Monday, May 14, 2018

Weekend Review {5/14}

FRIDAY

Friday was work.  I left after lunch time because I couldn't handle it anymore.  Teh German had to give me a pep talk to get out of bed.  I NEED a vacation ya'll and it's farther away when you're in the single digits than when you're in triple digits.  YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

When I got home, I took a nap, because I'm an adult.  Also because PMS, but mostly the adult thing. 

When I woke up, Teh German was home and he was chillin' on the back porch.  He had brought in the mail and I had some packages to open. MOAR swimsuits.  Actually, this was just one swim suit in multiple sizes.  Jessica Simpson swimsuits so fancccy they come on hangers.  Well ok then.


Uhhh no.

This swim suit was soooo uncomfortable.  The scalloped edges were SUPER ROUGH and scratched my skins!  Additionally, this is the XL top.  Teh German said maybe for laying out in the sun, depending on how much it cost?  I said, it cost too much for being something I just lay around and sweat in.  Sooo it will be going back.  Still waiting on the final bathing suit to arrive today to make my final determination on what will be going back and what will be staying.

Because I'm an adult, I had Oreos for dinner (since I was going to eat them anyways and I saved calories by NOT eating actual dinner #MeganLogic) and Teh German made gnocchi with pesto and ham, yes it was as weird as you'd imagine.  We were just hanging out until Teh German went inside and was like WHAT IF WE COULD WATCH HOCKEY?!?!

The Caps were playing and with the power of Teh Dad's DirecTV sign in, we were able to watch the game.  We were also able to reinforce the fact that I absolutely HATE commercials.  Especially if they are the same commercials replayed over and over and over and over.  I feel like there should be a minimum time between commercials.  Teh German then pointed out that I could MUTE the commercials with my phone and that made the last period of the game MUCH more enjoyable.

Seriously, though.. For a comm-media major, I fucking hate commercials. 

Someone pointed out how perfect the caption was for this photo
"through the perilous fight" (from the National Anthem)

After the Caps won, we headed to bed.


SATURDAY

Saturday, the dogs woke us up early (assholes) but we decided to get up and accomplish things.  I had to drop Yurtle off to get her antenna fixed and then we went to breakfast and ran some errands.  Teh German said ok to going into Target and we ended up buying an outdoor rug and the outdoor pillow that I was looking for (well, my 2nd choice since the silly flamingo pillow wasn't to be found).


After Target, we went to PetSmart since I had a #MeganFail and shipped our dog food auto-ship to Teh Running Bestie for Meri and Pax while they are there.. which meant that we ran out of food after breakfast on Saturday.  Ooops.  After PetSmart we headed to Sam's for some random shit, and then we headed home.

I talked to Teh Dad while sweeping the back porch to prepare for the rug.  Teh German helped me roll out the rug and put the furniture back.  Before Pax would just roam around listlessly.  Now he will settle on the carpet.  Meri will settle on the carpet, but she will also lay on the dog bed.


Since it was a mabillionty degrees (96°F in May, you snow shunners) outside, we went inside to pass the time until Teh PT Wife's birthday shenanigans started.  I've been talking about doing a puzzle for a million years and so I finally started one.  I'm hoping that I can have this baby finished before I go back to school in July.  Although, some awesome audiobooks have encouraged me to have puzzle time, so I don't think the goal is too lofty.

Disney puzzle that Teh Running Bestie got me this year.  :)

Shortly before 1, we headed over to Teh PT House for birthday fun.  There were no pictures, but it happened.  We were too busy having fun and hanging out.  Teh German left around 9 because he was tired and because the conversation turned to golf and he was over it.  I stayed for a while longer since we were playing Cards Against Humanity.  Eventually though, the party winded down and I left before 11:30. 


SUNDAY

Sunday was a slow start.  We didn't really have anything planned for the day, which was nice.  Teh German got up with the dogs and came back to bed, but we ended up getting up within the hour.  After chatting with Teh German about his plans for the day, I got motivated and decided to give the dogs a much needed bath and then take them to have their nails cut.

After dog baths, there was coffee.
In our awesome mugs, I may add.

After coffee, I dared to take BOTH dogs AT THE SAME TIME to the pet store.  It was ok.  Thank God.  Because last time I made a solo trip to a pet store with 2 dogs, it was a disaster.  I dropped off the dogs to get their feet cut off, picked up a new leash for Meri (since her old one is frayed) and 2 treats for them and paid.  I put everything in the car and then went back to get the dogs.  They were less clicky.  We managed to make it out of the store without incident.  We also managed to make it home without incident (since the last time I bashed myself in the head with a cargo door).


Teh German did some yard work outside and then did something with one of the bikes and then went on a ride.  It was too hot for me, so I stayed home to puzzle and audiobook.  I got bored with puzzle (this is a 2000 piece puzzle and there's not enough room on my table and I'm overwhelmed doing it by myself) after I finished my audiobook, so I took a break and decided to go to the pool and lay out for an hour or so by myself. 

Nothing makes you feel more like a pedo than going to a pool by yourself as an adult where you know there are children.  You just have to hope that the other adults realize that you aren't creepin on their kids.  I was smart and put on sunscreen this time!  And I was even kind enough to text Teh German and warn him that the shower would probably be slippery because I sprayed it on myself in the shower so that way it wouldn't be all over the floor.  #SmarterNotHarder

I went home around 5:40 to shower and get ready since we had dinner planned with Teh Dental Hygienist and Teh AF Maintainer.  We went to Famulari's for dinner and I made a poor life choice and had the wings for dinner.  I didn't know this was a poor life choice until Monday morning.  Ugh.

