Raige Creations

A wonderful memory that came back to me, thanks to my sister. Our Dad playing this song throughout our childhood, a memory of his from his teenage and young man years. Our dad was a musician, among other things . His mother a piano and organ teacher, back when jobs for the wives and mothers were unusual unless in times of economic need. Which was the case back during the Great Depression, when my father was a teenager. She taught him the skills, and he was a very decent pianist and organist. She taught us too, when we were little. Though I never practiced like I should have, and it was evident during my lessons. I think I was 5 years old or so. No surprise there that practicing was never long enough or serious enough. There were too many other things to keep me occupied when I was that age, like the fish tank that was right near the piano. Hard to stay focused on boring scales when little fish-ies were so much more interesting. But this song was a favorite of our dad. He pl...

With all that is going on in the world, I heard this song yesterday and absolutely love the message, the lyrics, the simple melody, the calmness of it. I said to hubby - "This is a beautiful message I wish I had told my sons , well my girl too, years ago. Maybe I should do this as a Music Monday and share it with them now!" As you all know, I have not been blogging for a while now, and so when he agreed I was a bit surprised! He is all for completely unplugging these days, with all the hacking, the people out there that can just steal your identity, and use the things you share against you. So I have been mainly quiet. Though with the current political circus going, on I have had to work hard to hold my toungue, for fear of unwelcome comments and unneccessary online drama. But to this he agreed, as he loved this message too. And he feels just as strongly as I do about what I hint at below. All I will say about it is that is is a sad day when a man is rewarded for sexua...

Yes. I can say that with confidence - I am thankful for my grey hair and wrinkles. And slightly large middle section (I call fluffy), and scars. Most days anyways. Actually most days I barely think of it. It is what it is. source However - yesterday I found out how other people see me. Well at least one other person. I was at the hair salon, waiting to get a much needed haircut. I had not taken one bit of time to do anything with my hair that day, so it was a bit wild and and frizzy. I ended up chatting with someone who I barely knew (met her almost 6 months ago, and hadn't seen her since). We were chatting about, well, hair. She, I will call her ' D ', had just that day decided not to get highlights in her hair, she was letting the grey show, and seemed quite proud of her decision. D 's justification and story about what led her to this point was long, and unecessary in my opinion, but I let her go on. She was waiting for her 15 year old son to f...

**I wrote this post way back last winter. I never finished it, or published it. It is still mostly relevant today, so here you go. Updates are found between these astericks. ** We don't often realize it, when we have matured. When we have learned enough of life to know certain things and thus have an air of comfort in our own bodies, ways, abilities. It often happens slowly, and one day we realize we have matured.  For me, it hit me when my daughter needed help with her outfit. My daughter came rushing to me one morning, as she was getting ready for school. "Can I borrow that black and white scarf, the one I gave you?" she asked excitedly. "Of course" I say, always happy when I think I am cool enough that my daughter wants to wear my stuff, even though she gave it to me.  **Since originally writing this, my daughter is happily in college, maturing like crazy, growing so much it is hard for me to see her as the wonderful young adult she is turning in to.**...

What a whirlwind of a weekend we had. It was the weekend of my daughters graduation, in this post she will be known as Little Buttercup, as that a pet name her daddy used since she was born . Let me tell you, she busted a$$ and graduated.  She finished a semester early , with High Honors to boot, and a designated NC Scholar!  (meaning she achieved excellent grades in several honors and AP classes) 2014 Grad Our Little Buttercup (we are so proud!) source:  Raige Creations We could hardly believe this is our Little Buttercup! She used to be a littler 'Little Buttercup'... with eyes so blue.... Little Buttercup, at about 2 years old source:  Raige Creations Daddy used to sing My Little Buttercup to her since she was a tiny baby, trying to make her laugh. He would get through the song with no response. Then he sang it from the point when everyone joined in, imitating the Mexican response. The giggles came fast and hard when he got to this: My Littl...

