Five on Friday #223

EINS - Random Shit

I allow myself to play very few games on my phone.  The Solitaire Suite was it for the longest time, but then I started playing Disney Emoji Blitz... and I can't stop.  I have forced myself to stop during semesters when I'm drowning.

I'm embarrassingly proud of this achievement:

After I finish the 50 missions, I'll have accomplished 100 levels and I'll get the Yin Sid emoji.  Does this mean anything in real life?  100% definitely not.

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It's been a cold week here and by that I mean the high temp for the day has been in the low 40s(°F) + a brisk wind.  Nonetheless, I've taken my ass out in it to walk the Bridge with Teh PT Kid and to walk the beasts.

15°F in Denver didn't feel this cold.

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Recipe: 1 8oz container of mushrooms.
Megan: 2 8oz containers of mushrooms.

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Speaking of Denver, that's where I'm gonna be March 12-17th for a conference.. and Teh German will be joining me on the 14th after the conference ends.  Can.not.wait.

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I preordered the Morgan Harper Nichols book. It arrived early this week, but it wasn't until Wednesday night that I had a chance to even read 3 pages. So much joy.

There will be days when you do not feel
fearless
and you choose to get up
and go out to sea anyway.

And my friend,
let me tell you,
that is what it means to be brave.
It is that gentle shove toward the water
that says, "I will go,
and I will go afraid."

It is not a feeling.
It is not a thought.
It is that inward wind that pulls you out of sleep
and says, "I will go forth,
with all I have now:
a breath, a dozen steps,
and a pocket full of tears,
but no matter what tries to pull me back,
I will find the strength to be here."
(Morgan Harper Nichols)

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My new favorite jam:

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Roux's Humom likes to use Meri as a model sometimes and it never makes me sad.  If you're local, check her out for your pet photography needs.

http://www.jtpetpics.com/

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A few months ago, I finally added content to my Feedly, after years of only using it to read blogs I subscribe to.  I read an article this week about moderators and abstainers.  I'm 100% a moderator.  An easy example to figure out which you are is using snack foods/treats... let's pretend that everyone loves Oreos (and if you don't, thank you for ensuring that I have extra).  I am the person that can bring home a pack of Oreos (or a box, if you prefer to call them that like it's still 1955) and that pack will last longer than a week, as I will only eat 3-5 cookies per day.  There are other people who can't bring a pack of Oreos in the house because they will consume ALL of them RIGHTNAOW.

That said, while an abstainer will refuse to allow any temptations by avoiding temptations all together, moderators must have the will power to refuse the temptation if something is a temptation assuming it is obtainable.

The article explains it much better.  Anyways, I found it pretty interesting.  Teh German is probably more of an abstainer than a moderator, IMO, and probably another way we balance each other out... Also, he helps me save calories when he also eats the Oreos when they are in the house.

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Speaking of Oreos.  Teh Bestie brought me Peppermint Bark Oreos because she gets me and I gave one to Teh German and you would have thought I'd given him rotten milk based on his reaction.  I'm so glad so many of my friends don't love all things peppermint like I do... MORE FOR ME!

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Do you what to know how to learn to deal with the betrayal of something/one you love?  Get food poisoning from your favorite variety of pizza from the pizza place by your office.

BETRAYAL OF THE WORST KIND.

Also, now I know what it feels like if I were to have thousands of tiny paper cuts on my butthole.
I ultimately ended up buying disposable wet wipes because using toilet paper was giving me PTSD.

I say that only semi-jokingly.  I would sit on the toilet for longer and longer because I knew that wiping was going to hurt so bad.  I even debated how quickly I could obtain a bidet and how long it would take me to learn to use it. 

