Friday, January 15, 2016

Five on Friday #77

EINS

After spending an obscene amount of money for Teh Sister's wedding.. IT'S FINALLY HERE!  No JK though, I spent $177 at the liquor store for adult punch, plus my dress, plus alterations, plus the wedding present, plus the dog sitter, plus getting there, plus we're going snowboarding the day after.  #gobigorgohome

I'm super pumped about:
~finally giving my speech.
~finally getting to wear that dress that was such a hassle.
~an excuse for Teh German and I to dress up (he bought a green shirt to match me and he's wearing the bow tie.. #winnnnn).
~all the alcoholic beverages I'm going to consume with zero guilt.
~seeing family I haven't seen in a long time.
~dancing.
~snowboarding
~seeing Teh WJL the day after.
~the wedding being over.



ZWEI

Teh German and I have been consolidating accounts.  We moved to the Spotify family plan and fixed our Crossfit membership so we get the couple's discount.  I like saving the dollas.  Now I just have to remind myself not to spend them.

With my birthday coming up, I'm very inclined to #treatyoself and well, I have very little will power.  But a shirt here and concert tickets there and trips to Disney in Feb and snowboarding trips and motorcycle rides in the mountains tend to add up...  Teh German and I keep telling each other that we bought each other a house for our birthday's/Christmas/any gifting holiday, but that only works in theory.  I'm strongly considering getting Fall Out Boy tickets for Teh German for his birthday, even though he clarified the other day that weren't doing presents for birthdays because House.  I said yes, and I kinda meant it.  In my defense, he TOTALLY went over budget on Christmas and I was UNDER budget.  So. HA.

I did learn something interesting about PayPal recently.  You are only allowed to transfer $500 a month from PayPal to a bank account.  Didn't know that when Teh German transferred a large sum of money to me to put into the House account..  Why is it so difficult to get money from one bank to another?  Seriously.  It's not even literal items really.  Next time, we're going old school with checks.  The next hurdle will be how to deposit said check since that bank doesn't have mobile deposit.  Yes, in 2016, a bank doesn't have mobile deposit.  #itslikethestoneage #moneysucks #whyisnteverythingfree


DREI

Conversations with Megan:

Megan: Did I get everything?  Chapstick, lint ball?  Hrm, ok yes.
Teh German: What do you need a lint ball for?
Megan: I'm going to the bank later.
Teh German: You need a lint ball for the bank?
Megan: Yeah, you won't be there to soothe me, so I'll need a lint ball.
Teh German: Did you just compare me to a lint ball?
Megan: Yeah.  You soothe me more than a lint ball.. and I've been rolling lint balls since practically day 1 of my life.  So that's kind of a big deal.
Teh German: So did you have a lint ball on our first date?
Megan: Yep.  But I didn't really get a chance to roll it because we were eating then riding.  I think I rolled it when we were ordering.
Teh German: Well, ok.

It's good he gets me, otherwise, this conversation would have been way weird.
#bestteam4ever #bahlalala


VIER

PostSecret has a German site and now I want to read all the German secrets.. except I'm still struggling with my Deutsch, but maybe this will be motivation?





FÜNF

10 things that made me happy this week:
  1. A short work week.
  2. Spontaneous motorcycle rides with Teh German, despite the cold.
  3. Being disappointed with Carmen y Juans so I no longer have the desire to go all the way there for Mexican.  Mex 1 is my new fave.  I said it on the internet, so it's official.
  4. A job that gives me money so I can afford to do all the things in #1 of this post.
  5. New books on my TBR list.
  6. Teh Soccer Mom telling me that my MOH speech was so good that I should make money writing speeches.
  7. New lenses in my sunglasses, despite the fact that Teh German said that with just the frames on I looked like the emoji wearing glasses that his dad always sends in Whatsapp...
  8. Cooking dinners that are super simple, that Teh German really likes (kielbasa, as if it's hard to please a German with any type of sausage (innuendo at your own risk)).
  9. Having a reason to switch out the dog's Christmas collars to Valentine's collars (I didn't get Phil's vday collar until after it was over so he didn't get to wear it last year).
  10. Getting caught up on link ups I participate in!


Kielbasa

Of course he wouldn't look at me. Jerk.








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


Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Confessions {1/13}

-I hate everything about dutch angle photos.  Blame OCD or my strong interest in photography or my inability to "see" the photo properly without having to tilt my head or me being an asshole, don't care.  I hate it.  You won't see me ever do it and sometimes when I see bloggers I love do it, I want to stick rusty push pins in my eyes.  In fact, one of the worst threats ever made to me was for someone to take a dutch angle photo of me/us.  #STAHP #donotdutchangleme

-This one time, I thought it would be a good idea to "learn" German by putting my computer and browser.  Then it wasn't the day that I tried to UNDO the German and actually put EVERYTHING into German and I couldn't understand any of it, including how to uninstall Chrome to do a fresh install.  Teh German had to come to my rescue.. ya know.. because he actually could read what was on the screen.  Even though he changed the settings, I still get some notification in Deutsch.  I'm having the same reaction to it as when Arabic text would show up on the screen.  #ENGRISHplease #Germenglish

-The no heat and no air conditioning situations within the last 4 months have taught me that I get quite grumpy if my "personal conditions of happiness" are not met.  I thought that it was just a thing with not eating and me getting grumpy.  Nope, apparently, being cold also makes me grouchy.  Once I get warm, I'm better, mostly.

