My Many Names

I found this "tag" on Alison's blog. I wanted to find my other names/aliases. So here I go...

This girl was Sexy Lexy and I was Foxy Roxy. We were SO cool way back when!

1. My rock star name (first pet and current car): Marty Navigator

2. My gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor and favorite cookie): Rocky Road Chocolate Chip

3. My "fly girl" name (first initial of first name and first 3 letters of last name): R Ray

4. My detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Pink Giraffe

5. My soap opera name (middle name and city where you were born): Christine Denver

6. My Star Wars name (first 3 letters of your last name and first 2 letters of your first name): Rayra

7. My superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front): The Green Dr. Pepper

8. My Nascar name (first names of your grandfathers): David Lyman

9. My lounge singer name (name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy): Chance Snickers

10. My witness-protection name (mother's and father's middle names): Mozelle Edgar

I always knew I would be a great lounge singer...who wouldn't love Chance!

Family Fun

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Local Beach

We are having a great time with my mom and sister (and Little L). We are busy shopping, playing, and eating. The twins are really learning how to share everything with their 18 month old cousin (not the most fun thing). It is great to have the twinnies be with family and especially their cousin. We sure do love Little L!

Day at the Zoo

A couple weeks ago, the kids and I went to our favorite place - Lincoln Park Zoo. Ryan was out of town at the time, so it was just me and the kiddies! We had a fantastic time!

Famous Name

It is hard to have a famous name. I get all sorts of weird comments because of my name. At first, it did not really bother me. But now that Rachael Ray has a couple different TV shows and commercials, it is frustrating trying to field all these dumb comments. Here are some of the weird things people say to me:

" Are you related to her", " You look just like her", " Are you sisters?", "Can you cook?"

I usually want to respond to these comments with smart remarks like, " no, you idiot! do you think my mother would name me and my sister, Rachel and Rachael?" But I rarely do.

I like to think I am the original Rachel Ray or the Real Rachel Ray. I loved my name when I was first married, and now I want to go back to my maiden name. Thanks to this friend for giving me my blog name because I could not think of anything else.

On the flip side, I have had a few nice tables reserved for me at local restaurants. I can't complain about that. This sister can attest to it because she was with me the first time it happened.

Step Off

I loved this card because Holland was a spitter.

This is for you, BUG!

change of scenery

I have really been having a hard time lately. I know that sentence sounds so depressing, but it is true. I have been having more downs than highs lately. I know the weather is a HUGE part of it. In fact, it may be about 95 % of it. When it is nice and sunny outside, I feel happy. When it is not and dreary, I feel sad. My friend once said that the sun was her Prozac. That is totally how I feel lately. I hate that the weather has such an effect on me.

The last time I felt like this was about 4 years ago when I lived in Salt Lake and there was an awful inversion. We did not see the sun for about 6 weeks.

I am typically a happy and positive person. But I NEED some sunshine! It has been cold and snowy for the past 6 months. The last time I was on a vacation was in December. But, it was visiting family and friends in Utah. And it was super snowy and cold there too.

My point is, I have not had a chance to leave the state of Illinois in the last 4 months. I do not leave my house very often because I work from home in my office with a view of my garage. Sometimes I change it up a bit and work from my kitchen table. I hate to complain because I have great friends here and a great life. However, I just need a change.

So today, I grabbed my laptop and went across the street to Subway (of all places). Can I just tell you how much better I feel with a change of scenery? I am sitting in on the 2nd floor in front of a big, fat window watching a storm roll in. The storm is not making me feel depressed. It is actually really amazing.

I write this because I know many of you often feel the same way. So, change it up a bit the next time you are feeling down. You can always join me here at Subway. I am happy now. Or as my kids would say "all better".