It's been............... 3 days since I have blogged. (so much for posting every day! this NaBloPoMo has been extremely difficult for me to keep up with!) It's now........... One Week until daughters graduation (well less than that now, it's Saturday! But on Saturday this song kept playing in my head, because it WAS one week until graduation. Somehow, I am not ready for this......) Plus, the other day, hubby said to me,  "It's been one week....", and then he paused. Boom - the  Barenaked Ladies filled in the rest. I can't even remember what he said after that. How can you NOT think of this song when someone says something like that? Over and over, in my head... It's been... One Week ...  And then the rest fills in. Chickity China the Chinese chicken Have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin' Watchin X-Files with no lights on We're dans la maison It will still be two days 'till .....family arrives in town for th...

source My alarm just went off, (for the first time...I am a snooze button addict)   and I was glad that I could snuggle back in bed for 10 more minutes until it went off again. Just as I crawled back under the covers, the phone rang. Usually, a phone ringing at this time of morning (6:14 am) means only one thing - SCHOOL DELAY OR NO SCHOOL! I ran to the phone, somewhat irritated but somewhat happy with the thought of getting more sleep. Too late, missed the call.  Sitting anxiously on the couch in my PJ's, (which was just a tank top...brrrrr!!!) I waited for the voicemail to finish recording the recorded message and dialed excitedly to hear the good news. I hear this: Good morning. Although there are patches of lingering snow and ice throughout the county this morning, for the most part roads are okay. The worst conditions are in the Enka and Erwin District, so ONLY ENKA AND ERWIN schools will be on a 2-hour delay today, Thursday January 16, with no buses on ...

This is not the chipper TGIF kind of Friday post.  I am sorry to put a damper on your excitement for the weekend, but today I am finding I miss those 'good old days' where we didn't have worries other than lava on the floor. source: Pinterest I am not feeling that chipper! Instead, I am facing a day of unpleasant tasks. Though it will be good to have them done and out of the way so I CAN enjoy the weekend, I am not enjoying the worry and sour mood these tasks bring me. So pardon me for putting a damper on your joy at rejoicing the favorite day of the week. Though I may get to sleep in tomorrow, I am still dealing with the stresses of the stupid health care crap, and this other one pesky problem. source: imgfave.com Some day soon I know this problem will be solved, but in the meantime, I would much prefer to jump on the couch a little.  This would be a better pastime than the other 'game' we made up as a kids. I hate to even admit it, but our game wen...

How frustrating is it when you see a package of Oreo's, or any chocolatey goodness cookie, in the cupboard, get a glass of milk, and sit down to enjoy a nice afternoon milk and cookies session, only to find one lone cookie in the package? One Damn Cookie Left photo courtesy of Raige Creations Or how about getting that package of cookies, then going to get the milk only to find out there is barely a half glass of milk left? A while back, my oldest son was home from college on break, and this is exactly what happened. The rant that came out of his mouth was like one I haven't heard since he was a toddler and the lizards didn't stop long enough for him to grab one.  "Why do you people ALWAYS leave ONE thing left in the package?! Seriously, every time I come home I see this crap." Wha?  "Yes, every time I come home and get something out of the cupboard, there is only one left in the package! Why can't you people just finish the last one?" ...

Spiderman. In the upper left corner. Glaring at me everytime I am in the bathroom. Minions among other things. Looking over my shoulder every time I cook. These are the things my children leave me. And no, I do not have little children anymore. The are teens, all driving. Yet they still leave me stickers. Thank goodness for the little things that make me smile. What little things do your kids leave you - that make you smile? (not the little things that make you cuss, now, the ones that make you smile)

NaBloPoMo Prompt. If you had to switch your first name, what name would you choose and why? source I was never one of those children who wanted to change their name. My brother and sister had that phase. I remember the year they made Christmas stocking with their desired names on them, and were permitted to use them! Me? I was satisfied with my own name: Rebecca.  My father lovingly teased me when he called my Rebecca from Sunnybrook Farms .  At even more playful times, he would call me Beckerooni. My friends simply shortened it to Roo , as we had Pooh and Tigger Too in the group.  All this I was quite comfortable with, never thinking of a name I would rather be called. Hubby took to calling me Beck, which was once mis-heard by one who called my Beth from then on. I never corrected him.  Then, last year, people kept calling me Rachel . Even right after introductions, saying 'Well it was nice to meet you Rachel' to which I immediately corrected t...

