Our New Roommates

I would like to introduce you to our new roommates:
 

Bo



















 


Jim Bob

 




















 

Cletus and Horace




Betty Lou

 

Hank



And Billy Bob.  Doc is particularly interested in Billy Bob.



Oh, That's Good.

Deadly Egyptian Cobra Missing from Bronx Zoo

Hope your Monday went better than what will happen to whoever comes face to face with this thing...

Success!

We survived! We moved (most of) our stuff successfully into the in-law's basement and we remembered to bring Doc too! We are just setting in, unpacking some necessities, hanging our work clothes, blogging, watching "A Bug's Life" and napping... our lives are hard.

But we deserve some rest! Saturday morning we were up bright and early. My FIL met us with the truck and we loaded up all the furniture and boxes that we could. Here's a picture of the apartment before the arrival of the truck. Note that Doc has somehow scaled Mount Gishmore...

I let the boys take care of the big stuff and helped by organizing everything so it was ready to go.  I'm such a good wifey... Here's a pic of the guys organizing the truck to make sure everything fit!

Doc was very worried throughout the entire process.  He pretty much HATED that we kept leaving with large boxes and he had to stay.  We were glad that when we left that day, Doc left too. For good.  He won't be returning with us to help us clean.  As much as I would LOVE to see 4 little rubber gloves...

Nervous.



Finally, we were done! We got most everything into the truck and our cars, and we were ready to leave.  But before we did, there was one more important picture to take.

This is us in the exact spot where we got engaged.  I wanted to take a picture because we can't really go back there ever again... that would be incredibly awkward.  Please excuse our sweatiness!

So here we are, in our basement home.  We still have some cleaning and odds and ends to bring over, but for the most part we are DONE. 

Hope everyone has a great week!

~SG

PS: I also wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to 3 of the newest Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders:  Ashley, Brittany, and Kristen!!! I'm so proud of you girls!!!!!!!

Stolen Poms.



The Big Move

Nothing much exciting has been going on lately due to our lives being consumed with house hunting and moving.

We've been going through a lot of shenanigans with (what we thought was) the house of our dreams. To make a long story short, the selling agent has been more than unresponsive and unhelpful. It's still floating out there somewhere, but we have found a better house in the same neighborhood that we are hoping will turn out to be our dream home.

We've been told that buying a house is an emotional rollercoaster, and I was prepared to deal with that. But apparently I am married to Mr. Instant Gratification, so it has been less than pleasant dealing with his freak-outs every time something goes wrong. But it's also pretty cute listening to him talk about his "man-cave" and how he's going to paint everything and what he's going to do with the backyard etc.

In the mean time, we are moving out of our apartment an into the in-laws. This will definitely make for some hilarious blogs so get excited about that. But don't get me wrong- I love my in-laws and I really think I lucked out. Anyway, so here we are packing up 2 years of junk, wedding gifts that haven't even been opened, SOMEBODY's ridiculous AV equipment, too many clothes and shoes, and a small dog- who I guess thinks we are going to forget to pack him because he's been freaking out lately.

Tomorrow's the big day and I am just ready to get it over with. Leaving this apartment is definitely a little sentimental for me. It was the first place I lived without roommates (for like a month before Joey moved in) and we actually got engaged right there in the bedroom. I'm going to take a bunch of pictures and I'll be sure to post some throughout the process of moving. As well as some pictures of our new basement home, which we will share with approximately 10-12 mounted animal heads ranging from deer, to turkeys, and wild boars. Oh and a huge bass.

Well, I'll be back with a likely riveting story of our move and all the fun details. Joey's Uncle Jon (a complete character worthy of his own blog post) is the ringleader of this expedition and I can only expect major shenanigans from what I've seen and heard in the past. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and a special shout out to SO MANY of my good friends and former teammates who are in Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders Final Auditions tomorrow, and Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Auditions Day 1 tomorrow!! SO proud of all of you and I love you!!!

<3
Coach Sarah

Natural Light

So Joey and I were talking about our potential new home, and he was really excited because there are so many windows and the house "just has so much natural light!"

