flatulent airplane

It's been quite an interesting couple of weeks. Last week I flew to Rochester, NY to spend a few days. On my first flight there they boarded everyone into the plane and then, ten minutes later, they announced that there was two much fuel on the plane and they had to unload some of it before we could take off. I'm not going to lie. It made me a little nervous. (Although better the plane have too much gas than the passengers. Right? RIGHT?)

A few minutes later it was then announced that they needed six volunteers to get off the plane and take another flight and they'd give each volunteer a $200 voucher on a future flight. Did I take it? You better believe I took it!

The flight I was put on arrived a couple hours later than I was originally supposed to land but, dude, 200 free dollars!

More about my visit in NY later. There are some other exciting things to announce, too.

This next thing needs some background explanation.

When I bought my house, through the Community Home Trust, there are certain perks (and some cons as well) that came with it. One of these things is the stewardship account, which contains money that belongs to the home. I pay a monthly fee into the home’s account, and while I live here, I may apply for money from the stewardship account to pay for replacement of certain major systems. The account stays with the home as it is bought and sold.

One thing I've been wanting to replace for a while is the carpet on the first floor. It was never high quality carpet anyway, and it's pretty run down and stained. I really want to put in wood floors.

I had to schedule for my property manager to come and inspect the carpet to assure it's in need of replacing. I was worried for days that she'd turn it down, but as soon as she walked in, she basically approved it just standing at the front door.

I don't know how long it'll take, but from the sounds of it, hopefully not too long. I can't wait! Any advice on where to purchase non-ridiculously-expensive rugs?

And my last bit of exciting news...(drum roll)....

This happened!

I have a coworker who pointed out the Groupon to me and I hemmed and hawed over whether to do it or not and then the stars aligned. I got a freelance check right before the Groupon purchase time period expired and just decided to go for it. Years ago I was studying to become a fitness trainer, but at the time I had three jobs and not enough time to study and it fell by the wayside. This time I'm going for it. Let the studying (and getting back to the gym) begin!

Oink oink

Sometimes you just need to vent in a passive-aggressive manner.



...and now my day may begin.


I'll fill you in on my weekend at the beach with my mom a bit later.

What do you think? Do we look alike?

But first, my best friend had her baby! I told her she had to wait to come into this world until after I got back from the beach. Did she listen? Nope! I got to meet her and hold her yesterday. All six pounds of her. SIX POUNDS! That's so crazy to me. I lift up a five-pound weight and think she's only one more pound than that. So tiny! The craziest thing is I was only a little over five pounds when I was born. I was that tiny at one point in my existence.

Sorry for the rant, this is all just blowing my mind.

Do I look scared enough?

Adorable times infinity...squared. I'm an "aunt" to a two-legged being now! (Not that I'm any less of an aunt to my nephew-dog, Rocco. It's just a different kind of love :)

And I must end the recap there (to be continued), as I have a lot of work to catch up on. But before I close, I need to pick the winners of my giveaway!

There were sixteen total entries. I've decided there will be four winners (giving everyone a 1:4 chance of winning), and that the winners get to choose, from my etsy shop, either two headbands OR one collar.

And now, random.org, do your thing!

The WINNERS are:
1. Kara
9. Sarah
13. autumn1329
8. Alyssa (who, I'm sure, will be choosing a dog collar ;-)

Congratulations to all four of you! Leave a comment on this post and let me know which two headbands or which one collar you'd like. If you didn't win this time, don't worry, I sense many other shop giveaways in the future!

32 legs

That's eight humans and four dogs, that we crammed into a beach cottage that sleeps six people comfortably.

I had this dream of taking an entire week of vacation. I haven't done that in well over five years. A whole week at the beach, instead of just a long weekend. And so, I finally did it. And it was so worth it! We stayed at my grandparents' cottage in Myrtle Beach, SC. Having a beach cottage in the family is the best idea ever. I think they've had it since Jeremy and I were a year old (or so). Completely and totally awesome.

Pippi and her Uncle Jeremy

Mother/daughter moment

Sandy, Rocco, and Pippi's butt.

This is the first morning, right after breakfast. We napped it up real nice.

She's only photogenic when she isn't aware of the camera.

She was a hit with the entire family. This is my dad talking "puppy" to her.
I think she understood what he was saying.

My half brother, Zeth, was a great dog-sitter.

We found fun dress-up materials in the 4th of July golf cart decorating bin.

Pippi did NOT approve of us being down there when she was up here.

Lexi, Rocci, and Pippi on the deck. Sandy wasn't allowed because she could
fit through the rails and, well, that could end up badly.

Every year there's a 4th of July golf cart "parade" through the cottage neighborhoods. This was our cart this year. It was truly a team effort.

 

Amanda and I actually missed out on the parade because we were napping. Yes, there was lots of napping. I love sleep.

Grandpa reading the paper, his favorite activity :)

Sandy likes stinky shoes, apparently.

I'm relatively sure this one is supposed to be turned another
way, but you get the gist.

I want her energy.

Pippi, napping beside my "bed" (a mattress on the floor).

Grandma brushing out Sandy. We had to move that chair in front of the steps,
behind the baby gate because, in an attempt to get to me at one point, Pippi
jumped over it. Right behind that gate is a full flight of stairs. If I had seen
her jump, I'm pretty sure I'd have had a heart attack.

I had been toying with the idea of getting another ear piercing, and I saw this picture one day and thought it looked cool. I'd never thought of piercing that part, but I decided I wanted to do it (but just one, not three, since I have three in my lobes already).

So Amanda and I found a piercing place that was un-creepy and clean, and I got it done!

I only did one ear...for now. Maybe next Summer I'll get the other one done. Did it hurt? YES! The guy who did the piercing was hilarious. Maybe if I ever fully collect the conversation that ensued, I'll post about it. It was relationship advice that actually seemed to make sense...from a guy three years younger than me. Yeah, I know.


And, in closing, here's your daily tidbit: the consumption of poop has a name: coprophagia.

I know I've used this picture before, but let's face it, it's a classic.