After dinner, we headed home and I worked on puzzle and started my new audiobook (book 2 in the series) while Teh German YouTube-ed.  After 9:30, we finally headed to bed.


______________________________________________

I was sad that the weekend was over.. buttttttttttttt IT'S A SHORT WEEK FOR US!!!!!!!


We're leaving on Thursday for MD. 

This week also includes:
-A massage appt today
-A delivery from Lowe's (we will see about that)
-A trip to the post office to mail a box to Teh Sister so we don't have to carry CA clothes with us through our Australia adventures.
-A pack walk
-Sitting on the back porch.
-Working from home on Thursday until Teh German gets home.


3 days until ADVENTURES!

Friday, May 11, 2018

Five on Friday #149

EINS - Random Shit

-We are going to mulch the backyard and it's like... annoying AF.  Because not only do I need to find someone to deliver wood chips to us, apparently we also have to kill the weeds under the mulch, per Teh German.  UGHHH.  In good news, we've already started a collection of card board from the pergola.

-This:

-I actually linked up with the SUYB link up this month (like the winner I am).  Don't worry, I was as surprised as you were.

-I'm trying to plan out my book schedule for honeymoon.  I need to acquire enough audiobook and ebook options to keep me entertained for 2 weeks.  I'm not counting on having wifi access once we leave the US on principle.  I know we will have wifi in Sydney, but we won't before we leave for our dive trip, so I need to have my book situation straightened out before we depart.  #MeganProblems

-I might be stressed.  I keep shopping.  It's really not helping.

-I have had 2 tasks to do this week and haven't done either.  I'm not interested in either.  And when my Thursday call accidentally ended itself (for reasons I'm still not sure of since I wasn't touching my phone), I had zero fucks to give about it.

-Faaaaccckkk this was hilarious to me this morning:

I realized after some hilarity and confusion that the poster meant DOG...
But now I think I've just started calling Pax and Meri dongs on principle.
#MomOfTheYear


-I can't find an ebook I want to read between now and honeymoon time, which means I'm probably going to start reading honeymoon books early.  #YOLO.

-I bought bathing suits.  A few of them.  2 came in yesterday and I'm waiting to see the others before I make a final determination.



-I'm still fighting with Lowe's about this fucking range.  Seriously.  A coworker suggested loading up the current range on the truck and taking it back and getting our money back.. except that I got the best deal from Lowe's which is why I got it there to begin with.  I've never been disappointed by Lowe's before so I didn't expect this fucking shit show.  I'm just at my wits end and I'm not sure what to do and I should have just told the manager I spoke with on Wednesday to give me a 50% discount on the range and I'd keep it.  I know 50% is not reasonable, which is why I started with that after he tried to offer me 25%.  I love this range so much and it makes me sad that it's been such a debacle.  Maybe if I let an angry German handle the situation it would be resolved quicker?  I've been trying to be nice and patient throughout the whole ordeal but I'm finally starting to lose my cool and I've felt the asshole seeping out with each person I speak to, but I can not longer hold myself back.


ZWEI - Money Shit

Holy Lawd the money I have spent....  I'm afraid to even open up my $$ sites to check the balances.  Honeymoon prep is hard.

Teh German and I had a "sit-down, let's have a serious conversation about money" chat, which we hadn't done in a while, so I knew it was bound to happen soon.  We have agreed that our goal is to always have extra.  I'd say we live pretty lavishly, but we do not live beyond our means, which is our most important money rule.  Teh German struggles with my goals of saving money for particular things and being unable to touch that money.  I also don't think he quite understands my use of certain accounts for certain things (i.e. house things are paid for by the house account).  He really likes seeing large amounts of money in his checking account, while I am not of the same belief.  Whereas I like to see large amounts in my savings/money market accounts and small to moderate amounts in my checking account.  I also believe this is a smart decision in this era of identity theft.

Honestly, the chat didn't go as well as I had anticipated, but within 24 hours things had been worked out and we were speaking to each other again and all my suggestions had been put into actions.

-Swimsuits.  Mine are tired and I'm in the market for some tops with underwire that cover these fucking massive blobs of fat while not making me have saggy titties.
-Swimsuit covers
-Dive things (emergency floater, arm slates, noise makers, reef-safe sunscreen)
-Shipping
-Groceries
-Household things
-Gifts
-Yurtle's 100k mile dr. visit (ouuuuuuuuch)
-Thank you gift for Teh Gardener



DREI - From My Phone Shit


I bought a hat.
I love it.
PS.  It's from Monsters University

New mugs which I could not resist purchasing.
#SorryNotSorry

Butt plug? Bath bomb?
Who knows?

Spending evenings out here changes my life.
Also, I'm kicking out the dog beds and putting the hammock back here.
Teh German said that he knows where to find me now...
(asleep in the hammock)  #NotSorry

Peanut butter, strawberry jelly, and BACON, on a steamed bagel.
YAS PLEASE.

Pax Nose Boops!

Steak and brussel sprouts =
forever day after cooking bacon meal
(We use the bacon grease for the brussel sprouts)

When you're trying to have a serious adult conversation and Husband conveniently finds the time to do every project ever that doesn't involve him participating in said conversation.
This is my ABF.. active bitch face.

