Weekend Review {10/29}

FRIDAY

Class, work, then gym on Friyay.  I had "burned" my elbow (kinda like a carpet burn, but instead of carpet on a punching bag) on Wednesday and I broke up the wound on Friday.  Teh German had arrived at the gym after me and the lady working out beside him expressed concern when I had my non-cursing (truth, tyvm) outburst.  Teh German kept working out and flatly said, "She's fine."  The lady kept working out.  When Teh German recounted this to me later, he added, "I'm not sure if she knows we're married or not, or if she just thought I was being heartless."  That made it even better to me.

Originally, we had discussed going to the Aquarium for an after-hours Halloween event, but we ended up deciding on just going out to dinner instead.  We have a really hard time with picking at random food for a full dinner.  We don't feel full and we eat shit that we wouldn't since it's all that's there.  Adulting is hard, obviously.

I've been wanting to try a new-ish restaurant called 1Kept.  I knew they offered a schnitzel option, but when I looked at the menu, it was almost exactly what we'd made for dinner earlier in the week.

After showering, we headed downtown.  In a twist of fate, the parking garage we parked at was directly across from the restaurant.   I knew it was close, but I didn't realize it was across the street close.  #Win

We shared some AAHHHHMAZING brussel sprouts as an appetizer and I ordered the Steak Frites and Teh German went for the Wagy Burger.  #NoRegrets

I told Teh German we need to get better about taking photos together.
This is effort towards that.

After dinner, we headed home.  Teh German and I struggled with Charleston drivers as it started to rain on the way home.  We were going 20mph under the speed limit because it was raining.  Then we came upon a lady in the middle lane, driving with her hazard lights on.  This greatly upset Teh German as he advocated for formalized driving school in America, like in Germany. 

I had planned to go by Cookout for a milkshake dessert, but right as I got to the light to turn at Cookout, I remember that Dairy Queen had reopened, so I confused Teh German by driving past Cookout.  I explained about DQ instead and he just went with it.  It was totally a worthy adventure since DQ currently has a strawberry-chocolate concoction.  It was quite confusing for me to pull up to the window and see the drive-thru lady toss (my) blizzard in the trash.  Then she explained that it was melty and she was going to make another one for me.  Well, alright then.  When she came back to the window, it was super full, which caused a disaster when I opened it when we got home, but it was a worthy mess.  So much delicious mess.

With some ice cream in my belly, we opted to be the old couple we are and went to bed.

SATURDAY

Saturday was a quiet day.  I worked on homework and dealt with the Fuzziest Bucket harassing me every 30 minutes for reasons unknown.   But for real, she was like this at least every 30 minutes and I have no will power, so I often ended up stopping whatever I was doing to pet her.  I think the cold weather has Meri and Pax energized.

I threatened Meri with a trip to Roux's house to let Roux and Gracie gang up on her if she didn't behave.  She was no thwarted.

I accomplished some homework and made evening plans to go to a school friend's house for a bonfire before picking up Teh PT Husband and Wife from the airport.

After reaching a frustrated stopping point on my assembly language homework, I gave up and went to take a nap on the couch.. Where Meri and Pax poked me incessantly with their subzero degree snouts.

Teh German eventually came home from his bike ride and we watched Shameless until it was time to get ready for the evening's activities. 

It was fun to hang out with a Citadel friend and meet new people.  I was sad we had to leave, but airport commitments are the ultimate priority (what with being stranded at the airport once when I flew into Norfolk from Bahrain because of a shitty not-friend who had said she'd pick me up and then refused to answer her phone the night of, there's never not a residual fuck you to that epic cuntalotamus).  

When we delivered Teh PT Wife and Husband home, we debated on going back to the bonfire hangout, but we were so close to home and Teh German was tired and since he was driving, I let him choose.  We chose the route that put in bed before 1am... aka we went home and went to bed.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, the Batdog signal was going off.

I'm not sure if my Gentle Readers are aware, but I moonlight as a body pillow for Meri in the dawn hours.  I had told myself that I was going to get in some miles, but I was sore AF from whatever torture I put myself through during the week and it just didn't happen. 

Instead, I prepped bacon for Teh German to cook, I made myself an egg and reheated some leftover grits that have been chillin' in the fridge since we had shrimp and grits.  After breakfast, Teh German and I walked the dogs to hopefully deter Meri's incessant need for attention.  Although, Teh German did make a critical error before we left for our walk. 

I was in the closet rolling out my sore bits and he discovered me, then said towards the dog's direction, "Come and get Mom!"  I responded with, "This is why we're not having kids.  You'd tell them where I'm hiding when I'm having a quiet moment.  You know they've been extra harass-y for DAYS and I'm having some me time in here and you out me?!"  I mean, I was kidding, but I wasn't kidding.

