Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Confessions {8/31}

-Coupons make me buy things.  I hate that it works on me.  Butttt it does.  Thank you McDonalds for that B1G1 breakfast sammich.  #notsorry #hadtouseitbeforeitexpired

-Sometimes I remember random things and it makes me laugh.  Like when I worked at Texas Roadhouse and had to hide the weed in another server's purse because it was just laying out in the open for everyone to see.  #goodteamplayer

-Young Adult Megan was full of sketchy life choices.  It's impressive I made it through my early 20s.  #poorlifechoices #safetyschmafety

-I've been contacted no less than 3 times by someone from Z5media wanting to present me with an offer for canIdecideanotherday.com.  Has anyone ever actually responded to those people?  If so, what do they want?  Am I about to make it big?  LOOOOLLLL

-Our power bill for the month of August was $179.  That's almost $100 less than what I paid last August for Shitty House.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love our Haus?  Because seriously.  It's the best.

-Our Hue set up is almost complete.  Teh German suggested (weather depending), we put the Hue bulbs outside for Halloween.  We'd totally be the party house.  #Huelightaddiction #planners

-Despite helping Shitty House Owner by forwarding the emails from the property management company, I still got ZERO reply from him.  I fucking hate everything about him and hope he suffers from some serious karma.  Let me just remind you that his email is (name)@abunchofidiots.com.  Same guy.  Same, upstanding citizen..  #DIAF

-I've already checked us into our flights for Thursday morning.  #notsorry #Disneybound

-I'm actively stalking my new Kindle.  As in, if it had GPS, I'd be watching that bitch ride around CHS.  #stalkermode

-Last night, I threw all of my/our running gear in the suitcase.  If we had to pull up chocks and quickly depart, at least we'd have our running stuff.. and a sweatshirt each.  #priorities

-I know I don't need another Disney mug, but I'm seriously already thinking of items I'm going to buy while we're there.  This list includes: Heel/shoe ornament, possible shirt/wearable item (although I'm getting the race shirts, but they aren't really my faves based on the ones we got from the Princess run), separate ornament to celebrate our first Disney trip together (this can't be the same as my running ornament), PINS.  Truthfully, there aren't a lot of items I'm really wanting.. but I know that changes when I get to the parks and I get in the "OMG I'M AT DISNEY must buy all the things" mode.  #Disneylife

-I have purchased 5 books in the last week, which means that I consider these "must read" books, otherwise money = wasted.  I'm not overly enjoying A Man Named Ove and I really am considering returning it to Audible, but I kind of want to know what happens, but mostly I don't.  The writing style is bothering me, and I know that is a Megan problem.  I saw so many good reviews for the book, but people said the same thing about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and that was equally painful.  I think I just talked myself into returning it.  Lesson: Swedish authors are NOT my jam.  #lessonslearned

-August 2015:



The excuse I used to get my first photo of Teh German on the sly.
He knew.
I'm not slick.
At all.
#notsorry

A date with Teh German

Running besties!

How many fucks do I give?
ZERO fucks.

Beach walk with Teh German.


Silly selfies within the first month?
I probably could have guessed he was a keeper then.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Weekend Review {8/29}

So uhhhh, August is gone.  I'm not overly sorry to see it go, to be honest.  Historically, August is a very tumultuous month for me.  In more recent years, that hasn't necessarily been the case as much.  Nonetheless, this August was hot and miserable and I am still ticking down the days until Disney and if it could just be September 1st already, that'd be greatttttttt..

FRIDAY

Friday was a weird day at work since it was our last day in our old office.  I'm glad that we're finally done with that office because being on the verge of something like a move is always more stressful for me than actually moving.  That and I hate being in transition.  My stuff was half at the new office and half at the old.  On Friday morning, I went ahead and brought over the remaining items that needed to be moved with the exception of my laptop.  When I got back, I tried to resist the Disney pull, but couldn't.  #ALLTHEDISNEY!!!! 

Since it was our last day at that space, Company had lunch brought in for everyone from Cru Cafe.  It's a place that has been on my Yelp list, so I was excited to try it.  I was disappointed though.  I almost had the turkey sammich, but gave it up for the chicken salad for Twin Dad who hates mayo.  I don't think the turkey would have been much better than the chicken salad, and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything worth going out of the way to get.


After lunch, I was burning time till I left at 1:30.  It was a close call to boredom because I had moved my laptop charger to the new office and was fully reliant on the battery which was draining quickly.  I ended up shutting the computer down to leave with 9% of the battery remaining.  If you've ever been scuba diving, you know that the deeper you go, the more oxygen you consume due to pressurization.  Yeah, I feel like that also happens when you're operating on battery juice.  The less you have, the more you use. 

