« October 2004 | Main | December 2004 »
November 30, 2004
Just to make sure I've got this down...
This is from Thanksgiving day. These are the Shipp cousins with Grandpa Shipp. The two little ones are Savannah and Aubry. On the far right is Andrew's sister, Sarah.
..........................................
Being able to post pictures really does make me happy. Now all I need is that help from Christin on the format/template. I know, I know, it's my fault it's not done, I'm never home.
Posted by rachel at 04:02 PM | Comments (1)
Photo Attempt # four-billion-six
I think I've finally got this photo thing figured out. Who knew all I had to do was paly around a little. Man, this job really is great!
I took this late Wednesday night after my arrival in Chicago. The snow was pretty, but I could only touch it twice before I froze.
Yay for pictures!
Posted by rachel at 03:57 PM | Comments (1)
T-day
The night before Thanksgiving, upon my arrival at Andrew's Mom's sister's house(the (Trumbolds), I was greeted with hugs. I met the grandpa for the first time and tried my best to stay lively for visiting. I was exhausted. I couldn't even stay up to wait for Sarah to arrive. What a jerk, huh?
Well, Thursday morning came and we loaded into the car to head for Andrew's Dad's family(the Shipps) stuff. It was really awkward at first when we got there. It's not a big family, but they don't all get together very often, so it was a bit odd to be the new person. Andrew has three adult cousins on that side, one of which is married and has two little girls. I had been warned for months about how terrible 5 year olf Savannah is. Much to my surprize, as well as to the rest of the family, she wasn't all that bad. She could be a little obnoxious at first seeing as she always gets what she wants, but it really could have been much worse. I think the biggest break down she had was when Andrew didn't sit in his assigned seat for dinner. (He sat by me, oh my!)
The meal left very much to be desired. Nothing had flavor except for the extremely salty stove-top-stuffing. There was no salt and pepper on the table. Even Andrew admitted the food wasn't so great.
After dinner things relaxed. I held 6 month old Aubry for a while and warned them that if I held her she would probably fall asleep because I have a tendency to do that to babies. Sure enough, she passed out in minutes. I don't really think it's a power so much as just getting them at the right time. I'm sure I won't have that ability with my own children.
Savannah also warmed up. After dinner she was sitting in my lap, telling me jokes, showing me all her toys, etc. I became the chosen visitor. Her knock knock jokes had me, Andrew, and Sarah in stitches. They weren't really funny at all, but she got so into them. I told her the old "knock knock", "who's there", "boo","boo who", "don't cry, it's only a joke". She lauged so hard. Then when she was telling it and was asked "who's there" she would say "boo who". And let me just say "boo who who" is even funnier than "boo who". I also played the couting fingers bit, you know when you tell the kid to sayb "eight" (or ate) after each number. Savannah just couldn't believe we all had 11 fingers. Her parents thanked me kindly and offered Savannah a chance to go home with me. She was eager at first, but the threat of doing chores at my house wasn't so appealing. She was happy to stay home, but not so happy to see us leave. She looked like she was giong to cry.
So, the food was bad, the company slightly awkward, but over all, I laughed enough to get me through the day. I don't know what I expected, but I don't think that was it.
We spent thre rest of the evening back just outside of Chicago at Aunt Carol and Grandpa Trumbold's house playing cards. Andrew and I lost Skip-bo by a landslide. The air mattress felt really good that night, and morning came too soon.
Posted by rachel at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2004
The week in review
The trip to Chicago was quite an adventure. It will take several entries to cover all the ups and downs, but I'm a trooper, so I'll give it a try.
As Christin already mentioned the traveling experience the day before Thanksgiving began with a bang. After I was informed of the canceled flight I was, much to my surprise, not terribly distraught. I loaded my things back into the car and headed for Shreveport to catch another flight. I arrived at the airport about an hour before my scheduled departure. When I got to the metal detecting station I was "randomly selected" for an extensive search of my belongings and my person. Shoes off, all jewelry off, standing with arms and legs appart they wave the wand all around, poke and prod. Then they dig into my bag; every pocket, open every book, every box, every zipper was invaded. And still, I was not enraged. I spent the next two hours (yes, my plane was delayed) addressing wedding invitations and watching many small bratty children run about freely screaming. There was one father with two kids, about 2 and 4 who seemed to be oblivious to their cries and didn't so much mind when the 2 year old was running up and down the coridors. Then there was the extremely young mother with a loud and talkative 2 year old. It was a good thing this little boy was cute because otherwise there were about 20 people sitting there that would have strangled him. Much to my relief (and many others) the young mother, and unattentive father could be seen giving out spoons full of dimatap shortly before boarding the plane.
