Sweat

It's 81 degrees. Inside. Upstairs.

Outside, one of our AC units its making this constant whirring/whistling noise.

I called the AC repair people that fixed the same unit LAST year and both numbers went to voicemail.

Adam is on duty tonight and wont be back until tomorrow evening.

By now I've decided I just have to start laughing at what's happening because we just CANNOT catch a break. THANK GOD the downstairs unit is still functioning!! I can't say how thankful I am for that right now!!!!

Camp out with the pups in the living room tonight...

Trails of Homeownership: Perspective

I was angry when I first started writing this blog.

I was upset that we had discovered yet another issue with our house; a BIG issue that will end up costing a lot of money and, more than likely, cancelling our anniversary trip. I was (and AM, to some extent) stressed, panicked, angry, etc that these types of issues keep arising.

In my first attempt to blog about our new-found plumbing issues, I was wrapped up in my own little world, thinking that MY issues were clearly all that mattered. And although leaky pipes and rotting subfloors aren't something people dream of finding, there are plenty of folks out there who would trade their problems for plumbing issues and cancelled vacations without even batting an eye.

There are SO MANY things to be grateful for yet it's far too easy to become absorbed in trivial nonsense and gain a defeatist attitude. I MUST be thankful for what I have. I have to change my perspective.

"Be happy so long as breath is within you."

Sunday Funday

Adam and I were lucky enough to have a day off together this week. (Sadly, it doesn't happen every week due to our crazy schedules.) Sunday we went to Harbor Park in Norfolk and toured Nauticus, the Norfolk Naval/Port Museum. Adam was as excited as a five year old because he had never been before. The museum admission included access to tour the USS Wisconsin, a decommissioned battleship(?) built in the 50s(?). We were able to go on the ships and look around but I'm starting to feel like once you've seen one ship, you've seen them all. Adam seemed to enjoy himself, though. Afterwards, we went a couple blocks over and had lunch/dinner in the mall food court and watched a movie. We walked the dogs later and I may or may not have forced Adam to watch Ms. USA with me.

Today consisted of errand running, crafting (for a little bit), and getting new chevron stationary. Not so eventful. Sidenote: Why does NO ONE have cute July 4th decor?! It's either really cheesy looking dollar store garbage or adorable yet unnecessarily expensive Pottery Barn treasures. #firstworldproblems

I have extreme monthly cravings. Oh the joy of being a girl! But seriously, when I say EXTREME cravings, I mean it. If it's that time of the month, my face melts off and I turn into a Choco-saurus Rex shoveling mass amounts of cocoa-products into my mouth as fast as possible. The best thing I've found to eliminate this craving are the chocolate chip cookies from Chik-Fil-A. Warm and gooey, slightly underdone and LOADED with chocolate. Ah, perfection. Of course when eaten with a meal, you might feel like death afterwards soo...don't say I didn't warn ya!

NEWS: Because of our leaky roof/faulty flashing, our big anniversary vacation to Sandals has been scaled down to a week in the Keys. Although I'm disappointed about the way things worked out, I couldn't be happier than to be planning a trip to Florida. I miss it so much and Adam and I had a BLAST in Key West last year. Any travel advice/favorite restaurants/exciting day trip destinations are more than welcome. Thank you to everyone who continues to morally support us through this TRUE experience of home ownership. Your kind words and encouragement mean more than you know!

It's about to rain so the dogs and I are going to go snuggle under a blanket in the movie room and watch some boring afternoon tv...and hopefully fall asleep!

When it rains, it pours

I'm certain you've heard that tired expression a time or two. Well, cliches are all fun and games until they become literal.

Three days ago it decided to storm. And not your average summer storm; I'm talking a tornado infused-black sky-raining sideways sort of storm. Naturally, Adam decided THIS was the best time to go grocery shopping because, as he so simply stated, "We needed food". While he was shopping I was leaving work and headed out to navigate through sheets of torrential interstate downpour.

Home at last, I decided to relax.
Until...

I heard a sound. Rain. Not too weird, as it's tropical storming out. But weird because it was....it was coming from....inside?

