tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67688611567297621712024-03-13T09:31:18.809-06:00someday teacheron the road of liferachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-74280272221743842572016-05-19T23:33:00.000-06:002016-05-19T23:33:38.818-06:00a new pathSometimes, too much happens. Too much and not enough and maybe both and neither. I think I was in some sort of fog. Like the 18 hours after a severe concussion that you don't quite remember. When it starts to lift (and anyone who's had a terrible concussion can tell you, "it's like a fog is lifting" is about the only way to describe the sensation of literally being back in control of your mind/senses etc). you begin to feel better, but the long-term effects linger. They seem to be gone, and then poof! --you turn your head too fast, or nod in agreement, and the world starts spinning again. You may never fully recover. It may be like that for the rest of your life - this damage, coming back to haunt you. I suppose that if you've had several concussions (one was enough for me, thanks) you know what I mean. Anyway, I was in that kind of fog for years. And much of my life was good, but the repeated blows to my confidence and to who I was chipped away and kept making me... less. I realize now that I let things get that bad because I was afraid to move on. What else would I do? Who was I without camp? I'm working on that now, and it's taking me tremendous effort. I'm trying to claim "me", whoever that is. I keep catching myself being surprised that people on the board at my new job support me and encourage me and actually give me the tools to do what I need to do. I learned to be so good at pinching pennies and making do that when I'm allowed the resources I need to fully complete a project, I feel guilty. I feel guilty about taking time off. I can't just "be" at home, I need to be working on something, doing something. I don't know what to do with myself, so I spend my free time on call at the ambulance. <align: center=""></align:><br />
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I know I need to stop. I need to remind myself, and anyone else who feels this pain, that there is more to life. This is my reminder. I need to (gently, because it can still hurt) shake the fog off, and claim ME. It's taken almost two years to be able to say this aloud. It's going to take forever before all of the insecurities from that life go away, if they ever do, but I'm trying. And that's the best one can hope for.</div>
rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-18826752342536194492011-10-27T18:47:00.000-06:002011-10-27T18:47:00.912-06:00when I cook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, the other day, I was browsing <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, and came across a photo of an egg that had been fried in a slice of sweet pepper. I thought it <strike>sounded</strike> looked pretty good, so I tried it. Maybe I should have bothered to read the directions, but I think they turned out ok.</div><align: center=""></align:><br />
<div>I started by slicing a sweet red pepper so that I had three approx 1/2 inch rings. I heated up a pan with a drizzle of olive oil, and placed the pepper slices in it. I then cracked the eggs into a measuring cup with a spout - much easier to pour them into the pepper rings. The only problem I had was that the egg whites went under the peppers, but since the pan was hot, they didn't completely drain. After the eggs were in, I sprinkled the top with the<a href="http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysfoxpoint.html"> Fox Point seasoning from Penzy's spices</a>, and splashed a little bit of water in the pan to help the top of the eggs steam. Covered and cooked for a few minutes, then enjoyed! The only thing that would have made the meal better? Toast. I love toast. Overall the 'recipe' was a success, and the bits of egg that snuck out under the peppers was great to nibble as well, and very easy to pull away from the finished product, so they looked nice. Here are some photos...</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzowqS-8gKCbk8xUYxdOyuPzKipIT7b_FjaUDHScG79Vg6Q28VAmUs4eU1L-P-Z5CuYJnsf__ODUd7ui782EWQj8BAxoDI_mQPCMyEKHQQmXdH-MPeb0kITGovqruo8hcpIn28yBKhiM/s1600/IMAG0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzowqS-8gKCbk8xUYxdOyuPzKipIT7b_FjaUDHScG79Vg6Q28VAmUs4eU1L-P-Z5CuYJnsf__ODUd7ui782EWQj8BAxoDI_mQPCMyEKHQQmXdH-MPeb0kITGovqruo8hcpIn28yBKhiM/s320/IMAG0195.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the pan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtuXx4Hn3nTrzyMcZ3kEOpUm_49Vukbr-Ram76oHmE9XqBnieqJfOw3A8GRx-Md_2SuhF5r7iOzPfbodkbX4cU5pQdCKir0fWPHOvlQxe4D5FGIWYRE1ZM_xB_lAuwAlsdrdViNcLf5k/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtuXx4Hn3nTrzyMcZ3kEOpUm_49Vukbr-Ram76oHmE9XqBnieqJfOw3A8GRx-Md_2SuhF5r7iOzPfbodkbX4cU5pQdCKir0fWPHOvlQxe4D5FGIWYRE1ZM_xB_lAuwAlsdrdViNcLf5k/s320/IMAG0201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the plate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKSo_RmMPv6Po1x79nX_aznJIRGD9QvHhuoEDWwv5zhMbFXMivRxDfIKl9qVcRqkRWNnlHXFAIU0l9ErAMMQKo8kxJ6zQsC-zv-D1GmapPypoZPq6gds-1gJliaXLFAFl5DN1Xvl3vyE/s1600/IMAG0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKSo_RmMPv6Po1x79nX_aznJIRGD9QvHhuoEDWwv5zhMbFXMivRxDfIKl9qVcRqkRWNnlHXFAIU0l9ErAMMQKo8kxJ6zQsC-zv-D1GmapPypoZPq6gds-1gJliaXLFAFl5DN1Xvl3vyE/s320/IMAG0204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like how the camera makes the plate look all liquidy in this one...