Advice you didn't ask for.

Thanks for all the help with my rug problem.  Yellow/Gray it is.  I read some reviews on rugs made with recycled material (that one was) and not so sure I'm digging it.  We'll see. 

I have lots of tips today because I'm just a walking wealth of information. 

Unsolicited tip #1:

I bought "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn on Audible partly because it's a best seller and mostly because the cover is cool. 

I don't know if I hated it because the narrator's voice was super annoying or the ending was terrible but I think I would have liked it more if I'd read it instead of listening to it read to me.  And it would have been better if it ended how I wanted it to end.  I understand that this is a really insightful book review and exhibits a critical analysis of all of the literary elements I used to teach my students. Next up we'll delve into The Odyssey because I really cultivated a love for the arts with that one. 

Unsolicited tip #2:

Coca-Cola Classic is precious.  Diet Coke drinkers of the world, have you tried regular Coke?  It's worth every calorie (120, exactly).  I don't keep it in our house because I would drink it all the time.  I wouldn't be surprised if there was actual cocaine in it.  It is addicting.  So I bought one can.  And I forgot to put it in the refrigerator because I'm dumb and Coca-Cola has to be ICE COLD.  BUT WITH NO ICE.  The actual temperature of the soda needs to be very very cold.  There is only one way to drink it.  With that in mind, placing the can in the freezer should have been a great idea.  If I'd remembered to drink it (whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy).  Don't do this.  It explodes.  Like EXPLODES.  How Coke is capable of getting so cold to the point of expansion within the can but not freezing completely so it can spray the inside of my freezer but freeze instantly so that it makes the biggest mess possible is mind boggling. 





Unsolicited tip #3: 

I have a very serious addiction to pale pink nail polish.  An intervention is probably necessary.  Or a block on my credit card. 





Pale pink is a fickle beast as some just look like white out and some look like nothing.  You have to have a very perfect combination of pink and pale to get that glossy pale that doesn't quite match your finger because it's a shade pinker.  I still haven't found the perfect perfect one but I did find a gem of a top coat.  It dries super fast, I've been asked if I've gotten a gel manicure (the jokes on them because I will never spend $30 on a manicure), and it makes a cheap polish look great.  It's around $5-7 at Sally's Beauty Supply and it awesome.  It's called "Out the Door" by INM.

Unsolicited Tip #4: 

I've discovered the wisdom behind why men expect women's legs to be so smooth all of the time.  Their razors are freaking great.  Venus will never again swoop in with her pretty colors, ear worm of a jingle, and lure of free shaving gel with purchase.  NEVER AGAIN.  While it looks pretty masculine, this razor is the bee's knees.  Go thee to Target to stock up.  Schick Hydro 5.  No savings here, per usual razor cartridges are $100,000,000 a piece. 

Unsolicited tip #5: 

Music motivates you.  I love to run and there are some days (most days) when I just can't wait to get out the door for a run.  Then there are days when I need a pep talk, or a new sports bra (that works), or an amazing run mix.  I've had Spotify Premium for a couple months and I love it.  Seeing how we live off of Matt's income as a musician, this makes no sense because Spotify gives the artist like .004 cents for every play but I caved.  Read here for more info.  Also Spotify's website.  I get sick of music pretty quickly because I listen to a song on repeat for days but new music motivates me to run and I just made the BEST play list.  I'm fairly certain that every artist (or actor that is covering another artist) on my play list would be embarrassed by their company on said list but I ran way past what I was supposed to yesterday because I wanted to hear more songs.  Behold, a glimpse into a good mix of what I listened to in college, high school, my new Beyonce obsession (Halo may be on it three times, who knows), what I hear on TV, #1 hits, and MATT HIRES.  Shameless plug, his new album is coming out in May but Atlantic is releasing an EP soon which is going to have some songs from the album on it.   You should not listen to it on Spotify and buy it instead. 

I am NOT trendy. Okay, I'm trendy.

You can pray for me. I know you didn't say you wanted too but I'm going to throw it out there and hope you do.  I'm meeting lots of coaches this week and I can be very awkward when I'm nervous. 

Side note, I can be very awkward when I'm not nervous, so there's that. 

