Rachael Brownell » Reds http://rachaelbrownell.com Author Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:37:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Plus? She’s funny as Hell http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/18/plus-shes-funny-as-hell/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/18/plus-shes-funny-as-hell/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 23:20:27 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=744 Today at the meeting, people were talking about individual beliefs about God and Higher Power.. I’ve skirted the God thing thus far, but no more. Last week’s assignment: to make a list of qualities my God would have, if I had the power to design Him/Her.

To wit:

* approachable

* funny

* warm

* nonjudgmental

* easy-going

* swears

* appreciates dark humor

Prior to recovery, I doubt I would have believed that such a “create your own God” system would work… but if everyone I’ve met is to be believed, it does.

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Know someone in recovery or are you in recovery?

Join my twibe: Visit http://twibes.com/12step to join.

Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/16/tweeps-in-recovery/feed/ 0 Tao of disgusting dirty messes http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/14/tao-of-disgusting-dirty-messes/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/14/tao-of-disgusting-dirty-messes/#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 22:16:15 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=738 If there is some higher spiritual order to be found in accepting the destructive power of children in a home, when the adult present has recused herself from cleaning — giving herself a few days off — a blackbelt in watching a home get dirtier.. then I have one.

My therapist told me to practice doing nothing so I am. Doing. Nothing. Nothing about the mess, the dishes, the food, the floors, the living room… I’m doing other things instead. Things about books and writing, and girlfriends, and spiritual growth.

The dishes, this weeks’, can wait.

Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/14/tao-of-disgusting-dirty-messes/feed/ 2 Next Chapters http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/11/next-chapters/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/11/next-chapters/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 22:13:30 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=728 It’s been a long while since I wrote regularly on a blog. What began 3 years ago as a little side adventure blossomed into paying gigs and a recent stint as managing editor of Super Eco. All these opportunities pale in comparison to the impending challenge-fest: book tour and self-promotion extravaganza 2009.

My hesitance to take on the dual role of writer and promoter is no match for the peanut gallery in my life who encourage me to view the book as a project in need of delivery, petty fears and insecurities notwithstanding.

So this little site will soon shift to become a launching pad.. a nest for the bird of a book to take flight (with or without the perfect lipstick and shoes).

Until then…  Onward!


Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/05/11/next-chapters/feed/ 3 It’s a small thing http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/04/10/its-a-small-thing/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/04/10/its-a-small-thing/#comments Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:58:31 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=722 A small thing to be away for a few days and take great delight in throwing together a nice chicken dinner for the kids (who hate it anyway) and cleaning the house (even though it will get dirty again). It is a small thing to stop while swinging one’s daughters to observe them in a split second, growing up before your eyes. Laughing, heads back, innocent and open.

I celebrated 18 months of sobriety today. I am at home in the world.

Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/04/10/its-a-small-thing/feed/ 3 Giggle party http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/03/15/giggle-party/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/03/15/giggle-party/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:02:42 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=714 I’m sitting amidst gales of laughter as the girls do their part to bring the words “comfortable” + “naked” to happy agreement. Thus far, in my shepherding, I’ve encouraged using real words for body parts, discussing openly why this works this way and that works that. I’ve worked on being accepting of hearing “vagina” more in one day than some do in a lifetime. To them it is like the weather: regular, normal, and occasionally requiring in-depth discussion. 

Insert the obvious stories about embarrassingly loud remarks in public places, vociferous apologies to our (proper) babysitter when Violet taught her daughter the joys of the word “butt,” and you have the picture.

This joy in nakedness is pure and silly and mostly amazingly good (though I can’t help wishing I were raising them in a safer, simpler time).

And then I imagine Marlo Thomas and the whole crew of “Free to Be You and Me” are here with us, in spirit, laughing and clapping and singing along.

I’m sure that in these moments live caution and surrender – innocence and joy. A small message from God: Be happy. Be free.

Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/03/15/giggle-party/feed/ 0 And then it was play time… http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/01/23/and-then-it-was-play-time/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/01/23/and-then-it-was-play-time/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:36:40 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=688 Thank heaven for wonderful public parks!  

We all needed the fresh air, and Mommy needed time away from the computer.

This has been a full week: Super Eco’s launch, a new office, and more glad tidings.

Plus? I snagged Kelly to write for us and she’s so funny I’m going to put her in a pie!

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I have learned, in my 12-step fellowship, to value the inherent uniqueness of all stories,including my own — to love the flavors and subtleties of others’ tales, and watch their unfolding with an awareness and appreciation that would have inspired only yawns and eye-rolls 2 years ago.

Today is my 2nd day in my very own pretty little space.  My very own office, where I can work and think, with a door that locks.  And I suspect you know exactly what I mean.

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Retweet this post]]> http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/01/15/guilty-pleasures/feed/ 1 My book! It’s real! http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/01/12/my-book-its-real/ http://rachaelbrownell.com/2009/01/12/my-book-its-real/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:06:28 +0000 admin http://redsy.com/?p=644 Amazon.com: Mommy Doesn’t Drink Here Anymore: Getting Through the First Year of Sobriety: Rachael Brownell: BooksFor the past few months, I’ve been so wrapped up with work and family and busy-ness that I’ve almost missed the opportunity to do my happy dance.  Even though I’m still many months away from publication, my book is on Amazon

And Red Wheel Weiser and Conari’s catalog has a little write-up.

One of the most fun parts of this process was coming up with a dream list of possible writers who might endorse the book. She already said “yes” as did she. Thank you thank you thank you!

(David Sheff and Ann Patchett, if you’re out there and would like a personal slave for a year, please please endorse my book).

Meanwhile, life is grand…. 14 months of sobriety and counting.

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