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-30395337472061974602011-09-25T12:16:00.000-06:002011-09-25T12:16:08.623-06:00land of the fliesMy office has been taken over by the flies. They need to leave now. This game is a fair approximation of what it's like - only no fries or sugar packets... the coffee ring is about right though...<align: center=""></align:><br />
<div><a href="http://majman.net/flyswatter/">http://majman.net/flyswatter/</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>have fun!</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-39470351233266824522011-09-23T16:21:00.000-06:002011-09-23T16:21:05.454-06:00everything being equalHappy Fall!<align: center=""></align:><br />
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</div><div>It's a gorgeous day here at the lake! I'm glad it's warmed up - I was beginning to think that I was going to be an ice cube until May. I've had many an adventure this summer, and most of you know about most of them, so I won't go into too much detail here. I just wanted to share the photos I've been taking. My sister had some old film, and so I busted out my Nikon SLR camera - oh how I've missed taking photos! Here's some of the first two rolls of film (I have two more that I haven't exposed yet) on my flickr photostream: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I've also discovered a fun website called Pintrest.com. I don't know how much I'll use it, but it seems like it could be another fun organizer/time burner. </div><div><br />
</div><div>My boss is taking a 3 month sabbatical, so I will be 'taking over' until she gets back. So far, I'm not thinking that it's going to kill me, but I will have a lot less free time, I'm thinking. After 20 summers of working here, I'm glad she's getting some well-deserved time off, but it means we are one more person down for hosting retreats and doing promos for camp. At least I enjoy my job!</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-53348795357324418272011-03-17T10:40:00.000-06:002011-03-17T10:40:27.225-06:00Oh Yeah...I <i>DO </i>have one of these! :) Poor blog, it has been taking a back seat to everything else since November. *sigh* Well, a few quick updates - I am now officially an EMT. I spent the month of January in class, and took my national written test on the 7th of this month. Here's hoping that I never have to use the skills I learned, but I feel better about living in the middle of nowhere knowing them. <align: center=""></align:><br />
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</div><div>Anywho, I've been on the search for summer staff for camp, so since January, I've been travelling like crazy. I'm looking forward to the time when I will be staying for an entire week in one place. I think my house is looking forward to that as well - it needs some serious spring cleaning. I did get a good start on that the other day though, and my bedroom closets are now very organized and clean. Now to get to the rest of the house! :)</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-37753746720908591662010-11-12T17:29:00.000-07:002010-11-12T17:29:04.305-07:00now I'm here...It's been a crazy few weeks, and there is much upcoming crazyness! I have been traveling for work - to New Jersey. It was quite fun! I didn't manage to take any photos, but some of my friends did, and I'll see if I can find any good ones to post for you. This is just a short blog to say hello, I'm alive, and will be gone again for a spell. I will be traveling out west for a week, so look forward to photos and tales from that journey!rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-68198224507767985672010-09-27T17:38:00.000-06:002010-09-27T17:38:59.327-06:00of stuff and things.September is upon us (and nearly gone). Holy Crap! I don't think I like this fact. But, there is nothing I can do to slow time, so I guess I'll just have to deal. I had a GREAT summer at the ranch - awesome staff, awesome campers, awesome horses. :) It's summers like this that make me want to work here forever! <align: center=""></align:><br />
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Anyway, as I walked to the mailbox today, I saw several squirrels scampering about, searching for food (generally acorns around here), and it reminded me of several things, but mostly that I love food. :) I've had some fun lately in my tiny kitchen:<br />
