Five on Friday #233

EINS - Random Shit

In a fit of PMS fueled rage, I did something I didn't think I'd do..  started applying for jobs.  Pretty much anything that I thought I was moderately qualified for and interested in that happened to be in a location I was willing to be in.  SO MUCH RAGE.

It kicked off with something like this:
"When did Technical Writer morph into Personnel Security?"
and went downhill quickly from there.

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I'm gonna be honest.  I haven't been wearing a mask as often as I should be.  You see, I live in SC, the land of the lawless and the "I do what I wawnt" preachers... and well.. I'm lazy.  I know I should, and worse yet, I know I would if I lived somewhere that required it... but I don't, so I don't.  Judge me, it's fine.  If I am asked to wear my mask, I 100% will, but if I go to Walmart to pick up things, I probably won't.  In fact, I'm that person that might just fake cough to get you to stand away from me.  I'm an asshole, I've accepted it.

Additionally, I would really like to get antibody tested.

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I have been on the hunt for a plant stand to use as a raised feeder for Sandy and I cannot find one that is tall enough to save my life.  It's like the ones I have are unicorns, never to be purchased again.  #RAGE

This is a serious problem because I spilled water all over the counter and myself and floor the other day trying to set the water bowl on the counter so I could use that stand for Sandy's bowl.

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After Sandy's boots didn't work out, Teh German and I fashioned some "boots" for her.  He gave me a pair of his tall socks and I reinforced the foot/toe with duct tape and then we used electric tape around a higher part of her leg to keep them from falling.  They actually worked rather well.  Way better than the boots which slipped off within 10 steps from our front door..... siiiiigh.  I'm curious if we can find some velcro strips to hold the socks up instead of electrical tape so we don't end up going through roll after roll of tape.

She gave zero fucks about me putting her boots on.

Sexyyy homemade boots.

When we got home, Sandy laid down and I reinforced the toes more where she'd rubbed through the tape while walking and then I cut the electrical tape (super easy when I lifted it away from the sock so I made sure she wouldn't get cut) and slipped the sock off.

I think Sandy would do best at a dog park where she can run free, but I really don't love dog parks as a general rule, so I'm skeptical.  Also, it's rained this week, so the closest dog park would be rather muddy and I'm not sure I'd love a fuzzy dog + mud situation in my car.

Duct tape and tall black socks.  I can't imagine Teh Dad being more proud.

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Cooking things:

Did you know that you should use like 1390582 bags of spinach to make creamed spinach?  That shit wilts down to practically nothing and so you'll be left with too much cream and barely any spinach if you think that 18 oz is "enough".  IT AIN'T.

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Could I bring Meri to the groomer?  Of course.
Would I rather pay a mobile groomer to come park in my driveway and do it?  Of course.

This is something I am currently researching and hope to get done soon.  Poor Monkey-Doodle has her hairs pulled every time we go on a walk because her harness is now rolling up her fuzz.  It's a hard knock life for fuzzy beasts.

This applies to Sandy, too, who's new hair brush recently arrived and so we get to play that game this weekend.  FUN!

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We took the bitches to the beach yesterday. 
1- Everyone fit in the car.
2- No one grumbled or got sassy. (all the praise hands emojis!)
3- Yes, Sandy pooped in the car again.  Ugh.  We were less than a mile from home and the smell lingered too long to be a fart.  I cleaned it up as best I could when I got gas and pulled the blanket over itself and we still went on adventures.

It was a good trip.  Not sure if we'd make it a regular thing (as I hate the beach and the sand and the heat), but it was a good way to spend a vacation day.

All the dogs passed the fuck out after we got home and they had been rinsed/bathed.

Obvs XL Slumber Balls were made for BIGGG dogs.

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I set an unofficial goal when I noticed my mileage creepin' up this month: 50 miles.

DUN.
Thanks to my accountability partner(s)!