Almost like the day I started.

I headed out and went straight to my massage appointment at the technical school.  I discovered gold recently when I learned there is a massage school in Charleston and it's not too far from our house (about halfway between home and work).  Also, $35 for 90 minutes?  Yes, please, and thank you.  No tipping allowed?  HELLLS YEAHHH BEECHES!  Truthfully, it wasn't the best massage ever, nor did I expect it to be, but it did feel good, so I'm not complaining.. much.  Also, they should give you an email survey to fill out instead of a piece of paper immediately after.  It wasn't until I got home and was thinking about it and realized why my triceps were sore that I realized it was from too much pressure.  Also, I didn't get a scalp massage, and between that and a face massage, it's hard to decide which I like more.  It's essentially my massage happy ending.  Nonetheless, $35 massage.

I headed home to wait on Teh German to get home.  I finished up a challenge book.  Teh WJL had forwarded me an email about Audible's sale going on and I re-signed up with my original Audible account (so the books would all be on the not-sequel account) so I could get the discounted rates.  I ended up getting Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander 2), A Man Called Ove, Code Name Verity, and The Last Anniversary.

Right before Teh German came home, I received an email from Shitty House Owner asking me to forward him the emails from the property management company discussing shed access.  Because I'm an overly nice person, I forwarded him the emails, but also included a note detailing how it was even discovered that all of his crap in the shed (which he clarified was worth about $32,000) and if the mistake hadn't been made, no one would have known for at least a year, unless he had come to check on the shed.  I actually called Teh MD-AR and read her the email before I sent it because I wanted to make sure that I wasn't out of line in the way I wrapped up the email, but I wanted to make sure it was on the record somewhere that he had been negligent towards the house.  I blamed the shed, but it seems like he is just that type of person.



We had plans with Neighbors to go out to Sushi 101 for dinner, so after I finished responding to his email, around 6, they picked us up and we headed to dinner.  Right in time, since 15 minutes after we were seated, the restaurant went from a quarter full to people waiting at the door.  Our food did take a while, but we were chatting, so it wasn't too bad.  After dinner, Neighbors showed us houses they were looking at for his mom and then brought us home so we could release the hounds.

We spent the evening being lazy.  Teh German tried to watch the Patriots/Panthers game, but was having technical difficulties.  Meanwhile, I was trying to troubleshoot my Kindle since it wasn't accepting the books I was trying to side load.  I ended up factory resetting my Kindle to see if it would accept books.  Much to my dismay, it did not work AND I lost all my puzzle accomplishments.  Which I know doesn't really matter, but it does when you have completed all but 3 of the goals and you have 508 stars for all your completed puzzles, it totally does.


As I was falling asleep, I thought that maybe if I backed up from a restore point I could get my puzzle data back.  I didn't sleep well Saturday night because technical malfunctions stress me out.  Especially when it's my reading machine so close to travel time.


SATURDAY

I BOLTED out of the bed at 6:45 on Saturday morning in a white-hot panic that it was Tuesday morning and it was daylight outside and Teh German was still asleep beside me and how the shit did he not hear his alarm going off and OMG he's going to be late for work and be stressed and grouchy.. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. 

My abruptness woke Teh German up and while I'm having 2 minutes of thoughts in about 5 seconds, he mumbled out a "What?" about the time that I realized that it was actually Saturday and he hadn't heard his alarm because there was no alarm and it wasn't because I slept with an earplug in.  I crawled back in the bed with a pounding heart and Teh German cuddled me.  3 minutes later, we both had to pee, and Teh German offered to feed the beasts.  Once we were all reset, we fell back asleep until 10.  This is what happens when I stay up too late troubleshooting.  I sleep too long.

Teh German and I got up and started playing around on social media while we ate a small breakfast.  Then before we lost motivation, we started doing choirs.  I negociated my way out of scooping poop by tell Teh German I would vacuum the entire house without asking him to help.  I got the shitty end of the deal.  I'm kind of OCD about the floors.  So not only did I vacuum, I also beat off the rugs and the dog beds and vacuumed the dog beds and couches, but I also we ahead and swiffer mopped while I had everything up since it hadn't been done since the Haus warming party.  I hadn't even started vacuuming the stairs or upstairs when Teh German came in from doing the yard work (scooping poop, mowing the grass, and edging). 

It took me a total of 3 hours to vacuum the entire house and "mop" the floors.  I also dusted off the table and vacuumed the base boards that obviously needed it.  I finished vacuuming right in time to get my stinky sweaty ass in the shower before we needed to leave to head to the hair cut place for our appointments at 2:30.  I broke my promise and asked Teh German to lay the bathroom rugs back down, but I replaced all the living room rugs for Phil.