Wiping PTSD.  It's real.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Textbooks, UGH.
-Ladies night beverages.
-Audible credit.  I need to use these 7 credits and just cancel Audible.  I can't keep up.
-Teh German's flight from Denver to Charleston.
-Groceries
-Lunch with Teh PT Kid
-Milkshakes with Teh PT Kid
-Rock n Roll Chicago 5k
-Rock n Roll Virginia Beach 5k
-June local 5k
-Sleeveless long dress
-New lid for Teh German's water bottle
-Fitness tracker for Teh PT Kid's bday present
-Bday reservations
-Gas
-Flushable ass wipes
-Hairs did
-Metto (since I was right there for packet pickup)

DREI - From My Phone Shit

I made crockpot beef stroganoff.
It was so good, Teh German requested it again.

A coworker's daughter left ME a joke.
I definitely lol-ed.

Fucking T-Mobile actually did something that makes me happy!
Apparently they do T-Mobile Tuesdays on their app.  It's usually discounts for things, but a $15 Barkbox was not to be passed up.  Please note, Teh German has T-Mobile, not me.

Study buddies.
and/or
Distractions.

#College
Having this tiny research room to myself for a few hours brought me an insane amount of joy.

Me: It's 1100 on a holiday, I-26 will be fine.
I-26: HOLD MY MOTHERFUCKIN' BEER.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

This is the part of the journey where she is leaning into this hope:
through all that is uncertain,
there is still more road to go.
MHN

And no matter how others perceive her,
their words do not define her.
She is still on a journey of becoming who she is meant to be,
with or without what others say or think.
-MHN

I cannot tell you how long you will have to wait,
but I can tell you that you are being prepared for what's to come breath by breath,
day by day.
MHN

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Actually dressing like a professional since the CEO and COO were in our office this week.  As much as I love my hoodies, I also like wearing my dresses.
2. That stupid dance workout making me super sore.
3. Scheduling my birthday shindig.
4. Teh German finally starting to go to the gym before work.  It means I'm more likely to get my ass out of bed and workout.
5. A good conversation with the CEO about CO possibilities.
6. 12 credit hours.  Gentle Readers, I feel lazy AF.
7. Moving every day this week and finally unlocking the 31 Day Challenge Store (which was a disappointment since there was no medal).
8. Notes from my German German course because I needed some tutoring about if I was using the right articles.
9. Hairs did.  While it doesn't look BAD when it fades, it definitely looks BETTER after a refresh.
10. Getting this posted even though I almost forgot multiple times.  #YOLO

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Weekend Review {09/23}

FRIDAY

#Humblebrag: Still feeling awesome about my run on Friday morning with that pace under 10 minutes.  Yes, just barely, but it still counts.  Even if I was sore AF for the entire weekend.  #WorthIt

Friday was school and work.  I left the office at 3 and went home and took a nap.  I had considered going to the gym, but I was le tired so I took a le nap and I was not sad.  When Teh German came home, we agreed to stay in for the evening and invite the Cool Kids over for a backyard fire since it was relatively cool outside.  There were almost regrets when we became a mosquito buffet prior to the neighbors arriving, but the mosquitoes eventually went to bed and the neighbors came over and we socialized and I made smores and toasted marshmallows and good times were had by all (I assume).

Those ears!

Look at these Beggar McGee dogs trying to prey on my marshmallows!

Moose got tired of standing to wait on his treats (I was dispensing stale marshmallows to the beasts), so he finally plopped down and made sure to keep an eye on me in case more marshmallows were forthcoming.

By the power of my nap, I was able to hang until after 11.  I think it was almost midnight when we finally flopped into bed.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning was a lazy morning.  Meri woke me up early, as she does, and I fed the beasts and came back to bed.  Teh German got up around 9 and I was awake, but I stayed in bed until 11 finishing a book.  Meri helped.

