Pressure

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel pressure to make sure their blog is good enough that people will read and leave comments? There's so much pressure to be funny, cute, or have a good story, and with no kids, that's kind of hard. No way can Aaron and I compete with forearm rolls and cute phrases.



(Behold the competition)

Unless...I totally embarrass the heck out of myself

I'm seriously debating doing it. Aaron would die if he knew that I was thinking of telling you this, because I've sworn him to secrecy, and he's going to be sad that he's not going to get to tell you, but there is some safety in telling it on the internet, because I'll either rarely see you, or (for those of you who I will see) it will be WAY too awkward to bring up in normal conversation (I hope.)

I think I've rambled enough...

So, I'm a morning person and Aaron is a night person. I'm tired at like 10:30 and he's still going strong, so I sleep on the couch while he does his homework because I hate going to bed by myself, it's dark and cold. But first, we need some background to the story...

When we were engaged, I was staying at Aaron's house right before Christmas. Aaron had to finish up working at UPS (he finished December 22nd) and our apartment contracts expired on December 20th, so I stayed with him until he finished and then we drove down to Overton on the 23rd (I promise this does have a point) While we were getting ready for bed, Aaron decided to tell me about when he went to Moab with a bunch of his friends last May. He mentioned that all the married guys started talking about when they first farted in front of their wives (lucky us). Aaron then proceeds to fart and then tries to fart on me. Yes, it's true. BEFORE we were married. Then he starts complaining that he's never heard any girl fart. I found that kind of hard to believe.

"Not even your sisters?"

"NO! I've never heard them (WAY TO GO Lizz & Ashley!)."

Talk about pressure. As much as I would like him to think I never do, I do.

Back to the couch. I was sleeping and Aaron woke me up and asked me if I was ready to go to bed. He then got this little smile on his face and told me thanks for helping him stay awake while he was doing homework. At first I thought he was being sarcastic and then he started laughing. And then the embarrassment came. Apparently, when you're asleep, you lose control over your butt muscles, and gas just comes. And he heard it all. And laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

That's it. That's my story. I fart in my sleep.

I can't believe I just told you.

Personality Test

Today in my religion class we talked about communication. Since my professor is a family therapist, it's kind of cool because he can bring in actual stories about problems that other couples have. He told us, that most of the time, the problems in communication arise because they're just different personalities and they don't know how to adapt their personality to fit the other. I really liked that about him. I think that's one of the biggest problems is that you try to change/fix your spouse instead of trying to adapt to what made you love them in the first place. Sister Wendy Watson Nelson (Russell M. Nelson's wife) came and talked to us for an Enrichment Activity and one of the things that she told us was "Imagine that the thing which irritates you the most, is the one way that your husband has of showing you how much he loves you." It makes it easier to deal with something that's irritating when you just tell yourself, this is him trying to tell me that he loves me.

Anywho, personality test. He put up 4 different personalities and described each one of them. I wasn't really able to decide which one sounded most like me, but I think it's kind of interesting to think about and learn about.

Dominant

• concerned about the bottom line
• task-oriented
• gets things done
• will tell you, rather than ask you
• time is very important to them
• usually offend easily, but offense is unintended
• best way to deal with a dominant personality is to take them seriously but not personally

Expressive

• energetic
• fast thinkers and fast talkers
• use their hands to express themselves. Ask an expressive to clasp their hands in front while talking, and they'll have a hard time talking
• relationships are very important
• want everyone to like them
• can't say no, tend to over-commit themselves
• usually thinks out loud
• physical touch is very important
  
• creative

Analytical

• think about everything
• ask lots of questions to understand
• can't leave things undone and it must be perfect the first time
• get really excited about a deal
• need a lot of information before they can make a decision
• have a checklist-but not so much excited about getting it done, as they are about checking something off

Amiable

• nice
• like working in a group, team oriented
• one of their biggest motivations is making other people happy, even if it makes them unhappy or suffer
• need to be asked, rather than told
• uncomfortable with touch, prefer some distance
• get sidetracked from their list
• don't get upset often
• will avoid conflict at all cost

Have fun with deciding which one you are. There's also another personality test that I've taken a couple of times called the color test. It assigns specific personalities different colors according to their motivations. I took it, and found out that I'm 47.5% Red, which is kind of depressing because among the famous people that he names who are red, are some dictators.

