The One with a Lot of Catching Up To Do!!!

So I have gotten really slack on my blog postings - but I do have a lot to report back!! So since I have posted on here I have moved, Michael became a godfather, hosted an engagement party, participated in a mud run, etc.

Where to start hmmm....

Well I finally moved into the apartment complex I have been trying to move to for years!! It requires a paycheck- and now that I am a working woman I qualify!! hahahaha I live alone, which I love. I can do what I want, when I want, looking however I want to look! hahaha I think I am one of those really strange people that really loves living alone... Although I must say I am just as weird with Michael as I am when I am alone - not really sure if that's a good thing or not! hahaha

Then on September 12th we went to Charleston for Michael's neice's baptism -during which he became her godfather. He was so happy and so proud! Then we all hung out at Rachael's house (Michael's sister and the mother of his neice) for the Carolina game. Below is Alaina in her Carolina gear that Michael and I gave her... So cute!!

Go Gamecocks!!!

Then on September 19th my family decided it would be a great idea if we all did the US Marine Corp Mud Run together.... Whew.....It was fun but it certainly was a one of a kind experience. I was worried about being able to do it all!!! Michael, Dad, Matthew, and Matthew's friend Chris we a team - "The Carolina Renagades." Then Me, Patty, Michelle, and Frances were "Lady Mudonher" (say it like Madonna - apparently Lady Madonnna is an old Beatles song?????). And then Russ, Patrick, Mark, and Mark's friend Dennis were the "Rat Pack."

It was tough, butt-kicking fun!!! And for a team of all first-timers we did pretty good!! We finished 103 out of 215 of all women teams. Hey it's at least the top half! :0) I don't think I have ever been this dirty in my life!!! hahaha Believe or not that is me in that picture wiping the mud out of my eyes and that's Frances in the forefront of the picture!!

Finally - at least for this post.... My parents and and I hosted an engagement party for Nicole (my friend from high school) and Liam. Michael and I made the trip up to old HKY for the shindig... It was great to see a lot of people I hadn't seen in a really long time (and of course those I see quite often!) They are getting married next October!!

My mom, Nicole, Me, Nicole's Mom, and Nicole's Grandmother

The One with New Doggie Relatives!

Harley and Gus are not completely aware of it, but they have a very large and extended doggie family. On my side they have a half sister Layla, who they met recently.

She is a five year old beagle that I got while in college. Unfortunately, Layla was unable to make the move with me to Columbia so she has become part of the pack that live with my mom and dad. On that note, Harley and Gus also have many aunts and uncles. My parents have a 12 year old chocolate lab, Ranger, a 14 year old black lab mix, Blossom (they didn't name her - she's was a pound puppy), an 11 year old scottish terrier, Maggie, a tragic little mutt (you the "she's so ugly she's cute" type), Lexi. So recently Michael and I took a trip to Hickory to hang out with my parents for the weekend and so that Harely and Gus could meet their extended family!!

Well... let's just say the introduction of our young pups to my parent's geriatric brood was... tense. The old timers quickly put the little pups in their place. In fact we made fun of Harley all weekend because he would not come out of the doggie igloo when all the dogs were out in the back yard. Now when Michael and I got back to Columbia we figured out why Harley was being so shy and quickly felt guilty about making fun of timid little Harley. Turns out that Ranger put Harley in his place - physically! We found this large open wound on Harley's tail. Ranger had bit a huge chunk out of poor Harley. So he's now been on antibiotics for two weeks now trying to get over his mean uncle's bite! hahahahaha

Harley and Gus also have an aunt on Michael's side. Bailey, is a sweet golden retrevier mix. She would never bite her nephews. Although she has yet to have the pleasure of meeting Gus, so her tolerance may change... ;0)

And I am so excited to share that Harley and Gus now have a cousin!! My brother and his girlfirend recently got a little girl lab. Scout is only 8 weeks old, but you can already tell she is going to be a large - handful. :0) She is a unique color for a lab. She's full lab, but has the coloring of a golden retriever. Here she is:

P.S. She came to play with Harley and Gus and left minus her collar and filthy. Not surprising...

The One with Harley in the Garden...

