Somebody's got a case of the Mondays

Swazzle

And that somebody is me. 4ish hours of sleep is just not sufficient especially at the beginning of the week. 

I did, however, have a spectacular weekend and stayed up last night to see my Leo finally take home his first Oscar

On Friday, I drove up to @csousa1 's house in MA and @GoldenPenguin arrived shortly after. We ate and drank and laughed and stayed up talking super late. 

On Saturday, we woke up and had a delicious breakfast, watched Fuller House, napped, and then @csousa1 's mom sent over a homemade chocolate cake and we had a tea party! We watched Serendipity which I had never seen and then got all prettied up and went out to a party where we played flip cup and beer pong and didn't get home until 2:30am and it was like we were in college all over again. 

We slept SO late yesterday, went out for a nice breakfast, and then I had to leave and I wanted to cry. Luckily it didn't take me nearly as long to get home as it took me to get there. I scarfed down a cheesesteak because I was craving it, H got home from food shopping, and we lounged on the couch for the rest of the night, watching the Red Carpet and the Oscars. 

I thought Chris Rock did a great job, Lady Gaga's performance was so moving and it brought me to tears, and I definitely cried when Leo won. 

For now, I'll be anxiously waiting for last night's TWD to be up on the AMC website so I can watch before some douchebag spoils it on FB. 

I hope everyone has the best Monday possible considering it's Monday! 

minskat30

@swazzle - you always beat me to Monday posts.    What did you think of Fuller House?

I've been up since 3 am because of a work deal that is funding on European time.  

I had a productive weekend.  Saturday was more bathroom construction and H and I streamlined the remaining tasks.  The painting got done and the shower tiling was completed.  The bathtub tiling was started but not finished.  BIL and his friends were supposed to show on Sunday but, again, didn't.  I guess I'm not surprised but again he promised me a call if he wasn't going to come and just didn't call.  I think we have one more weekend of bathtub tiling (well, grouting the shower and tiling the tub and grouting it) and then we can just hire the plumber to do the rest...please, God, I hope.  

H and I also went over our list for Ani.  We have a ton of stuff to do and H is going to take over some things thankfully.  H and I also had a budget talk.  So, yeah, we were adults all weekend pretty much.  

I also watched the Oscars.  I thought Chris Rock was funny but there were some cringe worthy jokes/moments (what else is new, right).

Swazzle

@minskat30 - We all really liked it! I think we only watched the first 2-3 episodes and it was really cute. WTF is with your BIL? He's being rude, inconsiderate, and unprofessional IMO. Glad it seems it'll all be over soon. 

LizzyTish88

Good morning! I, too, have the case of the Monday's. But, LEO

@swazzle Sounds like you had a great weekend! The weather was so nice this weekend too so that's awesome. 

@minskat30 Adulting sucks, but glad you feel better about things!

We had a busy weekend. Friday we took BF's mom out to dinner for her actual birthday. BF's cousin was talking to her on Friday and ended up saying to her "see you sunday."So she started poking us for info but we didn't give her much. 

Saturday we watched tv in the morning, then got to cleaning the house. We really needed to clean so it was nice to get it all done. BF brought Tessie out to a friend's house who has dogs to wear her out and give Dixie a break. Saturday night we went out to eat with my cousin and her kids, since we hadn't seen them in two weeks since they were away. After dinner my parents called saying they were coming by, so we started to watch Fuller House, and got roped into 5 episodes. 

Yesterday we did a bit more cleaning in the morning and then ran errands. We then flew home to get ready for the party and headed there. BF's mom was SO surprised. There were about 40 people there and she said she had no clue. She was very overwhelmed, but she loved it. It was a nice time. After that, BF and I went home and watched the red carpet and the Oscars. I thought they were nicely done. However, I am so tired today!!

[Deleted User]

Good morning!!

I think I'm the only person who didn't watch the Oscars!  

It's going to be really nice today... 75 degrees.  I can't wait.  Hoping I can sit on the porch and let the dogs play while I enjoy the sun.

Friday and Saturday I did way too much (12,000 steps on Saturday), so I really took it easy yesterday.  My mom came over and helped me pretty up my porch, so at least I got that completed!

@minskat30 - I bet you will feel SO RELIEVED when the bathroom project is finished.  