-Runkeeper's passive-aggressiveness if you haven't done any activity 7 days after activity irritates me greatly.  I'm the queen of Passive Aggressiva, not you.  #dontpressureme #IllexercisewhenIfeellikeit

-I logged 668.7 miles in 2015.  Be that on the elliptical or on the pavement (via feet or bicycle that one time).  408.2 miles of that were running miles.  That distance is pretty much Charleston to Charlotte.  I DID THAT.  #everymileamemory

-I was pleased to realize the coincidence that the bolero I purchased for the wedding is purple.. which happens to match my toe nail polish (which has only been on there since Christmas Eve, for those of you who know just how long I leave my polish on).  It's not even chipped, so guess who will NOT be getting her toes did before the wedding!  This girl!  #savingdollas

-I might be Company famous!  Company wanted to replace some of the photos on the website and instead of using stock photos, they asked employees to volunteer.  Of course I volunteered.  #Internetfamous

-I might have written the most awesome MOH speech ever.  I just want to keep practicing it because I'm so excited.  #publicspeakingdoesntscareme #okmaybealittle #whatifIcry

-I almost spent $115 on comedy show tickets this morning.  I didn't because House.  #notspendingmoneyhurts #mybirthdayiscoming

-20 days till my birthday.  Wishlist here.  #justsayin

-I love saying "calm yo tits."  I think it's hilarious.  I taught it to Teh German's intern at work at one of the Christmas parties we went to.  #noregrets #calmyotits



Linking up with:
Life with Lolo
Alanna & Company
Humpday Confessions with Nadine and Kathy

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

What I read in December...

The Book Challenge has started!  GAME ON.

Life According to Steph

Rating scale:

1/5 - Hated it, 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.
4/5 - I liked it.
5/5 - I LURVED it and I'd read it again.

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


Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty  4/5  (audiobook)
I almost quit this book at the start because it seemed to be about exactly the same thing as What Alice Forgot, children and school and upper middle class parents.  I really dislike it when authors use a formula to write books (Nicholas Sparks), but I was encouraged to press out, that it would get good.  My enablers were right.  It got really good.

The meat of the book was talking about the abuse and sexual assault characters and their dealing with their problems.  It was good and bad for me, but I was glad I was reading it.  I definitely wasn't expecting the twist.  I had my bets who who died and who did it, but I WAS WRONG.  So, so, wrong... kinda.

TL;DR: It took a while to get into, but once you sorted out who was who and we got into the actual meat of the book, it was good.



Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date - Katie Heaney  2/5  (ebook with questionable formatting (my fault))
This book felt like a teenage girl rambling at your for hours about her dating life, or lack there of. I wanted to be sympathetic, but at the same time I started getting annoyed. I did appreciate the end when she reiterated that she wasn't a Lighthouse and she would continue to be herself over having a significant other.


TL;DR: I wanted to like this book.  I mean, I get quirky, I do quirky.  But this felt like a book where she reassured herself the entire time that it was ok that she had never had a boyfriend.



The Book Thief - Markus Zusak  4/5 (ebook)
This book was really hyped up to me.  So many people LURVED this book.  I expected it to be more moving than it was.  Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the book.  Maybe the best part for me was that I was hooked from the beginning.  I didn't have to endure more than 1 chapter of being confused or lost about what was happening and who was who and what was going on.  I guess that is a benefit of historical fiction.  Despite Duolingo saying I'm 41% fluent in German, I still had to rely almost 100% on the translations for the German words.  I was disappointed in myself.

Set during WW2, it's predictable what is going to happen.  There will be Jews, Germans, and war.  I was not disappointed by this.  In fact, I rather enjoyed it.  I felt like the ending was right on time, but I needed more.  I wanted more Liesel.  I did feel like the ending set up for another book about adult Liesel, and despite my loathing of sequels, I'd read it.

But truthfully, I expected to cry reading this book and I didn't and I was disappointed by that.  I'm sure that's not a common sentiment, but it's not easy being green me.

TL;DR:  WW2 book that hooks you right away and doesn't feel like an epic tome.  It might stomp you in the feelz, but it might not.



You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) - Felicia Day  3/5 (audiobook)
I didn't know how Felicia Day was when I started this.  This book was recommended to me because I'm a former WoW player, so Kimmi knew I'd be nerdy enough to keep up. I think I did pretty good.  I really expected to get more about WoW, and I guess there were themes throughout since her show was based on the game, but having never seen The Guild, most of the references were kind of lost on me.

Really, the last 2 chapters were the best, IMO.  She gets real about internet bullying and believing in yourself.  I think to enjoy this book you have to be familiar with the life of a gamer and have seen some of Felicia's Day's stuff.  As an outsider, it wasn't a bad read (or listen), but there were times that the side-chatter got a bit annoying, but it seemed legit and not overly embellished to prove her points about her awkward personality.

TL;DR: If you love Felicia Day, you'll love this book.  If you're a general nerd, you might love this book.  If you're an awkward person, you'll love this book.


In Progress:


On Deck:


*TL;DR = too long, don't read

Monday, January 11, 2016

Weekend Review {1/11}

Uhhh, how are we already halfway through January?  No one told me when I turned 29.5 that life would start to fly by at warp speed.  What is happening???

FRIDAY

So, if you're also a blogger, you might get it when I say, I did some blogger accountability on Friday.  As in, I drug my ass to the doctor because my feet were really hurting and my headache was coming back and just uuugghhh..  $168 later, the doc told me I had plantar fascia and tension headaches and she wrote 4 prescriptions.  Plus $70 at the pharmacy... let's just say there's a reason I don't often go to the doctor.

After leaving the doc, I headed to CVS to get the prescriptions refilled and stopped by the grocery store while I was waiting.  While I was checking out at the grocery store, CVS's automated system called me to tell my scripts were ready, hello perfect timing.  After picking up my scripts, I headed home.  I considered going to crossfit, but the workout was a mabillionty sprints and I knew I would be running on Saturday morning, so I didn't go.  Instead, I started playing with my spiralizer (which is way more difficult than it looks, kinda) and started dinner: sweet potato fries (with the spiralizer didn't work because the sweet potato didn't come off in long strings, so I had to dice them) and burgers wrapped in bacon and stuffed with mozzarella cheese and cilantro pesto.  Yes, it was as intense as it sounds.