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First, we had a German counselor this summer, and she LOVES potatoes. She made us some <a href="http://www.germandeli.com/gd7.html">Bratkartoffeln </a>one day, and they were soooooo good! I decided to try to make some, so, not having internet at my house, I made up a recipe. They turned out awesome, and when I looked them up online later, I was actually very close! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5031259742/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bratkartoffeln with sour cream by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="bratkartoffeln with sour cream" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5031259742_5932db38ba_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added a dollop of sour cream, and ate WAY too much! If you're going to make them, I suggest slightly smaller chunks of potato...</div><br />
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Mom & Dad have started growing heirloom tomatoes, and gave me a few.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5031268990/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="future marinara by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="future marinara" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5031268990_4be9d71bf6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I decided that I needed to make something, and settled on Marinara sauce. I have no recipe for it, so I made it up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5030657887/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mmmmm, veggies! by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="mmmmm, veggies!" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5030657887_43eef02db9.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The green tomatoes (yes, they're ripe. I don't know the variety, but they're the ones that are green with yellow stripes) made the sauce look a bit sickly, but it was tasty! I also baked some Italian Herb Bread that day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5031266956/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="italian herb bread by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="italian herb bread" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5031266956_90d01426ac_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I decided that the two must meet, so I whipped out the George Foreman Grill for some nummy grilled cheese sandwiches - with sharp cheddar cheese.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5030659817/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="deliciousness by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="deliciousness" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5030659817_34dda42b3b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
When all of the ingredients were compiled, it was exquisite!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnorachel/5030666839/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="smothered deliciousness by arnorachel, on Flickr"><img alt="smothered deliciousness" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5030666839_aca1b5fa35.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(See what I mean about the way it looked? But trust me, it was heaven!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-24718239238608994582010-08-22T10:52:00.000-06:002010-08-22T10:52:03.945-06:00sad, sad day.<div>I just learned that <a href="http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/101237269.html">Jack Horkheimer has died</a>. I used to watch Stargazer all the time on PBS. </div><div>I will miss it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>"Keep Looking Up!"</div><br />
<align: center=""></align:>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-62549836327364806062010-04-26T17:11:00.000-06:002010-04-26T17:11:12.970-06:00Dalmatians<div>We had a crew of about 70 1st-5th grade students here on Saturday. Talk about busy! They got here around 11 and left at 4. We had a meal, played games, did a Bible study, sang songs, and had a craft project. I was in charge of the craft - we made ShrinkyDink bookmarks. I learned many things: </div><div><ol><li>Young children CAN use permanent markers without making a HUGE mess (I only had to clean a few spots off the tables).</li>
<li>Convection ovens are awesome, but will cause the ShrinkyDink to fly around because of the fan.</li>
<li>ShrinkyDinks curl alarmingly, but will mostly flatten out again</li>
<li>Stacking another layer of parchment paper and then another cookie sheet on top of the ShrinkyDinks will work and does keep them from ending up horribly mauled by the convection oven fan</li>
