Hepburn and Houndstooth » Love and Romance

My girl got engaged.

Rhonda Gail — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Britney is one of my favorite people who don’t know I exist, second only to Kelly Clarkson. Super-thrilled that she’s engaged to someone who seems decent! Her new fiance, Jason Trawick, is kinda cute! Sure beats the hell out of Federline (or as I like to call him, Keven Nevermind).

Congratulations to Britney!

Accent vlog Yep, I jumped on the twitter/blogland bandwagon and did an...

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5

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:22:00 +0000

Five years ago. Five. I can hardly even believe it. I logged onto a dating site and by complete accident, Dustin and I became “friends” in the community pages. We were immediately attached and so I count December 14 as our dating anniversary. We have been through some insane things, some very good and some very very bad. I am proud to say that we are closer than ever and our relationship just grows stronger every day.

Five Things I Love About Dustin:
1. That Big Sexy Brain
2. Those Legs
3. The way he takes care of his family
4. His talent
5. His sense of humor

Five Things I Love About Our Relationship:
1. We are honest
2. We are forgiving and don’t go to bed without some sort of conflict resolution
3. We do not care what you think
4. We have fun
5. We (try to) put our relationship ahead of our children

Five Favorite Dates Through the Years:
1. Red Sox game
2. Southern Miss football game
3. The Night He Sang That Song in the Hotel and I Drank Way Too Much
4. Our New Years Eve cyber date
5. Out With Amber and Brandon in Mobile

Five Things I Look Forward To:
1. Our vow renewal
2. Moving into a Forever Home
3. Continuing to equally parent our children as a team
4. Reaching our goals… together.
5. Growing our relationship into something we never imagined.

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Happy Birthday Dustin!

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:30:00 +0000

I am so lucky to be able to call this man mine. I am so thankful that this intelligent, witty, honest, creative, and sexy man is my husband! I can’t even believe how God has blessed me sometimes.

Happy, happy birthday, Dustin! I love you more than you will ever know.

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Hump Day Dump Day

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:30:00 +0000

I have been sick the past few days and today I woke up feeling a tad better. I even put on makeup. I probably wouldn’t have bothered, actually, but I happened to get in a mark. package yesterday and I’m always itching to try out my new stuff! Check out my new i-Mark shadow! The color in the crease is Retro Peacock. It blew my mind with how intense the pigments are! The lighting in this photo is terrible. The color comes out much brighter on the lids than what is represented here. But to give you an idea of the intense pigmentation, I seriously just tapped my shadow brush on the color twice, then swiped on ALL this color!

I am completely ready for the weekend already! I have so much positive stuff on my agenda… Date night with the Hubs, shopping for a shower dress, working on the nursery clean-out, and starting Mad Men.

I am always and forever hungry. Then I eat and get full and find myself hungry 20 minutes later. It’s really getting old.

It has been decided that I’m going to go back to school in 2012. Too bad I can’t figure out exactly what I want to do. I’m torn between finishing a bachelor’s and going to cosmetology school. Two completely different routes and I just can’t make up my mind!

I can not get in more than 6 hours of sleep lately and it’s not working for me. When I’m not pregnant, I do just fine with 5. Not now!

We have been having trouble with Nick doing what he is supposed to at school. He’s not doing his work and not listening to his teachers. We’re keeping an eye on it and I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but I’m a bit worried about him possibly having ADD. Only time will tell if this is just an adjustment period or if something bigger is going on.

I have too much that I want and need to do, that sometimes I find myself completely overwhelmed. Dustin and I talked about it over the weekend and decided we’re just going to have to get organized and tackle projects around the house head-on…with the aid of lots of lists! Wish us luck!

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30 Days of Truth, Day 8: Someone who made your life like hell, or treated you like shit

Rhonda Gail — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:03:25 +0000

I have been treated well by most people my whole life. I realize that makes me lucky. For the majority of my boyfriend years, I was treated like gold and I realize that puts me in the minority. Right in the middle of my dating years though, I had one very rough year. A few years prior, I became best friends with a guy from work (we’ll call him Craig) and fell in love with him, despite our vast differences. We became monogamous about the time that he joined the Navy. While Craig was away at A School, he bought a diamond ring and we were engaged upon his discharge just a few months later (long, stupid story). That was my first mistake. But hey, that’s a story for a different day…. or not.

Things were really good for awhile, though tight financially. Craig and I made a lot of stupid mistakes with credit cards and the like. At some point, I was working trying to make ends meet while he looked for a job. Well, he just didn’t look hard enough, and before I knew it, we got the first eviction notice. We weren’t being evicted because I couldn’t pay rent. I would have been able to get us by. We were being evicted because for two months in a row, without me knowing it, Craig spent the money I gave him to pay rent… on pot. and beer. I was able to smooth over the first eviction and get us out of it. However, I kicked Craig out. After a week, I let him back in, believing his promises to change and help out more. It didn’t take long before things caught up with us and we got evicted for real because I could no longer make ends meet on my own. We moved in with his stepdad temporarily. Things got really bad and for awhile, I considered breaking up. I just didn’t know if I should be marrying someone so irresponsible. He bought a new (cubic zirconia) engagement ring (he had pawned off the nicer, original one to buy video games, I think) and I accepted. We moved in with a house full of friends. We both had jobs at this time, but things still didn’t get better. We started fighting more than ever.

