Weekend Review {9/28}

FRIDAY

In the morning was work things, lunchtime included dropping off Willow for 30,000 mile maintenance and picking up Willie Jewell's for take-away lunch, and the afternoon consisted of more work things.

I actually got to do a work task and it was minimal, but I did it!

In the evening, we went to Subaru to pick up my car, but it was locked, unlike what I'd be told, and I was PISSED we'd wasted a trip out.  I mean, I hadn't been overly pleased at the idea of leaving my car unlocked on the lot, but my ride (Husband) wasn't available until after they closed, so I figured it'd be fine.  It was not fine.  I couldn't bring Willow home.  DID NOT LIKE.

Since we'd eaten a big lunch, we snacked for dinner and spent the evening watching Silicone Valley.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning was going pretty good until Teh German asked me if I wanted to go pick up Willow and I remembered how livid I was at the dealership.  UGH.  We handled that situation, I went by the grocery store to pick up ice cream for the Willie Jewell's bread pudding we'd gotten on Friday and by Bojangles for a gravy biscuit since I was already out. #SorryNotSorry.  I got home and ate my breakfast and Teh German and I did some slight house keeping to make sure that the house was picked up since we'd agreed (despite how pissy I was about it) to let the buyers come view the house again.  I'm not really sure what they needed to see, they kinda did another complete walk through.

There was some initial sass about the dogs being home (although they were outside) but things smoothed out from there.  We tried to explain some of the smarthome stuff to them and explained that we'd leave a list of apps that go with each device so they can manage it.  I chatted with their realtor about Barbados (after she asked when we'd be vacating) which was fun.

They did decide they wanted the washer and dryer and we agreed that if we were required to replace the HVAC drip pan (that has a motherfucking rust spot in it, despite having been replaced such a short time ago, also, fuck that HVAC) that the money could come from that.

I was rather irritated when they arrived because we were literally sitting around waiting on them to arrive and we noticed a car pull up at 2:15 and then another 10 minutes later and they didn't actually come in until 2:30 and their appointment was for 2 and well.. tardiness and I are not close friends.  Also, I was just generally angsty because what if these people were horrible and wanted to replace the floors and take down the pallet wall and repaint the walls AND THEN THEY TOLD ME?!?  By the end, it wasn't so bad, but still, I'm an escalator and shit was escalating quickly.

They left by 3 and our day resumed it's normal nothingness.  I got motivated and decided to make this sweet potato/chickpea patty recipe I'd found (with a greek yogurt dipping sauce) and it was an absolute flop.

1- I had to hand grate an entire sweet potato.  Rude.
2- I don't oil fry things, so I had to determine time/temp to put these in the air fryer.
3- They just weren't that good.

So blah that Teh German and I agreed we wouldn't be eating the leftovers if I cooked them, so I didn't even bother to cook the rest of the patty mix and tossed it (I would have fed it to the dogs, but it had raw onion in it).

Teh German had posted our trailer and the fish tank for sale on Marketplace and the trailer was gone within 2 hours of the listing.  Teh German's next goal is to acquire a covered trailer, which he's been talking about for a while, with the money from the trailer and motorcycle sales.

In the evening, we watched Silicon Valley until WAYYY too late and finally went to bed by midnight.

SUNDAY

Teh German and I agreed that we needed to start hitting up some of our favorite CHS places before we leave and Holy City brunch was HIGH on that list.  We agreed to take the bikes out and go to brunch on Sunday morning.  We were functional at 0900 when the realtor messaged us asking us to call.  Things I was not interested in: dealing with house/realtor that early in the morning.  Things I did: ripped off the bandaid and called the realtor.

The buyers were negotiating repairs/washer dryer pricing, the also wanted to purchase the trailer.  I straight up told our agent, they should have spoken up yesterday when they were here/to my face if they wanted to buy stuff.  We're selling as much as possible so we don't have to move it...  We discussed some options and then I got off the phone and Teh German and I got ready to leave.

We headed out by 1030 and still there was a short wait when we arrived.  We were seated and had ordered when the realtor called me to discuss their rebuttal.  Gentle Readers, I HATE negotiating.  HHHAAATTTEEE ITTTTT.  I hate having to overprice everything to get what I actually want to get from a transaction.  Having come off a Marketplace selling streak, my skills are sharp right now, and also, I was really taken advantage of in Bahrain multiple times because of my ignorance.. so I'm bitter too.  But the reality is, these buyers are making me feel like I'm being nickeled-and-dimed for every.little.thing.

