2016 - April, May, June

APRIL

I started the month by running the Cooper River Bridge Run (10k) and it was my worst run, maybe ever... at least mentally.  We'll save the actual worse run ever for September.

I shared "Things You Learn When You Move to Charleston"

We selected furniture for House.

I bought skinny jeans.

We took an impromptu trip to NC with Mike and Suzi (the motorcycles) where we stayed with Teh WJL and Teh Dad made me cry.

We bought a trailer.

We finally got a closing date of May 3rd.

We met German Girl 1's family and we went on our 2nd Brews Cruise.

Teh Blog turned 5!

I delivered my first Shit Teh German Said post.

I completed my German lessons on Duolingo!

House progress was significant!  Floors and fixtures and cabinets and counters and paint,

MAY

We bought a HOUSE!

So many awesome people helped us move and get settled in.

Hue lights entered our lives and we have never been the same.

I gardened.  It sucked.

Teh German found more mold and I was afraid we were going to have to burn down our brand new house.

I took a Myers-Briggs test for shits and giggles.

Our first house construction project went down.

I almost throat punched our fence contractor.

I told my Gentle Readers about the things I've never done.

JUNE

There was some radio silence while I was in Germany.

I broke that silence to talk about Brock Turner and Rape.  Rereading that post was difficult.  Yet, It is probably the post I am most proud of writing this entire year.


Due to a language barrier, I went into a men's restroom in Germany.

I learned what a toilet brush is actually for (cleaning skid marks).

Got my last perm for a while.  I'm ready for some straight hair again.

We started the process of stalking Baloo (Teh German's new truck).

Teh Dad decided to surprise us and come for our House warming party, AFTER Teh Mom had confirmed she was coming.  Nothing like a little family awkwardness to really get the party going.

2016 Review

Jan/Feb/Mar
Apr/May/June
July/Aug/Sept
Oct/Nov/Dec

Confessions {9/28}

-I figured out the Goodreads DNF shelf issue.  If you move them to the Read shelf first, they count.  I wasn't moving them to the Read shelf on purpose, but when I'd mark them as finished and review, they would automatically go there.  Essentially, DNF books have to go straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.  #lessonlearned #technicaldifficulties

-I've listened to Jolene by Pentatonix and Dolly Parton an embarrassing amount of time.  1.  When we were in Germany, Jolene was playing, but I'm not sure if it was the original or a new version.  2.  The harmony of A cappella groups always bring me so much joy.. and chill bumps.  3.  It's catchy, I don't care who you are.  #jolene #musicheadache #repeatrepeatrepeat #signingatthetopofmylung

-I stumbled upon Teh Bear's blog since it came up in my FB On This Day and while he didn't blog frequently, he did discuss our breakup in his last posts (from 2014).  They made me feel like an asshole, which I am.  He also pointed out that I always preached about never getting back with an ex.  Andddd then I got back with Mr. Scrooge and well.. I should have listened to myself all along.  I didn't see it then, but I see it now and I'm like, extra asshole points for hypocrite-Megan. 

So if he's still tracking my relationship statuses (which I'm not sure of, but I know that the "friends" that informed him about Mr. Scrooge are no longer in my life), he'll be pleased to know that things with Mr. Scrooge were a steaming pile of shit that I tried to make myself believe wasn't a steaming pile of shit.  Teh Bear did start the process of online dating and I know that he's with someone now and he looks happy.  Hooray for online dating!

So, if you ever read this, I'm sorry I broke your heart and I'm sorry I'm a hypocrite but I'm glad that we're both happy now and I always loved you while we were together, so I never lied to your face, but I knew that as years went on, you'd love me more and I'd love you less and I'd be a bitter hag filled with resentment and other unbecoming traits.  Ending things between us was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I know it was the best thing to do so neither of us ended up miserable.  PS.  I hope you're doing well and that your ex-wife is less of a psycho now. PPS.  It's weird you use my nickname for your instagram acct.  PPPS. Is it weird if I "like" your comments on posts of mutual friends?

