Weekend Review {09/16}

FRIDAY

School and work on Friday.  I was doing some computer troubleshooting before I left work and ended up leaving almost an hour later than I had intended.  Ugh.  Because of that, I only did a short session at the gym and headed home. 

My new Brooks arrived anddddd they will be going back.  Yes, they are comfortable, but the tongues on these shoes look like some 1990s kicks and I just cannot with that.  I mean.. WHHYYYY??  I do love those laces though, butttt they would never be effective running shoes laces.  I had planned on using these as walking shoes, but I don't love them, so they are going back.  #NotSorry

I gave Teh German the option of staying home or going out for dinner and we ended up staying home and having frozen pizza for dinner.  I was disappointed at first, because I had kinda planned on us going out (as that's usually what we do), buttt it ended up being fine that we stayed home.  We watched Thor: Ragnarok and were lazy.

After the movie, it was bedtime.

SATURDAY

We didn't have plans Saturday until the evening, but we still got up by 0730 because Meri is an asshole.  Teh PT Wife invited us over for 2nd breakfast since Teh NY Chef needed guinea pigs for a breakfast casserole she had made.  BRT.

After socializing for a little bit, we headed back home, made ourselves publicly presentable, and took care of the grocery shopping at Lidl.  I picked up our one of two Halloween/fall decoration pieces: a pumpkin.  I'm interested to see how long this one lasts, because Roux's Humom loves when I put out pumpkins on the front porch for months and months at a time.  HAH!

I wanted a white one, but I didn't want to dig for it..
Sooo, we came home with green.

After we got home from Lidl, it was time to start getting ready for the wedding we were to attend.  I tried to be fancy-casual, like I do.  It was an outside wedding and I knew that my hair would just be big if it left it down, so I googled "easy updos" for some ideas.  When I saw the bun, I knew I was in business, as I kept my hair donut from my Navy days. 

You see, some people roll up a sock, but socks get SUPER heavy when they get wet (from wet hair) and after hanging from your head for many hours..  so I actually purchased a sock donut which kinda looks like a plastic kitchen/dishes scrubber.  Anyways, it's light and doesn't retain water, so it's kinda perfect and I'm well trained in the sock bun life, so this was the easiest "fancy" hair style I could possibly do.

If you're not taking back-of-the-head selfies to ensure full donut coverage, are you even bunning?

We made it a few minutes later than we wanted to arrive, but still early, so it was fine.  Teh German and I both were running behind by a few minutes, so it wasn't really anyone's fault.  When we sat down for the ceremony, we watched the rain clouds (which we had driven through) roll in and when it started to rain and the ceremony hadn't started yet, the guests headed back to the house for cover.  When the rain stopped, we all headed back to our seats and the wedding started.. and so did the rain, again.  This time everyone just sat through the rain.

After the ceremony, we headed to the reception area and tried to stay dry.  Since the wedding was for a coworker of Teh German, about half of the guests were German, which meant that I got to practice my German!  YAY!  That language course and stress wasn't for naught!  Many people (who were strangers) were able to understand me, even though my broken German isn't what it was in May/June.

Teh German only sees his wet pants.
I only see how adorable we are.

Being silly.

The couple used the same wedding planner we did and I thought it was a little bit awkward, but she didn't seem to remember blowing me off after our wedding or the outstanding bill I never paid, so whatever.  We did get a photo of us, the wedding couple, and Teh SC Teacher/Teh SC German with the wedding planner, per her request, since we all used her services.

After dinner there was cake and dancing and someone gifted the couple a Boot that was filled no less than 6 times from the chug-a-lug wagon (pictured above) before we left around 9:30. 

Groom

Bride

When we got home, we took care of the beasts, took care of pre-bedtime chores, then it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday funday.. ish.  Since we had taken care of the adulting on Saturday, we decided to ride the bike downtown for brunch on Sunday.  We agreed on Millers All Day since I wanted livermush (hush with your judgement).  Teh German actually went down in a freak accident when we were looking for parking, but he is ok and Suzi is ok, so everything is fine.  But I had a fucking heart attack when I checked my mirrors and he wasn't behind me after I had turned and I switched my headset over to talk to him and he said he was down.  I asked if he was ok and he said no.   At which point, I did a u-turn in the middle of the street, in front of a cop, because HE SAID HE WASN'T OK.. and then I saw him riding towards me and I was VERY confused.

Turns out, the headset was breaking up because of the distance between us and he hadn't heard me (or, more likely, was, understandably, distracted).  He was fine.  When I saw him pass me, I pulled off and told him to turn around and meet me.  I could tell he was shaken up but I needed to make sure he was ok for my own sanity.  When he caught up to me, I asked if he wanted to check the bike then or when we parked and he said we could park.  We circled the block and found parking in front of the restaurant and checked the bike over.  Other than a scuff or two, everything and everyone was fine.  Whew.

We managed to find a seat at the bar, despite a party of 4 coming in and also sitting at the bar before we did.  The man and I had a disagreement over 2 seats (they had 3 seats initially and needed a 4th) and 2 opened up and I went to them and the man was like, maybe you could ask those people to move down 1 seat...  The couple that was sitting there HAD FOOD and I told the man, I would NOT be asking that couple to move WHILE THEY WERE EATING.  WTF?  I let the man take the seat and waited on something else to open.  This guy and his family looked like Charleston money or rich vacationers, so it didn't overly surprise me that he said I should ask the couple to move, but WHAT THE FUCK?  Really?  Also, the seat at the other end of their party was occupied by someone who was finishing their food, so rather than wait for that seat to open, he took the empty seat so Teh German and I had to keep waiting.. and I get that they were there first, but I hate rude ass, inconsiderate people.