We arrived to the hair cut place right on time.  It's a place that Teh German found about a month ago and he liked the lady that cut his hair.  I knew I needed mine cut as well, so I just made an appointment at the same place at the same time.  It's hair, it will grow back... but I know better.  The lady that did my hair said it definitely needed to be cut and she asked if I wanted to layers.  I told her I didn't care and just to make it look good and ensure it still would go up in a pony tail.  When she washed my hair, she massaged my scalp, so I enjoyed that.  But then, I started to get scared.  She started cutting, which was fine since I don't have a length fear.  But then she started aggressively floofing my hair.  Know what you shouldn't do to curly hair?  Excessively floof.  I'm not even sure what she was doing, but my hair was a hot mess when I left, despite her "fixing" it. 

Also, let me just admit that I'm aware hair dressers hate doing perms.  I get it.  They are time consuming, they stink, blah blah blah.  2 of the hair dressers were surprised when I told them my hair was permed and not naturally curly, 1 of those was the lady cutting my hair.  She was still aggressively floofing when I told her.  She didn't stop floofing.  Even when she was trying to fix it.  I almost pulled away and said, "Have you ever deal with curly hair, ever?"  I didn't, but holy moly.  Stop floofing the curls.  You're just making them frizzy and I have to walk around like this for the rest of the day.  STTTAAHHPPP.  Also, I later learned that she had cut the front too short and it doesn't want to stay in the ponytail.  I was impressed with Teh German's hair cut until Sunday when he got wet and you could see that she hadn't trimmed one side of his "bangs".  Le siiiigh. 

After hair cuts, we decided to go to Home Team BBQ for late lunch/early dinner.  We had wanted to go on our anniversary evening to recreate our first date, but when Teh German's clutch broke, that was nixed and then we ended up doing Halls instead, so it was fine.  Teh German was starting to get a headache so food was our first priority.  There was a chipotle tostada special and they wouldn't let me try a small sample of the meat to judge how spicy it was, so I ordered it blindly.  Both people behind the counter said it wasn't really spicy, but Teh German and I shared a knowing look that said, they don't get it, but ok.  Truthfully, I suffered through it because it was good, but my mouth and lips were on fire.  Teh German said it was kinda spicy, so for me, it was almost unbearable. 

After we ate, we people/car watched for a bit and chatted.  Eventually, we headed out since Teh German wanted to go to Lowes.  About the time we pulled out of the parking lot, I needed to go to the bathroom.  I actually went so far as to ask Teh German where the bathroom was at the Lowes we were going to so I could plan properly.  He asked if we needed to stop at his work and I admitted that wouldn't be a bad idea.  The bad part of the idea was that Teh German didn't actually remember his alarm code.  Excellent.  So I took care of business while listening to the soothing sounds of the building alarm.  After I finished, we were still waiting on the cops to show up to ensure them that no one was actually breaking in.  It took 15-20 minutes for the lone officer to even meander up in his car.  Long enough that if someone were really breaking in, they'd be gone.

Once the alarm situation was dealt with, we headed to Lowes.  We only needed string for the weed eater.  We ended up with a 100 foot hose, 2 hose holders, 1 thing of string, 1 thing of 2 cycle oil, and we found a pressure washer we're going to get since it's got good reviews and it's on sale for $50 off right now.  Lowes free wifi is seriously a life saver for me.  After about an hour, we finally left and headed home.  Teh German's head was hurting so he relaxed and watched youtube for most of the evening, while I started the process of troubleshooting my Kindle.

So Kindle Fire's come with a program called Mayday which is essentially tech help via web cam where they can also control your Kindle.  It's creepy and awesome at the same time.  I was working with one tech who seemed to know what was up, but then the call got lost when I went to fetch the USB cable to transfer a book manually.  With sadness, I called back and the tech I got didn't even know what Calibre was.  Fantastic.  I explained the issues I was having and she pretty much said she didn't have any idea what was going on and that she was going to escalate me to a technician.  Ok.

The tech was trying to help me restore the Kindle to an old back up, but the screen kept freezing up/going black.  When I told him I was just getting a black screen he noticed that I had an extended warranty and said he would put me in contact with the warrant people to get a new Kindle for me since the black screen was a problem.  /shrug ok.

I had some issues with the warranty lady because she didn't want to use my credit card on file since it it is an Amazon rewards card.  She finally "made an exception" when I couldn't validate any of the other cards listed on the account and when I told her that I was calling through my Kindle and I didn't have a number pad to actually input a card number and she wasn't allowed to put card info in. 

