Corona-Cation Week 1... Part 2: Back Home

Continuing on....

We came home from Denver late Tuesday night and Wednesday we rolled back into the "new normal"..

Wednesday

It was technically Spring Break for school, so no school things meant teleworking only.  I did run some errands since I hadn't been home in a week.. Walmart to pick up my new fancy glasses (this is the official reveal) and get groceries.  I also went by Sam's and picked up a few items.  THEN, I was going to go and pick up the dogs, but as I put the place into my GPS for directions, I noticed they are closed from 12-2 for "naptime"... Siiiiigh.. So back home I went.

I ended up not being able to pick up the beasts until after 4 due to work calls, but they were NOT excited to see me.  They only cared about one thing: CUSHIONED SURFACES.

This was actually ok because both dogs were kinda stinky and needed a bath and I didn't have time.

When Teh German came home, we ate dinner, then set about the process of removing everything from the walls and moving all the furniture to the center of the rooms.

I wasn't sure where to store our delicates/fragile items.. AND THENNNN..
I remembered that there is extra space in the pantry for activities.

Matilda suggested taking before and after photos, so I did that after everything was moved around.  It only took 2ish hours to move stuff around, so we still had time to watch some TV before bed.

Thursday

The painters came on Thursday.  They descended on the house in a productivity storm and I loved every second.  Especially the part where I pulled the dog beds into the office and the beasts finally settled and slept all the day long.

Lunchtime shift rotation.

My Tarheel 10 Miler + 4 Miler race was cancelled, and in an asshole move, the race organizer refused to refund money.  They were like, here's your credit to sign up for a different race that we're putting on.  RUDE.  Sooo fine.  Since I didn't sign up for the Challenge until way late, it was a lot more money than it would have been when registration opened... Soooo I signed up for the 2021 Tarheel Challenge AND the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in March 2021 so that way I can get the Bless Your Heart medal since I'm already signed up for the 2021 Charleston Half Marathon.

When Teh German came home, dinner was made and then we spent the remainder of the evening practicing "social distancing" while our couches were almost touching, lol.  We watched Vikings and I got Meri snuggles.

Friday

Friday morning the painters came again.  I headed to the Chiro for a quick adjustment since I had a half marathon in Savannah on Saturday.  When I got home, I checked my email and the Savannah race had been cancelled.  I was crushed.  It did make my weekend less stressful, but I had been looking forward to the race.  I was able to get a full refund on my AirBnB, thankfully.  I went ahead and signed up for the virtual race, so I'll have to find a 13 mile trek somewhere to "earn" my medal.  I did put the 2021 race on my calendar, because everyone says the course is gorgeous, so it might be worth a cheap signup when they opened 2021 registration.

Through all of the things (painters, race debacle, a millionty emails from PITA Professor about classes being online, etc), I teleworked and managed the beasts.  Since the office was painted on Friday, I spent my day at the kitchen island.  The sacrifice was worth it, because by the end of the day Friday, all the painting was complete.

These are the before/after photos.

The office.

Downstairs bathroom

Dining room

Living Room

Loft

Laundry Room

Guest Teh Bestie's Room

Common Bathroom

"First Child" Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom and Toilet Closet

I will say that the photos are not the true colors that you can see with your own eyes.  I'm not sure why my camera alters the colors so drastically, but the blues in the bathroom are more teal than blue and the green in the laundry/toilet closet is a little less bright than it seems.  Also, the true color of the bedrooms can be seen in the master bedroom photo, in the bottom right. 

For dinner, Doordash delivered Sushi 101 and we went over to Teh PT House for some socializing group social distancing.

Saturday

Saturday morning, we had a slow start.  I got up and fed the beasts then went back to bed until my alarm went off to go to my workout class.  I did my last Burpees and Brews for a while, since classes have officially been cancelled now..  It was a miserable 83°F out and I was confident I was going to die of heat stroke during the AMRAP.  I survived, but barely.

When I got home, I made my coffee and had lunch with Teh German and then I didn't let laziness get me down.. I set about the task of cleaning the entire house. 

