That Girl/This Girl

Have you ever posted a past photo of yourself that was thinner or more athletic or dressed better or whatever? I have done it a lot of times. I thought I was inspiring myself with comments like "that girl had her crap together and this girl is working hard to get back to being her..."

Learning in Loss

This week my sweet companion, my precious dog, was hit and killed by a car.

Wednesday morning while I was getting ready for work, my neighbors called to say that Taylor had been hit by a car. She was alive but hurt. Cameron and I rushed to her side, she was wrapped in a towel laying in the street bleeding and broken. We got her to the nearest vet and they began treating her immediately. They found a dislocated elbow, broken ankle, 3 broken and 1 hyper-extended rib, internal hemorrhaging and head trauma. They gave her fluids and stabilized her. The plan was that they would keep her stable and monitor her for 24 hours. Cameron and I continued to work like normal.

Be the Change

Great quote. Like, for real, AMAZING QUOTE. 

So why aren't we living in a better world?

Because we sit by and we let others do the good works, make the right choices and just smile and be happy for them. Or worse, judge them. 

The people that are seriously changing the world aren't doing it for their friends, they aren't doing it for an innumerable amount of likes on Facebook or hearts on Instagram. The people changing the world are doing it for the world. The people changing the world don't judge, don't sit back and silently make fun or talk behind your back. The people changing the world are moving so quickly and sometimes so quietly, they've come, changed and gone before you even learned their name. 

I have a few friends I think will change the world. One is a mom that has changed my beliefs on everything from breastfeeding (in public, GASP!) to leading me to actually consider an alternative to an induced, hospital, "painless" childbirth - should we choose to have another tiny - no, we aren't pregnant.

I've been thinking a lot about these things recently. Then, last night at the restaurant I manage, I was approached by a server. Their guests asked to pay for the table next to them. I spoke to the guests and explained how it would work. The lady then explained that her father was also a vet and the elderly gentleman wearing a veteran's ball cap reminded her of him. I asked the guests if they'd like to approach the man and tell him what they're doing or if they'd like me to say anything or deliver any type of message. They smiled and said no thanks. Upon their leaving, I got to deliver the news to the couple. The man, bless his heart, was hard of hearing so his wife explained it all to him. She was so touched she held my hand and cried for a few seconds. They kept looking around as though they might see the couple that graciously paid for their dinner. They asked me to tell them thank you if I was ever to see them again. In this industry, even if I do, I may not recognize them. But I will be watching for them every shift for the foreseeable future. 

Just being on the outside of the good deed felt incredible. 

But I'm not going to stop there. I may not be able to afford to buy dinner for strangers or 

set up homeless shelters. But what I can do is SOMETHING. 

I can be the change I want to see. 

I can positively affect the lives of those around me.

I can make people smile.

I can hold a door.

I can wave to my neighbor.

I can lend assistance to a person struggling to load groceries into the car. 

I can do... SOMETHING. 

I encourage you to watch this video. It touched me to the core. 

DO SOMETHING. BE SOMETHING. 

-God Belss,

Rachael 

Perfection: A Sappy Father's Day Post

When I think about my dad, perfect is not a word that comes to mind. Now down't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of my daddy and I love the absolute crap out of him. But he's not perfect. He might even admit that to you ;)

You know who is perfect, though? My baby's daddy. I call him that because he isn't a perfect husband, a perfect friend, a perfect employee, etc. He's a perfect daddy. And many people may not see him that way. But our son does. And that's what matters most. He's the most caring, loving, sympathetic, empathetic, hands on, and all these other words that mean, he's a good damn father. 

He supports me and my "new" career. He spends more time with our son because of it and he doesn't complain at all. He's basically a single father on the weekends but instead of moaning about not having time with friends, he cherishes the time he has with our son. He sends me countless snap chats and videos that warm my heart and make me feel like I am sharing in their joy. 

I may not have a perfect life, but right now, in my sons eyes, he does. ♥

Happy Father's Day!! 

-Rachael 

My Body

I have had some serious body image issues lately. I keep thinking, "I work out so hard. I eat so well (for the most part!) I have educated myself. I have gotten out of my comfort zone. But will I ever LOOK like it?"

Save the Drama fo yo Mama!

I want to start off by apologizing for the negativity. I try really hard to keep a positive air about myself and not to bring others down. But in this case, I am tired of standing idly by. This is my life and I choose to live it my way. 

-Rachael 

This definition is from Urban Dictionary. It makes me laugh, but is so true! 

