I Am Mature. And I Never Overreact

So....story goes like this. I work late on Thursday's and usually don't get home until close to 8:00.

 On this particular Thursday, I was invited to a friends house for a girls night of playing cards and a few glasses of wine. I debated going but ultimately decided against it, and went home because I felt the need to make sure everything was okay there (read: I overreact and am a control freak so I wanted to make sure the teenager did his homework correctly)

On top of it all, I was really looking forward to taking a hot bath and then climbing in bed to watch Grey's Anatomy. And, I really don't like being out on a school night. 

So, I ended up driving home. I greeted Ryan and stuck my head into the computer room to say hello to the teenager who was glued to the computer watching YouTube videos about iPods. Typical teenager.

 I head over to the master bathroom, run the tub and chat with Ryan for a few minutes.

Thinking this should only take a few minutes...after all, it is nearly 8:00 and the teenager is supposed to take care of his homework right after school, I go to the computer room to have the teenager de-brief me on his homework situation. It's something we do daily so it shouldn't be any bit of a surprise.


But.....it wasn't done.

And I was pissed. Fuming actually.

Even more so when I found out that Ryan took him out all afternoon and now was allowing him to be on the computer, YouTube, iPod, etc. when he still had homework to finish. (This would not be such a big deal if it the teenager didn't have a history of this sort of crap)

So, I start flipping out.

So does Ryan.

We continue yelling at each other, at the teenager. It was less than an ideal moment.



SSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTT


The bathtub is still running, I remembered. So, I run to the bathroom.

And slide on the floor because it is inches deep in water, overflowing from the bathtub.


Fuuuuck.

So, I dump every towel we have onto the floor to try to sop up the water and yell for Ryan to come help me.

He does and during this, proceeds to (rightfully so, now that I have had a week to mull this over)
tell me this is my fault because I am too wrapped up and too concerned about the teenagers homework and that I overreact.

At the time, my thoughts were more on the lines of "bastard" and "asshole" and a few others. Now that I've had a week to think about it, he was probably right.

As I continue with the towels on the floor, Ryan leaves and I'm thinking he's an asshole for leaving me with this mess.

Two minutes later, he comes upstairs to tell me the pole room is flooded.

This, obviously, leads to more yelling at each other.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkk


So, like any other mature 30-year old woman, I handled the situation rationally.

I grabbed my purse, cell phone, and charger, and stormed out of the house to my friend's place where a bunch of my girl friends were for the night.

I drank a couple glasses of wine and bitched to my ultra supportive friends while left Ryan to clean up the mess.

Yes, I am mature.

I contemplated spending the night because I was too sheepish to come home but I ended up creeping in the house quietly and sleeping in my own bed with Mulder.

Ryan conveniently slept on the couch.

Yep, I am incredibly mature.

And I never over-react.

Ever.

YES! Friday! I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while which got me thinking, there is a lot in October that I have been looking forward to.

• October 5: Mark and Kristen wedding in Plymouth. Weddings with the group of friends are always fun, especially when we all spend the night at the hotel
• October 8th: Elections = no school! (Teachers get excited too about random days off and snow days)
• October 12th: My friend from NYC will be in town. Although we speak very regularly, I haven't seen her since my best friends wedding, nearly three years ago. And I FINALLY get to meet her finance! 
• October 14th: Columbus day = three day weekend. Yep, another day off from work
• October 19th: Housewarming party for my friend Susan and her husband
• October 31st: Dentist appointment. My teeth have been hurting and it is getting uncomfortable to chew on my right side so I am actually looking forward to getting this taken care of. I opted to pay the extra money and get sedated for the ordeal (I LOATHE being in the dentist chair-I'd rather deal with a broken bone). Being sedated for the whole thing, means I take a pill in the morning before the appointment, I am all loopy by the time I get there (don't worry, Ryan will drive me), and then I get sedated to the point where I take a nap and wake up hours later at home. As far as I'm concerned, it is the only way to get dental work done. 

I am very very excited for this weekend. I conveniently made a hair appointment for Saturday morning and once I get home, I will finish getting ready before we head down to Plymouth for the night. 

Tonight, though, I decided to go to a pole class but I am wondering if that is going to be a good idea. I was sick most of last week so I couldn't go and although I wanted to go on Tuesday, things came up and I couldn't make it. I don't want to go to the wedding this weekend covered in bruises (the pole causes lots of bruises, especially when you are learning new tricks) but I also don't want to sacrifice working out and dancing because of it.Decisions, decisions.

Not related to anything at all, but I took this picture yesterday morning. We don't allow Mulder on the new couch, but someone has been making himself quite comfortable while we are gone. I stepped out of the house and quickly turned back around because I forgot my coffee and look what I found:

tough life

 And I can't neglect this guy: I stopped by my parents' house last night and was greeted by my favorite bulldog. I knit that blanket thingy for Bauer when I first got him 8 years ago, and it usually stays in his crate. When I got to the house last night, he dragged it out for me. He's such a sweetheart! I miss seeing him every day.