TL;DR: I have a new Kindle HD 10 arriving on Wednesday.  For once, something that Mr. Scrooge did had a directly positive impact on my life. 

It makes me worried that the new Kindle is arriving right before we leave, but hopefully it won't be difficult to set up.  It was after I bought a new case for the Kindle 10 that I started trying to get my current Kindle to cooperate with the book situation.  Of course, it felt threatened, so it started working properly.  Not only did it start working properly, but I also learned a few things.

-.mobi files are better for ebooks than .azw.  Many moons ago, I read that .azw was the proper file to send to a Kindle, so that's what I had been using.  If you use the .mobi format, the books will show up with the covers under the Books tab, which hadn't been happening.

 -When using Calibre, don't allow Calibre to email .azw files to Amazon.  Amazon doesn't accept them.  Oops.  If you email them (correctly) to Amazon, not only do they show up on your Kindle, but also in the Kindle app.  Meannnninnngggg... if you have the Kindle app on your computer/phone, you can read there as well.. and it syncs.  Granted, the book will show up under Documents\sent-to-device and not in the Books tab, but for the ability to read across all my platforms, I'm willing to sacrifice titles not showing up under books for the ability to read and sync across platforms.

I got a few books loaded onto my Kindle and started reading my final challenge book, Forever, Interrupted.  In the beginning, I was bitter for being hooked so quickly, but I stayed up until midnight:30 to finish the book, so it was pretty good.  Also, challenge COMPLETE. 


I know I shouldn't be so caught up in what Goodreads is judging me for saying, but after seeing 4 books behind, I got a little obsessive.  Well, now I'm 4 books ahead... and I have 4 audiobooks, 2 hard copies, and several ebooks to read.  #cantstopwontstop

I reviewed the book so I could wind down and fall asleep, which was nearly impossible. 


SUNDAY

Another startle awake on Sunday morning, but not as bad as Saturday morning.  I think the dogs heard something and they both shot up, which woke me up too.  Ugh.  I got up and fed them and let them out, then we all went back to bed.  I continued reading Bossypants, which is still not sucking me in.  Eventually, Meri got up on the bed for snuggles and Teh German woke up, so reading was put to the side for family snuggles. 

We had plans to meet some of Teh German's coworkers at Triangle for brunch, then we were headed out to the Charleston Harbor on a boat around 2.  Brunch was successful, then we headed to grab a bag of ice, then meet everyone else at the marina.  The clouds had started rolling in, but we were still fine.  Our boat wasn't ready, so we walked back to the restaurant we had passed to continue our drinking while we waited.  30 minutes later, our boat arrived and was cleaned and we were headed out.  We were warned that storms were coming and to dock if we could, if we were caught in the storm. 

First we headed into the bay towards the Ravenel Bridge and the USS YORKTOWN.  After photos were accomplished and everyone emptied their bladders, we loaded back up and headed towards Isle of Palms and into Shem Creek.  The waters were rough and we could see the clouds headed our way and that it was raining, so we went around the other side of the storm towards James Island and Folly Beach.  We were able to get some tube time in, which was fun, abet mildly painful.  Let's just say that I definitely got some good salt water rinses done on my sinus cavities.


Charleston Battery

Bridge selfie!
With my Troll-esque hairs.

Love dat Bridge.


Fishing boats at Shem Creek

Fishing boats and paddle boarders.

Headed into the riverway to get some tubing on.

Charles Towne Landing, a historical thing in Charleston
(students in SC learn about it)

Storms avoided

Selfies with Boyfran.

We had to be back by sunset and as we were almost to the marina it started raining.  By the time we pulled up to the marina, it was pouring.  I grabbed our duffle bag with our stuff in it and tried to put it under my towel and headed to cover with Teh SC Teacher.  I rang out my towel twice just get my clothes put on.  I ended up free boobing and free ballin' because it was easier than dealing with a wet swim suit.  Also, I had consumed a nalgene full of adult "juice" so I had zero fucks to give. 

We had planned on eating at the restaurant where we had gotten drinks, but they were closed.  We redirected to Mex 1 since Mexican was a drunk crowd pleaser.  Some members of our group were overly drunk and I don't think our poor server was prepared for that.  I have the ability to be very sober acting while pretty intoxicated, so I essentially took charge at the table.  By the time we were finished eating, I was overly annoyed because no amount of drunkenness helps me tolerate certain things.  I was almost sober by the time checks came, so I drove home. 