Also while waiting for the plane a voice came over the intercom saying "please pause for a moment as we play the National Anthem". The room gets quiet and people are looking around at eachother with questioning faces. Within moments of the tune beginning a man to my left stands, puts his hand over his heart and closes his eyes. Of course the rest of us couldn't just watch him being all patriotic, so we all stood. There we were, standing, hand over heart, looking at nothing. There was no flag, no focal point. Just looking into eachother's confused faces. It was weird.
Finally we borded the plane. I just knew I would be beside that obnoxious little boy, but instead I was by an obnoxious hoity-toity 30ish woman on the front row of the puddle jumper. She knew the flight attendant, she was engaged "just like me", is getting married in Key West and dropping $20,000 on the wedding. "How much are you spending?" she asks with a hint of looking down her nose. I weazle my way out of answering her questions and end up spending the entire flight listening to her go on and on about her wonderful life and how much money she has. Ugg.
I get to Cincinati Airport, which by the way isn't even in Ohio, I run to catch the tram to the next concourse to get to the right terminal. Just as I get to the gate they are boarding the plane. I get on, am happy to be sitting beside a nice little high-school Senior that's excited about her first time flying alone. Within moments we're taxiing out and the pilot comes over the intercom saying "there's a snow storm in Chicago so it's going to be about an hour before we can take off". We sit on the plane and wait.
I made it safely to Chicago, got my luggage and am greeted on the curb by Andrew, his dad, and his aunt. We travel through the snow another hour. I was supposed to get to Chicago at 10:30 am. We pulled into the driveway at 8:23. What a day.
Posted by rachel at 12:46 PM | Comments (3)
November 22, 2004
Thanksgiving Wish
My Thanksgiving wish just might come true. I've been hoping for snow in Chicago while I'm there. It looks like it might snow there three out of the 5 days I'll be there. I'd be happy with just one, but three will be great. I need a reason to bring my big furry eskimo coat, and an excuse to wear a scarf and hat. Now this is excitement.
At 10:30 on Wednesday I'm expecting to be greeted by Andrew (and other select members of his family) with a big hug and my heavy coat that I sent with them on saturday. (I didn't want to have to carry that coat on the air plane. It won't be nearly that cold here).
It's going to be quite a change from here. It'll be fun.
Posted by rachel at 03:02 PM | Comments (1)
Missing you.
This is a post for Andrew.
I don't know if you have access to the internet or not, but I want you to know that I'm thinking of you. Since you left on Saturday things just haven't been the same. I know I still called to say goodnight just before bed, but it wasn't the same knowing that you were more than 15 miles away from me. It has been nice staying at your house all alone and listening to the quiet, but it's still so strange without you. Church on Sunday was odd. I don't like sitting alone. Even Sophie wasn't enough to keep me company. Her arm around me isn't the same. I missed that.
I drove to Shreveport last night to see mom, dad, granny, and pawpaw. That is the first time in a very long time that I drove more than 30 miles without you. I didn't particularly care for it. I did get to try on my wedding dress though, and even though you couldn't have been a part of that, it would have been nice to have you in the next room to rub in the fact that you can't see it.
It's just no fun around here without you. I don't get to look foward to you driving up to pick me up from work tomorrow for lunch. I don't get to call you to wake you up and remind you to be here on time. I don't get to giggle a little when you walk in the office door with your hair a little on the messy side. Nope, I don't even get to see you. I miss you.
I don't like being away from you. It's not that I can't handle it, I just don't like it. It was rather nice to watch a girly-movie last night. But it would have been more enjoyable with you there pretending like you don't like it. You make me smile.
I miss you Andrew. I can't wait to see you on Wednesday morning when you pick me up from the Chicago airport. I hope your face lights up as much as mine will. And I hope your family likes me as much as mine likes you.
