Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Confessions {8/19}

-I applied for VA health benefits.  Maybe I'll go to the doc and get the BJB finally taken care of. #adulting #militaryveteran


-The BJB has been less angry over the past 2 months.  I attribute this to lack of stress since I've picked up the running pace a lot. #eliminatingstressmakesmehappy

-I FINALLY bought some body glide over the weekend when we picked up our race packets at Fleet Feet.  That said, I cockblocked #girltax like a boss.  There are 2 "types" of Body Glide, the pink package which is .8 ounces and the blue package for 1.5 ounces.  At Fleet Feet they are both $10.  At Dick's (which I just noticed when I was looking up the size differences) the pink package is $1 less than the blue package.  Yeah, since they were the same price at Fleet Feet, I totally bought the blue package.  #dontpunishmebecauseIhaveboobs


-I make the most horrific faces when I bite into the "gross" Jelly Bellys.  I'm looking at you cinnamon, coffee, buttered popcorn, grape, and licorice (and the others I'm forgetting).  But I get so happy when I find a Dr. Pepper flavored one.  #drPepperJellyBellysarethebest


-When other drivers pass me on the right as I'm trying to let the slow poke over into the right lane, I get pretty ragey.  Just have some fucking patience people!  #leftlaneisforpassing


-Other than the horrible race people who were handling packet pickup on Saturday and the (assumed based on his bad attitude) prior Marine at the Holiday Inn where we stayed, every.single.person in Winston-Salem was soooo friendly!  I'm not even used to that kind of friendly.  Every where I went, people would ask what brought me/us to that location (the crepe place, the brunch place, Old Salem) and they'd chat with us.


-I spent $40 on Moravian cookies when we went to Old Salem.  #worthit #alltheflavors

-My #goatdogs ate $8 worth of cookies (that would be 1 package of ginger and sugar cookies).  They even ate the freakin' cardboard container.  Upon realizing this, their hashtag became official.  #GOATDOGS  


-Ginger Beard brought an overnight bag into the house when he arrived on Monday night to pick me up for a baseball game... "Just in case."  I had made no mention of him spending the night.  He also gave me his house key ("Just in case and maybe you could water my pepper plants if it doesn't rain?") for his 3 day stint out of town... WHAT?  I'm not your girlfriend.  That said, I'm planning on telling him I'm done and I'm really not looking forward to it because saying no is really hard for me.  Sorry for all those that were Team Ginger Beard.  #woahsparky #toofast #itsdefinitelyyounotme


-That said, I have high hopes that my relationship with Teh German is gonna be that cheesy, hand-holding, giggles romance and which makes me swoon.  Also, Disney sing-alongs and running partners.  #nuffsaid


-This is still my favorite post to date.  #bloggerthings


-I got to talk to Teh Humanitarian yesterday and I just love getting to talk to her and catching up, even if it's just for a few minutes.




Linking up with:
Life with Lolo
Hodges Podge

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Weekend Review {8/17}

Disclaimer: this is just my weekend review, the Ramblin Rose triathlon review will be in a separate post.

 FRIDAY

To make up for no work Wednesday, I stayed until 4 on Friday and it almost killed me.  I'm usually out of work no later than 2 on Fridays, so it was painful and required a trip to Cold Stone for the sorcery that is Cake Batter ice cream + peanut butter + Reese's Cups + chocolate syrup.  Just trust me on that combo.  It's a winner.  I had to force myself to stop eating it (I ordered the big size since I leave it in the freezer at work and nibble/devour it throughout the following days/weeks) because I wasn't working out to tri-prep (which is totally a thing because I said so).

Teh German and I had made plans to go to Texas Roadhouse, where he hadn't been yet.  I was hoping they would give an extreme country example, but they failed with the exception of the hostess who had to have been from Texas with an accent that deep.  I have having a hard time understanding her, so Teh German was relieved when she was talking to me instead of him.

After dinner, we headed to Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant since they are doing free movie nights on the blow up screen!  I was super pumped about this.  1- I didn't know there was a park under the bridge.  Given my love of the bridge, this is a super huge deal for me.  2- the movie on Friday night was Up.  Disney = winnnnnn.  Teh German is a Disney fan, so it was perfect.

