my favorite laugh.

When Evan finished his first semester of—official—nursing school, I did a little celebratory dance for the occasion. And—of course—I watched the video over and over, because I'm addicted to that laugh. The beginning of this journey feels like so. long. ago. Because it's been a really long journey—this whole Evan-in-Nursing-School thing. He has worked nights… Continue reading my favorite laugh.

a nearly grand anniversary.

One Year. 366 Days. One year ago from Sunday, Evan and I set out on a great adventure—marriage. But we decided to make the actual day an adventure, as well, so we set out on bikes from Jackson, Wyoming to String Lake in Grand Teton National Park [28 miles], waited out the rain, vowed to… Continue reading a nearly grand anniversary.

tunes to take down a village.

This past weekend the ladies [allison and julia] came for a visit. It was ah-mazing.  [do i say that too much?  whatevs.  it WAS.] And, of course, Saturday night we ended up in everything from my costume box and had a late-night dance party.  O-M-G.  So much fun. Unnnnntiiiiiillll... It was around 4am... yep... 4am.  … Continue reading tunes to take down a village.

it’s common courtesy.

Some Friday hilarity to start your weekend off right... Back Story:  My friend, Anna Davis, is a CPA.  Truth: https://rachellaurenmarie.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/2049/  She is way talented.  Her sister, Gretchen Davis, is effing hilarious. Come to find, Anna got herself an INTERN.  And this is comical because Anna works from home.  I informed Gretchen of the new intern… Continue reading it’s common courtesy.

we do, too.

Easter was a success. Especially because I received this card in the mail... I love my family. And, yesterday, I got to wear my yellow Easter dress... Oh, taking pictures of myself... by myself.  And the ridiculousness.   I giggle at this picture because: • Am I surprising someone? • Am I getting surprised by someone?… Continue reading we do, too.

reinstated.

When I lived in Yosemite [the 2008 time], we instated the "One Song Dance Party".  It was only one song, and it had to happen every night.  It was glorious. Some people would just be sitting at the kitchen table, watching... laughing... And then there we'd be... dancing, smiling, laughing... sweating... It looked something like… Continue reading reinstated.

something horrible happened in the bathroom…

I feel like I could write a novel about my trip to Las Vegas this past weekend. My friends Emma and Trask got married.  WHOA. They decided about a week before Saturday that they wanted to get married and do it in Vegas.  Originally, they wanted to get married in Vegas because there would be… Continue reading something horrible happened in the bathroom…

hope that something pure can last.

Oh, the Post Office has been so exciting lately.  It delivers. What have I received lately?  Oh, I'm so glad you asked/care. My new reading glasses came.  They are not for reading... well, okay, they are... but for me, they are for staring at a computer.  It's sad, but my eyes have started hurting after… Continue reading hope that something pure can last.

…but i’m gonna live.

I was very scared last night.  A feeling too familiar. Hurting, in my side. Oh, no... My kidney's trying to sabotage me again. Two years ago I had a kidney infection and didn't know it.  Thought it was something else.  Denial about so many other parts of life lead to denial about my health.  So… Continue reading …but i’m gonna live.

presidential crowd pleasers.

Talking to clients about American Presidents might be my new favorite thing. [must remind that i work with adults with mental disabilities.] Sometimes clients will catch staff talking about politics and want to give their two cents.  A conversation recently turned to the subject of "Favorite President of All Time" and Sandy, a client, wanted… Continue reading presidential crowd pleasers.

i am done.

It was a hard year.  The hardest yet. Last fall.  Leaving Yosemite in a blur to try and soften the blows of a family emergency and my sister's divorce.  The darkness of that. Fresno.  The tears of family, the delicacy of a two year old in question in your arms.  Hard. The frustration of uncertainty.… Continue reading i am done.

…because you did.

I babysat for Beckett [three-year-old awesomeness] tonight... But this story is from a while ago... I walked into Beckett's house and his mom was rushing around trying to get out the door.  She gave me a quick rundown for the evening, but it didn't take much explanation because I had been babysitting on the regular. … Continue reading …because you did.

…and then lied about it for the next two years.

After a long day, I came home to this... It reads... "Ray-Ray- Sorry I ate your dinosaur cookie from Bishop and then lied about it for the next two years.  I got you this replacement from Pendl's*.  It's technically a tea cake, but it's the best I could do. Looove You, A." You must be… Continue reading …and then lied about it for the next two years.