Five on Friday #133

EINS - Random things

-I've gained 5-7 lbs since the wedding.  The only thing I've really changed is that I started drinking coffee every day and that includes a metric ton of peppermint mocha creamer.  I have a feeling the coffee is going to have to go.  The only reason I actually drink coffee is for the creamer.  So ya know.. I did this to myself.

-Sickness is horrible.  Lingering sickness is the worst.  Coughing and/or sneezing so hard you pee a little is the absolute worst.

-Returning items to the store brings me great joy because money saved.  That said, maybe I should just stop buying things and then I could save myself a trip?

-When Husband takes the last of the Dayquil and you discover it, rather than him telling you, it's good that he's already Husband....

-Our wedding photos bring me joy.  Deciding which ones to print for our "shrine" does not bring me joy.  Paying someone $10 to design a photobook brings me joy.  No code for free pages does not bring me joy.  #ItsAllAboutBalance

-I've dedicated some time to planning the honeymoon.  I prioritized and I'm thinking we'll be spending a weekish in Cairns for diving and a weekish in Sydney for touring and potentially hanging out with Erin and taking a few days to see Uluru (maybe).  Uluru is least important to me, but I'm going to talk to Timo about it and see how important it is to him before I slash it from the itinerary since it requires a flight and it's a red rock, which is cool, but not SO cool that I need to pay a lot of extra money when I could be spending that time diving with the fishies or in Sydney doing thangs.

-Saw this quote on Facebook that said, "If you can't say it without cuss words..." with a picture of a child going "shhhhh".. and all I could think was, "Megan, DO NOT RESPOND TO THAT, even if your first thought was, 'I CAN say it without cuss words, I just choose not to.  It's a damn shame, I know, bless my heart.'"

-I spent most of the day yesterday trying to untangle Australia deets.  Seriously yall.. pulling the trigger is the most difficult thing ever.  I'm paranoid that if I make ONE reservation that nothing else will line up and everything will be fucked up and UALFKJELJGBOISDJVOIermgailejmrgoiajdv;oiajdc WHAT DO I DO THEN!?!?!  When, in reality, I realize that is completely ridiculous and I should just bite the bullet and plan activities in order of most important to least and shit will shake out.  I know it will, but faaacckkk if my control-freak brain could just be distracted by those potential science classes next semester instead of worrying about this for a little while so I can actually make shit happen, that'd be grrrrrreeeaaatt...

-Scheduling a #TreatYoSelf spa day.  It includes a hour and a half massage plus a 30 minute head massage.  #IMSOEXCITED #TAKEMYMONEY

ZWEI - Money spent

-Billz billz billz... from all those credit card expenses last month.  It should balance out after all my returns go through.
-i5K, a local run I've been wanting to do for years but never knew the date for.  This year I was stalkin' like a boss.
-bull dicks (some people call these bully sticks, but lets just call a spade a spade) for the dogs.  If we ever run out, the dogs will probably eat all our shoes.
-shipping for Cmas packages to Teh Sister, Teh Dad, and Teh Mom.  Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.
-McDonald's to remedy a hangover  #adulting
-all the motherfucking cough syrup/cold medicine.... x2. 
-Sam's for brussel sprouts and steaks.  If the butcher wasn't closed on Monday's this wouldn't have to be a thing.
-breakfast croissant from the deli down the street, I've been wanting to try for a while. 
-Termite treatment for House
-Yurtle's taxes
-Yurtle's insurance, which I'm 85% sure I just paid.  Ugh.
-Wedding photo prints.
-Photo books of wedding photos... ouch.
-Chiro (it's been rough around here)

DREI - Things from my phone

Dawwwww.
It's like me and Teh German!

What kind of motorcycle does Santa ride?
a Holly Davidson

What do you call an elf who wins the lottery?
Welfy.

Homemade pizza x2 by Teh German on Monday night.
We're still working on a crispy crust, but this was progress.
Some asshole once told me, "You always have room for improvement."  (that asshole was Teh German) so I like to use that line on him as often as possible.  #TakesOneToKnowOne

Nurse Meri and Nurse Pax were on duty when I went home early from work with sickness.

