End of March Update, Part II

So, aside from picking up many great pieces for the new season on Saturday, I also got slapped with a nasty cold. It started with a sore throat last week and worked its way through my system from there. I missed work Monday and Tuesday..Monday I could barely keep my eyes open for longer than 1/2 an hour or so. Yesterday, I felt less lethargic and was able to get to the doctor and score some meds. Over the weekend, my ear swelled again (yes, my beloved left ear that I just had the cyst removed from less than a month ago). I was able to get a referral for a different doctor within the same ENT office and went yesterday afternoon. He numbed me up, spliced me to help it drain and even took some for a culture. Weird (no dr. has done that before). He didn't know whether there was still a root inside or if it was just an infection, but the draining will help him be able to figure that out.
Last night was the first night since Saturday night that I'd slept on my own bed (I'd been sleeping on the futon) and it felt SO good.
So, today I am back at work (shh!)...Feeling a lot better, 'cept for this dry mouth sensation I'm experiencing. Hopefully, it will be gone by Friday night when I'm priming and packing for this weekend's move!!

Hope no one else is sick like I was....And had a better weekend/start to the week than I did. Yay for a 3 day work week..Boo for lots of work and it feeling like a Monday not a Wednesday! Yay for being on vacation next Monday and Tuesday (because of the move)!

End of March Update, Part I

I just realized that March is almost over, making 2009 25% complete! Time really does fly when you're having fun! :)

This past weekend was supposed to be my weekend to prime. My over-ambitious list told me I was going to take everything off the walls and fill my nail holes on Friday night; Saturday I was going to prime (and that's 2-3 coats for a final prime mind you) my closet, bedroom, bathroom and hallway & potentially the laundry room. Sunday, I was going to paint the remainder: kitchen, dining room, living room, entry. And, yes, it was only going to be me. I'm sure some of you are laughing because as I look at that, I am too. Now, maybe if I'd already purchased the primer and was feeling 110% it may have been possible that I would've at least gotten primary coats on all the walls, but I wasn't.
Here's what really happened. Brent came into town Thursday night after having been on a recruiting trip to Raleigh (he didn't take the route I laid out for him and wound up with a ticket). Friday, Brent took B to the vet for her check-up and TA DA! NO MANGE HERE! :) She received the clean bill of health, despite having lost almost 4lbs. He got to experience a Pet Smart visit with her and spend the afternoon with her (I was QUITE envious!). Friday night, we went to see the Providence/South Meck game. Ahh, baseball. :)

So Saturday, instead of doing any prep work or running my errands early or going to the grocery store...I can't even tell you how I spent the majority of the day. Hmm...But, at least I got myself motivated and out the door. I went to Lowe's and had a grand time (found a rug that is to DIE for and not bad for a 5x8') buying painting supplies and picking out paint chips for the new apartment. Then, I went across the street to Northlake Mall for some retail therapy. I went to Ann Taylor Loft because I had a coupon that was set to expire Sunday (and I prefer not to shop on Sundays..grocery shopping excluded). I'll just say, that I had a great time and did indeed, use my coupon. :) Then, just for fun, I went upstairs to Arden B. A majority of the clothes I cannot and wouldn't buy/wear but from time to time you can find some cute (& not trashy) items.

Just think, in 2 weeks, I'll be wedding dress browsing/shopping with my sister(!!) so I should make it all about me until then, eh?! (Kidding, kinda.)

BIG NEWS!

Saturday morning (okay, early afternoon), Bella and I drove to Raleigh for the night. My sister, Paige, & her boyfriend, Paul, were having their annual St. Patty's Party at my sister's house. Always a fun time, I knew this party would be different since they are both a part of CrossFit (a hardcore workout/healthy clan..I think it's a cult.) and "those people" would be there. My sister joked once, that if there someone within CF was having a party or something, everyone would show up. She wasn't kidding.


The party was special for another reason....PAUL PROPOSED! :)

She had NO idea. Neither did I. I think I was more shocked than she was! Once I found out that Paul had lunch with our dad, I was more okay with it (still shocked) and really happy for her. So, there's a wedding to plan for the Gladwin-Boyles clan. :)

And it was especially cute because they were wearing matching CF St. Patty's t-shirts.

CONGRATULATIONS PAIGE AND PAUL!! :)

9 Months...

Sunday was Bella's 9 month birthday (our 6 months' anniversary).

Here's a picture of her with the squeaky cheeseburger Brent's mom bought for her.
She did not want to sit still! She wanted to PLAY!