Anyways, we finally got seated and had breakfast and Teh German was less shaken up after he was fed.  I was disappointed that Millers no longer serves livermush, which is annoying since that's really the only reason we went there.  I guess that solves the issue of going downtown for brunch in the future... Oh well.

NOOOMMMMMMMSSSS

After brunch, we headed to the bikes to go home and there was a boy and his grandfather (I assume) who crossed the street with us.  The man said that they boy had been admiring our bikes while they had been waiting for their table, but the boy said he liked my bike better because it was black.  Feeling generous, I asked the boy if he wanted to sit on the bike and he said yes.  Then I asked him if he wanted to hear the engine and he said yes.  I had some technical difficulties getting it into neutral to get it started since I wasn't sitting on the bike and I'd left it in 1st gear when I'd got off since I was more worried about checking on Teh German.  Teh German put Bagheera into neutral and the grandfather sat the boy on her again and I started it up and revved the engine for him.  He was super adorable and shy but still excited.  The grandfather thanked us for taking the time to show off the bikes and told us to be safe and we headed out.

Teh German agreed to take the long way home, so we drove up HWY 61 under the oak trees, by Magnolia Gardens.  I love riding under the trees since it's shady and cool.  Yes, it's a straight road, like all the roads in Charleston, but it's cool and trees.  So trade off.

When we got into Summerville, the fucking lovebugs were HORRIBLE.  I ended up with one on my forehead and then when I got home, I noticed this almost disaster:

Do you see how close to my mouth that dead lovebug is?
THAT COULD HAVE WENT IN MY MOUTH.
vom.

When we got home, Teh German did garage things and I showered and started on homework things.

These are my piles.
I do not love piles, but these are mine.

Around 4, we headed over to Teh NY Chef's house for Sunday dinner.  Everything was delicious, as always, and we socialized until my Mom Guilt kicked in and we left around 6:30 to go home and feed the beasts.  After that was taken care of, I walked the dogs, and then we watched Black Panther before bed.  Then the weekend was over.

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This post is late because Monday was a Monday and I had shit to do.  I have shit to do today too, but here we are.

A good weekend full of socializing and activities.  I did accomplish some school things, but mostly I stayed away from my computer, which never makes me sad. 

This week/weekend includes:
-2 different medical appointments
-The exterminator is coming, but I need to reschedule for a time when someone can be there, because they fucking suck and never do a good job (leaving spider webs on things) and I want them to do the inside this time.
-Concerts: Starset on Saturday and maybe Lee Brice on Sunday, if I get that ticket situation figured out.  The tickets were free, but the way you signed up was weird, so I'm not sure what is happening.

My weather app shows a high of 83-80°F Thurs-Sat and I might just wear a long sleeve shirt on principle.  That's like record lows for not-post-hurricane-in-September times.  I.cannot.wait for it to be "cold".  Seriously.  I'm obnoxious about it too.  #NotSorry

Five on Friday #211

EINS - Random Shit

I can't post this on my neighborhood page without getting judged but I considered it...

It's about ducks. FUCKING DUCKS. AND fucking geese! How do I run off ducks and geese?

Truthfully, I don't overly mind the fowl in our neighborhood.. eeeeexxxxcceeeeppptttt thattttttt... when I walk the dogs, we ALWAYS, without fail, come across the flock of geese or ducks and Meri loses her shit and Pax is like, "WUTT, Meri is losing her shit? OH SHIT DUCKS. DINNERS, MAHM? TASTY DUCK TREATS FOR MERI AND I?! PLS, MAHM????" Our first walk since Pax's incident, Meri was SCREAMING like I was beating her within an inch of her life to get to the ducks. I was mortified, but I knew that when anyone looked out their window to see what the commotion was, they'd see me, facing the opposite direction of 2 fowl-crazed beasts, gently trying to tug them towards the direction of our house, AWAY from the fowl flock.

I AM that crazy lady who runs out the door yelling at the ducks when I seem them in my yard because I do NOT want their poop all over my yard/sidewalk/driveway. But how do I run them off from the house 4 doors down? I mean, besides the obvious: let my dogs chase them and they get a treat... Except, I can't do that since I can't run as fast as Meri on the hunt and I won't let them off leash since we don't live in a gated area.

PS.  There are no ducks or cats when you walk at 8:30 at night.. but there are still plenty of things for both of my dogs to be SUPER interested in that distract them and cause them to walk like drunkards..

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My least favorite part about summer is the pressure changes that come with hot air and conflicting pressure systems.  I mean, other than the perpetual swamp ass/yeast factory situation and the being hot and sweaty when you open the door, maybe #BarometerHead is actually why I hate summer.  No one knows.

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After much neglect, I finally updated my books post this week.  It will post in October since I do book posts quarterly.  I could probably do monthly posts again, but the quarterly level of effort really suits me right now.

For some of the books, I had to read the synopsis to even remember what the book was about.. so that tells you how my reading life has been going.  That said, I'm currently listening to A Woman Is No Man and reading The Ragged Edge of Night and I'm loving on both and cannot get enough, much to the detriment of my homework situation.  More on that in the next blurb....

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It is absolutely no surprise to anyone reading this that I'm an overachiever.  I've talked a lot about my self-inflicted school stress and this semester (all 5 days that we've had class so far, thanks, Hurrication), I've been doing very good about not running myself into the ground.  And you're like, it's like 3 days into the semester, how could you possibly be running yourself into the ground already... AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE PROBLEM.  I could be, but I'm trying to check that this year.