Teh German made skrimpies and grits all by himself on Tuesday night after my dngafs were wayyy to high to make life choices.  Even about food.  It didn't help that the sickness was at it's peak and I was fighting the start of a pressure headache.
#WhenItRainsItPours

Meri is a dick.
Teh Stepmom sent a present for me and a present for the dogs.
I put the dog's present in their cabinet, knowing they would open it when I wasn't supervising.
Apparently, this gift had mingled too long with their gift because Teh German came home to find this opened.
So much for a Christmas surprise... dickdog.

VIER - Things from the Internet

THIS THIS THISSSSSSSSS. Liz James gives the perfect analogy for why women may not speak up.



Audiobooks really cut into my music listening time, but I'm not a little bit sorry.  But when I saw Brianne post her Spotify stats, I knew I wanted to, too.

PS this is 17 days.
It doesn't count time that Teh German played Spotify at home...

Want to share my music journey?  Hit play.  You're welcome.


 As compared to my audiobook time?

I have 2 Audible accounts (it's complicated, don't judge me), so that equals a total of:
1 month, 3 days, 15 hours, and 44 minutes.
Which means that I've listened to more audiobook than music in the last year.*
*Unless this is counting like total for forever.. then they need to have a total year option/Audible is stupid.

I could share all my Australia research sites, but I know you're not overly interested in that.  As (another) Christmas present to myself, I am sticking my head in the sand until 2018 because the world is horrible and our government is garbage and my heart hurts.

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Bumping up my hair appointment (top two rows of not crazy colors) to today!  
2. SPA DAY TOMORROW!  It's going to be glorious.  #TreatYoSelf
3. Teh German telling me he trusts me instead of wanting to review my selections for the photobook/printed photos.
4. Roux's Humom walking her dogs frequently during the day and bringing our delivered packages inside for us so they don't burgled.
5. FINALLY not feeling like death.
6. Wearing my new shirts to work.
7. Mad Men marathons with Teh German. 
8. Teh German picking up cooking skillz.
9. Return of cool temps.  70°+ on Christmas is the ultimate disappointment.
10. Wrapping Christmas presents so I don't have to worry about it no mo!

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

MegMo2017: R&D- The Internet

In the military world, this stage of wedding planning would be called R&D.  Research and development.  It's the best and worst part of starting any project.  The sky is the limit, except that it has to fit within this budget!  Give us all your best ideas, but sorry about the ones that cost too much.  Not gonna happen, but seriously, think outside the box, anything you want!  Not really, but chin up, Sport.

Fun right?

This is 2017, so I figured R&D wouldn't actually be that difficult.  We have technology!  We have the internet!  I don't need to cold call people and ask them what they are going to charge me.  YAY! I don't have to speak to PEOPLE!  For as social as I consider myself, sometimes talking to people is really, really difficult.  Actually, it's the asking for help, but that's a me problem.

But then.. I started running into some problems.  My exhalations of the internet had jinxed me!  Some of these websites were complete garbage.  Or better yet.. some businesses didn't even have a website!

Did you know that some businesses only have a Facebook page?
Yep.  You got that right.  No actual website at all.  Just their Facebook page, filled with comments from other people and shitty cell phone pictures and maybe some contact information and an address if you click around for it.

I get it.  Customers can post their reviews there, share pictures, and everyone has Facebook.  BUT WTF?  I struggle with a professional who doesn't have a website.  I even have my own website and I'm not even a professional anything!  There are some things that Facebook just isn't good for.  Price lists, for instance.

Because I'm planning a budget wedding in Charleston, the biggest things I care about when I go to a potential vendor's site is:

1.  How much is it?
2.  What does it include?
3.  What does it look like?
4.  How do I contact you if your answers to question 1, 2, and 3 make me happy?

1.  How much is it?

Seriously, #1 is the biggest priority.  At the end of the day, it's MY dollars and I have a really hard time letting them go.  75% of wedding vendor websites will have a cost/investment section, but some don't.  This absolutely infuriates me.  I don't want to have to contact you to see your price list.  I just want to see your price list and save us both the hassle of emailing back and forth when your prices are way out of my budget.

I understand that having a conversation means that I will be a little more likely to use your service, but I'm just as likely to waste your time.  Save both of us the emails and just put your price lists (or investment list, whatever you want to call it) on your website and be done with it.  That way, when I do contact you, you know I'm serious.