Well well well.... I decided to replant the garden previously discussed. However, since it is so late in the season I had to settle for just planting herbs. So I went to this really nice nursery and got quite a variety of herbs and some new soil. Then Michael and I worked very diligently to secure the area from dog invasions. Well....I kid you not, one hour after we had finished the new garden it was gone again. We walked outside to find that Gus, in his weasel fashion, had gotten in and out of the garden again. Unfortunately, in between his Hudini entrance and exit, he had succesfully pulled out every single plant and dig holes so deep that the brick from the patio was falling in.... I quit. No more gardening for me........ this year..... ;0)

On a more humorous note, we did arrive home on Saturday to find that Harley wanted in on some of Gus's fun/destruction in the garden. However, Harley is substantially larger than Gus and though was some how able to get in (we still can't figure that one out!) he could not get out. We are not positive, but we are pretty sure he was in there for several hours.... hahahaha How guilty do these two brothers Grimm look!

The One with the Destroyed Garden and a new Gallery

Well it has been quite sometime since I have visited the world of blogging, so let me catch you up on all of life’s happenings since June 11th…..

Well that beautiful garden that I described below became this full, over-grown flourishing area in the back yard. Michael was even able to eat a few of the tomatoes and peppers that WE grew – so cool!!! However just as our little garden was on the verge of producing a plethora of cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs galore, cayenne peppers and bell peppers, the natural disaster that is know as Augusta “Gus” McMasterson happened. It still angers me to this day as I sit here and relive this story as I write it. I went over to Michael’s house one unassuming Tuesday after work and found that Gus had pulled some of the screen away from the breeze way. At that moment I thought okay no biggie that can be easily fixed.

Then I hear Gus. He is barking and whining. That lovely little darling had scooted under the screen he had pulled away and into the garden. In hopes of keeping our little terrors out of garden Michael had built a very functional fence that had been working wonderfully. So wonderfully in fact that now that Gus had found a way in he could not get out. So there he sat. Guilty as sin in the mess he had made of my poor garden. Tomato plants, cucumber vines, beds of mint, basil, and oregano, pepper plants all pulled out of the ground and RIPPED TO SHREDS. Deep and wide holes in the ground that was once so pretty and cared for with its organic soil. It was a disaster area. I was furious and Gus knew it… the moment he saw me all barking and whining stopped. We just starred at each other in silence – he knew I was mad and that he was absolutely caught. Ughh….dogs…. as I have said before, if I didn’t love them I would hate them. Now my aunt and mother think that this was Gus’ retaliation for having been neutered the day before all of this happened. Not a valid excuse in my book. If he hadn’t been neutered the day before, I might have done it to him that day after seeing his destruction. Hahahaha….

The plan is the re-buy and re-create the garden as best we can this weekend…. Well see….


Let’s see now … what else has happened….

English, one of my best friends in the world, got married on July 11th. It was a beautiful service and wonderful reception. I was the maid of honor in her wedding, which I cannot tell what an honor that was – however I was a nervous wreck! I knew at some during all of the festivities I would have to speak to a large group of people. If you know me, you know that I am not very good at this and certainly not good at this when I am not prepared…. So below is the speech I gave at English and Michael’s rehearsal dinner:

English and I became friends when I moved to Columbia in 2006. We were both very proud residents of 1902 College street – a house that will live on in infamy. We've seen each other through my failed teaching career, her ongoing moonlighting at Zorbas, late night parties followed by early morning classes (her attending and me teaching!), bad boyfriend drama and good boyfriend drama, an eventful raodtrip to Nashville, and endless amounts of peanut butter, frozen cool whip, and sushi – not at the same time of course, and who can forget the musicals that were often put on in our house after a lovely night out in 5 points, and now that we are in a different phase of life -dinner club and double dates. And eventually we would go on to be bonded even further as fellow Carolina Alumni – I say this only because I know her blood runs orange and I have to rub it in!. It would not have been the same without you. In fact, it was better because we did it all together.As I watch you graduate from your single life I can’t help but think of Queen's “Another one bites the dust”…. Just kidding… I see a bright future ahead. Tomorrow when you become Michael's wife, you are embarking on fun new adventures like changing your name on your social security card and joint tax returns, late night cravings to early morning feeding, silly arguments and romantic apologies, beach vacations in summer and of course a reason to attend Gamecock football games for the rest of your life! It wouldn't be the same without you so I'm glad we'll keep doing it together.So I propose a toast to the University of South Carolina for developing such fine alumnae and 1902 for making us such good friends. And of course to English and Michael as they begin their lives together.


Being one of few Gamecock fans in the room – it got a mixed reaction! Hahahahaha All in good fun! Anyways, her weekend was beautiful, she was beautiful, and they looked so happy!! Yeah!! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Gallery!!!