Next time, I'd put the cilantro pesto on after they were cooked, and I'd also follow the recipe completely and put in all the ingredients.. oops.

After dinner, it was lazy time for the rest of the evening with puppies and Teh German.


SATURDAY

Teh German went into work on Saturday morning, which was extra good for me because that meant motivation to get out of the bed and go run..  And then, Meri jumped up on the bed, body slammed me (as is her tendency to do when she snuggles), and laid her head over my hip and we fell back asleep.  #notsorry

I rolled over and she caressed my face with her cold paw.

Eventually, I did get up and go run.  Princess Weekend is coming and really, these hips need to be prepared for the 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon runs.. on consecutive days.

If a car would have hit me while I was running, the driver would have obviously been blind and didn't need to be licensed.
Also, don't take fashion advice from me ever.

After 4.24 miles, it was time to shower and eat lunch.  I wasn't super hungry, despite the run, so I had squash soup (from the container because I'm lazy) and snuggled on the couch with Meri while Phil manned the loveseat.  Teh German had to work later than anticipated, but it was fine since we had nothing to do in the afternoon.

By the time he got home, I was over being cold.  I'd been in contact with the landlord since Wednesday and he'd told me that space heaters were supposed to arrive on Friday, per the owner.  There were no space heaters on Friday or on Saturday, so when Teh German got home, I suggested we go to Target and pick up a space heater and some electric blankets for the dogs.  Teh German was also tired of being cold, so he agreed...  I think he was also lured by the fact that he could get Starbucks when we went to Target.

Phil was definitely pleased with my choice.

We had leftovers for dinner and we enjoyed the WARMTH of the space heater for the rest of the evening.  We even watched a movie, gasp!  We watched Earth to Echo which I felt was a modern day ripoff of Stand By Me.  After the movie, it was puzzles and bedtime.

Meri always needs a headrest.


SUNDAY

We had planned to have brunch with the friends we had went to Universal with, but before, I wanted to get in another run and Teh German agreed to go with me!  6.8 miles later, (sorry no sweaty selfie) we showered, and headed towards the Westendorff on the bikes.  It was a glorious day for a ride!  I did dump Mike trying to pull out of the Westendorff because I almost hit a curb, but neither Mike or I was hurt and the ride continued relatively smoothly after I later stalled out in the middle of an intersection because I tried to take off in 2nd gear...

French toast and chicken tatia in the background.

We also rode up to the lot to see if we had a sold sign yet.. Nope.  So no pictures.  I did get my earnest deposit money's worth when I had to use one of the porta-potties on the site, so that was nice.  After no changes at the lot, we decided to head home and be lazy.  I started to feel some guilt about the laziness, but I know that next weekend we're going to be go-go-go since it's wedding weekend so I calmed my tits.

When we got home, it was pajama pants and laziness.  I did take a puzzle break to make dinner.

This time it was Teh German's turn to be Meri's headrest.

After dinner, it was back to puzzles, then eventually finishing up the laundry and the dishes for Teh German.   While we had been at brunch, the landlord had dropped off another space heater since the ones the owner purchased hadn't arrived.  Now we have one in the living room and the bedroom.  I'm a bit worried about the power bill, but I also told Teh German that we're not heating rooms we're not in.  Fortunately, the living room and the bedroom both have doors, so we can close off the spaces and run the space heater and it doesn't have to run too long to heat the space.

Meri was pleased with her electric blankie.

Another HVAC company is coming out today to do an estimate.  If the owner doesn't pick one of the 2 companies to fix the HVAC unit by the end of today, he's going to have a VERY pissed off Megan and even more pissed of German on his hands.  I have a feeling the heat isn't going to be fixed before the weekend, which really means the dog sitter has to deal with the space heater life.

5/6 months, 5/6 months...

The blog schedule might get a bit wonky next week since we'll be out of town for Teh Sister's wedding, but there will definitely be confessions on Wednesday!  Also, tomorrow is Book DAYYYYY!!!!!



Linking up with these ladies:

Meg @ Life of Meg
Biana @ BLovedBoston

Friday, January 8, 2016

Five on Friday #76

EINS

I had a headache all day yesterday at work.  This isn't really overly surprising.  But it started getting worse towards the end of the day and when I was driving home, the sun was trying to blind me and make me cry and about halfway home (my drive is about 10-15 minutes) I thought that I was going to have to pull over and call Teh German to get me home.  But then I realized that one of our cars would be stranded somewhere, so I just powered through it.  Oh yeah, and I had the dogs with me, so Meri's leash kept hitting the window and it was driving a spike through my ear drums.

When we got home, I managed to let the dogs out (leaving the back door open, because it was warmer outside than inside #noheatprobs, and because I knew that I wouldn't be able to let them back in), I peed, medicated with a vidocin and some sudafed, and barely managed to take my pants off before I fell/stumbled into bed.  I willed Dorothy to explode anytime someone messaged me.  Which seemed to be way more frequently than normal.  I responded to nothing.  I would groan at the phone to STFU and that was it.