We got to the park and was able to find parking relatively easy with my life skill of good parking spot turned on (meaning I have this thing where I get pretty good parking most of the time).  Instead of waiting in the park, we went and walked down the boardwalk and found and empty swing.  YAY SWINGGGGSS!  (When I was telling Teh MD Adult Roomie about this, I couldn't figure out the past tense of "swing" so I told her, "We swang on the swangs."  All the lolz were had, in fact, it still makes me giggle.)  Teh German was oh so smooth and put his arm behind me, which was cute.  He's not been making moves very fast, which is a good thing since it makes me want him to.  Reverse psychology works on me....

The movie was supposed to start at sunset and there was a band playing before that.  They were pretty good.

Sunset photos of the bridge? Yesplskthx.

Listening to the band, checking electronic devices, and waiting for the movie to start!

After a wait that felt like forever, the movie finally started.  Remember when I told you that I have no will power?  Yeah, I still don't.  BUT, on the opposite end of that, I'm so stand-offish that people (dudes) often won't get close to me because of it.  Meaning I can send out some pretty strong, don't touch me vibes that are well received.  My, ok you can touch me vibes?  They don't exist.  Fortunately, Teh German and I seem to be on the same page PDA wise, so when I finally gave him the opportunity to do some super cheesy 8th grade hand holding (which my rom-com loving heart swooned over), he took the opportunity.  Gold star for him.

Originally, I was going to drop off Phil and Meri at Teh SC House Finder's house on Friday night, but due to some scheduling conflicts that didn't end up happening.  When we got back to my house, I had to pack.  It was no longer an option and since Teh German was around, it was way easier since I pack better with someone there to talk to.

Packing took me all of 30 minutes, go me!  See what I can do when I have good company and a list?  After packing, it was time to call it a night.


SATURDAY

The dogs woke me up on Saturday, which was perfect since I needed to get up and get them dropped off at Teh SC House Finder's house before I could load Monty (the bicycle) in Yurtle to head to Winston-Salem.  After some AM adorableness, I finally loaded Meri and Phil in the car and everyone left.

It was a quick drop off at Teh SC House Finder's house, then I headed home to load up Monty.  I scratched Yurtle putting Monty in the back and I'm a bit upset about it.  Mostly because I thought to myself, should I put the kick-stand up?  Nah, it will be fine.. and it was NOT fine, Gentle Readers.  Not fine at all.  Not fine to the tune of a scratch that is line about a big as an outline of my hand.  No me gusta.

Once Monty was loaded, it was time to head to Winston-Salem for my first triathlon.  Traffic was ok, it seemed like a lot of families going home from vacation based on the out-of-state tags and all the cargo carriers on the tops/backs of vehicles.  I made a poor life choice and played the "You have this many gallons of gas" game poorly and ended up praying without ceasing to quickly find the place that GasBuddy had said was the closest in High Point.  I made it, thankfully.  I always tell myself not to play that game, but the "you have this many gallons left" screen is just such a challenge to me for some reason, and it's completely stupid, but it happens all the time when I'm on road trips.

Since I was already stopped for gas, I figured I'd also pick up lunch.  I had left early so that way I wouldn't be late meeting Teh MD Adult Roomie, so I had some time to burn.  I checked Yelp and there was a crepe place that I had passed on the way to the gas station that had really good reviews.

Yeah, Penny Path Cafe and Crepe Shop was amazing.  I ordered a savory crepe and was unable to finish it because I knew I needed to save space for a sweet crepe when I saw someone making one of the sweet crepes.

The Kitchen Sink.. mmmmm...

I asked for suggestions on what my sweet crepe should be and the woman said I should try the Inside Out Cheesecake crepe.  The dude informed everyone that he had made the homemade cream filling that day and the woman added that he made the best cream of anyone in the shop.  I was sold.

Making my inside out cheesecake crepe.

Final product.  I had her add nutella.. NOOOOOOMMMMM.

Originally, I hadn't planned on eating it all and bringing some to Teh MD Adult Roomie when I saw her, but it was too delicious and I couldn't stop.  I told her that we should go there on Sunday for crepes, which sadly didn't end up happening, but was ok in the end because I know where I'll be stopping the next time I'm passing High Point.

After eating, I headed to Winston-Salem to meet Teh MD Adult Roomie at Fleet Feet to pick up our race packets.  For those of you who are following the boob-chafing-drama of my recent runs, I finally picked up some Body Glide.  Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions!  After picking up our packets, we headed to the hotel to check in and determine our next moves.

Condom head. 
I'm not sure why latex caps are still a thing when silicone caps are soooo much better.