Also, I don't think I've ever seen a Facebook business page for a wedding vendor with a price on it, which only adds fuel to the no-official-website-fire.  I've looked at price lists on weddingwire.com and I don't trust them for some reason.  I don't know how often that information is updated.  I'm very skeptical since the entire site is dedicated to finding vendors, so it's more important to get your name on the list than have correct information.

My favorite part of using the WeddingWire website has been putting in Charleston, SC as my area and searching for "under $500" for a DJ and getting no results for my search.  Oh yeah, did I mention that Charleston, SC is one of the top 3 wedding destinations in the US (depending on who you're talking to).  If you're speaking to a wedding professional in Charleston, they will tell you that Charleston is the #1 destination for weddings in the US.  Can I get a FML?

2.  What does it include?

There are approximately a mabillionty vendors in Charleston for a single thing.  Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but still a lot of vendors.  If you're looking for a venue you'll find everything from spaces downtown, restaurants, event spaces not downtown, old houses, court houses, old plantation houses, beach front property, churches (this is the Holy City), farms, parks, houses on the water, you name it, it's probably around Charleston and you can get married there.  That said, technically you can get married anywhere.

You can't throw a rock and NOT hit a photographer.  That said, most anyone with a camera can call themselves a photographer, but there is definitely a difference.  Back to the website thing.  If a photographer doesn't have a website with a public gallery or portfolio, they are a hard no.  Also, photographers tend to have specialties.  Not that a photographer can't shoot multiple subjects, but often photographers tend to gravitate towards one subject they are best at.  For me, that's landscape/flower photography.  I can shoot a wedding, but it might not be my best work.  It is what it is.

It's the same story for caterers, DJs, coordinators.. the list goes on and on.  I want to know what the price includes to be able to eliminate options and make the R&D process easier on myself.

Let's talk about venues.  Keep in mind, this is my Charleston experience.  Your location could be completely different and for your sake, I hope it is...

Not only do you have to decide which venue look you're going for (beach wedding?  barn?  plantation house?) you have to also apply your budget to that selection.  The sky is the limit for rental prices here (I wish I was kidding).  I need to specially know from a venue what I'm going to get for my dollars.  Just the roof?  Tables?  Chairs?  Linens?  A partial coordinator?

Again, this is simple information to put on a website.  I'm certain that as the venue manager, you are tired of repeating the same shit to a million different engaged couples.  And I'll be honest, I'm tired of having to click through your website, only to find none of the information I'm looking for, then having to search for your contact information, and having to manually send you an email or filling out the contact me form to repeat myself for the 10th time that day asking if the venue is available on my dates and how much it costs/what is included.

Some venues offer ONLY their facility for your money.  As in, the roof and the bathrooms (hopefully).  Some don't actually offer a roof.  Some of the older places might not even have bathrooms (definitely looked at a venue where renting a porta potty/something like it was a requirement).  Some offer their roof and some tables/chairs.  Some offer chairs for inside but not outside.  Some offer tables/chairs for rent.  Some have a kitchen.  Some have bridal/groom suites.

I want the best bang for my buck.  What incentive do I have for going with you over any of the other venues?

3.  What does it look like?

 

#3 is the easiest requirement to fulfill because of social media.  Even those businesses with only Facebook pages can manage this one.  What does your venue look like?  Are those chairs you offer a million years old and broken?  Do you have a gorgeous old tree with spanish moss that we can get hitched under?  You have a pavilion but the roof has holes?  You have a bridal suite, but the furniture is possibly a hand-down from my grandma's parents?  You have lots of cowboy boots and horseshoes around the property?

These are important things for me to know.

My minimum standard for my venue (ok and everything else wedding related) is that it be within my budget.  But the best budgets are flexible and I'm willing to pay a little more for a place that includes less than another venue but is more visually appealing.  I am willing to take away from another category (photography) to find a gorgeous place that fits with US.

4.  How do I contact you if your answers to question 1, 2, and 3 make me happy?

This should be the easiest question of the 4 to answer.  Contact information should be splattered everywhere.  You know how when you would listen to the radio or watch TV and the announcer would say the phone number no less than 4 times in a row?  It's also flashing huge on the screen (if you're watching TV) for the entire duration of the commercial.  Yeah, that's how easy it should be to find contact information for a business online.  (un)Fortunately, Facebook is the easiest way to to disseminate contact info since it's fill in the blank for a business page.  But on some websites, I've had to dig around to find an email or phone number to contact a business.  In fact, I've given up on some vendors because I had to look too hard.  It's just not worth it.  That's the thing about there being so many vendors in the area, there is always another one.  Help me, help you.

