Five on Friday #116

EINS

I'm trying to decide what we're going to watch after we finish Parks and Recreation.. yes, already.  I'm torn between starting Teh German on Mad Men (because I need to watch the last season) or Game of Thrones.  The problem is, both of these options have episodes that are at least 40+ minutes long.  23 minute episodes are perfect.  Also, I've been GOT sober for 2 years now and I need to be strong.  Yes, I've read the books, but it's finnnneeeee.. #meganproblems

Also, the trailer came out for Outlander and it's more and more tempting to watch Outlander just to get in a few doses of Scottish accent.  Maybe I just need to jump on book 5 for some Davina Porter narration.

That would be approximately 5 year worth of Outlander books I have already purchased to listen to...

Maybe I should just focus on reading and finishing up my challenge so I can get spend a mabillionty hours listening to Davina Porter's voice?

ZWEI

Hi, my name is Megan and I have a spending problem... and I neeeeeeeed to stop.

I've noticed recently that when I look at my cart when I'm checking out (online of course, because going to the store makes me stabby) and ask myself, "Do I need this or want this?"  A lot of the time I'm coming back with "want" and then telling myself, "well, ok, but we're not going to do this regularly."  Annnnnnddd it's become regular.  I've bought a lot of shit this summer that has been wants.  Granted, I've found most of the items on sale, but spending money on wants isn't saving money for things like... wedding.

I think my real problem is that my dollars are not currently allocated to anything in particular so I give them a home by buying shit I don't necessary need.

Things I've bought over the last few months that are complete wants, not needs:
-Disney movies
-Woot shirts
-Kindle
-Fancy shampoo/conditioner.  This was kind of a need, but I probably could have found something else for cheaper.
-Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works
-Stickers for my computer
-Pillows for the entry bench
-New purse
-Sooo many food/beverage purchases (beer, coffee, milkshakes, lunch out, etc)
-Puzzles (which have brought me much joy)
-Stuff to make my own cleaning solution (complete waste)
-Unnecessary dog toys
-Dog treats (cheese sticks and bully sticks), these were kind of a need when I was disabled and unable to take the dogs on walks and they needed something to burn the energy off.
-A month of car washes/detailing (which I will greatly miss after I'm no longer doing PT)
-Extra stamps because they were Disney Villains
-Date night splurge (which technically falls under want, but was an exception I was willing to make since we rarely do special date nights)
-Race entry fees


This is all in addition to my regular monthly spending for wants:
-Spotify
-Audible
-Eating out


There are things I could definitely be saving for, but I haven't made them a priority like I need to:
-All things wedding...
-Honeymoon things
-Redecorating the guest bathroom.  I'm finally willing to give up the Monsters.  #adultingsucks
-Back splash in the kitchen
-Some type of furniture piece for the dining room
-Some type of plant for the living room
-A chair for the master bedroom
-Decorating Guest Room and First Child Room
-Paint
-My I 💓Me wall in the office.  I want to get a GTMO flag framed and make a shadow box for my ribbons/uniform patches.

DREI

From my phone:

So Teh Dad left Teh German and I a note on the counter when we were in NC.  I'll just transcribe this for you.

The original note said:
"I will call you after church about lunch"

When I got up, I responded to his "text"...
"Good, I'm starving."

Then added the rest of it.  Full transcription:
Texting, 1990s style:
Teh Dad: I will call you after church about lunch
Teh Megan: Good, I'm starving.

______
Later in 2017:
M: Why didn't you answer my text?
D: What text?
M: The text on the counter.



Apparently, my very literal sense of humor doesn't come from Teh Dad because he didn't get my "text" joke.  Or I'm just too much of a reading geek for everyone else.  Either of those options are highly probable.

VIER

This reporter's reaction to Trump, Jr.'s announcement gave me the lolz.

Oldie but goodie.  Women's Aren't Crazy.

FÜNF

10 things that made me happy this week:

1. Friday being extra short after an extremely long week.
2. Nothing at our house being damaged from the crazy storms on Wednesday evening.
3. Needing a new hole in my belt.. on the "too skinny" side.
4. Teh German telling me that his lunch of leftovers was on point.
5. Finally rehanging my cork boards with my Disney pins in my cube at work.
6. Managing to come up with a BAB blog, even if it wasn't great.
7. Teh German giving Pax an impromptu bath since Pax was flaky.
8. Rob Lowe in my living room making me laugh.
9. Shaving my legs.
10. Getting my new laptop back!

