Caridgan Weather

What a gorgeous day! A high of 69 must mean that Fall is here! Since I don't have to work until 6pm, I am going to bust out my box of scarves and cardigans and make an effort to show the people of Norfolk how thrilled I am that Fall is here. Our A/C is off and ALL the windows are open. Ooh! I'm very excited.

I got up early this morning and made Adam some breakfast brain food. He and his friend are going to skip work today and go to Chesapeake Regional to take their Military Competency Test (a test that gives military members a handful of civilian-grade private piloting certifications). Of course, I gave him a pocket-sized good luck card (Adam's serious about his luck) and a bag of cookies so the boys would have something to munch on. Everyone send him positive thoughts!

Backtracking a few days, I took the pups to the groomer inside Petsmart. This was a first for us and the dogs but they were getting really scraggly looking so I made the executive decision to take them and surprise Adam. Little did I know, I was in for a surprise as well. A few hours after Adam came home, we got the call that our babies were ready. Upon picking them up, we saw what (we thought) was the worst thing possible: the groomers had shaved off ALL of the kid's ear hair! For those of you that don't know, we have two papillons which are known for their long ear hair; it's actually how they got the name papillon (meaning "butterfly" in French). I was shocked (then a little angry) that these self-professed "Professionally Trained Groomers" would make a mistake like that. But it gets worse. As Adam and I head to the front to pay for these hideous haircuts, we noticed Piper (our 2 year old female) was limping. She wasn't putting any weight at all on her back left leg. We asked to see a manager who came over very promptly. After talking with us for a minute, he went back to the groomer who claimed they "didn't even notice" that Piper had a limp. The manager then escorted us over to Banfield, the vet inside Petsmart (where Piper and Luca usually go for appts). After some xrays and a not-so-quick check up, the vet said there was nothing that he could see that was making her limp. The manager ended up comp'ing the pain meds Piper was given, the vet visit AND the hideous cuts and although I was very appreciative of his seemingly genuine concern, my blood can't help but boil every time I think of that dang groomer. Here it is, three days later and Piper is STILL refusing to put pressure on her back leg. Adam and I have isolated her injury to the paw area (she's fine with touching the hip and leg). We were thinking maybe a nail was cut too short or cracked down the middle but we can't seem to find a "hurt nail". I sent an email in to corporate so hopefully I'll hear back soon. I just want my baby girl to get better cause her limp just breaks my heart.

This weather is too perfect. It makes me want to clean! (Uck, what's wrong with me!?)

Tomorrow FL plays Tennessee. Chomp those Vols! Go Gators!

Day off

Since business is slow, they've been cutting people's hours at work...thus, I only work THREE days this week. Time to force myself to get motivated and CLEAN the house, since I have half the week off. I'm still searching for a job that will pay me better and give me more consistency. I heard Volkswagon in Greenbrier is hiring. It would make Adam (and myself, of course) VERY happy if I worked there.

Last night, I was having a bad night and my lousy house-wife skills didn't make it any better. I made an attempt to cook homemade stir-fry and it turned out terrible, almost inedible. Adam was such a trooper by forcing his way through the meal and not even eating cereal afterward! I, on the other hand, had a bowl of oatmeal since the dinner wasn't satisfying in flavor OR portion. Oh, and did I mention I burned a plate? Yes, a plate. Not a plastic one either. Ceramic. (Who does that?!) Hopefully my first attempt at Asian cuisine will be something to look back and laugh at. I've come a LONG way when it comes to cooking but I obviously have an equally long way to go.

Adam's shifting mechanism seized up in his GTI. Although he could put the car in gear, it was difficult to get it there. The battery died and the dashboard was lit up like a check-engine Christmas tree. After taking it to the dealership (it's still under warranty, THANK GOD), VW couldn't figure out what the problem was. The solution? Replacing the entire transmission (I think that's right). Because this problem is so rare, there are no parts in the US available. There aren't even parts in Germany. We have to wait for a part to be assembled and shipped from Germany to the US...which could take up to a month (or longer). Until then, we have a Jetta and since the rental doesn't have base decals, I get to drive it. Not sure if I'm excited about that or not.

Everything is going as great as it can go. Positivity is key in not letting life get the best of you. (Now if only I could follow my own advice.)

Another day, another dollar

Soon, I'll be off to work but until then, I'm happy to share what's gone on this past week.

The mold guy and our realtor came back out and, believe it or not, bleached then painted over the mold. Fun, right?! Oi!

Adam was having a bit of a bad day after learning he was denied two of the recommendations he thought he'd get for his package so I did something nice for him. Windshield wipers! I know it sounds like a terrible way to cheer someone up but he needs/wants new ones plus I gave him a mushy card saying not to let life's rainy days get him down. Sometimes, I'm too clever for myself. Clever or cliche.

Adam and I went to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens last weekend and loved it! Originally, I wasn't too keen on paying to look at plants but it ended up being really nice! They have a giant rose garden that Mom would LOVE and it's second bloom is coming up in October (hint, hint: Mom). The butterfly garden, although not as beautiful as Gainesville's, was fun to walk through. We rode the tram twice and listened to all the historical information about the park and the plants. Afterward, Adam and I climbed to the top of the berms and watched/listened to the airplanes at NIA taxi and take off. Once we get a bike rack for the GTI, we're planning on going back to the gardens for bike night!!

There is so much more I want to share but if I don't start getting ready for work now, I'll never make it there on time. Happy Thursday, everyone!

PS. If you haven't seen The Help...GO see it. It's wonderful. (Now I need to read the book. I feel like a literary traitor for seeing the movie first. Shame on me.)

PPS. Did I mention we've been rat free since last post. HALLELUJAH!!