Medicine of Immortality "It's a cold, and it's a broken, 'Hallelujah!'"

There’s Something Wrong with the El Chico EmployeesPosted by Rachel on November 15th, 2006

So today we went to El Chico at the mall because they were having this deal on enchilada dinners. The food wasn’t all that bad, but not extraordinary, but we were really turned off by the service. First of all, our greeter/seater (whatever they’re called) acted really depressed and unfriendly. I felt compelled to ask her what was wrong, but knew that’d probably come off the wrong way. Our waitress was friendly, but totally clueless. She was nice to Kyrie, but a little too attentive. At one point she put out her arms like she was offering to pick Kyrie up. Lady, I don’t let strangers pick up my kid, okay? I just was a little annoyed at that. But the thing that completely drove me nuts was that she passed a hot plate RIGHT past Kyrie, easily within her reach, all the while warning ME that it was hot. This girl needs to get some common sense! She also brought our meals way too soon (we’d barely gotten halfway through the appetizer) and kept giving refills before we’d had a chance to drink our first glasses. She gave us like 5 cups of salsa and every time she left would say, “I’ll be back in a minute.” Back for what? LET US EAT IN PEACE, lady! At one point, she came back & just stood there, by our table…not asking if everything was all right, not asking if we needed anything else…just standing there, talking to Kyrie. I broke the awkwardness by asking for a to-go container and off she went. Rick and I gave each other that “good grief” expression. We asked for our check. The total was, I think, around $22.00, and Rick gave her two twenties. She asked if we’d be needing change. Uh, no, we’re giving you an eighteen dollar tip! What do you think? lol…anyway, Rick still tipped her (he always tips, pretty much regardless) even after she endangered our daughter’s life and filled our table full of millions of cups of salsa and glasses of sweet tea. I’m not sure if we’ll be going back there…

Miscellaneous PicturesPosted by Rachel on November 13th, 2006

Here’s Kyrie in her Christmas dress and new dress shoes. We’ll make sure she has matching tights by the time we’re up in the chilly Northwest.

I could hardly be happier with the boots I found at Wal-Mart today. We had been searching everywhere and just couldn’t find anything that we really liked.

Would you believe this was her coat last winter? It’s a 0-3 month size, and other than the sleeves being a bit short, it’s a perfect fit. Am I totally cheap to think that this is workable as long as she’s got long sleeves on underneath?

This picture is from the other day when she got into one of my candles (one that was in a jar, and the smoke kind of blackened the glass…it rubbed off onto her hands, face, legs, clothes…yeah). I think she looks like a bum!

Loving the underdog this yearPosted by Rick on November 13th, 2006

Here’s what I would like to see happen, so that Rutgers can clearly play for the national championship. Rutgers has to win out, and hopefully, they can crush West Virginia.

I’d like to see California beat USC next week and Ohio State defeat Michigan. I’d then like USC to beat Notre Dame. LSU should knock off Arkansas. Florida will either have to lose against FSU or in the SEC championship game.

The Serious Side of KyriePosted by Rachel on November 11th, 2006

Maybe I’m too opinionatedPosted by Rachel on November 11th, 2006

I’m been kind of controversial lately. It makes me feel like like a wretched sort of person, but I still really like debating. I’m trying to learn how to be a bit more mature & cool-headed about it. The fun thing, to me, about debating, is that I learn so much and walk away so much more sure of my beliefs or decisions. Sometimes, I walk away questioning one, and every now and then, I actually change my mind. I think it can be great brain exercise. I just hope I can learn to discuss/debate topics in a healthy, moderate manner. Just letting everyone know.

Significant Other SurveyPosted by Rachel on November 10th, 2006

This was stolen from Rachael, who apparantly stole it from everybody.

What is your SO’s name? Riccardo, but we all call him Rick (or snugglebunny)

How did you meet your SO? We met at the Spokane Airport. The first time I saw him, he was going down the escalator, and he was wearing a light blue button-up and khaki pants. I was picking him up (well, my brother Isaiah was, but I came along, as did Jon Sutton, a friend) and we were planning on going to a history conference together in Moscow, Idaho.

How long were you friends before you became an item? Close to 3 years, but most of that friendship was before meeting in person.

Does he have any brothers or sisters? He has two half-sisters: Amanda, who is 15 (they share the same mom), and Michelle, who I believe is 7 (they share the same father).

What do his parents do for a living? His mom is a respiratory therapist. His father, I’m not sure. His stepdad is a chef.

How much of an age difference is there between the two of you? 4 years and 2 days (I’m the baby).