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

This or That..

I stole this from Bri about a mabillionty years ago..
I'm a stealer.  #notsorry

Book or E-Reader
I'm all about convenience.  Also, I can do puzzles on my Kindle.


Have a house cleaner or cook
House cleaner only if they also do the dishes.  If they don't do the dishes, then cook.

Never be able to speak again or only be able to speak your mind
Yeah, that one wasn't hard since it's pretty much how I currently am.


Wear a snowsuit in the desert or be naked in Antarctica
It would be like being in Bahrain/GTMO in full uniform.

Super fast or super strong
Strong because even if I'm slow, I can still get there.

22.4 miles of "getting there."

Pizza or cookies
Mushroom pizza because I'd probably only ever get chocolate chip cookies and those are the worst.  Peanut butter cookies or bust!


Europe or Mexico
I feel like I'm probably safer in Europe and they have more places to go.  Also, I don't really like the beach which seems like the only reason Mexico is even an option.


Have a time machine that only goes back in time or a time machine that only goes forward in time
Can you imagine the excitement of seeing someone discover something for the first time?  I'd love to see that.  Granted, I wouldn't want to be a peasant or anything, so maybe this is conditional.


Be in a real version of The Walking Dead of Game of Thrones
I don't watch Walking Dead, but I'd totally be part of the Stark family and have a Direwolf and preferably not get killed.

Be 10 minutes late or 20 minutes early for everything
I hate missing things, so early it is.


Sit in a white room for 8 hours a day for $100,00 or work at an interesting job for $50,000
By sit, could I fall asleep while sitting in said room?  Because if that's the case, I'm changing my answer.


Space or the ocean
Diving is probably one of my most favorite things I've ever done.  It's quiet and there are bubbles and cool sea creatures.

Beer or wine liquor
Well, that was easy.

Confessions {6/3}

-I wish videos on FB offered captions.  Sometimes I think I'd really enjoy a video, but I don't want to go through the hassle of unmuting the video on FB or putting in my earbuds if I'm at work.. and captions would solve all of these problems.  #imagenius

-I'm a health insurance retard. I blame it on being in the military.  In the military, I show up to the doc and get everything done (the military way, which means maybe by the most incompetent medical "professional" in their class) and then leave.  No bills, no insurance crap (unless you deal with a civilian doctor and all those appointments have to be referred anyways or the ER/urgent care (which I avoided)).  I had to call Coventry last Wednesday to see about going to the doc and I told the lady that I came from Tricare Prime and I'm really lost when it comes to civilian healthcare.  She kinda chuckled at that and went step by step with me to explain that since I have the high deductible plan, I'm pretty much going to pay out of pocket until I meet that deductible.  The $3000 deductible.  Fucking splendid.  She was helpful though, so I'd give her a gold star. #insurancesucks

-Congrats to all those bloggers that I followed that "made it big" and "love free shit."  I know I'm just one person, but when you're trying to sell me something in more than 1 in 5 posts, our relationship is over.  #consumerismsucks  #Iblogforpleasure

-I feel like a drama llama in that I bitch and bitch about being unhappy and I know exactly what I could do to solve the problem, but I don't do it because it's scary and doesn't guarantee my happiness anyways.  #instantgratificationgeneration

-Meri really needs to be shaved which means a trip to Fayettenam, Yurtle really needs her 60k mile maintenance and new tires which means time and dollas, Mike is being fixed which is more dollas (see below for a rant on that situation), and I like to maintain a state of readiness where I could always write a check for the rent.  Despite having a good, solid income, it sometimes feels like it's not enough.  #allthedollas #moneydoesntbuyhappiness #butitmakeslifeeasier

-When I try to think of things I could cut out of my spending habits, nothing really comes to mind except for my random internet purchases throughout the month which usually are things that I've been eying for a long time (lookin' at you medal rack, maxi skirts, and raw threads shirts).  That said, I'm pretty sure I could never do a "no-spend" month. #takemymoney

-I set Suzy2.5 on a stack of sticky notes on my desk so if I get a message, the vibrations of my phone are muted and Suzy isn't grinding against the desk for everyone to hear and be annoyed by.  #consideratecoworker