I have an OB appointment tomorrow, so we'll see what she says about bed rest and my CA trip.  Fingers crossed it is all good news!

Last night, H got to feel kicks for the first time.  His face was hilarious!

jenna8984

@swazzle you're a trooper, I haven't stayed up til 2am in God knows how long! hahah, sounds like a great time though! I didn't watch the awards but I just looked at all the red carpet looks online. Sometimes I'm surprised when they give a "worst" to a normal, plain gown. Like Reese's, what was wrong with that? Nothing!

@minskat30 Yaaay sounds like awesome bathroom progress. As well as Ani stuff and budgeting- very productive!

Oh yea, I'm loving Fuller House. Haven't watched them all yet but I think they did a real good job.

Saturday night we went out to eat with H's family. We HAAATE his mom so we tried to avoid her and just talk to his dad/ grandma/ cousins lol. The food came out horrible, everyone's was overcooked and they never brought my god damn curros I ordered. But we just let it go, and stopped for ice cream on the way home instead lol.

Yesterday I went to a 2 year old's b-day party. Then cooked H & I dinner, we watched Black Mass which was good. OOO OOO- I'm the queen of burning anything baked goods related. Since I was a teen, I've never made a successful cake or muffin or anything. Last night, I made banana bread and took it out 20 minutes before the recipe said- and it's perfection!! I was so excited and H was so impressed hahah

Swazzle

@caseface5 - Glad you had a nice time this weekend and your BF's mom was surprised! 

@CocoBellaF - 75 degrees sounds GLORIOUS! Enjoy! 

@jenna8984 - I thought Reese looked gorgeous! I don't understand that at all. I can't remember thinking anyone was really worthy of worst dressed. 

Swazzle

minskat30

@swazzle - I'm still stuck in European deal hell over here.    Doing it from work now instead of home in my PJs. Blech.  My BIL is tired and I get it but I'm paying him so I'm pretty irritated myself.  Hopefully next weekend is the last of it.  In any case, it should all be done by the end of March at the latest latest I guess.  

@cocobellaf - All the non-bedrest vibes to you!!!!  And I will be massively relieved when the bathroom is done.  Also, what was your H's reaction to the kicking like?  My H's eyes got HUGE and he immediately removed his hand as if he had been burned.  Then he asked "Doesn't that hurt?"  lol

@jenna8984 - Sorry Saturday was a bust (except the ice cream part...ice cream makes EVERYTHING better).  

@caseface5 - I'm glad your BF's mother liked her surprise and it went well!

speakeasy14

@swazzle your weekend sounds like fun, so who cares if you're short on sleep!
@cocobellaf enjoy the weather! It's starting to warm up here, but 75 sounds perfect!
@minskat30 ugh your BIL sucks.  But at least some progress was made!!!

AW alert time and lots of pictures:

I spent all day Saturday baking for my sister's shower.  Yesterday morning my best friend picked me up and we went to help set up for the shower.  Overall it was really nice, and my BIL's family was nowhere as rude as they were for my sister's bridal shower.  The only thing that they did this time was make it obvious they didn't want to be there.  The entire time my sister was opening gifts everyone was talking yelling to one another.  My mom and my sister's MIL had to repeatedly shout over everyone.  The only people paying attention were my family.  But aside from that it was nice and Emmy is clearly already loved.

the one cake




my cupcakes - the blue and yellow had a honey buttercream, the pink were just regular buttercream



me and my sisters(Forgot to get an all sibling picture)


inception picture of a picture of a picture of a picture


my brother's gf, my youngest sister, my best friend, and me




the grandmas (my mom is being called Nana Banana)






The dress I rented didn't zip all the way.  But I found a tutu dress my sister bought me that I've never worn, so I wore that instead.  I did get a picture of the Kate Spade rental though:

Swazzle

@speakeasy14 - Everything for the shower looks so nice!!! 

minskat30

@speakeasy14 - Awww, the shower looks awesome!!!    And you look beautiful in your dress(es).  I'm sorry the Kate Spade one didn't work out but I like the one you picked!

labro

@Swazzle I'm so jealous of your weekend! It sounds like you had a lot of fun!!!

@minskat30 Your BIL is an inconsiderate ass. I really really hope you get another pro hired quickly to finish this project from hell!!! Also boooo on having to be up ridiculously early. Not cool work!