Congratulations you are a RED.

Reds are motivated by Power. They seek productivity and need to look good to others. Simply stated, reds want their own way. They like to be in the driver's seat and willingly pay the price to be in a leadership role. Reds value whatever gets them ahead in life, whether it be in their careers, school endeavors, or personal life. What reds value, they get done. They are often workaholics. They will, however, resist doing anything that doesn't interest them.

Not the most flattering thing, so thankfully, I'm not even half that. Promise. If you're interested, you can take the test at http://www.colorcode.com/personality_test/ Enjoy.

Ew ew ew ew: Tales of chocolate sauerkraut and sushi

I'm sitting at work and overhear someone talking about chocolate sauerkraut. Is that even possible? Should those two things ever be spoken in the same sentence? Hmm, chocolate and fermented cabbage. Sick.

Then I remembered when we were on our cruise, Aaron and I saw chocolate sushi. Oh my gosh. Poor chocolate. Having to touch things it was never intended to touch. Now it has to be next to oozing fish juice and kelp. Smothered on top of it. With little chocolate sprinkles.

Top that.

I don't think Gary is going to marry you

This weekend Aaron and I got to go down to Overton. We had talked about going down in February to visit and somehow Mitchell (my little brother) heard us talking about it and was so excited for Aaron to come so that he could play the Playstation with him. So we really didn't have a choice. It was a short visit but fun and exciting and complete with lots of cute sayings and funny stories.

We left at 10:00pm (UT time) and didn't get to Nevada until 2:00am (NV time) so 3:00am for us. We walked in the door and Kim bounced over to say hi along with my mom. I started noticing the Valentine's Day flowers on the table and went over to smell them and look at them. Kim seemed kind of antsy and finally stuck her left hand under my nose (right in the middle of my gerber daisy sniffing).

Me-"OH MY GOSH, YOU'RE ENGAGED"

Kim-I tried to call you twice, and then I tried Aaron's phone but his phone was rejecting my calls.

Kim then started to tell me about how it had all happened. Apparently Gary had talked to my dad the last weekend they were down and had gone with his mom to pick out the ring. Then on Friday night, he sent Stephanie outside with some rose petals to scatter on the sidewalk. When she got back, Gary told Kim that he was tired and asked her to walk him out to the car.

(On the sidewalk by Gary's car)

Gary-You know, it was 8 months exactly today that I asked you out for the first time. Best decision I ever made, and it was right here that I kissed you for the first time. What's that on the sidewalk?

Kim (looking down)-Oh it's just leaves (POOR GARY!)

Gary-Are you sure? I kind of think it's rose petals

Kim-No, they're leaves

Gary-Kim, I'm pretty sure they're rose petals. Feel them.

He then dropped on one knee and asked her to marry him. Now here's the kicker, just that day Emilie (my little sister, she's 5) told Kim "Kim, I don't think Gary is going to marry you. I think he's going to marry me. I think he likes me more because he's always talking to me and wanting to sit by me..." So it's finally official. They're thinking May 30th in the Las Vegas temple, which would mean that they get married exactly 5 months after me. My poor parents...my poor dad.


Mitchell invited Aaron and I to his Parks & Rec basketball game on Saturday morning, so even though we got home at 2 and didn't get to bed until 3 after the engagement excitement died down, we got up at 7 and made it to his 8 o'clock basketball game. He and Emilie are on the same team. It was cute to watch and Mitch made 3 baskets. It helps that he's the tallest kid on the team.

Feminine and Gay

I guess it's time for some updates. I'm really bad at blogging. I'm glad other people aren't though because it's interesting to read about their lives. Every conference when they talk about journal writing I feel really guilty because I know I should be doing it...but I don't.