It took him a few minutes to realize what he'd just said:

Har har!!

I will never grow up!

Annoying

This will be my last post about basketball. Promise.  I've watched enough basketball games in my life to hold over for eternity.  Between highschool, college, and nba games I've seen it all.

I'm just annoyed.  Not that I really expected Mason to win against the team projected to win it all. But here is a brief list of why:
(Has anybody noticed that I really like to make lists?)

1. We were playing in Cleveland. Home state advantage in the first couple rounds? That's not fair!
2. I bet the refs were local too!
3. Our leading scorer came down with a mysterious case of food posioning. Need I say more?
4. OSU was acting cocky and unsportsmanlike on the court.
5. I'm just bitter.

Now I don't know if I want to cheer for VCU because they are another team that could learn a thing or two about being a good sport.  Coach L needs to give seminars, srsly. 

I guess in keeping with the theme here I will wish all the teams Good Luck as they continue in their quest to be #1. 

We'll be back!!!

Proof that we were beating them at one point!

~SG

GO MASON!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S GO MASON!!!

and LET'S GO MASONETTES!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the 2006 senior dance, choreographed by MOI ;) Enjoy!

HUGE WIN today vs. Villanova.  Brought back the memories of being courtside throughout the spring of 2006.  I will always be a Masonette at heart, and I am so proud to support such an awesome team!!

Bring it on, OHIO STATE!!!!!! (So they haven't won yet, but the score is currently 46-26............)

Go out and make it a GREAT weekend everybody!!!!!!

Traumatic Events

I think it's time to come clean about what REALLY happened last night.  Around 9:00pm, my Facebook status read "There's blood and flour everywhere! Sorry Doc!".  Which brought on quite a few concerned comments and texts...

Let's just say that this was NOT Doc's first MANicure.  We've cut his nails before, and actually just recently mastered the art of holding a piece of cheese in front of his nose to distract him whilst clipping said nails.  Pre-cheese, he would wimper and pull his paw away like a little child.  It was terrible.

Let me also say that I am a total dog mom.  Judge me if you want, but I have no children, so I am free to put all of my anxiety, worry, and obsession into one little 7 pound animal.  And I do.  The first time we left him with a friend while we went on vacation, I left her with a 6 page "DOC-ument" which detailed everything about him, what NOT to do (don't lose my dog!) and requested photos and text message updates daily. 

Anyway, back to last night, where Doc was WAY overdue for a manicure.  After one too many scratch marks on my neck and face, I grabbed the clippers and the cheese, and I held him in my lap while Joey clipped.  He was happily eating the cheese, when *clip* "Hmm, I think I cut that one too short...".  Doc seemed unfazed, and was still more interested in the cheese, so it didn't bother me.

Until I noticed blood on my hand where I hadn't seen it before.  There wasn't much, and it took me a minute to realize it was coming from Doc, who was still happily cheese-sniffing.  I wasn't awfully concerned, and Joey went to the kitchen for a "home remedy".  Flour. 

White powder. Wriggly dog. Blood. > our apartment.

It looked like a horrible baking accident... or that we tried to bake a Doc-pie (um hello, it was Pi Day!)...

The flour stopped the bleeding for a hot second, but little mister can't-sit-still ended up bleeding again, all over our bed.  We got the bleeding to stop several times, but then he would go walking around and it would start again.  I only panicked once, when it wasn't stopping- and I googled (bad idea) which just made it worse.  But thankfully he was FINE.

Eventually the bleeding did stop.  I checked it this morning and it's just a big scab now.  It doesn't seem to be bothering him at all, so don't call the authorities on me.

Just know that I am going out per several recommendations and buying a PediPaw...

~SG

PS: Sorry, I didn't take any pictures but I wasn't exactly in picture mode while all of this was going on............

Lessons Learned and Forward Looking

Saving money to buy a house definitely makes you realize how much money you've been wasting.  With the amount we've been able to save in the past, oh, 1.5 months, I almost want to vom thinking about how much we could've been saving since our wedding in October.  Starting today, I've put us on a strict "money diet" with an allowence of funds per week (yes, I am that wife).  If all goes according to plan, we should be ready with our down payment and other fees well before the closing!! AND if we stick to our money diet, we will be able to pay our mortgage on our new home, pay our utilities and bills, and live a nice little life well within our means.  Now we just need the approval to come through...