Teh MD Adult Roomie and I had discussed visiting Old Salem since she had never been before and the last time I went was sometime in elementary school.  It was still as quaint as it was back in elementary school.  There weren't many people out, but we did see a lady in a wedding dress and we saw a hispanic girl in her quinceaƱera dress, both were out taking photos.  It was a gorgeous day.  Not overly hot (unless you were an idiot like me and wore pants).

We stopped in several shops since we didn't want to buy tickets and walked around.  I loaded up on cookies because it was fatty weekend and how often do I go to Old Salem?  Exactly.  Also, if you've never had Moravian cookies, you're missing out.  Deeeeeliccious.

I took some photos as we were walking around the "town" because I couldn't help myself.  It made me wish I had brought my big camera.  Teh MD Adult Roomie observed that Old Salem was very similar to Williamsburg and I agreed.  For my dog-Gentle-Reader-Friends, please help us decide if that dog status is a greyhound or not.  We say yes, but we're totally biased.










After walking around, we were hungry for dinner, so I checked Yelp and we hit up El Rancho Taqueria that was loaded with hispanic people, which signified to me that the food was probably more authentic than say.. Taco Bell.  Also, it was super cheap and delicious.  The restaurant was located in a shady part of town, but it was totally worth it.  The servers were patient with our questions and made suggestions.  We were there for a while chatting and nibbling and did I mention that it's been forever since Teh MD Adult Roomie and I were together?  Despite pretty consistent texts/emails, it's just reeeeaaaallllyy nice to be face-to-face and get to chat.

Once we finally decided to relinquish our table, we headed to Walmart to pick up some items, then headed back to the hotel for the evening since we were both pretty wiped out from our drives.  We talked each other to sleep and it was glorious.  I miss that sooooo much from when we were roomies.


SUNDAY

We got up a little before 6 to get to the YWCA for the race.  We weren't overly worried about traffic/getting there early since we were only 10 minutes away.  YAY.  We also discovered there were no more than 380 participants, so that really helped the traffic situation NOT be a situation.  We discovered that Monty wasn't going to fit on Teh MD Adult Roomie's bike rack, so we ended up putting her bike in the back of Yurtle with Monty and I drove to the race.  Worse case we would have both had to drive, but I was glad we didn't have to resort to that.  Yay for Yurtle's awesomeness. 

I've already got a draft of the race review prepped, so I'm not gonna really discuss it here, but we survived, it wasn't our favorite, and we've decided that we're runners.  Also, I would really like to get back in the pool and do more laps.  I feel unsatisfied from that minimal swim time.




After the race, we headed back to the hotel to get clean.  After we packed up and headed to Sweet Potatoes for our post-race celebration meal.  Another of my better life choices.  It was delicious and the service was amazing.  I actually reviewed every place we ate at on Yelp because they were all so delicious and friendly, which is rare.

Crab cake egg benedict... aka NOOOOMMMMMMM

After brunch, we sadly parted ways with a reminder that in a month we'll be back together for a bit.  The drive from NC to SC is always difficult.  SC drivers are INFURIATING.  There were several times we were going at least 10 mph under the speed limit, for no reason whatsoever.  Then there were the assholes who would pass in the right lane, giving the person in front of me with their right signal on no opportunity to get over.  Lesson of the drive: the right lane is for passing in SC and going close to the speed limit is not encouraged.  Arrrrrrgggghhhh.  I seriously loved driving before I got to SC and now I hate it.  Thank you, SC.

When I got home, I unpacked and waited on word from Teh SC House Finder so I could go fetch Meri and Phil.  While I was waiting, I got some reading accomplished.  After picking up the pups, I went to bed.  Both Teh German and Ginger Beard had said something about doing something Sunday evening after I got home, but Teh German ended up being out with friends later than anticipated and I told Ginger Beard I just wanted to relax at home, so it worked out that relaxing was exactly what I got to do.  Teh SC House Finder also invited me over for dinner, but I explained that while socializing was tempting, being lazy was really a higher priority.  I'm super glad she understood my laziness.  I do miss hanging out with her and her family though, so I was pretty sad I didn't go, but glad at the same time because me+my couch was perrrrrfect.

Added the 2 on the end! YAY!

Overall, an excellent weekend.  So excellent that this didn't get posted until Tuesday, but whatevssssss.  Monday night I went to a Riverdogs game with Ginger Beard and not gonna lie, if it had been a first date, there would have been no call back, but at least the Riverdogs won!