Drama:

A way of relating to the world in which a person consistently overreacts to or greatly exaggerates the importance of benign events.

Typically "drama" is used by people who are chronically bored or those who seek attention.

People who engage in "drama" will usually attempt to drag other people into their dramatic state, as a way of gaining attention or making their own lives more exciting.

Common warning signs/ risk factors of drama or a dramatic person are:

1. Having one supposedly serious problem after another.

2. Constantly telling other people about one's problems.

3. Extreme emotionality or frequently shifting, intense emotions.

4. Claiming to have experienced negative events that are highly implausible.

5. A boring job or mundane life.

6. Making claims without sufficient evidence or a lack of detail about supposedly serious events.

7. A pattern of irrational behavior and reactions to everyday problems.

I have problems. I struggle daily. I battle with emotional problems, health issues, weight loss/gain, marital, maternal and job struggles. But most people don't know about them. I am not the type of person to drag others into my drama. I do not feed on it. I do not need drama in my life to survive. 

And I'm pretty damn tired of people trying to bring me down with theirs. If you don't have anything nice to say... SAY NOTHING. If putting me down, dragging my name through the mud and making up lies about me makes you feel better about yourself, I feel sorry for you. I feel absolutely sad for people that have nothing better to do than live a lie. 

That is all. 

SAVE. THE. DRAMA. FO. YO. MAMA. 

DISCLAIMER:

This is not about a singular or particular person. This has been on my mind for a while. I just got the time and gumption to do it. BUT - if the shoe fits, lace it up and wear it. 

A Quick Lesson in Grace

Have you ever had a bad day? Even been offended by someone? Betrayed by someone? Hurt by someone? Well, of course, we all have at one point or another.

From the Mouths of Babes...

The other day I was working with kids. 

One of them kept saying "whatever" to everything I said. 

Finally, I said, "Please stop saying whatever to me. I find it rude and disrespectful."

A seven year-old boy piped up from the back, 

"Real men aren't rude to ladies."

True, young'un. Very true! 

-Rachael

(hashtag) I'm a Runner Ya'll

I was in the hospital a couple weeks ago. I had a surgery, blah blah blah. Maybe one day I'll post about what really happened, but for now, just believe what you've been told (wink wink!) 

 This photo screams "share on a public site" doesn't it?! ;) 

Choose to Smile

Some days are hard, some are sad, some just suck. You know the best way to change those days or make them bearable at the least? SMILE! It's truly amazing how big a difference it makes. Try it! Next time you're headed for a bad day, smile.

What Happens When I Try to Write Blogs!

Today, I learned a few things that I wanted to blog about. The thing is, I'm not a good blogger. My blogs are not very well thought through, they are compulsive, they are written within minutes of deciding I have something to say. 
I tried writing like Sister. I tried making notes and pulling references. I tried thinking it through. Then I sat down to write and started to blog. 
One started great, then I lost my train of though. <DELETE>
One had great thought behind it, but I couldn't stay off the rabbit trails. <DELETE>
Then I took a selfie and sent it to Sister "look who's blogging" - bull.

What I Thought Was True, March 2008

In March of 2008, I suffered my first miscarriage. This is what I wrote about it. 5 1/2 years later, I have not edited or changed anything other than removing a poem a dear friend of mine wrote, because I'm not sure it's protected and I didn't want to be insensitive to her story. My emotions were raw when I wrote this and the writing isn't the best, but it's me. It's my form of healing. 

Stop Asking if I'm Pregnant

No, I'm not pregnant. I'm chunky.

No, I'm not pregnant. Sometimes, I get sick to my stomach. 

No, it's not "time" for a family addition. I don't know when it will be, but it's not up to me. 

Things My Husband Does to Piss Me Off.

Today, my husband and I went to the grocery store. I grabbed  a cart (a non car shaped one, to the chagrin of my 2y/o) and started to get set up to shop. It seems it takes me a lot of prep, HEB is very intimidating. Then, hubby asked if I brought something, something very important... something like means to pay. Whoopsy Daisy! So, he offers to go back to the truck, grab it and meet me in the store. While offering, he sets the toddler to the cart seat and places him in... BACKWARDS. Oh my God. What is wrong with people?! I said, "Why did you put him in that way?" DH says, "I figured you'd fix him." 

7 Days

Monday, June 17, 2013: 

I took an at home pregnancy test. It was positive. After eight months of trying and three months of hormone treatments, I was PREGNANT! June 17th was an exciting day :) I made a few phone calls and told a few of my most favorite people. But I didn't tell my husband.