While I was talking to the realtor, our food came and I started eating because I was starving.  I was confused at the presence of onions on my meal, but just kinda pushed them to side and dug in.. Then I got off the phone and was explaining the call with Teh German (since it was too loud inside for speakerphone) when another entrée arrived to our table and was offered to me as "the meal you actually ordered."  I hadn't even remembered what I had actually ordered.  In my defense, they entrée they brought first was actually my backup choice, so that's kinda why I couldn't remember... and I was distracted when the food arrived, so that too.

L: Poutine; R: taters + egg

Everything was delicious.  I had almost ordered the chicken and waffles, but we might actually go back to HCB next weekend because they are my favorite brunch place.  It is what it is.  We stayed for a while and sipped our beverages (mmmm sweet tea) and discussed the situation with the buyers and negotiation and just stuff.  Eventually, we decided it was time to go and we agreed to ride down to Folly Beach and then come home.

The ride out was great.  The weather is perfect riding weather, not too hot, not too cold.  Also, I hadn't been to Folly in a hot minute.  I was supposed to do a half marathon there in Feb, but I was dying of the Death Sickness (was it COVID?  Was it not?  no one knows!) so I didn't get to run that race.  Fun fact, riding the distance on a bike felt just as far as running it!

On our way home, we encountered a pretty bad accident where our entire side of the highway was shut down so we had to turn around and make a significant detour to get home.  Fortunately, the weather held out so the ride wasn't bad, but my poor inner thighs were screamin' by the time we got home and lawd was my crotch numb.

When we got home, I showered and started working on Meri's birthday cake.  Teh PT Kid came over for some math tutelage. We worked through his study guide so he'd ace his upcoming test.  When the cake was done, I fed him cake.  I also prepared birthday treats for all the beasties (resident hounds and neighbor hounds).  I dispensed bday cake (human vanilla cake + dog icing (greek yogurt mixed with crunchy peanut butter) topped with an apple slice and some mini marshmallows) to our beasts and new toys.  After Teh PT Kid departed, Meri and I walked down to Roux's house for some yard/social time and to deliver birthday treats to neighbor furiends!

Around doggy dinner time, I headed home to reunite with the fam.  Dinner was pizza fries.  Evening entertainment consisted of dog petting, screen time, and Silicon Valley.

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Overall, a fabulous weekend.  Good weather = motorcycle date, which is one of our favorite activities, for sure.

I cannot stress enough just how over the entire house selling/buying shit I am.  Because, truly, I hate everything about it.  From "that's the way it is done" to negotiating and feeling like an asshole for standing my ground.  I know that we'll walk away from this process with money in our pocket, but it feels tainted and there's no joy because it feels like every penny we get to keep in our pocket we've had to fight for and it's exhausting (also, most of that money is from when we were overpaying on the house payment, but ya know, details).  And the worst part is... we're only half way through this garbage.  So many of the things our buyers have asked for are things I'd NEVER ask for.. but I'm confident as soon as the MD realtor says, "that's just the way things are," I/we'll be asking for the same things and feeling like an absolute sleezebag.

We have to repair the HVAC drip pan and replace some vent cover thing outside the house that Teh German acknowledged breaking (which is a few dollars).  They also requested that we repaint the wall in the living room with all the photos on it and I straight up said NO (and the realtor backed up me on this since it's cosmetic).  We're leaving the extra paint for you to do your own touch ups.  You know what, you have to do SOME work when it comes to buying a house and moving in.  I'm not doing it for you.  I have to do MY OWN MOVE and buy my own house and deal with all the same shit.  How about you think of that?  Jesus, take the wheel.

I did agree to having the carpets cleaned because they have needed to be cleaned for a while and I never had it done because we were waiting on the HVAC to be repaired, then it got side-lined because school, then we painted and I wanted to wait till after that.. Then COVID.  Soo, fine.

They will be purchasing our washer and dryer, which saves us from having to move those bitches and being paranoid about mold from any water that remained in the washer and them from having to wait on ordering something that is currently backordered.  There was also talk about purchasing the curtains/rods, so I'm waiting to hear about that.

The appraiser came earlier today and took her photos and measurements.  It was super quick, she was very friendly, and we talked about the resident beasties. 

I am beyond NEEDING to go to the Chiro.  I'm about to have to have Teh German drive my broke ass.  I had considered going this evening but it's POURING rain and these fools around here can't fucking drive in the rain, so I'm not even going to bother.  This is extremely shitty since I'm not sure I'll be able to go tomorrow or Wednesday and I am in some serious pain.  My neck keeps tweaking and despite how warm it is, I imagine that a heating pad is in my future.

Ya know what we haven't had in a while?  A countdown to something that is ALL positive and barely causes any anxiety. 

So that anxiety causing is more of a when I don't actually put any detailed thought into the situation of international flights during a pandemic, but here we are...  trying to ignore real life, kthx.

Happy ALMOST OCTOBER, Gentle Readers!