Contact tabs are great.  Even better?  Have all that information on a header AND/or a footer on every.single.page on your website.  Also, social media buttons too.  Because while those cell phone pictures are shitty, I want to see those too.  I want to see what other people were able to do with your services.  I also want to see what you might not think are the best photos that you want featured.

I'm all about keeping it simple.. and keeping it in my budget.  I want to save us all the time and energy when it comes to this long tedious process.  If you've planned an event, what did you look for when trying to find vendors?

Weekend Review {1/9}

FRIDAY

Teh WJL and her international friend arrived on Thursday night.  We had adventures planned for Friday to include lunch, potentially touring downtown, and a trip to Home Goods.  I went into work at regular time and went home around lunchtime to pick them up.

We did good at the lunch and Home Goods part of that.  We ended up also stopping at TJ Maxx and losing our opportunity to tour downtown.  It was ok.  I picked up some baskets for my office and 3 new pans that I've been wanting for a while.  Sadly, I ended up returning everything but 2 of the pans because the baskets didn't fit and the 1 pan wasn't the correct size I had wanted.  Booooooo.

We had agreed earlier in the day to hit up the Stingrays game since they were at home.  We passed a bit of time by stopping by Waterfront Memorial Park so the guest could get some pics of the Bridge from underneath, then we headed to the Coliseum to meet Teh German.

In an effort to save money, we bought nosebleed seats.  Truthfully, they weren't so bad, but they weren't as good as our regular seats in the lower section.  We did save $20 though, so ya know, #priorities.  We won 3-0, which was perfect since Teh German always gets pretty depressed when we lose.

After the game, we headed home.  Teh German and I weren't hungry, but our guests were, so they headed out to Sonic to pick up a late dinner.  While they were gone, I went about the task of clearing out wedding tabs on my browser, eliminating options and writing down names to contact later.  It was after midnight when Teh German and I finally headed to bed.

SATURDAY

We had an alarm set for Saturday morning since we planned to skype with Teh German's Dad (now known as Papa G (which brings me all the lolz)) and Stepmom at 0900.  We discussed wedding plans and who all will be coming from Germany (most everyone, hurray!).  We scheduled another skype date for next Sunday, with the hopes that we'll make some selections this week about our date/location/a few details.

After our skype session, Teh WJL came downstairs, ready for the day.  Teh German and I headed upstairs to get ready.  We planned to drop the Jetta off at the VW dealership at 11, then head to Angel Oak for our international guest, then possibly do some downtown Charleston touring and/or get late lunch at Sesame.  While we waited on our international guest to finish getting ready, Teh German had his last hoorah with the Jetta.  We left once everyone was ready to meet Teh German at the dealership.  Of course, it started raining on our way.  Perfect tree-viewing weather.

Once we picked up Teh German, we headed towards Angel Oak.  On the way, I was scrolling through FB and noticed that local FB friends were making claims of snow flurries, but I hadn't seen any.  I was slightly dismayed, but survived.  While we were at the three I think I saw THREE snowflakes, which made up for my lack of snow.  Lots of pictures were taken.

While we were at the tree, it had pretty much stopped raining.  Yet, it was still cold as a witch's titty.  Cold enough to blow snow, which rarely happens in Charleston, so that's the perspective on that.  Additionally, it was super windy.  Like Chicago windy.  Ok, maybe not, but that's what it felt like (I experienced Chicago after bootcamp, on a wintery January day and it was mostly miserable).

Since it had stopped raining, Teh German agreed to go downtown so we could go to the Battery and check out the pineapple fountain.  We had a communication snafu about where to park so we ended up walking a bit farther than I really wanted to in the wind, but we all survived.

It's a rare day that the fountain is turned off.

we even look cold.

Since it was super cold, the market was mostly deserted, so we had no reason to walk through it (thankfully).  We probably weren't outside for more than 20 minutes, but I was chilled to the bone.  Our next stop was Sesame for late lunch.  Of course, it was delicious.  We hadn't taken Teh WJL there, so it was a perfect solution.