@CocoBellaF Good luck at your doctor's appointment! I'm glad you got your front porch all done up! Did you take any pictures?

@speakeasy14 Love love lovveeeee the cupcakes! You and your sister are adorable!

My weekend was basically full of adulting just like @minskat30.

On Saturday we got up early and hit the bank to deposit a ton of coins H has been saving for years ($144!!!!) and then we went to Home Depot and spent a bunch of money on stuff we need to for the yard and a big annoying project we have coming up (basically making water flow away from the house better). Then we stopped at the landscape material store and bought a bunch of rock for MORE yard work. I swear you guys, my life is so exciting.

On Sunday we spent the morning and early afternoon working in our crawl space. Short story is our crawl space has too much moisture because we live in Georgia and the soil is all clay. So we have to encapsulate it with heavy plastic that covers the ground and is adhered to the walls. Boy oh boy was that fun!

We aren't done yet but we made a lot of progress.

We took a break around 3 because PBS was hosting a marathon of all the episodes that have aired so far for DA Season 6. Since I was about 4 episodes behind I got to binge watch and catch up on everything! I laughed and then I cried and I cried and I cried and then I laughed some more. I don't know what I'm going to do when this show ends on Sunday....

After I got all caught up H and I had an end of the month budget discussion. We made sure all of our expenses were accounted for in the budget and we were missing some but not a ton at least. Anyway the awesome part is we didn't go over- budget in any categories EXCEPT surprise surprise...LaBro's fun money. Le sigh.

I didn't watch the Academy Awards either because by the time we finally finished our discussion I had to fold laundry and put away dishes and then it was bedtime!

Also....why the fuck isn't February over yet?????????????

minskat30

@labro - Adulting all weekend is not fun.  At least I was keeping you company in spirit.    Also, the crawl space fix looks really really irritating.  Did you guys have to get all wet/dirty to do it?  I had a crawl space growing up and I was always the person who had to go in there to get stuff people needed and I HATED it...there were always tons of spiders in there.

cu97tiger

@swazzle - I'm jealous of all the NEYers you got to see this weekend!

@minskat30 - On your behalf, I am totally over your BIL. 

@caseface5 - Aww, how nice to surprise your BF's mom. Those are so much fun.

@speakeasy14 - My niece and nephew call me Aunt Banana (my real name is Amanda) and I LOVE it. They are 7 and 4 and while they now know my given name, they still call me that.

This weekend started out with a crazy hard workout Friday night. I joined the Crossfit Open, which is 10's of thousands of people worldwide doing the exact same workouts for five consecutive weeks. Our box makes it into a fun time, where everyone brings beer and sticks around after they are done, so it's a nice party atmosphere. I did okay. In the moment, it was tough but not impossible, thought I wish I had scored a little higher. I am still sore today from it! 

DH left yesterday for two weeks for work. This will be the longest we've been apart since about six months into our relationship (we were long distance for the first 6 weeks of our relationship and then for four months in the first year while he worked OOT). 

Yesterday I went for a four mile run with a friend and then had a yummy lunch. I then spent about 6 straight hours watching season 4 of New Girl. I'm not even a little embarassed. 

Then last night, I re-worked our budget. Right now we put some things in 401k and savings accounts, but I do not feel like we are doing enough. DH has agreed to cut back a bit, so I put together a budget that has us doubling what we put in our 'accessible' savings, and also doubles what he puts in his 401k. I think what I'll do is separate DH's spendable money into one account, so that he can spend as he sees fit without me getting anxious about us spending our money on frivolous things. 

To explain a little more, I don't care what DH spends his money on, but I see how much we put in our 'fun' account, and every two weeks, it's gone. We don't have a whole lot to show for it, so I'd like us to be more conscious of that spending. Not that we can't go buy $300 electronics, but that we think about cutting back for a week or two to make up for that. If that makes sense...

I am so excited to watch the final episode of Downton Abbey tonight. It has taken all my willpower not to google the spoilers! (Wait, I just saw @labro's post... does the final not air until next Sunday?! NOOOOO)

You are not alone, @cocobellaf. I did not watch one single second of the Oscars, though I did skim through the dresses from the red carpet. I'm very happy for Leo and I heard a rumor that Kate is pregnant.

labro

@cu97tiger The DA finale airs on Sunday March 5th! Watch out for spoilers! I am not google anything!!!