Weekend Review {5/11}

FRIDAY

Friday started with a run with Teh Running Advisor.  I did a short run because I had to get back home and get showered and get Pax to the vet for his dental by 0800.  I forgot that if you aren't in line at 0745, you'll spend your entire morning waiting on the vet intake process, so that was a lesson relearned.  I was disappointed to see that the vet's office wasn't doing ANYTHING in relation to sanitation, like we all signed in with the same pen, which made me pretty stabby.  But that could have also been because of the lady that passed 3 people in line to sign in on the form while we were all just standing in line waiting.  RRRRUUUUDDEE.  She didn't ask if we were waiting to sign in, just breezed past us all and put her name down.  Sooo I kinda hope she gets the CV.  It was finally my turn around 0850 to let them take Pax back and confirm my appointment needs (dental, nails trimmed, all necessary extractions, meds, etc).  I have appointments for Meri and Sandy this week and you better believe I'll be early AF so I'm not sitting there all day waiting to drop off the beast.  It's my least favorite thing about this place, their check-in procedures, but they are low cost.. sooo trade offs I guess?

The look of betrayal when he was not allowed to have breakfast almost broke my heart.

Anyways, after dropping off the Moose, I headed to the Citadel to take some Ring selfies.  Honestly, I wanted to see if campus security was letting people on campus since the pre-bootcamp Marines are staging at the Citadel to fulfill a 2 week quarantine period before shipping off to Paris Island for official bootcamp.  I had zero problems.  I took some selfies then headed back home for work things for the afternoon.  

The view from across the parade field.

RING(S)!!

College-y McCollergerson:
Hoodie, sunglasses, ring, sweet tea.

Sandy Dee passed out in the office.

In the evening, I picked up stoner Moose with his 3 missing teeth, and we came back home.  Teh German had passed me on his way home, while I was on my way to get Pax, so I knew he was home when I got back.  

Apparently, Pax had an accident in the crate where he was being kept after the dental, so they tried to wash him off (very poorly) and rinsed off his collars, thus the naked dog.  

My mermaid medal arrived!  A millionty years later.

I don't remember what we did in the evening, but since there were no photos, I imagine it went something like: leftovers for dinner and scrolling time on the back porch.  

SATURDAY

GRADUATION DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, the day was bittersweet because there wasn't a real graduation ceremony to attend.  Teh German got up with the beasts and we slept in and had a slow start.  When we did get up, we made a currywurst breakfast bowl, which sounds way weirder than it actually was.  It was actually delicious.  Then for breakfast dessert we had cinnamon rolls.

After breakfast, I scooped poop since I didn't expect that Teh German had planned anything to celebrate my graduation (let me remind you about that birthday incident a few months ago before you go on acting like I'm the asshole) and I figured if the yard was free of poop we could at least invite some neighbors over and "have a measly fire" in the evening.  The ceremony started at 1 and Teh German was telling me at 1240 how he was going to take Pax up and give him a shower and blah blah blah and I was like, are you fucking serious right now?  This thing starts at 1 and you have to shower NOW?!  I couldn't even.  Pax ended up NOT getting a bath, but Timo did get a shower and I brushed my teeth and changed into a Citadel shirt with my pajama pants, because isn't that the dream of every graduate?  To attend their commencement ceremony in pajamas?

Since there was no reading of 400 names, the ceremony only took about 45 minutes.  I did get all teary listening to the speakers, even if the speeches were directed at the Cadets. 

After the ceremony, it had been agreed on that we would go on a motorcycle ride as an excuse to get out of the house.  First, Teh German checked the mail and my first graduation present arrived; a 2020 Willow Tree figurine, to mark my graduation as an official event, from Teh Sister.  I don't collect many trinkets or things like that, because I hate dust collectors.  Willow Tree figurines are one of the exceptions to that rule.  The other exceptions are photo frames and memorabilia items from vacations with Husband (glass balls from Italy, etc).

I was slightly annoyed about going on a ride on graduation day.  I knew that Teh German was trying to help me be in a better mood by getting me out of the house, but we were doing something that would make HIM feel better, not me.  Not that I had any idea what WOULD make me feel better, which is why I agreed to go on a ride.  We had agreed to ride down to Metto just as a reason to get out of the house.  Since we didn't have any plans, I also told Teh German we should go take some ring selfies.  Look, I missed out on 2 months worth of ring selfies walking to class, so I needed to make up for that deficiency.  

