star struck!

I am just swooning right now! Tonight, the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats held a fundraiser featuring Kayne Gillaspie of Bravo's Project Runway. Kayne is from Norman, Oklahoma (just a few miles down the road) and has become an instant star due to his success on Project Runway. I was SOOO excited to meet him because I think he's fabulously talented and I want him to win. I bought a piece of art through a silent auction--it's done by Kayne and it's a drawing of a beautiful turquoise gown on a blonde model. It's amazing! He signed it and then wrote a personal inscription to me on the back! I almost fainted. Well, not quite...but I am so giddy right now. I just hope he makes it to top 3 and hopefully wins the overall contest! He said that this piece is an original, one of a kind. Wheeeeeee.......
Ok, so it doesn't take much to amuse me....but this was a great evening.

Is there a "better" way?

Deaconess Girl raised an interesting thought with me in a comment she left recently. I had blogged about the anniversary of my Mom's death. While I miss my Mom, I feel relatively at peace with her passing. But, I had time to prepare for her death. She had cancer and we didn't know how long she would live. But, she was very determined to keep her life fulfilled and meaningful and I spent a lot of time with her over that year or so. I have no regrets--there was nothing left unsaid or undone in our relationship. I just miss her.

When my friend Deaconess Girl lost her father, it was abruptly--in a tragic accident. I have never experienced loss of a loved one in that manner so I don't have any frame of reference. I think the shock alone would be overwhelming but to then have to deal with personal and communal grief....wow.

All that being said, I don't think there is a "better" way to go. While I got to have time with my Mom, we also saw her go through pain and not-so-pleasant procedures. Those memories are powerful and painful for me.

I think it would be arrogant of me to say one way is better than another because no one experiences loss the same. Grief is a very individual process and no one, but yourself, knows how you truly feel.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's ok to feel how you feel. And to Deaconess Girl and all my other friends who have experienced loss, that's why we have each other--for support and for care.

Love to all--

Beware of kangaroo

Today in Oklahoma City, a kangaroo was spotted hopping around the area of NW 229 & Council. Our local paper, the Oklahoman, had a copy of the 911 call on their website. The man calling in prefaced his report with "I'm sane, I'm not crazy, but there's a kangaroo in my street." I laughed so hard! Actually, the 911 operator did too. Three sherrif's deputies followed the kangaroo until its owner was able to capture it.

How awesome would it be to be sitting outside, enjoying your morning coffee, and see a kangaroo hop by? I'd be checking my drink to make sure I was having coffee, but I would probably run for my camera.

Just another Monday in Oklahoma City.......

Remembering Mom...

Today, August 22nd, is the anniversary of when my Mom died. It's been 5 years and I have mixed emotions. I miss her, that's a given. There's been so much I've wanted to tell her and share with her. I miss her touch, her smile, the clickety-clack of her heels, her singing. But, I am at peace with her passing. There was nothing left undone those many years ago. I just miss her. I was the only one with Mom when she died and that's a powerful memory I will always take with me.

Tonight, I am having friends over for potluck and for games. I decided that I wanted to spend the evening with friends, who are my extended family.

Love you Mom.

What happens in Chicago....

I had a most fabulous time in Chicago, hanging out with my Young Democrats friends and having a little vacation. I went early so my OCU pal, Shane, and I could hang out and catch up. We spent a day at the Shedd Aquarium and it was great. Don't spend the extra $ for the SpongeBob movie....it's not worth it. The penguins and sea turtles are the best. Shane and I also went to The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. I managed not to drop fondue on me so the experience was a success.

This wasn't a regular YD national conference. There was training going on and the DNC was meeting, so I kind of floated around between activities. For the most part, I hung out with friends. I have to say that this was one of my favorite YD meetings in a long time. I adore these YD people---we are like minded, we have lots to talk about, and we just all have a general respect and appreciation for one another. It was so great to laugh.