Let me set a scene for you, Gentle Readers.  Teh German has this box of crap that he's been telling me he's going to sell.  And well.. I know that I kinda married my dad, so the fact that Teh German hoards a box of crap really doesn't surprise me.  This box has been around for almost the length of our relationship.  It moved in with Teh German and it moved to House with us.. so since 2015, Teh German has been telling me that he's going to sell this crap.. But that's not the worst part.. The worst part is that he's been collecting MORE crap in the passing years.  We've had many discussions about this box of crap and each time I suggest that maybe he photograph the crap and post it on Marketplace or wherever he wants to sell the crap, he gets pissy with me because he doesn't feel like it or whatever excuse he gives that has ultimately made me STOP talking about the box of crap and start pretending like it doesn't exist.

Granted, when we moved into House, the box was stored under Teh German's work bench in the garage, which was fine... except that other stuff that could have been stored under the work bench that was out in the garage that I regularly trip over or have to move around to get to other things.  So he said that it wasn't bothering me and I let him pretend that was true.

So, scene set. 

Imagine my surprise when I finally came downstairs on Saturday and Teh German is rummaging around in the office looking for something to write on/with so he could price the items in the box of crap and get them posted.  I tried not to act surprised, which probably was unsuccessful, but I assisted him in finding the items he needed.  After I ate breakfast/lunch, I went out to the garage to check out the situation.  Honestly, I not only took a picture for blogging purposes, but also to come back later and prove to myself that 5 years later, this really happened.

While Teh German did his garage things, I worked on homework and school things.  We had dinner and a concert planned for the evening.  Since it's restaurant week in Charleston, we went to The Establishment for dinner.  It was good, but not "I'd be a regular here" good, IMO. 

Top, left to right: My food: gnocchi appetizer, swordfish on beans, chocolate cake
Bottom, left to right: Teh German: duck appetizer, rib-eye, flan

Teh German's steak had a LOT of gristle for me, especially considering they added $19 on top of the "special" price.  I didn't love the beans with the swordfish.  I would have preferred a veggie.  I'm not really a fan of chocolate cake, but I didn't want flan, soo I got chocolate cake and then didn't even finish it, which is mostly unheard of considering my reputation with dessert.

We ended up finishing dinner a LOT earlier than expected, but that was fine since it meant we got to Music Farm early enough to get a decent standing space.  It wasn't cool in that, it meant standing for even longer than we'd already planned.  Oh well, #YOLO.

TL: A Beautiful Lie, TR: Hyde, BL: Palisades, BR: Starset

The only band that wasn't really my jam was Hyde.  There were some technical difficulties during the shows, but the show went on.  Overall, the concert was enjoyable.. although I did have some anxiety/stress from having too many tall people surrounding/crowding me at one point.  Teh German considers this a normal part of any concert, but as someone with a crowding issue, I was having some pretty bad anxiety about it and ended up putting on my dude stance with my legs spread far apart in with my bouncer pose to get the dudes that were crowding me to give me some space.

I'll be honest, Music Farm isn't my favorite venue, but it's one of the more popular venues in Charleston, so I just deal with it when we go there.  The crowding is one issue, that I've probably mentioned before in other posts about going to concerts there, but the acoustics aren't that great, IMO.  The music is always too loud and you can barely hear the singer.  Ear plugs really help, but we forgot ours.  /sads.

The concert ended shortly before 11 and we headed home, tended to the beasts and then it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, Teh German got up with the beasts, thankfully, because I wasn't feeling it.  I was up by 9ish and we walked the dogs first thing.  I like to get that out of the way first on the weekend, so that way the batteries are drained (or at least Pax's batteries are drained) for a short while.  I really should just accept that Meri's batteries don't drain.

When we got back from the walk, Teh German pulled Suzi out of the way so I could retrieve our other 4-legged family member from the storage closet.  We're officially decorated for fall.  You are welcome, Neighbors, I didn't activate the motion sensor thing where the dog barks.  When I set up the dog, Meri and Pax were extremely concerned as they watched me through the storm door, and I made sure to tell them that's what they looked like without fur.  Neither was impressed.