After selfies, we headed across town to Metto for beverages.  We spent some time scrolling and drinking.  Then, Teh German finished his beverage and was like, "Ok, let's go."  I wasn't even halfway done with my drink.  So Teh German waited a little bit longer for me to finish and then was like ok, let's go.  Ya'll, I still hadn't finished my beverage, but I was like, hrm, he must need to poop or something, so I sucked down what I could (that's what she said) and we got on the bikes and headed home.  We were stopped at a light close to the house when Teh German pulled off his glove to respond to a text message on this phone (it's on a holder attached to the bike, so he can use it for navigation/etc) and I was confused, because that doesn't happen.  We were almost home when Teh German left me behind, but it wasn't weird since he does that sometimes to get the garage to open on it's own (because the sensor doesn't like it when 2 phones approach at the same time).  While I moseyed home, I decided that even if his peculiar behavior wasn't actually indicative of anything, I would be in a better mood, no matter what.  It was still graduation day and I had plenty to be happy about and grateful for.  

Gentle Readers, I turned the corner to our house a minute or so later and saw an out of place red tent in our front yard and the GL Cool Kids standing on both sides of the driveway to welcome me home with cheers and applause.  Teh German was already parked in the garage.  I'm not actually sure how I didn't run anyone over when I was pulling into the driveway because my vision was so blurry from the laughter and the tears.  I was COMPLETELY surprised.  Even with my asshole-ary texts in the AM to Teh PT Wife and Teh Bestie, neither of them gave it away.. and everyone admitted later that they had all laughed at my woe because they knew what was coming.

What had started out as a joke a few weeks ago came to complete fruition.  The GLCK built a stage for me to "cross", borrowed a cap and gown for me to wear, Teh English Seamstress made an honors sash for me, Teh PT Kid was the announcer, Husband presented my GLCK certified diploma, and other neighbors presented my Veteran Student awards.  It was hilarious and awesome and it was impossible NOT to feel loved.  Yes, maybe we broke some social distancing rules, but I think for everyone present, it was worth it just because I cried so much!

 

In addition to the driveway celebration, Teh PT Wife and Teh German had arranged for people who couldn't be present for the gathering to send a video that would be played during the party.  Queue: even more tears.  Videos from NY relatives, a former HS teacher, running friends, German family and friends.  Yall know that I've always got the words to describe things, but really, I don't.  I was speechless other than "thank yous" and "awwwws" through sobs.  

When everyone started heading home to feed their beasts, we moved the party to the backyard for whoever wanted to stay, after I did another last minute yard sweep for poopies.  

Did I expect to spend the day of my graduation un-showered and in my motorcycle boots lookin' like the hot mess express?  Absolutely not.  Did I?  100% Yes.  This graduation day was everything I never imagined and it was absolutely perfect.  Even if I didn't get to finish my drink.  Since Saturday, I haven't stopped replaying the laughter and giggles and tears and feelings of love and contentedness in my mind.  It will probably be a while before I do. 

SUNDAY

Sunday was NOT a runday, despite the alarm going off.  I woke up early with the beasts and went back to bed, ignored the run alarm after verifying with Teh PT Wife that we were not running, and went back to sleep.  Teh German and I ended up staying in the bed until almost noon, for no particular reason than, we could.

We got up and started the day with leftover pizza for breakfast/lunch.  I made the menu for the week and piddled around the house.  Teh German did Teh German things.  During the afternoon, Teh PT Wife messaged me to invite us over to hang out and after brushing my teeth and taking care of my business, we headed over.  I decided that Sunday was a good day to obtain my 2020 base tan... 

We came home at doggy dinner time to feed the beasts.  I took care of some chores, but was mostly exhausted so I headed upstairs by 8/830 to get ready for bed and shower.. finally, a sweet sweet shower.  I was in bed by 9, with zero regrets.

______________________________________________

There are not words to accurately describe how fucking fantastic this weekend was.  Teh PT Wife and Roux's Humom put on a shindig that I will never forget... at least I'm attributing the credit to them because it was their idea to begin with.  I'm sure there was a LOT of help to make it happen, so all my GLCK deserve thanks and appreciation.  And I also need to give poor Husband a shoutout for having to keep this a secret from me and dealing with my mopey ass all week.  He did admit during a quiet moment on Saturday that he'd been so stressed all week because he'd receive a video from a German and he'd want to tell me they asked about me or something but then he didn't want me to get suspicious, so he wouldn't tell me.. Or the one time he accidentally slipped up and said something about talking to an aunt and how I didn't even question it, thankfully.  Honestly, this is a testament to the level of trust in my marriage.  On Saturday morning before the ceremony, Teh German said to me, "I need to go over to Teh PT Husband's house to help him with something."  I didn't even question it then or when he returned.  Just said ok and went back to whatever I was doing.  Also, it's not unusual for Teh PT Husband to request Teh German's help with things, sooooo unless I over-thought about it, I had no reason to be suspicious and because I had expectations that nothing would be happening, I didn't even ask.