I have today and Tuesday off then back to work on Wednesday. Classes start Friday so this is the end of free time for me. Wish Jodie and I luck as we scramble to finish our assignment that's due first day. Ack!

Sensational sin

One of the local mega churches, LifeChurch, has a new crusade going. Around town, there are bumper stickers and signs popping up saying "I've got a secret" with a web address of www.mysecret.tv

I decided to check it out yesterday and was thoroughly disgusted by what I found. Turns out that this website is a place where people can publicly confess their sins (housed under a variety of topics) and voyeurs can read those stories. There is something that says this material isn't appropriate for people under 18, but there's no safeguard to prevent any 'ol user from clicking in. I don't know if the posts are edited before going up on the board, but believe me--there are stories/sins posted that you don't want children to read.

Our state newspaper, the Daily Oklahoman, ran a story on this so I'm sure millions of people are flocking to the site. I just think this is irresponsible use of religion--to post "sin" online for the world to see, instead of making it a matter between a person and God.

Another issue I have are the categories of sin and what is/is not a sin. I think it's safe to say that my understanding of sin is different than what LifeChurch would preach, but hey.....

I've thought about posting on the site just to see what happens but I also don't want to encourage use of that outlet. What do you think I should do?

People are uptight

I have this very dear friend, he posts here sometimes as "Friendly Bunny." Believe me, you don't want to know UN-Friendly Bunny. :-)

Anyhoo...FB is a huge proponent of the Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster and I decided to do a blog in honor of his beliefs! Personally, I'm a supporter and believer in the Flying Spagetti Monster but so far I have not been able to capture the FSM on film. I don't know that I believe ALL that the FSM spouts, but I know I have been touched by His Noodly Appendage and believe me, my life has been so much better ever since.

When I have a child, she will be raised in the knowledge of evolution, creationism, and monsterism, so she will be well-rounded and have ALL the facts.

I hope you will visit the Church of the Flying Spagetti Monster at www.venganza.org and learn how Pastafarian is sweeping the world.

(Love ya Aaron)

Boomer Sooner Blah

At the end of this month I am starting classes in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Oklahoma. OU offers the only MSW in the state so I had no choice but to become a Sooner.
See, I live in Oklahoma--where football is religion and the pigskin is God. Personally, I could care less. I like football and I don't mind watching it, but I don't go to games or get all caught up in the hoopla.
Well, I had figured up what my first semester (2 classes) would cost me and was ok. Today I find out that since I'm in some Advanced Program or something, the cost is HIGHER. Yeah. So, tack another $600 or so to what I anticipated. Not happy. At all. Money is wayyyyy tight in my world right now.
I think the part that irritates me most is that there was never anything said about this program being more expensive than standard tuition so how the heck are we supposed to prepare???

In the past couple of days, two OU football players got busted for apparently being ghost employees of a car dealership, which I guess is against NCAA rules. The players got booted from the football team and people are threatening the stupid car dealership! There have been all these commercials from the dealership pleading for the public to keep shopping at their place and that the OLD ownership is responsible for what happened. Actually, the 2 football players are responsible because they knowingly broke the rules. To their credit, the players and the coach (Bob Stoops) have not layed blame anywhere. The situation was handled appropriately but still--isn't there something more pressing happening in the world than 2 kids who got kickbacks from a car dealership?
Apparently not, since this is what I'm blogging about.

Send tuition money to Princess Rachel, Oklahoma City. Thanks.

Today we remember...

Today, August 3rd, would have been my father's birthday. He died a long time ago but I always try to honor & remember him on the days of his birth and of his death. Let's see, I guess he would have been 72 today. Happy birthday Dad.

In other news.............
Tonight is our Roth for Commissioner volunteer's meeting. I'm hoping we have a good crowd. Jim has a film crew following him this week so we want a good showing. Of course, we usually have about 50-70 folks at our meetings, which is tremendous, but we especially need that tonight! I tell you, I've never been more proud of a candidate than I am of him.
Oh yeah, our website is www.roth4commissioner.com
Check us out!

that's CHAPLAIN to you

I guess it's ok to brag on myself a little bit.....