By the time Teh German came home (at whatever time that was, moving caused a surge of blood in my head, which made me want to die, so I didn't bother to lift my arm to look at my watch), I was at my worst point.  I was barely able to mumble because my voice sounded like a mabillionty decibels in my head.  Teh German ensured that I had taken meds and went to feed the dogs after I asked him to.  They probably would have starved if he hadn't been there... at least until way later in the evening.  After feeding the dogs, Teh German came back and rubbed my shoulders and my face.  There was that one time when he was using his phone as a flashlight, because total darkness wasn't dark enough for me, and I could see it and it made me start crying and I almost vomited.  I think it was at that point that he realized this was more than just a headache.  He reminded me (in a whisper) that he had migraines when he was younger, so he understood.  He kept asking if there was anything he could do and we had a language barrier moment when I asked him for a lobotomy.  Finally I squeaked out "no brain" and he laughed.  I think he was relieved that I was at least making jokes since that meant I would probably be fine.

Teh German had to fend for himself for dinner (since he didn't want leftovers for a 2nd night in a row), which meant he made a frozen pizza, which was fine with me.  I wasn't hungry.  He did talk me into taking a bath.  Sadly, our water heater sucks (surprise, not), so we ran out of hot water, and also Teh German's water temp preference is colder than mine, so I got cold quickly.  I just kept thinking about my jacuzzi tub, and then I'd try not to because that was yet another source of stress from the day.  I was able to get myself dressed after I was done (Teh German helped me undress to get in the tub because bending over wasn't happening) and get right back in the bed, where Teh German had turned on the heating pad on my side of the bed.

A bit later, Teh German came to check on me and ask if I wanted any pizza.  I really didn't, but I said yes anyways.  I was better enough to sit up on my own and eat pizza in bed, which was significant progress.  I think I finally fell asleep after I ate.  I know I woke up and was able to heave myself up and over to roll over, which wouldn't have been possible several hours earlier because opening my eyes would have been too painful, much less moving a heavy body part.  It surprised me for sure.  Not sure if the bath helped that much or the vidocin kicked in, either way, I wasn't complaining.

Teh German eventually came to bed.  Around 0200, I woke up to pee and felt 94% better.  I'm 99% better this morning.

Have I mentioned lately that I have the best boyfriend ever?  EVVARRRRRRR.  I'm keeping him.  He knows better than to fight it.

The worst part about having a headache (other than the obvious disabling pain)?
The fact that I really want to read for the book challenge but couldn't bear to have my eyes open, much less look at a screen.



ZWEI

Random things:
  • I'm one of those people that never goes to the doctor ever, so when I go I have a list of ailments.  Is this bad?  So far I've got heel pain, allergies, headaches pretty regularly, some crazy PMS, back pain (I'm hoping for a chiro referral on this one so my chiro appts can go towards my deductible), and some acne issues that arise once a month, and I also need to go to the dentist.  Ugh.
  • I really want my watch to come back from getting engraved so I can wear it for Teh Sister's wedding.  #showoffmyblang
  • When I pick up my watch, I'm dropping off my fave Bahrain ring to get fixed.
  • I need to finish the email to the dog sitter.
  • I found my pencil skirt in my closet covered in mold this morning.  Seems like the problem might be things near the wall close to the windows....  Siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.
  • Going to crossfit once a week isn't me getting my money's worth, but headaches really prevent strenuous activity.  We put in our "3 month" notice today to cancel our membership at the end of May.
  • I have a picture in my coloring book that is half colored (since Jan 1st) that I'd really like to finish but life and reading and puzzles and headaches and things have been rudely keeping me from it.
  • The recruiting ladies that work in my office are going to a conference at Disney in April and I told them they need a glorified secretary (me) to come with them to take notes.. especially since I have access to military priced tickets....  #ImAnAsset
  • Between Teh Sister and myself, I'm not sure who is more ready to get this wedding over.  Teh Parents might be making us crazy.  #WeAreAllControlFreaks
    • I told Teh Dad after some pretty serious questioning that it was his own fault that I was like this since I had no chance at a Type B personality with my parental combination.
    • We've had over a year to plan for this wedding and it seems like the pertinent things have been decided over the last month.  /wrist #Imightjustgotothecourthouse 
    • I still need shoes.
    • I have to buy alcohol and I'm going to need a buggy.
  • Hopefully, as early birthday presents for Teh German and I from Dan Ryan, we'll get our pre-construction meeting scheduled within the next week or so, which will mean having an estimated closing date.  #FingersCrossed
  • I need to take Yurtle back to the doctor since they didn't fix her properly.  Nothing about it sounds appealing to me.
  • Items that should arrive in the mail today:
    • space heaters courtesy of the owner
    • my bolero for my MOH dress
Apparently that turned into mini-Confessions.  It's been an interesting week.  You're welcome.


DREI

One of my favorite quotes in college came from one of my communication classes.

Words don't mean things, people do.  -I.A. Richards

That said, these videos speak to a subject that is near and dear to my heart.

Originally, I just watched the female video.  I didn't realize there was a male video because it wasn't linked with the female video I had watched.  They go hand in hand and I believe they should be distributed together.  Maybe I'm biased (definitely I'm biased), but I still feel like things that women hear are worse than what males hear (what were you wearing? how much did you have to drink?).  That said, I'm guilty of saying some of the things from both videos.  I'll be working on that.

I can't seem to find the videos through Blogger, so I'll just link them for you.

48 Things Women Hear In A Lifetime (That Men Just Don't)

48 Things Men Hear In A Lifetime (That Are Bad For Everyone)



VIER


Blue hair isn't the end of the world...

Sex education is important.  It's always been my thing.

My post I wrote about little girls after seeing someone else post about the differences in ways we talk to/treat little girls vs little boys.  Forever my favorite post.



FÜNF

10 things that made me happy this week:
  1. Teh German surprising me with a Cookout milkshake on Wednesday (he did ensure the heat was on beforehand).
  2. Puzzles on tablets.
  3. Meeting the new dog sitter.
  4. Bringing Teh Beasts to work on Thursday.
  5. Cold weather outside.
  6. Getting back on a not-holiday schedule.
  7. Going to crossfit.
  8. Finishing my 2015 review.
  9. Hot chocolate at work in my Ariel mug.
  10. Rational Megan (vs Crazy Megan).