In fact, PITA professor that I have for 3 classes gives a quiz every.class.  And this year, I've embraced a more "come what may" attitude about it.  In his former classes, the homework and the quizzes were the same, so to do the homework meant being prepared for the quizzes.  This semester that isn't true, so rather than stress myself out over trying to know absolutely everything and torturing myself with never being able to know everything, I study for a bit and then when I am no longer focused or get tired, I walk away, prepared or not.  Sometimes before class, I'll skim the notes and hope for the best, but... come what may.

I do not plan to fail any of my classes and while I would like to keep my Dean's List streak going, there's no way that C's could mean I don't graduate, sooooo C's get degrees, Gentle Readers.

Someone please remind me of this entire section in December when I'm having a mental breakdown about exams and final projects/papers.  Kthx.

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I arrived to school around 0700 on Wednesday and proceeded to my dungeon.  Since some "can you complete this in the next 2 hours before our Sprint ends" tasking came in, I spent my lunch time in my dungeon... Then, my afternoon class.  All said, I was in that room for 6.5 hours.  I only left to pee and heat up my lunch.  Few things are more depressing than thinking of this.

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I tried the Dropps laundry pods.  I always want to be more environmentally friendly and shit.. but I also always want my laundry to smell delightful.  The Dropps pods did not provide that smell I need for proper laundry motivation.  Seriously.  If my laundry doesn't smell good when I take it out of the dryer, it's less likely to get done and Lord knows I need all the motivation I can get to get the Laundry Fairy to come out of hiding.

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As the only person who ensures that there are spare rolls of toilet paper in all the bathrooms (unless I specifically tell someone else (Teh German, duh) to take care of it, I feel validated to leave just a "is that going to be enough?" amount of paper on the roll for the next person (also, mostly likely Teh German), so they have to change it.  #NotSorry 🤷

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I have been planning to make enchiladas for dinner for over a week.  It was on the menu.  I did not have any refried beans, so I made my own from canned black beans I keep on hand.  Then, when I went to assemble said enchiladas, I realized.. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ANY TORTILLAS.

WHAT THE FUCK, MEGAN?  Is this how you adult, really?  No.
Thankfully, Teh PT Wife saved dinner and donated a pack of tortillas to our cause and we had enchiladas for dinner.  Whew.

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Pax had his foot check up on Wednesday.  Since I was bringing one in already, I rescheduled their toes did appointment for the same day, which meant wrangling 2 dogs alone.  Always fucking chaos an adventure.

Pax's stitches were removed with only minor difficulty.  I was right, the stitches didn't really hold well and the wound was still pretty open, but it had completely scabbed over, so that's good.  The doc said if it doesn't close up, maybe more stitches, butttt this Mom says probably not.  We did get 2 more weeks of antibiotics since it's still open, which is fine.

Both dogs got their nails cut and I made an appointment for October, because I'm serious about getting these nails under control.

Both dogs HAD to be by me, and since that's where they were, that's where the techs decided to remove Pax's stitches.
Yes, please crowd me in this tiny corner.
That's my favorite thing.
Siiiigh.
Please note that Meri is hiding behind me.

Pax pitched a fit when he was muzzled and crated and gave himself a nose boo-boo.
The scab fell off yesterday and now he's got this sexy scar.
Silly goose moose.

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We had an opportunity to go to Disney World before Thanksgiving with some friends, but after some consideration, we're not going.  I discussed this decision with Teh German this week and he understood.  We've not been to Disney together since he proposed and we'd both like to go, butttt I'd rather plan our own trip than be thrown into someone else's plans, especially if there isn't a stellar financial incentive (aka, cheaper) to go with friends.

Siiiiiigh.  Adulting is the worst.
This also means that I don't have to juggle a lack of PTO and trying to take time off/teleworking.  #SilverLinings

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List of languages that I'm dealing with this month/at this time:
Java
Kotlin (knowing of it, not writing it)
Ruby
AsciiDocs (for work)
command line instructions
made up language for a class

List of languages I'll have to deal with before the end of the semester:
C++
Bash
Haskell
+ the ones listed above

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One of my fave parts of this week: Me talking about how I wanted it to be cooler and Teh German posting Denver temps.  We might not always get along, but lawd he gets me when it comes to the cold.

Please also note that Teh German has Denver's weather saved as a favorite location in his weather app.  So if you think I'm serious about CO, Teh German is MORE serious.

PS.  Our Denver friend commented that it actually snowed in CO this week.  Another friend commented that maybe I should move out of the South and I explained to her that we're stuck here for at least another 238 days (see last section for what is in 238 days, if you don't already know).

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Things that make me (ir)rationally angry:

-The fucktards at school who drive these big ass dually trucks (these people are probably actual military individuals who teach at/go to The Citadel) and park right behind the building taking up 1.5 parking spaces and then people who drive normal cars can't fit in the 3/4ths of a space they leave between each other.  #RAAAAGGEEEEE (I snapped about this one morning and one of the drivers saw me.  #NotSorry MFer.)

-When the sweet tea runs out.  This doesn't really make me angry so much as disappointed.  Unless, of course, I asked for light ice and they fill the cup with ice then I'm out of tea that much quicker.