A few months ago I started the application process to be a chaplain within my agency (the Oklahoma Department of Human Services). We are the only state agency that has chaplain's for it's employees and their families. It's a long process (and should be) and last week I was called and offered a spot! Woo hoo! Being a chaplain is an entirely voluntary position and is considered above and beyond my regular duties. I have been assigned to visit DHS employees/families who are in the hospital and in long term care facilities. This is such a great opportunity for ministry! I am very excited. In fact, when I was called and told I was accepted, they gave me my first assignment so I hit the ground running.

I'll still answer to "Rachel," but if you really want my attention you may address me as "Chaplain Morse" or "Chaplain Rachel." Wow. Weird.

McAffrey wins!

Democrat Al McAffrey won the Democratic primary in Oklahoma House District 88 last night! The incumbent, Debbie Blackburn, was term limited and it was a three way race to fill her seat. Besides being the best candidate, Al makes history because he is the first openly gay person to be elected to statewide office. Woo hoo! I am proud to call him a friend.

duck and cover

Ah well, it turns out that the guy arrested the other night--had a loaded gun on him. great. makes me feel SOOO much better.

late night in da 'hood

My cell phones rings at 10:50pm tonight (Sunday) and it's my next door neighbor, Kirk. They only call late when it's important. He tells me not to panic, but there are 5 police cars out in front of our houses. Great. Seems that there is some young guy passed out in our median, the little grassy strip that divides our driveways. Kirk's partner was heading out to his car and hit the unlock button on his keychain. When the car headlights came on, it illumined the passed out dude who was on the grass between our garages. Our driveway's are very long so a person has to be intentional about coming up in them. The fact that this guy was in front of the garage is a little un-nerving.
John & Kirk called the police who responded very quickly. Then, they called me so I wouldn't be scared when I saw the patrol cars pull up. The police arrested the guy, looked to be about 20 years old and obviously drunk and/or high. I watched them pat him down and he didn't have any weapons on him (good) but still......He didn't fight them or anything, the guy could barely stand up. However, there were 6 police cars, all with lights flashing, that arrived. Must be a slow crime night in OKC.
There's a seedy house two doors east of me and ever since they moved in we've had more crime/problems in the neighborhood. I don't know if this guy was from there, but I wouldn't be surprised. What a way to end a Sunday..........

Have I mentioned I'm delicate?

I'm sitting in my 90+ degree house, waiting on the A/C repair people to call. Yup, it's hot. I don't do well in this hot, humid weather. I feel like my flowers outside---I'm wilting! I often say to people that I'm just too delicate for this weather, AND THEY LAUGH! Um, why do they laugh? I'm completely serious. I AM delicate. It's my dream to move to Alaska and live in the mountains. Every year I ask myself why I stay in Oklahoma because I hate the weather here. Last night I finally broke down and went and stayed in a hotel. I couldn't take one more night of the heat. Let's hope the A/C people can fix it today. Blah.........so YES, I am delicate. Now where did I leave my power sander?

Everything that can go wrong...

I wonder if my house has gremlins? First, my washer pump goes out. Then, my microwave gets psycho. Refrigerator died, and now my A/C is just not cooling the place. I am freakin roasting in my house right now!! I can't get the temperature below 80, sometimes it's as high as 90 in the house. I can't sleep in this!

In other news........I got the cat shaved today. She just sheds so much and she kept having hairballs so my vet said "shave her!" She looks a little funny, like a sheep that's just been buzzed, but I don't think she's traumatized.

I'm tempted to sleep in the bathtub tonight because the porcelin is cool. If I can't get someone out to look at the AC unit by Friday I'm going to have to find somewhere to stay or get a motel room. Hey....party at Rachel's Motel 6 room!! :-)

Sack o potatos

I'm having a Dan Quayle moment...I can't remember if it's potatoes or potatos. Ask me if I care......