Bauer is getting so old..but still a puppy to me

Questions for you:

What are you doing this weekend?

What are you looking forward to this month?

Ten Things Tuesday

Just wanted to do a quick update since my last post from earlier today.  In our meeting today (which was so great to really get to know some of the other SLP's in the district), we were able to easily and collectively (and so diplomatically) work out our placements. I am very very happy with my school placement and even happier when I went over to the building today to see it. I was able to quickly meet the principal (I got a great first impression) and the secretary who was incredibly sweet. As a teacher, there are two people that you always want to be on good terms with: the secretary and the custodian. They are the people who can make your life so much easier and in essence, know everything about the building. 

Moving on to Ten Things Tuesday. Sometimes life happens and I didn't even get a chance to sit down and write at all last week so this is a catch-up of the last two weeks.  

1. Renew my teacher certification (it expires at the end of the month!)

2. Organize my therapy materials

3. Get my car inspected

4. Work out first thing when I wake up one time

5. Vacuum all the rugs

6. Wash and clean my car

7. Clean the bathroom (ugh)

8. Start looking at paint options for the hallway bathroom

9. Meal plan for the next three weeks

10. Grocery shop for the next three weeks

Wow-looking back, I got much more accomplished than I thought I did-granted I did have two weeks. I definitely did not do all those things in the first week. 

Until next Tuesday, here is what I what going on: 

1. Bring all my therapy materials to school

2. Organize my school office

3. Get my caseload, number of students, etc. and create my projected master list for my meeting next week

4. Ensure that my work email is set up and working properly

5. Do something active first thing in the morning at least two times.

6. Mail my transcript request form and check

7. Scan/email time sheets from past few weeks

8. Mail anniversary card for my parents

9. Make S'mores truffles and go food shopping for upcoming party (I'm turning 30 this weekend!)

10. Do a deep clean of the bathroom 

Well I am off to a friends house to watch So You Think You Can Dance! Its a weekly tradition with some of my girls and I look forward to the dancing and the girl time every single week.

Quick side note: Did you see the Travis Wall/Amy Yakima dance?

 HOLY SHIT! One of my favorite dances of all time.


Enjoy your night! Happy first week back to school for all teachers, parents, and students!

Life Can Get Busy Sometimes.

Yes, it has been well over a week and a half since I last posted. Life gets so busy and things come up-it really makes me wonder how some bloggers manage to post multiple times per day!


Recap of what has been going on here lately:

-We got a new couch for our living room and it is beyond super comfortable. Ryan and I even slept on our couch the night we got it

Ignore the awkward coffee table-we have since moved it to the basement

-I made the most amazing dessert last week: S'mores truffles (recipe to come very very soon)

Yuuuuum. 

-I started a new job and I have a really good feeling about it. We had a new hire orientation last Wednesday and Thursday-it was so nice to be able to connect with some of the new teachers before school actually begins. We had a two hour break on Thursday and a few of us went out to lunch together. In the past, I have veered away from becoming friendly with co-workers outside of the building so one of my 101 in 1001 goals was to go out for a social outing with people from work. Check that one off the list! (and add $5.00 to savings account!) Next Monday, I will finally meet with the other speech pathologists in the district and Tuesday will be our school orientation. I don't know what school I will be working at yet, but I am excited to find out!

-My birthday is coming up and Ryan has been amazing. He is building out a part of the garage for a dance space for me for my birthday. Everyday after work, he has come home and worked on the area-from cleaning the walls, painting the walls, cleaning the pipes, painting the ceiling, installing new recessed lights. He is non-stop. On my actual birthday, we are going to install the floors and put up the pole and I will have my very own dance space!

Beginning stages of garage renovation. 

- Sometime last week, I convinced a bunch of my friends to come to a pole class with me. It was the first time I had been in a while and it was like riding a bike. We had a lot of fun and I plan to get a punch card for a series of ten classes.

-Unfortunately, Ryan's grandfather passed away last week. He was 93 years old and truly the most selfless, caring, gregarious individual. While his passing was expected, it still sucks nonetheless. Instead of going to the wake and funeral, I stayed back to watch some of the younger kids who were too young to attend. After two full days of three kids under three years old, I have a new found respect for stay at home parents!

-After I went to day one of orientation, I met up with my parents and sister to have dinner and see Wicked in Boston. The show was phenomenal and I couldn't get over how funny it was. Every time I see a show, it makes me wish I could sing.

I can;t believe summer is winding down already. As the school year begins next week, I am looking forward to an exciting new school year in a new school district as well as turning 30!

I am off to take a pole class (as soon as I start going more regularly, I will post just about that).