-Convenience/etc fees when you buy something online.  Essentially a fee for more than the product that isn't tax because the website is providing a service.  Think Ticketmaster or online race signup fees.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-I invested in Company's investment program.  It's weird since we're an LLC, but whatever.  Does it get more adult than investing?  I think not.  Well.. maybe if you actually clean your toilets on a regular schedule yourself...
-Sam's club stock up.
-New shoes x2.  The Merrell lady still gave me the 50% off discount even though I only bought one pair since they were sold out of the shoes I came in looking for.  #SorryNotSorry.  And I also finally broke down and bought the Brooks I've been drooling over.  Not sure if I'm going to keep them or not, but we'll see.
-Power bill
-Bojangles 1 time ONLY.
-Cocoa Cup 5k
-Dog nails
-Dog bully sticks
-Dog toys (because I have no self-control, but I did use my remaining rewards dollas, so I only paid $4.)
-New earbuds after I lost mine on Monday, because that's how my life is now.
-New muzzle for asshole dog, I mean Pax, since he decided that he didn't want to be in his crate after his incident.
-Wendy's for lunch, after I forgot my lunch today, even though I realized I forgot to pack my lunch when I was putting my stuff in the car and then promptly forgot to pack it after I told myself to grab lunch.  FML.

DREI - From My Phone Shit

I've been killing the "thrown together" dinners this month.

People in Dubai don't like the Flintstones, but people in Abu Dhabi do.

Translation faillllllllllll.
Please also note: only for white skin. LOOOL
Also, how can skin be ruddy and shiny?
So much fail.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

This applies to anything that has a dark mode, but people leave it in the default light mode and I'm blinded by the light.

Your lowest moment will not hinder you from reaching the heights you have been called to.
-MHN

You are about to enter depths you have never entered before,
and you might brave moments where you are not sure if you have the strength for this.
And I hope it is in those moments you are able to remember that even though this is different,
you have had to be strong before,
and those moments prepared your heart to carry on all the more.
-MHN

Your successes do not define you...
And neither do your failures.
-MHN

1. Be kind to yourself.
2. Take care of yourself.
3. Challenge yourself.
MHN

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. A thawing of the frigid season that has been going on between Teh German and I.  I can't really explain it, but we've been more gentle with each other in the last few days, after several weeks of tension and bickering between us for no real discernible reason (with the exception of some occasional discernible reasons).
2. School not being difficult yet.  AKA, I don't feel like I've been beaten into submission yet.  I'm sure it's imminent.
3. A tropical storm in the Atlantic.  Look, Gentle Readers, I don't want storm damage to occur or for people to die.  I just want it to rain and be cooler outside.  I want less humidity and to not have to experience air that is so thick that you can almost part it with your hands or you need gills to breathe or your car windows fog up in the morning because your hair is wet and it's so hot outside (#FirstWorldProblems, I know).
4. Graduation application submitted.  238 days, people.  That's 34 weeks.  That's 7.5 months.  That's less time than it takes to fully gestate a human baby.  If a woman can host a baby for 9 months, I can survive 7.5 more months of college and programming languages and Cadets and driving downtown and homework.  Maybe.
5. Pax having his stitches removed.  His laceration has scabbed up but the stitches didn't really do much for him since the wound was so gnarly.  Thankfully, he's not bleeding all over the place, despite the scab being opened up when they removed the stitches.  I think he'll be fine.  I'm ready to get back to our normal operations (to include walkies, which are good for the beasts AND for me).
6. A "normal" week for me.  Routine is so hard to get into when everything is always crazy.
7. Good books.  It feels like it's been such a long time since I've been completely enraptured by a good book.
8. Getting to spend some time with Teh NY Chef on her birthday.  
9. An absolutely stellar chiro visit where I'm 95% certain I grew 2 inches.  Sooo good.
10. New school shoes.  I know this seems silly, but we always got new school shoes to start the school year (and usually new school clothes).  Now, I buy clothes all the time, but I don't buy shoes all that often and I like having new school shoes for whatever reason.  I purchased Merrell shoes last weekend and my Brooks that I ordered online arrived today.  I can now purge the shoes I have, if necessary, or rotate through some running/workout shoes.  I'm undecided.  #FirstWorldProblems, I know.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Unpopular Opinions Part 1

Megan's unpopular opinions...

Beer is disgusting.  All beer.  Cheap beer.  Craft beer.  ALL BEER.

Don't try to change my mind.  Yes, I will take a sip of Teh German's beers every now and then, but there isn't a beer that I've tried that is enjoyable.  Not a single beer has graced my mouth that made me thing, "Yeah, I want more of this."  I have drank beers before that have been experiments in toleration.  It's not my jam.  It means more for you.

All wine tastes like Jesus Communion wine.

I don't like wine either.  I blame this on being raised Catholic.  Just like beer, I've tried many a sip of wine all to the same result: I could probably tolerate some of those wines, but nary a one has been something that I wanted to ingest more of.  Again, more for you!

Doing things on a mobile device/tablet is better than doing it on a computer.

NO.  That stupid tiny keyboard is only meant for making me feel like I have oversized foam thumbs.  Autocorrect is of the devil.  Mobile websites are complete garbage since they usually don't have full functionality (with the exception of our mobile wedding website, which I purposely made with exactly the same functionality as the desktop version, you are welcome very much).  That said, "I don't use a computer," is NOT a valid excuse if you are constantly updating your Facebook from your phone.  If you can use the Facebook app, you can manage to open up the browser app and go to websites.  It's a thing.  I promise.

Winter is best.  Fall is bestest.