-I get very confused when social media coordinators of popular companies find my blog and email me asking to essentially write a post about their product.  Looking at you Chobani.  I don't really like yogurt and I cannot tolerate greek yogurt because it's just too thick for me.  But really, HOW did they find ME?  I'm not that big of a blogger...  Later that week I saw someone that had apparently gotten that same email and actually did a post about Chobani... #yogurtisgross #ihatesponsoredblogposts #Idontworkforfree

-First world laziness: Instead of just typing in a long website address, I sometimes search for general terms so I can find a website with the link to the long-address-website.  #energyconservationmaster

-I got a parking ticket downtown Monday night when Teh Granny and I went to dinner at Hyman's (the seafood place that Mr. Scrooge and I visited a few months ago.. and yes it's called Hyman's.. and it's ironically/coincidentally (you choose) a seafood place, all the jokes should be made).  I totally just paid it instead of getting upset about it since we've parked there many, many times before without getting tickets.  #karmaisreal

-I really love Teh Granny as in, #favoriterelativestatus and she's visiting this week and I know she doesn't read this (and if you read this and you talk to her, lets just not mention any this to her, plskthx?) but these things make me scratch my head/cross my eyes in frustration/sigh very loudly/cringe/all of the above:

• Reading every single sign ever when I'm driving down the road.  To include license plates.  Not just the state of the plate but also the actual plate number.  "AZ3-5673, I wonder what that means?" "Georgetown." "Highway 17." "North Charleston." "Interstate 26 West."  I just don't respond until I'm prompted by a repeat question or she says my name.  Also, pointing out every non-wheeled vehicle she sees to include all boats/aircraft.  #PeopleCutOthersForLess #LetMeKnowWhentoRespond
• Her new ability to not be able to get herself anywhere without escort.  I had to straight up tell her no I would not escort her to the interstate from my house because she was a big girl and I was planning on printing out directions and a small map from my house to I-26 for her. #IsThisAnOldPersonThing?
• Her conversational slowness when I'm trying to hurry because I'm at work.  I had to instruct her to find our spare keys to see if there was a house key on either set and she proceeds to describe both sets of keys to me after I told her to put the one with the foam keychain back in the drawer.  No.  I know what they look like, LISTEN, no talkie!  #stoptalkingandlisten!
• Not everything is a secret.  I don't NOT tell people things.  It's just a game I don't play.  I'm a horrible liar, I'm a horrible secret keeper, I accept these things about myself.  I don't do those things because not lying and not keeping secrets makes my life EASIER.  I don't have to keep stories straight or remember who I told what.  #laziusmaximus
• Sometimes she talks with her mouth (extremely) full.  #enoughsaid

-(HUGE rant alert) Mike Wazowski is probably going to cost me half of what I paid for him to get him to actually BE a Ninja 500.  Because right now, he's a Ninja 500 AND a Ninja 250....  You see, what had happened was...

Mr. Scrooge bought Mike new tires because he's awesome.  Then we took Mike the Friday before Memorial Day for a quick tire change because we were planning on doing some rides that weekend since it was an extra day long (you member?), whatever no big deal, we'd pick up Mike on Saturday or Friday night, whatever.  Well, then the new front tire that Mr. Scrooge bought didn't fit the wheel and the axle looked Jerry-rigged, which lead the mechanic to believe it was the wrong wheel for a Ninja 500, and it was actually the size for a Ninja 250.  So fine, I swallow that pill and decide to just fix the wheel and the axle (and the carburetor screws that were falling out) so next time I had to replace the tires, this wouldn't be an issue.  A week later the mechanic calls me and says that the correct wheel and axle won't fit on Mike because accccttttuuallllllllly, Mike's entire front end appears to be for a Ninja 250...  BUT HE COULD FIX IT! (of course he could.)  So then I had to make the decision to swallow the pill to replace the suspension and the brake rotors or some shit/whatever it takes to replace the 250 parts of Franken-Mike so Mike could be a REAL Ninja 500.. ya know for an additional $300 plus labor.  So all said, I paid $2100 for Mike.  I'll be paying almost $1k to make Mike a real boy Ninja 500.  Can I just get a huge FML?  Kthx.  #MamaAintMadeofMoney #neverbuyausedmotorcycle #EVER

-If you haven't seen this Game of Thrones/Coldplay video (below the awesome gif) for Red Nose Day (which I heard OF but know NOTHING about because I don't care about the real world #sorrynotsorry) your life is void of meaning.  Even if you don't watch Game of Thrones, you might still find it slightly amusing.  It's worth the 12 minutes of your life, especially if you are a GoT fan.  #marrymejonsnow

the look on Sam's face.. priceless.