I know how you feel about fun money. It frustrates me because I have a certain amount of fun money each month and H STILL comments if I buy expensive shampoo with it...or spend $100 getting my hair cut and colored. Just because you're a guy and you're balding doesn't mean I don't care to spend money on my personal things! It has helped to have a "free spot" in the budget so to speak but I think if it can be an out of sight out of mind place so you won't stress out over what he does with the money that's a good thing (as long as he's staying within that amount).

@minskat30 Well luckily we already had plastic down in a good portion so we were able to work from there. I did get dirty but at least I stayed dry! We put down bug killer in the soil before the plastic and we have regular pest control so there are some cobwebs but the spiders aren't TOO terrible! Plus the crawl space is about 4 feet high all over so it's not too bad to move around in.

minskat30

@cu97tiger - Whoo hoo way to go on figuring out a way to double the 401k contribution!!  H and I were talking budget this weekend and discussing saving more (a LOT more) and it is not easy.  I'm sorry your H is going to be gone for two weeks too.    As part of the budget talks H and I had this weekend, we discussed the possibility that he might have to take a short-term contract in a different state if his new side business doesn't take off (his current contract in Chicago is tenuous at this stage because his project is wrapping up).  I can't imagine doing long-distance, especially with a newborn, and it almost made me cry honestly.  Thankfully we are giving his business a go until the end of the year at a minimum before we resort to that (if we have to).

[Deleted User]

@labro - All of that reminds me that H needs to clean out the storm shelter soon!  All kinds of cobwebs and nasties down there, I'm sure.  Ugh.

cu97tiger

@labro - H will laugh at me if I buy another pair of shoes, but he doesn't mind. I also shake my head at some of the crap he buys, but again, I don't mind. What I do mind is that we make a considerable amount of money and I don't necessarily feel like we're doing enough to pad our savings accounts and 401ks. Especially if IVF works, we need to get used to having less 'fun' money anyway. Luckily H agrees, and so I'm ready for this experiment to start (we're just waiting for the HELOC to come through so we can pay off a bunch of debt... I feel like I've been saying that for YEARS).

@minskat30 - Yeah, LDRs suck in general. I hope you don't have to do that, but I totally understand for short term issues, that might be the best option. I'm sure it would be hard for your H to be away from you and Ani so much, too! Would it be somewhere that was within driving distance? Fingers crossed his side business takes off!

minskat30

@cu97tiger - No, if he did it, it would be NY or CA likely.  He would fly back every other weekend to every weekend if he did it but it would be really really hard on both of us.  It would be 3-4 months on, then a month off, then another 3-4 months on kind of deal and then off for 3 months or so.  He'd be able to make his currently salary in about 6-8 months time basically.  That said, he's already really upset about both of us working all the time with Ani coming soon.  I'm not sure he would be ok missing all the day-to-day stuff.  Thanks for the fingers crossed on his business...we need all the help we can get!  

beachyone15

I personally feel like today should be a "free day". If I had unlimited funds, I would totally be on a plane right now to some random city I've never been to before.
We had a great weekend though. Well, Friday wasn't so great. I got some news that our newest worker (who is still in her probationary period) is being moved to MY desk (since I've had to temporarily move up front). She's currently at another desk 4 feet away from mine but mine is more private. I've heard that she isn't performing well and it's looking like we may not keep her, so maybe this is a way of covering all the bases, making sure she has been given every opportunity to focus. But it still pisses me the fuck off. That's MY desk that I've been at for almost 5 years. It just kind of makes me feel under-valued even though I kind of understand the reasoning behind it. We just don't have enough space in this office.
So after all that, H and I went to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant and I had a big margarita. Saturday I had brunch with my BFF, and then H and I visited my parents for a bit. Sunday H and I went up to Austin for a day trip which was so awesome. We ate pizza in the park (and got to play with some really cute dogs) and visited Hope Gallery, which is a really cool outdoor graffiti gallery. Pics --