You see.. what they don't tell you about painting is that they sand the walls, which then gets dry wall dust every.fucking.where.ever.  Even on shit that was covered by plastic.  Everything had dry wall dust on it.  I wiped down the kitchen counters at least 3 times and I was still wiping off dust with my hand, at which point I said fuck it.

For every room, I vacuumed/mopped/both the floor where the furniture normally is, then I moved the furniture back, dusted what needed to be dusted, and then cleaned the regularly exposed floors.  I did this for every room.  I started before 1pm and when I sat down at the island for dinner after 7pm, I sagged in relief.  After dinner, I forced myself to vacuum the stairs, which was the only task that hadn't been complete before sitting down for dinner.

Teh German did assist me with randomly directed tasks and with fixing our bed and putting fresh sheets on.  Afterwards, Teh German decided to go on a ride and I decided I was fucking done with everything and rinsed out the tub and took a bath.

Much to both of our surprise, I was still awake when Teh German came home around 11, but we were both asleep shortly after.

Sunday

Snuggle Sunday > Sunday Funday.

Because of how much I fucking slayed accomplished on Saturday, Sunday was LAZY DAY.  Teh German got up with the dogs and came back to bed for more sleeping in.  When we finally got up around 9:30, we had a slow start and made breakfast.  After breakfast I made the weekly menu and tried to accomplish some online grocery shopping (unsuccessfully, thanks for asking) and ordered a few things on Amazon (dog food, laser level for rehanging all these photos), and then it was couch time for the rest of the day.

My succulents are flowering.
Only in SC.

 

The rest of the day was not an exaggeration.  The only time we got up was to use the bathroom and to make/eat dinner.  We binged on Vikings all the day long.

Monday

Monday was back to the real routine.  School is back in session, although all classes are online for the rest of the semester, and teleworking continues.  When/if things go back to normal and I'm going back into the office, the dogs are gonna be pissssssed.

Endured my first Zoom meeting. 

Databases class Zoom meeting.

Side note: I had never heard of Zoom until all of this and they would have totally been a solid investment prior to CV.

At lunchtime, I headed over to Teh PT House to let someone in for them.  When that task was done, I checked the mail on my way back to the house.. FUN THINGS ARRIVED!!

My postponed/virtual 7k medal.

Unfortunately, my medal racks are not yet rehung on the wall, so it's delayed gratification to get to put it on the rack.  Hopefully by the time my diploma arrives, my frame will be back on the wall waiting for it, lol.  #Goals.

I spent the rest of the afternoon doing work things.  My afternoon Burpees and Beer workout was cancelled, which was fine.  I was really only going to support the leader's small business, not for the beer.  I imagine she was worried about being fined for organizing a gathering, so I just responded, okie dokie, see you when we pick back up!

Teh German came home and we walked the beasts with Teh PT Wife, then Teh German made dinner while I finished up work.  After dinner, Teh German did fish tank things while I wrote up this post.  When all that was done, we watched our last 2 episodes of Vikings 😭😭😭😭😭 and then did bedtime chores and went to bed.

_______________________________________________

And now, Gentle Readers, you are all caught up on my life.

Hermit-Megan is pumped to be teleworking and online schooling. 
Social-Megan is less pumped to be teleworking and online schooling.

That said, Megan Megan will be more affected by all of this once Teh German is home from work/teleworking as well.  I have an established teleworking routine.  Teh German is not a part of that.  This will change.  I am not looking forward to that.  Ok, maybe it won't actually be that bad and I'm just pre-overreacting. 

Annnddd the best thing to come of this Corona-Cation is that I've planned go visit Teh Bestie in April.  Being remote means being remote wherever and that can include with Teh Bestie.  We're still hammering out the details, butttttt I've been ready since last week.  Before CV, we had the Rock n Roll DC race on the 28th, but that has been cancelled and plane tickets have been refunded, so I needed an alternative date for Bestie time... and Corona-Cation has made that possible.  Teh German is invited if he's also remote by that point, but I don't actually think he'd mind being home able to ride anytime he wants.

Weekend Review {9/24}

FRIDAY

There are no pictures, but Friday shenanigans took place. 