After lunch, where I scored a free adult beverage because the bartender/server made a mistake and made a drink instead of a milkshake for our international guest (woot), we headed home and laziness commenced for Teh German and I, kinda.  Teh WJL and her guest headed back out to accomplish some shopping tasks.  Teh German watched his YouTubes while I continued to do wedding research.  Eventually I headed upstairs to take a bath to get warm because I was so cold.  I started watching S6 E1 of Downton Abbey, but didn't get 15 minutes into it when I was too hot from being in the bath.

Teh WJL brought home Pizza Hut and desserts, which we all dove into.  I was more hungry that I realized.  Teh WJL had also delivered a new planner for me since once of their stops had been Barnes and Noble.  So already I have replaced my bullet journal, it's for the best.  While I set about the task of setting up my new planner, Teh WJL and I discussed wedding details like centerpieces.

Eventually, she headed to bed and I finished up the planner migration.  She had found a weekly planner with a notes page at each week.  After I finished transcribing, I felt like the planner needed to be a little more me.  At which point, I noticed the Lisa Frank stickers I had found while going through all my old stuff when Teh Running Bestie was here in Nov.  PERFECT.

Been saving those bad boys for almost 20 years.

Planner personalized, it was finally bedtime.

SUNDAY

We got to sleep in on Sunday and it was delightful.  I headed downstairs around 0930 since I knew Teh WJL was planning on leaving by 10ish.

I woke up to a batdog on my bed.  Sneaky.

After Teh WJL and her guest had left shortly after 10 and while Teh German social media-ed, I worked on consolidating my handy-dandy-notebooks, planning for the week, and eating breakfast.

seriously, to-go sweet teas are one of the things I'm most grateful for.

Since I had freed up a notebook when Teh WJL found my planner, I used the original bullet journal notebook for wedding ideas instead of the one I had been using that wasn't organized in any way and wasn't easy to carry around.  After getting everything consolidated, the menu planned for the week, a and made my grocery list, I headed upstairs to get ready.  Teh WJL had to stop back by to pick up something she'd left in my car (they hadn't left Charleston right away, fortunately).  After she retrieved her stuff, I headed out to town to return the baskets and pot that hadn't worked from TJ Maxx, a planner that I picked up at Target that I shouldn't have purchased to begin with, stopped at Goodwill to drop off the pots I had replaced, then made a final stop at Publix for the few items I needed to pick up.

I texted Teh German while I was checking out at the grocery store to ask what he wanted to do for lunch and he suggested chinese.  I crinkled my nose at this suggestion (which he couldn't see) and asked for other suggestions.  When he suggested Willie Jewell's, the answer was clear.  I needed to go by and ask some catering questions anyways, so it was perfect. 

When I got home with lunch/dinner at 3, Teh German hadn't moved from the couch.  While I put everything away, still no moving.  I started to get irritated (completely for no reason, it wasn't like I had asked him to help me).  I had everything put away in a few minutes and then announced that I'd eat without him if he couldn't be bothered to get up off the couch.  It wasn't necessary.

After we ate, I was in a better mood and ready to be lazy.  At which point, Teh German asked me if I wanted to walk the dogs with him and I said no.  As I was on my way upstairs, my phone dinged and it was Roux's Humom asking if I wanted to walk the dogs.  With both of them pressuring me, I just opted to go instead of being lazy.  I could be lazy after the dog walk.  Despite the wind and the cold, it was a good quick walk that got the beasts out of the house and burned some energy.

After we got home, I responded to some emails while Teh German showered.  Then we settled in on the couch for a busy evening of HIMYM. 

_______________________________________

Overall, a very good, but very busy weekend.  And it was cold.  Soooo cold.  I am in planner heaven with my new moleskin weekly planner and my wedding planner book and my handy-dandy wedding idea notebook (because I can't find a good place in the planner for random notes, so this is just easier).  This also means that I've picked up carrying a purse again, just so I can carry my notebooks around with me.

I am happy to report that all the planners have helped my brain immensely.  I'm still waking up through the night with wedding swimming through my head (will that ever stop?  ugh), but I'm sleeping better since I'm writing all the things down instead of trying to remember them.  Soon I'm going to have to start putting little check boxes at the top of each page with names on it so I can check off who I've told what.