I live in the asshole of the South, if you don't believe that, check out a map of South Carolina and determine the proximity of Charleston in relation to the east coast's butt (PS. Lake Michigan looks like a dick).  When someone was discussing how they thought it was super miserable this summer after they moved here in June and myself and another individual had to inform them that this summer was actually very mild compared to "normal" Charleston summers, they almost packed up their shit right there and moved to another state.  Most people in Charleston are all about that "Salt Life" (barf), but I'm all about that Hood Life.  By hood life I mean HOODIE life.  My world is pretty much perfect when I'm wearing a hoodie.  There is never a day that I'd rather be hot and dealing with swamp ass over being cold.  I love some warm socks and blankets and snuggles.  Die, Summer, die.

TV is stupid.

People seem to have a hard time accepting the fact that I/we don't watch TV.  I don't know why.  I cannot stand the commercials, I can't stand the stereotypes and pushed agendas.  Essentially, I hate everything.  There are times when I think to myself that I want to watch TV and then I spend 5 minutes watching it in public somewhere (doctor's office or at someone else's house or a restaurant or the vet center on campus) and I remember why I never watch TV.  Yes, I could choose to watch awesome shows after the fact without commercials, but that leads me to my next point...

Popular things are stupid.

Ok, on this point, I've been proven wrong a few times, but generally, I am strong in my opinions about this.  I didn't read Harry Potter or Twilight until 2012, pretty much at the start of their decline in popularity.  I didn't want to be part of the fangirl crowd and that continues to this day.  What does this mean for me when I do finally get around to partaking in whatever craze is going around?  It's probably already over.  All the books are published, all the episodes are released.  I don't have to wait on the next episode.  #betterlatethannever  PS.  I've fallen out of touch with Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, and Silicone Valley.  I'm not heartbroken about it.

Coffee is gross.

Unless it contains a diabetic coma inducing amount of sugar and/or flavoring.  Peppermint mochas year round for me.  I have partaken of pumpkin spice, but I'd rather have a peppermint mocha any day.

Energy drinks are the worst.

The smell of Red Bull makes me gag.  Seriously.  I don't understand how people can drink that garbage.  Teh German likes to get them when we drive long distances and I spend a majority of that time with my nose in my shirt.. sniffing my boobs?  Whatevs, anything is better than the smell of chemicals that are probably not digestible.

Fall-ionnaire

I'm not gonna lie, part of me has wanted to do one of these fall questions things since the beginning of October when I first started seeing other bloggers do them, but then I was all like, stop being a bandwagon-er, Megan.  So then I decided if I was tagged, I'd do one.  I WAS TAGGED.  Thanks Kimmi.  :)

Lets get to all the things fall, shall we?  We shall.

favorite candle scent 

Marshmallow Fireside from Bath and Body Works.  I have 1 in my closet, 1 in my bedroom, 1 in the living room, and if it wasn't excessive I'd have one in each bathroom, the guest room, and probably the dining room/kitchen.  No I am not kidding.

coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

Depends.  In the morning, tea in the evening, hot chocolate.  I will drink coffee if I go to Starbucks, but I really prefer beverages that don't taste like coffee.  Also, I prefer my hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows (heaps of them).. or frozen with PB.  I'm adventurous, what can I say.

Frozen PB hot chocolate

No that is not enough marshmallows.

what is the best fall memory you have

I'd actually have to say last weekend's motorcycle ride in the mountains with the leaves being at their peak is probably the best fall memory I have.  No other fall stands out particularly.  Fall means it's Renn Faire time but I didn't really appreciate fall until after being in GTMO then Bahrain and not having seasons for 2 years.

Oh you've seen that photo already?
DO NOT CURR. 

best fragrance for fall

Uhh?  People change their fragrance for the seasons?  I wear the same perfume year round and I keep the same candles year round (because I love them so much I buy extra).  My favorite smells are always fall, soooo I think that Toasted Marshmallow from BBW and Autumn Wreath from Yankee Candle are the best not perfume smells.  Most cashmere smells also make me think of fall, so I have the Glade cashmere aerosol spray in my kitchen.

favorite Thanksgiving food

STUFFING.  GIVE ME ALL THE STUFFING*.
*It has to be from the turkey butt stuffing.  Not baked in a pan.  That is not the same.

most worn sweater

My NCSU hoodie I bought back in 2004 when I was a college orientation.
#2 is my Thing 2 hoodie I got for Halloween last year.

football games or jumping in leaf piles

Neither.  I'd rather just walk through all the crunchy leaves.

favorite type of pie

Lemon.  Then chocolate.  Then pumpkin.  Then sweet potato.

what is autumn weather like where you live

It's like normal people summer.  The temps are 50s-85ish.
During what is "winter" for everyone else, it is more like fall in Charleston.

which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged liner

Uhhh, neither?  I don't really wear makeup, but I guess if I did I'd want to rock some winged liner, but I don't really think I'm that cool.

what song really gets you into the fall spirit

There isn't one unless you count watching marching band videos on the internet.  Marching band in HS was during the fall and so those videos bring me back to HS and prepping for football games on Friday nights and band practice on Tuesday nights.

is pumpkin spice worth the hype

Meh.  Not in my opinion.  It's radioactive orange.  Something that color can't be good for you unless it came from the ground and PSLs don't.  Wait, I retract that statement.  Pumpkin spice is worth the hype IN PUMPKIN PIES.  Duh.

favorite fall TV show

Yeah, I don't watch TV.  I'm considering myself exempt from this question.

skinny jeans or leggings?

Leggings if I had to choose since bell bottoms aren't a choice.  That said, I don't wear leggings as pants unless I'm wearing a dress or a really long shirt that covers my butt.

combat boots or Uggs

Neither?  If I had to pick, I'd say combat boots because I already own those and I've never owned a pair of Uggs because no.