Teh German continued with his box of crap work in the garage and I did school things.  We had another concert to attend Sunday, but these tickets were free AND the concert was only 10 minutes away from home, which was perfect. 

A new hospital is opening up in our county, for the first time in several decades (I'm not exactly how many years it's been) and they put on a "Parking Lot Party" and Lee Brice was the headliner.  The opening acts were 2 Charleston artists and local high school talent (choirs/band).  We showed up for the last 2 acts, Warrick ??? and Lee Brice. 

Saw this cutie on the way to the concert.
I informed Teh German that a Dalmatian was in the options for next dog, after Scottish Deerhound and Irish Wolfhound.

Concert selfie.

Lee Brice

My plan to NOT have to take the shuttle to the concert area was successful and I wasn't sad.  Teh German was pretty disgruntled over how hot it was just sitting in the sun, despite the breeze and that it was only in the mid-80s(°F), which is cool for Charleston.  Once Teh German was in the shade, he perked up some.  I was annoyed at all the people that kept walking in front of us, because I'm me. 

I worked extra time into our arrival, in case my shuttle-avoidance plan didn't work out, so we ended up sitting in the sun for longer than I had planned.  Had I know the plan would be successful, I would have pushed back our arrival time a bit more.  Oh well.  I had to deal with crowding, Teh German had to deal with heat.  #YOLO bitches.

The concert was kinda like the River Concerts in MD that I used to attend.  Bring your own chairs, there were food trucks on site.  The Parking Lot Party had a kids area with activities.  Oh yeah, I should mention that Teh German was quite disappointed when he learned, on the walk from the truck to the concert site, that there wouldn't be beer.  Truthfully, it hadn't even crossed my mind... because I don't drink beer.  Teh German tried to pass it off like it wasn't a big deal, but the heat + no beer = disgruntled.  Fortunately, he just kept quiet and scrolled on his phone for most of the time we were there.  I did finally pull Teh German up from his chair for the last handful of Lee Brice songs and I think that helped for several reasons... 1- he was distracted from his mulling over how hot and sweaty he was, 2- our camping chairs do NOT have a good air flow situation, so being in the chair was actually making him more sweaty, 3- standing up meant the breeze hit his sweaty wet shirt and cooled him off some, 4- he got into the concert rather than just sitting there like a lump.

I really like Lee Brice and always have.  I will admit that I cried when he performed "I Don't Dance" because I love that song.  I also admitted to Teh German before we went to sleep that if he had started dancing with me while that song was being performed, I would have probably sobbed and swooned for him all over again.  He said, "I was holding you."  He did do that... even if I had to pull him up from his chair, mostly against his will.  When he realized I was crying, he put his arm around me.

The only other time I've cried at a concert was when the Goo Goo Dolls performed "Come to Me".  Apparently, I'm a sap in my old age.  You get what you get.

The concert was over by 6:30ish and we walked back to the truck and headed home to tend to the beasts and eat dinner.  After dinner, we watched an episode of The Americans and then it was time for bedtime chores and bedtime.

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I didn't really make much progress on the school front.  Programming assignments (PA) have me blocked right now.  I did manage to finish one PA that was so stupidly simple I was angry that I had wasted so many hours trying to puzzle it out.  ANDDDD even more angry that I had went to speak with my professor about the issues on Friday and I walked out of his office with more confusion than before AND he couldn't be bothered to look at my sudo code on the paper in my hand and tell me that ONE line was ALMOST the answer and I just needed to work on that.  No.. instead he was like, "You're not functionally programming."  Well, fucking duh.  Siiiiiigh, 228 more days.

It was fun and exhausting going to two concerts on the same weekend.  It was fun because they were such extremes.  Starset is electronic-rock and Lee Brice is country.  I won't lie, I enjoyed the Lee Brice concert a lot more because I know more of his songs and you can actually sing to them.. and that's why I go to concerts, to sing along with the artist.  Also, "I Don't Dance" has been on my Starred playlist (which is playing 80% of the time when I listen to Spotify) since it came out.  Teh German was worried he wouldn't know who Lee Brice was, but he quickly recalled most of the songs he heard, even if he didn't know the words.