I was feeling a little guilty because we got home around 8:30 and that's wayyyy late for the dogs, who normally eat dinner at 5-6pm.  Teh German helped me take care of the dogs, then it was time to shower the salt water off and get to bed.

________________________________
Overall, an outstanding weekend.  I'm sure I'm special in that I am glad I cleaned the floors for 3 hours.  I like a clean house and all those hours make me feel even prouder.  Also, the fact that I spent 3 hours just cleaning the floors should explain why I could never hire someone to clean my house.  I have really, realllllyyyyy high standards. 

I was hoping for more time in the harbor/under the Bridge, but the waters were so choppy that I was having to hold my boobs and I was over that.  Also, there would have been no tubing in the harbor, so it was good that the storms ran us away. 

Extra yays for discovering what emailing a book actually means for my life (no more brainless Insta/FB scrolling since I READ now)!  Extra YAYs (in caps) for a new Kindle.  Despite getting the book situation worked out, I was still getting the black screen of nothingness, and having already lost all my puzzle progress and it not coming back, I had nothing to lose by saying yes to a new Kindle.  I had the option to get a refurbished Kindle HDX 8.9 (like I have), but I went with the 10 upgrade since #whynot.

Final YAYs for it FINALLY being DISNEY WEEK!!!!  (And for finally being in the new office, even though I get to claim "first" for being the first one to lock myself out of our space because my access badge was missing (it had fallen off my laynard and onto the floor and I hadn't noticed until I went to my car and was trying to find it to get back in the building).)
 

Friday, August 26, 2016

Book Challenge #3 Update 2

Erin's Book Challenge is in full swing and I'm almost finished.

Key:

Complete
In progress
To read


5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.


10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “R”.


10 points: Read a book with five words in the title.



15 points: Read a book that has a (mostly) blue cover.



20 points: Read a book with twins as characters.



20 points: Read a book from this list of books made into movies:


25 points: Read a book set in a country you have always wanted to visit. (Italy)


30 points: Read a historical fiction book.



30 points: Read a music related book.


35 points: Read a book originally published over 100 years ago.



I may have also thrown in some non-challenge books this month, which is my explanation for a seeming lack of progress.  #notsorry

But let me just show you this:






That would be THREEEEEEE books ahead of schedule.  Remember when I was a shameful FOUR books behind schedule?  BOOM, Beeches. 


I've already decided I'm not doing the bonus round since I know I will not complete it and I hate leaving things incomplete.  This really means I'm not in a rush to finish my remaining book(s) since I have through Oct 31.  Though truth be told, I'd like to finish ASAP so I can move on to other books I want to read, like the 2 on my nightstand.  Also, I'm probably going to finish Bossypants and potentially try reading some of the books that were other options, but I'm not holding out on any specific book in general.  Obviously my goal is 40 books for the year and I'm pretty confident I can make that happen.

Has anyone read the 2nd book, Dragonfly in Amber, of the Outlander series??  I'm thinking of it as my next audiobook.  It's 39 hours and I feel like that's a solid investment.. and at least a month of commute time + extra listening when it gets too good to stop.


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Confessions {8/24}

-I learned, after watching 4 hours of Lightroom tutorials on YouTube, that "good" photographers aren't necessarily good photographers.  Instead, they are good photo editors.  Annoying.  That said, I'm proud of my photography, because I barely edit compared to most of the "good" photographers.  #boombitches


-I understand that people want/need to make money, but WTF is with the Lulularoe explosion on my Facebook feed?  It's absolutely maddening.  The worst part is that it's parties for people that people I'm friends with know, so I don't even know the people who are showing up on my FB feed.  It's the worst actually.  Well, 2nd to all the ads that have decided to torture me.  Not sure why but there has been a VERY strong resurgence in ads on my feed and despite hiding the ads, it won't load the "Why am I seeing these" link so I can tell it to stop, they are still appearing.  #ichmagesnicht

-I discovered that there is a massage school about 15 minutes from our house.  $35 for a 90 minute massage and no tipping since they are students.  Game on.  #betterthanGroupon #appointmentsmade


-I discovered recently that an ex uses my nickname for him as his instagram name.  To include the "teh" part.  I don't mind the name part, but the "teh" part is MINE.  I am Teh Megan, I was "teh" first.  This person became Teh (Nickname I called him) when I called him that.  Truthfully though, I wonder if his girlfriend realizes that I gave him that nickname.  Or maybe she calls him he same name?  Except.. again.. the "teh".  That's just awkward I think.  This is why people get copyrights.  #Icameupwiththat #stealinmygenius


