pull a bag over my face

So, I've had this cold for a couple of days. I stayed home from work on Wednesday because I felt really terrible. Today, Thursday, I went in for a few hours b/c there was some work I needed to wrap up. My co-worker Gaila came into my office to see how I was doing. The dialogue went like this...Gaila: "Hey, how are you?" Rachel: "Better thanks. I slept a lot yesterday." Gaila: "Whoa, you are really pale." Rachel: "Uh, yeah. I have no make up on." Gaila: "Oh. (pause) Glad you're better." I thought the whole thing was hilarious. Then again, it doesn't take much to amuse me.

for all the saints

today, nov 1, is all saints day in my christian world. i was too sick to get out and participate in a service, so i decided to do some remembering here at home. my experience of all saints day is to honor and remember those who have died in the last year. but, my friend shane pointed out that saints in day to day life also deserve a little shout out.
first...those who have died this year. Shelly, a family friend and true angel. MJ, my mom's long time assistant. Don, a very special client of mine. Nathan, a troubled soul. I know there are others, but these 4 stick out in my brain.

Saints in my life....it wouldn't be fair to try and name them. i guess each person in my life is there for a reason and i don't always know/recognize what that reason is. i think that i often forget to love people as they are, not as i think they should be.

if none of this post makes sense it's because i'm on major drugs for a cold. :-)

"For all the saints, who from their labors rest,Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.Alleluia, Alleluia!"

just another manic monday

It's like, 10:47 in the evening i should be in bed. i'm on the verge of getting sick (congestion in my chest) so I'm downing Mucinex and have the bottle of nasal spray standing by. I don't have TIME to be sick. doesn't my body realize it's election time??!! plus, my next class starts on Friday and i still have a couple of chapters left to read.
I know i sound like i'm complaining but i'm really not. i'm just a little stressy.....

Did i blog about my new hobby?? I don't think i did....I've taken up knitting. yes, i'm a nerd (but you probably already knew that). i bought this thing that is like knitting-for-cheaters and it is so easy and so fun. in fact, i got two more people started doing it. every female in the family is getting a scarf for christmas!!! lol. i freakin love doing this.

sorry for the short and boring post but i feel like blah and need to go to bed.

Finally....an update!!

Because I'm tired of hearing some of you grumble...here's an update to my blog!! Lol. I was talking to my friend Shane last night and he's like--what's the deal with not posting lately?? Now, Shane has a nice, cushy little job at a seminary and he doesn't do much all day long. His idea of work is making his own coffee. Then, when he leaves work, he drives in his posh car, to his posh house, and plays with his adorable children. You know Shane....SOME of us have real work and real lives.

If you aren't laughing then you should be. I am chock full of sarcasm. And no, Shane has NONE of those posh things. Well, the part about the adorable children is true.

I have been a bad blogger lately and not updating. Between work, school, and campaign I have just been too tired. My cat barely recognizes me anymore. Pitiful, isn't it?

I did get to see my dear friend Emily last week. She was in town for a family funeral. It was one of those fly-in/fly-out trips so I only got to spend about 15 minutes with her but it made me SO happy to see her. I miss my OCU pals.

I think I am church shopping again. My current house o worship is too small...like 40 in worship, and i need more community than that. i went to a presby church last weekend and not sure where i'm going this wknd. It is so hard to be a liberal, Democratic, feminist, deeply religious person in Oklahoma. Actually, it's probably hard to be those things anywhere. Maybe i should start my own church so then worship would be what I want & think it should be. Hmmmm..

That's the update. Live with it.

Day is done

The weekend simply flew by and I am exhausted. I started Saturday morning early at the campaign (www.roth4commissioner.com). We sent people out to do lit drops and then Brent and I set up a Roth booth at a local festival. We sat out there from 11:30 till 5 and I was SOOO hot and tired by the time it was over. Sunday was the Oklahoma City AIDS Walk so my co-worker David & I set up a booth for our agency. The turnout for the walk was great this year and we had a lot of fun visiting with folks. I managed to get a little sun and my forehead is pink now. October and I am getting sunburned. Weird. I haven't done much since I got home but plan to get to bed early so I have the energy to make it through Monday. I have the feeling this week is going to be busy.

