Seven Quick Takes (vol.2)

I’m back for round 2. I got quite a few comments last week so I’m assuming yall like an occasional random post. Works for me! FYI- you can click on this picture and it’ll take you to a list of other people who take part in 7 Quick Takes. You know, in case you need even more randomness on you Friday.

1.
This has been a weird week.. insurancely speaking. First there was the awful Dear John letter. Only it was Dear Chelsea and Stephen. And it was Love, Nationwide. That’s getting settled, by the way. No worries. On Wednesday I got a call from my sister-in-law. They are in the process of changing their homeowner’s insurance as well. I don’t know the full details but either the old insurance company or the new one asked her “Is Chelsea Rosenhagen still living with you? If not, we need proof of new residency and we’ll need to get her off of you policy.” Umm… what?! I’ve never lived with my sister-in-law. Or my brother. I’ve never had my name on any homeowner’s insurance policy before Stephen and I bought Hurst Castle. And Chelsea Rosenhagen hasn’t been my name in over two years. So very, very weird. We can’t figure it out.

2.
I got my laptop. (It’s the Acer Aspire Timeline, 14.1″… because I know you’ll ask.) So anyways, that means I started my book. It’s hard. Really, really hard. I’m sure there is some method for writing books that is more advanced than mine. I use the method where you have no idea what is going to happen. You just write, delete, write, eat chocolate, backspace, have some wine, write, stare, moan, write, save, etc. I’ll let you know how it works out for me.

Stephen walked in to the formal living room where I had set up shop and said, “So are you going to be known as that writer who drinks wine and eats M&M’s for her best ideas?” I can think of worse things to be known for.

3.
Remember Sophie? Here’s another picture.

From what I can understand, she’s trying to chew off her thumb so that her daddy doesn’t make her be an Aggie. They are a house divided and she so desperately wants to be a Longhorn that she seems to be going to extreme measures.

4.
I’d very much like to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book and a cup of coffee. Bonus points if it’s raining.

5.
So, yeah. To answer all of the comments from yesterday. Yes I have gray hair. No, it’s not my entire head. But there are quite a few in there. Many a time people will say, “No! You don’t have gray hair.” Then I bend my hair down and tell them to look closer. “Where? OH! Oh my gosh. That’s like, a lot. Wow.” Yeah. It’s not that I’m opposed to gray hair, I’m just opposed to gray hair at the age of 24. It started a few years ago. Seriously, who starts going gray at 21? Me. That’s who. I’m still convinced that I’m actually older than my parents say I am. Here’s a post from a long time ago that tells you why.

6.
I’m having some horrible lower back pain and lower abdomen pain. It started subtly a few days ago but this morning it’s pretty painful. I am SO SO SO hoping that I don’t have another cyst. I’ll give it about 2 days and if it doesn’t go away, I’m going to the doctor. I don’t tell you this for sympathy or concern. I tell you this because it is one of the 7 random things on my mind. I’m not too worried. I have random ailments all the time. They usually amount to nothing.

7.
I can’t stand Nickleback, Coldplay, or Shania Twain. And 90% of the time I can’t stand Beyonce.

That is all.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and you come back on Monday to tell me all about it. I will have a wonderful weekend assuming that this pain isn’t actually a cyst that is going to rupture.

Rainy Day Thoughts

Back in the day I decided I would randomly do “Rainy Day” posts. I keep a post in my drafts where I put random thoughts. Once it gets to a certain point, I post it. It’s difficult to come up with the appropriate time to post it. I have to find a balance between entertainment and “seriously, what is she thinking?!” Here it is… hoping I didn’t cross that line!

-I am FINALLY done painting our bedroom. It looks fantastic. Well, mostly. I still have a ways to go before it looks the way I want it, but at least the walls are painted. Gold flecked wallpaper, may you rest in peace.

-I like Taylor Swift just as much as the next guy, but there is such thing as too much Taylor Swift. I think she’s cute and her songs are catchy, but when I can flip through the radio and hear “You Belong With Me” on four channels, that’s too much. TOO MUCH.