I got in some miles in the AM, to include a dog run/walk.  I tried Chickfila chicken minis for breakfast, I was not impressed.  Nothing significant happened at school.  Then it was time for work.

I had a Friday meeting at 2pm. 
I have a personal rule about meetings after noon on Fridays... I don't accept them.  Before I was going to class in the mornings, I was usually out of the office on Fridays from 1-2pm.  Now that I'm not in the office at o-dark-thirty, I am in the office later, so I accepted the meeting... and by "accepted" I mean... I walked in with "doctored" soda in my cup.  We were able to get through the document in record time (1 hr).  It was a miracle. 

When I left, I had a #MeganFail and didn't check traffic and after seeing how backed up on way was, had to turn around and go the other way to get to the gym in time.  I made it to the gym and managed to sober myself up for the drive home.  When I got home, Teh German and I couldn't figure out what we wanted to do for dinner, (I really wanted Mexican food, but I didn't really want to make the effort of going out, and Teh German wasn't making a decision either).  After 30 minutes of the decision-less debacle, I finally was like, fuck this and found something in the fridge to eat, cottage cheese and half a pimento cheese sammich (queen of good choices here).  I didn't bother to wait on Teh German since he wouldn't stop his infinite scrolling.  By the time he made his dinner, I was headed upstairs to shower.

After my shower, I headed over to Teh PT house to go on a Blizzard adventure with Teh PT Wife and Kid.  This is when real shenanigans started.  I think it's that the combination of myself, Teh PT Wife, AND Teh PT Kid is unlucky.  When we pulled up to Dairy Queen, I noticed the parking lot was empty and the lights were off.  Confused, we stopped at the door to see a sign that said they had been struck by lightning and were closed.  We couldn't remember the last time there was an actual thunderstorm with lightning in the area....  It was weird.  Soooo we headed to get milkshakes from the Come Back Shack. 

We got stuck in the drive through (since there is no way to escape their drive through due to poor planning) and ended up ordering something for Teh PT Husband and Teh PT Kid, just to order something. Since there was no birthday cake milkshake, Teh PT Wife suggested going to Cookout for a milkshake and I was happy with that decision.  When we were finally released from drive-thru purgatory, we headed to Cookout.

At some point, I realized I was starving.  This isn't really a surprise when I think back to what I had eaten and how much I'd worked out.  I ordered an oreo milkshake and sweet tea at Cookout, but I knew it wasn't enough.  And then.. I looked down at my watch and realized that Willie Jewells, which was across the street, was still open.  I hunger begged Teh PT Wife to make a stop at Willie Jewells for me. 

I ordered a pulled pork sammich with cole slaw and I made sweet mouth love to that sammich all the way home.  In fact, I was a few bites from being finished when we pulled into the driveway and I just sat in the car to finish it while everyone else went inside.  It was the best pulled pork sammich I'd ever eaten.  Teh PT Wife told Teh German and Teh PT Husband when I went inside that she was worried she'd get her fingers bitten off while trying to get a fry I was so... invested... in my eating.

I ate less than half my milkshake, since I really just needed protein to feel full.  Of course, it didn't take long after that for exhaustion to set in.  Teh German and I headed home and it was bedtime.

SATURDAY

Saturday was a slow start. First up: breakfast and coffee outside.  Second was a difficult chat with some friends.  One of these things went better than the other.  It's really hard to have a conversation with someone who refuses to discuss things that they don't like or want to hear.  I also find it extremely disrespectful to be completely ignored/unacknowledged after I've said something that is difficult to say.  I had to work up the balls to say something to begin with, at least acknowledge my fucking effort, even if you don't like it.  Additionally, it's hard to maintain a friendship with someone that makes me feel disrespected and unvalued.  We'll see what happens, but I'm not holding my breath anymore.

Halloween Fruit Loops with Marshmallows!

After breakfast, it was time for laundry and to make sure any last minute guest prep was accomplished, i.e. Meri and Pax testing the bed to ensure that our guests would be comfortable.....