@swazzle - Sounds like an awesome weekend! I watch TWD but I won't spoil it for you Glad Leo won - it's about time!
@minskat30 - It sounds like you guys are even closer to being done with the bathroom. That's just so weird about your BIL. Does he make excuses after not showing up?
@CoCoBellaF - Wow, how did you get so many steps in? That's so awesome you can feel kicks now!
@jenna8984 - Well, if it makes you feel better, banana bread is hard to get right. It's always hard to tell when it's done. I've made it both overdone and underdone, unfortunately.
@speakeasy14 - Awesome pictures! Everything looked so pretty!
@labro - Seriously, I feel like all we do is yardwork. I keep telling H that the yard looks fine, and let's focus on the INSIDE of the house - you know, the part I have to look at everyday!


ETF: pics removed for internet privacy

cu97tiger

minskat30 said:

@cu97tiger - No, if he did it, it would be NY or CA likely.  He would fly back every other weekend to every weekend if he did it but it would be really really hard on both of us.  It would be 3-4 months on, then a month off, then another 3-4 months on kind of deal and then off for 3 months or so.  He'd be able to make his currently salary in about 6-8 months time basically.  That said, he's already really upset about both of us working all the time with Ani coming soon.  I'm not sure he would be ok missing all the day-to-day stuff.  Thanks for the fingers crossed on his business...we need all the help we can get!  

Yuck! Ok, toes are crossed now, too. I was actually thinking this morning that I cannot complain about two weeks apart. The number of men and women who have to be separated from their loved ones during longer deployments (@flygirlmeg) is humbling, and I am thankful that they make that sacrifice. I'll just watch a lot of bad TV and play with F+F.

@labro - BOOOOO. 

[Deleted User]

@minskat30 - I hope that you all don't have to do long-distance.  It would be tough, but you could make it if you have to...  just hopefully, you don't.  

labro

@beachyone15 TBH I am itching for more to do! We aren't starting work on our bathroom yet and it's been too cold and too wet to do any yard work so I am glad we're FINALLY entering the season where it's warm and it stays light out longer so I can do some real projects in the yard. We have a huge yard so it IS a constant effort but I truly love it.

minskat30

@beachyone15 - Nope, he just doesn't call then shows up the next week like nothing happened.  I've already called him out on it more than once (in a joking way and then in a not joking way).  We are almost done thankfully.

@cu97tiger - Thank you.  I agree that it could be far worse too...a deployment or something similar would be just terrible.  The stress of being long distance PLUS in danger would be really, really hard.  I don't know how others like @flygirlmeg do it.  

@cocobellaf - I agree. My family is a little crazy (well...sometimes a lot) but at least they are nearby.  If we had to make it work, even with an infant, we could do it.  I'm hopefully we don't have to.  If H's side business takes off it will mean he can work full time on it eventually from home (other than trips to India probably every 3-6 months or so) which would be a HUGE blessing.  

jenna8984

@labro Sounds like a straight up HGTV weekend you had. It's awesome that you guys are handy though

@speakeasy14 aaaw the shower and you and sis look awesome, how fun!

@cu97tiger boo to him being gone 2 weeks. I agree with the spending thing. We save a decent amount but I never feel like it's enough. Especially when we disagree about things like the cell phone. He pays over $200 a month for our plans, when I'd be perfectly happy with a $40 trac phone! But he would never dare skimp on his precious Verizon- drives me nuts. Also, feel you on the part about learning to cut now in hopes of baby- the entire monthly amount that we put to liquid savings right now will ALL be diverted to paying for daycare, and that freaks me out. We have enough in there, but I hate the thought of not adding to it for 4 years.

eilis1228

@Swazzle what a fun weekend! I Serendipity-- such a cute movie! 
@minskat30 UGH your BIL