-Any Miley Cyrus is too much.

-I got this text from my mom yesterday: “An old man just walked by on the beach with rolled up jorts…..”

-Okay so my friend Matt posted on this today but it still needs to be addressed. Have yall heard that song “Rockin the Beer Gut”??? At first I heard it and was in shock and tried to change it. But my finger just rested on the button. I couldn’t push it. Oh my goodness that song is catchy.

-I love my blog designer. She is awesome. Well obviously, look how stinking cute my site is. She’s making me a button so that all of my blog friends can post it to their site. (Because you’ll do it, right? Right?) It’s going to say “My Source of R&R.” Too cute. She’s already made it but something is wrong with the code. She’s going to fix it and we’ll get it posted soon enough. So if any of you are wanting a new blog design, check her out. Her button is on the right.

-Did anyone watch “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” last night? If you missed it, you’ll have to wait until next season since it was the season finale. It was ridiculously entertaining.

-I’m quite embarrassed at how much frozen food we’ve eaten lately. I haven’t been to the grocery store in a while. Stephen had a meeting at work last night. He called me when he left and I said, “Okay, I’ll get dinner started.” I walked to the kitchen to preheat the oven for our DiGiorno.

-How is it that not a single one of you had any advice for me on netbooks?! Aren’t we bloggers? Aren’t netbooks made for us? You’ve severely let me down. That’s why you get this crappy post today.

-I remember freshman year of college, my friend Michael made a New Year’s Resolution to go to bed each night while there were still 4 digits on the clock. We laughed at how ridiculous that was. We knew there would be no way he’d keep it. (Partially because we wouldn’t ever leave his room.) The past two nights I’ve gone to bed at midnight. I literally feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. It’s makes me feel old. And sad.

-A couple weeks ago Stephen and I went to the Dollar Store to buy loads of tissue paper for my fancy wall coverings. We got to the check out and the cashier guy looked and me to ask if I’d found everything I needed. I almost passed out. He had the lightest, most green eyes I had ever seen. It was shocking and scary. I couldn’t look at him in the eye. It was like I was looking at someone evil. Someone with super powers. We walked out and I said “Oh my gosh! Did you see that guys eyes??” Stephen looked at me and said, “Yeah, they looked just like yours.” Oh dear.

-My friend Lyndsey is coming to visit this weekend. I’m so excited I could poop.

I’ll leave you with a few pictures of why Lyndsey is one of my favorite people in the whole world.

This is Lyndsey at my rehearsal when she thought she was the bride.

And here she is with my sister. They are really normal and serious people. I don’t know what’s up with the lighting. They didn’t look like ghosts in real life.

And this is when she had a bit of a problem with self tanner on her feet. I love you Lyndsey. Don’t hate me for posting this. It’s just too funny to ignore.

Word Count: 582, Quality Count: 0

So this is the deal. I have nothing to tell you today. Nothing at all.

Stephen and I were going to go get ice cream from Baskin Robins last night with our monthly Buy One Get One Free coupons but those plans got postponed since he and my dad were too busy tearing apart our washing machine. My dad came over to take a look. Approximately .672 seconds after he looked at it he realized the problem was not with the lid clicky thing and that was what he was counting on. “Well, I’m out of advice…” So they unscrewed some things and checked out some wires and did something with some fancy contraption that makes a beeping sound when something happens. And after all of that, they think they found the problem. Stephen will get the replacement part tonight and see if he can work his magic.

Then maybe we can go to Baskin Robins and I’ll have some funny story to tell you about how Stephen ate a super rich ice cream cone even though he’s semi lactose intolerant and ate too much fiber cereal for breakfast and spent the rest of the night rolled into a ball screaming with stomach pains. (I say this so that it won’t come true. I’m pretty superstitious like that.)