Dear Parents of Offspring,
If your significant other is alone, don't tell your offspring to come harass them.  Especially if your significant other is the Primary Object of Offspring Harassment.  If you're not sure which parent is the Primary Object of Harassment, ask yourself, "Who do the offspring sit outside the bathroom and wait on when they go in?"  Whomever you answer with is the Primary Object of Harassment.  In my house, I am the Primary Object of Harassment.  I have learned to completely shut the bathroom door when I go in, otherwise, fuzzy noses come to investigate what is going with me and leave the door open for the world to also experience my business with me.  Asshats.  Really cute Asshats.

Speaking of.

Before leaving for the walk, I started the laundry since Teh German made a comment about how the Laundry Fairy must be on strike.  The Laundry Fairy promptly reminded him that she did the laundry on Mon/Tues, so maybe he should just stop wearing so much clothes?  The real issue is that we're both going to the gym 2-3 times a week, plus my running clothes when that actually happens, plus the daytime clothes we wear.  Before the gym, it was just day-to-day clothes in the laundry.  So we've essentially doubled the Laundry Fairy's responsibilities.  I don't think this happens to the Dishes Fairy.

After the walk, I started working on test studying.  Teh German watched videos for a while, but eventually headed over to Teh PT House for cigars and beers.  After several hours of studying, Teh PT Wife messaged me to ask if I was coming over.  Eventually, I relented.  I needed a break.  Also, Meri hadn't harassed me for over an hour, which I considered a win.

I made a parent fail and didn't bother to muzzle Pax.  Muzzle rules were reaffirmed when we came home later and homework papers from the desk were strewn across the runner and eaten.  So literally, the dog ate my homework.  Upstairs, someDOG had shredded a manila folder.  These shenanigans don't happen when Pax is Hannibal Lector dog.

I had needed to go to the grocery store before I could make dinner, but Teh German talked me into picking up Chinese instead.  Teh German ordered Chinese while I went into Publix to pick up the items from the list that I had forgotten at home (of course).  Spoiler: I remembered everything on the list.

After we got home, we had dinner outside.  Then it was back to the studying grind for me.  I finished up my study guide for my computer science test.  Next up, German study guide, which I saved for Monday night.

When it was bedtime, preparation chores started taking place.  While I was upstairs doing laundry, Teh German asked if there was more ground coffee.  No, no there was not.  So I was trying to instruct him how to do it (I always grind the beans) and even though I told him EXACTLY what to use and what to do, there was a #languagebarrier.

Him: Which container do I use, the round or square one?
Me: Use the cups I use for my peanut butter frozen hot chocolate.  The ones I used to use for smoothies.
Him: The big one or the small one?
(Valid question since there is a big cup and a small cup)
Me: Either one.
Him: Which blade?
Me: There will only be one option that fits.  It's round.  It's the one you see in the dishwasher all the time.
Him: Ok.
.....
I hear progress but it doesn't sound right.
I hear grumbles that nothing is happening.
I, finally, give up and go downstairs and realize he's got the food processor out and the beans are just swirling around in it when he turns on the Ninja.
...
Me: Yeah, nothing about this situation is what I said.
I get out the correct equipment and transfer the beans and then grind them.
Once Teh German sees how to do it, he says he will finish the task (filling up the coffee container) and I return to my laundry tasks.

Let us celebrate that now he's done it himself so now he can take on this responsibility!!!  Although, shall we take bets on if he can repeat this performance in a few weeks when the coffee needs to be ground again?  Also, yes, I sometimes grind the coffee beans with the Ninja mixer because I'm not buying a special coffee grinder when I have a solution that works just fine... The real solution is to buy the coffee already ground up, butttttttttt the person who fulfilled the Sam's order didn't follow those directions.  Ugh.  #FirstWorldProblems

After coffee was prepped and laundry was folded and put away, it was teefs brushin' and bed time.

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Gueeeessssss whhhhaaaatttttt, Gentle Readers!!
Anniversary Week is upon us!

No worries, I cannot really believe that it's been one year either.  Mostly, I can't imagine how Timo tolerated me to legally stay with me for an entire year.  It's one thing when you know you can leave at anytime, but marriage is for permanent, which is way scarier.  I guess it's real love, people. 

This Week's Adventures include:
-studying for my computer science and German tests
-completing a project for my circuits class
-couple's massage
-halloween things
-anniversary dinner at FIG
-drive to Raleigh for a sleep over with Teh Advising Sister (if she doesn't make me sleep in my car since I failed to respond to her last text for 2 weeks, oops)
-City of Oaks half marathon with Teh Running Bestie.
-Spend money at the NCSU bookstore.

Before you're like, wow not really a lot of anniversary celebratin' goin' on there, Megan.. I will remind you that I planned and booked (aka paid) for our Snowcation a few weeks ago.  We're considering that anniversary/Christmas/etc gifts.  Additionally, we're not going anywhere for Thanksgiving (that I'm currently aware of) and I'm off of school for the entire week, so we can consider that a stay-cation.