Could they be any cuter?
Only if Phil was sitting too.
But otherwise, NO.





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


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Confessions {1/6}

-I can tell who has me hidden/doesn't see my posts on FB when they share the same video that I've shared a week later.  Too bad you don't see my awesome posts.  Then you'd have seen that video a week ago.  #Imawesome #Theirloss


-I failed at ordering the dog's food before we ran out, so I had to go by PetSmart and pick up a new bag of food.  This was beneficial for them because there were holiday toys on sale.  I picked up a new squeaky/crunchy toy and it is a Hannukah toy since it's blue with the Star of David on it.  I've been referring to it as "the Jew ball."  #Imahorribleperson


-When we went to the outlets on Friday, I stopped by to pick up a coupon book.  When the lady asked for my address, she said she grew up in my neighborhood and her sister lived down the street from me.  Then we had a conversation about the "hoodlums" that play in the street.  It brought me all the joy that someone else understands my pain about these children.  #miserylovescompany

-I enjoyed watching Teh German play with Coworker's Son after the hockey game on Sunday.  He said that he also liked the way I dealt with Son.  I didn't realize he hadn't really seen me interact with small children.  I think it may have eased some of his concern about my eventual parenting skills.  #dealingwithbabiesissexy


-I was more surprised than anyone else that I didn't get incensed when I dropped my $6 container of ketchup sodden tater tots all over myself and the floor at the hockey game.  #Imayhaverageproblems #jk #imneverangry

-It took me several days to do my 2015 review.  It was extremely difficult to power through the first 6 months of the year.  It was interesting to see what I said and didn't say on Teh Blog regarding issues with Mr. Scrooge.. and then it was all wiped away when Teh German entered into the picture. #worthit

-It's currently 49°F in my house and I'm really freakin' cold and Yurtle is at a doctor appointment, so it's not like I can go sit in her and get warm.  I have no idea why the heat isn't working and I have no idea when I'm going to be able to pick up Yurtle and I don't have work to distract me and I'm extremely grouchy about all of it... as tends to happen when I'm not in my Megan optimal state (warm, fed, enough sleep, no headache, etc).



Linking up with:
Life with Lolo
Alanna & Company
Humpday Confessions with Nadine and Kathy

Monday, January 4, 2016

Weekend Review {1/4}



THURSDAY

Both Teh German and I had short days at work on Thursday, which was delightful.  We got home and skyped with Teh German's friends in Germany since it was close to midnight for them.  While we were skyping, the new property manager arrived to do an "inspection" of sorts.  Really we spent an hour discussing the house situation and stuff that needed to be repaired.  He had googled me, so he knew all about me... which only served to freak me out because I often google myself to make sure I'm on lock down.

Apparently, my Linked In profile was COMPLETELY public for the last year.  Good talk, Linked In... I fucking hate you.  After almost having to do brain surgery, I locked that bitch down unless you're signed in, in which case I can do nothing.  FML.

After the PM assessed the house situation and loved on the dogs and finally left, Teh German and I took a nap, because it was the only way I was going to make it until midnight.  We had planned to do dinner and hang out with Teh SC German and Teh SC Teacher, watching the ball drop.  We arrived for dinner at 8.  After dinner, we decided to play Phase 10 the board game, which was way more difficult than the card game, but fun nonetheless.


Eventually, it was midnight, we watched the ball drop in Times Square and everyone else played Guitar Hero while I did a puzzle on Teh Flamin' Kindle.  At some point after 230, I was tired and it was decided that it was bedtime.  We spent the night at their house so we didn't have to worry about the who was driving situation or all the cops we knew would be out waiting.



FRIDAY

When I woke up at 730, it was time to go.  Phil and Meri were impatiently waiting at home in their crates for breakfast and I was already feeling enough guilt for not being home with them for any possible fireworks situations.  They were fine when we got home.  Breakfast was had, business was done, and we all went back to bed.

Around noon, we finally decided to get up and do things.  Since it was rainy, we cancelled our planned motorcycle ride.  We chose to do Mex 1 for lunch, then head to the outlets to get my watch sized and sent off for engraving.  We also stopped by Starbucks and a perfume place for Teh German to pick up more smelly-goody stuffs.  Then we stopped in the Oakley store for me to look for new sunglasses since I scratched my lens the first day we were supposed to sign papers for House.  I was unsuccessful at finding new glasses, but the lady helping me (who actually was the person who sold me the pair I currently have on Black Friday 2014) gave me the number to customer service and told me to call and ask about replacement lenses or a new pair.


After, we left and headed to the movie theater to watch the new Star Wars.


I have to tell you something, Gentle Readers...  This may change our relationship.
I've never seen all the Star Wars movies.  I have seen Episode 4 about 4 million times because that was one of the movies Teh Sister watched over and over and over and over x a mabillionty.  Let's just say I definitely got the trash compactor reference.  I did see Episode 1 when it came out, and that might have been my first date with a boy, but he was awkward and I was even more awkward (surprise) and I didn't really know what was happened because I'd only ever seen Episode 4 before that and I'd tried to block it out.  I also saw The Revenge of the Sith (Episode 3?).  The one where Darth Vader becomes Darth Vader and Natalie Portman was in it.  I also saw the one with the Ewoks because I had been told I had Ewok feet and I didn't even know what an Ewok was. 

But really, I'm not a huge Star Wars fan. 

The most important part of going to the theater for me was 1- seeing the new Warcraft movie poster, 2- the previews for all the other awesome Disney movies coming out in the future.  But #1 was most important.  So yeah, I might not be a Star Wars nerd, but you better believe I'm going to watch the Horde and Alliance battle it out this summer.