Went ahead and set my out of office message.
#NotSorry

Have you heard about the band 1023MB?
They haven't had a gig yet.

Taking care of Teh Gardener's hard work!


Literal pork trifecta.
Ham, salami, bacon.

Bought myself a bath caddy that came with a pillow and a drain stopper to go with the bath bombs I bought last weekend.
#NotSorry

This bad mamajama is awesome.  Now my boobies might actually be covered if I'm not sitting up reading!


VIER - From the Internet Shit


Teacher makes himself into memes and it's fabulous.

Memes that sum up married life are usually on point.  Although I don't think there was a meme for my marriage this week that I can put on the internet.... (I don't mean that dirty, you pervs)

IMHO... What does the H mean?

America is hard for others.. and they aren't wrong.

If you like Dr. Pimple Popper, this is for you.  It's an entire 6 video series of this guy with like a mabillionty blackheads around his eyes and lawd it was good.


FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

  1. Evenings spent under the pergola.
  2. Evenings spent laying in the hammock under the pergola.
  3. When bugs get zapped by the bug zapper.
  4. Flowers.
  5. Friends who listen to your problems to ensure that you're not being unreasonable.
  6. Bath time.
  7. The word dong.
  8. The ability to fuck off all week and accomplish shit on Friday.
  9. The relief of an argument that has been resolved.
  10. Sitting outside at work.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Books Books Books (Spring)

March and April Reads!!
If you don't want to read this entire post, that's fair.  

But here's ultimate TL;DR:
Definitely Read: Hillbilly Elegy, Year of Yes, The Great Alone
Maybe Read: Now That You Mention It
Hard Pass: Lord John series, The Giver series.


Linking up with Steph and Jana since this post was ready for posting tomorrow and today happens to be SUYB day, which is convenient!


Rating scale*:

1/5 - Hated it, DNF (didn't finish).
2/5 - Tolerated it on principle to finish, didn't like it.
3/5 - Eh, didn't love it, didn't hate it. Had some good parts/kept me interested/finished it on principle.
3.5/5 - I liked parts of it.
4/5 - I liked the whole thing.
4.5/5 - I liked it a lot, but not sure I'd read it again.
5/5 - I LURVED it and I'd read it again.

*Subject to change based on my mood, the phase of the moon, or other unpredictable variables.

Skimmers, stick with the bold text (TL;DR* parts).
PS. Possible spoilers included in reviews.



Iron Gold (Red Rising Saga #4) by Pierce Brown  3.75/5 (Audible audiobook)  

I didn't realize that this series was continuing until a classmate told me.  I was sad and glad about this.  Darrow's adventures are always tedious and consuming and heavy.  As always, Sevro is my favorite character and he always provided the comedic relief the story needed.

TL;DR: If you're already committed to this series, read this. 


Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance    4.5/5 (library audiobook)

This book taught me about Dew Mouth which is essentially putting sugary drinks in bottles for babies/children and their teeth rotting out.  The book also spoke to the reasons poor people stay poor and how difficult it can be to overcome the obstacle of poverty...... KINDA.

I cried with Mawmaw died. It was like I was a part of this family and wanted people to genuinely get do better, be better, get better. I was extremely interested in the social research part of this book, but it left something to be desired. Nonetheless, I appreciated the narrative about "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps" (if you will). Vance was able to overcome the poverty and abuse of his childhood and end up with the "American Dream"... Except, what if that isn't what you are looking for?

Even if you don't come from a poor family, the likelihood of attending an ivy league university is low. I was disappointed that he didn't talk more about how his military career affected his life WHILE he was in the military. He went into such detail about the abuse he encountered, it didn't make sense to me that he would gloss over how difficult BEING in the military is (other than being apart from your family and AFTER bootcamp).

He never explained WHY he decided to attend an Ivy League school or what influenced him to join the military (that I can recall). There were gaps in things that he discussed, so certain things felt glossed over. This book seemed mostly focused on white people, even though these same issues aren't just applicable to white people.


TL;DR: Minus the "Hillbilly Elegy" part of the title and more people would read this book.  It's worth a read, IMO.

The Giver (The Giver #1) by Lois Lowry    3/5 (library audiobook)

I read The Giver in middle school, during a particularly shitty time in my life (while my parents were at their nastiest pre-separation) and I hated this book.  When I discovered that this was actually a series, I was like, ok fine, I'll try again.

This book was HORRIBLE.  Not like written horribly, but the content of this book is HEAVY and horrible and why would we read this in middle school?!  I didn't really understand the book at 13.  As an adult, I get it.  The only part that I remembered of this book was that he starts to see color and it was a big deal.  Again, that was my favorite part.

TL;DR: If you read this as a kid, you should reread this and see if you come away with something new.


Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes   4.99/5 (Audible audiobook)

-0.01 for being overly repetitive sometimes.  I appreciate Shonda's conversational tone (kinda like my own, maybe?) but in a book, it doesn't necessarily translate well.  Nonetheless, I LURVED this book.  It made me cry, which made it difficult to drive down I-26 during morning rush hour...

There were times that I thought the whole Say Yes thing was gimmicky, but I can see how it worked for her.  This isn't a self-help book, it's a memoir, that's important to note.