If it doesn't happen, we will be sad, yes.  But it will only give us more time to save our pennies and find THE perfect home for us (even though we think we've already found it). 

I am so excited to be able to let Doc out the back door and watch him run around the back yard like a maniac.  I can't wait to decorate the rooms and argue over paint colors and watch Joey paint the rooms with a glass of wine in my hand....ok I kid. (Maybe).

Now it's time to pack up our apartment.  With all the excitement and promising news, we have been advised to end our lease early.  So.... let the packing begin!!!

~SG

PS: We reached the 5 month mark yesterday!  We celebrated with a couple glasses of wine and Jersey Shore. Class, class, class.

PSA

Today's Public Service Announcement is dedicated to a close friend of ours.

Please, if you or someone you love exhibits any of the below warning signs, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The below information is from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org):

Recognize the Imminent Dangers

The signs that most directly warn of suicide include:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself (weapons, pills or other means)
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Has made plans or preparations for a potentially serious attempt

Other warning signs include expressions or other indications of certain intense feelings in addition to depression, in particular:

• Insomnia
• Intense anxiety, usually exhibited as psychic
• pain or internal tension, as well as panic attacks
• Feeling desperate or trapped -- like there's no way out
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling there's no reason or purpose to live
• Rage or anger

Certain behaviors can also serve as warning signs, particularly when they are not characteristic of the person's normal behavior. These include:

• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities
• Engaging in violent or self-destructive behavior
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends or family

If you would like to make a donation, please click here.

Couldn't Resist...

This HOTD is just too good to be true...

"Man Allegedly Karate Chops Air Marshal"

Plus it goes with the theme from last week's post about flying.  Karate chop? Really? I mean, I wouldn't probably ever try to fight an Air Marshal (I'd probably be kissing their feet, thanking them for saving my life) but IF I did, I don't think karate chopping is the way to go... Just sayin.

Joey's Birthday!

And now it's time for yet another exciting post about my personal life! 
(Material is lacking lately, but I have a few good ideas in mind so just hang in there.)

This weekend, my husband turned 26! This is a big deal cause now we're the same age. For 4 months, I'm not robbing the cradle!

We had kind of a low key birthday weekend.  I guess as you get older, birthdays get less and less fun.  Which is doubly depressing for me, as I always throw myself a huge extravaganza with a theme and free alcohol for whoever comes dressed the part.  (July. Stay tuned.  I have some big ideas.)

On his birthday morning, Joey woke up and the first thing he said was, "Hey, don't worry about waiting til later.  You can give me my plane tickets and park hopper pass now.  Where are we staying? Old Key West?" (Referring to Disney World, if you didn't catch on).  As I started to say "Sorry, not this birthday", he responded, "Oh... Saratoga Springs then?"

Unfortunately I did not have a Disney Vacation to give him.  Even his card was kind of messed up because as I went to write his name on the envelope, I simultaneously yelled at the dog for something and so there is a big "D" on the card instead of a J.... Happy Birthday Doey...

We were lucky enough to have some good friends meet us for dinner at a new Hibachi place near our house.  Before dinner, Joey and I stopped off at an old haunt, Buffalo Wing University to grab a beer.  I guess being in our old stomping grounds made us feel bold, so we each chugged a "wrong island" bomb  (and immediately regretted it) and then headed off to dinner.

Here are some pictures from Joey's birthday dinner!

After dinner, a few of us headed to the bowling alley, where I bowled a mean 65 (ok kidding, I don't remember what my score was but it was equally bad) and Joey got showed up by best man Teddy.  He was quite bitter. My sister even put in an appearance (from PA!) and we all had a splendiferous time.

The next day we had dinner with some of Joey's family.  The highlight of the day came when it was time to eat cake.  Joey's not a huge fan of cake, dessert, or anything sweet for that matter- but he does love him some cheesecake.

