The Diamond Engagement Ring "Tradition"

Getting engaged has been one of THE most exciting moments of my life (duh, right?). We received many congratulations the night of, and many more came in as our friends and family heard the news.


When Wendell proposed he mentioned that we have always been an unconventional couple. Firstly, we met online. That was something even I use to tease people about, until it happened to me. I was the one who flew out to meet him. We bought a house together before we were even engaged. And most recently we got engaged sans the "traditional" diamond engagement ring (insert gasps, wide eyed looks and sympathy head tilts here, pffffffft!).


We had been talking about marriage for some time before our actual engagement. There is no doubt in either one of our hearts or minds that we are meant to be together. There aren't sufficient words to explain what this love has done for me, for us and our lives in general. When we realized that money was the ONLY thing keeping us from getting married we decided we were not going to let THAT keep us from tying the knot.


Since our engagement I have taken advantage of sharing the news with just about anyone who cares to hear it (and sometimes those who don't). Co-workers, the bank tellers, the mail lady, neighbors, the cashier at the Mexican restaurant I frequent, you get the idea. There is one thing that bothers me when I do share this news with others and it's not the automatic glance towards my ring finger. I understand how accustomed our society is to the idea of a diamond engagement ring. That doesn't get to me, I even expected the glances and questions in regards to my naked ring finger. What really gets to me are certain reactions I get when I say "there is no engagement ring". I get everything from "awww" accompanied by a head tilt, surprised oh's, to raised eyebrows that come with a matter-of-fact "huh" (insert eye roll here).

The diamond engagement ring isn't even a tradition rooted in romance, it stems from a clever marketing ploy by De Beers that began in the 1930's after the Great Depression. The history and traditions of engagement vary by location, culture, religion, etc. Some are as simple as a man giving a woman a pair of gloves or even a twig! There are many beautiful, rarely practiced traditions (in the true sense of the word) when it comes to engagement that I can't help but wonder how so many were conned into believing that nothing short of a diamond ring would do.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not anti lavish gifts and diamond rings are lovely items, I just disagree with the concept that they are a necessity. Wendell has demonstrated his love for me in countless ways on a daily basis. I don't need him to dish out two months salary just to reiterate what he's already more than proven to me. Hell, Paris Hilton recieved a 24 carat diamond engagement ring and we (sadly) all know that relationship lasted about as long as a tic tac.

Despite telling him that "the ring" doesn't matter to me he insists on getting me one as soon as possible. I won't deny him that privilege. I'm not one to turn down a gift. I like telling people that he has given me more than I had ever hoped for and has made me insanely happy. There isn't a single gem of any size in the entire world that could hold the value of what that means to me. So, materialistic women can scoff all they want, they'll probably never know a love like ours.

Bragging Rights

Every woman thinks their significant other is talented in some aspect or another. When you love someone you see them through your love lenses and they're just awesome, even if their talent isn't a great talent. I don't mean to sound like a bragging, know-it-all bitch, but my Gordo really IS talented (I swear to Buddha).

He has many talents, but I won't rub them all in your faces in this post. If you don't believe me just go here:

www.myspace.com/musicofdharma

Take a listen, if you disagree with me, please feel free to come back here and let me know.

By the way......he's the vocalist.

Stimulating the Economy

Wendell and I had a busy, busy day today. We had all kinds of plans to work on our house, clean up, organize, paint, rearrange, make it more "us". That was the plan anyway...

It started with a quick trip to the bank since I needed to send some cash via snail mail, I need my CA driving record in order to get my DL here, AND, I'll have to take the written test....DUN...DUN...DUUUUUUUUUUN!!! I am oh so excited about that, NOT!

At the drive-thru window Wendell asks me if I want to go shopping. As if he ever reeeaaalllly needs to ask me THAT question. We were in dire need of a new comforter since our old one was left in the dryer too long and the corners shriveled up and the rest of it ended up with patches of discolorment (is that even a word?). I've been wanting a new one since I pulled it out of the dryer in its horrid state last October. But, pretty things aren't necessarily at the top of Wendell's priority list, so after asking him 3 times that day if we could buy a new one, I hadn't asked again. So, you can imagine my joy when he asked if I wanted to go shopping for a new one!

My first thought was "Pottery Barn" as my heart pitter pattered at the idea of their lovely colors and patterns, but I knew Wendell wasn't looking to spend big bucks on "just a blanket". So Target it was. As usual, we couldn't agree on color nor pattern, so we headed for Wal-mart *sigh* I wasn't too upset that we left there also unable to agree on a color or pattern. So I suggested Bed Bath & Beyond. Wendell was all for it, and it didn't dawn on me that he had probably never walked into a BB&B to realize that the price tag was bigger than those at Target or Wal-Mart. We found several we liked and actually agreed on, however, we didn't agree on the dollar amount. Again, after store #3 we left empty handed.

