Opinionated

Do you like country music?

I didn’t. Then I came to college and my fabulous freshman roommate got me hooked. The first song I remember liking was “Speed” by Montgomery Gentry. Sometimes I need a break from country, but I have 3 country stations programmed on the car radio.

While we were in North Carolina there wasn’t much to listen to besides country music. I think even the Romgi started enjoying it a tiny bit, since he listened to the radio on his way to and from work every day. In fact, he started telling me about new songs that came out. He mentioned “Farmer’s Daughter” once, and we heard it so many times on our trip – and despite how ridiculous the song is (no offense if you enjoyed it!), I associate it so strongly with spending time with the Romgi in North Carolina that I’ve come to love/hate it. It helps that I imagine the singer (Rodney Atkins) is actually saying “dotter” (to rhyme with “hotter”), being very Southern.

I can’t ever decide if I like Jerrod Niemann’s song “Lover Lover” – a cover of the song “You Don’t Treat Me No Good No More” by Sonia Dada (thank you, Wikipedia). Sometimes it seems catchy, and other times it’s way too repetitive and annoying. Typical country, right? But it’s another that will always remind me of our trip back east.

Same with “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band. Aside from the fact that I really don’t understand why he says “chicken fried” instead of “fried chicken” (ok, for rhyming, I know, but seriously?), the song is a little too…perky. And optimistic. Wow, I sound grouchy when I say that.

I will admit to thoroughly enjoying Trace Adkins’ “This Ain’t No Love Song.” Mainly because it says “gee-tar” and how can you resist something like that? I keep meaning to buy it on iTunes, but I never get around to it…

Do you remember Hootie and the Blowfish? Of course you do. Their lead singer, Darius Rucker, went country. One of his recent singles was “Come Back Song,” which I personally find hilarious because he declares (in the song) that it’s his “‘my bad, come back’ song.” Tee hee. Do people still say “my bad”? Anyway, Darius Rucker also has an older song called “It Won’t Be Like This For Long.” Pregnancy hormones may or may not have played a part in the song making me misty-eyed.

Another pregnancy-made-me-do-it song that I heard about two weeks ago (just days before jr was born!) is Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me.” It’s been on the radio a lot lately, and now that I’m not pregnant anymore, the song just makes me smile – it’s cute, and fun, and silly, and parent-y. The days of being weepy are apparently over (but I’m still avoiding watching this Google commercial, just in case*).

And now…an update on my house! I spent about 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening trying to tidy up. Keep in mind that I still have the Bwun causing chaos everywhere he goes, but the room is definitely getting better. Progress! All we need is progress, not perfection, yes?

The Bwun was taking a "nap" on the floor.

*I had to link to the commercial, and it started playing before I could copy the link and close the window…I might have watched the whole thing, and I might have been wrong about that one being pregnancy-related. Yep, still a little misty.

Beautiful, beautiful silence

I’m sitting in the rocking chair with a very sleepy jr while the Bwun plays quietly in the other room.

Yes, I can handle this.

Wait…jr woke up crying and the Bwun is growling. Like a bear.

Well, kids, it was nice while it lasted!

11-Layer Dip revisited

Quite some time ago, I wrote this post about 11 layers of me. I was curious how much my answers have changed since then…aren’t you?

Layer 1 – On the Outside
Name: Mikaroni
Birthday: July 20
Current location: Happy Valley
Eye color: brown
Hair color: blonde. I got highlights a few months ago because my hair has gotten so much darker…I like the lighter color, but it’s definitely growing out and I’m not sure if I should get more highlights (which seems frivolous) or just have that weird two-toned look for a while.
Righty or lefty: righty
Zodiac sign: Cancer

Layer 2 – On the Inside
Your heritage: quite Southern. Before that, Welsh and German, mostly.
Your fears: losing a family member, being disliked, getting in trouble, having people think I’m lazy.
Your weakness: sleeping in.
Goal: survive the few remaining weeks before I can stop being pregnant.

Layer 3 – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your thoughts first waking up: Ow ow ow. Where is the heating pad? jr is shoving her foot into my ribcage.
Your bedtime: I try to go to bed between 11 and 12, but I usually can’t fall asleep until 2 or 3. Just getting practice for those fun nights with a newborn!
Your most missed memory: I wish I could re-live that time the Romgi proposed. It was pretty awesome.

Layer 4 – Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke: I confess to occasionally craving a Diet Coke. It’s Kimberlee’s fault.
McDonald’s or Burger King: Normally I’d say Burger King, but lately I desperately want the cheap hamburger from McDonald’s. The one with pickle. I don’t even like dill pickle!
Single or group dates: Any date would be awesome. Any date with the Romgi, I mean.
Adidas or Nike: sorry, I have never owned either. But the Bwun did have a really adorable Nike onesie and matching hat. They were striped! I love stripes.
Chocolate or Vanilla: chocolate. Obviously. What does vanilla have to offer?

Layer 5 – Do You?
Smoke: nope.
Have a crush: a crush does seem awfully superficial and fleeting. Hmm.
Think you’ve been in love: pretty sure. Oh wait yes. Definitely.
Want to get married: I love being married, but I never want to be engaged again.
Believe in yourself: now and then.
Think you’re a health freak: no chance!

Layer 6 – In the Past Month
Gone to the mall: no, the last time I went was in August to get a fancy new dress.
Eaten sushi: I wish! I was craving it the other night so we went out to dinner at Shabu Shabu House, but they didn’t have anything that sounded good (that I was allowed to eat. Would’ve loved something with raw tuna in it!)
Gone skating: haha. No.
Dyed your hair: no, but like I said, I got highlights a few months ago.

Layer 7 – Have You Ever?
Played a drinking game: …no. Not with anything other than water.
Gotten beaten up: never.
Changed who you were to fit in: all the time.

Layer 8 – Getting Old
Age you’re hoping to be married: if I’d had my way, it would have been at 21. But the Romgi was more patient than I was.

Layer 9 – Perfect Mate
Best eye color: green with a random black dot.
Best hair color: brown.
Short or long hair: short. But not too short.

Layer 10 – What were you doing…
1 minute ago: chatting with sposita.
1 hour ago: eating fresh chocolate chip cookies, graciously made by the Romgi. We tried the recipe from the Guittard bag…tasty!
1 day ago: opening presents at my fabulous donut-themed baby shower.
1 month ago: cleaning up a giant pile of cereal that the Bwun dumped on the floor.
1 year ago: picking new paint colors for our bedroom.

Layer 11 – Finish the Sentence
I LOVE: hot pink baby clothes with ruffles. Yeah, I’m surprised too!
I FEEL: like Hunca Munca.
I HATE: being told to try Tylenol and a hot bath. Been there, done that!
I HIDE: my stamp-making supplies from the Bwun. Trust me, it’s a good idea.
I MISS: having my own body without an invader. I adore jr but I am definitely ready for her to be out!
I NEED: this fabulous copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Please?