In a very frustrating situation, that I had ZERO control of (which was part of the problem), Teh German and I sat around waiting on our guests for over an hour since we didn't really know when they'd arrive.  Uhhhh, one of the things I hate, hate, and double hate?  Waiting for something/someone when I don't know when to expect them.  I don't want to get involved in anything because I don't want to be interrupted, but I hate wasting my time just sitting around doing nothing.  Life's best catch-22 that I should be used to after the Navy, but lawd it makes me stabby.

The biggest part is that Teh German hadn't coordinated with our guests to see what their plans were until the night before.  Oh yes, that scream you just heard was my control freak having a meltdown.  Not only did he not know what they planned on doing (i.e. coming straight to our house from the airport or something else), he had no idea what they planned on doing while they were here (i.e. were they planning to include us in their activities or not (I wasn't worried either way, I was ok with just being a hotel or being included)).

When they finally arrived, Teh German gave them the tour of the house and they brought their stuff in and I was hangry by the time we left for lunch.  Teh German wouldn't shut up and I finally was like, "You think you can tell them about this in the car?  Let's go."  Obviously, their first impression of me was the most accurate they could have gotten: Needs to be fed promptly.

We went to Mex 1 for lunch since I'd been craving it for a while.  We ended up with the worst server in the restaurant.  Beers were delivered by the bartender before my sweet tea was delivered.  I told Teh German I was considering stabbing our server in the leg with my silverware so we could get a different server.  Teh German suggested that he'd probably still be our server, but maybe with a limp.  I responded, "You can't cover up a bleeding stab wound with a blue bandaid or gloves and keep working." 

Our appetizers came out about 5 minutes before our food, which meant they didn't get eaten.  Teh German commented that he was glad I was wearing my sunglasses so the server couldn't see my rage eyes.  I admitted to him that I had put my sunglasses on my head after the beers were delivered by the bartender so that way the server could clearly see my pissed off face.  #NotSorry

churro chips for dessert.
Thanks extended Restaurant Week

The best part of lunch at Mex 1 was meeting a new friend.  Sadly, new friend was more interested in her owner's chips than me petting her.. Rude, especially since I have a soft spot for dals since my family/I owned them.

I suggested a nap after lunch, but Teh German didn't want to accept that suggestion.  One of our guests suggested the beach and I mentioned that we had a pool in the neighborhood, and that was the agreed upon activity (*praisehands* since that meant no sand in my car).  I'm 100% certain we ALL took naps at the pool.  It was Teh German's first time at the pool this year.  So glad we get our money's worth from those HOA dues....

We had agreed to meet Teh SC German and Teh SC Teacher at Red's around 6:30 for evening activities with our guests.  I guess I should explain that one of the guests worked with Teh German and Teh SC German in Charleston for a few months before returning to the German location.  Guest reached out to Teh German a few months ago when he and his girlfriend decided to come visit CHS.  We offered free lodging and they took us up on it (YAY!). 

We snacked (since lunch was late) for dinner and hung out for a bit at the bar, then we decided to walk the Shem Creek Pier.  

I'm old AF, so by 10, I was doooonnneee.  We eventually walked back to the car and headed home for bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday was my morning to get up with the dogs and since it was uncharacteristically cool outside, I sat outside, snuggling with my Monkey-Doodle and texting with Teh Running Bestie.  Since it was cooler outside than inside, I left the door cracked for doggy comings and goings.  Meri was up on the couch with me, protecting her human and using her radar ears to assess her domain, and Pax did eventually meander out to poke me in the eye with his nose and give me a general morning sniff down.

We had agreed that we'd go to Sunflower Cafe for breakfast at 0900.  So I finally headed inside to get ready.  When we arrived, there was a short wait, but it was no big deal... especially after our food arrived within 10 minutes of ordering it.  #WIN

I didn't even think to take a picture of my delicious mushrooms, spinach, white cheddar, and crab omlette w/ grits and a biscuit.  I can admit to maintaining "clean plate club" status though.  I have a love/hate relationship with finding crab shell in my food.  Hate because shell and ouch my teeth, love because that means you got legit crab, not some imitation crab shit.