-I call actors by their character names.  It's a thing.  I don't actually care what their real names are.  If I see them performing in something else I still call them by the character name that I remember.  For instance, when I first watched Pirates of the Caribbean and realized that Kiera Knightly was in it, I announced, hey that's the girl from Love Actually!  #yayimdb

-To follow up on that character name thing, I often struggle to remember character names of things I'm reading/watching.  If I'm reading a book I often have to go back and check to see which character I'm reading back.  Looking at you Game of Thrones.... #everyoneisgoingtodie

-Sometimes I wonder if all the side comments/crap in parenthesis I add to some most of my confessions are confusing to my Gentle Readers, but then I just let it go because #IdowhatIwant #youdoyou #sidestoriesareimportant

-Having to reset my router/cable modem every single day to get the internet to semi-work properly is frustrating me to no end and I've asked Mr. Scrooge to call Comcast because I literally get so angry every time I call that I'm afraid they have notes written about me being a bitchy customer and don't actually try to help me.  #yesIresettherouterandmodem #fineIlldoitagaintomakeyouhappy

Linking up with:
Life with Lolo 
Because Shanna Said So...
Hodges Podges

Confessions {5/27}

-How the fuck is it already May 27th?  I know how much I refuse to acknowledge the month of May, but usually it's way more painful than this.  #soconfused  #thatwaseasy

-I ordered a villains mystery pack from RawThreads.com and it was kinda expensive but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT.  I got the Maleficent, Red Queen, and Ursula shirts.   #runninghabitsareexpensive #worthit #Disneyaddict

-Remember last week when I said I was sad about one of my quadrant-mates leaving Company and how it was making me wonder what other jobs were out there for me?  Well, it goes hand-in-hand with the fact that sometimes, I miss "the fight."  I miss the mission of the military and no, it's not like we always did good things, but there was always something going on.  That thing last week with China and the US surveillance aircraft (P-8 Poseidon)?  I was stationed at VX-1 with a guy on that flight.  I actually flew in the P-8 to Scotland.  I miss discovering new places overseas and being the first to know something. #missthemission

-Why is it that a majority of the free e-books are erotic fiction?  I never realized that literary porn (literally) was a huge market.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good smut book every now and then, but it's just overwhelming.  #pornistakingovertheworld

-There's a girl who I grew up with, she's a few years older than me, but I've seen her in the photos of SEVERAL dude FB friends over the years (in what insinuated more than just a friendship relationship (yes I'm judging)).  In addition to the knowledge of all the dudes she dated while we were in middle/high school, it's just overwhelming that I know so many people she's dated.  Have I ever told you about how glad I am that I no longer live in Home, Home?  #smalltownlife #everybodyknowseverything

-I almost got hit by a kid on a bike on my run yesterday morning because the fool was staring at a cell phone instead of paying attention to where he/she (couldn't tell it was dark and so were they..) was going.  They were weaving all over the sidewalk and I knew what would happen if I didn't say something.  I said, PLEASE look up! as I approached them and they barely registered anything in the half second it took me to say it, so I followed it with a, "HEY!" at which point their head jolted up and they barely avoided hitting me as the bike wobbled under them.  WTF people.  LOOK UP FROM YOUR FUCKING SCREENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE!  Not only is it courteous, it helps you do things.. like pay attention to your surroundings.  #lookup #runnerproblems

-Before a meeting, my boss was telling us that his daughter came home from college wearing a 2004 Reggae concert shirt and he was all WTF? to her.  She explained that she got it at Goodwill.  One coworker commented, "I hope she washed it before she wore it."  Boss said, "Hopefully at least twice."  At which point, another coworker chimed in, "Tide doesn't wash away shame."  #mycoworkersareawesome #tidedoesntwashawayshame

-Sometimes before my afternoon workouts, I am super exhausted.  So... I'll take a quick nap in my car prior to going on a run or going into the gym.  #sleepfuelsme

-I'm calling my new plan to run in the mornings and go to the gym in the afternoons Project Flab Extermination.  #Ishouldhashtagthat 