TL;DR: She really hates public speaking (as witnessed in the clips) but this book speaks to sooo many personal struggles of every person and this book is so relatable.

Gathering Blue (The Giver #2) by Lois Lowry   2.5/5 (library audiobook)

So I powered through The Giver so I could move on in the series and read more about Jonah and the 2nd book is in NO WAY related to the 1st book.  FUCK YOU Lowry.  I did read reviews for books 3 and 4 of the series and apparently it ties back in, but it's tedious and plot holes galore and I doubt I'll be finishing this.  Ugh.

TL;DR: If you're interested in finding out what happened to Jonah from The Giver, you have to be willing to read 3 more books to find out.  You've been warned.


Lord John and the Hellfire Club (Lord John Grey 0.5) by Diana Gabaldon  2/5 (audiobook)

I wanted to love the Lord John series, but I don't.  This is just a novella, so it was short and it seems to only be written to fill in some backstory for the first actual novel about Lord John Grey (LJG).  I found myself being annoyed with the story line and the characters in general.  But it was short, so I powered through.  Blech.

TL;DR: Unnecessary novella to the LJG series.


Lord John and the Private Matter (Lord John Grey #1) by Diana Gabaldon  3/5 (audiobook)

I found this novel more interesting than Hellfire Club and there was actually a story.  But it was tedious at times and there really are so many characters, a Gabaldon trait for sure.  I did eventually get interested in what was going to happen, but it took a while.

TL;DR: If you're reading this for LJG's take on Jamie, this isn't for you.


Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins   4.5/5 (Audible audiobook)

I was hooked on this book around 20% in.  I wanted to see how Nora's life panned out.  I appreciated the Maine and Boston setting.  Nora's mom was a super emotionally-constipated twat-waffle.  I laughed so hard I cried at the dinner scene.  And Boomer, throughout the book, helped me suffer through tedious or less interesting parts of the book.  I kinda guessed they would end up together, but I also assumed something would happen between Nora and Luke.

I got super annoyed at references to the Big Bad Event after a few mentions.  I kinda guessed what it was before it was finally revealed.  I really enjoyed the high school backstory to clarify things. 

TL;DR: A good contemporary fiction with a dash of romance and a lot of drama.  Good beach read.



The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah   5/5 (library/Audible audiobook)

Lawd, this book.  It broke my heart and stitched it back together.  I re-listened to the last 2 hours because I kept getting interrupted while I was listening and I felt like I had done the book a disservice.  Even re-listening the story made me cry.  This book is about a family with an abusive father and moving to a homestead in Alaska and having to survive in the wilderness, essentially.

Lenny's self-blame for everything that happened tended to get annoying, but it worked.  After such a tumultuous journey, the ending soothed my stitched together heart.

TL;DR: Trigger alert for domestic violence, but lawwwwwddd this journey was worth taking.


A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle   1.5/5 (own, hardcopy)

I hated this book, but I finished it on principle, thus 1.5 rating.  I really thought I wanted to read this series, but really I was deluded.  BUUUTTTTT, I'm hoping that this book just had "2nd in a series" disease and the rest will be better?  I doubt it, since I didn't really love A Wrinkle in Time, but I bought this whole book set (for $10 from Amazon and now it's $45) and want to read it because it's "a classic"...  This book was essentially Meg's 3 tests that no one could tell her what they were or when they would happen, just that they were coming and she had to Name things or people would get Xed?  There was no less than an entire chapter dedicated to Meg saying, "No, I can't do this!" and various characters telling her that she could.  All in all, this book was obnoxious and I can't tell if I'm over the age limit on this book or if I'm just an asshole.  This review actually said everything I want to say about this book.

TL;DR: Meg was annoying in book 1, but she didn't hold a candle to how annoying she is in book 2.


DNF Books:

  • The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses   1/5 (library ebook)
    • I started this book and didn't love it and the over-description of places got on my nerves so I said Bye, Felicia.  It probably isn't a bad book, but it was also giving me the munchies.
  • Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth    1/5 (library ebook) 
    • The names were weird, I had too much going on, and the reviews weren't stellar.  I was maybe 20 pages in when I decided the mental anguish wasn't worth it and called it quits.
  • Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon  1/5 (audiobook)
    • I just wasn't interested.  The mystery plot was too complicated for me and really, I was only reading to get more about Jamie and that wasn't coming quickly and I didn't really need that.  No thanks.

 

In Progress:

  • Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews   */5 (library audiobook)
    • Kristen recommendation that I had shunned because the cover made it look like smut.  It's not.  I don't think.  So far it's going well.
  • Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit   */5 (library ebook) 
    • I wanted an ebook to pass the time.  I'm not yet decided on this, but I think Solnit might be an overly-critical man-hater... I'm willing to see if my opinion changes.
  • Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan   */5 (own, hardcopy)
    • Steph donated this to my cause and I got 20 pages into it and then school happened.  I'm hoping that I can finish this up during my school break.