After breakfast, we made a pit stop at Food Lion for sammich ingredients and adult beverages for a boating adventure.  We had made plans to go out on Teh SC German and Teh SC Teacher's boat for the day the night before.  We were 30 minutes earlier than expected which meant getting on the water sooner than we anticipated!

Teh German and I got to experience our first lock traversal.  It was cool except for when we got attacked by lovebugs.  Fucking lovebugs.  I hate them.  They are a bane to my existence.  Maybe because I have a hard limit to things sexin' on me?  IDK, I just do not like them.  They don't bite, they just land on you and they are creepy and I don't like it.  The top of the lock was a lovebug orgy that I was unwilling involved in.  NO ME GUSTA.

Lock selfie!

Lovebug orgy.
Multiply this by 1000 and that's approximately how many lovebugs were swarming us.

We hung out at an island beach for a little while, then we ran from the rain, we took the lock back down to the river and got orgy raped again by the lovebugs.  On the river, the dudes took turns wake boarding.  Teh German showed off his moves with dragging his fingers through the wake and jumping almost the entire wake.  NBD.

I passed on tubing because it always makes me hurt soooo bad for so long after and I want to be able to keep up my run/workout schedule that I'm currently maintaining.  Around 5:15, we had to make the decision to stay out or go in and I had to make the sad announcement that we needed to go home since we had to feed the beasts.  I also had homework to attend to.  Womp womp.

Mr. Big Deal 💜

So, we headed back to dry land.  When we got home, I showered the lake off, then set about leftovers for dinner.  After dinner, I started on homework.  While I worked on homework, Teh German and our guests ate dinner and then watched a movie.  I finished up with homework by 9:30 and then I spent 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back making virtual paperclips.  I had to just cut myself off and close the window so I could go to bed.

Either due to sunburn or "fall" "arriving" (both of those words are in quotes because I don't believe either of these things are true), I was freeeeeeeeeezing for most of the evening.  I tried to put on long sleeves because I love long sleeves, but the sunburn was not accepting that.  When I got in the bed, I made Meri snuggle with me so I wouldn't freeze.  When Teh German finally came to bed, I got a little warmer, but I still ended up pulling out a long sleeve sleep shirt because I just couldn't get warm.  Then I proceeded to sweat throughout the night.  It was just as awesome as you imagine.

______________________________________________

A good weekend, overall.  A busy weekend, for sure.  It's strange to me not to spend my entire weekend or at least a full day of the weekend focused on school things.  I probably could, but I don't really have to, so I haven't.  I guess we'll find out what kind of mistake that is when I take my tests this week..... :)

Our guests leave tomorrow, so we'll be back to an empty nest. 

Our HVAC was "fixed" this morning.. so fingers crossed that the next time it breaks, it REALLY breaks and they have to just replace the entire thing... this will save me having to kill it in a few years.  What this really means is that I really pissed off my computer science professor when I ran out of class to take a phone call in the middle of class.  He likes to do this thing where he publicly shames students for doing things he doesn't like (i.e. walking out during the middle of class to go to the bathroom or take a call).  I apologized when I came back in the classroom and explained it was an emergency.  He said, "Yeah, what kind of emergency?"  I responded, "The kind where my HVAC is broken and that was the HVAC guy who was calling.  I consider no AC an emergency."  He didn't say anything to me after that.  Bitch please, I'm an adult, not a cadet (not to say some cadets aren't adults), and I have a real life that doesn't revolve around The Citadel.  Get the fuck out of my face with getting in my business.  I should have said it was personal, but didn't feel like fighting that fight this morning and it was easier just to be honest.  It won't be a sad day for too many cadets when he finally retires.

Meri's birthday is Thursday!  We have zero things planned.  I mean, she's pretty spoiled on a day-to-day basis and the most recent training they've accomplished with me is that if bully sticks haven't been dispensed by 7:30, the begging eyes and harassment begin.  And like the well-trained human I am, I promptly dispense bully sticks to make the dogs stop harassing me.

💙💚💛💜😍

The week of the hurricane really threw me off and I'm struggling with wrapping my head around the fact that this IS actually the last week of September and next week is OCTOBER.  Lawd, please let long sleeve weather be upon me in the next week or so.  Because after long sleeve weather is hoodie weather and that is definitely my favorite time of year... anytime I can wear a hoodie. 