It was also great having the Cool Kids over to the house for a fire. 

This week includes:
-Teef cleanings
-Having to reschedule my laser hair treatment because of the BJB
-Exterminator on Weds
-Hopefully getting my labs done on Thurs morning.
-Meri's birthday on Friday
-Skyping with Nephew on his 1st birthday!  Teh German forwarded some videos of him this morning and we don't need to have kids because Nephew looks EXACTLY like baby Teh German and well.. 2 of them is enough, lol.

Teh German and I discussed attending an Oktoberfest activity next weekend, but we'll see what pans out.  There are plenty of school things that could keep me busy, but I'm trying very hard not to let school rule my life... and I'm also trying to balance that with not failing.  Anddd based on some of my quiz grades for Anal Professor, maybe I should at least read through the notes before the quizzes...

Also, Fake Fall is over and now it's back to high temps in the 90s again and I hate everything, as always.  I enjoyed Fake Fall while it lasted.  Although, I did not enjoy the mosquitoes.  Happy last full week of September (finally), Gentle Readers!

Five on Friday #208

EINS - Random Shit

Nothing makes me more competitive than putting me on a team.  There was a screenshot, but now it's missing.. Last week on Duolingo I leveled up to the Sapphire Level or Club or whatever stupid term they've given it.  You're on a team where you have to get a certain number of experience points for the week to progress to the next level.  Well, I earned almost 300 exp last week so, 1- I could be #1 ranked in the group, and 2- our group would reach the goal.

What did I get for my efforts besides German practice?  Useless "lingots" which are used to buy stuff from the "store".  But here's the thing, before I even made the group I had over 2800 lingots.  There are a limited number of items in the store you can purchase so I've already purchased everything that can be purchased.  What a waste.

Also stupid, the levels on Duolingo go like this:
Bronze, silver, gold, sapphire, ruby.
DAFUQ?

Also, if you use Duolingo to "learn" a language that you already speak (ex: someone who speaks Mexico Spanish learning Spain Spanish), you're cheating, IMO.

Also, Duolingo started offering a "double your experience points for the next 30 minutes" thing and I've been taking advantage of that and it brought me from #19 to #4 in the group.  Soooo, there's that.  AND NOW that I'm so close to being #1, do I just go for it?  These are tough decisions people.

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The difference between "Megan is being dramatic" and "Megan is actually injured":  If/when I tell you about something that happened or not.  If I don't tell you right away, then I am legitimately injured.  If I start complaining about something as soon as it happens, I'm being dramatic.

How did I come upon this assessment?

Monday, when I was leaving work, I tripped over a cable that is stretched across a walkway near the never-opened restaurant by my office.  I tripped and fell, to be explicit.  I was wearing jeans, even thought I had feared it would be too hot and since it was only lunchtime, I had my work computer in my backpack.  The backpack fell first and I kinda landed on my backpack, my hands, and my knees.  It was such a serious fall that a hole was ripped in my jeans.  And I know people pay for that look, but I'm not that people.

Hard to see, but the cable is definitely there just being a trip hazard...

I immediately Snapped a very limited audience about this, Coworkers, since they would know exactly where I tripped and it would prove the lack of attention given to the place and joked about suing.. but as the day progressed and my knee hurt more and more, the idea maybe wasn't so much of a joke.  I even looked up in-network doctor offices in case it finally came to me going to the doctor, which I was seriously considering.

Update: Within a few days, the knee was sore, but fine.

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This week's morning songs:
Monday: Katy Perry - Never Really Over
Tuesday: Miley Cyrus - Mother's Daughter
Wednesday: Dan & Shay - Speechless
Thursday: Audioslave - Like a Stone
Friday: Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams

I put a dry erase marker in the bathroom so I can write the songs on the mirror now.  This information is completely useless, but moderately fun to track, considering the wide variety of songs.