Posted by rachel at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2004
Blogging inspiration
I've been doing my daily blog reading. Kelly recently posted about her ability to fall anywhere and everywhere and to humiliate herself frequently. Well, I must say, I have that gift too.
I can fall up or down stairs. I can fall from my bed to my bed and break an arm. I have passed out in class and in the student center at college. I have had the best/worst black eye ever recorded (inflicted by a 80 lb weakling throwing a baseball bat in my general direction). I have run backwards into a cinder-block wall when the kid running with me managed to make it through the open doorway. I even fell off the top buck onto a hard wood floor at camp one year.
One time in high school I was leaning back in my folding chair on a tile floor that had recently been waxed. Being in the back of the classroom doesn't hinder people from seeing you fall. I managed to fall backwards, hit my head on a cabinet and land on the floor. I passed out. I think it was more from embarasement than from actual injury.
Another time I was playing frisbee in the dark on the beach and collided with another player. My head hit his shoulder or something. He didn't feel it, but I cam out of it with a black eye. I was at least 16 and I had a crush on the guy. I was mortified.
I have become slightly less accident prone, but still, every Sunday when walking the two blocks from my house to church I manage to trip on the sidewalk and nearly fall to the ground. If it weren't for Andrew at my side I would have suffered more serious injuries.
My brother and sister didn't get that gene. Mom and Dad both have it a little, but I deffinitely got the most of it. To add to my falling end embarassing adventures, Andrew is a little bit prone to injury himself. Falling and burning himself top the list. And now that we're together I somehow manage to injur him just about every day. Fortunately no serious injuries have ensued. He's such a good sport:)
Oh and by the way, it's just over 7 weeks until the wedding!
Posted by rachel at 11:53 AM | Comments (2)
November 17, 2004
The sky is falling
Andrew and I got showered again last night. He even came with me. Andrew braved a room full of 40+ women so that he could open gifts, eat food, and be with me. We were amazed at the gifts. This was a shower given by the people that both Andrew's parents work with. I don't know why I was expecting it to be small, but it wasn't. The shower was at the Catholic church close to campus. (The lady that put it all together is a member there.)There were probably 15-20 people there, and they all gave us such nice things. One group gave us a realy nice pots-n-pans set. Andrew couldn't wait to get them out once we got to his house. We had a great time. It will be so much easier to write the thank-you-notes from this shower since I actually was able to talk to everyone there and say more than "nice to meet you" or "thank you for coming".
Over all we had a wonderful time. Andrew, thank you again for coming with me. Also, thanks to Charis for the 20 minute appearance at the shower. And a big thank you to all the ladies there (that will not be reading this). Andrew and I were excited the rest of the night about all the wonderful things.
Posted by rachel at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2004
Thanksgiving rant
I'm going to Chicago for Thanksgiving with Andrew's family. I found out today though that there won't be sweet potatos. I'm very dissapointed. I'm even considering bringing some on the plane with me.
It's going to be so weird having Thanksgiving without fluffy corn-bread dressing, marshmellow covered sweet potatos, granny's jello salad, my very own green bean casserole, and a few extra tasty Southern-made desserts. I don't even care so much about the Turkey and cranberries, because I don't even care for those here. The idea of having white-bread dressing served in hard squares, mashed potatos from flakes without the rich brown gravy that only a true Southerner can make, no extra sweet sweet potatos, no jello salad with fruit and nuts, and no Granny to offer you more and more until you're so stuffed you can't move. They probably won't even have pumpkin pie with real whipped cream or special cheesecake that only Christin can make, or pecan pie so sweet it sends you into a diabetic coma.
Nope, Thanksgiving isn't going to be the same this year. I'm having a mid-West holiday - my first ever. But at least I'll be with Andrew, right? I'll get to meet the rest of his family and if I'm lucky I'll get to experience real cold weather. My Thanksgiving wish is for snow, but that probably won't happen either. But a girl can dream can't she?
Posted by rachel at 08:43 PM | Comments (13)
Misc. Post #2
Well, Andrew is legal now. He turned 21 on Friday. We spent a nice evening with a few friends and some family in Shreveport. We had a great time and didn't even stay out too late. His mom half-jokingly told him not to get too trashed to drive home. We assured her that no one would be getting anywhere close to trashes; we were right.