Today was especially warm (which I just loved) so by this point with only a minimal breakfast in our bellies, we were famished. Choosing a place to eat can prove to be just as much of a task as agreeing on a comforter, if not moreso. Luckily for us we found a nice looking Mexican restaurant tucked away behind some other food places. It was a well needed meal (and a beer for Wendell and a Margarita for me). And now that we were refueled, onward we marched....back to Target.

We decided we needed to pick up some additional items, and well, we just love Target. So back to trying to find a comforter set we could agree on. Forest Gump's momma was right, miracles do happen every day. We found a comforter we had looked over on our first trip that we both liked...SCORE! I don't know about you, but I can never go into Target for a single solitary item without making a round of at least half of the store, just in case there's something else I don't really need that I absolutely must have. So, we picked up some TV trays and a movie.

So, after a long day spent running around town, Casita Hess is still a disaster area, no painting got done, and we can look forward to another busy day tomorrow instead of being a couple of amoebas and doing nothing (well, maybe).

Oh yeah, did I mention we bought another car? Another Kia. Nothing fancy, so I haven't taken any pics. It was really just a replacement for our other car that perished in the fire and which 0 of 2 insurance companies will cover. We were just going to pick up our plates for the Soul and our car salesman worked his magic and got us an incredible deal we couldn't refuse. And we've decided that the Soul is mine and Wendell gets the Spectra.

And that my friends is how Wendell and I did our part to stimulate the economy today....Tadaaa!

Three.....O!

Friday, April 10th it happened.......I turned 30. 30? I've really been here THAT long?

Of course I got the old lady jokes all day. Wendell kept mentioning that 40 is just around the corner and 50 will be here before I know it. And one of my sisters and brother-in-laws called to sing me their rendition of "Happy Over The Hill Birthday", all while cracking themselves up.

Originally I was to spend my 30th in L.A., but for some unfortunate circumstances we weren't able to make the trip. We are however, planning a trip for the summer! (sunny beaches here I come!) Instead we opted for a night on the town as dancing is one of my many passions, though it is near the top of the list. And it had been a while since my feet graced a dancefloor.

Despite being stood up by a couple of friends (I won't name names, *cough...Chris & Chey...cough*) we had a grand ol' time. We bellied up to a bar and had several drinks, some even on the house since it was moi's birfday. It was a very, very rainy and stormy night so I basically had a dancefloor to myself....SCORE! We were entertained by a group of characters at the bar and we even made a couple of new friends, which still being farily new in town, we could use.

I missed being around familiar faces for my birthday as birthdays are always a big deal back home, but Wendell made my day (and night) grand. As did those I celebrated with. I had a damn good time.

I got to go shopping for a new outfit and stuff and I got my hair done too! It wasn't cheap....and to top that off Wendell got me a new iPod and hard drive since my last one crapped out on me, and then to top even that he also got me a whole 10" Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. If you're a chocoholic and you haven't had a slice of one of those......you are missing out! Your eyes will literally roll into the back of your head, it is not for the faint of heart (or diabetics).

Here's a looksie at moi all gussied up for a night on the town:

Sadly this is the only picture we got of the WHOLE night. But drinking more than your usual will do that to you.

We ended the night with a cab ride home with a driver who was nice enough to pull over (maybe more than once) so that I could exorcise some of the fun I had through the course of the night (sexy, innit?) I woke the next morning with tangled hair, almost fully dressed....with a desert in my mouth and a head that weighed about 10 tons. And it only took me 2 days to recover.

My hair didn't take to what was done to it, so I had to have it redone. Because when you pay as much as i did for hair, you can bet your ass that it's what I'm going to get no matter what! The salon was awesome though and gave me no fuss.....and here's the finished product:

And on a final note.....I so don't feel 30! I swear at times I still feel 16 (minus the insecurities and uncertianties). I think I'll always be one of those people who hangs on to youthful qualities, whether or not I'll keep looking youthful is another story.

"Growing old is a requirement, growing up is a choice" - I don't know who said it, but I like it!

Nyuck...nyuck...nyuck

Last Friday Wendell and I played out our own scene of The Three Stooges. We play fight...a lot. I like to say Molly is the 3rd stooge as she always barks, jumps and paws at us when we do. Our last play fight was no exception.