I will admit, that even though she told me she wasn't going to be in CHS, I still checked Google Maps to see if Teh Bestie's location was 1- still turned on to me, 2- wasn't somewhere between her house and mine.  I was disappointed to see that she was still at home, but it wasn't like she hadn't told me, lol.  A girl can wish.

And if you remember how much irrational rage it gave me for our across the street neighbor to be putting balloons on his mailbox for every minor celebration that occurred in their household (honestly, it wasn't the balloons themselves, it was the droopy balloons and strings that never got removed from the post that irritated me, mkay), I left my balloons on the mailbox until Sunday evening when I finally brought them inside.  Also, I made sure that all the strings were removed from the mailbox post and there was no debris in the yard.


So, yeah.. I'm a Citadel Alumna now.  /mindblown

The Catch-Up of Catch Ups.

So I popped in on May 4th to let my Gentle Readers know that I was alive and promised to catch you up on life since a LOT of shit has went down since April 13th, the date of my last real post.  I think that happened for many reasons.  The primary reason being, quarantine life has me all jacked up, then add to that it being the end of the semester and I just wasn't willing to make blogging the priority, #SorryNotSorry.  But here we are.  I'm back, you're reading.  Maybe you missed me, maybe you didn't, either way.. I'm about to come at ya like a spider monkey with all the things that have transpired since April 13th.  Expect this post to be quite random and maybe out of timeline order and probably pretty long, like I do.

Let's begin, shall we?

NEW DOG.

Yep.  You read that right.  We got a new dog.  It was accidentally on purpose.  You see, what had happened was.... Teh German had agreed to foster.  Granted, he agreed to fostering a track greyhound, butttttt when I put in my foster application with GPA-Charleston they said, thanks but no thanks, since Corona virus we aren't accepting new fosters.  Rude.  And also, fuck you, dumbasses.  

Sooooo, when Teh Florida Greyhound Wife discovered an Irish Wolfhound on Craigslist, Sighthound Underground (SHUG) came to the rescue and the dog was retrieved from the home.  When the SHUG Director posted a video of this older Wolfie girl, my heart shattered into a million pieces.  She was 7.5 years old and malnourished and wobbled and knuckled and I wanted to love her for the rest of her days RIGHT THEN.  I messaged the Director and inquired about where she would be fostered.  Director informed me that she had considered keeping Sandy, but due to some personal reasons, knew it was best to let her go to another home.  I explained that she was EXACTLY what I was looking for; an old dog that needed a soft place to land and to be loved and cared for and doted on.  Director explained that those who had been interested in her revoked their interest after they found out how old Sandy was and it was the opposite for me.  I knew that Teh German wasn't really set on fostering and definitely didn't want to adopt a 3rd dog.  Yet this was a grey area since it was a long term foster situation.  

This may end up being more of a hospice foster situation, which will ultimately lead me to formally adopt Sandy because let's face it, after we get this old lady fixed up, I'd probably fight someone if they tried to pry her from my loving yet forceful grip.  I believe that Teh German has accepted this.

So, for now, we're working through her health issues.  She's severely underweight and she enjoys 4 meals a day at Teh Ville, in addition to snacks and bully sticks.  She is also undergoing acupuncture treatments to see if this helps with her backend weakness, which we aren't sure what is causing this problem.  Based on her progress from just getting 8 cups of food per day + treats, being malnourished was the biggest cause of the problem.  

Sandra Dee is now correcting her knuckling, demanding attention, and is VERY insistent about going on walks, even though I don't love it.  Not that I don't want her to go on walks, but with her knuckling and dragging her rear feet, she bloodies up her knux (knuckles, let me have my temporary thugness, mkay?) and then comes in my house bleeding and I have to wrap her knux and no one likes that.  I try to walk her in the grass as much as possible, but this old lady does not take kindly to my mothering and does whatever the fuck she damn well pleases.  Today, that meant GALLOPING from 6 houses down back to our house, with me being dragged at the end of the leash because her stride is quite a big longer than mine!  So I mean.. she's doing FANTASTIC.

As for Teh German, it was a battle to get him to agree to letting me foster her.  A literal battle.  There was the not talking about it, then me bringing it back up, and the not talking about it, and his 'no', and ultimately my having to initiate the conversation, despite neither of us wanting to deal with the problem.  

I was pissed off because when I showed him the photo of Sandy and said, "I think this is our foster dog."  He immediately replied, "No."  I'm not sure how well you know me, Gentle Readers, but I feel like we all know that my reaction to being told "no" was visceral and I was livid about his lack of consideration to the situation.  