 On Deck:




YAY for books!
*TL;DR = too long, don't read

Monday, May 7, 2018

Weekend Review {5/7}

FRIDAY

Friday was our Quatro de Mayo party at work.  I spent the morning at my desk and the afternoon outside and it was glorious.  Then I went inside to prep for the party (shred chicken, cook rice).  There was a debacle when I went back outside.  I was going to hang out, but someone was in my chair and didn't offer to move.. AND THEN.. I noticed that their drink (which was in a yeti) was sitting ON my partially closed laptop (partially because my ID card reader was laying on my keyboard).  Because this person was a guest of a coworker, I had to tread carefully, but I'm not very good at playing nice and well, in my death voice, I simply said, "Your drink. Is. On. My. Computer."  I received a flippant, "Oh sorry" and that was that.  Uhhhhhh, EXCUSE ME?  No.  Here's the real problem, all around my laptop was empty table area where they could have sat their drink.  But that isn't what happened and I'm still insanely pissed off about it and I know I need to let it go, but WTF?!?!?!

That essentially was the turning point of my day.  I had been have a pretty good day (despite the whole Phil's dead day anniversary) and then everything crashed.  No one else was really volunteering to help with party prep and everyone was standing around waiting to eat.  Teh German did show up for a little bit.  We ate and headed home around 5.

What do you call 5 Siths on a Lightsaber?
Sith-kabob

Teh Gardener (Teh PT Wife's mom) had been at our house for most of the day refreshing our flower beds.  She loves it, so I was happy to let her take on the project.  When we got home, she was still working, so I sat out with her and entertained and fetched things as necessary.  When Teh German came home, he changed clothes and went straight outside to work on the pergola.  Again, he wasn't able to complete it because of the mutant mosquitoes.



So, we spent the evening watching Vikings until bedtime.

What happens when you take down your Leia buns.


SATURDAY

Saturday was my unassigned day.  My first day with no planned tasks and no homework!  Teh German was going on a dive trip to do his Advanced Certification dives which meant the day to myself!  I got up around 0830 and finally finished a book (ugh) and piddled around the house until I finally decided to go run some errands.  In order to minimize my hassle, I did a 1-stop excursion at Walmart at 12:30, on a Saturday... /wrist.

The best part of the trip was acquiring all the items on my list and riding a bicycle through the Walmart parking lot (which is a gift for Teh Gardener since she said she'd been eyeing it).  I went home and unloaded all my stuff and was working on wrapping Mother's Day packages when Teh German came home. 


Again, he changed his clothes and went directly outside to finish up the pergola.  This conversation went down...
Teh German: Can you help me?
Teh Megan: Not willingly.

I think he heard, "Not right now."
^^This is marriage people.

Eventually, he did come back inside and ask for my help (FML) and I knew he couldn't do whatever it was without me, so I finished up my tasks and went outside to help.  Teh German started to explain what he/I needed to do and I seriously had no idea what he was trying to convey to me.  He was trying to slide the roof panels on the frame and kept telling me to hold it.... which is what I was doing when the first panel slid off the roof like the slippery eel it was and landing on the ground.. all the while, I'm still holding it just like he told me too.  There was some yelling about that and I had to point out to him that I was still holding the panel when it fell, so when I said, "I got it."  I really did... but apparently I didn't got the right place.  Fortunately, the following 3 panels were much easier to get on after the first one.......  Oops.


Teh German was extremely proud of himself, as was I.  We finally showered and decided to go out for dinner.  We meet some other GLCK at Santi's (a mexican restaurant), which was a cluster fuck since it was also Cinco de Mayo.  Fortunately, other people we knew were already there with a table so we didn't have to wait and our food came out super quick.  There was another debacle at the mexican place when we asked for a box while we were paying and the lady went to grab a box and ended up with 3 and while she was trying to seperate them, one fell on the floor.  She laid the other 2 on the counter and handed us the one that had fallen on the floor.  No shit.  When she handed it to me, I said, "Now, can we have a box that wasn't on the floor?"  She rolled her eyes and traded boxes with me, which she put on the counter.  I said to her, "Do you want me to throw that away for you?  Because it was on the FLOOR."  She didn't respond and I walked away.  But seriously?  Is it a full fucking moon or something?  WTF?

After we left Santi's we came back home and spent the evening on our revamped back porch with Teh PT Husband/Wife, who had met us at Santi's.  It was deeeeeelightful.  Way late, we finally made it to bed, where I considered going to sleep on the couch because Husband had celebrated a little too hard and was twitching so bad he was keeping me awake.  <<this is also marriage.



SUNDAY

Sunday was another no-plan day.  Since the pergola was complete, I opted to cook breakfast at home, thinking that we could make breakfast and then eat outside!  I got up around 8:30, leaving Captain Hangover in the bed, and went downstairs to shop for bathing suits.  I did run over to Teh PT House to pick up some lights for the pergola.

Real talk for a minute, this is 2018.  I want some models that have RBF and slouch and have at least maybe 1 spare tire.  I want the model NOT to be trying to be as sexy as possible with tousled hair and arms overhead (as women, we know what that does (lifts the girls, pulls everything else up a little bit, tightens the middle)) but NO ONE REALLY IS LIKE THAT when wearing the articles of clothing that are being advertised that way.  Advertise to me the way that the item being advertised will actually be used.  THAT is how to get my business.

Eventually, Teh German migrated downstairs where he received no sympathy from me regarding his hang over.  In fact, I almost told him to take his ass back to bad if he was just going to lay on the couch and moan, thus disturbing my peace.  When he finally realized I wasn't going to baby him, he finally got up and took something for his headache and we started working on breakfast. 

Despite my new, new range still not arriving AND a manager not calling me as promised, I still love this range.  I made eggs and toast and Teh German made bacon and coffee, then we sat outside and had breakfast and enjoyed the morning.  Eventually, I got motivated and asked Teh German to help me string the lights through the pergola, which we did. 