After the movie, we headed home to feed the beasts and be lazy for the rest of the evening, reading, doing puzzles, and eventually I did make dinner.  We went to bed super late, which is only bad because I really like to keep my sleep schedule consistent and when I change it up by going to bed late several nights in a row, it is difficult to get back on track.



SATURDAY

We had planned to ride on Saturday, but it didn't happen.  Instead we were productive, then completely lazy.  We slept in and eventually got up and started taking care of de-Christmasing the house.  I hadn't really taken the spider web on the tree seriously until Teh German handed me the tree skirt so I could put it in the box and it had baby spiders ALL OVER IT!!!  KTHXNOPE.  Time to burn down the house.

Of course, the day of taking down the tree, Meri eats an ornament before we're even out of bed.
The first and only one all Christmas!

Actually, after helping Teh German move the tree outside, I took the skirt outside and shook it off and folded it up and put it in the Christmas box.  Sometimes, I just like to be dramatic, but I did definitely scream when I saw all these teeny tiny spiders crawling all over something in my hands.

After the boxes were put back up in the attic, I vacuumed while Teh German cleaned his bathroom and my toilet.  After the vaccumming was done, I set about the task of dealing with my moldy dresser. 


On Wednesday night, I discovered that the back of my dresser was COVERED in mold.  Fortunately, not black mold, but mold nonetheless.  It was also on the curtain and on some of the shoes in/on my closet.  Since the new PM was coming on Thursday, I saved that bomb for when he was face-to-face with me. 

Instead of cleaning off the mold, I just decided to remove the back piece since it was screwed on and it was just a piece of cardboard/particle board.  When I went to clean off the wood frame, I noticed the bottom had even MORE mold on it than the back had.  I almost cried.  I considered just tossing the entire dresser.  But that is silly because I can't replace the dresser since the company went out of business.  Teh German and I carried the dresser outside so he/we could kick out/remove the bottom piece, which was more complicated than the back since it was stapled in.


The drama started then.  Teh German was removing staples with pliers and hit me in the shin with the handle when he pulled out a staple.  Then he did it a second time!  I wasn't really angry at him, but it definitely hurt like a MFer and when he was apologizing (since I immediately started crying), I had to tell him to stop talking, which of course, pissed him off enough to go inside and not talk to me for a while, which was fine with me.  That was probably the maddest we've ever gotten at each other and I wasn't really mad, just frustrated at the entire situation and he hit me directly on the shin and I couldn't control it anymore, there were tears and I just needed to deal with myself and his apologies weren't helping.  After my solid crying session, I sprayed the dresser with clorox spray and wiped it off and I'm hoping for the best that it killed all the mold.  I left it outside for a while to air out. 

After the cleaning was complete, laziness consumed us.  More puzzles and reading.  I realized that it was after January 1st, which meant that I could start my book challenge (join us here)!  So I started on The Book Thief which has been absolutely glorious.  The biggest problem with ebooks/Teh Flamin' Kindle is that I have no idea how long books actually are.  I've read in several places that The Book Thief is a long book, but it sure hasn't seemed like it to me.

 Meri and her human playing and window peepin'.

I created a monster when I showed Teh German the puzzle app and now he's addicted.  For dinner, Teh German suggested we go Mellow Mushroom rather than cook, so I went with it.  About that not going out as much and saving monies... Oops.  At least Teh German isn't paying rent at a place where he's not staying anymore?

Service at Mellow Mushroom was slow as usual, but the pizza was delicious and we had enough leftover for breakfast the next morning.  When we got home, we snuggled with the dogs some more and read/did puzzles.  Teh Ville is a real riot on weekends.

At least I don't have to share.  ~Phil

I am NOT beggin', Mama.  I'm just being extra adorable.  ~Meri


SUNDAY

We had a Skype date with Teh German's Dad and Stepmom at 11, so we got up and got ready so after Skype we could eat then head out on a bike ride.  Teh German mainly Skyped with his parents and I joined in at the end. 

In the same way I'm embarrassed to speak German, I think his family and friends are embarrassed to speak English.  Everyone except Teh German is bad at the other language.  I am even embarrassed to say things in German in front of Teh German.  It's irrational, but it's just a shyness of being uncertain and know the other person will inevitably correct you.  PS.  All my pronunciations in German are wonky.  Every.single.word.  I'll say something in German and Teh German will say it correctly and I'll respond with, "That's what I said."  He just laughs at me.  All that to say, that when he told his parents to speak in English, they opted to not, which meant that I didn't really understand anything they said.  I recognize words I'm supposed to know, but I don't often understand until the conversation has moved on.

After Skype, instead of getting on our riding clothes, we sat on the couch trying to figure out why Paypal was trying to charge Teh German to transfer money to me.  It took us an hour to figure out why and it was only when I accidentally tapped "change payment method" did I understand the problem.  They were charging him a fee for trying to use his debit card rather than his bank account to transfer me money.  We were thinking it was an international fee since his email address is for his German email account. 

We figured it out right as Coworker and Son arrived at Teh Haus.  We were carpooling to the hockey game to save on parking fees.  Son was extremely excited about Meri and Phil.  After celebrating our Paypal victory, putting shoes on, and getting the dogs put away, we headed to the coliseum to wait on another Coworker, who had actually purchased the tickets.  She was running late, as normal.  After she and her family arrived, she grabbed our tickets from Will Call and we headed inside.  Our first stop was for food and beer, then to our seats.  I got some delightful tater tots and smothered them in ketchup.  In fact, after eating about half of them, we passed more ketchup on the way to find our seats, so I got MORE ketchup.. this is relevant because within 2 minutes, I wear wearing all that ketchup.  Nope, not kidding. 