Ultimately, we ended up on the same page but there were tears and my argument was essentially something along the lines of: 

"Fostering dogs is something I did before we met and I loved it.  It hasn't been possible for me to foster since I moved to SC other than Meri's brother, so it was something you never saw.  But I believe it is completely unfair for you to say, 'no,' without even considering my side of this.  ANNDDD, I was supportive and said ok when you said you wanted to get a salt water fish tank as "our" anniversary present.  I was supportive and said ok when you said you wanted to get a project motorcycle.  I was supportive and said ok and helped you arrange the money when you told me you'd found your dream motorcycle and you wanted to buy it.  I've supported you through all these things and didn't ask for anything in return.  THIS is what I'm asking for.  I want to foster.  I want to foster THIS dog.  I want to love her through her old age and be her family until she passes or someone adopts her*.  This is my hill.  But I cannot click the checkbox on the foster application that says everyone in the household is aware and happy with the arrangement until everyone in the house IS aware AND happy about this arrangement.  I can't deal with a potential special needs dog AND deal with a passive-aggressive pissed off husband who refuses to accept this.  I won't do it.  You know that if it comes to me having to decide between a dog and you, I'll always pick you, but I haven't asked for anything in a very long time, and this is something I want to do.  It shouldn't affect you other than there being another dog in the house.  I'm not asking you to pay for her vet bills.  In fact, I haven't asked you for money for the vet bills in years.  I would just ask that you love her like you love our dogs and feed her with our dogs when you do feeding time and let her out just like you would our dogs... and maybe let her snuggle with you on your couch."

*Ok, so the "someone adopts her" part was kind of a lie because, let's be honest.. I knew as soon as she got to my house she wasn't leaving, but in the heat of the moment, I had momentum!

Eventually, Teh German did come around, but it took some coaxing and some stubbornness and hard truths.  Now that's Sandy is here, Teh German has no issues with her.  He is just as much of a helicopter parent as I am and had all sorts of questions for me to ask the vet when we went for her first acupuncture appointment (Are we feeding her too much?  (nope) Are there things we aren't doing that we should be doing? (not that the vet could think of)).  Teh German lets Sandy up on his couch and then lets her take over 2/3rd of the couch, leaving him curled up on a single cushion, moderately uncomfortable.

To go and get Sandy, I made a stealth mission to DC/Baltimore.  I wasn't sad about needing to make this trip since it meant I also got to visit Teh Bestie for a few days, despite both of us still having to work.  Just being in the same house was heart soothing for both of us since we'd had to cancel the March race-cation weekend, my graduation went virtual so no reason for her to come down for that, and the GEGR picnic was cancelled so Teh German and I weren't travelling up to MD for that.

The evening of the day I drove up, I was notified by the Director that she'd been advised that she needed to quarantine herself for 2-3 days until her COVID test results came back... and I was almost heart broken.  Because I'm a horrible liar and because I don't keep secrets well and because I don't purposely lie to Husband, I explained the situation to Teh German who was VERY adamant about me NOT picking up a dog who had been loved (and coughed) all over by someone who had the virus.  I was disappointed, but understood and agreed.  Thankfully, the results were negative, so I was still able to pick up Sandy without issue.

Teh Bestie and I made a trip to SHUG HQ to pick up Sandy in the evening and since everything is closed down, traffic in DC was fantastic!  When we got back, we had dinner, I gave Sandy a bath, and it was bedtime.

Since Sandy has been in Charleston, she has continued to progress!  Her rear weakness is improving day by day.  I personally believe that it has a lot to do with just how much food she is getting per day.  Her body can actually rejuvenate what it will.  She likes to leave toys she's played with all over the house and on her bed in the bedroom.  For the first week, she was not using dog beds, but the bed I ordered for her finally arrived and she's started using it and Sandy actually tricked Meri out of her slumber ball and took her spot when Meri came up to me for jealous pettins the other night.

At 7.5 years old, Sandy is an old lady, especially for her breed.  I'm not sure how long she has left, but I'm willing to spend it feeding her and loving her and letting her pull me down the sidewalk while she gallops.

SCHOOL

It's over.  Officially.  Thursday was my last day of school related tasking/events with the exception of the online commencement ceremony.  Truthfully, COVID-19 was a blessing and a curse.  I appreciated not having to live the harried life of going to classes and having to be in the office.  But at the same time, this doesn't feel like closure.  It almost just feels like I quit.  I mean, I quit because it's over, but it doesn't feel as big as it would if things had been normal.

This is not even a humble brag, but a straight up brag:

I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Cybersecurity after only 3 years (instead of the traditional 4 years that it usually takes to obtain a Bachelor degree; having a degree already help satisfy all the English/history requirements, which helped immensely).  I had to drop the German minor due to a crammed schedule in the Fall and a lack of offerings in the Spring.  I didn't think of it, but I probably could have talked to them about offering an independent study type of situation to get the credit to get the minor since I was only one class away, but it wasn't SO important to me.  AKA, not worth the stress.

