For the Lovelorn

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Can't say I didn't try...

Had all sorts of plans for things I was going to get done today...

Went to the antique store near our apartment that's going out of business to see if there was a deal on a dining room table and chairs. ...It's closed on Tuesdays.

Went to specifically to the Eagan DMV to get my Minnesota's driver's license because it's near my Chiropractor, and I only get adjusted every other week. Found out they don't take check/credit cards, so I withdrew from the ATM the last $20 in my single-girl's checking account to have enough cash for the new license. ...Oh, you need a birth certificate to change from a Wisconsin license with a name change. Your WI license and marriage certificate aren't good enough.

Went to the bank to close my single-girl's bank accounts. But since I just withdrew money for the license I couldn't get, I have an outstanding transaction, and I'll have to wait until that clears to close the accounts.

Went to the Chiropractor to get adjusted and to put my new payment info on file. ...But wait! Don't run that card, I wasn't able to transfer the money into our new accounts, because I couldn't close the accounts like I wanted to, so can you run it tomorrow?

How could so many attempted projects go so badly??
Ugh. What a day...

Saturday, March 6, 2010

So... How's married life?

Today is our 1 month wedding anniversary. We've been laughing a lot this month because every single person we've encountered has asked us the same exact question: "So... How's married life?" So here's 28 days of answers for the 28 days we've been married...

1. Can't complain so far.
2. I like it.
3. I didn't know it was possible to improve upon what we already had.
4. Sex is nice.
5. Changing Ryan into the man I want him to be has been pretty easy so far...
6. It's probably the best decision I've ever made regarding my love life.
7. Sometimes it's hard, but so far it's worth it.
8. Gender roles are confusing.
9. Perfect. Everything is perfectly the way it should be.
10. Beat's a poke in the eye.
11. It far exceeds my dreams and expectations.
12. We're figuring things out...
13. Marriage is so wonderful that I have to make up a word to describe it... and that word is SCRUMTRULESCENT.
14. I've already forgotten what life was like before.
15. Fan-flippin-tastic.
16. It's like the ultimate slumber party.
17. It's pretty great to get to hang out with your best friend all of the time.
18. I feel like we're doing exactly what God intended for us to do.
19. Ah! I can't believe we're married!
20. It's pretty awesome.
21. Funderful.
22. He's my one. And when you know, you KNOW. I wouldn't have done this any other way.
23. We have a good time.
24. I understand why fairy tales end with "...and they lived happily ever after" now.
25. Day 25 was hard.
26. Just another day in paradise.
27. I love it. I wouldn't change a thing.
28. It is exponentially better than dating life.

Happy Monthiversary, Hubs! I love you!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Lent

I have some thoughts on Lent.

WARNING: Generalizations about a religious practice are about to be made by an outsider!

I think it's interesting that people who strictly adhere to the "Lent Rules" rarely stick to ACTUAL Biblical rules.

Suddenly one doesn't eat meat on Fridays, and has strictly given up a vice for 40 days.Giving up something you shouldn't be doing anyway (like drinking, or eating chips) doesn't count. It's not a New Year's Resolution, people.

Does participating in Lent negate complete disregard for Christ the rest of the year?

I feel like there's more religious chatter this time of year because so many people participate in Lent. Lent is the focus. Lent is the "Reason for the Season."

No. Lent is an "act of deprivation" meant to symbolize the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before his death on the cross. Lent is an opportunity to spend some time (that you might have used for drinking or eating chips) to pray, meditate, or spend some time in the Word.

What we really should be focusing on this time of year is that Christ died on the cross and was resurrected, thus victorious over death and sin! Our sin has separated us from God, and the consequence of sin is death. Christ has given you freedom from that doom. There are no rules or methods to follow to earn your way to Him. Scripture is clear that salvation is the gracious, undeserved gift of God and is only available through faith in Jesus Christ.

Maybe you should meditate on that for 40 days...

Meet the neighbors

Ryan and I live in a cute little apartment in Saint Paul.
The other night I was just making a cheeseburger in a pan on the stove, minding my own business, cook-cook-cooking away. All of a sudden the whole apartment is smoky. I'm coughing and confused because nothing was burned!
I think, "QUICK! Open a window!" Oh wait, I can't because the kitchen window is painted shut.
I think, "OK! Living room window!" [RUN 3 feet to the living room] Oh wait, all the storm windows are on. "Ugh, just do the screen... and uh, ah, get the storm window up [struggle, struggle]... Gah!" Give up.
I think, "OOH! Open the door!"
Almost immediately the building's smoke alarm is blaring in my ears.
I think, "Oh... BIG mistake..." and the whole building evacuates.

"Hi, Neighbors. I'm the new girl."

Friday, February 12, 2010

In sickness and in health...

We'd been married less than 48 hours when we got home and thought it would be nice to have some chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. Ryan got up to wash some glasses and from the bedroom I hear a glass break and then...
Ryan: "Baby?"
Lauren: "Are you ok?"
Ryan: "I cut myself... pretty bad..."
And then we went to urgent care. Here are some fun photos...

Be warned: They're not pretty!!

5 stitches later, he's as good as new!

Snapshots of a day

Here are some photos of our wedding. We got married at the Ann Bean Mansion in Stillwater, MN. There was a very small crowd of our family, and the friends we consider family. We enjoyed a relaxed dinner out, and everything was perfect.

Thanks to everybody who helped make our day so special!!