Wendell took his stance, took a few swings....but I was already floating like a butterfly, so he missed. I'm floatin.....and floatin'....and I saw my opportunity.....STING....just like a bee! Molly instantly joined in the fight jumping and barking. She proved to be a slight distraction which allowed Wendell a few jabs.

But now that I was alert:

He was taking it like a man. Then he restorted to kicking....a disadvantage to me. My 5'3 stature next to his 6'4 didn't stand much of a chance.....but I wasn't going to let that keep me down.....no sir!

So I kicked back.....but he was too quick for me.....he grabbed my foot. I tried to stable myself to no avail. I hopped and hopped my way right smack into a shelving unit of DVD's

I was waiting for the rainfall of DVD's to pelt my head, but miraculously not a single one left its shelf. Instead, the large vase full of wilting flowers sitting atop the shelving unit toppled over showering me with murky water and flower petals in an array of sizes, shapes and colors, and it would not have been complete without the smelly, sticky stems sticking to my hair. Who could resist bursting into laughter after a scene like that?

I was covered in the icky remnants of what once were lovely, aromatic flowers. And of course all this happens as we are suppose to be heading out the door for a bite to eat with a friend who just so happened to come to the door right after I stripped off my wet, stinky and dead flower decorated clothes, leaving me to make a mad dash to the bathroom to dry off, deflower and change.

We've got S-O-U-L......

Wendell and I have had many firsts together......and this past Sunday we added yet another to that list.....a brand spankin' new car! The 2010 Kia Soul....ch...ch....check it out!

Zee front

Zee Driver's Area

This is the section I'll be using the most!

Speakers that light up to the beat of the music!

More of the front area

Check out those seats!

Love that logo

Zee Moon Roof

Zee Passenger Side

Some more of those pimped out seats

A roomy backseat (this angle doesn't do it justice)

Soul Booty

Plenty O' cargo space, plus folding seats

And one final look at our wicked new ride!

It may not be a Mercedes.....but it's funky.......it suits us.......and doesn't hurt our wallet. Oh, and did I mention we are the first people in Louisville to own one? Two firsts for the price of one! The perks:

• 34 miles to the gallon


• 10,000mile/7 year bumper to bumper warranty


• Roadside assistance that tops what AAA provides


• A killer soundsystem, complete with tweeters and a subwoofer! What more could two music junkies ask?


• Free Sirius satellite radio for 3 months


• Built in blue tooth for handsfree convos


• 2 front and 2 rear power outlets, usb port, plug in your iPod and/or laptop!

There's more but I don't want to sound too much like a commercial, well moreso than I already do. Come visit....we'll take you for a spin!

Happy Valentine's Day

What better day to begin a blog about Love than on Valentine's Day?

This blog will follow the story of a country boy and a city girl who met online, completely by chance.....or fate.

It all started with a casual conversation about music, then exchanges of funny emails, which eventually led to 5 hour long phone conversations while drinking red wine, and of course sharing music. As they grew to know more about each other, feelings developed and grew. One day, the city girl hopped on plane from L.A. to Albuquerque, NM to meet this country boy face to face. Impulsive? Yes. Exciting? Yes. Crazy? Yes.

While on this plane to NM the city girl came to her senses and realized this was just plain CRAZY. This guy could be nuts! He could be creepy! He could cut out her kidney to sell on the black market and leave her in a bathtub full of ice in a seedy motel room! As she kept herself from hyperventilating she decided that once the plane landed she would change her ticket and fly right back home. Well, the airport in NM isn't open 24hrs like LAX, so she was "stuck". Thankfully.

That weekend was a weekend of bliss for the pair. Both felt things that they had never felt ever before. Butterflies in bellies like never before, they soared higher than cloud 9, it had to be too good to be true.

So, a long distance relationship began. Trips to L.A., and trips to NM followed. As did love letters and phone calls into the wee hours of the night. The only problem was the distance, oh the distance!

The city girl, being the silly city girl that she could be, questioned all that she had, weighed the pros and cons. She told herself she couldn't leave the city, so she told the country boy goodbye. She tried to convince herself she had done the right thing, what was best, and besides, she still had the city.

Sad days ensued, confusion set in, and bad decisions were made. The city girl missed the country boy, and he missed her too. So much time had passed, what were these two broken hearted lovers to do?

One day the city girl snapped out of her funk, grew tired of sadness and bad decisions, she knew she had to take a chance to get back what she had. The worst answer would be no, so she picked up the phone and called the country boy. And with a simple hello, things began to fall into place...

Fast forward a couple of years:

Present day, Louisville, KY.

The city girl and her country boy are madly in love, live in a house they own, with two dogs and big, big plans. And with that, the story continues......