I earned the following awards/honors:

• Cum Laude honors with a 3.656 overall GPA
• I made Dean's List 6/6 semesters (summer courses don't count apparently, but if they did, then it would have been 7/8, because fucking Calc 2, which is also the reason I graduated with only Cum Laude (3.5-3.69) instead of Magna Cum Laude (3.7-3.9)).
• I made the Gold Star list (4.0 GPA for the semester/straight As) 3/6 semesters (again with summer classes not counting).
• I was named the Swain College of Science and Mathematics 2020 Outstanding Veteran Student.
• I was named the Department of Cyber and Computer Science 2020 Outstanding Veteran Student.

I'm gonna be honest, I never EVER thought I'd obtain a Bachelor of Science degree ever.  It's why I have a Bachelor of Arts degree.  I was afraid of math and science... and I do not know why that was ever the case.  I am GOOD at both math AND science, despite the fact that they are difficult subjects.  I suppose maybe I was afraid of both because it took a little more effort for me to be good at math and science the way I am good at English/languages/humanities/social sciences.  

To me, a 2nd Bachelor degree feels like I got a Masters degree.  Maybe it's not exactly the same, but proportionally considering time/workload, it seems pretty much the same to me.  Maybe the classes aren't quite as demanding at an undergraduate level, but it takes longer to get a bachelor degree than a Masters.. so trade-offs.

Teh German and I were discussing all my new found free time and we joked that I had Stockholm's Syndrome because I kinda missed the busyness of my life and felt afloat without a tether having nothing I HAD to do in my evenings/non work time.

(College) Student AF (hoodie, sweet tea, blue hair (well, kinda), selfie).

In the distance, the building with the big window is where I spent my time on campus.

Final Assignments

Research Class

I had to write a research paper for my data science research class and that was fine and dandy... until my research partner kinda sketched out during the beginning of April and wasn't doing the tasks assigned to her and then she dropped a bomb on me about potentially dropping the class on the last day of the semester but she'd help if she could... YALL.. I lost it on her.  

I straight up told her, if you're going to drop this class, do it RIGHT NAOW.  Don't lead me to believe I can rely on you to help me and then fuck me over at the end of the semester when I have to pull your weight.  I can handle it all if I know RIGHT NOW that is what I need to do.. but don't wait until I've really checked out to drop the class and be like, sorry I couldn't help more.  Additionally, if you're going to stay in this class, then DO THE WORK ASSIGNED TO YOU.  She was assigned the introduction and related works section of our paper.  That was it.  The instructor also wanted her to contribute some graphics to the paper to show she'd done something over the semester.

The instructor and I had numerous conversations about the situation, so she knew where I was with it (I don't want my partner to fuck me over) and I knew where she was with it (I'd be getting an A as long as I submitted something for a final paper, even if my partner's sections were missing).

The very last week of class, the department head announced that those doing research would be presenting their research during a virtual meeting on Zoom and I was pretty stabby about it because I do not generally accept new tasking during the final week of classes.  Sorry not sorry.  But, honestly, we were supposed to have presented our research at the end of March during the Research Symposium, so this is something that should have been simple, but since the presentations had been cancelled, we hadn't bothered to come up with any type of presentation at all, so it was a weird situation.

In addition to presenting during the virtual computer science symposium, the School of Science and Math also decided to do a virtual awards ceremony since they had had to cancel the awards banquet award recipients were supposed to have presented at in March.  Le siiiiiiigh.  Since I already had to create a presentation for the other virtual ceremony, this wasn't difficult so much as it was annoying because the virtual ceremony was 3 days after my final final exam and I was 100% checked out by that point and wasn't overly interested in much of anything.

Despite all my bitching and moaning, both virtual ceremonies were pretty cool.  The computer science one was awesome because I got to hang out with my homies, who I oddly miss very much.  The school one was also pretty cool and I received some pretty significant visibility since General Walters (The Citadel's #1 dude) was on the line, as well as other Citadel leadership, School of Science and Math leaders, plenty of science and math faculty and staff, plenty of alumni, and the 3 award recipients (of which I was one).  

My presentation was first so I jumped right into it.  Honestly, I didn't practice at all since I had 7-10 minute to talk about it, which was way better than the 2-4 minutes I had to talk about my research for the CS meeting.  I was able to fully explain all the things that happened during our research (sans the partner issues) and people actually had question to ask afterward, and more importantly, questions that I could answer.  And the MOST important part of my presentation was after I was done, when one of the alumni/special guests was messaging me about employment potential for a job that was related to data science and intelligence work.  We exchanged information and I hope that once being within 6ft of another person won't get me killed/sick, we can sit down and have lunch and discuss possibilities.  Unfortunately, the specific job that he asked me about is located in DC, but with enough perks, I'm willing to make that DC sacrifice... annnnd is it reallllly a sacrifice if I'm within an hour of Teh Bestie?  I think... NO!