Yesterday was so nice. Aaron and I went to church and then decided that all we ever do anymore is homework and work. So, we vegged. He worked on his car model (a Nissan Skyline) and I cross stitched. I'm excited to have it done so I can frame it and then start working on another. Aaron's also into flatland biking. His last bike was stolen last semester so we just got a new one. He broke it in yesterday. We drove down to a big parking lot and he practiced his tricks while I sat in the car and stayed warm and watched. I wish I wasn't such a big chicken. I'm too scared to get hurt to try stuff like that. But after I get hurt, I realize that it wasn't that bad. That's probably why I suck at ice skating. I'm too afraid of falling on my butt. So I instead cling to the wall and look like an idiot that way.

My anthropology professor has the coolest accent. I can't place it, but he sounds just like a professor and he wears argyle sweaters. One day we were talking about how different cultures interpret different things. Our professor scanned the audience and asked one of the boys to come up and sit on the piano in front of the class (a class of about 300) the way he was sitting in his seat. This guy got up and sat on the piano and then crossed his legs-the way a girl would. Aaron looked at me and pulled a face. I thought, "Wouldn't that be uncomfortable?" Then the professor, in his accent (which Aaron imitates very well, if you ever see him, ask him to do it for you) said

"You fellows, what would you think if you were a seventh grade lad and you saw one of your classmates sit like that?"

A long pause

"Exactly...feminine and gay."

It was so funny. Poor guy though, in front of everyone. Well, I guess he learned his lesson.


The cross stitch I'm working on. I'm way excited to finish it.

I could cry

Yesterday was the 30th, which meant it was time for Aaron's ring to come in. I called Samuels (they didn't call me :D) and they told me that the ring was in. After Aaron got off of work we hurried over to go and get his ring. He was so excited.

We got to the mall and walked straight to Samuels. Since it was closing, they only had two salesmen and we had to wait for a little while until they could help us. While we were waiting we were messing around and trying on the ring sizing rings that they have. Aaron was trying on the 7 1/2 and it was falling off his finger. I started to get kind of worried because I remembered that being the size that the girl told Aaron he needed.

When the salesman was finally able to help us he went and pulled out the ring that we've been waiting 2 months for and Aaron tried it on. It fell off his finger. I wanted to cry, I was so sick to my stomach. We'd waited 2 months and it was too big.

The salesman told us it would be another month before a new size could come in. Aaron was a little frustrated and I just wanted to cry. I wandered around the store looking at the rings while he talked to the guy because I knew if I was up there I would have burst into tears and I didn't want that.

After we left the mall, I was so frustrated and upset. It was just so sad to have him get his ring and then have it be too big and now we had to wait another month. That would mean we would have been married for two months before he got his ring. And the guy didn't even say sorry. I think that's what's bothered me the most about this whole ordeal. I have never been apologized to. They just pass the blame off on someone else. I really don't care who's fault it is. I just want someone to try to make it better, to go out of their way to try to make me happy, or grovel...something. Their indifference KILLS me.

This morning Aaron and I decided to look on the internet for a ring like his best friend Spencer told him to do. Well guess what. We found the exact same ring, for 160 dollars cheaper, and with a lifetime warranty, and lifetime resizing. I guess tungsten rings can't be resized so if you shrink or expand you have to get a new one. So we ordered it and it should be coming in a week. It was really nice calling Samuels and telling them we wanted to cancel our order. It made me feel better anyway, and we got a much better deal than we had with them.

I feel better

Rants, Raves, and Rings

So, a long time ago in December, December 6th to be exact, Aaron and I went to the mall to get his wedding band. While we were looking, Aaron pointed at one of the rings and told me that it was made of carbon fiber. All I could think of was

Me: "Wow, he knows a lot about rings."

Obviously Aaron had some explaining to do. His response was obviously masculine, so worries were quickly quenched.

Aaron: "They use carbon fiber in cars, and engines."

Me: "Oh..."

Anyways, the ring was perfect. It was tungsten and carbon fiber and he'd really wanted a tungsten ring. We picked it out, paid for it, and was told that we would get the ring in about a week and they would call us when it came in. Since we were getting married December 30, there was plenty of time and we weren't worried.