Four More Things: Day 8



1.  Panna Cotta - easy and delicious.  I used this recipe (after reading the entire post a few times to make sure I wasn't gonna mess it up).  I've never been good at following directions, so I didn't do it exactly right and my panna cotta still turned out perfectly.  It was difficult not to eat it all at once. 


2.  Sticky Toffee/Date Pudding aka Figgy Pudding.  I discovered this when I went to Scotland and again in Australia and now I try to find it everywhere and am usually unsuccessful because America sucks.

This wasn't the most delicious ever, but it was still pretty tasty.

3.  Reese's Cups.  Period.  Peanut butter + chocolate, how could one go wrong?

4.  Peanut butter frozen hot chocolate. 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Sunday Sweats #7

SUNDAY-9


.96 miles.  Took the dogs on their promised walk AND I washed Yurtle.  Calories = burned.



MONDAY-10


5.06 miles on the bike.  I had wanted to do a bike ride on Sunday, butttt that didn't work out.  At least I got in one ride before the Tri!



TUESDAY-11


Laziness mostly fueled by the end of the day meeting where we were furloughed on Wednesday, but we were allowed to make the hours up later in the month.  I should have ran since I was stressed, but I napped on the couch instead.  #sorrynotsorry  #okImsorry

It's been so "nice" this week that I had to take a break at work to enjoy being outside for a bit.
By "nice" I mean, reasonable Southern temps and low humidity during daylight hours.


WEDNESDAY-12

1.05 mile dog walk AND we finally got to meet the "greyhound" neighbors (who don't currently have a greyhound, but told me that Phil and Meri could poop in their yard anytime they wanted and I didn't have to pick it up, I love dog people).
I followed up the walk with:
4.26 miles (10:45m/m).  Honestly, it was hot and it was noon and I was miserable from walking the dogs, but I got a suntan anddd a super sexy watch line!!
The calendar said 5 miles and combined, that's what I got.  I didn't really WANT to, but the idea of melted butter with dinner motivated me.


THURSDAY-13

5.42 miles (10:26m/m).  Ran the ENTIRE Bridge* and back with Teh German.  Honestly, if he hadn't been there, my pace would have been much slower.  I did walk some since I didn't want to push too hard before the tri this weekend.  But omggggg killl mmmmmeeeee.  We parked on the downtown side and ran to the Mount Pleasant side and back, this was good and bad.  Good because the slight incline was the beginning, but bad because the hard uphill part was after the turn around point.  The run was literally uphill both ways ANDDD we had a solid breeze going against us when we started and that same breeze wasn't pushing me back down on the return.  No me gusta.  I survived and I walked a lot less than I anticipated.  I told Teh German we could do it again.  Also, people that walk/run the Bridge are assholes who refused to move over to faster traffic.

To the old lady that stared my boobs down something serious,
Take a picture, it lasts longer!

Got more underboob chafing because I haven't bought any Body Glide/Gold Bond stuff like all my homies suggested last weekend (I haven't had the chance/couldn't find it yet).  Not gonna lie, I took a photo and almost considered sharing it here, but I just couldn't commit to my underboobies being on the internet.  Just imagine angry red marks on the bottoms of someone's boobs and around their rib cage.  No me gusta.

*Bridge references the Author Ravenel Bridge, which is the bridge Teh MD Adult Roomie and I ran in March when she came to visit.  Also, one of the top 10 10k's in the US.


FRIDAY-14


Almost did yoga in the AM, but then went back to bed and laid there wishing I could sleep for 45 minutes instead.  It was so nice out I wanted to do something, but opted for resting instead and called it preparing for my Tri.


SATURDAY-15

Nothin'.  Drove to NC and got to spend some GLORIOUS time with Teh MD Adult Roomie.  We'll be running our Tri today, so wish us luck!!!




Also, someone please send me some magical money so I can sign up for a DisneyLand run and get my Coast-to-Coast medal so my running life's ambitions will be satisfied?  Plskthx.  The Tinker Bell 1/2 is still open or I could do the Dumbo Double Dare.. cause ya know, glutton for punishment.


Countdowns make it more real!



countingdownto.com


Online Countdown Clock


Countdown Clocks


countingdownto.com





Friday, August 14, 2015

Five on Friday #61

UNO

I GET TO SEE TEH MD ADULT ROOMIE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!  WOOOOOOOO!!!!!  We haven't seen each other (other than skype) since March and it feels like sooooo longggggg(uh).  We're doing the Ramblin' Rose Triathlon together in Winston-Salem, so if you're in the area and want to cheer us on, we'll probably need it.