Happy End of September, Gentle Readers.

Weekend Review {12/11}

What?  A weekend review on a Monday?  Don't worry, I'm just as surprised as you are..

Here's a brief show of things that you may have missed out on:

We decorated for Christmas.
This pained Teh German since Germans wait until MUCH closer to Christmas to decorate.
It was not allowed this year since we were hosting the neighborhood holiday gathering.

This made us cry.
Teh German even came in my office after I posted it on instagram to give me a hug and cry a little with me.

We went to a friend's annual holiday party and this was the entertainment, pre-white elephant exchange.

I ran some miles.

My peppermint lights on my desk bring me great joy when I open the office.

Pre-FRIDAY

Wednesday was my last day of class for the semester.  That evening, Teh PT Wife and I went out for dinner and we went to the mall so I could use some coupons I'd received.  Honestly, I needed a break from all the things and it was perfect.  Also, I got new smelly things from Bath and Body Works and new bras from VS.

Thursday, I worked, but used some precious PTO time to leave have lunch with Teh German (which did not go well at all), then went home to clean.  The cleaner stood us up on Wednesday and I was stressed about it since we had people coming to our house on Saturday evening.  I really needed to study, but I knew that if I tried to study, I would only be thinking of cleaning, so I made a trade-off.  I had almost finished the upstairs when Teh German came home. 

Teh German volunteered to help clean and I tasked him with our bathroom sink, which I was looking least forward to.  I should have gave him more tasks, but instead put it on myself and went downstairs to study.  Teh German took care of dinner, which was good, and then it was back to studying.

FRIDAY

Instead of going into the office Friday morning, I teleworked until it was time to head to campus for my exams.  I got up at regular time so I would actually be productive.  This is also why there was a drive-by blog on Friday morning.

My computer science exam was from 1-4.
My discrete math exam was from 5:30-8:30.

I had intentions to swing by the Chiro's office on Friday before my exams, but failed at that.  I also failed at studying for my math exam.  #YOLO.  I tried to look over some stuff before the exam, but I was DONE with all of it. 

Fortunately, my math exam wasn't anything I found impossible, so I stumbled through it and walked out at 7:45 feeling confident that I had done my best, but more importantly, what's done is done. 

I called Teh German who had been on standby.  We agreed to meet at Sam's Club to pick up items for the neighborhood holiday gathering and then go to dinner.  Teh German hadn't eaten enough snacks, so he was a bit hangry, but he survived Sam's and then we headed to Sesame for dinner. 

Shenanigans at Sam's...

I had eaten leftovers before my math exam so I didn't get the hunger stupids, so I had an adult milkshake and a fry. 

We asked for our check and a manager came to our table to explain that we were part of a pay it forward chain.  What this meant was that someone else had covered our bill.  We wanted to keep it going, so we selected a table to pay for.  They wanted to keep it going but it was almost closing time and there wasn't anyone else in the restaurant for them to pay for.  Faith in humanity restored a little more.

 

Park Circle Christmas Tree

When we got home, I went to bed.  Teh German stayed up and I have no recollection of him even coming to bed, but Pax did give me a rude awakening around 3:30 (actually, it wasn't Pax that woke me, but Teh German jerking awake, which woke me) puking up chunks of the cheese stick he'd been chewing on earlier.  I considered just leaving until later to clean up, but got up and let the beasts out and cleaned it up.

SATURDAY

I got to sleep for another hour after cleaning up Pax's mess.  My alarm was set for 0430 so I could make it to Kiawah Island for my half marathon.  It took me an hour to get there, but it was recommended runners arrive by 0630 to make sure that they were able to get a shuttle and be at the start line on time since the race started at 0800 on the dot.