When we found our section, the usher was looking for our row/seats and she walked forward, and I thought she was going to keep going, but she didn't.. so I backed up suddenly and the tator tots that had been sitting on 2 pizzas that I was holding for Coworker ended up sliding off the box towards me and in my attempt to save them, I jerked the boxes and the tator tots ended up all over me and the floor.  I didn't even get mad.  I was slightly annoyed, but I just handed the boxes to Teh German and went to the bathroom and wiped/washed off all the ketchup I could, then went and found the group who had finally gotten to our seats.

I smelled like ketchup for the entire game, but we definitely had fun.  Teh German and I would randomly start dancing at the same time to the songs that were being played.  If I had been with anyone else, or had went on my own.. I definitely would have been the only one dancing.  Sometimes, it's crazy just how similar we are.

Sadly, the Stingrays didn't win, but we had fun nonetheless, and Teh German said he wanted to go back.  After the game, we offered to watch Son while Coworker ran to Sam's Club to pick up some items.  Son was truly awesome.  He was pretty much showing Teh German how to do a puzzle on the iPad, which was impressive.  He also gave us this gem: to Teh German, "Are you Chinese, because you talk funny."  So much lolz.  Something else he said that made me laugh was when I was running with him from the ticket booth to the entrance door and he giggled extra hard and said, "I gassed."  I cracked up.  Kids, man.



These are not the Zamboni you are looking for.

After Coworker and Son left, Teh German and I debated the dinner situation.  I went to the kitchen and realized that all the meats that I had put in the fridge to thaw a few days prior were still frozen.  Teh German suggested Sesame for dinner.. and I said ok because I have no will power.  That said, the special burger of the week was the same burger than I had turned down the Monday prior because I was afraid it was going to be spicy, but it had cilantro pesto on it.. so I told them to hold the spicy ingredients.  WORTH IT.  OMG SO GOOOOODDD.  That said, I need to learn to make cilantro pesto so I can put it on EVERYTHING.  I didn't take a photo, but I did look for a photo on their FB/website, but nothing.  Sorry, just know, FOODGASM.

After dinner, we headed home to do, you guessed it, MORE puzzles and more reading.  We're real adventurers.  Eventually, it was time for bed because all the holiday long weekends were over and the work week was upon us.  Booooo.


_________________________________

It was definitely a much needed lazy weekend after the Christmas weekend.  Taking the dogs back and forth wore me out more than it should have.  Additionally, the drive to Home, Home isn't a walk in the park (and yay for getting to do a similar drive for Teh Sister's wedding mid-January).  I was only slightly disappointed we didn't get to ride this weekend, but it did also get cold, so it might not have been super enjoyable.

Hopefully this week, everything gets back on schedule.  Back to crossfit, back to running. 
So far on the schedule we have Yurtle's doctor appointment, me finding shoes for my MOH dress, probably more wedding stuff, a new dog sitter coming to meet Phil and Meri, and this weekend we're baby sitting while Coworker and Wife go to FIG since she's about to pop with twins.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Let's talk about 2015...

If you've been around for 2015 (or longer (thank you, I love you, you are awesome)), you know that 2015 was kind of a roller coaster ride that I wasn't expecting.  I expected 2014 to be my roller coaster year.  That said, I'm expecting 2016 to be equally roller-coaster-y and I'm totally ok with that.  Generally, I prefer the consistency of a calm life.  After this year, I don't believe that is true anymore.

I really struggled through the lows, but the highs from this year were worth every single struggle.  This is going to be a long post, you've been warned.  #myblogmyrules

January

~2015 started with me having JUST signed my employment offer with Company.
~Mr. Scrooge and I headed to CA for Russian Xmas and vacation.

 
~I got to ride in a sled pulled by ski patrol because I got stuck at the top of a black diamond mountain.
~There was some drama with Mr. Scrooge (that I didn't really tell you about) when I found photos of his ex (acceptable and unacceptable kinds) on his phone by accident.  The flowers I thought were for no reason were actually apology flowers, but he didn't say that. #hindsightis2020
~I made a trip to Fayettenam to meet Teh MD-AR, Teh MD-TR, and Teh Soccer Mom and Kid on their return from Disney World and to be there for Teh Sister trying on wedding dresses.


~I had my first (and subsequent) day(s) at Company.


~I got to open my birthday present early!


February

~It was my birfday!  AKA the best day of the entire year.


~I started getting obvious and more passive-aggressive about issues going on with Mr. Scrooge in Teh Blog.
~Put on my first Lowcountry Boil.


~Teh Sister, Teh Mom, and I went to a bridal show in Charleston.  Teh Sister won a crystal picture frame from Belk and we owned ALL FOUR photobooths.


~I joined the Show Us Your Books bandwagon linkup.
~Even more rage at Mr. Scrooge.
~The idea to run a Disney race took root.
~Teh Dad and Teh Stepmom came to visit.

Teh Dad and I, who came in 1st and 2nd (once each)

March

~Shut Up and Dance stormed into my life.. and never left.
~Meri's brother, Xero/Gizmo, came to stay with us for a month.


~Mr. Voices and Ms. Boomkin came to visit.


~We met another SHUG adopter and had a doggy play date.
~My VA disability claim got processed and I call it my "rape money" every month.
~Teh MD-AR came to visit and we ran the Bridge together.


~I woman-ed up and admitted to Mr. Scrooge that I had thought of leaving him.  This is a big deal because it's when I TOLD HIM things weren't going well for the 2nd time.



April

~I bought a motorcycle (Mike Wazowski)!
~I wrecked Mike Wazowksi.


~All the running.
~I met my first blogger friend in real life.