I'm glad that the next time I see Teh MD Adult Roomie it won't be so long as it's been this time.  I'm headed up to MD in September for my Navy-AF 1/2 and the doggies and I will be staying with her and the countdown has been going on since the end of June.  Serious bizness/excitement right there. 



DOS

Being in Charleston means being overwhelmed with options for places to eat out.  Even if you exclude chain restaurants, it would take several months of eating out every day to make your way through all the places there are.  Granted, I'll never do that because dollas and fatty Megan, but still.

That said, I'm starting a list on Yelp of all the places that I want to go.  Now if some of these places weren't in the $$$ range and were in the $-$$ range, I'd be wayyyy happier.  Yay for a list of destinations instead of having to search through Yelp looking for a place to go.

I also start to feel bad when I go to the same place over and over and over instead of trying new places because there are so many options here.  If that's not a first world problem, I don't know what is!



TRES

I've made the switch from coffee (with loads of creamer) to tea with honey.  I'm so pleased with my life choices.  Now I just have to figure out which tea is my favorite since there are 8 different kinds in the cafe. 

I really, reeeeaaallly dislike the taste of coffee, and creamer and sugar were the only things making it bearable for me.  But tea?  I LURVE me some tea.  I also LURVE me some honey.  This gives me an excuse to use the rest of my MD honey and finally get on to my SC/NC honey. 

The only downside is that the "hot" water is heated to boiling, which means that it is SUPER hot (yeah, yeah I know), but coffee isn't boiling, it's just warm, so I can drink it right away and it doesn't have to cold down to "slightly less than scalding all the taste buds off your tongue" before I can drink it. 



QUATRO

I feel like I've been doing really good on the not spending money front.  In general.  Every day is still a constant battle to not buy a ticket for a DisneyLand run, but I tell myself that other things are priorities.. like bills and saving up dollas for emergencies (like more than a month or two).  I've done good at not buying little things and staying out of stores, which is nice.  I don't miss my every other weekend grocery trips and store runs on other weekends for various items that we may or may not have actually needed.

I'm learning just how little I actually need to buy and it's quite nice.




CINCO


You are funny, brilliant, and vibrant.
With much adoration, UnsweetTeaMan













Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.
Linking up with these ladies since it's FFFFRRRRRRIIIIIIDDDDAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Book Challenges/Clubs... Update 1

I know we talk about books on Show Us Your Books Tuesday, but I wanted to update my own personal challenge to see how much progress I've actually made.

So let's see how I'm doing, shall we?
My book list:

I put this up on the fridge (because I'm 5) and cross them off as I finish.
Sorry you get the original photo again.


Young Adult/Challenge list/Page Turners (for July):
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Review here.  I failed at joining the linkup/hangout for the Page Turners to review this book, but I wasn't overly upset about it.


Non-US Author/3 word title:
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Recommended by a blogger/any book:
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

TBR list for >1 year/book w/ girl/boy/woman/man in the title:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
In progress (audiobook).  I think I'm learning to just stay away from Swedish authors.

Kickass female character:
My Nest Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman by Lisa Scottoline

Book to be ruined (probably) by Hollywood:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Written by celeb/comedian:
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
In progress, review coming in September.  I'm loving this one.

One-word title:
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Review here.

Suspenseful book:
You by Caroline Kepnes

Summer book w/ summer in the title:
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Review here.  I missed the linkup day for this and was pretty disappointed.  Woe is me.

Newberry Award/Honor:
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Review here.

Book of short stories:
New Stories from the South 2001 by various (Shannon Ravenel)
In progress, abet slow progress.

Female author from Time article:
How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti
In progress, review coming in September.  #wtfamIreading

Latin America setting:
Guantanamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi
In progress.  Very, very sloooowwww progress since this is a hate-read (a term I totally stole from Jana).

Book title starts w/ same letter as my last name (R):
Redeployment by Phil Klay
Complete, review coming in September.

# in the title:
100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
I tried and couldn't on this one.  I listened to it on audiobook and had I been reading it, I probably wouldn't have got past page 50.



I've completed 6 out of 16, with 4 in progress.  I don't think that's too bad for a month and a half into my challenges.



Here are the challenges/clubs I am/was participating in:
Book Challenge by Erin (categories in THIS COLOR)

Literary Ladies Book Club (categories in THIS COLOR)
Page Turners