</ol><div>Needless to say, I have now perfected the method of ShrinkyDink production in the camp kitchen. Things I never knew I needed to know. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>When all was said and done, we went out to eat with the summer staff who had come up to volunteer. One of my favorite parts of my job is the people I meet and get to work with. Most of them are funny, smart, goofy nerds. Much like my friends (you all know you are!). I like them. I can't wait for summer!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Lately, I've been falling asleep to NPR. It's usually during 'World Cafe.' I heard a song the other night that I vaguely remember thinking that I should look up, and then someone posted <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126173168#playlist">this link</a> on Facebook today. The song I had listened to was Josh Ritter's <i>Change of Time</i>. I've been listening to the whole album, and have decided that yes, indeed, I should buy it. Someday. When I have money. </div><div><br />
</div><div>There have been may things added to that list (the I should buy it. Someday. When I have money. list). I've started trying to keep track of these things with a list in the small notebook I try to carry around with me. I actually title the list (cuz I'm a nerd). It's called 'If wishes were horses...' Yup. :)</div><div><br />
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</div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-76134720485181520482010-04-16T18:27:00.000-06:002010-04-16T18:27:05.110-06:00PlanningI had a lot more to add to the last post, but it seemed to be getting fairly long. Anyway, I'm just glad that it no longer looks like this on the Lake:<align: center=""></align:><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXovpK6KtjWUA8gplwg_tWXKZK64xH3eW99I2_xGGOoSvY6UyMzH4ISCXu39Or2uQq7Dtj6P4aD3G5JZ_jEwwrmfToJSw1O_mk0T5lw5VBTXiCz9pmt4LvbgBw2UDbbvCMQPw192PkAeg/s1600/DSCI3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXovpK6KtjWUA8gplwg_tWXKZK64xH3eW99I2_xGGOoSvY6UyMzH4ISCXu39Or2uQq7Dtj6P4aD3G5JZ_jEwwrmfToJSw1O_mk0T5lw5VBTXiCz9pmt4LvbgBw2UDbbvCMQPw192PkAeg/s200/DSCI3000.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div>All of the ice is now off, and hopefully it will be warming up quite a bit so I can get some good kayaking in before I move to the Ranch for the summer. :D</div><div><br />
</div><div>It's been crazy the last month here - we have all of the staff hired for the Ranch, and the Lake is almost done hiring (but we could really use a few more male counselors), so there's a million paperwork things to get done, not to mention program planning for the summer and even setting up the schedule for next summer. I'm working on getting all of the resource people I need together for staff training as well. </div><div><br />
</div><div>On top of that, I will also be studying for a CDL so I can drive the camp bus. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So much to do, so little time...</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-39185345598531638782010-04-13T20:50:00.001-06:002010-04-13T20:58:20.981-06:00Summer Dawning:) There was a glorious thunderstorm last night! I stood outside on my back stoop (after I gave up watching Castle as it pixelated every time the wind blew or lightening struck) and watched the storm blow through. There wasn't much rain, and the wind was just right so I could stand outside and not get wet. The frogs were croaking all around. It was awesome! I love thunderstorm season! I can't wait to get out to the Ranch and watch them roll in over the miles. <align: center=""></align:><br />
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</div><div>Anywho, *pause to check last few posts* here are the photos I promised a while back. I don't have any photos of it before I started painting, but you'll see...<br />
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You can see the lovely 'wood' grain of the original color in these first photos:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYgYXWYEjwPxd9IwlWDmMoei3QtMVR8-5baCVCHkOoxQ5hpPpkx2_pnpu9oS_lfLGzDfZsgRbU0sLyWhbaKPLFNHxeACh8BJImL4pJP_qA9B76-QoteFSSiPh6xYCGxc7XqjawYhnl8E/s1600/DSCI2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYgYXWYEjwPxd9IwlWDmMoei3QtMVR8-5baCVCHkOoxQ5hpPpkx2_pnpu9oS_lfLGzDfZsgRbU0sLyWhbaKPLFNHxeACh8BJImL4pJP_qA9B76-QoteFSSiPh6xYCGxc7XqjawYhnl8E/s200/DSCI2992.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPVZ68Cxrcw0sm7xBgsLkPPUnv2jnDECFlbThHMHlHB5LQcI7pEQEuIPLz4KiZdAcngXNXGl7PNMKSs5mFP294RGcgYIgMENHaV6mtaqfLDn695fz2Ah664YlOJ9ynmzvyP9qAEnvb-U/s1600/DSCI2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPVZ68Cxrcw0sm7xBgsLkPPUnv2jnDECFlbThHMHlHB5LQcI7pEQEuIPLz4KiZdAcngXNXGl7PNMKSs5mFP294RGcgYIgMENHaV6mtaqfLDn695fz2Ah664YlOJ9ynmzvyP9qAEnvb-U/s200/DSCI2991.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The next photos are 'in process' and the old pulls (top) and the new ones (bottom).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDCgdN0YaBLTKZLoOLcBcoPLY78Xg8x0waExLPzIOAQp_rCXEsZy8EOtsHcjxXK7VYWOIAxuvIH99dnjZ4BUsqCCJMpDJFWutr-rIUbcuVDGrIDwYwIzW-tGOPNhcIYaWpFdcUktdOQY/s1600/DSCI2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDCgdN0YaBLTKZLoOLcBcoPLY78Xg8x0waExLPzIOAQp_rCXEsZy8EOtsHcjxXK7VYWOIAxuvIH99dnjZ4BUsqCCJMpDJFWutr-rIUbcuVDGrIDwYwIzW-tGOPNhcIYaWpFdcUktdOQY/s200/DSCI2990.