Now they are my riding boots.

Halloween: yay or nay

Yay.  Each year I say I'd like to hand out candy and rarely ever do I actually get to.  This year we are going to a Halloween party and I think we'll be adulting the party and by adulting I mean getting our drank on, not supervising.

fall mornings or evenings

All the things fall.  All the time fall.  I'm not picky.

what do you think about Black Friday?

It is an excuse people give themselves to spend extra money on crap that they usually don't need.  It's unbearably difficult on retailers to support and even harder on those people who have to be at work at midnight because someone needs to buy a tv that is $100 off, when they could wait until Super Bowl time and get it for cheaper.  Aka, I prefer to stay home and stay in bed.

one Fall 2015 trend you love

There are seasonal trends?  I'd have to look them up, but I have read other people say plaid is in for this season and I'll just be honest.. I don't own anything that is plaid.







I know I should tag other bloggers, but I feel like most of the bloggers that I follow were way ahead of the times and have already done this.  Soooo if you haven't done one of these for fall 2015, you're it.  If you have well, you can have a #bestbloggerever hashtag.

What is your favorite thing about fall?
PS.  Mine is everything about last weekend.

Weekend Review {10/26}

Teh German was pointing out this weekend that it's pretty much the end of October and I did a little happy dance.  We're almost out of Charleston summer!  He was in awe that the year has passed so fast and I told him for me only the last 3 months have passed quickly.  That said, I'm really glad my 2015 turned around in the best possible way.  Also, HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!!  WOOOTTTT!

FRIDAY

Thank you to all the Gentle Readers who left me comments on Friday's post about what a shitty week it had been and for sharing your property management/rental woes with me.  Misery loves company, lol.

Friday was a short work day, yay.  Additionally, it was chiro day AND Chiro did a cookout on Friday that I was invited to (all the patients were invited actually).  He did burger sliders with caramlized onions on Hawaiian rolls with cheese and OMG delicious.  Also, since my appt was at 1145 and the food wasn't ready, I got an extra long session and got to lay on this table that has some roller thingy in it that massaged my back.  It was good.

After lunch/socializing, I started the epic adventure that was trying to pick up the uhaul trailer.  When I left the chiro office, I called the Uhaul closest to my house and asked if they had the trailer we needed.  After she took ALL my information unnecessarily to tell me that they did NOT have the trailer I was looking for, I turned around to head back to where Teh German had reserved the trailer, or so I thought.  I called the location to ask if I could pick it up early and the guy said that our reservation wasn't through his store but through a different uhaul location on the same street.  Great.  So he gives me directions there and I some how find this ghetto store where the trailer that we need is no where to be seen.  Excellent.

I go inside to talk to someone and a lady tells me the trailer isn't at the store yet because she hasn't picked it up and she asks if I can come back later.  No.  I'm here now, let's do this.  She then comes up with the idea that I will follow her to the off-site location and we can pick up the trailer from there.  Okie dokie.  We essentially pull up to someone's single-wide trailer that has uhaul equipment parked in the yard.  This was in North Charleston, so I wasn't overly surprised, but whatever.  I assume the guy that lives in the trailer came out to make sure that we weren't stealing the trailer and he ended up helping up almost put the trailer on Yurtle until I realized that this trailer was SUPER heavy compared to the one we rented for Labor Day weekend.. and then I realized that the trailer was the wrong size.  We needed the 5x9, this was a 6x12 and Yurtle isn't rated strong enough to pull something that heavy.  She's a compact SUV, not a Ford F-350. 

When I told the lady that trailer wasn't going to work she actually said to me, "Well, can't you just borrow a truck from a friend?"  What?  No!  "I don't have friends/I don't have friends with trucks" is what I almost said.  I left it at no.  She then told me, "I didn't know this wasn't a 5x9, I didn't know there were different sizes."  You can imagine the look I gave her.  Then the 3 of us proceeded to call random Uhaul places in the area asking if anywhere had a 5x9 trailer with a ramp.  The lady managed to find one and switched our reservation to that location.  She told me it was the 2nd location I had called (where they had given me directions).  Ok, I know where that is, NBD. 

Since I had been driving around town, I figured it was a good idea to top Yurtle off with gas, so I stopped for gas and pulled up to a pump that refused to authorize my card.  By this point, I'm frustrated.  I continuously hold down the help button and nothing.  2 cars were able to stop and fill up as I'm impatiently waiting on this pump to authorize.  Nothing.  I get pissed off and drive around to a different pump and try my card again.  This time, it was authorized.  I put the nozzle in Yurtle and start to pump and it clicks off like it's full.  Repeat x10.  I was actually holding the nozzle to try different speeds of pumping the gas and still it kept clicking off.  At this point, I can feel the tears.  I know I'm going to cry.. in public.  I manage to hold back the tears and then resume pumping and it magically works.  I assume there were bubbles or something in the tank kicking off the full sensor.  I don't know, I don't care.  I was seriously about to have a breakdown.  After I got my $6 in gas, I headed to the Uhaul place.

I arrived and I think the lady recognized me from the last time we rented the trailer.  I told her the name for the reservation and she explained that they didn't have my reservation at their location.  I didn't even have a reaction to that.  The guy that I had gotten direction from was also standing there and realized who I was.  They looked up my reservation and told me where it was.  I ensured that it was the correct trailer because I'd been told that there weren't any 5x9 trailers with a ramp available in the area at one point and if I had to drive through Friday early rush hour traffic to the other location to not the correct trailer, my reaction wasn't predicable. 