Check back again soon for how to make the S'mores Truffles!

Question for you:
What do you get excited about as the summer begins to wind down and fall begins?
What was something you have done in the past few weeks that is worth sharing?

Beer Tastings and Girls Night

The teenager was not around so Ryan and I had all of Saturday to ourselves and we took full advantage of it! We both agreed that we didn't want to do "house stuff", especially after all the painting and yard work from the past few weeks after dropping the teenager where he needed to be, we came home and celebrated  embraced the moment. At 11:00 in the morning. No judging allowed. 

This bottle of whiskey was my grandfathers and has aged for well over 50 years.  There is not much left in the bottle so its tiny sips only and for rare occasions. I'm not a whiskey drinker but even I can appreciate how smooth this one tastes. 

While we were getting ready for the day and still debating about what to do, Ryan had a complete girl moment and proclaimed that he had nothing to wear despite looking at a closet full of clothes. We made a stop at the outlets near our house to see if we could find something for him before we headed out to Doherty's in Pawtucket, RI for an impromptu Saturday lunch date. 

Aaaah, Doherty's. Best decision we made. We thought about going to a Jack's Abbey Brewing for a tour and tasting but the times available weren't really working into our schedules. 

In addition to their lunch and dinner options on the menu, they boast a selection of 84 beers on draft. I ordered a flight of six different 5oz. samples. 

P.S. First time using instagram and PicMonkey. I feel so technologically advanced! 

Starting from the top left and working clockwise: Chocolate Covered Raspberry, Southern Tier Plum Noir, Atwater Summertime, Sierra Nevada Ovila Saison, Weyerbacher Merry Monks, and Angie-er Pumpkin.

My thoughts (and a few of Ryan's).....

#1. The Chocolate Covered Raspberry was made up of Lindeman's Framboise and Young's Double Chocolate.
                  

I have had this combination before and still loved it. I think the 5 oz sample size is perfect amount. It reminds me of a very decadent dessert but Ryan still isn't a huge fan.

My verdict: Delicious but best saved for sample sizes only.

Ryan's verdict: Not for him.

#2. Southern Tier Plum Noir:  This is an imperial porter brewed with Italian plums and is quite strong at 8% ABV. I typically prefer porters, especially in the fall and winter months, so that's how I ended up choosing this beer.

Photo credit 

Ryan and both commented how we could taste the hints of plum.  It reminded me a lot of a dry red wine and my first thought was that this would be a good beer to try for wine drinker. 

My verdict: I would get this again, especially in the Fall or Winter

Ryan's verdict: "I like it." 

#3. Atwater Summer Time Ale: The Summer Time Ale has a 5.0% ABV. It is described as "a study in refreshing crispiness. Vienna malt brings a distinct snap to the finish with dark wheat flavors lightly present. The hot wort is briefly exposed to ground lemon peel and grains of paradise which provide a tidy lemon citrus finish."

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This was my least favorite of the bunch. It just didn't do anything for me. While Ryan described it as "drinkable", I agreed and felt it was nothing memorable. Not bad, just nothing worth writing home about.   

My verdict: It wasn't bad at all-I  just wouldn't bother with this again
Ryan's verdict: "Drinkable" 

#4. Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Saison With Mandarin Oranges and Peppercorns: A strong brew with a 7.0% ABV, this is described as a "unique farmhouse ale" and is "incredibly complex with notes of lemon, pepper, straw, and herbs balanced by the tang of Mandarin oranges and a spicy kick of pepper"

Photo Credit

I'll admit that the name and description is what peaked my interest on this one. I found it very hoppy and bitter and almost too hard to drink. (I also don't care for hoppy beers). Ryan liked it a lot though and finished it for me. I wouldn't order this again but I am sure that IPA drinkers who enjoy the bitter hoppy flavors would appreciate this one.

My verdict: Not for me

#5 Weyerbacher Merry Monks:  Merry Monks is a traditional Belgian-style Tripel. Described as having "complex flavor packed with notes of spice, banana, and pear", this clocks in at 9.3% ABV.

Photo Credit

This was Ryan's selection when I asked him to choose a beer for me. He didn't think I was going to like it at all but I actually enjoyed this for what it is. It isn't really my preferred style of beer but it was delicious and I would recommend it to someone who enjoys Belgian styles.

My verdict: I wouldn't be opposed to drinking this again

#6. Angrier-er Pumpkin: Combination of Angry Orchid Crisp Apple and Heavy Seas Pumpkin Ale.