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjbCzFuYb5qUrHUkxr7E4IUL9-A7aPfdMkZRwXT8QZKp6vMp1x4-Ih2I86ymBvlM27hicL0IGqZxZp1nPmvW46WeR6XeMRewI0v-QkhfYxoBzB2gsXIu_s0NQpf4xDmxbOBwCvLT8yoY/s1600/DSCI2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjbCzFuYb5qUrHUkxr7E4IUL9-A7aPfdMkZRwXT8QZKp6vMp1x4-Ih2I86ymBvlM27hicL0IGqZxZp1nPmvW46WeR6XeMRewI0v-QkhfYxoBzB2gsXIu_s0NQpf4xDmxbOBwCvLT8yoY/s200/DSCI2993.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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And finally: the finished product! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrOnlkcSNpL9ouBMCdc_ofs1EdaLWpJoArOi6IQCNnxpqlqra-1z9XmV3_rpA2kjP_6rrqZoFitPdRgW8mhmHSnVYXHeI7TFfLi2oHiXIlEEDR0EZ2MzLZsyZjM7nnCCLGzaQ1b5BJGA/s1600/DSCI2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrOnlkcSNpL9ouBMCdc_ofs1EdaLWpJoArOi6IQCNnxpqlqra-1z9XmV3_rpA2kjP_6rrqZoFitPdRgW8mhmHSnVYXHeI7TFfLi2oHiXIlEEDR0EZ2MzLZsyZjM7nnCCLGzaQ1b5BJGA/s200/DSCI2999.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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I am very happy with this little project, maybe it will even inspire me to work on the pile of other projects. <br />
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</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-32565222640469433992010-03-30T16:39:00.000-06:002010-03-30T16:39:19.805-06:00hey there fruity lips...Apricot. *mwah* That is the shade of my new tinted lip balm. In an attempt to 'be more professional,' I have started wearing makeup. This is not something I am used to. At all. For those of you who've known me since high school and prior, you can probably count on one hand the number of times you have seen me wearing makeup. Anyway, it's happened: I'm growing up. (ish) When I go out into the community and recruit staff and talk to potential campers, I will now look like an adult. Scary. Please tell me if I look funny when you see me, though, as I really don't know what I'm doing with makeup, and am therefore highly self-conscious about it. Thank You. That is all.<align: center=""></align:>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-81757213007381657322010-03-15T16:28:00.000-06:002010-03-15T16:28:16.850-06:00The Products of Pi DayYes, I know that today is the Ides of March, but yesterday was Pi Day, and I feel that that is just as important. Anyway, once upon a time, I was attending a meeting for work in the city where my sister and <a href="http://imaginationfigments.blogspot.com/">Aethelflaed </a>live, and I met my boss after a class in the town 40 miles South of here, so we parked my car in an obliging church parking lot and carpooled the rest of the way. Fast forward 48 VERY exhausted hours and 150 miles (one way) later, and we'd left my car in said parking lot. Sigh. We also had a group coming in this weekend, and it was midnight by the time we'd gotten this far, so we decided that it might just be easier to fetch the car later. It was a great weekend, and I got to hang out with a 10 year old the whole time. We played a lot of fun games, including one called Mau Mau, which is basically a German version of Uno. (Both of the kid's parents are German, complete with Ze Accent). I hadn't played that game since high school German class, so I was very excited! <div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, after everyone from the retreat had left, I hitched a ride with the boss down to my car, and since I was in 'town' anyway, I went shopping. There were a few things is needed, but I mostly wandered around the mall for a while. This mall is kinda awesome in the fact that there are not too many stores, but there is always something going on. This weekend, they had a craft fair thingy. There were booths up and down the length of the mall (there's only length, no width - it's a small mall) filled with hand-crafted items for sale. Always fun to look at! I took several business cards, as I have very little disposable income at the moment, but it was great fun talking to everyone and looking through some really neat things. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I managed to not buy too much - I spent the most on groceries, but I also went to Menards and got the stuff to give my dresser a face lift. I will post photos later, but I got this dresser from my mom. She knew that I have been looking for a dresser or some sort of shelf or something, and so when she saw this one, in good shape for only $15, she bought it for me. It's not the best looking piece of furniture that I've ever seen, but, as I already said, it's in good condition, so I decided to make it work. I bought a quart of paint and new drawer pulls, and when I got home last night I started sanding and painting. I had a brief moment of annoyance when I tried out the new drawer pulls and the screws were WAY too long, but it worked out to just use the old screws, so life is good. I have one coat of paint on each of the drawers, and on one side of the dresser, and I'll be painting again tonight when I get home. I even unintentionally managed to make the paint color and hardware match the color of the fabric and upholstery tacks that I used to re-do my headboard. :) Yay for me being awesome and not even knowing it!