So really, the anniversary gift I'm giving Teh German is a Megan-free weekend.  The entire bed to himself, not having to coordinate activities with me/my activities, and only having to talk to me before bed.  #BestWifeEver... especially considering, I usually bring back coffee or beer when I go on adventures without Teh German.

AND ALSO...
IT'S ALMOST NOVEMBER!!!!
September dragged on for fucking ever and it was like October was barely even here (although my electric bill would say otherwise).
I can consistently wear long sleeves during the day and not be sweating from 11-3.
I can wear hoodies when it's dark.

4 more days till my sleepover (and birthday celebration even though she's resistant) with Teh Advising Sister!
5 more days till Teh Running Bestie and I reunite... and possibly Matilda too!
18 days until Tulsa weekend with Teh Running Bestie and, for sure, Matilda!

Five on Friday #170

EINS - Random Shit

-Call me El Cheapo, but having to pay a $30 application fee to take a single class makes me kinda stabby.  College of Charleston didn't charge me an application fee and they are a university.  I applied at Trident Tech (a community college) (TTC) and was charged the app fee.  I guess now I know how they make their money...

-That $30 was wasted.  Well, earned then wasted.  Let me take you on a roller coaster ride.

I applied at TTC last week and hadn't yet received an email with the acceptance stuff.  The original plan was to take the 2nd half of my chemistry requirement there during the spring semester.  Theeeennn, Tuesday night, I realized they were offering that chem class I wanted RIGHT NOW, on Tues and Thurs (T/H) from 6-9pm.

I immediately went to Teh German and discussed the idea of taking a T/H class THIS semester with him.  I needed to make sure he was on board with me not being home T/H evenings.  He, of course, said, "Whatever you need to do."  I lost all kinds of sleep that night.

Wednesday, I filled out the transient student paperwork, went around campus trying to get signatures that weren't required, skipped German class and went to TTC to go sign up for the fall chemistry class.  My application still wasn't processed, so they had to earn their $30 and push it through.  Then I went through the registrar's office to sign up for the class.

At which point, it was revealed that the LAB was T/H from 6-9... The CLASS was Monday and Wednesday from 6-9.  That would make this class a 4 day a week commitment and I do not have that kind of time.  I need my evenings to do work and homework.    I still let the lady sign me up, even though there was much confusion in my brain.

I racked my brain on the drive from TTC to the office, trying to figure out how I could make it work... and came up with ONE solution, it wouldn't work.  AND, not only would it NOT work this semester, but it also wouldn't work in the spring semester either.  I called Teh German on my walk into the office.  He knows that middle of the day phone calls are usually nicht sehr gut (not so good), but a middle of the day phone call is definitely better than a middle of the day visit.

I explained that I had been to TTC and signed up for the class, but that it was actually Monday-Thursday and that just wasn't doable.  He agreed.  Then I dropped the bomb, "This means, I'll have to take this class during the summer."  I explained why and he agreed.  We also agreed that as long as we don't go out of the country during my summer break, it will be like I'm getting at least SOME summer break and not being stressed out.

When I got to the office, I went to explain to my boss that my scheduling situation had worked itself out and we were both relieved.  I had been stressing out about it since I'd first looked at the class offerings.  When I got to my desk, I emailed the lady who had registered me and explained that my job wouldn't work with a M-H class schedule so I, unfortunately, had to drop the class.

TL;DR: For 30 minutes of my life, I was enrolled in a community college class.

-The best thing about the chemistry class drama?  I'm RELIEVED.  Despite having to take a summer class, which I didn't want to do, it means that I don't spend the months up to the beginning of the spring semester stressing out about taking such a full load.  Then, I don't have to spend 2 months juggling SIX heavy (i.e. difficult) classes.  I can just focus on my classes now, and then my spring semester, and then my summer semester.  It means not having to stress about being in the office.  I literally felt my blood pressure slow down after I accepted the reality of summer class.

-I started listening to Harry Potter #1 because Teh PT Kid bought it at a book fair and I CANNOT WAIT to geek out on with him.  This is only my 2nd time "reading" HP, and this time, I'm doing the audio adventure and I'm loving it.  The first time was in 2012.  I'm not a hardcore Potterhead, but I do enjoy some HP references.

Know what else I enjoy?  All things Hagrid. 

Harry: "I never know. What's the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite?"
Hagrid: "Stalagmite's got an 'm' in it. An' don' ask me questions just now, I think I'm gonna be sick."

It's always different enjoying a book for the 2nd time.  You KNOW how it's going to end.  You KNOW that Snape isn't really the bad guy.  You KNOW that Dumbledore is... well, I just won't say it because thinking about it breaks my heart.

-WTF Firefox spell check.  Dumbledore is an acceptable word but Hagrid and Snape had to be added to the dictionary?  Prioritize, bitches.