When I got up this morning I decided to go out to a little country church where a friend is pastor...his name is David. He used to be my pastor at Epworth. Now, he and I had our disagreements and I was in a tough spot because I was Staff/Parish Chair when he left the church. But, David is a very sweet and good guy and for some reason I felt compelled to visit his church. I think it was God nudging me down the highway.......It's a small congregation, maybe 30 in worship. I think it was old-time religion Sunday because we sang the great hymns of I Love to Tell the Story, Victory in Jesus, and We'll Understand it Better By and By. I LOVE the old hymns. This church does a lot of singing, we sang praise music for about 20 minutes.
David's sermon was about forgiveness. Yes, it's important to forgive those who wrong us, but mainly the message was about how we make ourselves accessible (or inaccessible) to granting forgiveness. He also told of an experiment where participants wrote the name of a person that needed to be forgiven, or a grudge/bad feelings were being held. Those names were written on potatoes and then placed in a bag. For a week, the folks had to carry around the heavy sack, laden with the people that needed to be forgiven. By the end of the week, the participants realized the heaviness they were feeling was not only physical but also spiritual. Thus, they learned to be more free with their forgiveness. It was a good message and one I think I needed to hear. Yes, there are people in my life I need to forgive and there are people who need to forgive me. I can't control whether I will be granted forgiveness but I need to make myself open to the possibility.
I often remind myself of a marquee I saw on a local church: He who angers you controls you. My relationship with God is strong but it will be stronger when I quit harboring thoughts and feelings that do nothing but tear me down.

It was a good day.

Way to Go Leader Pelosi!

News From House Democratic Leader Nancy PelosiH-204, The Capitol, Washington D.C. 20515
http://democraticleader.house.gov
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616
Pelosi: 'Democrats Will Not Support Increasing Congressional Salaries Until We Raise Minimum Wage'
Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Republicans' refusal once again to raise the minimum wage. A motion that would have allowed the House to vote on a bill offered by Congressman George Miller of California to increase the minimum wage was defeated by a vote of 214 to 189 along party lines.
"House Republicans have made their staunch opposition to raising the minimum wage quite clear: today they voted against it for the fifth time in less than a month. Yet House Republicans vote themselves a pay raise every year.
"The American people can't afford a Republican Congress that is so out of touch with the concerns of everyday Americans. Gas prices have skyrocketed, health care costs are rising, and too many working families are living paycheck to paycheck. Democrats will not support any increase in Congressional salaries until we raise the minimum wage.
"Democrats believe in a New Direction that will bring economic opportunity to all Americans."
# # #

cursed

There's something creepy happening here in my house...seems my major appliances have all started to go ka-put. a long time ago my dishwasher started making a very loud annoying noise while washing, but i have always just ignored it and gone on. about a month ago my washer went out...i think it's the pump. then today, my refrigerator died.
i am going to have to get the house blessed or exorcised or something.

sometimes it's a real pain being an adult.

Crispy

Even though I put on sunscreen, I still burned. My back is bright and getting a little painful. Even though I was already burned, I did spend some time out in my pool this afternoon. It's funny how the little things amuse me............

Basking

Happy 4th of July! Yes, I realize I should be using a red, white & blue font but you know, I felt like orange. I enjoyed a lovely day off of work today. I spent a bit of time out in the yard, basking in my new pool. Yes, I got a pool! Ok, it's only like 4ft long and 30 inches deep, but hey.....When I was reading the instructions for setting up this thing it stresses that you MUST place it on level ground. Well, there is NO level ground anywhere in my yard. My yard slopes downward and that's just the way it is. So, when I started to fill the pool this morning I figured out really quickly that a sloping pool doesn't work very well. I put about 3 inches of water in it and called it good. Hey, it kept me cool while I worked on a tan. I planted some flowers out front and put up a hanging basket of something purple. It makes the front of the house look so much nicer. The goal is to keep these flowers alive and I do not have a green thumb. If anyone needs me, I'll be by the pool with my sunglasses, water bottle, and SPF 45.