I'm so glad the reno was less stressful this weekend and the budget talk went well. Sounds like a really productive weekend!
@caseface5 Awwww I'm so glad the surprise party went so well and your BF's mom was genuinely surprised.
@CocoBellaF I didn't watch the Oscars either I just periodically checked the winner's list on Google to see who won. I purposely waited until Leo was announced before going to sleep though. Good luck at your OB appointment!
@jenna8984 Mmmmm banana bread  
@speakeasy14 Most of your pics don't show for me But what I saw on FB was really cute!
@labro I swear you and your H should start a Fixer Upper-esque business. You're a pro at housework now, and you guys do such a great job! Then you can get your own show on HGTV and become millionaires!
@cu97tiger No shame in binging on season 4 of New Girl. It was so good! I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Also, way to go on the CF workout! Even if you didn't score as high as you would have liked, you still completed it. That is SO impressive!
@beachyone15 UGH that's so frustrating about your CW. Hopefully if they do let her go, it will be quickly. Your Austin trip looks like so much fun!
@TwoDimes OMG Indy is so pretty! What a sweet cuddle buddy. Also, I too binge watched ALL of Fuller House in one night. High five!
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I had a great weekend! On Friday I decided to take the half day because work was really slow, so Zoey and I cuddled on the couch all afternoon and watched all of Fuller House. H ended up working until 8pm, so we decided to stay home and drive to Austin the next morning. 

Austin was really quick but fun. We visited with my cousin and his wife for a while, and we had dinner with my little brother. H and I discussed (yet again) the possibility of moving to Austin one day. It's looking more and more likely as more engineering firms move down there. For now we are content in the Dallas area, but we may end up down in Austin in a few years.

On Sunday we woke up, ate breakfast with my cousin, and then headed home around 11. We stopped at my parents' apartment on the way home and picked up a bunch of stuff they're giving me before they move to a fancy high-rise apartment in April. We visited with them and some other family members that were there picking up stuff, and somehow in that conversation I volunteered to host Easter lunch for 16 people. 0_0 Eek! It will be a tight squeeze, but I think we'll be able to manage.

Afterwards H and I went home, ordered pizza, and set up some things at the apartment. Then we watched last week's TWD and vegged for a while. 

Tonight I'm heading to @audrewuh 's house to sew and drink wine. I'm going to finish my rainbow quilt tonight too, which is really exciting. I'll post pictures tomorrow of the finished quilt. She and I are currently discussing patterns and fabric some future projects-- I'm so ready to work on new things!

labro

@jenna8984 I take ZERO credit for being handy. H knows how to do it all and I just follow instructions.

@eilis1228 Hah no way! I want to be one of those people getting all those updates instead like on This Old House or something.

beachyone15

@eilis1228 - I'll be so jealous if you get to move to Austin. I would love to move there but H wouldn't have it

eilis1228

@labro That sounds really fun too. I think either way your future is HGTV! 

@beachyone15 Eh, we're on the fence about it. While we love Austin, the cost of living is really high there and the traffic is terrible. Plus the job market is only really good for STEM companies. Everything else is really competitive and hard to find. My H is an engineer, so he'd have a lot of opportunities down there, but I would have a tougher time finding work. It's a great city, but it's hard to live there!

AlPacina

@speakeasy14 – You are the cutest! I like the dress you wore, even if it wasn’t your first choice.

@CocoBellaF – My fingers are so crossed for you!

@jenna8984 – Congrats on your successful baking! I’ve still never made a decent batch of cookies. The day I do will be a day of celebration, I tell ya!

@beachyone15 – I think you have every right to feel pissed. Your day trip looks like it was so fun though!

@eilis1228 – My family keeps trying to get me to host things too. I’m putting it off as long as possible, haha.

--------------

I don't remember Friday night at all, other than we cleaned up the house. Saturday morning I got up first thing and got the bathroom ready to paint. My BF's dad came over and they brewed some beers in the garage while I finished my project. I'm SO HAPPY with it!

Before:

After:

Saturday night we were supposed to go to a comedy show at midnight, but by 5-ish I could tell I wasn't going to make it. I woke up too early and was not active enough to keep myself motivated. We went to see Deadpool with his dad, and I absolutely loved it (especially since the humor was right up my alley), but after that I was ready for bed. BF and his dad went to the comedy show and I went to sleep.

Then yesterday BF decided to be mad at me after the fact about me not going to the show with them. We spent the whole day fighting and the day ended extra terribly. I'm honestly considering taking a break from our relationship right now, with how bad I'm feeling. But I hate that I don't have any good girlfriends that I can trust to vent to and not have stuff get spread around. I want to talk some of this out so I can see if something is just pent up or if there really are more significant red flags. It's always so much easier to know the "right thing to do" when you're on the outside. Anyway, I know that's a bit dark and shitty but I have no one else to tell, so......