Since so many of you told me that reading about wedding planning wouldn't bother you, so that was a huge plus for me, I'm ready to pull the trigger sooner rather than later.  I'm still waiting to hear back from Broke Ass Brides, but I have a list of topics and drafts in progress for my ideas.  Honestly, there is no timeline on their site that says how long I'd have to wait to hear back at all, so that doesn't help my impatience problem.

Confessions {9/21}

-I believe that during the months of Sept and Oct, that any time it rains for more than 30 minutes over a majority of the Charleston area, a "rain" day should be called.  A rain day is the equivalent of a snow day any place it snows.  Not just so I can take a nap, but also because roads here flood and driver are stupid...  They are the type of people that would ford the river in Oregon Trail and their oxen would all drown and they'd loose half their shit in their wagon and a family member would die.  That was specific because that may have happened to me... once twice a few times you know what, it doesn't matter.  #rainday #anyexcusetotelework

-I have been a slacker the last couple of months and didn't visit any Show Us Your Books linker-uppers other than the bloggers I already follow.  This was keeping my TBR list as a manageable level.  This month I said fuck the management and went balls to the wall reading a whole slew of linker-uppers.  Dear TBR list, #sorrynotsorry.  Love, The Woman Who Just Wants to Read but Never Really Has Time So She Ignores Other (Important) Shit to Read.

-That said, if a linker-upper posted a link to their blog and not to their Show Us Your Books post, I had no regrets closing that tab out and moving on to the next one.  Don't link up your blog, link up your post about books you read, but at the very least books.  If I click on your link up I want to go to the post that is applicable, not whatever else you post about.  #SelectiveReader #notsorry #aintnobodygottimefordat

-When I was going through boxes in the garage, I found an old birth control pill container/packet.  1/2 the pills were still in the packet.  Why I kept it, I have NO idea, NONE.  But when I flipped it over, it said "I love you" where the pill hole was, so maybe that was why?  Either way, it made me cackle, so I put it in the keep box for a later discovery.  #Iamnotahoarder #mostly

-After reading the Red Queen novellas, I could see a tv show being made if Aveyard wanted to flush out more characters.  Granted, me watching is probably slim since my TV time is low, but ya know.. for everyone else.  #bookstomovies

-Very rarely do I feed the need to go shopping right noaw, but when I saw these Minnie shoes on FB, I almost left work to see if Target had them since they were in-store only.  WTF TARGET?!  #rage #allthedisney

-Did you see that announcement on Monday where I said I'm going to Disney World in December?  Yeah well, I am and I have a bit of first world guilt about it.  In first world complaining about it, I feel like I've planned for Disney trips for 1/2 of this year and I think I might be getting Disney fatigue.  I may have just made that up, but it's real.  #Disneyfatigue #Ineedanap

-I did Disney research for 3.5 hours on Friday and came up with multiple plans of action in case sharing a bed wasn't acceptable.  On Saturday night, I made a reservation at Port Orleans and then cancelled it less than 10 minutes later because the pull down bed was only 5ft long which meant the only person that would fit on that bed would be me.  Oops.  So we're back to the "find a room that will fit a twin size air mattress plan."  The problem with this was that when I went to make a reservation somewhere else, all the prices had increased by $100 within 24 hours!  WTF?  Jerk move to raise prices when you know people will be shopping.  #nomegusta

-PS.  I made our official reservations at Pop Century on Monday and purchased ticket at the same time.  #doneandone #likeaboss

-I actually signed up for the Disney credit card just to get the discount on tour tickets while we're there.  I'll pay off our hotel rooms with it so I can get some Disney rewards to use while I'm there.  Otherwise, this card won't be used.  #notsorry

-It took me, no less than, 20 minutes to figure out what color Magic band I wanted on Monday.  Originally, I wanted green, but then Teh German picked green.  Then I was going to go with purple because Megara, but then Teh German's Aunt picked purple, and grey for her friend.  I already have a yellow so I could have just worn that one, but really?  Who re-wears a magic band when given the opportunity to get a new one?  Not this girl.  So then there were multiple messages sent out (Teh Sister, Teh Soccer Mom, Teh MD-AR, Twin Dad) asking about what color I should get.

I was torn.  My inner Lisa Frank said no to the same color, but wouldn't it be cute if we both wore green because we both picked green?  But #ALLTHECOLORS!  I considered orange because it's kinda like yellow and a little like fall, blue because Merriweather, and red because it's the color of everything accessory that I own and Teh German and I would be Christmas colored.  As I was almost ready to pick green and we'd just match, red won out and I'll be sporting a red Magic band in December.  Maybe next time I'll finally get that green one.