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Because my dogs are assholes, I have to take them to the vet to get their nails cut.  I used to try to take them to a pet supply store's grooming place, but they NEVER did more than just cut the tip off the nail and the clicking would resume within a week and that is not my jam.  The vet does a legit job and they like seeing the dogs.  I also like bringing them to the vet so they are known there.

Another customer did ask if Meri was a mini/baby Irish Wolfhound and I was like wuutttt???  But I guess I can see it, if I try.  Then again, at first I thought the man was talking about Pax and I was suuuper confused how he'd confuse a greyhound with an Irish wolfhound, if he knew what an Irish wolfhound looked like.

Selfies.

While we were at the vet, I also asked for a refill on Meri's trazadone so maybe she won't vibrate in the car the next time we go for nail trims...  In September, the appointment is already made.  Appointments = Megan accountability.

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The anemone keeps moving.  It's moved 3x this week.  This morning, when I went downstairs at 0430 to let the dogs out after Pax gave us the puke alarm, the anemone was MIA from the spot where it'd been when I went to bed.  I was alarmed at first and then finally located it in a new position.  The tank lights were off and it was 0430 and I was blinded by the island lights that turned on when we went downstairs, so it wasn't concerning that I couldn't find it, just that it had moved again, and please lawd don't let that fucking thing get sucked up in the filter.

I'm glad it tends to do most of it's movement at night when Teh German can't freak the fuck out about it, although I did forget to alert him before I left, so I'm sure he had a heart attack this morning when he checked the tank. 

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I'm selling the Fossil watch, because it needs to get off my desk and this way I can also get rid of the watch band and screen protectors.  Anyone interested?

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The power went out at work on Thursday around 10, which meant that we all got to go home and telework, one of my favorite things.  Turns out, a crane working on Madra Rua had broken a power pole.  Thanks, bro!

Soo dark.. except for when the emergency lights are blinding you.

Oops.

Before going home to telework, I stopped at the gym for a workout, ran Willow through the car wash and gave her a blow dry (with the pressurized air gun they have at the car wash), then picked up my prescriptions from Walmart.  #Productive.

Then I went home and worked for the evening to get my hours in.  I really like and appreciate being able to be productive in the middle of the day when traffic is less bad.  All of those activities taking place in the evening would have taken me no less than 45 minutes longer just because of traffic and general wait times.

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So I've had this feeling like I've got something in the back of my throat for a while now and it comes and goes, but for the past few weeks, it's been more comes than goes (that's what she said) and so I scheduled an appointment with an ENT. 

$248 to have afrin and lidocaine sprayed up my nose, a scope put through my nose to look into my throat, and to be told nothing looks out of the ordinary.  Prescriptions were written for prednisone and Nexium, after I explained I have GERD and after getting out of the Navy, I started taking the OTC version when my prescription wasn't covered by my insurance.  The ENT is testing to see if the steroid takes down any swelling that might be causing the feeling.

Fun fact #1, the Nexium is still denied coverage by my insurance...  I'm hoping that the doc and the pharmacy can resolve this issue, but I haven't heard from either of them, soooo we'll see what happens.  I will say that the last few weeks I've had more issues with reflux than normal, but sometimes that happens and I take Tums and just wait for it to pass.

Fun fact #2: I checked into the ENT office on Yelp and was scrolling through the not so stellar reviews, most of which were related to the billing situation.  So when I paid and the cashier asked me if I wanted my receipt, I said yes.  It was just the credit card receipt.  I asked for an itemized receipt and she said she couldn't give me one of those since my account hadn't gone through billing yet... UHHHHHH WUUUUUTTTTTT??????  So you just charged me $248, all willy nilly?  Before she had charged the card she had said, you don't have to pay the full amount now.. but I was so caught off guard by the fact that the bill was $248 and not the expected $75 that I just told her to charge it all, then asked for the itemized receipt after the fact.  Now I understand why she said that I didn't have to pay it all then. 