</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was a good trip, and a fun weekend. There's a new radio station in the area that plays oldies, which is a nice change from ten million country stations or three pop stations. I listened to <a href="http://popup.lala.com/popup/360569475237640774">this song</a> on the way back from my shopping/car retrieving expedition. I'd never really listened to the lyrics until then, and it kinda made me giggle. </div><div><align: center=""></align:></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-49279806223813061292010-03-08T13:32:00.001-07:002010-03-08T13:33:20.546-07:00live long and prosper, Mr. Nimoydid't realize that Spock was also a singer. see: <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Leonard+Nimoy">http://www.last.fm/music/Leonard+Nimoy</a><div><a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Leonard+Nimoy"></a>his version of 'if i had a hammer' is... well, interesting.<br /><br /><align: center=""></align:></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-57033344004003926642010-03-08T09:11:00.002-07:002010-03-08T09:17:06.586-07:00it's creepery outsideyou know those movies? the ones that are supposed to be scary/disturbing? where the whole landscape is stark and it's not really light outside, but not really dark, and there's fog everywhere and the only noise you can hear - other than the footsteps of the main character waling down the deserted road - is the caw caw caw of a murder of crows somewhere in the distance (you can't actually see them). that was my walk to work this morning. kinda cool, kinda creepy. <align: center=""></align:><div><br /></div><div>in other news, i'm dying for some girlscout cookies. i don't know any girl scouts in the area, so i didn't get to order any, but i could devour a whole box of caramel delights right now. maybe it's a good thing i don't have any...</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-72573834955168623372010-02-26T16:17:00.003-07:002010-02-26T19:06:24.755-07:00'is there anybody going to listen to my story'i love this song... it's been playing in my head for a few hours now. the beatles make me smile - so many awesome songs.<br /><br /><br /><br />anyway, this weekend has been a blur (yes, i do know it's only friday). we have a group of quilters in from thurs-sun, and today, there were almost 160 kids plus 40 adults here for a 'winter fun day' for the local school. helping that many people get set up with/retun and get the next person set up with cross country skis is exhausting. i am ready to fall asleep on my feet. i'm very glad that we don't have to do this every day (or even every weekend). <br /><br />speaking of weekends, i am ready for them to start existing again. i've been travelling for the past month, and so my days are all confuzzled. next weekend, i may have off, and i may make a quick escape somewhere, but i don't know where and i don't know when, and i may just stay home and work on stuff that needs to be done. we'll see. i will be taking bribes (;rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-14696242616834513252010-02-15T13:39:00.005-07:002010-02-16T18:40:52.163-07:00dear Pandy and Ace......keep your spam off my blog! i don't mind people stopping by and reading and commenting on my posts, but seriously, i do not look kindly upon those who just fill my comment section with crap in order to get people to look at their 'blog.' not cool. i always get really excited to see that someone has left me a comment (yes, i am that sad, pathetic person with a tiny social life), and you dash all of my hopes. grrr.<br /><br /><end>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-10386942536960408112010-02-14T15:00:00.001-07:002010-02-14T15:00:13.999-07:00GC_little_batman_valentine<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { }.flickr-frame { float: center; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22195069@N03/3278610207/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3342/3278610207_4aabf560f6_t.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="GC_little_batman_valentine" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22195069@N03/3278610207/">GC_little_batman_valentine</a>,<br /> originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/22195069@N03/">PopKulture</a>. </span></div><br clear="all" />rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-50353756215403314092010-01-28T02:22:00.001-07:002010-01-28T02:22:59.376-07:00insomniai gots it.<br /><br />good time to catch up on shows, i guess.<align: center=""></align:>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-17400329394513633032010-01-21T19:05:00.004-07:002010-01-21T20:00:38.239-07:00no wonder!i admit. i'm addicted.<div><br /><align: center=""></align:><div>let me back up a few steps...