Okay more to come later…. :0)

The One with the New Blog Topics

So I have been recently told, by more than one person, that my blog is boring. Nobody cares about what my dogs do or what Michael does except me. This is quite sad considering only about 4 people read my blog. 50% of the people read this only out of mere obligation or boredom…probably more likely the latter… So while my topics are wildly hysterical to me… I will change my focus in hopes of better entertaining my 4 friends who are extremely bored at work (or in Ashley’s case should be studying ;0)).

This blog may be misleading. I assure Michael and the dogs do not constitute all of my time or interests….So let’s talk about me a little more…

My top three interests right are works in progress…

Cooking
Gardening
Shagging

I can do none of these three things, but dammit I am trying! HA!

Michael and I just started intermediate shag lessons (I got the beginner lessons for Christmas, b/c yes I was that bad…). And I think slowly but surely I am getting there. Poor Michael though…. He has the patience of a saint. He was a good shagger before all of this, so he has to go through the motions while this poor white girl with NO rhythm tries to pick up the moves. Last night we learned the sugar foot. Looks cool – like we actually know what we are doing. After multiple nights of practice I am gonna be ready to show off at the next wedding! :0)

As for the cooking…. PLEASE SEND ANY TIPS, SUGGESTIONS, RECIPES…. I am working with nothing in this area…. Hahahahahahhahaha

Gardening – I think I am slowly but surely developing a green thumb. I currently have planted (at Michael’s house of course – it’d be quite tragic in pots on my apt. patio):

Like 20 tomato plants ( I mean one of has to yield something right??? The odds of probability…)
Cucumbers…nothing yet but flowers
Cayenne Peppers – 2 big peppers so far – just waiting on them to turn red!
Sweet Banana Peppers – Michael has already sliced the one produced and eaten it on a salad
Citronella – you wouldn’t believe the amount of misquotes in his back yard
Lavender – also a misquote (and tick) repellent – for the dogs!
Pimento – like the one’s in pimento cheese…yummmmm
And tons of herbs (basil, oregano, but the green onions have already died…wah wah…)

Wish me luck!

I will try to make this more interesting and humorous for those of you reading….

The One with the Crazy Dogs and Lessons Learned…

As previously mentioned Michael and I spent an entire week on Hilton Head Island at the end of June. Harley and Gus had been doing pretty good together lately, and we just didn’t have money to board them, so we had the genius idea to just leave them in that back yard (with access to a covered area to get out of the rain) for the week and a friend of mine would come by a couple times a day to feed and water them. It was going to be perfect and it was perfect until Sunday afternoon…. (side note we left on Saturday afternoon)

My friend who was watching the dogs called me Sunday afternoon in a panic. On the verge of tears she says, “Suzanne, I am standing here in Michael’s backyard holding Harley’s collar and Gus is sitting beside me, but Harley is no where to be found. I have looked around this whole yard and I see no way that he could have gotten out!” Blind-sided by this information I told her I needed a few minutes to process this and I would have to call her back – a reaction didn’t come immediately….

My thoughts at the moment were “oh ghudda!!” (this phrase is also my attempt to learn Arabic ;0) ) Then, ohmygosh his collar is off, whoever finds him will have no way of contacting us or letting us know where he is. Then, oh great we got him from Project Pet if the Pound picks him up he goes back to Project Pet and away from us forever – stupid contract! Then, how am I ever going to find this dog while I am in Hilton Head and my poor friend is dealing with all of this. Then, ohmygosh Michael and I are going to have leave, drive back to Columbia, get the dogs situated, and come back to Hilton Head. Then, oh great Michael is out in the middle of the ocean fishing and I am going to have deal with this by myself.

Fortunately, in the middle of all of this mental chaos my friend calls me back to let me know that Harley has just sauntered back into the front yard as if nothing was wrong at all… My poor friend! I could tell she was stressed out and irritated with my dogs. I would be and I love them! So I thought, good - crisis averted and told her to just put them in the kitchen and she could just come over a few times a day and let them out. This should have been fine since this is how they have lived their lives while we are at work.

WRONG!!

That very same night I get yet another frantic phone call from my friend. She had been nice enough to go over there one more time that evening to let them potty before bed, only to walk in on a DISASTER area….