~I ran the Tarheel 10 Miler.


~Tasty Tuesday became official.
~I was still cleaning up poop from Xero almost every single night.
~I showed you my ID faces.
~We went to Greyhounds in Gettysburg.




May

~Serious shit went down between Mr. Scrooge and I so I vaguebooked about it, then started giving specifics later.
~I watched a LOT of Grey's Anatomy.



~I told you about the differences in civilian and military life.
~I formally introduced you to Phil and Meri.



~Teh Granny came to visit.

June

~I worked out.. a lot.
~I dogsat for Teh Sister.


~I cut off a lot of green tinted hair.


~I accidentally rear-ended someone, but it was NBD, praise Allah.
~I made panna cotta after talking about it for almost a year.


~I spend the month house hunting in secret after a conversation on June 3rd (a month after the serious shit went down in May).  I signed the lease then was forced into tell Mr. Scrooge because the property manager for the old house was a cunt.  I'd been listening to breakup songs since March and I was the only think keeping me in a relationship with Mr. Scrooge.
~Yurtle got new shoes and a check up from the doctor.

July

~I started moving into my new house.


~I started my first book challenge.
~Teh WJL came to help me move and we hung out all weekend unpacking, doing puzzle, and eating.
~I relocated a wall-mounted TV, and during the process killed my drill and vowed to never deal with wall mounts alone again.


~The Disney Race idea from February blossomed into LEGITIMATE RACE PLANS WITH MAGIC BANDS AND PINS AND DISNEY WORLDDDDDDD!  We're gonna be PRINCESSES!!
~I told you all about me.
~I started online dating.  I even told you my rules.
~That whole friends with the ex thing kinda came crashing down.
~I listened to my first audiobook.

August

~Mrs. Reflective came to visit me!


~I went on my first date with Teh German.

This was not that date.

~I took the axe to my FB friends list and I haven't regretted it once.
~I received the best compliment of my entire adult life: You are funny, brilliant, and vibrant.With much adoration, UnsweetTeaMan
~Teh German and I took it to the next level.
~Teh MD-AR and I did our first and last sprint triathlon.


~I finally started going to the Chiropractor and my life was instantly changed.
~Teh German kissed me at a red light and I was hopelessly smitten from that point on.  We also met each other's friends, he got me flowers for no reason, and he passed out and I caught him.


September

~Teh German and I went to Home, Home for Labor Day weekend and he met my immediate family and we rode motorcycles in the mountain and ruined riding in SC forever and we exchanged "I love yous."


~I did some positive journal-ing, after a very long time of only negative journal entries
~Teh German read Teh Blog from our first day to the present date (at the time) and decided not to read Teh Blog because it was weird to read about himself.
~The sky was falling in my living room (aka the ceiling fell), conveniently 2 days before my vacation to MD.


~I went to MD, ran the Navy-AF 1/2, and hung out with Teh MD-AR and my other MD peeps.


~#bahlalala became a thing (and it is actually engraved on the back of the watch Teh German got me for Christmas) and we became Facebook official.
~Attended a wedding.


~Rape-aversary was a thing this year.  Thanks Timehop.


October

~Teh German and I went to Universal for the Halloween Scary Nights thing and I had Butterbeer.


~I started Crossfit.
~We bought plane tickets to visit Germany in June 2016!
~I started learning German (via Duolingo, if you're interested).
~We went to the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
~I started the Endurance (running) Club at Crossfit.  That went hand in hand with hitting my running wall.
~I became an Elite '15 Yelper.
~Teh German and I made an impromptu trip to NC to ride the motorcycles and enjoy the last weekend of fall leaves and stayed with Teh WJL and it was absolutely perfect.


~We (bloggers) had a conversation about "Feminist" and it was good.
~Being the Jelly to Teh German's Peanut Butter for Halloween.



November

~Saw Trapt in concert.


~We (bloggers) talked more about women.
~Teh German officially moved in.
~Teh German and I started house hunting and had some some significant conversations about the future.
~Teh MD Adult Roomie came to visit!!!  We ran the Sweet Tea Half Marathon and we ate and hung out and did some Charleston touristy things and she advised us about House things and it was absolutely glorious and I want more.


~Teh German and I signed a contract to build a house.  A week later, we designed the inside.


~Thanksgiving was celebrated in Fayettenam with Teh Sister, Teh Utah Specialist, and Teh Mom made an appearance.


~I got a new phone and named it Dorothy.  #elitegoldengirls4ever

December

~There was that one time I made it Facebook official I was interested in a 1/2 marathon in Charleston... which just so happened to be on Teh Sister's wedding day. #neverlivingitdown
~Teh German left me unsupervised with Christmas presents and moving boxes in the house.
~Ugly Sweater/Christmas Party 1, 2, 3, and 4.





~Ran my first race with Teh German.


~Teh Ville migrated to Home, Home for Christmas.  This was Teh German's first American Christmas and it was successful.  #WIN


~We celebrated the end of 2015 by chatting with friends in Germany, meeting our new property manager, and we watched the ball drop with Teh SC German and Teh SC Teacher.





What I learned from this exercise is that despite what felt like me being very "tell-all" on Teh Blog about problem I was having with Mr. Scrooge.. I wasn't actually.  I was very vague and it wasn't until the relationship was over that I gave details on things that had happened.  Summarized to say, apparently I am paranoid about what I put on the internet.  Not sorry.

That said, I've admitted it before, I'd live 2015 over again, in every single excruciating detail to find Teh German again.  There isn't a day that goes by when I'm not grateful that he's in my life.  He's definitely the one thing I would have never guessed would happen to me (meet someone and plan a life with them... via online dating??).

Here's to 2016, being even more awesome than the last 6 months of 2015!