-One of the greyhounds we're gonna hang out with Christmas was diagnosed with osteo (bone cancer) this week.  My heart breaks for her family, but we're being positive that it was caught quickly enough that measures can be taken to ensure a long, healthy life. 

-HVAC update...  The service manager finally called me.  He knocked $100 off the price of the drip pan that WE have to pay to replace since it's not covered by the warranty and it's scheduled for Nov 5th.  There's no school that day since it's election day (GO FUCKING VOTE) and I'll just telework.

-Foot issues update.  My toe hasn't been hurting recently, which is nice.  After a follow up appointment with the podiatrist, we agreed that if I felt I needed a cortisone shot, I could call next week and come in and get it.  In the meantime, I'm on a rigorous diet of ibuprofen to reduce the swelling, I added a joint supplement to my daily pill regimen, and I'll continue rolling and stretching.  I also put in some support inserts in my running shoes, which eliminated all foot/toe pain for the left foot, but my BAD toe (from the 2016 incident) started to REALLY hurt.  I can't win for losing at this point.

-We FaceTimed with Auntie P this week.  I miss her.  I don't just say that because I know she reads this.  ;)

-I haven't admitted it to her, but Teh PT Wife has been on vacation all week and I've been counting down the days till she gets back.  I've been very good about letting her be on vacation and not snapping/messaging about real life (aka non-vacation) drama unless she messages me first.

ZWEI - Money Shit

-Friyay sweet tea
-Treats for Meri and Pax
-Family Coffee Date
-Groceries
-Gas
-$30 application fee for TCC (a waste)
-KFC splurge
-Sesame brownie sundae
-Another round of pew pew lazors hair removal sessions
-Chickfila breakfast splurge
-Dog food
-(more) Hooks for the car (super first worldy, but awesome to keep shit from flying around)
-Joint supplement
-Earrings for my conch piercing (all of which were too short and have to be returned, ugh)

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Apples are just a vessel.
Individual caramel cups always seemed excessive...
until I realized: PORTION CONTROL.

New edging and mulch for their weed flower beds.

Enchiladas for dinner!
So much belly happiness.

Brownie sundae from Sesame was deemed "soul food" by Teh German, which I knew meant that I needed to take care of that craving.

Doofus 1 and Doofus 2 changed into their matching halloween collars this week.
I'm considering them dressed up for halloween now.

The elusive Park Circle Greyhound that I am always on the lookout for.  I would have stopped to say hi, which I've done (more than once)  but I wanted to get home.

German dinner:
Schnitzel and Kasespatzle by Teh German
Rotkuhl (red cabbage) by me

My circuits partner decided that my colored pens needs to be fucked with.
So he switched all the inks and tops on the pens in no order so they are all randomized.
Sadly, I couldn't handle this, but only in regards to the ink.  So I moved the correct ink back into the correct barrel color, but left the wrong colored tops on.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and the bed was made.
I came back 5 minutes later to this.
He's lucky he's cute.

MINNIE HOODIE BREAKOUT DAY!!!
YAAAASSSS!

I brought the inflatable dino costume in for Twin Dad to test out.  He walked around the office like this.

VIER - From the Internet Shit

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. Resolving the chemistry class debacle.  So I'll have to take a summer class.  Fine.
2. Rescheduling our anniversary massage to the 31st instead of the 30th.  This means I can cram for my tests the night before and not be as stressed.  AND I'll actually get to relax for my massage.
3. My teacher returning an assignment to me when I turned it in early because I didn't do the assignment right.
4. Parting my hair down the center on the first try for pigtails AND getting both buns up at a relatively even level on the first try.  #Miracles
5. Cooler temps for runs.
6. Hagrid.
7. Determining doppelgangers for coworkers.  We had a Vizzini from Princess Bride and Billy Mays and a Hulk Hogan.
8. Solid dinner picks this week.
9. Accomplishing homework as early as possible to not have weekday homework as often as possible.
10. Pre-wedding memories coming up on Facebook.

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Problems and Solutions

Real Talk Wednesday.. back again!

I'm the kind of person that when one thing goes wrong, a series of things will, inevitably, also, go wrong.  I've accepted this about myself.  I've learned to laugh at the challenges (mostly to stave off tears) and the ridiculousness of the situations that befall me.

But recently, I found myself juggling so many things at once and I couldn't figure out, for the life of me, why they were OMG PANTS ON FIRE RIGHT NOW MUST SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS important.

I know I said don't postpone problem solving in this post, but this was like a whole new level of tackling ALL THE THINGS RIGHT NOW.  Not only was I trying to focus my attention on multiple problems, but I needed IMMEDIATE solutions to all of the problems.  Problems that didn't need to be solved in the next few days, hours, or, for some things, even weeks.

I couldn't figure out what my problem was.
Then I heard a small voice in my head say, "Back away, Crazy."
So small, I barely heard it.  I've heard this voice before, but I try not to listen to it.  It's the voice that tells me, "Take a breath, now take another one, and another."  And then, I start getting amped up again, and it says, "Stopppp.  Take a breath.  Keep taking those breaths.  Slllloooowwww doooowwwwnnnnnnn, Megan.  Slow down."