-The first day of Project Flab Extermination, I was within .2 miles of my house after a 4 mile run and had a flooring realization that I had left the dogs loose in the house and the garbage can had pork roast scraps/fat in it.  The prayers were quick and fervent that Phil hadn't gotten into the trashcan (as he is known to do).  I was expecting the worst.  When I came inside, the trashcan was unscathed and my dogs were innocent.  It was proof that miracles happen. #blessed

-It was a good weekend, but I didn't feel like blogging about it, so I didn't.  Teh Sister and Teh Utah Specialist came  to Charleston with my Nephdogs to visit and it was good.  We took the dogs to the beach the day they left and I almost thought my dogs were dead after we got home when they didn't move or beg for our food in anyway because they were passed out during human dinner time.  Then Monday was spent cleaning/doing yard stuffs and watching Game of Thrones and going over to a neighbor's house for dinner and listening to Marine sea-stories.  #whyisnteveryweekend3days

WTF?  Seriously.

-I'm having all the struggles with the last 2 episodes of GoT due to the Sansa storyline, and not in a good way.  #isGeorgeRMartindeadyet? #istheseriesevergoingtoend?

-I'm ordering a medal rack for my race medals and I'm choosing fonts and the struggle is real.  There are 13 different font options and I want to use 3 different fonts and ALL THE CHOICES!  Fortunately, the seller is known for being awesome and super helpful when it comes to previewing what you're getting.  I messaged them and asked for previews for 5 different font combinations.  Hopefully I'll have a new rack (hehehe) soon!  #boobjokesmakemelaugh

Personality Quizzes #2

Onto the "real" characters...

Who would be your 90s boyfriend?

Well.. ok then.

Which Avengers character would you be?

Yes, I wear a crazy flying suit!

Which Downton Abbey character would you be?

Great, I'd fare well in prison with occasional visits....

Which Game of Thrones character would you be?

Really?  Of all the characters?  Boo.

Reflections of a dutiful watchstander... #3

1515:  I have assumed the watch... early!  Despite the post office dude yappin' my ear off, I still manged to make it to work 15 minutes earlier than the required 15 minutes early.

1530:  Of course it would be AMAZING outside now that I'm at work.  Today would have been the perfect day to take the dogs for a walk/run.  It was gross and cold until at least 1pm, which was when my naptime started (having to stay up till at least midnight gives me a pass to take a nap). 

1531:  During naptime I came up with the most ingenius idea ever.  I usually have very cold toes.  Today was no exception.  But today, I got smart about it.  I put my heating pad at my feet and warmed my toes.  My nap would have been delightful had the dogs not been waking me up everytime they ran up and down the stairs like a herd of elephants.

1545:  I think the real job of the duty person is to be the VX-1 Operator.  I've transfered more calls in the past 30 minutes than on an entire Saturday watch.

1600:  At least with weekday watches you get to see people you know.

(Backstory:  VX-1's hangar is across the street from the parking lot.  We have a crosswalk with 2 blinky lights (one in each direction) to alert drivers that someone is crossing the street.  The lights blink when you push the button, and almost everyone uses the crosswalk lights.  The speed limit on the road in front of the hangar is 25mph.)

1623:  Dude pushes crosswalk light button and steps out to cross because the car coming wasn't that close and would have time to stop.  Car did NOT stop and the driver actually held her hand out like she had magical powers to stop the guy from crossing.  He almost got hit by a car.  I wanted to yell at her!  He just kept walking and she didn't even slow down a little.

1630:  I am told on FB by a friend of a friend that I am obviously NOT in the military due to my ignorant statements about using the MGIB if Navy Tuition Assistance (TA) were to get cut.  I have a feeling I'm about to submerge myself in several hours of research on the MGIB to make a blog post about TA cuts.  I can only handle so much.

1645:  Seeing drivers with earbuds in their ears makes me crazy.  At what point has that EVER been legal?  Might I suggest a cable that runs from whatever you are listening to, to your car stereo auxillary port?  Yes, you car is new enough to have that.  Those cable are also cheap.  And if you don't have an auxillary port, I would suggest the radio tuner one.  Crazy what technology is capable of these days.

1700:  I really want to eat my little oranges, but I don't want to get mesy and get orange peel under my nails.  I'm such a girl.

1702:  My duty driver is of Indian/Pakistani descent.  I gathered this from his subtle accent and the fact that I can smell his aftershave/cologne for several minutes after he leaves the office.  Or maybe thats my Bahrain PTSD acting up again.  He's a really nice guy though. 

