He's Mine & I Love Him

The other day, Rashan and I were chatting about randomness when I popped up with something I imagine I'll ask him to do when I'm pregnant. I don't even remember what it was but he looked surprised. Then he turned and looked me in the eye and said, "I can't think of a single thing I won't want to do for you when you're pregnant." *swoon* Just SWOON!!

That Virtue...

God bless my PATIENT husband.  Through all of his jerkiness (some of it shocking in its hilarity), he really has a calming spirit. Even when I'm tense and at my nuttiest, I can relax around him. I am notoriously not a morning person.  If I'm up in the early morning hours (see: any time prior to 9am), I always want it to be because I haven't been to bed yet, not because I'm up starting my day.  But no matter how much sleep I've had or how close to my ideal waking hour I am, please don't talk to me in the first hour.  You can feed me.  As a matter of fact, please do!  But please, please keep talking to a minimum.

Here's what I need you to do in the morning.

1. Please leave or do your thing as quietly as possible. This is to ensure you don't disturb me. I probably need two more hours of rest than you do.  And unless I'm really tired, I am a light sleeper.  
2. Don't say my name.  No matter how asleep I am, I always hear my name and answer to it.  My friends discovered this in undergrad.  It makes me laugh!  Unless I'm sleeping...
3. When you hear me stirring (or more likely see me on twitter/fb), begin to prepare or gather my preferred breakfast.  Yes I did.  I rarely stray from the classics when not dining at a restaurant.  For fast food I either want a bacon, egg & cheese or a sausage egg mcmuffin with cheese.  With hash browns.  I don't trust fast food grits.  Even in the south.  If you're going to Chick-fil-a or Bojangles, I want a spicy chicken biscuit.  Again, hash browns.  If you have never had a Chick-fil-a buttery biscuit, fix your life immediately.  At home I want eggs (over medium), grits & bacon or sausage.  I can really have either bacon or sausage depending on the day and/or my mood.  Sometimes I don't care.  Sometimes I want a piece of each.  It's weird to me that some days I can't decide.  I like them both quite equally.  Unless it's turkey bacon.  I like all kinds of sausage (chicken, turkey, pork, veggie) but bacon shall only be pork.  It was written.* Side note: I made cooked (my mom hates when I cook and say make) an egg last night and Rashan was jumping when I flipped the egg in the pan. Sir... please take a seat if you're going to flinch at me using a pan to flip a single egg.
4. Feed me said breakfast.  Silently.
5. Check the clock.  If one hour has passed since you heard the stirring or read the tweets, proceed with the day.  But SLOWLY.  You are never sure whether the sleeping bear has fully awakened.

My fave roomie in college was the exact same way.  It plays a huge role in why she was my favorite roommate.  The first thing we need to say when getting ready in the morning is good-bye as we walk out the door.  I truly loved this about her.  It makes me happy all over again reminiscing about it!

On my wedding day, BFF Stace was SOO excited for me!  I was, too.  But I wasn't awake yet.  So I wanted her to calm down and keep it quiet.  I feel like when I first wake up I can hear EVERYTHING. If we've not yet passed the hour mark and I'm chatting and seem almost like myself, it is still not time for loudness. I already hear quite well (everything if you ask my dad!) and have an outrageous sense of smell but when I first wake up?  The slightest sound is magnified.  Do I have a tumor?  Please tell me that doesn't mean I have a tumor. Because I know it's not a hangover.

Fast forward to today and how this all relates back to my patient husband.  He's not quite as stringent on his rules but he does need a little time to fully awaken before he's ready to interact with me.  This is fine except on those days like today when I have been awake for hours.  By the time he's up, I'm ready to have a party!  And I've been waiting for HOURS to talk to him!  He always fights valiantly to participate in these chats before asking me to turn it from 11 to 5.5.  And he's so polite about it.  If I have to ask you to turn down your enthusiasm... tisn't pretty.  So bless him!  LOL


*If you are surprised that the most detailed portion of this post was about food, welcome.  This must be your first time here!  LOLOL Peruse The Record Dish for my food craziness and later today... MY 2011 THANKSGIVING MENU!!!

Rowland... A Trip to the Country

I learned something about my husband when we were planning our trip to the 5k... and it disturbed me.  He wanted the 4+-hour trip to start from home the day of the trip.  I knew the idea of me waking up to leave at 3 a.m. and sleeping on and off in the car before my first 3-mile run was a bad one so I began looking for alternatives.  But that wasn't what disturbed me. 