Harley and Gus had gotten into the flour and rice. My friend said that flour was ALL OVER the kitchen and poor (I use that term lightly- as he was really the co-conspirator) Gus was no longer a black lab, but a stark white lab with the flour “caked” to his face. There was dried rice all of the floors (we are still finding it in various nooks and crannies of the kitchen) and Lord only know how much of it they ate. On top of all of this, my poor friend had put these two crazy mutts outside while she cleaned all of this up and Harley got away for the second time that day. Fortunately, just like before, he came right back.

In fear of her sanity, I told her to just put them in the house and I would call my Aunt to come and get them. Which is exactly what happened. My aunt came and got them and they were boarded for the rest of the week…coming full circle to the entire thing we were trying to avoid…

Then, as pay back for boarding them for a week, they gave us a whole new set of issues to worry about after we returned from Hilton Head. As I said before, by this time I had moved out, so these were Michael’s stories that I am sharing with you….

Feeling that as the owner of these creatures and knowing their tricks he could secure them safely on the porch while he was at work all day, Michael did just that. (It was too soon after the event to test out the backyard again). Day one - fine, no problems at all. Day two and three great. But day four…. Oh day four….

Apparently about 2 o’clock Michael got a phone call from the neighbor saying she had Harley and he needed to come get him. So Michael left work and went to the neighbor’s house to get Harley. As he was getting out of the truck the neighbor assumed that Harley listend and would go straight to Michael. Again… WRONG… He took one look at Michael and one look at the other end of the street and BOLTED… So there is Michael running down the street in dress shoes and tie chasing after Harley. Luckily, Harley simply decided to stop running and turn and come to Michael. He was able to get him back to the house and in to the kitchen and back to work all before a 2:30 client call… Pretty impressive!

Enter me.

That evening I arrive at Michael’s house, before he does, to find that while in the kitchen again the dogs of gotten into the trash, shredded and distributed it all over the place, AND eaten 5 months worth of Heartguard. Fun…

If I didn’t love them like they were my children…. I’d hate them… :0)

The One with the Entire Month of May WASTED….

So we are quickly approaching the middle of June and it has been quite some time since I have blogged! There are quite a few reasons for this, but mainly because Michael’s computer just quit working! So for that lovely month of May that I had “off” I felt completely disconnected from the world! It was a special occasion when he let me use his work computer to check Facebook and email, but sadly my daily dose of Perez Hilton was banned … wah…wah…

Anyways, so that ambitious list you see below of what I wanted to accomplish in May – rubbish… all of it…. I didn’t do a single one of the items I planned to do. I didn’t even pick up a book, let alone finish that entire list. As for the losing weight item – this will be a life long battle. No matter how badly I want to lose weight there always seems to some event that comes up that is more important at the time and allows me to say “after [insert event] I will begin my diet.” Well I have been saying this for probably 13 of my almost 26 years on this planet and clearly that day after never comes….

What is really sad though is that I absolutely cannot remember what I did with those lovely three weeks that I had off. Apparently nothing productive… That’s the problem with time off. Many productive things are planned and scheduled, but because it is “time off” nothing gets done….at least with me… am I alone here???

What I do remember from this lackadaisical stint is that Michael and I had a very serious and life changing “emotional discussion.” I won’t bore you with the nitty gritty details but it resulted in us deciding that even though it stinks right now, what is best for our relationship in the long run is that I move out. Back to my apartment (in the ghetto…) that I share with my brother – and for the next 3 months his girlfriend too. Whoopie….I hope that you can hear my sarcasm in that sentence. Again I won’t bore with the why’s and why not’s, but as much as I am not happy about it, I do think it is a good thing. It feels like we are dating again, which is fun! I mean for the past six months, let’s face it, we were “playing house,” acting like the old married couple I have no doubt we will be one day. Everything had become routine and mundane and just felt kinda blah. I think it’s because we were both living with a guilty conscience knowing that if our families knew we were living together it would NOT go over well. Don’t confuse the issue though – this is merely for appearances and our parents’ sakes. I was very happy doing the boring and mundane routine with Michael. That’s what made it so hard. All the typical, boring stuff I was doing with him… I now do alone. I miss it. But I suppose that will just make married life (God willing we get there) all that much more to look forward to….

So after we spent a week in Hilton Head with his family I packed up all of my stuff and moved back into the apartment. It was timed pretty well I think because the next day I started my new job. So it wasn’t like a major change in my life – it was more like starting completely over with a whole new life!

Not to mention I don’t live with my boys anymore…. More to come on them later…