-In SC bug bites are weird.  They don't itch right away, oh no no.. they wait.  Until 24-36 hours after the bite to start itching.  This essentially makes the bites last for a week.  #itstheworst

-I have this awkward thing I do where I make sex-ish noises when I scratch my itches.  Combine this "attribute" with a smattering of bug bites from being in the backyard last Weds evening.  Sounds pretty orgasmic over here.  #itsonlyawkwardinpublic #butitfeelssogood

-I tried on a Lululemon shirt when Teh Sister was here since she owns a few and I actually liked them.  #FML

-My double chin has become very prominent recently and it depresses me.  It could also be the way I hold my head, but it's gross.  Why isn't there a work out specifically to target the double chin?  Also, why does eating have have to make so much of a difference in my body.  Ughhh.. #Ijustwanttoeatallthethings #andnotgetfat #fatter #Ilovemybody

-Earlier this week I deleted over 2000 emails from my work email.  Please don't be impressed.  I hadn't deleted any emails I had sent since my first day.  So Jan 20, 2015.  #cleaninghouse

-I teleworked on Tuesday because I almost passed out, twice, in the shower after our 5 mile run.  Not because my toe or the distance or me not stopping, but probably due to dehydration.  I didn't drink a lot the day before, and based on the scale, I lost almost 1 lb of water weight while running, and then after I was horizontal for a while, I had a killer headache for most of the day.  All signs point to dehydration.  That said, I'm usually tomato faced after a run, but this time I was a ghostly green/white color and it freaked me out quite a bit.  Also, I think I scared Teh German.  #greenisnotagoodcoloronme


-With the construction vehicles parked on the sides of the streets in the development and with resident cars on the streets, it's like playing chicken when you go through the neighborhood.  It's my least favorite thing.  The best part?  The cop that lives 3 doors down parks his squad car in the street.  I've yet to see the neighbors bitch about that on the FB page.  #butwhoamItonotice

-I've noticed more and more recently that my typed words are often riddled with typos and grammar mistakes.  This isn't because I don't know the proper way to speak English, but often because my fingers move too fast on the keyboard.  For instance, almost every time I type because, I type it becuase due to finger speed.  Also, sometimes it takes me several times to type a word correctly because of muscle memory.  I will mean to type one word, but it's very similar to another and my fingers take over and type the other similar word instead of the word I intended.  #itscomplicated #toomanywordsperminute #timetoslowdown


-After Teh German said something about how he thought our schedule would slow down the 2nd half of the year, I had to stifle a cackle.  I know we have activities planned, so I went to my handy dandy calendar to see exactly what we had planned.  Holy mother, what have I done?

~move to new office: Aug 25/26/29
~Disneyland runs: Sept 1-5
~Isle of Palms 10k: Oct 1
~Teh Sister/Phil's Birthday: Oct 10/11
~Band of Horses concert: Oct 19 (not that tickets have been purchased)
~Teh MD-AR in Charleston: Oct 20-25
~James Island Connector Run (10k): Oct 22
~Hockey season starts for Stingrays: Oct 25
~Teh Ville in MD for Blue Angels: Oct 29/30
~Halloween: Oct 31
~Election Day: Nov 8
~Thanksgiving: Nov 24
~Teh German's Aunt in Charleston: Dec 14-28
~Teh Sister's graduation: Dec 17
~Possible Disney World trip: Dec 18-20
~Panthers vs Falcons: Dec 24
~Christmas: Dec 25
~New Years Eve: Dec 31


-Guaranteed way to piss me/Teh German off: Try to contact us between 11pm-6am for a non-emergency.  If you're responding to a group text because you know you're awake and no one else in the group is, you're a douche.  #dontbeanasshole #itsnotfunny #beautysleep






Monday, August 22, 2016

Weekend Review {8/22}

FRIDAY

Friday at work, I found out I'm getting put on another project.  I'm so pumped about it!  Being bored is seriously one of my least favorite things, so even if I have no idea how to accomplish my new responsibilities, I'll be happy to at least be frustrated trying.  I mean, if I can deal with my techs saving over my final drafts of documents over and over and blatantly making edits in incorrect documents then not even apologizing when I point out THEIR error to them.  Learning something entirely different can't be that bad, right?  Right.

My quad mate brought in his chew toy dog since we're about to move offices and we aren't sure what the pet policy will be at our interim office. 

We're obviously besties now.

I can't remember her name, but she didn't whine or bark and that made us friends officially.

After getting my hours in, I headed home around 2.  I stopped at Big Lots to return the mirror I had gotten while we were in the mountains since it was scratched up.  I went home and snuggled with the pups and finished listening to Glass Sword and did puzzles.  So much rage.  Soooo angry about that book.  Also, review preview: I fucking hate Mare Barrow.  HHHHaaaaattttteeee. 