It all came to a head one night when we went with our roommates and some others to a bar. We both had a bit to drink and when we got back home, we were fighting about something. The fight continued on the lawn, with me giving him his ring back, him throwing it out into the street, lots of shouting, neighbors peeking out of their windows, until I decided I was over it and went inside to figure out what I was going to do. I quickly sobered up as I realized what was going on. I just wanted to move home and as far away from this toxic mess as possible. But Craig wasn’t done. Maybe an hour after we got home, he was in our gameroom area playing pool with the roommates. I went in for something and he started up the fighting again when he realized I didn’t want to talk anymore or hear his begging. Out of nowhere, for the first time in our relationship, it took a physical turn. Craig’s pool cue went grazing over the top of my head and through the window behind me. Things were suddenly crystal clear. I was so done. I called my mom and went to bed. When he came to bed, he begged and pleaded and asked me not to leave. However, I thankfully stuck by it and my mom was there first thing in the morning to help me move my stuff.

I have since forgiven Craig and we talk as acquaintances from time to time. Some can’t understand why I forgave him, but a couple of years ago, he gave me some insight into why he did the things he did. I won’t go there, because it was hard enough to write this post knowing that some of his friends and family will read this. I love them dearly and don’t want to hurt them, so I’ll leave those parts out.

All the good times Craig and I had are forgotten. When I think back on my relationship with him, all I can think is that I can’t believe I was so dumb to let him mistreat me for over two years of my life. The good thing is, I learned from it and haven’t let anyone do it again.

If you or someone you know is being abused, mentally or physically, please log onto http://www.thehotline.org/ or call 1−800−799−SAFE(7233). You can also email me any time.You are not alone.

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30 Days of Truth, Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:07:19 +0000

source

Well, honestly…. there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing. I am one of the most forgiving people on earth. I almost instantly forgive. Instead, I’ll just work on that whole forgiving myself thing from yesterday.

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30 Days of Truth, Day 2: Something you love about yourself

Rhonda Gail — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:31:05 +0000

I have to admit, there are many things I love about myself. Many. I was brought up to have a lot of self esteem and except for a short period in college, I’ve always felt that I could do anything and that I was a great person. One of the main things I love about myself is my sense of love. Love for everyone and everything. I try a lot to put on this “I hate people” front when I’m having a rough day. It never works, because even when I don’t care for someone, I am capable of enjoying their company, even if briefly.

If I like someone, I like them a whole lot and will forgive most anything. Then there’s love. I love so deeply and to such an extreme that it is also a fault of mine. I often look past someone repeatedly doing me wrong, because I love that person and don’t want to lose that love. The love I have for my family is actually painful at times. The heart can only handle so much strain, you know? My kid hurts, I hurt. My husband is sad, I want to curl up in bed and cry with him. My mom is angry with someone, I have a hard time looking the offender in the eye.

Even outside of people, I love with a passion that can’t even be described. Chocolate? Gives me goosebumps. Champagne? I want to dance with it in a candlelit room. Music? I want to roll around on the beach with it, then take it home for dirty talk.

I love love and I love that about myself.

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30 Days of Truth, Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for

Rhonda Gail — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:00:45 +0000

I have had to forgive myself for just a handful of things in my life. I live my life in a way that assures I will have no regrets. If I do something that I feel is morally wrong or just not the right choice for me, I deal with it. I make the necessary apologies, whether to a friend, God, or myself. Then I let it go, and move on, recognizing that everything happens for a reason.

There is one thing I’ve yet to forgive myself for. It’s very personal and therefore, I just can’t reveal too much here in such a public way. Let me just say that I once made a very complicated decision without enough input. In conjunction with that, I kept a big secret from someone I shouldn’t have. I realize that this is a 30 Days of Truth series, but it’s as much about being true to myself as anything else, so I choose to not say anymore. It’s something I just need to pray about and forgive myself.

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Date Night

Rhonda Gail — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:04:23 +0000

Saturday night, in celebration of Dustin‘s 31st birthday and six months married, we went on an overnight date (yes, without kids!). It was such a great time and something that we were really needing. It’s always really difficult for us to tear away from our kids, not to mention spending money on ourselves. It was a small splurge, but well worth it. When Dustin got home from work Saturday afternoon, we go dressed, dropped off the kids, and headed to Hattiesburg. Once there, we checked into the Courtyard by Marriott (second time I’ve stayed there and I love it!). I began the process of looking like a put-together lady, rather than a sloppy housewife.