Why did I get up so early today? Since we moved the business out of its downtown location, and I no longer have to work 6 days a week, including all weekend long, I have completely enjoyed sleeping in on Saturdays. I do still wake up, but the freedom of not having to get up, going back to sleep....ahhhh. There is nothing quite like it. But today, alarm went off the normal weekday time. I got up by 6:30 am (yes, I like to press snooze for an excessive amount of time), made coffee, fed the animals, the normal morning routine. WHY? My youngest son had to meet his drivers ed teacher at 7:30am! photo courtesy of   Travelers Point . Yup. It has happened.  All of my children are now drivers . I now have to dispense the advice that has been handed down from my father .    My youngest is now on the road. He took the class, and now is out there with all those other crazy drivers . I honestly don't know if I can handle sitting in the car with him while h...

These thoughts occurred to me today: I cannot help me to the detriment of you and I cannot help you to the detriment of me It also occurred to me I am guilty of both. This is a fine line we all walk - helping others and helping ourselves. It is an ever shifting line, and often we get all tangled up in that line.  It came to my attention that my walks and runs, ever increasing in length and exertion, have taken a small toll on the dog. She seems always starving when it's dinner time. I know, she is a dog and always wants what we are having, but lately her demeanor is urgent. Her vibes are - 'I am SO hungry ... I WANT WHAT YOU ARE MAKING'. So much so I am tripping over her as I prepare dinner!  Also, she no longer pulls me on our walks, well unless a squirrel runs in our path. She walks right beside me, even lags sometimes. That is until we make the turn around to come home, then she is out front again. And today, she looked downright miserable by the time...

One Organized Person - this is NOT my list.... There is much talk about 'how to handle' Thanksgiving:   How to deal with extended family , how to cook the bird, how to make the pies, how to make certain side dishes ahead , the secret to carving breast meat , how to set the table , what to wear on Thanksgiving , and there are even playlist suggestions for Thanksgiving music !  Now THIS could be fun to try to do..... Just reading all this stresses me out! Our game plan this year is much simpler. The big thing for me is I took today off, meaning 3 days in a row off for me. Ridiculously huge. So did I choose to spend today running around preparing home made desserts and prep-ahead side dishes?  NO. WAY.  I am sitting with my entire family, hubby and all three kids, enjoying the banter of video game talk, joking about being so hungry but everything to eat involves work (! - like getting a bowl and cereal out is tough...oh yeah, milk too...oh the eff...

'Take time to stop and smell the flowers' they say.  Yes, that sounds like a good idea, but every time I stop and take a minute, I say to myself "When the heck did THAT happen?!?" Things are moving so fast these days, events that happen often take me by surprise. For example, my oldest is now in his second week of college! Yes, well into classes and settled in. I know we drove him there, unloaded all his things, said our goodbyes and drove home without him. (all in one day too, 5 1/2 hour drive each way. No wonder it is all a blur.)   See me hanging on tight.... when did he get so tall??? I look at the pictures and think 'When the heck did my little Cuddle Bear become a man?' It seems like it happened so fast, the last 18 years..... Then today, I nearly fell over when my  youngest  walked in the kitchen like this:   Sir, yes Sir! He is in JROTC, and uniforms are the dress each Wednesday. But when did he become such a handsome young man? (...

"Look, if you had one shot  or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment Would you capture it ...or just let it slip? "You better lose yourself in the music,  the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot do not miss  your chance to blow This opportunity comes once  in a lifetime yo" Oh the time goes so fast. From this little 3 year old whose whole life revolved around catching lizards (do you see it there on his shoulder?) ,  scooting his little sister around the yard in his jeep,  and being the leader of the kids, and 'Lost Boys' being Peter Pan , at age 4 with his little sister 'Tink' , and his little brother 'Michael Darling'  for Halloween. Now a smart and ambitious 17 year  old who finished high school in 3 1/2 years. This Music Monday is dedicated to him. At a turning point in his life, where he is beginning a new chapter in ...