</div><div><br /></div><div>now that i live where i do (aka even more the middle of nowhere than ever before), and now that tv has converted to digital signal (whose stupid idea was that anyway?), i can only watch 3 stations 'over the air.' all three of them happen to be pbs. this is not my issue - i love pbs! my issue is that, even when the signal strength indicator says that i have a significant signal, i can't rely on any of the stations to work properly. at least with analog, i could put up with a little fuzz in the picture, but now, it's all or nothing (most frequently, nothing). but i digress...</div><div>the point is, i don't get any network tv. this doesn't bother me too much, there were only a few shows i tried to watch: <i>house</i>, <i>grey's anatomy</i>, and <i>pushing daisies</i>. and now that <i>daisies</i> is cancelled (stooooopid abc!), there were only two shows for me to catch up on when i had time. through this process, i have become a great fan of hulu. it seemed to have fewer problems than either the abc or fox viewer, so life was good. </div><div><br /></div><div>then, i was introduced to <i>firefly</i>. this is awesomeness incarnate! i know it's been around for many many moons, but i hadn't seen it (for a variety of reasons [stooooopid fox], but there's another huge digression...). through this, i fell in love with nathan fillion. even if he is canadian. ;) i watched a few other things that he's done - worth mentioning are <i>dr. horrible's singalong blog</i>, and <i>waitress</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>then, abc introduced a new show. starring mr. fillion. <i>castle </i>has quickly become one of the 'i must check on hulu to see if there's a new episode posted' shows. i know, i know, it's totally predictable, and it's full of clichés, but i love it anyway, and you can't stop me.</div><div>anyway, with that as background, i talked to aethelflaed the other night (i think it was when she called me to make sure that i hadn't been killed or injured in a car accident that took place near where i live), and we chatted for a few moments and the she said something like, "i gotta go - i'm watching <i>castle</i> and it's really good!"</div><div><br /></div><div>i just finished watching the latest episode, and now i understand. holy crap! it was awesome!</div><div><br /></div><div>if anybody wants to know what all the fuss is about, i do now own the first season on dvd, and would be willing to loan them out (as soon as my boss is done borrowing them). oh, and i also now own the complete <i>firefly</i> as well... hooray for christmas!!!</div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-11647837491092365172010-01-05T14:02:00.002-07:002010-01-15T19:55:00.234-07:00Words words words words<div><br /></div><div>as may have been mentioned before, i'm a word geek. thus, i found this quite interesting:</div><div><a href="http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/">http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-59889502264116423442009-12-15T15:47:00.003-07:002009-12-15T15:52:19.243-07:00a blogging resolution.there are days that i just don't have much to say, so the facebook status update seems to be the best way to let you all know that yes, despite the frigid tundra in which i live and work, i am alive. but i feel that i have been cheating you of my witty nonsense that only this blog can deliver. i apologize. i can't make any promises, bu ti will try to be a better blogger in the new year. this is my resolution. no diet that i won't even stick to for a week, no cutting out caffeine (as if!) or sugar, just trying to be better about keeping in touch - here, with phone calls, letters, emails, and yes, even on facebook, if i have to.<align: center=""></align:>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-10424504272940294422009-10-24T19:33:00.002-06:002009-10-24T19:39:30.508-06:00I like wordsas some of you may have noticed, i like words. i'm kind of a linguisitcs fan-girl. i get an awesome email every day called "A Word A Day" which, as you may have guessed is a new word every day, with definitions, etemology, pronunciation and examples. there is also a 'thought for the day' at the end of every email. today's was "A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a bad marksman who, instead of aiming a single stone at an object, takes up a handful and throws at it in hopes he may hit. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)." i highly recommend the email, because it's just fun to read. every week, there's also a digest of responses to each word. this one made me giggle a little:<br /><em>Subject: <strong>mendicant</strong></em><br /><em>Def: A beggar.<br />Mendicant is one of my favorite words. When I was a boy, my father would meticulously record expenses. One day, looking at his notes, I saw "gift to mendicant" and asked what that meant. He explained and I remember thinking how nice it was that he had given money to someone in need. Only later did I learn that "gift to mendicant" was his code phrase for my allowance!