Tank: Miley Cyrus for Max Azria | Cardigan: F21 (also worn on my wedding day) | Trouser jeans: Eddie Bauer | Shoes (hiding under my jeans): Charlotte Russe | Ring: maurices | Bracelets: old and random. Black and white is a vintage Bakelite and my absolute favorite

We met my brother Vernon and his girlfriend Vicki at Logan’s Roadhouse. I chose that restaurant because I have been craving their steak salad for months and nobody else had any preferences. It was so awesome to spend some time with them. We seem them once or twice a month, but we’re always with the kids and as kids do, they totally take away from any real conversation. (By the way, I now totally understand why when we were kids, the adults were always shooing us out of the room so they could talk)

We had great conversation and lots of laughs. The service and food were definitely mediocre, unfortunately. As we finished our meal, at just nine p.m., the waitstaff began sweeping all around us, rolling silverware and filling shakers at the next table. They hovered over us, talking loudly about closing duties. So. rude. Our waitress was never rude while talking to us, but she kept staring us down each time she walked by. We could just feel them waiting for us to leave. I was a server for awhile and I’m well aware that when it gets anywhere near closing time, you are so over it and want the restaurant to clear out. However, the guests at your tables should never feel it! I can’t stand that customer service seems to be an afterthought these days for most people. I was thankful for the glass of the wine that kept me relaxed rather than lashing out as I wanted to do.

We parted ways with Vernon and Vicki after dinner and went to have drinks at Mahogany Bar. We had our hearts set on chilling in the courtyard, but it was packed, so we took a table inside and kept an eye out for an outdoor table becoming vacant. A couple of beers in, a table outside opened up and we went out and drank. And drank. And drank. One of my favorite things to do with Dustin is to just drink and chill. We have the best conversations. We actually ended up discussing our exes that night, which isn’t something we usually do. I love that we can talk about things without jealousy or judgment or hard feelings. We really do have an amazing relationship.

We pretty much closed the place down, then went back to our hotel across the street. One of the best parts of staying at the Courtyard was it being in the middle of everything. Sunday morning, we slept in then showered, checked out, and headed next door to La Fiesta Brava for some Mexican food.

White dress: WalMart | Jeans: CATO | Belt: CATO | Sandals: CATO | Bracelet: handmade by me | Pearls: vintage, my grandmother’s

I was a little leery of taking my Mexican-food-snob husband to La Fiesta. He lived for years on the Texas-Mexico border and doesn’t classify a lot of “Mexican” foods as authentic. He was satisfied, though. Our food was hot, fresh, and fast, and the perfect follow-up to a little too much alcohol. We then headed to Michael’s to look for a few items I need for some half-completed projects. I didn’t find what I needed (I’m just gonna say, Hobby Lobby is way superior and they would get 100% of my business supply money if only they were open on Sundays), but got a whole bag of stuff for $5! We ended up with a few things to make jewelry, some spiral notebooks, and little foam people for the kids. I could have spent all day and several hundred dollars in there, but I wasn’t feeling too great and it was nearing time for our movie.

We left Michael’s and headed to the Grand Theatre, where we picked up our tickets (which we had purchased with a few taps on the phone during lunch) to Going the Distance. I had picked out this movie and was really excited to see it, but didn’t really expect anything more than a typical romantic comedy. Wrong. So, so wrong. It was such a good movie and I laughed and/or cried through the entire thing. Christina Applegate was amazing in it and as much as I usually don’t like Drew Barrymore, she was the perfect person for her role. It was a very realistic portrayal of how long distance relationships typically work. Another stand-out of the movie was music from The Boxer Rebellion, along with the rest of the soundtrack. I love a good soundtrack!

We headed back home after the movie, exhausted and missing our boys! We arrived just in time to see Nick swimming the deep end of the pool with arm floaties! I know, he’s four and this isn’t amazing news, but if you only knew him! He spent most of the summer on the pool steps, afraid of the unknown.

It was a great time away, but we were so happy to be back with our boys. Give us a few weeks and we’ll be longing for a few drinks and a dark theatre!

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Six Months

Rhonda Gail — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:00:33 +0000

Six months ago, I frantically and without success searched for my grandmother’s pearls. I got dressed begrudgingly and headed off… to get married. That was the only glitch in our perfect day. I only recently found those pearls, which I’m happy about. I just knew I was going to come home from getting married and see them lying about in some obvious place.

I could not be happier to be spending my life with Dustin and I won’t get into a big thing about how much I love him and what I love about him, since I just did that a week ago. Let me just say that the last six months have been a little rough, but it’s getting better everyday. I am thankful that I have such a loving and supportive husband by my side for the rest of my life.

We’re going out of town Saturday evening until late Sunday afternoon, without kids! We really need this time and I’m really looking forward to it!

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