We went to see "the incredibles" last night. I almost cried. I haven't cried in a cartoon since "monsters inc.". I give this movie a couple of thumbs up. Go see it, it's even worth the Saturday night fee.
It's Sunday night and I'm sitting in the computer lab at LA Tech, my alma mater, as Andrew is doing a bit of research for a paper that's due tomorrow. Isn't this fun? Well, if you answered "no" then you're exactly right.
The bridesmaid's tops came in and I picked them up on Friday. The David's Bridal associate that was helping me gave me a bit of a scare when she came out with only 7 tops instead of the 8 that were ordered. After she looked a third time I was even more anxious, but another associate found the missing top and I was able to breath again. So, all the tops are in and all the shoes are purchased, now all I need from the bridesmaids is the assurance that their skirts are made. That would certainly be a relief.
I have another wedding shower on Tuesday night. The people that both Andrew's parents work with are getting together to shower me with more gifts. I am looking foward to it, but, much like the last shower, I wont know any of the ladies. I think Charis may come with me so I at least have one familiar face (besides Andrew's mom). So far I've stayed current on Thank-you notes.
I wish I had actual interesting things to post about, but right now I have absolutely no creative juices. I think I did say one funny thing at lunch today, but then again maybe they were just laughing AT me.
Posted by rachel at 08:35 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2004
Futniture and Mean People
Monday evening after work Andrew and I went to exchange a couple of gifts. Both places we went to gave us in-store-credit. We've saved the gift certificate from Lewis and Co., one of those real stuck-up-we're-better-than-you-you're-not-wearing-linen kind of places, and we already spent the one from Walmart. We could have used it to buy groceries, or saved it to buy groceries later when we're married and poor, but instead we bought a couple of fine pieces of furniture. We got a kitchen hutch and an entertainment center. Then Entertainment Center really dwarfs our TV. It's made to hold up to a 27" TV, so our 19" sits rather low in the opening. Oh well, room to grow, right? It wasn't too bad putting it together. There weren't too many separate pieces.
The kitchen hutch on the other hand was quite a hand-full. There was a piece labeled "M3". It must have taken us 3 hours to put it together. It turned out really nice though. It looks great in the dinning room, and having the china and pewter things from the shower out on display is great fun. It was a lot of work though, we stayed up way too late!
As much as I hate Walmart (and I do, I even wrote a paper on it in college!), I must say, I hate Lewis's more. I just don't understand why those people are so mean. At least at Walmart they don't look down their noses at me. They may think they're better than me at Walmart, but they don't talk like it, they just don't talk. At Lewis's though, they're just so stinkin' rude. You know that look like "look what the cat dragged in"? That's how they looked at me when I walked in. I think I'd just about rather keep the things I don't want than have to deal with returning something else there. I just don't like them. They have some nice stuff, but it's not nice enough to merit ugliness in the salesperson. Maybe I'll just get Andrew to go there from on:) Lewis's employees make Walmart employees look good...
Posted by rachel at 04:20 PM | Comments (4)
November 09, 2004
Check it out
If you know Brad and Adrienne, check out their Xanga. They have something really cool on there. I can't describe it, just go check it out!
Posted by rachel at 10:36 AM | Comments (1)
November 08, 2004
Family Ties
I've been thinking about my connection in the blog world and about my family. Here's a thought.
My Sister-in-law's sister-in-law is Shannon.
My Sister-in-law's sister-in-law is also Christin.
So, since Christin is my sister, does that make Shannon my sister too?
Another way to look at it:
Sophie's Aunt is Christin.
Christin is my sister.
Sophie's Aunt is Shannon.
Therefore: Shannon is my sister.
Still not working?
Shannon is my brother's wife's brother's wife.
Shannon is my brother's sister-in-law.
Shannon is my sister-in-law's sister-in-law.
Shannon is my niece's aunt.
Shannon is my sister's brother's wife's brother's wife.
All that, and she's still not related to me?! Just wait til there are more kids in my side of the family, that will add even more premises to my argument.
Posted by rachel at 02:50 PM | Comments (5)
More than you'll ever need to know.
This weekend was awsome. I had a wonderful time with all the things that were going on.