Originally, Teh German had said that he wanted to have a garage day, but instead, we spent most of the day sitting outside in the pergola.  It was quite nice.  We'd been discussing items we needed from Lowe's, so finally I told Teh German that if we didn't go then, I was going to refuse to go later because my motivation was waning.


We got off our asses and headed to Lowe's for various items and then went by Rite Aid so I could grab a Mother's Day card envelope since I had written the wrong address on one, which wouldn't have been a problem if the cards hadn't been such different sizes.... #MeganProblems.

When we got home, we took care of the stuff from Lowe's (mostly pergola related necessities) and I made an Amazon order for a smart plug for outside (DON'T judge me) so we can tell Alexa/our phones to turn the pergola lights and fan on/off.  #GoBigOrGoHome ...and I'm already at home, so there's only one remaining option....


I finally placed an exuberant order for swim suits (at least half of which will be returned since I got multiple sizes in the same design) and delivered Teh Gardener's thank you present (a bike) to Teh PT House.  As I was watering the flowers, Teh Gardener and her husband came over to chat for a few minutes, as well as Teh PT Kid. 

After they left, I made dinner and then we watched Vikings for the rest of the evening.  We were 4 episodes from being caught up and the pergola is gonna be there for forever..... and if we had a TV outside we could watch while we were sitting under the pergola... NO MEGAN, NO.  SHUT UP.  You are NOT putting a TV outside.  Just NO.  I haven't even mentioned this thought to Teh German because if I verbalize it, he'd make it happen, like yesterday, and we do not NEED a TV outside.  No.


______________________________________________

It was an amazing weekend!

More than 2 years in the making, we finally have a place in our backyard to hang out with screens.  That's the most simple way to put it.  Really though, I foresee a LOT time spent out there.  If we weren't so close to the end of Vikings, I would have been ok with spending the entire evening outside, chillin'.  I'm sure that Teh German would too.

This week is (knock on wood) a quiet week.  Really, it's just the calm before the storm.  Next week we'll be leaving for our honeymoon.  I still need to figure out the luggage situation.  I have to make a very expensive trip to the post office this afternoon. 

Gentle Readers.....
11 MORE DAYSSSS!!!!!



Friday, May 4, 2018

Brain Dump

This week has kind of been a wash.  So instead of my normal Friday post, on a week that has been anything but normal, I'm just going to brain dump.

Weekend

I've tried and tried and tried to write last weekend's review and it just wasn't happening.  Here's the recap if you were super concerned:
Friday I had my German exam and pissed off Captain Vigorous Eraser-er by covering my answers so he couldn't copy me.  Oops.  That night we hung out with the Neighbor Besties.
Saturday we gardened, I got sunburned, and I shampooed the runner.  It was exhausting.  In the evening, we watched Vikings.



Sunday we went to brunch at Sunflower Cafe and then Teh German went on a ride with his biker gang while I napped and then studied for my Calc final.  In the evening, more Vikings.



I even took pictures of things, like a good blogger, and I managed to get through Friday and blogging got sidelined for real life.  I probably could have taken the time in the evening, but I take my computer-free evenings seriously.  It really is nice, after sitting on a computer all day, to not be on it when possible.

"New" Laptop

Speaking of my computer, my backpack (with my laptop in it) fell out of my chair a few weeks ago and now the frame is busted and there's a bad pixel spot on the screen, so I have to take my computer to Best Buy for fixin'.  I was trying to figure out the best time to do this and finally determined it will be the evening before we leave for Honeymoon Adventures.  That way, they can fix my computer or replace it while I'm gone and I won't really miss it since I'll be having adventures.  I hope this great plan works out.

Calculus

My Calc final on Monday was a bust.  It went horrifically.  And if you're like 99% of people I told that to, you're like, "Oh Megan, you're just overthinking it.  You did fine."  No.  No I didn't.  When I turned in half of my exam the professor looked it over and actually winced at one point.  NO BUENO PEOPLE.  I had already done the math, I could get a 78 and still have an A as a final grade, but I was certain that final exam bumped me from an A to a B.  It was rough, Gentle Readers.  Not the limit or derivative or most of the antiderivative stuff, but everything else.  It was like everything I knew was like, "Not today, braaa. Deuces."  (Yes, my brain is a Frat Bro Douche sometimes.)

That made me really grouchy on Monday and we were supposed to go out to dinner to celebrate the end of the semester, but I just wasn't feeling it.



Delivery of Things

Tuesday was a whole different ball game.  I finally got to go to work at my "regular" (0645) time.  Because my life is tricksy, I had to make a mabillionty (3) calls about shit that needed to be handled.

1- 1 of 2 boxes for our back yard "pergola" arrived.  Apparently the delivery company didn't mind the 2nd box just chillin' for forever in their warehouse.  Ugh.  It took a call to Sam's (who we ordered it from), then they called the delivery company, who had to find the package and then they connected me in to schedule for redelivery.  I had to call on redelivery day to see where it was after the window had passed and they were like, "oops sorry, it wasn't on the truck... when a driver gets back we'll send him out, unless it's too late?"  UH NO it's not too fucking late!  I've been waiting ALL DAY, what's the rest of my damn life?  