I dealt with the traffic and finally made it to the final Uhaul place, which also happened to be a Meineke.  Since my tire light had come on Monday morning when it was "cold" (aka below 55 degrees), I figured I'd get my tires pumped up to reset the light so Teh German wouldn't be concerned over it while he was driving.  Once that problem was solved, I backed up to the trailer I knew was going to be ours for the weekend.  I went inside and filled out the paperwork and the guy came out and helped me attach the trailer to Yurtle, which is good because I still haven't had to do that yet.

After getting everything attached, I was on my way to deal with rush hour traffic with a trailer behind me.  Rah.  I made it home without incident and then got to spend 5 minutes trying to back the stupid trailer into the driveway.  Teh German is unbearably good at backing the trailer into places.  I mean, gets it in the spot the first try every.single.time.  Yeah, not me.  I was just glad that I didn't hit Mike or the carport poles.  I'm sure if my neighbors were watching they were highly amused.

All by myself.  TYVM

Throughout the whole headache of dealing with the trailer I had wanted to whine to Teh German, but opted not to so I didn't stress him out anymore than he already was with trying to get out of work "early" at 4.  Once I got inside, I hung out with the dogs and packed the suitcase with my crap.  I brought out our helmets and jackets to Yurtle and tried to get everything I could prepped for leaving other than Teh German's stuff.

When Teh German got home, I had finally laid down trying to just ignore the week and the remote possibility that we still might not get to go to the mountains.  Between Meri and texts, I wasn't able to nap, but did get to rest a few minutes.  When Teh German got home, I asked for 5 minutes of snuggles before we started the process of loading up the bikes and finishing packing.  He really wanted to get everything done, but I started to tell him about the trailer situation and he realized I needed some extra love.  He's the best.

Before I fell asleep, I said we should get going and we did just that.  We were on the road a little after 6, which is what I had estimated.  WE WERE MOUNTAIN BOUND!!  We stopped outside of Columbia for dinner at a place called Rush.  I had almost messaged Teh German before he got off work and asked him to bring me a milkshake from Cookout because the day/week was winning, but I didn't because I wanted him to get home sooner so we could leave.  Rush had milkshakes and they were able to combine the chocolate and the cherry for me so it was almost like an adult shake from Sesame except without the liquor.  It was perfect.  Yes I am dog, yes, I treat myself with food.  #notsorry

After we were fed, I figured was the best time for that potentially too soon conversation about the housing situation.  I almost chickened out, but stuttered my way through the sooo's and I'm not trying to too soon you's and I've been thinking's and asked Teh German about what he thought about buying a house.  He was behind the idea.  We discussed issues like no down payment and loan options and his lack of US credit (I think it's stupid that your credit rating isn't international, FYI).  We also talked about minimum requirements and location preferences.  It was a good conversation and it also included a reassurance that when we think of the future we include each other in those plans and it wasn't a too soon since we've already planned through next June, so we're pretty serious.  I also reiterated that I didn't want him to feel pressured into a commitment with me because I was talking about the commitment of buying a house (PTSD from past relationships much, Megan?). 

We arrived at Teh WJL's house around midnight.  We pretty much said hello then sweet dreams.  We were exhausted from the day.

SATURDAY

Teh German set an alarm for 0730 because he's el diablo.  We got up slowly and prepped for a day of riding.  We unloaded Mike and Suzi and set out for Tennessee in a super dense fog, which was super scary.  We stopped at the grocery store for breakfast options, which were minimal.  Teh German didn't want fast food so he went with granola bars and I picked out an individual oatmeal and a large water.  I needed a spoon so we stopped and ate in the McDonald's parking lot.  By ate I mean I endured uncooked watery oatmeal for as long as possible.  We stopped to get gas at a station with super old pumps and I had show Teh German how to use a gas pump that didn't have a card reader.  He didn't didn't realize how simple it was and I didn't realize how much I take my knowledge of antiquated technology for granted.

When we go back on the bikes after eating, the fog had lifted enough to be safe to drive in.  I actually didn't go far enough to get to the really curvy road I had planned on taking us through.  It worked out though because the road we were on was taking us to the same destination annnnd we'd gotten a late start due to fog and food so it was for the best we didn't take the curvy way.  The entire drive we just kept telling each other how gorgeous the hills were and why couldn't we live in the mountains?  We'd have leaves in the fall and cooler temps and snow in the winter for Teh German's snowboarding/my crazy love and MOUNTAINS!!!   

Teh German is always such a good sport for my selfies.  He's the best.

After we drove into TN for a few minutes, we turned around after we found the road that I meant to take.  We had a hair appt at 1:30, which was good because we needed hair cuts, bad because that was something in the middle of the day that cut into our riding time.  We headed down the mountain the fast way and ended up stopping around noon for lunch at Banner Elk Cafe.  It took longer than I had wanted to be stopped for and traffic was heinus going down the mountain ANDDDD the fog hadn't lifted in Boone so it was tedious getting down the mountain.  We were 30 minutes late for our appt and had to wait another 30 minutes for the girl that was being worked on to be finished.  I think we were tired enough that it didn't really matter to much that weren't riding.  I asked Teh German if he wanted to go ride more or just wait and he said wait. 

After hair cuts, we headed to Teh Dad's to see his new truck/socialize.  We weren't there for very long because we needed to get back to Teh WJL's house before dark since I have no gauge lights and there are no street lights in the sticks and Teh German's headlights were wonky.  We had decided on Friday night that we wanted to drive 181 up the mountain while we were there, so we went the curviest way to 181 from Teh Dad's house and then Teh German took off on 181 while I was all pokey-ass up the mountain.  Which was totally fine with me.  I stopped at a view point and took some photos and the continued up the mountain.  Teh German had looped back to find me and when I passed him he turned around and caught back up with me. 