-I find it strange that I think it's delicious and acceptable to eat the skin of a regular potato, but skin of a sweet potato?  NOPE.  Sweet potato skin is ALWAYS shunned.

-When talking to Teh German about classes he took in school, he took German class and it took a moment for it to click that his German class = my English class.  This isn't really revolutionary, but it was a revelation for me on a shower thoughts epitome level.  #hehadtoexplainittome

-Hershey's chocolate syrup is better than any other.  Trust me.  #Ivedonetheresearch

-Rewatching How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) is like visiting old friends.  All the LOLs.  Although the most interesting thing that has happened since we started rewatching HIMYM was when we made our house a club.  We turned on some early 2000s club jams (Sandstorm, Sexual, Heaven, etc) and I set the Hue lights to fast pulse colors...  This is the ONLY time that Teh German has accepted flashing Hue lights.  #gameon #nowIknowthetricks

-Europeans (at least from my experience) generally have twin sized beds pushed together to create a a literal double bed, which would equal an American full size.  That said, when I was in Germany, each person in the bed gets their own twin size blanket rather than one full+ sized blanket.  I wished that America practiced this when it came to making Disney reservations so that way we could have pulled apart one of the beds and had 3 beds in the room (1 double and 2 twin) and solved my sleeping arrangement problems with ease.  Cruise ships use this bed method, which I think is pretty smart.  I'm super needy.  #itsmenotyou

-If you are a blogger who I've told several times is a no-reply blogger and you refuse to correct the problem, after I've sent directions on how to fix the issue, so I can reply to your comments via email, I feel less and less motivated to respond to your comments.  I want to be a good blogger, but I also am lazy AF.  These things are often in conflict and you can guess which one wins out more often.  #sorrynotsorry

-After much harassment from various sources, I made an appointment with a podiatrist on Monday.  I was not surprised, but still disappointed that he was only able to tell me the exact same thing the chiro had told me, "it's not broken, but ice it and stay off of it as much as possible."  The only difference was that he prescribed a gel that I get to apply to my toe 4x a day which is essentially concentrated advil for a single area.  He did say that our next steps could be a shot of cortisone or an MRI.  I explained that I hadn't met my deductible yet, so both of those sounded expensive.  I appreciated that he didn't make a big deal of my cheapness.  He actually seemed to completely understand.

He was also appreciative of my jokes.  When I asked about working out, he said to only do things that didn't hurt.  Well, too much walking hurts, so looks like I'll continue being a lazy ass for the foreseeable future.  He wasn't a little bit surprised when I explained that I'm a runner and I ran on my gimp toe for the Disneyland runs.  He also chuckled when I told him that the toe was messing up other stuff, but that's why I went to the chiro regularly.

Mostly, I'm just glad that my chiro was correct from the beginning.  Not that I doubted him, but I like having a reason not to doubt either.  #provemeright

-Baby frosted mini wheats are adorable yet underwhelming.  I'll just stick with the regular mini wheats since I know that 2 on a spoon is perfect.  #sizematters

-Mini wheats with fruit are hands down the best type of mini wheats.  These were actually big in the 90s but then they disappeared for a while, much to my dismay.  But in the last decade, they've made a comeback with the "touch of fruit" mini wheats.

-I didn't have plans to watch the debate, but after we watched the Hurricanes beat the Capitals (that's NHL speak folks, calm yo tits about that football shit), Teh German turned on the debate.  Of course, I was a running commentary and I explained to Teh German that I was the reason I couldn't watch the debate in public.

He's a prick and she's evasive, but Clinton handed Trump his ass.  It made me think of the Kennedy/Nixon debate where Nixon was a hot mess and Kennedy kept his cool.  Trump was Nixon and Clinton was Kennedy.  Also, if there was a "winner" to the debate, Clinton won before it was even over when she said, "I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And, yes, I did. You know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president."