Or maybe tonight I’ll Shred with Jillian and have something entertaining to tell you about how I’m about ready to punch her in the face for using words like “phone it in” or “I’d do just about anything for those abs”… Or about how annoyed I am that the chick on the left works out with her hair down. Who does that? (Besides Helen from the pink team… remember her? Ugh.)

Thanks to all of my blog and real life friends for your words of encouragement yesterday. I loved your comments and emails. We’ve all been in these sticky situations and it’s nice to have a few people around to tell you that sometimes you have to try harder to make lemonade. Sometimes you don’t actually have lemons, you have oranges. And sometimes you just need to add some vodka to make your lemonade taste better. Blog friends are great.

This weekend I was at Bella Rose with Lauren and her friend from Canada. My brother stopped by to help my dad fix a few things. As I was introducing them, Justin asked, “How do yall know each other?” This is where things get awkward to non-bloggers. “Well, um, Lauren is my blog friend. And I don’t actually know Corlene.”

His face was priceless. “Blog friend?? O…kay.” If he only knew. It’s a twisted little world we all live in. And I love every minute of it!

I’ve thrown this out there before and I usually get two or three tidbits of good advice. For days like this, when my life is dull and I have nothing to tell you, what do you want to hear? Are there any questions you have? Like… Is Stephen really that fun? (Yes.) Does he care that you write about him so much? (No. He likes it.) Does he even read? (Yes, everyday. Our marriage depends on it. Not really. But he does read.) Etc.

Additionally, I have a hilariously sarcastic friend who has decided that he wants to be my guest writer the next time I’m out of town. This is intriguing to me. I’m thinking this could open up a whole new world of fun here. Thoughts?

Updates and Links

Today is one of those days we both hate. I don’t have any stories that I care to share, so you have to read about a bunch of stuff you may or may not be interested it. And, sadly, you don’t know if you’re interested until you read it. So, sorry if none of the topics below interest you.

 

-Our friends Jim and Sarah are coming into town on Friday. We are so excited. We planned this little weekend months ago and it seemed like it was years away. I can’t believe it’s already here!

 

-Speaking of Jim, check out his garden. I’m thoroughly impressed. While his garden looks like it’s actually bearing fruit, ours appears to be bearing grass. Lots of grass. And weeds. Mad props to Jim for doing his homework and planting a successful garden. No props to Stephen and I for randomly planting seeds and ending up with grass and the beginnings of beans and cucumbers. We know we need to pull the weeds but we’re too scared… what if some of it is actually a veggie? We wouldn’t know the difference! So hopefully Jim’s expert eye can give us a hand this weekend. Jim, please be gentle when you tell us that we actually have nothing of value in our garden. Let us down easy…

 

-I’ve mentioned The Five Love Languages before and I’ve told you how great of a book it is. Check out what my friend Amanda has to say about it. She mentions that her and her fiance have opposite love languages. this is pretty common…. which is why it’s so important to learn your spouse’s love language. If you know me well, you know that I don’t like touching. Hugging is fine, to a certain point. I was never one of those girls in middle school that walked down the hall with her arms linked to her BFF. I’m terrible at cuddling. I hate to be held. It’s so sad. This is especially sad since Stephen’s love language is physical touch. So after reading the book and realizing that he feels loved when I touch him, the same way I feel loved when he does the dishes or mows the lawn, it was shocking. It definitely made me more intentional about hugging my man! (I know, Stephen, I am a work-in-progress!)

 

-Sometime in the next couple weeks, Roots and Rings is getting a facelift. One day you’ll come to the site and everything will look different. I’m so excited about it, I just know you’re going to love it. And if you don’t, don’t tell me!

 

-In an effort to keep things fun and interesting around here, I would love to hear your thoughts. With Biggest Loser being over, I was thinking about adding in another weekly post. Take a look at some of these or throw out some ideas of your own. I thought about a weekly recipe, but I already have the recipe blog. Just look there if you want a recipe! I will continue to do Props!, but this is not a weekly post. It’s a whenever-I-darn-well-feel-like-it post. So be creative and let me know what you want to read about it. After all, if you’re coming here to get your daily dose of R&R, I want to make sure you’re getting your fill!