Yep. INSIDE.

To say it was coming down inside as heavily as it was outside would be a gross exaggeration; although, it's exactly what I felt in that moment. Frantically I started grabbing towels and whatever large pots I could get my hands on while simultaneously trying to keep my loving but not-so-brilliant pups from playing in the water and/or lapping up the mess themselves. Oh, and all the while I'm cursing Adam who was, in my mind, probably taking his time mulling over fresh produce while I was dealing with a NATURAL DISASTER and two idiot dogs.

Adam came home soon enough...which obviously wasn't necessary since I'm so calm under pressure. (HA!!)

We debated on whether or not he should cut a hole in the ceiling (downstairs, mind you) to see where the leak was coming from. Thank GOD the final decision was to call our home owners insurance and see what they would allow.

FF to today: The claims guy came out and told us that some years before we bought the house, the roof was replaced but the flashing was NOT. The heavy winds of the storm were causing the flashing to blow around, letting water seep in. The rain found the lowest lying point between our first and second floors and ended up saturating the panels, the beams, and damaging our wood floors.

Hopefully we'll find out what MetLife is willing to give us for repairs.

In other and unrelated news: Work is still pissed that I can't sell consistently but wont tell me how I can get better.

I almost have a complete costume assembled for Steve's White Trash Bash 30th Birthday next month. Adam and I are going big since it's Steve's last party before he deploys again. I can't wait. I have an unnatural obsession with themes.

It's 101 outside right now. Gah!!

Penny Pinching and Planning

As most of you know, Adam and I never had a proper wedding. Based on a lack of money and the Navy's schedule, we decided to go to the Court House here in Virginia verses waiting a year and paying for a wedding ourselves. Being a girl this crushed me. Every girl dreams of their wedding but this was one of MANY sacrifices I would eventually make on behalf of the Navy. Naturally, honeymooning wasn't an option at the time since we were hyper focused on Adam's career. I accepted it and tried to be understanding. The Navy life is an adjustment for SURE! So I just kept waiting and dreaming, trying not to be sad for myself and supportive of my husband. After all, HE is what I actually wanted...not a big party.

After sacrificing for so long, Adam and I believe that we deserve a treat. Sure, we've gone on trips before but we've never had that Once In A Lifetime, romantic vacation where all we have to worry about is US. That's why, this fall, we're TRYING VERY HARD to plan a belated honeymoon. We haven't actually SET a destination yet, although we have a few places in mind. We're saving as much as we can and penny pinching left and right but I'm worried it might not be enough. As soon as we find a way to find our original birth certificates (long story; don't get me started), we can get our passports and start getting this ball rolling. Planning is difficult but saving is even worse. Sometimes I feel like we're just supposed to pull money out of thin air. I've been working longer days and trying with all my might to make my bonuses at work. This trip would mean the world to us and we want it desperately!! We NEED it. (Okay, I know I'm beginning to sound like a spoiled brat but just remember YOUR wedding and YOUR honeymoon and how you would feel if all that had to be placed on hold. Indefinitely.)

What helps for you when you're planning a big trip or event? Any money saving ideas would be great! Help and advice will be greatly appreciated. Also reassuring words. Those are wonderful too. No pressure ;-)

**Crossing my fingers that everything works out right**

Boring photos

I always have to look at my Camera Roll to remind myself of all the things I've been doing in order to properly blog about them. Let me just say my photos have been awfully dull, lately. 

Our Memorial Day was low key since Adam had duty but we managed to make the best of the rest o the weekend by biking on the VBeach boardwalk. 

I went to the beach with some friends and ended up going in the water to help some old people swim their kayaks to shore. 

Work has been...work. There are issues but I suppose, at a job, there will always be issues. 

I got a new comforter on sale. It doesn't match the color of our bedroom but it was $30 and I love it so it stays. 

We've been walking the dogs a lot more. I really can't see how this is important or relevant but I'm sure they enjoy it. 

Sorry if I wasted your time. I promise I'll becoming supremely fascinating before my next blog!!