This voice knows me.  This voice knows that if it says, "Relax, it will be fine," I will lose my shit.  I'll exponentially amp up to the point of an outburst or tears.  Because that voice knows that the r-word is the wrong word.  But mixing up the dialog helps.

Instead of "relax" my small voice, that often gets ignored (because I, obviously, am always in control and know exactly how to handle every situation, as of yesterday, thank you very much) knows to mitigate my anxiety and stress with gentle reminders to "slow down," "pause," and ask me, "Why is this important right now?"

Sometimes, that small voice has to get VERY loud for me to hear it... and more and more recently it's been having to yell at me.  Most recently it's been yelling,

Not every problem requires an immediate solution.

I know that's not a rocket science type of announcement for most people, but the day that the voice was yelling at me, it was a revelation.  Like, blew my own mind type of revelation.


Soooo often I get wrapped up in my problems.  Especially, when it's one thing after another.  Especially, when others have started to notice the black cloud that seems to hover over me.  Especially, when I feel that the problems have simple solutions.

But I am still human.  I am limited in my capabilities because there is only so much I can handle at once and so, so, soooo often, it feels like I'm the goalie and the entire team is shooting at me all at once and the coach expects me to block every.single.puck (it's hockey season, so yeah, pucks) that comes at me.

By the way, the coach is also me.  And, I'm also a few of the team members.  I really should be a better coach by not having the entire team shoot at the goalie all at once and, maybe, be a better team member by deciding not to shoot at my goalie, despite what the coach says. 

Mostly though, I really should back off my goalie.  Because the thing about all the pucks coming at you at once is that you definitely cannot block all of the pucks and worse, you might get hurt. 

Then, that voice reminded me...  I'm not the only goalie.  There's always a backup goalie, the 2nd string.

So, this is me, letting the small voice be heard.
I'm breathing.  I'm slowing down.  The joy is being taken away by trying to solve everything right now.  I'm reminding myself over and over and over and over and as many times as it takes, not every problem requires an immediate solution. 

And because I always need to be reminded:

Weekend Review {10/22}

FRIDAY

Friday was Meri's haircut day.  I opted to rest instead of stressing myself about time and going to the gym.  I wasn't sure how long it was going to take me to get to the groomer or how long it would take for drop off, but I wanted to be there close to first so I could get her in and head to class, and hopefully make it on time.

Not only did I make it to the groomer 25 minutes before they opened, I made it to class with a few minutes to spare.  Miracles people.

School was school, then it was to work.  I ended up leaving the office to go pick Meri up.  Rather than going straight home, I made a pit stop by Teh German's work to show off not-homeless-Meri and then we headed back to the office for a few more hours.  I made it worth her while and ensured she got to go to the pet store across the street from my office.  I even bought her and Pax over-priced gourmet smores dog treats.  That's true love.

After work, we headed home.  Meri just wanted Pax to fawn over her, which I should have taken video of.  She just kept standing in front of Pax with her tail up so he could smell her butt.  Weirdo.  Obviously, she feels pretty again.

I wasn't in the mood to eat leftovers and Teh German and I both agreed we could go for some wings.  Since FALL finally arrived to Charleston, we decided to ride to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner.  Teh German also wanted me to test out my new headlights and exhaust.

The exhaust is embarrassingly loud, but that means that it's SAFE loud.  Meaning, other drivers can hear me near them.  That said, I feel super guilty driving through my neighborhood since e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. can hear me.  As someone who hates when assholes drive through the neighborhood with their loud ass exhausts, I have the worst guilt about this, but safety > minor noise annoyances.

After dinner, we came home and I missed texts from Teh PT Wife and we watched Shameless then went to bed.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning, I talked Teh German into a family date at a new coffee place that opened up.  Family dates are always a good idea in theory and then we get there and we are trying to eat/drink and the dogs are either pulling us (since the leashes are tethered to us) or up in our business.  It's a stressful time for everyone.  Additionally, I chose poorly and wore long sleeves and we were sitting in the sun and I started to get hot and extra cranky.  It was 60°F on Friday and 80°F on Saturday.  I'm over the roller coaster.  For real.

I really wanted to like this new place (Ra Coffee, for you locals), but I wans't impressed.  Teh German had oatmeal (prepackaged, they just added the hot water) and an iced mocha, which he said was good.  I had a cinnamon bun (from Donut Connection) that was cold and a hot peppermint mocha that was 1/3 foam.  I ended up spooning it out and even Teh German was like, wow that's a lot of foam.  Yeah.  I wanted coffee, not foam.  Then, I couldn't even taste any peppermint and I was hot and tired of trying to eat a cold cinnamon bun with a plastic spoon and hold dogs and keep them from getting ran over by the drive through cars and I was over all of it, so we left. 