 

-Rookie still looks ridiculous. And now I’m scared that her hair isn’t going to grow back. She has an under coat of fine fur and an over coat of coarse fur. Does the over coat of a dog grow back?? Does anyone know? I think I’ll vomit if it doesn’t.

 

Hopefully something today struck your fancy. If not, just scroll down and look at the pictures of Sophie again. Once you see her, I’m confident you won’t stay mad at me for long!

Save A Boring Post For a Rainy Day

It’s raining and I didn’t sleep much last night. Guess what that means?? It’s time for another rainy day post! Once again, here is a note going around on facebook. Enjoy… or just skip today’s post! (But come back tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be more entertaining!)

 

44 ODD Things

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, of course! I like all cheese!

2. Have you ever been drunk? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? No. But Stephen does. Does that count?

4. Favorite Kool Aid flavor? Cherry maybe. I don’t ever drink Kool-Aid. It’s delicious but I can think of many of ways I’d rather injest that many calories!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I have a few times before, but not usually.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Absolutely disgusting. I don’t eat tubed meat. I only enjoyed one hot dog in my life… Kelly made is for me at a Diamonds camp out. It was burned and I may have been drinking.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf. I also like White Christmas and A Christmas Story and Polar Express. Am I weird for not liking Love Actually? I really think I’m the only person in America that hates that movie.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee. Homemade, black.

9. Can you do push ups? I don’t think so. I’m a wimp.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My engagement ring and wedding bands. Duh!

11. Favorite hobby? Reading

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Nope. At home I can’t sit still but that doesn’t mean I have ADD. That just means I have Rosenhagen blood.

13. What’s your favorite shoe? How can you ask that?? It totally depends! I love my reefs. But I also love ballet slippers, my boat shoes, my boots, and my red heels! And I still love my gray New Balances. I think they are like 4 years old now!

14. Middle name? Rebecca

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? It is so hot in here. I can’t wait for the bathroom to be finished. I’m so excited for the Johnsons to come visit!!!

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, water, wine

17. Current worry? How to get the stains off my white kitchen tile

18. Current hate right now? My sleeping issues… I lay in bed for hours, fall asleep, somehow wake up at 4:50, finally fall back asleep and then have to get up. What is up with that?!

20. How did you bring in the New Year? In Michigan with the Hansens and a lot of people we didn’t know.

21. Where would you like to go? Disney World, New York, Spain… right now, home!

22. Name three people who will complete this? I’m not asking anyone to. But maybe Matt or Sarah will blog it? I’m sure many of you have done it on facebook.

23. Do you own slippers? 3 pair!

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? black

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? I don’t think I ever have. But I’m sure I wouldn’t enjoy it.

26. Can you whistle? No. Yes I’ve tried. No you can’t teach me.

27. Favorite color? Ummm that’s hard. Red? Burnt orange? Green?

28. Would you be a pirate? What? No. But I look like a pirate every night when I do my therapy! Arg!

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. Ever.

30. Favorite girl’s Name? You’ll have to wait and find out!!

31. Favorite boy’s name? Once again, you’ll have to wait!!

32. What’s in your pocket right now? What do you think…. Chapstick!

33. Last thing that made you laugh? I’m not sure. I don’t keep track of that sort of thing! I’m sure it was something Stephen or Rookie did!

34. Best bed sheets as a child? I have NO idea! Sorry mom, I don’t remember my sheets. I only remember sheets with the tiny flowers all over them. But they weren’t mine.

35. Worst injury you’ve ever had as a child? In my opinion, it was the massive splinter I got in my thigh. (Some may call it a splinter, I prefer to call it a plank.) It was from a picnic table and it went through my (forest green) jeans during a girl scout’s meeting. My parents pulled out some. Then the school nurse pulled out some. Then I went to the doctor and she numbed my leg with a MASSIVE shot and pulled out a bunch more. I have the scar to prove it.