What was it about him that first attracted you to him? His skin, eyes, hair, hands, legs, lips, and passion for Christ.

Have your parents met his parents yet? They’ve met his mom. Even I haven’t met his dad.

Do you get along with his family? Yes, I love them.

What do his parents think of you? I think they like me!

What color eyes does he have? Chocolately brown (yum!)

Is he taller or shorter than you? He’s taller. He’s 5’8” and I’m 5’5”.

What color shirt does he look the best in? Cranberry red, black, white.

What celebrity does he look like? None, really.

What is his best physical feature? G-rated, it’s a toss up between lips and eyes.

What was his best subject in school? I’m not sure. He’s a smarty-pants. He’s very good at math and English.

What does he do for a living? He teaches English at the university.

What kind of music does he listen to? All different kinds (sorry to be so vague, but it’s true).

Does he ever sing to you? Yes. He has sung to me in front of a large, live audience. The song was “Unchained Melody.” He’s also sung “I just called to say I love you” to me over the phone.

What sport does he play? He used to play baseball, and did some wrestling…but his main sport was football.

What is his pet name for you? Snugglebunny, hun, Rach…that’s all I can think of.

What is your pet name for him? Snugglebunny, honeybunny, umm..other infantile names.

What is his middle name? Anthony

Where would you like to go on vacation with him? I’d love to take a Caribbean cruise with him someday.

Does he respect his parents? I’d say yes.

Are you on a first name basis with his parents? I like to avoid referring to my in-laws as anything. Hehe!

Are his hands bigger than yours? Yeah, muchly so!

What is your favorite spot to cuddle with him? On the couch.

Has he ever cheated on you? No.

What five words describe him best? Godly, intelligent, passionate, wise, strong.

Our deathsPosted by Rick on November 10th, 2006

‘What will your obituary say?’ at QuizGalaxy.com

‘What will your obituary say?’ at QuizGalaxy.com

I’ve been censored…Posted by Rick on November 8th, 2006

Okay, so I wrote an article several months ago, and I saw the print version for the first time today. In the article, I wrote, “Y is a goddess.” It was changed to “Y is fantastic.” This just makes me so mad. Not to mention, it was a direct quote that they changed.

What I thought was a comma splice ended up just being a matter of the subordinator being on the other side of a picture. But now I notice that all my verbs were changed from the historical present tense to the past tense. GRRRR.

I love my daughter, I love my motherPosted by Rachel on November 8th, 2006

Kyrie’s so much fun. She gives me kisses every morning. She makes a clicking sound with her tongue and presses her lips against mine. She is the most precious little human being I have ever known. She brings me stories and sits on my lap, looking at the pictures and listening to me read them to her. When I put her down for naps, I let her snuggle her dolly. She insists that I kiss her AND the dolly as I put “them” down to sleep. She giggles at the silliest things. She loves to play peek-a-boo, and her expression is priceless when she peers around a corner to sneak up on me. She’s saying “mama” more regularly now. She gives hugs to anyone who asks. She’s my darling, and she’ll be my baby forever. sigh

Having a daughter makes me love and appreciate my own mom so much, not only because of all the things I know she did for me that were so hard and sacrificial, but also because I know that she feels the same way about me as I do about Kyrie…and that’s amazing that someone would love me that much. I love you Mommy! Can’t wait to see you in less than a month!

Conservatives should be thrilled with all the Pro-life Democrats elected last nightPosted by Rick on November 8th, 2006

I am not really that interested in yesterday’s results, but I did notice that many, many pro-life democrats won last night.

In the Senate:

Robert Casey Jr-PA, who is, I think, more consistently pro-life, defeated Rick Santorum, who is an anti-abortion crusader. Don’t get me wrong. Santorum has done a lot for the anti-abortion agenda (and his wife has a great book that sheds some light on their own personal experiences), but Casey is a better choice, in my book. Joel has a great post on why he’ll miss Santorum.

Ben Nelson-CO, a leading pro-life democrat, won his re-election too.

In the House:

Brad Ellsworth-IN, Charlie Wilson-OH, Joe Donnelly-IN, and Heath Schuler-NC, all pro-life Dems, awon. (Hey, anyone remember watching Schuler QB at TN in college?) Not to mention Altmire-PA

Lucas-KY, Stuart-FL, Esch-NE, Weaver-KY, Kleeb-NE, and Cranley-OH lost, but hey, at least the Dems that many more pro-lifers up, right?

That pro-choice Republican chic beat out the pro-life Democrat, Joe Shannon, in Illinois. What a crazy election…and I didn’t even mention all the pro-life Dem governors that won.