Friday night I got to spend time with mom and Sophie. Sophie really cracks me up. She's the best 17 month old ever...and the smartest too. When Aaron and Amy got home we all stayed up way too late talking and laughing. Saturday morning came way too soon. Since I was sharing a room with my perfect niece, she was kind enough to wake me up at 6:45. She was sweet and laid in bed with me for a little while, but she was really ready to get up, so she woke Gran up and I went back to bed for a bit.
Saturday my mom took me shopping. We got to the mall and went in at JC Penny's, just because there was a parking spot there. Much to our surprise they were having a great sale. We called Christin and Andrew(who was out shopping with his mom) and we all got busy looking. I think I got 3 entire outfits there...most of which was marked 50% off. Andrew even got a new pin-striped suit for an early birthday present. Mom and spent a little more time around the mall and got a few more pieces of clothing. It was so much fun, and I got so many great things. Thanks mom!
We also got to enjoy lunch with Andrew and his mom. If it weren't for the horrible service at McCalister's, we would have spent about half as much time at lunch, but it was nice anyway.
Saturday night I went with mom, Andrew, and his mom out to the Carroll's house to open gifts. In Ruston the tradition is to open shower gifts before the shower and have them all on display when people come. I had never heard of such, but it was fun. Andrew was really happy to get to open some of the gifts himself. What he didn't know then though was that if he helped open, he gets to help write thank you notes!
Sunday was another early morning for me since I stayed with my brother's family again. It's just so hard to not be in a good mood with Soph running around. Well, they headed to church in Monroe and I headed to Andrew's house to make some breakfast before we headed to Ruston to go to church with his mom. His mom is in the bell choir at church and they were playing yesterday so we had to be there for her. It was really pretty. I don't know that bell's are really my thing, but one of the songs they played was gorgeous. The same with the organ. Their church has a big pipe organ that I typically don't even like. It's nothing against that particular pipe organ, I just don't care for them with singing. But the song that the organist played for the postlude was amazing. Andrew and I stood in the sanctuary a little longer than usual just to hear the piece the organist was playing.
Sunday afternoon I went with Andrew's mom, my mom, my sisiter, and my sister-in-law to the Carroll's house for the Trinity Church shower. There were more gifts to open, cakes to eat, punch to drink, and people I don't know to talk to. It was really hard to not just stay in my little circle, but since I was the guest of honor I had to branch out. I think I talked to everyone, but it was hard to tell. We got so many wonderful things though, and only a couple of things to return:)
Andrew came out to help load all the gifts up and from there we headed to his house to unload and unpack. We set up a couple of card tables in the extra bedroom at his house and we put out all the gifts. We even took a few of them on into the kitchen for immediate use. The slotted spoons found their place very quickly, and the old nasty serving spoon and spatula quickly found their place in the trach can. No more serving corn with a wooden spoon!
It was a very busy weekend, but we had a great time. Now I have 4 1/2 days to recouperate before another busy weekend. Andrew turn's 21 on Friday...another celebration and another busy weekend. Oh boy!
Posted by rachel at 02:40 PM | Comments (1)
November 03, 2004
It's raining it's pouring...
Last weekend I had my first wedding shower. It was great fun. Thanks to Vickie, Courtney, and Mrs. LouAnn. I was a bit nervous going into it, but once I got there and got to talking to everyone my nerves settled down. I got some wonderful gifts and had fun playing the games that Vickie pulled off the internet.
This weekend I'm going to be showered with many more gifts. Sunday afternoon there is a shower in Ruston that people from Andrew's parent's church are throwing. I have been told to expect over 50 people there. I wont know most of them, but at least I'll have my mom and Andrew's mom there beside me. I know we're going to get many wonderful things. We're really rossing our fingers for some pots and pans. (It's getting difficult to fix dinner with two small pots!)
I'm also looking foward to having my mom in town this weekend. I get to spend Saturday with her doing a little shopping. I'm really excited about it!
The past two days of rain brought a cool front. It's nice to step outside in November and not be pouring sweat. We'll see how long this lasts. I just hope it's cool on January 8th, and not humid and hot like it was last year around that time.
I know this is a pretty random post, but it's about all I can do just to write. My thoughts are so scattered that I can't keep one train of thought for long.
Oh, and I'm fighting off a cold. I hope this vitamin C does it's job!
Posted by rachel at 01:53 PM | Comments (2)