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Boots for Sandy (that will be returned since they didn't work)
-cabinet organization for the water bottles/to go coffee cups.
-hair brush for Sandy
-Dog food.  All the dog food for dayzzzz.  We go through a 30 pound bag in 10 days with Sandy eating 8 cups a day, soooo she's about to get put on a diet, lol.  PS. 8 cups a day is DOUBLE what she would be getting as a normally nourished dog.
-Beach parking.
-Dairy Queen dessert
-Gas.
-.......WoW subscription.  Lawd help me.

DREI - From My Phone Shit

I could open myself up like Luke Skywalker did that Tauntuan and that would not be close enough for these beasts.

MOTHER FUCKING FINALLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
My diploma finalllllly arrived!!!!
/squuuuuueeeeeeee

I ordered a less shitty faucet for the laundry room sink (it had a cheapo bathroom faucet on it before).
Husband installed it yesterday.  LOOOOOOVVVEEEEEE.

My supervisor likes to look over my shoulder.

But she also gives kisses, soooo trade offs???

VIER - From the Internet Shit

You are allowed to be open and honest about what you feel.
This is how you grow.
This is how you heal.
-MHN

You have known midnight so well,
and you have also known morning light.
-MHN

There is no shame in being proud of the smallest amount of progress.
-MHN

About a fucking no?

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Going back to the old Blogger layout.  Change is hard, ok.  Also, don't expect people to WANT to make changes if you fuck up a perfectly good, although dated situation, with something that isn't completely functional.  I did see the message that they will be forcing everyone over in the coming months and I'm stabby about it since the new layout didn't work well for inserting photos/etc.  Maybe it works better on a mobile device, but that isn't how I operate. KTHX.
2. Styling some ghetto ass sock boots for Sandy to be able to go on walks with the fam.  
3. Beach trip.
4. MOTHERFUCKIN' DIPLOMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Going to Commonhouse for Beer Lunch.
6. Getting this post up before lunch.  Small victories.
7. Fishing and picking flowers and mining.  As different as everything is in WoW, it felt like home.. ANNNDDD the 3 people that messaged me after a 9 year sabbatical made me feel like they've been waiting on me.
8. Being on PTO with Husband this week.
9. Working half days.  Honestly, so much better than all day for my stress levels.  Especially when my half days are before everyone starts working and after everyone finishes working.  #NotFuckingSorry
10. Slow starts and Rundays. 

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Weekend Review {10/28}

FRIDAY

Friday was school and work.  I ran on Thursday, so I skipped a workout and went home to take a nap before evening activities... because I know that if we plan anything on a Friday, it's just better for everyone if I take a nap.  Meri agreed.

I woke up to this. /swoon

Our evening activity was the Aquarium After Hours - Spirits event.  We dressed up as an old married couple and I have to say, I was impressed at well our outfits came together.  We made sure to act old when we presented ourselves for judging, to include a little quaky booty dancing... Because.. well, old people get horny too.

Dat big ass turtle!

While we did have a lot of fun, even with Fred (aka Crazy Eric), there was a horrifying part of the night... and it wasn't even like haunted house scary...

Teh German had an allergic reaction to some of the ceviche that he tried and he couldn't breathe.  The problem is that we have no idea what actually caused the reaction since who knows what was in the food that he ate.  We were in line for a drink and he turned to me with a scared look on his face that will haunt my nightmare and said, "I can't breathe." 

Ever the pragmatist that I am, I asked, "You're choking or you can't breathe?"  Like, these things require different solutions, so this isn't an irresponsible thing to ask, but at the same time, time was precious.  He clarified on the not breathing thing and I immediately went to find someone to help.  The closest person who might be able to help was a volunteer at the starfish and urchin tank who was rendered incapable when I said to her, not quietly, "I NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE!"  She actually responded and said, "Uhh, I don't know what to do."  I said, "Do you have a walkie-talkie?  CALL SOMEONE ON IT!"  Which she did have a walkie-talkie, which I noticed when she turned to the side, thankfully, and she immediately called for help while I went back to Teh German, who was still struggling to breathe and fighting the panic.  Within a minute we were surrounded by Aquarium staff who brought first aid kits and asked what was happening and fetched some water for Teh German, which helped immensely.  They offered an epi pen shot, but Teh German turned it down since the water had significantly helped the problem and he was able to resume breathing almost normally.