In a stroke of genius, I had grabbed a dog blanket to wrap myself in while I waited for the race to start.  Since it was under 40°F and had been raining for the prior 36 hours, it was totally worth it and several people commented that it was a great idea (as they stood there shivering).  When the shuttle dropped us off at the start area, they had opened up the club house and runners were sitting a meeting space on the floor.  They were sitting.  I took the opportunity to take a nap.  I knew I was super tired since I was able to sleep with noise and goings on around me.  This is usually not the case.  I woke up once when a lady started leading stretches around 0700 and I went back to sleep and when I woke up, the room was mostly empty.  It was about 10 minutes until start time.  I don't know what woke me up, but I'm glad.  I kinda hope that someone would have woken me up if I hadn't woke up on my own right on time.  I folded up the dog blanket that I had gotten to use as a pillow instead of a blanket and left it in a corner.  I figured if I came back by I could pick it up, if not, then it was ok to donate since I had gotten it from a thrift store to begin with.

I made a new friend at the start line when I struck up a conversation with her because she was wearing a Run Disney shirt.  We even exchanged phone numbers!  It made the first 6 miles soo much better.  Unfortunately, my (formerly) super awesome earbuds turned themselves off (since I hadn't used them since I was chatting with Friend) and I couldn't get them to turn back on (because they don't turn on unless they have been on the charger if they have been turned off).  It's complicated.  Anyways, the last 7 miles, I spent striking up conversations with strangers and enjoying the run without my earbuds in (which makes it much easier to interact with those runners around you).  I was sad because it was hours I could have devoted to my audiobook, but glad because it really made the run better.

Eventually, I came upon the finish line.  I grabbed a bowl of soup and some water.  I scarfed down my soup and passed off my beer ticket to an unassuming large bearded dude who was waiting in the beer line since I knew I wasn't going to be using it.  Then, I headed towards the shuttle.  I had no idea where I was, so I opted to leave the blanket behind.

I hadn't parked in the designated parking area because I hadn't wanted to wait in traffic, and I was never more glad.  It ended up being a mud pit as it got warmer (by like 5°) and there were several tow trucks circling the parking lot having to pull people out of the mud.  I headed towards home.  I stopped at McDonald's for a sweet tea and cheeseburger and then headed home.  I greeted my homies and then headed upstairs for a shower, a stretch/roll session, and a nap. 

#DatMedalTho....
Seriously, that medal is the only thing that got me out of bed at before the asscrack of dawn in the cold, wet, morning...

I slept for a few hours (as is customary after any run longer than a 5k) and unwillingly rolled out of the bed.  I still had some cleaning to do before the party... which mostly didn't happen.  I vacuumed up some gross areas on the floor and Teh German and I moved the couches around to open up the room a bit, but otherwise, I said fuck it.  Oh yeah, and I wiped off the counters and put vinyl table cloths on the table and island.  I think Teh German might have wiped down the bathroom, but I don't really know.  I used some logic and decided that people were coming and the floor was just going to get gross and the toilet was going to get used, so why bother cleaning it?  SO I didn't.  #notsorry.

Pax and I spooned for the first time ever!
Be still my heart!

While I had been napping, Teh German had decorated the front of the house with lights.  I considered this festive enough based on all the activity I'd endured for the prior 36 hours.  I started laying out food around 6.  By 7, we were ready.  I was actually upstairs changing into my holiday finest when our first guests arrived, Teh PT Fam.

Neighbor Besties!

Please check out Teh German's blue ball...
#Mine

I was pleased with how the party went.  We ate and drank and there was merriment.  The dogs got to have a sleep over at Teh Dental Hygienist's house so there were no possibilities of escape.  The white elephant exchange gave me a valid reason to use my megaphone in the house (the megaphone I received at the prior year's neighborhood white elephant exchange).  I actually ended up getting Teh PT Wife's gift, which was extra funny since I was with her when she bought it.  There was a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity played, but by that point, we were all pretty intoxicated and focus levels were low.

I also had set up the photobooth as an extra shenanigans thing.  I was pissed to discover my super expensive tripod got fucked up at the wedding, but let's focus on the positive, shall we?

SUNDAY

It was after 0100 when Teh German and I finally went to sleep.  We slept until about 0930, at which point Teh German started sighing incessantly (a sure sign of hangover).  I was fine other than a mild headache, so I administered some ibuprofen to myself and Teh German and encouraged him to eat.