                                      

photo credit   

       

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I was skeptical of this combination at first, but since I have been on such a cider kick this summer, I figured it was worth trying. It absolutely was. It turned out to be my favorite of the six.  I even re-created my own variation later that night using Angry Orchid Crisp Apple and Harpoon's UFO Pumpkin. 

photo credit

After our lunch date was over, we came home, napped (I may have been a tad bit tipsy), and then went on our separate ways. Ryan went out to one of his friends' birthday's while I went to my friend, Leah's, house for a girls night, complete with delicious food and drinks, sweatpants and comfy clothes, inappropriate jokes, and so much laughter my stomach muscles were sore the next day. I cannot possibly say enough or even have the right words to express how much I love my girls. I think it is so important for girls to have their group of girlfriends that will grow with them for life. I truly have some of the best!

Question for you:
What is your favorite beer?
Tell me about your favorite part of the weekend!

Too old for pink pants?

First of all, thank you for letting me vent and sob uncontrollably the other day.

Every now and then, we all need one of those days and that's what I did. 

Moving on...

It's my favorite time of the day right now. Ryan has already gone off to work for the day and the teenager and his friend are still sleeping (and probably will be for a while). I'm leisurely sipping on my coffee while reading up on blogs and listening to the pitter patter of the gentle rain outside. Mulder is curled up at my feet and I have no where to be today. Aaaah, relish in the happy place for a minute..

 Few things for Friday, and then I am disconnecting from the internet world for the rest of the day. 

1. I borrowed the Gone With The Wind audio books from the library yesterday to listen while I was driving. So far, I am finding it a little boring. I can usually get into audio books pretty quickly but I think I probably need to give this more time. I was only allowed to take out the first half of the audio books at this time and it is 41 CD's long! 

2. I thought about taking Mulder for a walk on the trails behind our house but it started to rain. Rain=muddy paws. 

3. I should mention this-it's one of the reasons why I love Ryan. When I stormed out of the house the other day, Ryan spent that time cleaning the house. I was gone for just under an hour and in that time, Ryan swept and steam cleaned the floors, hung up all the pictures and wall decorations from when I was painting, picked up all the dishes, cleaned the kitchen counter tops, and made the bed. He's pretty awesome like that. 

4. I had one of these last night: 

                           

Angry Orchard Hard Cider in Elderflower. I loved the light, crisp, floral taste. Ats 5% alcohol by volume, it is described as having "tropical notes from the Elderflower balanced by a fresh, bright, fruity flavor reminiscent of lychee, pears, and citrus." This has been one of my favorite drinks this summer. 

5. Tomorrow will make a full month without buying a coffee.

6. Its my birthday month! I really want to rent a bounce house for my birthday but Ryan isn't totally convinced. Hey, I'm turning 30. Bouncy-houses are totally appropriate, right? 

7. Girls night tomorrow night. Can't.freaking.wait. 

8. Ran into TJMaxx the other day to get a pair of sunglasses and walked out with a few extra items. 

Sunglasses + blackflats, leggings, pink pants, shirt. 

I really debated on the pink pants-they are very uncharacteristic of me but couldn't help myself. Is 30 to old to wear pink pants? I justified the leggings because they were only $5.99 and the black flats because I have been looking for MONTHS for a pair. The shirt was just too cute not to pass up-I love the elbow patches! 

That's all I got for today. Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

Question or you:

Whats your favorite summer drink?

Any exciting weekend plans?

Friend Making Monday-10 Things That Make Me Happy

Aaaah, Monday. We meet again. It is Friend Making Monday though and after a busy weekend (where I completed 4 things from my 101 in 1001 list-read about it tomorrow), I feel ready for Monday. Weird, huh?

Anyways, Friend Making Monday...here's what Kenlie writes:

"If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

I found this last week and decided to join in on the fun again this week. 

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Puppies.  Seriously, there is nothing better than a puppy sitting on your lap or curled up next to you. Puppies and dogs are instant smiles for me.

The day we took Mulder home

Love this one of Mulder. 

2. When Ryan and I finish each others sentences or say the same thing at the same time. For some reason, it makes me feel good knowing that we think similarly.

3. The tree in girls area. Let me explain. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I went to an overnight camp as both a camper and a counselor. During my last few summers as a counselor, a bunch of us would gather around this one particular tree in the middle of girls area and read. That's where I fell in love with reading

4. Dancing. There are times when I hear music and it literally hurts from the inside to sit still.


5. Which leads me to "So You Think You Can Dance"

6. Moments when the teenager feels well deserved pride. Like last week, he finally did a pull-up on the pull-up bar we've had for over a year. He has been trying and trying all year long and he finally did it. Watching him finally do the pull-up and seeing the smile on his face was priceless and it is one of my favorite moments with him.

7. The girls. I know I've spoken about them before but I can guarantee I will be laughing till my stomach hurts when i am with them, especially if we play the dirty name game.

8. My afternoon phone calls with my best friend, Julie. We don't live near each other so we spend most of our friendship over the phone.

9. The feeling of going to bed without having to set your alarm for the next morning.

10. Nieces and nephews. I promise I am not being biased, but these little ones are the cutest!

Your turn to answer this week's questions and link back up.