This is his slice, with 26 candles in it.

So Joey's birthday was a little low key, yes.  Why so cheap?  Not because I don't love him....
I GUESS I should probably admit that the reason we are being so thrifty is that we put a contract on a house and are waiting to hear about it.... so it's probably a good idea that we stop spending money all willy nilly (was that the pizza guy at the door?).... right... well we are trying!!

More details to come soon- I don't want to jinx anything!!

~SG

I'm on a boat!

I'm way behind! But I'm back now and have no travel plans until July.  Thank goodness.

So if you noticed on my Facebook, I recently went to San Diego for work to watch a missile launch. Don't worry, it was only a test, and here is the article. 

I was lucky enough to go for a ride on the support ship and witness the launch in person. It was a great trip, albeit short. Here are a few photos:

The view from my balcony

The pirate ship parked next door.

A Whale of a Fountain

I'm on a boat!

 

Silent Sentry

But enough of all that. Let's get into some real serious topics. Like how much I hate flying.

Anybody that knows me pretty much has a clue that I absolutely hate flying in an airplane. I am not as scared of a terrorist attack as I am of the plane falling out of the sky by accident. Irrational? Yes.

Usually a week or so before the flight I start to feel the effects on my body. I don't FEEL scared yet, but my body starts rejecting food and I start losing sleep. The day before the flight, I usually start worrying about all the "What-Ifs", which I won't go into detail about, and the day OF the flight, I am so anxious that I cannot focus on anything else.

With all the flying I've been doing lately for work, I have actually been doing REALLY well. On the flight to Georgia, I actually sort of ENJOYED it. Oh, did I mention that I find planes extremely interesting? And that I love to watch them take off and often drive off the road doing so? It's just that whole BEING on the plane thing...

Anyhoo. So I boarded the flight to San Diego, not especially worried, just knowing that I'd be extremely bored for 5 hours. My first clue of what lay ahead was when the Captain welcomed us aboard, and noted that we were going to hit a line of thunderstorms about 45 minutes into the flight. My second clue was when the flight attendants let us know that they would be delaying their beverage service until after we passed the storms. My third clue was 20 minutes into the flight when the Captain came on again, let us know the storms were approaching quickly, and told the flight attendants to be seated immediately.

The next hour was the worst of my life. Things were pretty bad already, then the Captain informed us that the next 20 minutes were going to be extremely bumpy. They were not kidding. I have never been so scared.  We were truly in God's hands up there- that thing was pitching, rolling, dropping- felt like I was in a cocktail shaker.... I absolutely NEVER recommend boarding a plane if there is a huge line of storms on the radar.

I felt like a little girl who needed her Mom. I was scared, alone, and certain that we were going to fall out of the sky imminently. I tried to remind myself that if it wasn't safe, they wouldn't fly. But it didn't really help AT ALL. I was shaking like a leaf.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the girl next to me said "So did you watch the Oscars last night?" I looked up at her, bewildered, and said shakily, "Yeah, yeah I did, did you?" And from there on we talked about the different movies, who won, why we were going to San Diego, her upcoming wedding, etc. I don't know her name or anything, but it was the nicest thing in the world. I really appreciated her effort to distract me and I'll probably never forget it.

After about an hour of "shake it like a salt shaker", things calmed down, beverage service began, I read "Harry Potter", and the next four hours passed slowly, but uneventfully until we landed in SD.

THANK GOD THAT WAS OVER.

Unfortunately I had to go get on a ship- in the middle of the ocean. What a traumatic 3 days.....

Luckily we had amazing weather. I was not seasick, although I still feel like I'm rocking on a boat, and the return flight was (mostly) smooth. The last 30-45 minutes were also rather turbulent, but a few factors helped me get through it:

a) I was listening to the flight deck via the armrest radio
b) The skies were clear
c) Nothing could ever be worse than the flight out

And so, I survived. Scarred for life, probably. But I guess now I will be able to calm myself down with "it's not as bad as that one time...".

Anybody else scared of flying? Or any other irrational fears?