2- Lowe's was supposed to deliver the not-dented range last Wednesday, then last Thursday and it didn't happen.  I called to solve the problem.  I spent 20 minutes on hold in silence.  It was as awkward as you can imagine.  At least Sam's had some 70s disco hold music so I knew they hadn't hung up on me.  They scheduled delivery for Thursday, convenient since I'd already be home for the pergola delivery.  Did they come?  NO.  Did I call? YES.  Apparently my order was cancelled?  I don't fucking know what is going on, but a manager is supposed to be calling me within 24 hours. 

3- I needed to cancel my hair appt with my Hairs Did lady.  After Teh PT Wife pointed out to me that my hair lady never quite got my hair right, even though she's a really nice person, so I needed a new hair person.  I had rescheduled with someone else to have my hairs did and just had to make the call.  They didn't answer of course.....  I eventually ended up messaging them on Wednesday via FB to cancel.  Whatever, it's done.+

New Hair, Don't Curr

Tuesday I left work early to go get my hairs did by the new lady.  If you're local and need a hair lady, I know a person for you.  I walked out with what was actually on my pinterest board, not a colormishmash.  We celebrated the end of the semester on Tuesday when I was in an infinitely better mood and my hairs were all fancy.  We went and grabbed Sushi 101 for dinner, which is always a solid life choice.



Laser Hair Removal

I am an over-preparer and an overachiever (which the laser lady told me, not a self-definition) and I read a few online articles about laser hair removal and preparing properly for it (shave 1 day prior, long hairs cause a burn hazard and you're getting pew pew laser-ed, not going in for a wax).  Mostly I was trying to find information on what I should wear to my appointment (i.e. are my skins gonna hurt/be sore?) and couldn't find anything so I decided I'd wear whatever I wanted.  PS.  If you're gonna research stuff online, make sure to use several sources and believe whatever ALL your sources say.  There's probably truth in something most people say.

Anyways, about the appointment.  It took 30 minutes for my lower legs (she included my knees, bless her heart), arm pits, and 8 happy trail hairs.  Overall, it didn't hurt.  Yes, it was mildly uncomfortable where there was a large concentration of hair and it just feels like a shock, a zap, if you will, when the laser pew-pew's your skin.  I didn't even feel it in some places though.  There is a residual warmth after the fact, but it doesn't burn. So if you're local, I know a laser place.  They have a groupon, but if you call them directly they will meet the groupon price.  #SCORE


Car Wash


I had left work early for my laser appointment and went home, but on the way I made a stop at the car wash.  All was fine until I heard a horrible noise at the end of my turn.  I pulled forward and got out of my car and saw one of my roof rack bars laying in the middle of the bay.  Uhhhhhh... I was going to get it, but there was a car coming, so instead, I drove around to the little "office" and went inside and told them I'd lost a cargo bar.  Weeeeeeellllllllllllllllllll, funny story...

A few weeks ago when I went through the car wash, that same horrible noise happened and when I pulled forward I saw something in the bay and thought maybe someone had lost a wiper or something.  Whatevs, I went home.  There was a scratch on my rear glass, but not a super huge deal to me.

Weeeeellllllllll.. when I got out of my car to tell them that I had lost one of my roof bars in the bay, I noticed that I had went from 2 to ZERO roof bars..... which meant that a few weeks ago... That weird noise and the scratch on my glass?  came from my own cargo bar falling off of my car.  There is a clause that says you can't hold the car wash at fault for any damage that occurs while getting your car washed there, so I wasn't even going that route anyways.  When I went inside to tell them what happened, I explained, "One of my roof rack bars just fell off at the drying area... and also, if you happened to find one that matches it recently, it's probably mine since I just discovered that it was also missing."

Gentle Readers, I have been driving around with 1 of 2 cargo bars on my car for probably 2 weeks now and didn't even notice.  In addition to the bar scratching the (already cracked) spoiler and breaking the antenna mount, my pride was also wounded because I hadn't even noticed.

Since I was already parked I went ahead and vacuumed Yurtle out and cleaned the windows.  It was time.. and we're taking Yurtle to MD soon, so I want her in tip-top shape.  Also the car wash place has a mat washing machine!  It was super cool.  Feed it in and "clean" mat are spit out the back.  Unfortunately, some asshole before me didn't bother to vacuum the beach off their mats before they put them into the machine so I had to beat the sand out after I ran mine through the machine.  I hate everyone. 

Ooops, no cargo bars!

Yurtle

Speaking of Yurtle.
1- This is your reminder that I still love her, for forever, unconditionally.  I'll love her until she's going to the doctor all the time and/or her wheels fall off.  I am considering a new radio though.  I haven't told Teh German
2- She, conveniently, had her 100000 (/weep) mile maintenance scheduled the day after the car wash debacle, so when I brought her in, I added "antenna crap" to their to-do list.

That doctor visit cost me $1500.
Are you ok?  I hope if you spewed any beverage on your keyboard that it won't be sticky.  Don't worry though, because I almost choked too.  But, I've known for 99000 miles/6.5 years that this day would come, and because I love Yurtle, I do what is best for her.

I don't lurve doing dealership maintenance, but at the same time I prefer it because I, probably naively, believe they are less likely to rip me off since they are already wallet rapin' me.  Although, when they tell me they vacuumed my car for me, "complimentary!", I always have to add on, "It's not complimentary/free if I'm paying you already.."  I have to bring Yurtle back on Saturday to get the antenna fixed completely since the parts had to be ordered.  Truthfully, I should have ordered the part online and saved myself about $100, but I didn't want to wait and I wasn't sure it was the right thing and the peace of mind overrode the cost savings... especially when it comes to something that affects me almost every day.