FAST FORWARD 10 DAYS

Aaron kept asking if they'd called about my ring yet. I finally called Samuels Jewelers and asked about the ring. The girl told me that those type of rings usually don't come in for 3 to 4 weeks. I did some quick mental math and figured out that 3 weeks would put us at December 27th. I was slightly annoyed but figured that some prayer could help us get the ring in time for the wedding.

FLASH-FORWARD TO DECEMBER 30TH

We're sitting in the temple and Aaron is still ringless. I felt so bad when the sealer asked if we were going to exchange rings and I had to say no, because Aaron didn't have his ring yet. He'd been wearing his CTR ring but it's too big and he's always having it fall off his finger.

JANUARY 6TH

Driving home from Las Vegas, I checked my phone to see if Samuels had called. They hadn't so Aaron called (since I had no voice).

Aaron: Hi, I'm calling regarding an order for Rachelle Lyon about a men's wedding band that was placed December 6

Samuels: What order?

My mouth almost dropped. I had the receipt and everything!

Samuels: We'll work on locating the order and then call you back

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER

Me: I don't think they're calling back

Aaron: I'll call them back.

Aaron: Hi, I'm calling about Rachelle Lyon's order

Samuels: Um, we're not quite sure what's going on with the order. We sent a fax to our company and it didn't go through. We'll send it again and call you back about what's going on

JANUARY 10th

I had gotten my voice back somewhat and figured that waiting 4 days for them to call us back was slightly ridiculous.

Samuels: Hi, this is Micah, what can I do for you?

Me: Hi, I'm calling about an order I made on December 6th for a men's wedding band. I was just wondering what's going on

Samuels: Well it looks like your order was placed January 7th, which doesn't make any sense because I have your receipt and it looks like you paid for it on December 6th. Tell you what, I'm going to call our distribution center and find out what's going on and I'll call you back

Me (in my head): Yeah right

I was getting ready for our open house while I was waiting for them to call back and told my mother-in-law Corinne that if Samuels hadn't called back by 5:00pm (which would have given them an hour and a half) I was going to call and ask for their manager to complain.

5:00PM

Me: Can I speak with your manager please. It's regarding an order

Manager: Hi this is Micah (yes the very same guy I'd talked to before!)

I basically told this guy that we had been told so many different things and I didn't even know if my ring was ordered and every time I had called I was told that I would be called back and I never was. He then offers this lame excuse that they got really busy and so he wasn't able to call me back. I'm thinking, a hour and a half and you can't find it in you to make a 5 minute phone call that you promised to make?

He then went on to say that he had no idea what was up with the ring but that if I gave him until 11:30am Monday morning he would call me and tell me what was happening. And if he didn't call me by 11:30am Monday morning, he gave me permission to call him...

12:00pm Monday, JANUARY 12th

I'm looking at my phone and notice that Samuels Jewelers is calling. I can't answer because I'm in class but am so happy that they're finally calling me back once, even if it is later than they said they would. I listen to the message after class and it's Micah, telling me that the ring will be in on Friday

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17th

Aaron and I are at Maceys buying stuff for a salad that we were taking to a family dinner and I call Samuels again because guess what...I haven't been called telling me that the ring is in

Me: I'm calling about the status of my ring

Samuels: It's scheduled to come in on January 30th. We've been having problems with our tungsten rings

Me: What? Why did the manager tell me that it would be in on Friday? I don't really care if it's coming in late because of problems with your orders, what bothers me is that your manager lied straight to my face when obviously you knew that it was supposed to come in on the 30th

Samuels: I don't know why he'd do that. If your husband wants a titanium ring, we can have that in a week or so

I'm thinking, I don't want a titanium ring, I want the ring that Aaron picked out and has been so excited to get and I'm so sad for him that we've been married for 3 weeks and he still doesn't have a ring and we've been lied to everytime we talk to this stupid company. I am NEVER going to Samuels again. So now we're waiting until January 30th...If another blog post appears on January 31st with an angry title, you'll know why :)