I never grew out of the "people are looking at you so you should probably turn red and start sweating" phase.  My favorite part of the whole thing are the hives.  Ladies, if you want to draw attention away from your face and onto your chest, don't get plastic surgery, just develop hives.  Bingo.  Nailed it. 

First dates were a nightmare with me very intensely watching Chris O'Donnell movies and playing with my hair.  I thought it was adorable, but news to me, it wasn't.  I'm so glad I get to work with high school students so I can give them all of my dating tips.

 I keep reminding myself that it is not about me, but I'm a human and I care.  This is good for me.  I can't rely on myself because I know if I do they won't be impressed by my funny stories about my dog.  Please pray.  When I get nervous I think that talking about frivolous things will ease the awkwardness but I'm willing to bet the other person won't be impressed by my love for Taylor Swift, skinny jeans, and men's deodorant. 

I was searching for a TV clip I'd missed and came up on an article featuring two of my favorite men, Jon Stewart and C.S. Lewis.  Google search victory, no? 

It quoted C.S. Lewis, 

  “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

So I'm glad I am where I am.  I can't rely on myself for this or it could get ugly.  Uglier than hives on a redhead. 

I'm also meeting with a student from Plant High School about starting a Bible study for her and her friends.  They are the Panthers so basically I'm going to buy every article of school spirit gear they have and re-watch Friday Night Lights with it on.

If it isn't evident how awkward I am at first light, I hope it's become clear.  Strike One.

The student I'm meeting is AWESOME and we were going to meet after her practice but we have to meet earlier because her brother is having a big "signing" photo op when he decides which college he's attending.  You know how cared about which college I was attending?  Hey, Mom.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY FRIENDS THAT HAVE SUPPORTED ME FOR THE GASPARILLA!!!!  I am so thankful and want to give you big hugs and kisses all over your face for being so awesome!!  Strike Two.

In more boring to anyone but me news, I need help.  It is probably evident that has become a theme of the blog.  Hi! I'm Rachel and I need help.  Yes, I need prayer and I need help.  I'm very needy.

We recently had a sisal rug in our living room that I got off of Craigslist and I hated.  When Matt was gone on a trip a couple of months ago I rolled it up and tossed it in the trash it was so awful.  Turns out Matt didn't think it was that awful and we need a new rug.  I am very leery of trends and hate investing in something that I won't think is cool around the same time no one thinks is cool  (Bad news because I am usually the LAST to know when something has become un-cool) (Good news is I'm getting more comfortable with that.).  I've battled with the chevron pattern long enough, I like it.  But because a rug is a large part of a room and our house is the size of a dollhouse, a big pattern that was hot hot hot in 2012 might be a bit overwhelming when that becomes "sooooo 2012".  And I usually tend to opt for neutral pieces for our house and use color in small bits so I don't get confused for Rainbow Brite's jealous twin sister.  This the space.

 

 

 

 

 

 The curtains are really expensive panels from Target in beige, the room is painted a light grey, fireplace and most furniture is white, the sofa is dark grey, and that awesome coffee table was made by my very talented brother who makes amazing furniture.  I agree with Matt though.  I love our original wood floors (circa 1926!) but something needs to break up all that brown. 

Because I'm asking for your advice.......WHICH RUG.......I HAVE TO KNOW SO I CAN ORDER IT, I will leave you with some of my own.  If you are home alone (especially at night in a creep-o neighborhood like mine) try to scale down some of your scary TV watching.  I used to watch marathons of SVU but learned that breaking up with Stabler and Benson was for my own benefit.  Too bad I didn't follow my own brilliant advice when watching the first episode of "The Following". 

About a freaking serial killer. 

I watched all three episodes like a lunatic and now walk around my house with my pepper spray and have been keeping a knife by the bed.  Very safe.  This is in addition to my BB Gun and Nicaraguan spear my father in law brought back for me from a trip.  You can imagine how terrified I was when I awoke yesterday, still in bed, and checked Twitter. 

Escaped juvenile with mental issues.  In my neighborhood.  Search winding down.  Unknown if suspect is found.  Good thing I have all of my weaponry.  I feel very Laura Croft so I wore my leather boots to work and belted my pepper spray for easy access.  Strike Three.