Database/PITA Professor

I completed my final project for my database class WEEKS in advance and PITA Professor never graded it until everyone's projects were in.  THEN, I refused to do my course evals until the very last day because the emails annoy me and because I didn't do them when PITA Professor wanted them done, even though he's not actually allowed to do this, he withheld my grade by not posting it to our class site.  I waited a week to call him out after he still didn't post it.  His response: "Sorry.  Your grade is there now.  I had intended to update this the next time I went into CitLearn, but there was never an occasion to go back to CitLearn."  THE OCCASION WAS TO PUT IN MY FUCKING GRADE, ASSHOLE.  

In addition to that conundrum, PITA Professor refused to let us take our exam earlier than the scheduled date/time.  This was annoying for several reasons, #1 being that I could have been done with my exams more than week prior to graduation if he had let us take it early.  Another reason this was annoying is because my life at home is much different than my life if I was going to class in person and it is unreasonable to expect that of people.  

It's over now, but Jesus had to take the wheel for a bit there because I almost lost my fucking mind.

German Things

German was the class where I straight up didn't do some homework assignments.  I was so over it and the idea of watching an entire movie to answer a simple discussion board question was not something I was interested in.  I did have a final project to work on with a partner and we unintentionally waited until pretty close to the due date to finish it.

This is by far the best thing I ever did for any of my German classes:

You see, we were supposed to watch this 1960s performance of a Faust play and this creepy guy was in it.. sooo I made him the creepy Erlkönig, who was the main topic of our project.  My partner wrote the info for the slides and I made the images since we did a modern retelling of a story.  He admitted when he got to this slide he actually laughed out loud because we all agreed this dude was super fucking creepy.  #MeganWin

Stats

LOOOOOOOL.  Stats was my easiest class of my entire degree program, easier than even Photoshop since that guy was an asshole grader.  

RUNNING

I'm super glad to have an accountability partner in Teh Running Advisor because other than the week that I was in Baltimore, we have run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday consistently.  AND, Teh PT Wife and I have been Sunday Runday accountability partners, so I'm running Sun, Mon, Weds, and Fri and loving it.  I'm working towards some high distance virtual medals and it's a nice change from long distance races.  Being able to do it at my pace and doing varied distances isn't hurting my heart.. or my body.

That said, I would really like for my races to stop getting cancelled and rescheduled because the fall is started to look rather cluster-fucky and that's no bueno.

ETC THINGS

Random Shiznit

-My laptop is still kickin.  Despite Best Buy saying they would send me the packing stuffs and label to ship my computer to Geek Squad, I've never received it.  I'm not surprised.

-I've started tutoring Teh PT Kid and it makes me feel supah smart to still remember these things that he's learning AND to be able to teach him how to take tests and learn things.

 Tutoring AND snuggles.

-To celebrate finishing all my school work tasks, sans that final final exam, I switched it up on Teh German and went on a ride with he and his motorcycle gang.  Despite some difficulties, it was enjoyable.

Eating pizza curbside is now a thing. /shrug

That's 1.35 for regular unleaded.
This is starting to feel like high school again.

This is what my windshield looked like after paying $9 for a car wash.
FML.

Is there a more Megan soap?
No, no there is not.
See also: a few of my favorite things.

I missed out on the strawberry Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but made sure NOT to miss the key lime doughnuts.
ZERO REGRETS.

Cooking

I am still working, so I don't have all the free time ever, but I have been motivated to cook some decent things, so I'm considering it a win.

Mushroom pork chops in gravy.

Tuna casserole

Not pictured: Creamy chicken with mushrooms, pork enchiladas 

DOGS FOR DAYSSSSS

Meri being ridiculous about her butt scratches needs

Secret snuggles

Baby in the corner.. with Dash and Secret

Secret and Olive

Tug with Dash and Secret

Olive is always listening

PUPPAHSSS at SHUG HQ!!

Treat time!

Sandy is a BIG girl!

Monkey sammich!

The muppets. <3

When it's hot AF outside (90°F) and your mom takes too long to open the door to let you in...

/swoooooon

If it fits, I sits. -Sandy

FINALLY using a bed after a week of sleeping on the floor.

This goofs. /love

Beast mode?

The new toy from Teh Bestie has gotten SO much love that it already needs to have it's butthole sewn up!

Sandy sitting on the ottoman, as she will.

So with that.. I think you're caught up.
And maybe now that I'm not overwhelmed with the idea of writing this catch up post, we can get back to regular programming next week???