-Dear Frosted Mini Wheats,
Twin mini wheats is like the holy grail, but quad mini wheats?  Now you're just showing off.  #getittogether #hadtobreakthisapartwithmyfingers

Confessions {10/21}

-There are certain names I really dislike being called.  Being from the South means dealing with this irritation on the regular.  Let's just say if you don't know me, please don't call me anything you might call your significant other, child, or food.  #Iamnotyourhoney

-When bloggers don't link their books in the Show Us Your Books linkup to Goodreads, I have all the sads.  I'm too lazy to open a new tab, go to Goodreads, and possibly click the button to add the book.  It's even worse when sometimes they underline/bold the book titles and it tricks me into thinking that it's linked!  Just make it easy for me, pleassseeeeeee.  If you already link your books, I lub you long time.  #Icallitenergyconservation

-Hi, my name is Megan and I absolutely LOATHE books that are from a series.  It's completely irrational, but I feel like a story should be all in one book.  Maybe it's because A Song of Ice and Fire series (aka Game of Thrones) ruined it for me.  I mean if you can't tell your story in 1000-1500 pages, I've already lost interest and maybe a few less characters, plskthx?  If it's a "spin-off" of the first book, it's not really a series, so don't number your books.  I don't want to feel obligated to read all the others.  It's a thing.  #booksnob

-My Friday post was #69 and every time I looked at it, I giggled.  #adulting #dirtymind

-If you ever decide to live in Charleston and rent, if you find a property managed by Charleston Property Management, RUN, not walk, RUN LIKE YOU ARE ON FIRE in the opposite direction.  It could possibly be the owner in this situation, but I wouldn't even risk it.  I love my quirky little, shitty house, but I'm OVER trying to get shit fixed.  I choose to be a renter so I don't have to deal with these issues with my dollars and this is the first time I've ever dealt with an owner who doesn't want shit fixed in their house.. and if I was a home owner, I wouldn't have to deal with these issues because I wouldn't live in a house this shitty.  Where water comes in the back door because it's "sealed" with spray foam insulation or the front dead bolt not engaging because the house is too "swollen" for the last 3.5 months or has double sets of windows or has scorch marks on the wall behind the mold ice bin refrigerator.  This is me saying I would have never bought this house and questioning why I agreed to rent it (actually I know exactly why, the price was right)  #RUNlikeyouareonFIRE #nojk

-The more German I learn, the worse my English gets.  #keepingthingsinproportion
Example: when I originally typed this it said, "the worst my English gets."  I wish I was kidding.  Last night when I was doing my German lessons this happened: I do not speak Englisch, but Deutch.  Teh German got all the lolz from that one and we've decided that #Germanglish is real.

-During the Ded Bob Show on Sunday, Ded Bob asked if anyone had come with the perfect woman and Teh German raised his hand.  It might have made me blush a little lot.  #hesakeeper

-We have already reserved a trailer for this weekend to make a trip to the mountains with Mike and Suzi.  Can we get some prayers/hopes/good karma/whatever positive thing you believe in that Teh German doesn't have to work so 1) we can go ride and 2) we don't have to cancel our plans to ride which will disappoint both Teh German and myself.  #Idontdealwellwithdisappointment #TehWJLissopumped

-I realized that I probably don't need to train very seriously for the Disney run since I know that I can run 13.1 miles and we're going to be stopping for character photos and giving zero fucks about time.  #thisisgoingtobitemeintheass

-runDisney updated their cover photo to a GSC training photo (since the training plan starts today) that included THE LITTLE MERMAID.  YOU BETTER BELIEVE I'M UNBEARABLY EXCITED!!!  So much so that I called Teh MD-AR AT WORK to tell her the good news.  That said, I've already purchased my skirts.  I'm doing a Megara outfit and a Stitch outfit for the 10k and Half and I'm thinking Eva for the 5k since it's just all white and I can get a little sticker with a plant.  #GONNABEAPRINCESS

-I really want to write a post that isn't in my normal schedule (weekend review, confessions, 5 on Friday, sweaty Sunday), but finding the words to speak to my desired subject is difficult and confusing and moderately painful.  #yesallwomen