Finally, Teh German came home and we went out to dinner at a Mexican place nearby.  It was disappointing.  When we got back, we sat around entertaining ourselves with social media until Teh Sister and Teh BIL arrived.  After the weiner brigade attacked the house and everyone had been let out and had settled, it was finally bedtime.

PS.  Hue lights:



SATURDAY

Saturday morning I woke up and saw this super adorable bowl that I really wanted on Instagram.  I called every TJ Maxx/Marshall's/Home Goods in Charleston and could only fine ONE.  I wanted 4.  Nonetheless, Teh Sister and I set out on the hunt for it. 

Hooyah for Chief's initiation every August.
It's the one guaranteed time of the year my car will get a bath.

Because I'm an idiot, I didn't realize that where I wanted to go wasn't actually the store I wanted to go to.  The Marshall's of West Ashley had the one bowl.  After a trip to Target to pick up a few things I didn't need/needed, we stopped at Michael's for a hot glue gun, and then Groucho's for lunch because the hangar was real, then I realized that what I thought was Marshall's was actually a TJ Maxx.  Ugggh.  We walked around since we were there, ended up almost buying some things and putting them back instead.

If you can find these bowls for me, I'd love you forever!
Dogs, WITH handle, with lid.

After Not Marshall's, we ended up going to Metto to get coffee and going home, completely not going by the Marshall's that spawned the entire outing.  When we got home, Teh German and Teh BIL weren't home.  They had went to pick up Teh German's life vest and then went to Carolina Ale House for lunch.  Teh Sister and I started on our projects and they arrived home soon after.


I needed to make our ears for Disneyland and Teh Sister brought all the materials to make an Up wreath that I had found on Pinterest.  She brought her sewing machine to help with my ears project.

There was a bit of a debacle about getting the TV to work with my computer so the men could watch the Brazil vs Germany soccer game.  It involved some yelling between Teh German and I, which is a rarity.  When do it though, we often have an audience.  #awkward  Teh German ended up getting the game on the tv after I went back to my projects. 


After the game was over, with much disappointment at Teh Ville, it was dinner time.  We'd decided on Sesame since they have a black bean burger for Teh Sister.  The food was good, but the side effects were not.  3/4 of us had upset bellies almost immediately after we ate.  Teh German and Teh BIL went to Palmetto Moon to pick up a sticker for a project while Teh Sister and I headed to Target to pick up the items that I had forgotten.  First, we stopped by the bathroom at Target, because belly issues were a pressing matter.  No details, but I will share the funniest part was when a lady walked in the bathroom and announced, "SHOO!  This bathroom STINKS!"  We stayed quiet while she muttered the entire time she peed about how stinky the bathroom was.  She made the announcement again as she left the bathroom... at which point we finally started giggling and I said, "Imagine that!"  Teh Sister said that there was also another lady in the bathroom who was giggling. 

After completing my business trip and washing my hands, I headed to pick up the items I forgot and met Teh Sister at the exit, then we met the guys at the car.  We couldn't stop giggling about the lady.  We made it home and Teh German started a fire.  Eventually, it started to drizzle, so we had to go inside, at which point, we called it a night.

Phil was confused about not being able to go into his crate for a PB kong, so he fit himself in Meri's crate. 
This always amuses me.
We left him out so we could put a Nephdawg into Meri's crate.


SUNDAY

We got a slow start Sunday morning and opted to go out for brunch instead of making something at home. 

Meri obviously didn't mind.

We hit up Iron Dog Diner and it was scrumptious.  I definitely updated my Yelp review this morning to reflect my new opinion.  Also, the wait wasn't as long this time, so I wasn't unbearably hangry.  After brunch we headed back home to finish up projects and dremel dog nails before Teh Sister and Teh BIL left to go home. 


Up themed!

Why Up?
Because that's the first dinner and a movie date Teh German and I went out on.  It also happened to be playing the first time we held hands.  Sappiness level = off the charts.

After company left, Teh German and I discussed the screened in patio situation.  We're still at a standstill with that project.  I know we'd like to do something to screen in the patio, but we aren't sure what yet since it can't be a "permanent structure."  It's the worst.  We had sandwiches for dinner because laziness and unprepared Megan. 

After dinner, I went out to water the flowers and ended up planting some of the flowers Teh Sister had delivered, which wasn't my intention.  Glad it got accomplished, nonetheless.  Teh German got motivated by my productivity and decided to test out the new tiller head on the weed eater and plant some grass in the back yard.  He originally thought of doing the front yard, but I am still afraid the heat is going to scorch the seeds, so I suggested he do the back instead, so it will have shade.