1703:  I put my Sweetart Chicks, Ducks, and Bunnies away becuase I was going to eat the entire bag.  I really want one though.  Except I have no will power because they are delicious.

1704:  I wish the Admiral and Skipper would leave so I can call Teh Dad and wish him a happy birthday.  He's so close to a senior citizen discount!

1726:  People that purposely try to skew answers to questions annoy me.  I really should have just restrained myself from even joining the TA discussion on FB.  UGHHHHHHH.

1730:  Daylight savings time sucks when you sit in an office that is 3/4th windows.  SO MUCH SUNLIGHT.. WAAAHHH.  My cheeks hurt from squinting.

1741:  Boredom wins.  I will read the Nook.  I will start Dance of the Dragons so Teh Bear can talk to me about it.  I will try not to read the 2nd Harry Potter book. 

1748:  The Duty Driver did the sideways head bob.  Fulfilling stereotypes.  I can't even handle it.

1808:  I really struggle reading the A Song of Fire and Ice series because I feel like I'm being thrown in pool and being commanded to swim.  I hate the lost feeling I have when starting out Martin's novels.

1819:  Sometimes, people make me giggle.  2 dudes just jogged by and one of them had his shorts pulled up to his belly button with his shirt tucked in.

1830:  Soooooo hungry...

1849:  Dinner plan made!  BBQ here I come.

1850:  Crap, have to wait until after colors to leave.  uggggghhhhh.

1920:  Freeeeeedom!

1935:  YAY bbq sammich for mah belly!  And a free drink, which I feel is satisfactory since I answered to "Sailor." 

1950:  Holy crap starving dogs are scary!  Beasts are let out for business while foods are prepared.  Mud wiped off Phil's paws prior to being admitted inside.  Dogs happy.

1959:  Sweet, sweet food, you are so delightful to me. 

2020:  But, I don't wanna go back to work.. wahhhhhh.  Carrots for doggies and out the door.

1228:  Gate guard got a laugh at my ID.  Mission success. 

2030:  Signed back into computer.  Facebook checked.

2035:  New page made in the logbook.  Watch gets way more boring when it's dark.

2045:  Time to call Teh Dad and tell him Happy Birfday.  YAY!

2102:  Time to get back to Westeros.

2123:  Weekend duty has better parking spaces.

2146:  YAY BRAN!!!! 

2203:  Is it time to go home yet?

2223:  Is it time to go home, now?  I think I might have eaten too many Sweetarts.  Apparently, birds, ducks, and rabbit don't mix well?

2225:  Potentially a Bear will be in my Northern terrority Easter weekend....... !!!!!!! YAY!  I wish Southwest would run promos when I needed them to.

2227:  My fingers smell like bbq.  You'd think that I didn't wash my hands (I did).  No wonder Phil tried to bite off my finger when I gave him carrots.  He's really not doing good with "easy".  And Rudy is "broken" and pooped in my dining room this morning.  And he killed my ZepZep stuffy night before last.  I don't even know where he found the stuffed dog.  Life with dogs.

2246:  Brrrr.. It's chilly in the duty office, but I don't want to turn on the heat since it is so finicky.  My heating pad for my cold toes is going to be deeeeeelightful tonight!

2302:  And the midshifters are off!  30 more minutes... Sweet, sweet relief...

2320:  Relief came early!!! WOOOO!!!!!!  Time for my cold tosies to get toasty with the heating pad that is waiting at the foot of my bed.

Fill in the Blank Friday #15

(image)

Often I try to schedule my Friday post because I can, but this week, I really liked the blanks, so I'ma do both!  << Hello comma sentence.



1. My favorite thing to do on Friday is   come home, throw my uniform in the dirty laundry, chill for a few minutes, take the dogs out, then potentially veg or hang out for the evening.  

2. This Friday I am   being as lazy as possible.  The week was long!  5 whole working days! 

3. The best thing about a weekend is   having the opportunity to take the time to do whatever I want.  Whether that be cooking, cleaning, going on a run with the dogs, doing an extra workout, working on my blog, playing the sims.  I do what I wawnt.  

4. Now that summer is almost over, I'm feeling   relieved.  Summer is always the worst for me.  But at least this year I didn't have to endure Ramadan.  