-Big Brother DoD is asking for more information on Teh German.  I reported the relationship mid-August, so it took 2 months for the DoD to get interested.  Thanks OPM hackers for delaying what is already a horrible situation.  #clearancewoes

-Every night I go to bed with an overwhelming feeling of how lucky I am and it almost makes it difficult to fall asleep because I just want to keep telling Teh German over and over.  #pillowtalk

Linking up with:
Life with Lolo
Alanna & Company
Hodges Podge

Confessions {9/2}

-On one of my recent runs, I was passing a couple who were walking towards me and realized the guy was wearing an NC State hat.  OF COURSE, I slowed down and turned to gave him the wolfpack sign and said, "GO PACK!" before continuing on.  #GOPACK

-The building manager where I work is awesome and I'm pretty sure we're fashion kindred spirits.  Almost once a week, she compliments me on an outfit that I wear.  That said, I also love her style.  We both also love finding super awesome deals at Kohl's.  #canweshareclosets

-I love my Ariel mug that Teh MD-AR got me at Disney World, but I have to drink from the cup right handed and it's really irritating.  #theworldhateslefties

-This infuriates me:

It's the only door that stays open, so you have to close it, and I know the person that leaves it this way works in my office (because when she was out of the office for a week this didn't happen), but I just don't want to have to bathroom etiquette her... BECAUSE SHE SHOULD JUST KNOW!  Ughhh.  #bathroomrules

-We use Skype for inner-office communication rather than just.. ya know.. speaking to each other, but it really works for days that I want to work from home, so I'm not knocking it too much.. buttttt... when someone just messages me "hey" instead of "hi, can you do this/this/this." I get irrationally ragey.  Just tell me what you want, I don't need your friendly banter.

-I'm not hip enough to buy a cool planner like the rest of the entire world.  I use Google Calendar because my phone is always with me.  Also, I'm too cheap to spend that much money on a planner that I'll only put birthdays in and forget to use for the remaining 359 days of the year.  Also, what's up with buying a calendar in August unless you're a student or teacher?  #notacoolkid #yetagain

-That said, I totally ordered the desk calendar I wanted when I started at Company back in Feb for 2016.  It arrived a few weeks ago and I'm stupid excited about using it and I kinda want to put it on my desk already but I have to wait since it starts in January.  #notsorry #planner

-I should know better, but I tried the Biore Charcoal activated face mask thing the other day... I thought I might die from the heat up portion of the mask.  I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to feel that hot.  I should know better since I have such sensitive skin.  The worst part it didn't even do anything except burn my face for a few seconds.  All those blackheads were still there when I was done massaging my face.  Uuuugghhhh.  #skinwoes #notworthit

-This chocolate lab cutie named Finn, was at work yesterday and we're officially BFFs now.  I totally bribed him with treats.  #notsorry #dogsatwork

-I think I found my dress for Teh Sister's wedding!!!  Now I just need to do my measurements and order it.

-I told Teh Dad he could have my old computer because his died/is dying and my spare/broken (the screen/hinge is messed up) computer just sits in the closet waiting on me to decide to use it to watch TV on the internet.  I decided last night to start it up and delete my files off it and update it for Teh Dad.  Yeah.  DISASTER.  Not only would it not start at first.  Then I was having some issues getting things updated, but finally manged to succeed.  Then after everything was updated, I moved on to doing Windows Updates... Yeah... no.  At first it wouldn't update at all and it gave me an error, which I googled and got a fix for.  After getting that fixed, it still wouldn't find updates, so I decided to restart.  At which point shit got real and ended with me getting a message (on a black screen, which is even more deadly than the blue screen) that said "Memory unrecognized, hit F1 to shut down."  I hit F1, because no other options were available to me, and the computer wouldn't power on after that....  I had to admit to Teh German, who was sitting beside me as I was troubleshooting, that blue screens were beyond my realm of expertise.  Even IT-Megan has limits.  So, nerd/IT friends, if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.  I did tell Teh Dad that he should just save his money and buy a new computer instead of a power cord for this one (since my power cord never arrived from Bahrain).  #technologyfail #bluescreenofdeath #impatient #stillnotanIT

I probably should have let this test finish, but I hit esc to cancel it because I was tired and wanted to go to bed.

Linking up with:
Life with Lolo
Hodges Podge