Also, it doesn't matter who I'm voting for (although you could probably guess if you tried really hard), the fact that Clinton is a female running for the office of president means she has earned my respect (note: I did not say my VOTE).  She is judged on so many more things than just her policies and opinions on politics.. and her ability to disseminate classified information through her personal email.

If you were watching carefully, her remarks were calm and focused, the tone of voice she used very precise.  She also had a smile on her face for the most part.  Is it practiced?? OF COURSE.  But if she didn't smile, the trolls would have been out in full force, "What is Hillary's problem?"  "Was Hillary on her period?"  "She was just taking out her PMS on Trump."  Clinton is judged for being a woman nominee.  The fact that she got sick during the campaign was judged by Trump (saying she didn't have enough stamina to be President).

Science says that during times of high stress, you are more likely to get sick because your body is overwhelmed.  So really it has nothing to do with her stamina, but more about science.  I'd be on my death's bed if I was having to deal with Orange Man Trump regularly.
 
As a woman, it is appalling to me how many of my "issues" have to do with my gender.  I tell a coworker my stomach is upset in the morning and immediately the say, "Maybe you're pregnant!" with a smirk.  Or, I'm not and I took my daily pills on an empty stomach and didn't eat soon enough, but thanks assholes.   Or I'll pass someone who comments, "Smile, it doesn't cost anything."  Would you say that to a man passing you?  No.  Nor would you have said anything at all, STFU.  Or my favorite, "Why are you so offended that someone called out to you?  You should feel flattered!"  No, no I shouldn't.  I can feel however I want, but thanks for your opinion I didn't ask for.

These issues are something I'm sure Clinton has been dealing with for a lifetime, but I can't even fathom the issues that will come up if she becomes the first female President.

All that said, are the trolls really suggesting that Trump was on cocaine?  You've got to be kidding me with this shit.  #yesallwomen #makinghistory #debate #masterdebators #ournextpresident

Philips Hue Lights

Have you heard about Philips Hue lights?  Well, I mean, you have if you're been reading Teh Blog for at least a minute.  Sadly, this is not an affiliate post, this is a "Megan fucking loves Hue lights because #ALLTHECOLORS!" post.  But I mean, if Philips wants to send me some free lights for my trouble, I'd be happy to keep tootin' my horn**.

First and foremost.  Hue Lights.  Do you want to know what happens when you have 2 incomes and you are childless?  Hue lights.  ALL THE HUE LIGHTS.  (There is actually a Hue hashtag, but I'll save it for later.)  Let me give credit where credit is due.  Teh Humanitarian introduced me to Hue lights probably around the end of 2015.  I had announced that we were building a house and she saw the lights and immediately thought of Teh Megan.

Can I just say how proud I am that people associate me with ALL THE COLORS?  Tie-dye, rainbows, watercolor splatter, Lisa Frank.  I just love that.  Anyways.

I watched the video and I did some research and those bitches were expensive, but I couldn't let them go.  I loved them.  The colors!  The tech!  Mood lighting!  But lordy they were expensive.  $60 for a lightbulb.  #aintnobodygottimefordat  And then I showed the video to Teh German who was like, "Yeah, that's cool.  We don't have a house yet." 

Then, finally, we did have House.  And we asked for Hue lights as a housewarming gift and Teh Sister bought a set for us (in exchange for me writing helping her on her final paper) and we didn't realize we were falling down a rabbit hole.  As much as I hated the Alice in Wonderland books, we are Alice, except this is not a dream.  It would be much cheaper, as in free, if this was a dream.

Our first set of Hue lights...
AKA, opening the door to the rabbit hole.

Since Teh Sister's gift only had 3 lights, we had to buy another set.  Both sets were refurbished because when your lights cost this much, saving dollas when you can is muy importante.

So pretttayyy with 2 sets.

