The Rogers News

Category: Our Experiences

Tales of my life as told by me.

  • Bridesmaid Dresses!

    Today, Christy, Katy, Robbi, my mom and I went bridesmaid dress shopping. I had a ton of fun watching the girls play dress up!  It was great having 2 of the 4 girls together, and the moms, although we wish Alex and Elke could have been there too!

    I had scoped some dresses out, and we ended up finding some really cute and unique dresses at Ella’s in downtown TC. I am so excited! I love the dresses and so did Christy and Katy which is the best part.

    Until next time…..Lindsey

  • The Holiday Season

    I’m finding that time flies when you’re engaged. It seems like just yesterday that I was waiting impatiently for the engagement ring to be finished so that I could pop the question to Lindsey. Now, it has been nearly two months since and we’re heading into our first holiday season together. Together-together.

    Not only is fun to share the excitement of the onset of winter, the construction of Christmas charm, and the last-minute shopping, but we’re also blessed to have loving families nearby with whom we both enjoy spending time. Rarely does a week pass that we don’t play cards or have dinner with one or the other. That’s pretty cool, to me, and what I hoped for when we started dating.

    A few of the things I’m most looking forward to during the next couple months:

    • Getting to wear my Christmas pants again (Link to photo),
    • Sharing my “I’m Thankful For” napkin tradition with Lindsey over Thanksgiving,
    • Learning about her traditions and
    • Making new traditions of our own for years to come!

    Lindsey, we’ve got to find you a matching skirt!

  • Death and Taxes

    The saying used to go, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” That is not the case this year. As 2010 nears an end, there is still little indication as to what will happen with the Federal estate tax. In 2009, the exemption was $3.5M and anything over that was taxed at 45%. In 2010, the Federal estate tax was repealed. (Good year, if any, to die if you have a sizable estate!) In 2011, the exemption will revert to $1M and anything over that will be taxed at 55% percent. Get used to saying, “Nothing is certain by death and (insert snarky comment re: Federal government decision making here).”

    Note: The Future of the Federal Estate Tax blog is an easy way to keep up with the latest news on the topic.

  • Prime the Pump

    Lindsey and I attended the early service at The Well at Central United Methodist church this morning. The music by Jeff Cobb and his band was excellent and the message by Chris Lane was clear and left both of us with something to think about for the week to come.

    What I took away from today was the reminder to keep the big picture in mind and to pay our good fortune forward to make the world better for the rest. As you’ll get from the song below, it’s better to prime the pump for the next man than to drink dry the well yourself.

    Here’s the song Pastor Lane referenced in his message.

  • Chris’ Great Ideas – #651

    I said, “How about we do an African theme for the reception? I saw an African artifact the other day.”

    This was actually really well received… by some people in the room. Elephants and some other animal I can’t remember right now were suggested. I was informed most women in Africa are topless. Maybe not in the cities … I don’t know as I’ve never been. But that certainly would make for a good wedding.

    I guess we’ll stick with the “TC Theme”! Go Blue!!

  • Social Uncertainty

    I am not good at remembering names, and I’m only slightly better at remembering faces. Even in a world where I’ve got social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn to help refresh my memory, I often find myself feeling somewhat awkward in group social situations because, while I may have met some of the participants before (multiple times), many of their names escape me. The result of this is a shyness in approaching a familiar face whose name I forget. Or, although more seldom, the resulting embarrassment of introducing myself to someone who knows my name (and whose name I “should” know).

    There are any number of tricks to help remember names such as selecting a distinctive feature of the acquaintance and associating his/her name with it in some way. Or using his/her name frequently in conversation in hopes that it will improve your memory in the future. However, tricks only carry you so far.

    The downside to being uncertain of names and faces is the resulting shyness in social situations. However, the solution is not necessarily a better memory, but, instead, increasing my risk tolerance. It’s freeing to realize that it’s impossible to go through life being certain of everything. Getting a name wrong is far better than not talking at all, hanging out by the wall, and feeling awkward.

    So. Forget a name. Forget an occupation. But do it by acting.

  • Funny Slim Fast Ads

    I found these online the other day. I will say there was one about a guy needing to lose weight… but only one. Shame on you, America! Personally, my main motivation to workout is for health and stress relief … and I keep meaning to get back to the gym now that the busy days of summer are long gone. The upcoming wedding does provided some additional motivation to hit the gym to ensure I look as sharp and dashing as possible in my Tux!