I realized my dad's hometown was en route to the festival and I was geeked!  I hadn't been in a good 15 years so I asked my dad where we could stay.  When he said my uncle has a nice trailer that he uses when he's in town, I was ready to hit the road!  I told Rashan it was country... He didn't know I meant cotton field country.  

Rashan was shook knowing cotton fields were in walking distance.

I was incredibly confused.  I thought Rashan knew both of my parents have country roots.  Straight country.  Cotton fields, dirt roads.  All of that.  He was uncomfortable when we hit the first dirt road.  And his nervousness started rubbing off on me.  Not cool.  And that was what disturbed me.  So it's not that you just like the city, it's that you've never been to the country and it makes you uncomfortable.  And most of all, there was nothing I could say to make him relax.  Umm... 

You know what's funny, though?  He asked me if one field had tobacco in it.  Okay.  I know I spent part of my childhood down here and my grandfather used to grow it but what do I look like being able to recognize tobacco in the field???  So funny.  After we dropped our bags, we went to see my grandparents' old house but couldn't find it.  I called my dad and he helped us out.  Turns out it was right around the corner.  It looks nothing like I remember it.  I had been warned it wasn't in the condition it was when my grandparents were alive so I honestly expected much worse but it was still strange.

My grandparents' graves

Next we went to "visit" the grandparents.  I felt like the graveyard wanderer.  Before December 2010, I hadn't seen any of my three deceased grandparents' graves in 15 or more years.  But in the last year I've now seen all of them?  I saw my mom's dad's grave while making my film about him over the last year.  That first visit was really emotional because I had learned more about him in a week than I'd known in my entire life.

At this grave site, I didn't get emotional in part because I kind of remember them but also because I was on the phone with my dad.  You know what he said, though?  That he was honored that I was visiting his ancestors.  Awwww.  I also saw my great grandma's grave (grandma's mom).  She was a landowner and business owner (a store called Rag Mop).  I didn't even know she was buried there.  We also saw the grave of my oldest uncle.  He died the same year as my grandma and used to call me JamesEllen (which at the time I haaaaated) because he said I looked exactly like both of my parents.  I thought of him on my wedding day because of that.  My SIL met my mom and said, "You look just like your mom!"  I said, "Wait til you see my dad."  LOLOL!  My dad walked in and she goes, "Whoa."  LOLOLOL!  So hilarious!  I definitely look like my dad's entire side.  That's cool but sometimes I wish I had some features readily identifiable as belonging to my mom's side.  You can see I look like my mom when I'm with her but I don't really look anything like her side.

The giant headstones

Back to the country in North and South Carolina...  Have you guys heard of South of the Border?  If you've driven anywhere near Interstate 95, you probably have.  It's only 15 minutes from my grandparents' house so it weighs prominently in my memories of them.  So of course a trip down there necessitated a trip to South of the Border.  Dad gave me directions there, too.

I had talked to my favorite aunt, currently the family historian on that side, who told me we have another family graveyard right next to South of the Border... on yet another dirt road.  Rashan was so put out!!  At this point it was quite hilarious!  Can you please calm all the way down??? Please??? Merci!  At this family graveyard, there were two family headstones taller than me (granted I'm only 5'1 but still).  Can I get one of those when I kick the bucket??  I don't know nearly enough about this side of the family so clearly I have some work to do on this side.  My aunt has traced back to 1865 and has agreed to pass it on to me.  Whee!

Sombrero tower ride

After grave time, we headed over to South of the Border!  This Sombrero tower had super cheap rides... IDK why we didn't hop on.  I went through phases with SOTB.  As a kid, of course I loved it.  The stores with trinkets, the rides, the bright colors.  As a teenager, I was obviously too cool for it. I'll let you know, I've turned a corner into nostalgia.  It reminds me of my childhood and the store is filled with things I would buy to amuse myself and others if not for limited space and varying levels of taste.