The customer service was great, but it seemed like the drive through was taking forever and inside was CHAOS and not in a good way.  There was no clear signage to state where you should order or pay.  The employees did say that it was super busy, but still, it's Saturday morning.. How are you not prepared for this?

After we got home, Teh German set about garage tasks and I changed into summer clothes and went to scoop a millionty piles of poop.  Ugh.  After poop was scooped, I headed to the office for homework time while Teh German moved on to yard work.

A few hours later, all my homework was complete.  I headed to the couch for chillin' time.  I was listening to my millionty hour audiobook when Teh German came in and announced he was finished with the yard work.  He headed outside for a beer and a cigar and within 10 minutes a crazy storm was upon us.  At the same time, we texted each other, "Perfect timing!"  Said storm ripped our flag from the pole it was mounted on.  Like, the entire flag AND mounting came off.  Teh German did find it, so we just need new mounting hardware and we'll be patriotic again.

I was 2 hours away from finishing my audiobook (of 55 hours), so I opted to put together a small puzzle to keep myself entertained since my solitaire app was getting boring.  300 pieces takes me less than 2 hours, FYI.

I still had 45 minutes left of the book when I finished the puzzle... /facepalm

Teh German and I had agreed to go to a neighbor's bday celebration, so I finally finished the book while getting ready.  It was a costume birthday party and I had suggested we go as an engaged couple (my level of effort is obvious) but Teh German wanted to wear his wedding band (like always, since we ordered it Aug 2017) so he suggested we dress like we were going to an ugly Christmas sweater party.  Also simple, so I agreed.  I even wrote, "Merry Christmas!" instead of happy birthday on the bottle of alcohol we delivered as a gift.  Go big or go home.

It was around midnight:30 when we got home and promptly went the fuck to bed.

SUNDAY

I was pretty hungover on Sunday.  No one to blame but myself, I didn't whine about it, I just took my advil and we agreed on brunch at the Famous Toastary since we were in the market for some fresh OJ.  While we were there, the mayor of N.Charleston showed up for brunch as well.  #NBD.

After brunch, we ran more errands than either of us wanted to actually do.  A quick stop at Target, a grocery stop at Sam's then Bilo, then a dash through the car wash, and we headed back home.  After groceries were put away, I went upstairs for a nap.

Pax and Meri joined me.  This is more the family time that I should stick to.  Lawd, next time I think that a family outing is a good idea, someone slap me... Slap me gently, lest you endanger yourself of being punched.

When I woke up a few hours later, I could have stayed in the bed for the rest of the evening.  This was Pax's choice, as he had me trapped in the bed.

Eventually, I sat up to dispense belly rubbins, which I was not allowed to stop doing, per Pax's incessant pawing at me when I would stop.  Meri then stole my warm spot after I sat up to pet Pax and it was easier to leave the bed after I couldn't lay back down.  Thanks, Monkey.

I went downstairs and Teh German and I agreed to watch more Shameless.  Eventually, we cooked dinner (kielbasa, mac and cheese, and red cabbage), ate, then watched 2 more episodes of Shameless before calling the weekend a wrap.

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These are the kinds of weekends I want to always have.  I got in some Husband time and accomplished all my school stuff and some house things and gave/got puppy attentions.

This week includes:
-a bit more homework that wasn't assigned over the weekend
-my pew pew lazors hair appt
-podiatrist follow-up
-FaceTime with Auntie P! YAY!
-Do everything I can to get ahead of next week.

Next week is anniversary week, so we have a couple's massage scheduled on the 30th, I have 2 tests on the 31st (poor scheduling on my part, but I figured that Teh German wanted to do Halloween things, thus not scheduling the massage on the 31st, but I may just override that now that I'm getting anxiety over it), then anniversary dinner on the 1st.  The 2nd, I head to Raleigh for a sleep over with Teh Advising Sister, then the weekend is City of Oaks half marathon things with Teh Running Bestie.

I'm entering into my busy season of life and it's exciting and petrifying at the same time.

Five on Friday #169

EINS - Random Shit

-I went on a run Monday morning and I wasn't doing the full on troll hobble, but it was hurting pretty bad, so I scheduled a visit with the podiatrist.  The x-rays look fine, so he taped a spongy cushion to the ball of my foot and told me to leave it on through Wednesday.  I'm pretty sure that walking on it made the left side of my calf hurt, but my foot feels better.  Or it could be the steroids he gave me.  Who knows.  I can do all activities besides run.  I haven't put it to the test though, other than going to the gym.  I really need this shit to sort itself out soon.  I got miles to get in before Teh Running Bestie and I descend upon Raleigh with all our running badassery and injuries...