In addition to the Aquarium staff, there were several EMTs and nurses who were nearby when I had announced a need for medical attention.  An EMT checked Teh German's throat while a pretty drunk guy took his pulse, which was annoying since he's obviously still standing, so he has a pulse and it's probably elevated because shock and panic... but ya know, I'm not medically trained in anyway.  Teh German kept coughing and one of the nurses suggested that if he didn't take the epi shot, he should at least take a benedryl because the coughing was probably a side effect of the allergic reaction. 

At first, there was no benedryl to be found, but the Aquarium staff eventually located some and brought it to us about 20 minutes later.  Fortunately, we were easy to spot... LOOOL.  I knew Teh German was going to be ok when he joked with those who had offered assistance that he wasn't trying to make our costume of old married couple into a reality with his coughing and medical emergencies. 

We're always the jokesters when we're trying to downplay the seriousness of something. 

Otherwise, it was a great evening.  We didn't win the costume contest, as we should have.. But I still consider it a personal victory since I got Teh German to go out in public in pajamas.  If Teh German doesn't dress up on Halloween with me, I'm just going to say I'm dressing up as Jenny Lawson..  When I was putting on my mascara I realized that's kinda who I looked like with the rollers and the makeup, so I made sure to send this to Teh Sister and Teh Bestie once we were on the way.

The downside to the event, other than the life threatening scare, was that most of the beverage providers ran out of beverage by 9pm and last call was a 9:45.  Also, the best food provider ran out of food, boooo.  Most of the tables/bars were packed up by 9:30, which was depressing.  Oh well.

I wasn't starving but I didn't feel like I got my moneys worth in alcohol, I guess it was a trade-off for the medical assistance that was provided, lol.  We were home shortly after 10 and took care of the beasts and headed to bed.

I won't even lie, a woke up several times in the middle of the night and each time, I couldn't fall back asleep until I verified that Teh German was still breathing.  I'm a heartless bitch 99% of the time, but he put me in that weird 1% place where I will do absolutely anything to make sure that you're ok.  Because I can promise you, I would have done absolutely anything to make sure he was ok in the moment and after the moment.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning, Teh German got up with the beasts and I rolled out of bed shortly after he did since I had to accomplish school things.  First though, I started with breakfast and coffee (all proper dairy products were added to their proper consumable (i.e. milk in cereal, creamer in coffee)). We had several packages get delivered, to include our Pack Up & Go envelope that Teh German says he won't open until Friday. 

I'm not even gonna lie, I was already trying to figure out where we're going from the weather report and flight schedule.  I definitely held up the envelope to the light to see if I could see what it said.. It says: Surprise Inside!

Siiiiiiiiigh.  Soooo I'll be waiting to see where we're going.  Teh German said I could open the envelope if I wanted, but I told him that we both know I can't keep a secret and he wants it to be a surprise.. sooooo for marital bliss, I'll wait... Sunday evening, I logic-ed that I'd like to open it when we wake up on Friday morning, just in case, so that way if it changes the items that I've packed, we're still at home to manage that situation.  He would prefer to wait until the airport, but I really don't think I'll last that long.  Shit, it's going to be a struggle not to know when I go to pack!

Other than my homework, the only thing we HAD to do over the weekend was take the dogs to meet a Coworker's dog since he offered to watch them, as long as our dogs go along.  We were there around 1030 to do meet and greets and we left around 1130, after the dogs had been introduced, walked together, investigated the yard together, and had some inside time together. 

Thankfully, everyone got along, so we hopefully will set up a dog sitting exchange, which will be nice.  Meri's happy tail started bleeding again, so this is what my legs looked like since I had worn a running skirt since it was 80 fucking degrees Fahrenheit.  Garbage.  Fucking garbage.  It's almost November.  Before we left Coworker's house, I bandaged her tail with duct tape, again, and hoped for the best.

When we got home, I showered (because I was covered in blood, obvs, and sweat).  Before I sequestered myself to the office for my entire weekend, I started the laundry since the Laundry Fairy didn't feel obligated to visit during the week, since she was waiting on the addition of Friday's sweaty gym clothes.