All hail Queen Bonnie

The Bonnie Raitt/Keb Mo concert was a-maz-ing. My stepsis drove up and we grabbed our lawn chairs and headed out to the Zoo amphitheatre. The weather was mild and I was concerned about getting cold so we took a blanket in with us. As we were heading toward the gates, I spotted my cousins David and Carolyn, as well as a few friends. Let's just say that Beth and I were amongst the youngest ppl at this concert!!! Keb Mo was soooo good. I had not heard him live before but Beth is a big fan. I will have to hunt down some of his music. Then, Ms. Bonnie Raitt came out and we jammed. I just love her style, her honesty, and her passion. When she did Angel From Montgomery I about melted. Of course, my favorite song is Can't Make you Love Me, which she did very slowly and full of feeling. Yes, it made me cry (just a little). All in all, a most fabulous evening and even better that I got to spend it with Beth.

I HADDDD to go to the fair

Me being the good kid I am.....lol
After my hair appointment this evening I was driving to Panera Bread to study for a while. I have a final in my Human Diversity class on Saturday. My plan was to study hard for two hours at Panera, come home, relax, and get a good night's sleep.
As I was driving I heard the radio announcer say, "Free tickets to Sunday's Bonnie Raitt concert to anyone who comes by our booth at the State Fair." OH NO!!!! What do I do??? I immediately picked up the phone and called my step-sis (she and I had just discussed this concert two days ago) and I left her a msg. My car somehow magically turned onto the highway and next thing I know I'm pulling into the State Fair parking area. Ok, I think, I'll just go get the tickets and then go study. I get the tickets and my step-sis calls back and we're both way excited. I decided to roam around the building to see if I run into anyone I know so I can have them go get me two more tickets. Well, didn't run into anyone. Then since I was already there I figured I could have supper at the Fair so of course I have an Indian Taco. Fry bread power!!! Yum.
I roam a little more, realize I'm too tired to study, so I hang out at the Fair longer then finally come home (with a bag of cotton candy). My cat likes cotton candy.

I am such a slacker. But I promise I have been studying and I WILL study tomorrow. If my brothers are reading this they are shaking their heads in disgust. What can I say? The tickets were FREEEEEE. I couldn't pass them up.

Dude, where's my sanity?

Peace of mind is so over-rated.

I have a final on Saturday, for my first social work class. This test is going to be terr-i-ble.

Campaign life is busy busy. To be expected. I am happiest when I am at the campaign though, I do have to admit that one. But, consuming............

Cimarron Alliance. Ugh. Don't get me started.

Work. Actually it's ok at the moment.

Church. Maybe I'll get to go this week.

Laundry. In nice little piles waiting for someone to come along and magically wash.

Cat. got her shaved the other day. she's fuzzy and soft now.

Me. Ok but a little frazzily. Should be studying at the moment.

Oh, I need some good CLEAN jokes. Everyone is sick of my knock knock joke. Email me.

Addiction

I confess, I have an addiction....well, i have many addictions but here's the latest. I am addicted to Sudoku. LOVE those puzzles. I have been doing them for several months and just can't stop. I even took some to my Cimarron Board meeting last night (because often the meetings are long and tense). Figuring out where the little numbers go occupies my mind and calms me down. I have also started taking them to class. Now mind you, class is from 9-5 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so I NEED something to keep me awake. I pay attention, but I have to keep my hands busy or I will get really restless.

In other news............

Wow. No other news to share. All I do is go to work, go to campaign, and attend class. That's it. My life is so dull. Will someone please take pity on me and whisk me away to an island paradise?? Please???? I ask so little of others........

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.