-Since visiting Germany is out of the picture, thanks USCIS, we put plan B into motion.  Flights, lodging, rental car, and trip insurance have been purchased for our Colorado Snowcation!!!!  SOoooooooo pumped.  Teh German gets to snowboard his heart out, and I'll try to learn to snowboard, hopefully, or I'll bring a lot of fuzzy socks and read in front of the fire while it snows outside.  We're going to be hanging out in Denver with Sprink and husband and the 13 dogs that will be boarding at the Needle Nose Nirvana and I can.not.wait.

PS.  13 greyhounds is like 4 non-greyhound dogs, maybe.

-Someone on my Spotify Friend Activity Feed is a former FB friend from high school and I lost at least an hour of my life stalking people from high school after noticing their picture had been updated to include a baby.  This led to several trains of thought.

1- I'm not friends with many people from high school on Facebook.  This is because they rarely interacted with me, we've never hung out since 2004 (if not before), or I just felt like they were friends with me to keep up with my life, not because they were genuinely concerned about me.

2- I have some mad stalking skillz.  Really, anyone can do what I do, I only view what is visible to the public, so it's not like I'm hacking into their account or anything.. but you really learn a LOT from profile pic changes and public posts on people's pages by their friends or comments on the photos that are visible.  Wedding rings that go missing and absence of a spouse in the pics, obviously the introduction of babies, where people have traveled to, new significant others, weddings, sometimes deaths...

3- Seriously, all these people having babies.  Where are all the people at who do NOT want to have kids?  People, show yourselves.  Be my friend.  Strength in numbers and all that.

3a. I'm blaming my caring about this baby thing at all on the fact that it's "girl" time so the estrogen is over here on high fucking blast.
3b. My moments of weakness go like this:
A: Look at how cute it is!?!?!?! /squeeeeeeee
B: you have to KEEP the kid for like.. permanent.  You can't give it to someone else when it's being a shit.. and it will inevitably be a shit.. do you know who it's parents will be?  That baby will rival Jack Jack from The Incredibles.
A: but it's so cute.
B: but are dirty diapers cute?  And what about all those fun activities you do?  You sure as shit wouldn't be dropping all that money on a Snowcation if you had spawns.  Nope, you'd be buying diapers and wishing someone would take your baby and let you borrow it periodically when you think it's cute.  And you know your psycho husband wouldn't let you ride your motorcycle when you're incubating his spawn.
A: LOOK AT IT'S WIDDLE EYES AND FLOOFY HAIRS!!!
B: I can't deal with you when you're like this.  You're on two forms of birth control and it's highly likely that you're infertile anyways, Mrs. Hot Flashes at 32.
A: Rude.  FLOOFLY HAIRS!  BABY CHORTLES!  ALL THE ONESIES!!!
B: Seriously, be an aunt.  You obviously have special talents going to waste, but those special talents come in limited, non-parent, amounts.
A: I am an aunt.  My nephew just happens to be in Germany.  OOOO, Teh Sister?
B: Don't you put that on her, Ricky Bobby.  You know better.
A: Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
B: Back at cha.

^^ Every.single.time.
This is my life.

-Soo, speaking of my life and shit that happens to me...  Willow let me down on Tuesday.  When I left the house, my gas estimator said I had 50mpg left in the tank.  This was perfect.  I could get to school on time and then stop and get gas on my way into work.  Excepppptttt, when I got out of class on Tuesday and went to leave, Willow wouldn't start.

Campus Police happened to be patrolling by and I asked for a jump since the radio had displayed something about a dead battery.  IDK how, Willow is just super smart.  Willow also told me that I had 30 mpg left in the tank.  Despite the extra battery juice, Willow continued to make her choking sound.  No idea what to do, I called the Subaru dealership to talk to someone in the service department.

Turns out....... the gas estimator isn't accurate in the 2018 Outback.  Faaaaannnntastic.  They just came out with a fix for the issue in the last week or so, per the service dude I was speaking with.  It's not an immediate problem, so when I bring in Willow for her first oil change, they will give her a vacation and give me a rental and send off the part that needs to be repaired.  I'm lucky that I was parked and in a safe place.  Service Dude said some people had ran out of gas while driving.  I'm on the interstate for 70% of the driving I do.  I almost have a panic attack just thinking about running out of gas on the interstate and being the reason that Charleston traffic is even more fucked up.

Luckily, I have the warranty that covers roadside assistance delivering 2 gallons of gas to me.  An hour later, gas was delivered, Willow was sated enough to get me to the gas station, and a life lesson was learned.  Do NOT rely on those gas estimators.  Get gas when the light turns on.  Just do it.  It's fine.  There is nothing that says that you have to use every single ethanol vapor in the tank before getting gas.

-Turns out, we have to pay to replace the drip pan that has a rusted hole in it, which was causing the ceiling to pee on us.  Actually a drooping pipe caused the rust spot, but ya know, who care about that technicality.  It's not covered by the warranty.  Of course not.  Why would it be?

-Accurate analogies of my life via gifs:

PS.  Those overacted fails are the best.