But then Teh German wanted light strips to do the cabinets.  I found refurbished Hue light strips on sale and bought a set.  Turns out 2 light strips was not long enough for the cabinets.  But seriously, this shit is expensive and while House account isn't hurting (since we didn't get to build the screened in porch that was going to cost at least $6,000), equipping the entire house would probably cost something around the cost of the screened in porch, relatively.  Ok, maybe not quite, but it would feel like it.

The light strips sat on the counter for a few weeks before Teh German decided to test one on top of the kitchen cabinet one day.  It was kinda ghetto looking because the power cord was sticking out of the cabinet door, but we knew it was temporary, so we just dealt with it. 

Single light strip
Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely..
Please get me some friends.. to call my oooowwwnnn
(I improvised some.)

Teh German didn't like the way the single light strip looked and after taking some measurements, we figured out how much light strip we'd need to do the tops of all the kitchen cabinets.  An expensive amount of light strips is how much.  Teh German wasn't willing to bite the bullet (and neither was I after buying the first sets out of pocket), so we didn't buy more light strips at that time.

Thennnn, our new sofa table arrived from Teh Builder.  After her spectacular work on the entryway bench, we were pumped to see what she was going to create for our sofa table.  We were not disappointed.  Seriously though.  If you're local, I know just the person for furniture building/upcycling.  After putting the sofa table behind the couch, Teh German decided he wanted to put light strips on it.  So that's what we did.  We took the light strip from the kitchen cabinets since the table is 12 feet long.

badassery

Teh German still didn't want to bite the bullet on the light strips for the kitchen because they it was going to be so expensive to do as much as he wanted to do.  He had also decided he wanted to put a light strip on the entertainment console in the living room.

The next day at work, I did some research and learned that Philips released Hue light strip extensions, which are 3 feet long for $30 AND there is a 2nd generation of light strips that has been released which allow you to plug in the extensions.  I shared this with Teh German and later that evening, he broke down and bought the light strips and extensions from Amazon.  The next day, I received an email from Philips asking me to reconfirm my email address for promo emails.  I almosssssttttt just deleted it, because I hate promo emails.  It makes me want to shop and I don't need to shop.  But I clicked confirm and it took me to a coupon code for $20 off the gen 2 light strips.  Ya'll.  $20 off!  That's a big deal.  Big enough that I checked to make sure that it was $20 per strip the following day and told Teh German to reorder the light strips from the Hue site and we'd return the ones to Amazon.  #dollarsavedisadollarearned  When he came home from work that day, he did exactly that.  I love when he listens to my crazy.

When the new light strips arrived, Teh German had to do some light strip rearranging, so the light strips came off the sofa table and were put else where since the sofa table needed a gen 2 strip that could accept the extensions.

Side note: I have found a youtube video that shows someone attaching an extension to a gen 1 light strip with an inexpensive connector and a soldering iron, but Teh German's soldering skills are limited and every time he gets that thing out he ends up with a burn.  The other, bigger, issue is that the gen 1 colors and the gen 2 colors are different.  Gen 2 is brighter and more lumens, which is good because ya know, progress.  Except that I'm OCD and Teh German is.. German.  Everything has to be the same.  The final difference between gen 1 and gen 2 light strips is that the gen 2 power connector can be disconnected from the light strand.  This is especially helpful if you say, drill a hole in the top of your cabinet to run the power cord to the power outlet in that cabinet so it doesn't show along the wall.

So gen 2 light strips were put on the kitchen cabinets and on the entertainment console and reapplied to the sofa table.  It look ahhhmazingggggggg(uh).  Originally, we had a gen 1 light strip on the cabinet by the patio door, but it was replaced with a gen 2 light strip since the colors didn't always match the other gen 2 strips on the other cabinets.  We ended up with 2 extra extension strips since Teh German decided to center some strips instead of running them the entire length of the surface and I returned them and got $60 back.