When I came home, I started researching car stereos, because why not?  And I quickly learned that what I want is more than I want to pay AND that a new stereo will probably make all the functionality that I already have in my car (steering wheel controls, existing backup camera, current XM tuner) inoperable.  Soooo that was a bummer.  I would really love navigation in my car, but I'm just not sure it's worth losing all the functionality that I'm adapted to.  If I bought a new stereo, I'd pay to have it installed, especially if they could make the original features work.  I also looked at replacing the speakers, which is way cheaper and they are relatively easy to install yourself.  If I replaced Yurtle's speakers, I'd also replace Baloo's (Teh German's truck) speakers since I told Teh German we could do that when he bought the truck without the radio upgrade.

#MeganProblems
#FirstWorldProblems


Phil

May the 4th will never be pre-Cinco de Mayo or "May the Force Be With You" day to me.  It was forever changed last year when we had to let Phil go, unexpectedly.  Not that I really do the "celebrate this thing" day, but principle.  Now while everyone is all, "WWWOOOOOOO!  Let's parrrtayyy!!"  I'm going to be drinking in the corner feeling guilty for partying/being happy while thinking about my dead dog.

For several months, Phil had been sick.  Something was wrong with him and test after test revealed nothing.  Teh German and I had a conversation about having to let Phil go and no one really enjoyed it.  Little did we know that the same week, we'd be making the decision.  I thought we'd have a few more months (knowing how rough summer can be on older greyhounds), Teh German was more optimistic with until the end of the year (he wanted Phil to be around for the wedding so his family could meet him), and both of us were wrong.




I still have no doubts that we made the right decision to let him go, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.  I actually posted on Facebook about it recently..


I also need to consider that on May 2, 2016 we were closing on HOUSE.  So May is always a roller coaster, which is fine since I often omit the month of May from the calendar year.  I also regularly say that it is the year 2012.  So I am an unreliable source of information in regards to the date.


Grades

I didn't feel like this semester was as difficult as last semester.  Butttttttt, I'm no longer planning a wedding and this isn't my 2nd first semester of college.  At midterms, I had 4 A's and 1 B.  But my hold on Calculus was tenuous and to be exempt from my Bio exam I needed a 95+.  I went into Calculus knowing that it was going to be my toughest class.  I haven't math-ed since 2003/4, my senior year of high school.  Technically, I've done Calc before, but when it's a lifetime ago, it doesn't really count.  The end of the semester, I really put forth some effort to ensure that A's were attainable.  I struggled more with computer science than I expected to and there were aspects of Calc that never really sunk in, and photoshop was it's own disaster, but YALL....

I GOT ALL A'S!!!!!!!

For the first time ever in my college life (first or second round)!


I'm unbearably proud of myself.  I know a lot of people are like, "Duh, you got A's."  Teh German even said, during the throes of  my woe about how shitty I did on my final exam and how it would drop me from an A to a B, "I hated kids like you in school."  I replied, "Yeah, well, I hated kids like you who could show up and sleep through class or be stoned and still pass."  There are some ways in which we are very alike (we're both overachievers), and there are some ways in which we are entirely different (being a student).  I can actually say, I earned this.


I earned a Gold Star Recognition AND Dean's List.  Last semester I achieved Dean's List only.

Pergola

Since we started building a house, we've talked about having a screened in back porch.  Well, finally Teh German decided on a pergola option and the 2nd box arrived last night and he started building it right away.  He was beaming with joy.  It was strange.  I said I wasn't helping (since Teh German tends to take out his frustrations on me when I'm nearby), but I still got roped into holding up beams while he put in screws.  He was in such a good mood, I was safe.



I have a feeling if he doesn't complete it tonight, it will be done before the weekend is over... even with his dive adventures on Saturday (aka MEGAN DAY, bitches).  He probably would have completed it Thursday night, but the mosquitoes were too bad.  You practically needed a bee keeper suit to be outside.  Uggggh.

Books

I've been on an audiobook stretch, but sadly haven't made time to read an actual book in quite some time.  I had a books post outlined for Wednesday, but it didn't happen because my reviews hadn't been put in.  I considered just posting a list of books I'd read, but then work happened and that didn't happen and well, if you're super interested in what I've been reading, check out my Goodreads, which I update almost every morning.

Since most of my audiobook have been from the library recently, I've had ZERO issues with not finishing a book.  Not paying for things makes me less dedicated to enduring something I don't LURVE.  That said, I LURVED The Great Alone.   Seriously.  Go read it.  It's got some difficult topics, but fffaaaaaccckkkk read it.  Or listen to it, whatever floats your boat.

It was soo good that I relistened to the last 2 hours since I felt like I hadn't been dedicating enough attention to it (because I was gardening and Teh German kept interrupting me.... RUDE).  It was just as poignant the 2nd time.



Thanks for enduring this brain dump. 
I feel better having finally got all that off my brain and for checking in. 
That said, summer is pretty much here and as blogging seasons go, summer is the blogging drought.  So expect things to get less structured around here.  Especially since we leave in TWO WEEKS for honeymoon adventures!!!!



Happy Friday, Gentle Readers!