</em><br /><br />and i found this one very interesting:<br /><em>Subject: <strong>gimcrack</strong></em><br /><em>Def: Something cheap and showy, of little use.<br />The old song De Blue Tail Fly comes to mind. There has been much debate over the meaning of "Jimmy Crack Corn". To note, in the original version the lyrics read "Jim crack corn". "Jim crack" has traditionally been used in reference to shoddily built items. Additionally, "corn" is considered an American euphemism for "corn whiskey". Other possibilities include:"Gimcrack corn" cheap corn whiskey; That it refers to "cracking" open a jug of corn whiskey; </em><br /><em></em><br />anywho, words: i like themrachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-5494522544645898312009-04-08T18:44:00.001-06:002009-04-08T18:45:12.018-06:00too funny to passover<a href="http://9a4440c5.fb.joyent.us/haggadah/ultraModern2.php">http://9a4440c5.fb.joyent.us/haggadah/ultraModern2.php</a><br /><br />i laughed... a lot! yay for facebook and for people with too much time on their hands. :)rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768861156729762171.post-5300873199746511772009-03-30T11:15:00.004-06:002009-03-30T12:23:33.968-06:00this weekendi went to Ides of March this weekend in Huron. lots of fun! doom has already detailed much of the event on <a href="http://themistressofdoom.blogspot.com/">her blog</a>, but i'll just add to it, saying a good time was had by all, even if i was still a bit sick (stupid cold - hanging on forever). svein was there, and happened to have a spare "for the good of the land"cd, so i bought it and listened to it on the way home. my car has a 6 cd changer in the trunk, but since i've got my ipod, this is only the 2nd time i've used it. good to know it works. anyway, the cd is filled with wonderful songs and peoms of the sca type, and that made me want to listen to more sca-ish songs, and i happened to bring my handy little ipod along, so i scrolled through the music and found the songs by <a href="http://www.savagedaughter.com/">wyndreth</a>. svein had given me a cd with some of her music on it quite a while ago, along with a cd of icelandic sagas and a sequentia cd as well. anyway, as i was listening, i heard a song that gave me goosebumps. it was written over 10 years ago, but is very applicable to what is going on in north dakota right now, so i thought i'd share the lyrics. from <a href="http://www.savagedaughter.com/Floodsong.html">http://www.savagedaughter.com/Floodsong.html</a><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>For Those Who Fight the Flooding</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>(copyright 1997--karen unrein kahan)</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><em>Word reaches us on higher ground</em></div><div align="center"><em>of kinsmen wyrd-and-water-tossed,</em></div><div align="center"><em>of rivers raging from their beds</em></div><div align="center"><em>and fordings, dams and bulwarks crossed</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br />Chorus: My heart, it builds the longship</em></div><div align="center"><em>that my thick hands wish they could</em></div><div align="center"><em>to carry you and all you love</em></div><div align="center"><em>on wings of wind and wood</em></div><div align="center"><em>to where your anxious kinsmen</em></div><div align="center"><em>pace and pray for you</em></div><div align="center"><em>and rail the fates and wish that</em></div><div align="center"><em>there was something we could do.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br />We know the water's faces best</em></div><div align="center"><em>as sleet and ice and blinding snow.</em></div><div align="center"><em>When it comes as furied flood,</em></div><div align="center"><em>where shall our kinsmen go?</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Chorus</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>All acorss the Northshield lights</em></div><div align="center"><em>burn in the dark of stead and hall</em></div><div align="center"><em>all and every evening as we</em></div><div align="center"><em>strain to hear you if you call.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Chorus</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Those of us on higher ground</em></div><div align="center"><em>keep the guest-cups full and warm</em></div><div align="center"><em>and dream--when we can sleep--that you</em></div><div align="center"><em>are with us, safe from harm.</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Chorus</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Our thoughts ride waves to stand with you.</em></div><div align="center"><em>Our voices sing your names out loud.</em></div><div align="center"><em>Our hands dream that they can turn</em></div><div align="center"><em>the water's unforgiving wrath around</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Chorus<br /></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300850258472887146noreply@blogger.com0