One thing my grandmother INSISTED when we visited her was that her children take her grandchildren to get ice cream.  So you know I had to go get ice cream, right?  Rashan was like, "But... you have to race tomorrow. You can't get ice cream."  I listened to that about 7 minutes then I said, "Pleaaaaase can I get ice cream????"  Why did I do that?  Like he's my trainer and/or controls what I eat?  I have no idea.  LOL

WE GOT ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!  So exciting! :)

The ice cream parlor

Coffee ice cream $1.95

Afterward, we went across the street and wandered around the "pantry".  It was full of Southern jellies, jams, candies and snacks.  Some I approved of, some I was dismayed by...  Want to know some I was dismayed by?  Beet eggs (WAY TO RUIN EGGS!!!!), chicken skin cracklins (I'm crazy for this since I like pork cracklins... it's just that I've never even heard of chicken skin cracklins), packaged boiled peanuts (wait... you BOILED THEM, then put them in a can/bag. no.) and packaged fatback (I love fatback but fatback in a bag????).  I didn't want but was okay with scuppernong grape jelly.  You know what I didn't know you could still buy?  Candy cigarettes.  I told Rashan he should buy some for his nieces and nephews and he declined.  Then almost a week later, I realized they would've been PERFECT for my Donatella Versace costume!  Hater!

South of the Border at night!

My friend pointed out that that picture would've been even better if I was a few inches higher.  That sombrero would've been on my head... HILARIOUS!!!!

We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant about 5 miles south and it was quite good.  Then we headed back to my uncle's place.  Y'all.  That happy face Rashan had?  Gone.  He couldn't get comfortable.  He couldn't sleep for more than 10 or 15 minutes.  Um... what?  He was making me nervous.  I had to go in a room and leave him to get some sleep.  Then I woke up at 2 and couldn't get back to sleep for hours.  I told him he needs to know we will be going to the country again when we go to Mississippi to see my mom's side.  He's not ready.  And I'm not ready for his nervousness.  -_-  Pray for us.

Solicitation

Please don't arrest me!  I'm soliciting!  One day only!!  (Okay two days...)  I'm looking for some DIY stuff that costs less than $10 to decorate a ceremony or reception site or just general wedding stuff.  Yep.  I said that.  Less than $10.  Total.  Not per table.  Total.  The theme is peacock but don't get too crazy.  I don't want it to look like a peacock exploded.  The colors are turquoise, magenta, royal purple.  Basically colors of a peacock and that would complement a peacock.  I want it bright and beautiful!  I don't need it to look like we went to the country either.  (Even though the ceremony is in the country.)  And I promise I'll talk about something else on Monday! LOL

Before you go, though, from the some people don't know how to act files: one of my mom's friends.  I knew there was gonna be a problem with some church folk who have known me for almost 20 years.  If I can't invite my family (some of them, gladly), I can't invite you.  It's not necessarily (depending on the person) that I don't want you there and don't care about you, it's that I am not having a big wedding.  I really want people to get out of their feelings on this.  I really, really do.  Or at least stop making it clear that you are so put out that you, along with at least 100 other people I know, weren't invited.

The point.  One of mom's friends does flowers.  Mom said, "I'll ask her if you want me to."  I said, "I don't feel comfortable since she's not invited."  She says, "I think she would want to do it."  I say, "I don't know..."  She says, "I really think it will be okay."  So I finally agree to let her ask.  Mmhm.  You already know.  My mother is a lot less skeptical of people.  As is Rashan's mom.  Rashan and I are both far more cautious of people, him sometimes to an extreme, in other circumstances, I'm the more cautious party.  But anyway, the friend after asking why we're getting married so soon, to which my mom replies, "She's not pregnant." Mom... SMH.  You really don't need to throw that out there if it's not offered. Friend: I wasn't even thinking that.  Me (in my head): See? But NOW SHE IS!  I've really got to focus... this is like my blog posts used to be in the good old days.  I can't believe September makes 6 years since I started blogging.  That's insane to me.

The question of why so soon is irritating to me not so much because of the question but because of the implication behind the question.  There's always a real question beneath.  Does it matter why so soon?  Are you coming or not?  Our families may have looked or sounded shocked at the closeness of the date, but they've also known we were going to get married for over a year now.  It's not really a surprise.  Our next wedding (notice I said wedding, not marriage), we're inviting everyone to a big party and not telling them what it is.  If you come, you come, if not, you missed ANOTHER wedding.  LOLOL  This is to stick it to all the people who couldn't act right.  And don't think this is your warning!  Nope!  We will throw frequent parties.  :P