5. The best thing I did this summer was   be in America?  well, kinda.  I also went to Australia to enjoy a month of "winter", saw Teh Bear in August, spent most of July at home recovering from the loss of my gallbladder....  I'm going with loosing my gallbladder as the best thing I did this summer.  Sometimes eating can be a tricky game now, but it was definitely worse with a gallbladder.  

6. The thing I'm looking forward to about fall is   cooler temps, the possibility of snow, holidays in America, the smell of leaves, stepping on the crunchy leaves, hopes of snuggling with Teh Bear..   

7. If I had to be stuck in one season for the rest of my life, I would choose   fall.  Less allergies than in the spring, not as hot as summer, the possibility of snow, the ability to wear so many layers of clothes, stepping on all the crunchy leaves, less sweating, less worries about Phil's heat sensitivity, colors of fall, holidays..  so many awesome fall things!!!  




1. Over this labor day weekend I will be   doing laundry, playing dominoes with the neighbors, making final arrangements for Teh Dad/StepMom/Stepsister's visit next weekend, dropping Joey off with his Perma-Mom, going to the Scottish Festival in VA with Phil, Amber, and Scarlet, and being lazy.. maybe with a healthy dosage of naps.  

2. With the political debates going on right now, my thoughts are   I hope its too late to register for an absentee ballot...  because having to figure out who I'm going to vote for would be stupid.  Why isn't Hillary running again???  

3. Today   was pretty laid back.  I was able to leave work early AND get a nap in AND take the dogs on a jog despite how hot it was.  Also, dominoes and dinner tonight!!  

4. The best thing I've cooked recently was   "taco soup"..  It was actually Pinterest inspired, but I failed majorly at taking photos for a blog.  I might still make a blog, but you definitely won't be photographically impressed.  Sadly, I halved all the ingredients but the chicken, so my "soup" was definitely not soupy and I ended up having to add the other can of beans and corn to offset the chicken.  Oops.  Nonetheless, it was a hit lasts night for communal dinner..  

5. The last thing I bought was   groceries with Teh Singing Cat Lady on Tuesday.  

6. The best movie I saw this summer was  Captain America?  A Lot Like Love?  I've pretty much given up on seeing current movies since I fell so behind while I was in GTMO and Bahrain.  Meh.  Movies, that place where you go where it smells like popcorn and who knows what else to watch a big screen with loud sounds?  Oh you pay for that?  Nvm.

7. The best book I read this summer was  A Song of Fire and Ice series.  I'm on book 3 and it's been slow progress, but they are huge books and lots of descriptions and people and storylines to keep up with makes me not in a rush to finish.  Along with the fact that the series isn't complete yet, but he is on book 6 and I'm still reading book 3.  I figure by the time he finishes the series, I might actually be caught up....  If he doesn't die first.  

Recent Realizations

-Dresses that I used to be able to see my belly in....  don't show my belly anymore.  Sometimes the evidence of my working out catches me by surprise.  Sometimes, its really nice to see the evidence.

-I haven't worn pants (excluding pj pants) since I came back from Australia.  Only dresses and skirts, with the exception of pj pants going home from my surgery and lounging around my house.

-points 1 and 2 could mean pants shopping for me whenever I start wearing pants again.... :(

-Today I was selected for urinalysis (pee/drug testing... since I work in a job where I'm required to be drug free to pay my taxes).  For the first time, maybe ever, I was able to say, no I'm not on ANY meds.  OMG!?!?!? YYAYYYY!!!

-I generally dislike wordpress blogs because I can't usually subscribe to them via google reader.  Often I can subscribe by email, but I don't want that.  I want blogs on my Reader Feed... that's what its for.  :(

-Recently, I've had this problem where I think of something that needs to be done or asked someone and immediately forget.  As, pick up the phone and call someone to ask a question and forget what I'm going to ask them from the moment I picked up the phone (probably after saying, "I need to ask so-and-so this exact question.").  It's seriously annoying.

-I have ELEVEN mosquito bites on my left ankle from going to the dog park to let the dogs go business after it rained earlier this week.  ELEVEN.  I can't even just put 11 because that isn't significant enough.  There are 5 on my right ankle.  SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?

-If we're FB friends, you have probably recently experienced a spike in my FB posts.  Blame Teh Bear's work.  They no longer allow electronics while the operators are on shift, meaning that our chat time has been significantly cut and he's no longer available to intercept the comments that I feel like I NEED to tell someone.