-Books beeches.
The problem with listening to audiobooks that are 20+ hours long is that they take forever to get through.  Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying them, butttt when I see my Goodreads challenge go from 4 ahead, to 3 ahead, to 2 ahead, to 1 ahead... I just don't like it.  Some might call me an overachiever.  Some might accept that claim.

I'm almost finished with a 55 hour book (Words of Radiance), then I think I'll enjoy a few "short" audiobooks before returning to the other 55 hour book (Outlander 7).  I also finished Magic Burns last night, which was definitely better than book 1 in the series.. ANNNNDDD there was only a few references about modern day things (Subaru car, Altoids mints) that made me stabby.  If your book is set in the future with no given year (that I've been made aware of), things in modern time aren't really that "old".  Kristen and I have had conversations about this.

I've also been in the mood for some solid SOUTHERN audiobooks.  I want that slow accent.  I want fireflies and kadydids.  I started reading The Beach Trees (recommended by Brit) but it's an ebook, not an audio.  I think I will like it though.  I also started reading Sweet Tea and Jesus, a series of short stories, but it wasn't what I wanted it to be and I quit reading it.  I didn't even bother to DNF it on Goodreads, I just took it out of my books.  It wasn't bad, it just wasn't.... my cup of tea.  HA!

I'm enjoying this season of books that I'm in.  A few years ago it was WW2 (eastern front, please) fiction.  Now it's sci-fi and southern shit.  I think my next push will be for the Warcraft books or the Shannara series(es) by Terry Brooks.  Both of those series are approximately a mabillionty books.. so that should keep me busy for the rest of my life.

PS.  I did finish Erin's Challenge back in September, I think.  After changing from some tedious books, I was able to charge on and get shit done.

ZWEI - Money Shit

This week I said, "Goodbye, dolla dolla bills yall!" when I paid for Snowcation things.  #YOLO
Teh German and I were discussing the price of lift tickets (specifically him saying how expensive they are) and I finally said it...  "Then what is the purpose of all the money we make?"  It's one thing to be cheap but it's another to be cheap when you're going on a vacation that you've wanted to go on for yearssss.  I cannot with that.  He had no response, so hopefully the message was received.

-dog food (can we just have a collective hell yes for Amazon auto ship?)
-Audible subscription
-Spotify subscription
-Chickfila splurge Tues morning, which worked out because I would have been hangry AF if I hadn't inhaled that chicken biscuit.
-GAS.  ugh too soon.
-Couples massage through Groupon at my favooorrriiittteee place for our anniversary
-one of those beanies with a pony tail hole.
-Day drinking
-Groceries/stuff at Walmarts
-Erasers for Cadet gifts.  These fools erase.. A LOT and I'm tired of them asking to borrow a pencil/eraser, so I bought some cap erasers with little smileys on them... DONE.  Merry Christmas, Cadets.  You get one and you get one and you get one.
-A cast cover for my bandaged foot.
-Steroid prescription
-Meri vaccine
-Lunch pizza (because the craving for the Big Mac -esque pizza that Park Pizza makes was tormenting me so I finally just gave in and it was soooooooo worth it)
-Meri hair cut (finnnnnaally)
-

DREI - From My Phone Shit

Toe cushion... which I affectionately referred to as "Pac Man Toe Pad"

Teh Running Bestie and I BOTH have one of these sexy things now.
#Twinsies

When the flies have taken over your house and you have to protect your breakfast while getting your shit together to leave for the day...

Apparently, maintenance took down a wasp nest but didn't bother to clear the evidence.
Creepy AF.

Poop Soup!

McPark Pizza
Kinda like a Big Mac pizza.
It was everything you're imagining it would be.

If a cowboy is happy, does that make him a jolly rancher?

VIER - From the Internet Shit

FÜNF - Things that made me happy this week

1. My BJB almost going away.
2. No class on Wednesday and getting to work the whole day.
3. Going through the course offerings and planning Spring 2019.  I cannot describe how much satisfaction I get from scheduling things.  If I could handle the bitches, I could totally be a wedding planner.
4. Meri with short hairs.  After cutting out a dingle berry earlier this week, that fuzz had to go.
5. LONG SLEEVES AND "COLD" TEMPERATURES!!!!!  MY TIME HAS COME, GENTLE READERS!!!!
6. Teh German making some sweet modifications to Bagheera.  A new exhaust has her purring like the sexy beast she is, and new brighter head-lights were installed so I don't use my high beams 100% of the time, which Teh German hates for some reason.  I really don't care though and now my high beams are going to be even brighter and I'm PUMPEDDDDD!
7. Books books books!!!!
8. Teh Chiro who just gets me and all my broke pieces and does his best to realign all my pieces so I can inevitably fuck it all up again.
9. Steroids for faster healing.  I didn't know.  My world has been lit up.
10. COLORADO SNOWCATION IN DECEMBER IS PLANNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.