Fun fact #3: I HHHHAAAATTTEEEE the US insurance system.  I don't miss the Navy, but I miss the simplicity of Tricare Prime.

After my appointment, rather than go to the gym, I went to Cookout and bought a milkshake.  I actually posted about this debacle on the Tweeter, and Cookout responded saying they were sorry and to contact customer service..  I guess the social media bot thought I was complaining about Cookout?  IDK.  It was a fail.  Turns out, I probably Tweetered wrong and they didn't see that it was part of a bigger thread?  IDK.  #SocialMediaNewb here.

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School started here this week and I need Jesus to take more wheels because traffic went from bearable with everyone going, at least, the speed limit, last week, to this week when traffic has been absolutely miserable and now we have to go 10 under the speed limit everywhere when we aren't just randomly stopping, despite nary a school bus in the vicinity.

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I love technical writing.  I do.  It's very strange to the people I work with, 99% of whom despite the work they have to do for me to do my job.  That said...

When the super nerds come in and say, "We're changing all documentation from here on out.  We're going to use a new process and a new style," and then don't train me, the technical writer, I get extremely frustrated. 

I'm finally getting to draft up my first document in the new style with the new process and it's cool except for the part where it's painful having to figure everything out myself instead of someone who actually knows what their doing giving me a rundown, since they are all super busy being super nerds...

My job is not hard.  It's not.  I swear.
It's the people that make my job frustrating and difficult.

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Lee Brice is coming to put on a concert for a local hospital opening and it's free and I already signed up Teh German and I for "reservations".  I don't know what that actually means since the sign up form said the "tickets" would be mailed out the week before the concert, but I can online imagine what a clusterfuck it's going to be, so I made sure to register twice in case one registration is only valid for one person.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Groceries
-Hairs Did
-Aquarium parking
-Dropps samples
-Gas
-Audible
-Spotify
-Bojangles x1
-Woot shirt
-Dog nails
-Cookout milkshake
-ENT appointment
-Puma shoes that will probably get returned because I wasn't sure of my size.
-Amazon things: dryer balls, Meri's toys (for the next year or more), dog food, new cheap/dishwasher chopping knife
-Prescriptions for Meri and I

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Stepped on this fucker.. We have no idea how it even got out of the tank..
#AquariumLife #WorseThanALego

I realized that I have ZERO new mice in the house to give Meri for her birthday this year...
Unfortunately, the mice have been discontinued.
Soooooo... I stocked up on some new options.

I'ma need Duolingo to stop fucking knowing me so well.
Because, I was, in fact, using the toilet while doing this lesson.

One skillet meal that didn't disappoint.

Meri's new toys.
I'm pissed that the containers don't squeak or crunch or anything.  #MoneyWasted

I lurve when she's so snuggly.

What did the pot eat on it's birthday?
Pancakes.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

THIS.

Do not be afraid of what is new. 
It will challenge you, but it will also prepare you for the journey you have been called to. MHN

You already have what it takes to breathe deep and be brave. -MHN

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Long dresses with pockets, because pockets and because unshaved legs.  #NotSorry
2. Feeding the anemone efficiently, even if there was a fight about it.
3. Randomly wearing jeans on Monday instead of a dress.  I can't imagine what would have happened to my knee if I had worn a dress like I usually do.
4. Only having Bojangles once this week, even if Friday was a clusterfuck of breakfast woes.
5. Finally learning the new documentation process we've moved to.
6. Valid reason to telework on Thursday.
7. Getting the laundry done.
8. No school all week.  Can't say the same thing about next week.  (insert all the crying emojis here)
9. 90s/Captain Marvel music.
10. Starting a fiction audiobook, even if it is dragging.  My brain needed a break from nonfiction.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.