36. Do you love where you live? The neighborhood, absolutely. Most days I love my house, sometimes I don’t.

38. Who is your loudest friend? My friends aren’t that loud. Maybe Lyndsey or Jennifer. No idea.

39. How many dogs do you have? 1, my wonderful Rookie dog!

40. Does someone have a crush on you? Oh gosh I hope so!

41. What is your favorite book? I like many books! (Twilight, He Loves Lucy, Jemima J, Les Miserables, Book Ends, Five Love Languages, Baby Proof, all Marian Keyes books, etc.)
42. What is your favorite candy? Andes and Reese’s

43. Favorite Sports Team? Astros, all Longhorns, Rice baseball

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I really don’t care. I’m certain I won’t be listening!

 

Sorry, boring blog day! Pray that I get some sleep tonight. My energy fuel tank is almost on E. Happy Thursday!

Umbrellas Up! It’s A Rainy Day

Our first Rainy Day Question. From the one and only Jimbo Johnson in Wichita Falls, TX:
If Biggest Loser was not shown one week because the President of the United States had the audacity to speak to the country in primetime, what would you do during that time?

 

Good question Jim. First I would cry. Then I might say a few choice words in the direction of said President. Ultimately I’d realize that this is one of those great national tragedies that I can do nothing to prevent, so I adapt.

 

Tuesday night Stephen and I went to Olive Garden for dinner. We had gotten a gift certificate from my parents for Valentine’s Day and I was craving some never-ending salad and breadsticks. It was delicious. As Stephen was focusing on his fresh-out-of-the-oven breadsticks, I was trying not to focus on the Loser I was missing. However, if Mr. Prez hadn’t chosen that time to speak and I hadn’t had a hankerin’ for some chicken parm, I wouldn’t have this little story to tell you: As Stephen and I were being shown to our table, there was a small mob of people crowded in the entry area. It was hard to maneuver. There was a mom and her two kids trying to shove their way through the crowd to leave. One of the boys was extremely focused on his Nintendo DS. The mom, who was trying to part the river like Moses in order to get her children out of captivity, screamed back at her son, “Christian, quit gaming and pay attention!”  This may be one of those “had to be there” incidents, but I thought that was hilarious. With my right hand raised and my left hand on the keyboard, I hereby pledge to never use the word “gaming” to my children.

 

Back to Loser. After Olive Garden we went home to pick up Rookie and took her to my parents house so she could play with Molly. And so we could steal my parents’ DVR. Then we went home so Stephen could do Loser yoga and I could do my therapy. And no, we didn’t watch the President’s speech. Mr. President, if your Crackberry starts buzzing and this entry shows up on your Google Reader, please please please hear my plea. Don’t mess with my Loser. Tuesday night is my tv night. Mess with another night. Ok? Thanks.

 

Thanks Jim, good question!

 

Another thing. I went to the Biggest Loser website yesterday when I was writing my blog. I couldn’t remember Cathy’s name so I had to look it up. On the front page there is an ad for a new trainer. Anyone have any theories? Who are they getting rid of? Or do you think they’ll have 3 teams again? I love Bob and don’t want him to go. I don’t LOVE Jillian but I think she’s a great trainer and she’s entertaining to watch. Anyone?

 

Also, the application to be on next season’s Biggest Loser is 9 pages long. Plus a 10 minute video and a picture. In those 9 pages and video, they couldn’t see Joelle was crazy? They couldn’t see that Vicky was a little witch? I know they couldn’t learn anything about Heba because Bob picked her and Ed up in a bar. So I guess he’s to blame for that mistake.

 

Have a fantastic weekend. I’ll be spending a good portion of my weekend at Minute Maid Park for the College Classic. I will be a Rice baseball fan for the first time in my life. I even have a hat to prove it! My cousin will be pitching on Sunday and I couldn’t be more excited! Hook ’em. Go Owls!