Friend!  So friend starts asking about all these details, what flowers (says one of them isn't in season now, she doesn't think, even though I know it is... also if one more person gives me the 1997 "tip" that flowers in season are cheaper...........................), what colors, what color ribbon do I want around my bouquet?  I'm thinking this is done.  One more thing to cross of the list.  Matter of fact I think I did cross it off.  You know what's coming, right?  My mom asks me the details she doesn't know, calls friend to report back, friend doesn't answer the phone.  Friend doesn't call for three days.  Friend finally calls to say she doesn't work with live flowers.  You know what?  If I cursed, I would be cussin you out right now.  Y'all don't have to cuss in the comments on my behalf but you're more than welcome to do so on your side of the screen.  Are you serious with that?  Really?  You knew FROM THE BEGINNING that you didn't work with live flowers.  You just want to be able to say you know something that nobody else knows so you can spread it around.

RASHAN DON'T READ THIS PART IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED ABOUT MY BOUQUET.  *snicker*  Like this will make any sense in his head anyway.  So all of the internet knows as well, I'm having white peonies and roses with peacock feathers, wrapped in a purple ribbon.  Take that, friend.  Ugh.  UGH!!!  Why do people act like that?!!?  I'm not at all insinuating that she's trying to ruin my day but she is most certainly making part of it about herself.  You're all up in your feelings so much that you have to basically steal time from me?  #cmonson  That is so unnecessary!!  I am planning a wedding in 4 weeks.  Why?  So I can start my life with my husband!!!  BECAUSE I LOVE THAT MAN AND HE LOVES ME!!!  But you want to get petty.  And do silly stuff.  I could've had those flowers ordered elsewhere at least a week ago.  Now I'm two weeks from my wedding with no flowers.  But you wanted to... you know what?  I'm done.  Wait.  I'm not done.  And when we have this big surprise party wedding, you, friend, will be the only one not invited.  NOW I'm done.

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 104

1) You guys, I LOVE the outpouring of support y'all gave us!  It's so sweet!  Rashan, however, does not love you.  He was going to give me $3 to tell y'all on Friday that we broke up and we're not getting married.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM!??!  I might have considered it... But I love y'all more than that!
2) I sent a request for well wishes to our Prez and I'm hoping he sends us a nice letter!  I will be SO excited!  It'll be framed with our wedding photos! :)  BUT when I did that, Rashan said, "You're just like my grandma."  .... Just what every bride wants to hear.

3) Speaking of brides... I want one of those bride tank tops that just has bride bedazzled across the chest.  Ooh! And a Mrs. MyNewLastName something or other.  Shirt, apron.  IDK.
4) My decision to hand-write our invites?  Oh my haaaaand!  Okay.  Enough wedding talk.  If there was more time, I'd start a wedding blog.  This thing is working hard to consume my life.  Raise your hand if you wouldn't mind hearing about it.  More importantly, raise your hand if you would mind.  Look at our stationery!!!
5) I love talking to people who don't like children.  I like them in small doses when they're well-behaved but I totally get people who don't like them and their conversations amuse me!
6) If I'm ever making potatoes for us, I should just make at least 8 servings because 4 is never enough.
7) Please tell me to stop using recipes that don't have amounts on them, just the ingredients!!!
8) I want some really delicious food!  That I don't have to cook.  Thank God I'm going home Thursday!  Get to work, mom!
9) I'm starting to like tomatoes.  Whaaaaa??  Like raw tomatoes w/some salt and pepper.  When I tell you I NEVER thought this would be me, I mean NEVER!  But they do remind me of these (sometimes) sweet little old ladies from my church, a now deceased mother-daughter duo, who were some of the most awesome cooks and bakers ever!!  Always served up raw tomatoes with fried chicken and homemade biscuits.  They were awesome.  Sometimes I really miss them when I go home.
10) Have you ever watched Match Game 74 on Game Show Network?  It's like the celebrities on that show are drunk!  It can be pretty funny.
11) Have I told you lately how much I love Dwight Shrute?  Watching old eps of 'The Office' from my fave season (2) is cracking me up!!!

Love

I'm avoiding stuff.  So... hey! I know! Let's take pictures in my lab!

Cheese!

Pow!

Someone's surprised!

What's so funny??

Yo so crazy! If you don't know that tv show, you should just end it now.

Now act normal.

I said normal!

What are you doing?

 Noooo! What are you doing??

 Thank you!

 This was supposed to be my picture!

 Come here you big lug!

 You missed my cheek, dear!

But I still love you!