This was all pine needles.  I'm not sure why the entire house was lined with pine needles, but what a waste.

Moarrr flowarrrsss
#alltheflowers

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Overall, a good weekend.  Despite some drama with Teh German, we got things accomplished and we had company.  We survived with 5 dogs in the house and the wieners didn't sing as much as they could have.  Biggest feats were getting the ears done for Disneyland and the Up wreath.  Without Teh Sister, neither of those projects would have been accomplished.

A week and a half left till DISNEYLANNNDDD!!!!  Woooooot!

Friday, August 19, 2016

Friday Dump

This is less of a Five on Friday and more of a brain dump post.  #myblog #myrules #notsorry #yourewelcome #hashtagoverload #Imonaroll #notsorry #Icoulddothisallday #thatwouldgetannoying #Imannoying #thisismylife #YOLO

Anyways.  Now that I've got 1% of my Gentle Readers still with this tab open wondering WTF just happened, welcome to my life.  Moving on.

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I wrote an entire post about our Hue lights.  I'll be posting it when we get in the final pieces.  I'm excited to share it with you, but I want to wait until we have everything complete before I post it so I don't have to update the post, because I know I'll never update the post.  So really, I'm saving myself work AND I'll have something to entertain you with while we're at Disneyland.  Yeah, you'll probably have to wait that long, but I promise it's worth it.  Although, I probably just broke a blogger rule telling you about how far in advance I will schedule a post.. and how I'll take advantage of content to my benefit.  Truthfully, I was a little worried about how quiet it would be around these parts while I was at Disney, so now #problemsolved #likeaboss.

I'll give you this preview though:



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Teh Sister is coming today!  And Teh Utah Specialist/Bro-in-law!  And Teh Nephdawgs!

So far we've planned:
-gardening
-making ears for Disney
-watching the Germany vs Brazil Olympic soccer rematch.
-seeing Pete's Dragon

I should probably change the sheets on the guest bed.


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I can't stop listening to Pvris.  I just love them.




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I'm SERIOUSLY concerned about my Disney runs.  Bum toe is really bumming me out.  I've been wrapping it since going to the chiro.  It's fine until I go to bed, when my toes, apparently, spread apart a crazy amount and having my 2 toes together is just unacceptable.  I slept sooo good last night because I released my toes from their prison.

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This post about shit people have said coming out of anesthesia gave me the lolz.

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I schedule a post about Hue lights, but still haven't finished editing the Germany photos to finish my recaps AND decorate my house.  #priorities

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I accidentally stumbled upon this post on the GEGR forums from that one time that I stalked Teh MD-AR.  It's crazy to me that this level of crazy earned me one of the best friends a woman could ask for!  Soon after this post, we had a dog play date where we chatted for an hour while our dogs laid at the dog park napping.  Then we progressed to walking our pups together and then dog sitting for each other.  We became greyt, and great, friends and then we even progressed up to roomies!  It was a sad day when I moved to SC.  I'm so glad that we are friends through it all!  Also, this just shows that my crazy often pays off.  I mean, you remember that one time I joined an online dating site so I would have some good blog fodder?  Yeah.  I love being right.


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I don't watch the news, but the fact that I heard about NOT hearing about the floods in LA causes my brain to wrinkle.  I wish I could understand what is going on in the media, but that's impossible.  When I think about the fact that I have a media degree and the media repulses me, I wonder what I was thinking.. But then I remember I was full of youth and hope and thought my voice would change things.  I've obviously learned that maybe I was wrong about that (one thing), but I still try to speak out and bring things to light when I can.  I can't fight every fight, but I can pick my battles and fight strong.

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10 things that made me happy this week:
  1. Hue lights, despite their expense.
  2. Play dates with Roux the neighbor dog.
  3. Homemade blueberry preserves/jelly from the neighbor as a gift for not letting their plants die while they were on vacation.  AKA, I'm glad for rain.
  4. Dogs at work that aren't whiny.
  5. Toasted peaches smothered with honey butter and cinnamon sugar butter, topped with ice cream.
  6. Seeing a "busy" coworker streaming It's Always Sunny.  SUPPPPERRR busy.  Makes me feel less guilty for this post, right now.
  7. Friendship with great women.
  8. Realizing I've been retweeted (Thanks Allison).  It's like months late, but whatevs.
  9. Easily making an appointment for Yurtle's doctor appointment.
  10. Finally finishing this post, approximately 6 hours after I started it.  Ugh.