I got a little off track there. Let's get back to feelin' the love.

Thank you, Ben, for being such a great husband and for loving me even though I don't always match your socks, but more importantly for making me the happiest I've ever been.

Gettin' Outta Here.

Whoa. Where have I been? Oh, I know. I was recently forced into the Facebook world. Yep, that's right...forced! Sort of. My friends persisted and I finally caved. Peer pressure apparently works. And let me tell you something, this Facebook mumbo jumbo is some serious stuff. It's a lot of pressure. I don't know who to ask to be friends and who not to ask. I don't know what pictures to post and what to write. I have to think about all the different people that may be looking at my "wall" and and and... it's just too much. When people write me things, I don't know how to write back. Do I reply on my own page? Do I post a reply on their wall? Do I just pretend I didn't see it? And, how do I "defriend" someone? There's a few I'd like to drop like a bad habit, but there just isn't a kind way of saying, "I don't want to be your Facebook friend anymore. One tender, life-changing quote a week is more than enough. And, I don't really care that you just dropped your kids off at school and are headed to work. Everyone knows. They do it too." But, don't get me wrong. I post things too and I'm constantly saying in my head, "NOBODY CARES!" Or, do they? Hmmmmmm.

So, anyway, I'm just trying to figure out this whole Facebook thing and what it's true purpose is. I've always said it's just a big contest of who is doing what. And, now I've joined the club. I'll be honest...I'm having some regrets. With every picture I upload, I shed a little tear that I've crossed over to "the other side."

Oh well.

AND...one more thing. Why on earth do I receive a notification on Facebook, a text message, and an email every single time someone even thinks about my name? I'm waiting for someone to knock on my door saying, "This is Bob with Facebook. I just wanted to let you know that you have a message from Misty." It's ridiculous. My phone lights up like the Fourth of July every 30 minutes. And, yes, I changed my settings but it's still doing it. Stupid.

Sorry. That was my little rant for the day. I'm back now.

Who's ready to get the heck outta dodge? This weather is really bumming me out. I've been dreaming of a beach far far away. I've really been wishing we could take our annual trip to Grand Isle a little early. I miss that place. I want to lounge on the beach all day and eat my daddy's famous fried and boiled shrimp.

I don't even care if we have to bring the village idiot.

Or, should I say "idiots."

But, we have to bring him. I kinda like him...especially on vacation. It's the only time he truly relaxes. Plus, he buys me things.

To be completely honest, if I'm wishing for things...I wish I was on a beach in Bora Bora. But, I'm not picky. :)

I'm off to upload some pictures on Facebook so everyone can see what I've been doing!

Over and out,

R