Lesson 1: We need a taller step ladder. 
Lesson 2: I can always find a way to make shit happen.
Thanks PostSecret and Calvin and Hobbes (which was difficult for me) for coming to our rescue.
Lesson 3: I'm a creeper.

Hai cutie!

Living room w/ entertainment console and sofa table lit up.
We will be adding some accent lights to the corners on either side of the TV.  They are on the way.

Kitchen with Hue lights over cabinets and in the ceiling.

Teh German decided that he wanted spot lights in the living room on either side of the TV, so he purchased 2 par16 bulbs (spotlights) and 2 floor spotlight stands from Amazon.  I think with these lights, the living room is finally complete.

Living room with:
2 spotlights and 2 light strips

After ordering the cabinet strips, Teh German wanted to replace the gen 1 strips with gen 2s, so I bought 2 more light strips.  The gen 1 strips were replaced with the gen 2 strips.  The gen 1 strips were put on the entryway bench and in our headboard.  I also decided that the Lux† lights from the BR30 starter kits were good for the bedroom.  I had posted them on Ebay, but canceled the listing.  I had to order new lamps (not pictured as they haven't arrived yet) since Teh German didn't have a lamp on his night stand, after it broke in a move years ago, but I'm not counting that as part of our Hue set since we need new lamps anyways.

2 Lux bulbs (1 per lamp), 1 light strip
That lamp will be replaced, but for now the Lux bulb is working great in it.

Sooo now I'll break down the cost for you since I'm sure that's what you're really wondering about.
I haven't totaled this before now, so it's going to hurt both of us, don't worry.  (PS. These are not affiliate links, just the links to the specific items if you're interested.)

2 sets of refurbished BR 30 lights (start kit*) - $184x2= $368 (1 set was a gift)
1 set of refurbished light strips (start kit^) - $162
5 Light Strip Pro strands - $70x5= $350
3 Light Strip extensions - $30x3= $90
2 floor spotlights - $16x2= $34
2 par16 Hue bulbs - $60x2= $120

GRAND TOTAL: $1125.

Ooooooouuuucccccccccchhhhhhhiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee


* included a Bridge to link all the lights, ethernet cable, 3 BR30 color bulbs, and 1 A19 Hue Lux bulb.  A single Bridge can connect up to 50 lights. 
^ included a Bridge, ethernet cable, and 2 light strips


Truth be told?  It's totally worth it.  As someone pointed out to me, we don't have kids, we aren't in debt.  Yes, its extraneous, but it makes us happy.  In fact, the morning after all the cabinet lights were put up, I figured I'd turn on the Hue lights for Teh German for when he came downstairs so he could admire his hard work.  But then, in true Megan fashion, I got distracted and maybe a bit selfish and decided to turn on the rainbow fade for myself because it's seriously the best thing ever.  Teh German doesn't love this setting.  I told him that he should be glad I didn't put it on rave lights where all the lights cycle through different random colors (good for showing off, great for setting off seizures).  Our main living space was cycling through the rainbow.  Lisa Frank would be proud of me.

We can also set the lights to turn on as alarms.  Sadly, the gen 1 light strip isn't great for that since it doesn't fade well, but I'm dealing with it.  We can schedule the lights to turn off/on at certain times.  We can turn the lights on/off individually or collectively or by room.  We can set each light to a different color or use a scene based on a photo.

The biggest positive I have about the Hue lights was when I posted on their Facebook page that we were being left in the dark, they responded within 12 hours and helped me troubleshoot the issue.  They actually communicated several times back and forth with me and even followed up.  Color me impressed.

We're crazy over Hue...

†Lux lights are white light only, but are dimmable and can display lights from a soft to daylight range.
**I actually contacted Hue about sponsoring a post.  They weren't willing, but told me they were glad I love their products and would be happy to see a post about their lights.  Yeah, you guys suck.

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.

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!