-When it comes to parking at my apartment, I get movie-theater-seating syndrome.  What is movie-theater-seating syndrome?  It's what Pirate Gone Marine and Teh Bear have.  They absolutely can't stand it when you're in a empty-ish theater and someone decides to sit right next to/in front of/behind you.  I don't really care so much in relation to going to the movie theater... but at my apartment, its different.  The road into my apartment is curvy, I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea, but it's not.  It makes all the parking spots weirdly sized.  Recently, we've had several people move out of my building (Yay to the kids being gone from below me!).  This has created more open parking spots.  I have a spot that I've claimed since I moved in.  I always try to park there if its open, when it's not open, I say dirty things in my mind to the person that parked in "my spot".  It's on the very end beside the dumpster, which means that only one side of my car will get door dings if its hit.  I even try to park as close to the curb as possible, tire touching close.  A few nights ago, I parked in "my spot" and apparently, everyone thought it was snuggle Yurtle night.  There was 3 open spots at the other end of the row and no one parked in them, but there were 3 cars right beside me....  Now, I'm not a parking lot stalker, I just currently have 2 dogs.  They go out before I go to bed (usually after everyone is home) and when I wake up in the morning (usually before everyone leaves).  I know this is a stupid thing.... but.  Yurtle is still new, I must protect her.  PS.  This argument is invalid in large parking lots like at Target/Walmart/etc.  In those situations, the far ends of the parking lot are the only safe spots, usually.  PS, I'm 98% certain I obtained my 2 perma-dents on Yurtle's sides from the vehicles the kids downstairs were transported in.  The burgundy and aqua paint matched their parent's vehicles too well for me not to be suspicious.

-Not having AC makes me swangry.  That's a term I just made up.  It's like hangry, but instead of hungry, its sweaty.  Because when I sweat, I get angry.  It was 81°F and rising in my apartment..  my rage was growing with the same upward trend.  It's was 82°F outside, probably with a breeze.  NOT OK.  It's was cooler in Florida than in MD.  Seriously?  Teh Bear suggested I open the windows when I chatted with him on his break (the only opportunities we now have to chat in the evenings)..  I did that.  I was still sweating.  I then went with Teh Rucrazie's suggestion of "moar neked."

-I've seen dead/fallen leaves on my running trails!!!  What does this mean?  Either we seriously need some rain or WINTER IS COMING!!!  Maybe both?  Preferably the latter?  Let's just go ahead and put on some excited faces for an upcoming season change x2.  Fall and Winter are definitely my faves.  Winter being my #1.  AHHHH!!!!  Fall AND winter in America?!?!?!?!?  I'm not sure I'm going to be able to contain myself. For those of you who take all your seasons for granted, try a year in GTMO or a year in Bahrain.  When it's pretty much perma-summer let me know how excited you'd be for the seasons you love the most not getting coverage.

-I frequently refer to The Song of Fire and Ice series as the Game of Thrones series, which isn't what it's actually called.  Pretty sure if I called it The Song of Fire and Ice series very few people would comprehend what I am talking about.  This makes me sad.  The first book of the series was called Game of Thrones.. the rest of the series isn't.  Thank you television for making people less intelligent.

-I'm almost done editing Australia photos.  I'm not really sure what I'm going to blog about once those are done......  that's a lie.

I'm going to visit Teh Bear at the end of the month in 2 weeks in 13 days!!!!!  YAY!  I'm sure that means more Adventures with Teh Bear!  Maybe.  I know we've got some family activities planned since his brother will be in town.  I also found a groupon for massages.  There is also a Kilwin's that requires my presence.

Then, there is The Color Run on Sept 9th!!!  YAY!  Soooo excited to run it with Miss Reflective and another friend from GTMO.  Also, Teh Dad and Teh Step-Mom will potentially be making a visit to S. MD that same weekend, so they will get to see me all colored up!

Then, October potentially holds training so I can be a lock picker.  Ok, just kidding, but it is lock related, I'll be trained in inspecting doors to see if they meet requirements for classified storage rooms.  That will be in almost Louisville, KY, so Teh Ginger may need to keep his schedule open for a Teh Megan visit.  Especially if I'm that close (2.5 hours if you're reading this).

November starts holidays!!!

Ahhh so much excitement to be had!  Ok, you are now released from your excited face.

We'll let Kristen Stewart take it from here.. she's always sooo excited.  Some of the memes of her not smiling really make me laugh.