Product of washing dog sheets/bedding.

During a laundry rollover shift, I noticed that Meri had gotten her bandage off... FML.  I haven't found any traces of happy tail yet, but I also didn't go hunting because I just couldn't handle that.

Once I got started in the office, I didn't leave other than for bathroom breaks, to do the laundry, let the beasts out when necessary, and I went over to Teh PT House for dinner for about an hour because Teh German said I had to eat.  I ended up staying up till 0200 working on my research paper.  I managed to get all of this week's assignments complete and half of the paper complete.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, I still woke up early, considering how late I had been up, with the dogs around 8ish.  I grabbed breakfast and headed to the office to make progress.  I took breaks for peeing, because the only people more hydrated than me when I have to spend endless hours at my desk are individuals hooked up to an IV, and a Skype date with Papa G and Stepmom G.  I took lunch back to the office with me after the video chat.

I managed to finish the very rough draft of my paper by 2ish and then had to roll right into studying for a test... siiiiigh.  But this cuteness really did improve my morale:

I managed to finish studying by 7, took 25 minutes to scroll through social media and post on Snapchat, and I was in my spot on the couch by 7:30.  We started watching Friday Night Lights and I don't think Teh German loves it..

After 2 episodes, we completed bedtime chores (laundry and dishes forever) and then it was bedtime.

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This weekend was tedious AF.  It was good that I accomplished all the goals I set for myself, but super depressing to spend the majority of my weekend in the office at my computer.  I know there is light at the end of the tunnel, but fffaaaccckkk, I'm so over this bullshit just for a piece of paper to prove I put up with bullshit to qualify for a job that someone will still train me to do.  Siiiiiiigh.

I finished the rough draft of my paper.  I'm hoping for a lot of feedback on it so I can have something better to turn in for the final paper.  There are still some things to add, but it's simple details from other research projects, so fine.  The final paper isn't due until the week of finals in December, so that's a silver lining to this shit.

I was able to study for my test and I'm glad that I have finally figured out the best way for myself to study, when given a study guide.  Go through every item on the study guide, write down everything about that topic.  Also go through all quizzes and write out the questions and solutions.  This is specifically helpful for PITA Professor's test since 50% of the points on his test come from a matching section, which 100% come from quizzes we've had and/or terms given on the study sheet.  #NoExcuses. 

I completed my assignments for the week, except for the research project stuff where I need to learn Python and read some academic journal entries that the professor sent to us to analyze.  I considered doing that instead of writing this, but I figured I deserved some blog time after my sacrificed weekend.

This week holds:
-HW shit that is due on Friday.. which I was not anticipating being assigned.
-Meetings for another class for shit that is due on Monday, that I can mostly mitigate/ do online if necessary.
-Tues: hairs did.
-Weds: test for the only class I have an A in.
-Thurs: Halloween, massage, dropping the dogs off with coworker after trick or treaters clear out since I didn't want him to have to deal with the beasts and children.
-Fri-Sun: ADVENTURES TO ????????

I have already decided I'm not bringing my computer with me on our trip, because I really don't need to and I really don't want to.  I even took PTO for Friday so I can truly be present and not having to half pay attention to my phone/deal with last minute tasking.  This means Teh German gets ALL MY ATTENTIONS, ALL WEEKEND LONG.  He's gonna be disappointed he didn't appreciate this last weekend more, loooool.

I'd like to get in at least 5-10 miles over this week, but we'll see since this week is already looking pretty chaotic... then again, that's how my life is.. so I'm kinda used to it at this point.  I'm really going to be stir crazy when I don't have a million balls in the air once school ends.

Happy End-of-October, Gentle Readers.  Hopefully, wherever you are it is actually FALL/WINTER and not this mid-summer night shit that Charleston has been experiencing.  The high is 83°F today and I'm full of hate and discontent over it.  I don't like working out when it's that hot outside.  I definitely don't like running outside when it's that hot.  + the 1millionty% humidity?  Fuck Charleston.  Ugh.

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.