He didn't even finish a bowl of cereal before he went and laid down on the couch and promptly went back to sleep.  I wasn't tired and I have a very annoying manner post-drunkenness.  Specifically, a crazy amount of energy to do all the things.  I channeled that.  I picked up the dogs and we went on a walk (mostly for me to stretch my post-run stiffness out), then I came home and made a menu for the week and a store list.  I finally unrolled the puzzle I had brought home with me from MD that Teh Running Bestie and I had started, but still wanted to accomplish some things.  I decided to accomplish going to the store.  I left Teh German a note before I left, but when I got home, he was in the same place I had left him in - still asleep on the couch.

My first stop was coffee, because why not?  Then I headed to Lidl (which is Aldi competition) to check it out since it just opened in our town.  It was still unbearably crowded, but I survived.  Then I headed to Walmart to pick up the few items that I hadn't found at Lidl.  It was as horrible as you'd imagine, but I survived.  The best part of the trip was when I got home and got to use my new super power carabiner hooks I got from the Dollar Tree so I don't have to make a million trips to the car to empty it.

Cup holders on buggies should be a requirement everywhere.

#UnFuckingStoppable
They even have padding.
AND THEY WERE $!

Teh German woke up after I got home and said he felt better (surprise).  I put everything away and we snacked on leftovers from the party.  Another neighbor was having a drop-in party on Sunday, so we headed over to that for a little bit around 3.  We left since I had to study for my German exam, which I did when we got home.  After an hour or so, I finished up my studying and Teh German and I rearranged the living room.  To my surprise, Teh German had liked how we had set up the living room for the party and wanted to keep it like that.  We did some reorganizing, but now we have a new setup and I think I like it.. except for the part that we now have our own couches to watch TV on.  Not that we really snuggle while watching TV anyways, but principle.

The new living room set up.

After watching a few episodes of Mad Men, it was bedtime.

______________________________________________

Sometimes, I am amazed at how much I can pack into a weekend.  This weekend was a doozy.  In fact, when Teh German called me an idiot for planning on running a half marathon in the rain and cold on Saturday morning, I agreed with him.  It wasn't raining on the island though and I was grateful.  Essentially, it worked out in the end, as it always does.  PS.  My medal is fucking awesome and Teh Running Bestie and I have already signed up for the Kiawah Half next December.  1- It was only $41, 2- You can wait inside before the race and not freeze your ass off.  3- The course is flat.  4- DAT MEDAL THO!  5- The sweet ass shirt every year.

Oh yeah, the important part?  My bad hip didn't/doesn't hurt.  My "good" hip (the non-surgery-ied hip) was a bit achy, as was my toe, but I have been making sure to stretch, stretch, stretch and I have rolled every day since the run.  I also hit up the Chiro today for a much needed popping session.    Also, I'm planning a massage to celebrate the end of the semester after my last exam on Wednesday.  #NOTFUCKINGSORRY #TreatYoSelf

I'm moderately embarrassed that I haven't even linked up for the SUYB in months.  That's definitely reflective on the state of my life.  I've got a skeleton draft in the works, but we'll see if it happens or not.  There should be a Shit Teh German Said in the near future.  Tonight we are going out for a birthday dinner.  I have my chem exam on Wednesday and that evening we have the Yelp holiday event, which is always a blast.  Friday evening is both of our company holiday parties.. We're going to Teh German's first and if Company party is still going, then we will meet up with them.  Since Company didn't put out the deets until a week and a half ago and Timo's company put out their details in Oct, it was first come first served on the calendar.  Saturday I have a volunteer event to do wreath laying at a cemetery.  I've always wanted to do the one in Arlington, but this will have to do.

Another goal I've set for myself in the very near future is to go through our wedding pictures and select the ones we like the most for printing and for getting made into photo books.  I can do it! 

PS.  Christmas is exactly 2 weeks away! 
PPS.  I know what Teh German got me for Christmas and I may have found it when I was cleaning on Thursday.  This isn't a bad thing since I picked out what I wanted him to get me and I was sitting there when he bought it.