Once we got back to Teh WJL's house, we showered and headed out to dinner with Teh WJL and her husband for sushi.  I caused a scene when WJL's Husband wouldn't show the server his ID for his beer.  He had said it was in the truck and I suggested he go get it.  He told the server to go ask the cook if he was of age and I repeated that he should go get his ID.  She took his beer order and Teh German's (who showed his ID with zero issues).  Teh WJL asked the server what happened if she served someone that was underage and she explained that she'd have her bartender's license revoked for 6 months (or a year, I can't remember) in addition to a $2000 fine.  I told WJL's Husband that I sure as shit wouldn't serve him anything but soda if he didn't show me his ID with those consequences, I didn't care if he looked 80 years old.  Right before the server left the table he finally pulled out his wallet and show her his ID.  I almost lost my mind.  I said, "You were just too lazy to pull your wallet out?  What the fuck is wrong with you?  It wasn't even that difficult and she's just doing her job." I felt bad later because Teh German had never seen that side of me and Teh WJL probably had to deal with whatever fallout I caused from challenging him for being a completely douchemagoo.

We got our sushi and it was delicious.  After dinner, we headed back to the house and hung out and chatted for a while before I finally called bedtime because we were exhausted.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, Teh WJL cooked breakfast for us.  I woke up early and told Teh German to sleep in because I was going to go hang out with Teh WJL, he didn't argue.  Teh WJL and I chatted for almost an hour then we woke up the boys for breakfast.  We all had delicious breakfast and then Teh German and I got ready to go on a short ride while Teh WJL got ready for church.  I had opted to head to the Mast General Store in Valley Crucis.  Teh WJL had suggested a curvy road for us instead of going back through Boone to get to Valley Crucis, which was perfect despite the gravel.  Again, Teh German and I just kept repeating to each other how gorgeous the leaves were and he mentioned that we should have gotten a GoPro to attach to a helmet so we could show off how gorgeous it was to our friends/the internet. 

The photos don't do the scene justice.  All the reds and yellows and oranges.  I hadn't been home for fall/leave changing season since well before I left for the Navy so I was just awestruck at how pretty it was.  There's a reason people from FL come up to NC to ride through the Parkway and cause traffic problems (which we got to experience). 

We made it to Mast General Store around 1115 and we picked up some candy and a Cheerwine in a bottle to share.  I learned that Teh German likes black licorice.  He's a weirdo, but I'll love him anyways.  We went by the annex and the original store.  I preferred the original store because the old post office and because there were less people and they actually carried "general store" items like they would have carried in the 1800s.  After we finished at Mast General Store, we headed back to Teh WJL's house to load the bikes and shower and hit the road.  Teh WJL delivered lasagna to us for lunch/dinner because she's the best, then we hit the road.

He was super pumped about the licorice.  Bleh.

I found children's hats and we had to take photos. 
I couldn't figure out why he was making that face then he said, because TEETH! 

The closest to being a 'Bunny' as I'll ever be...

I had never been the way my GPS took us, so I was a bit excited about a new direction.  We stopped right as we entered into SC for gas and took the time to eat the lasagna and go into the grocery store for the bathroom and to grab starbucks since there was one.  That said, try the toasted graham latte or whatever it's called.  The girl working the register said it was less sweet than their normal drinks and she was right.  It wasn't overly sweet, which was perfect.  Since we were going south then east, we got to avoid Charlotte and Columbia for the most part.  As is our road trip tradition, we missed an exit for the interstate we needed and had to turn around, which was NBD.  We did more a few more questions on the way back, but I couldn't really find any that we hadn't already answered.  #firstworldproblems

PS.  I took these photos while Teh German was driving.

We finally made it home at almost 8pm.  I felt a little bad because the dogs had been in their crates for a VERY long time, but they were fine with zero accidents.  I dealt with the dogs while Teh German backed the trailer in so we could unload the bikes (the first time, of course) and he brought in all the stuff from the back.  We got the bikes unloaded and put away and then headed out to return the trailer to Uhaul and stop by Publix so we could pick up items for lunch/dinner for the week.

When we made it home, we put away the groceries and unpacked the suitcase and collapsed onto Teh Cloud. 

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It was an amazing weekend to make up for such a hellish week.  Seriously.  All the leaves and curvy roads and mountains and hanging out with Teh WJL and getting our hairs did.  Every time we ride, Teh German and I discuss listening to music and we even downloaded/edited some Spotify playlists to listen to music and we always end up chatting the entire time instead.  I'm not complaining at all.  It's the best type of chatter and/or silence.

This week is back to the grind to finish out October.  Halloween is Saturday and Daylight Savings is on Sunday, which is PERFECT since we've planned to possibly get into some drunken shenanigans.  That hour extra in bed will be heavenly, not ironic at all because Sunday?  Sunday = church day = heavenly?  That one was stretching it, sorry.

Annnnnnddddd we're at the 2 week mark until Teh MD-AR arrives in SC!!  Which means I should REALLY get in a long run next weekend (prob Sat morning so I don't have to contend with a hangover?)...... half marathons don't train for themselves.

Happy Last Week of October, Gentle Readers!

Linking up with these ladies:
Ashely @ A Cute Angle
Meg @ Life of Meg
Biana @ BLovedBoston