Remarkably, it has been almost 2 weeks and it is still in one piece!

Snow Dog

When Brent and I arrived in Charlotte from our whirlwind weekend trip to Illinois/Indiana, we found a snow-covered wonderland and a very excited puppy! Originally, I was just going to chance it and have Bella tough it out (a tad cruel, I know) but with our cancelled flight, I am REALLY glad I got her a sitter. I used Meow & Fetch, and had a husband-wife team that just adored Bella (It's hard not to, I know). So, while I knew that she'd been cared for while we were gone...I could tell she missed me.

So, while Brent crawled under the blankets, I took Bella out to play in her first snow (I don't count the first one--it didn't stick around for longer than a day). She had a great time...I dug her two tennis balls out of the bush (that she dropped off the balcony weeks ago) and even found her old Mr. Wiggles. He was hard as a rock! That's him in the photo below, where it looks like she has thumbs! :)

Meet the Parents

From a previous post, I mentioned that I'm a horrible packer...Well, I was quite proud of myself because I got it all in one carry-on sized suitcase.

So, this past weekend Brent and I flew to Illinois for his induction into Parkland College's Hall of Fame with his baseball team. To prepare, I bought a new coat. I ended up leaving REI with a Burton down-filled, reversible, hooded jacket originally around 180$ for only 55$. Holla! It was the perfect coat to take..light and squishable, yet super warm and wind-resistant (duh, it's a ski jacket, haha).

Brent came in the evening on Friday (because the game in SC was cancelled). He fixed my window sill (where Bella had nibbled) since my inspection was Monday; and we hung out...I stayed up all night, while he slept for a couple hours. We left for the airport around 4:30am and made our way towards the upper midwest. We flew from Charlotte to Detroit and then hopped on a propellor-jet to Champaign. That was interesting..and small!

I met Brent's parents who took us out to lunch and then back to the hotel so we could pass out for a few hours. It was nice, we both had our own bed..I plugged the heating pad in, curled up and I was out like a light! When we woke up, it was time to get ready for the game.

Parkland is a junior college, small, but with a lot of land. I was surprised. Brent and his team were inducted at halftime. After the game was over, they had a reception with beverages and appetizers. It was nice. After that, we went to a place called "Jupiter's" which is like a Jillian's, to enjoy some beverages and so they could enjoy the reunion. At least I was able to reunite with my dear friend, Blue Moon.

Sunday, we went to lunch with his parents and ran a few errands before heading to the airport. While his mom and I were in Borders, Brent got a call that our flight had been cancelled. Apparently, it was snowing or was going to snow in Charlotte. Crazy! So, Brent took care of things and figured out a plan. His mom helped us to rent a car to drive to Indianapolis so that we could get a flight out Monday morning (it was the only flight getting into Charlotte early enough for me to make it to work). But, that night I found out that our office was actually closed. Our office, that never closed, had decided to do just that. But, we were already in Indy..so we flew out at 5am Monday and arrived to a snow-covered city.

That's the jist of our whirlwind trip. I'll write about the snow tomorrow. :) But, the good news, his family--especially his parents liked me. Whoopie!

Hopefully we can go back over the summer..when it's warmer!

It's Official: I'm Moving.

I've been craving more space pretty much since I brought Bella home & every time I have guests, wishing we didn't have to share one bathroom.

When I moved to Charlotte and settled on my complex, I inquired about a 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment but quickly realized it would not be in my budget. However, a silver lining to how crappy the economy has been...I can now afford a 2/2 3rd floor unit in my complex! My current unit is a 1/1, 3rd floor, pool-view unit with storage off the balcony, fireplace, crown-molding, upgraded counters, kitchen faucet and dining room chandelier. While I lose the pool-view, upgraded counters, faucet, chandelier, I get so much more space! The 2nd room is nearly as large as mine, with a very proportionately large walk-in closet; the kitchen is L-shaped with more cabinet space than my current galley kitchen (thank goodness!). I am mainly super excited about the 2/2 part of the deal...A room to put Bella's crate, my keyboard, my desk and eventually, my twin bed for guests..and be able to close the door. The location is great...I lose the pool but I gain a more private, wooded view. Woo hoo.

The best part?! The price. Market rate for this size unit is 890$. I currently pay 700$ (because of my mad negotiator-skills). I got the new unit for 725$/month. But, this unit also comes with 250$ bonus bucks that I can use towards rent...So, I'm going to say, "Take 25$ off each month for 10 months (so my rent rate wouldn't change right away), and then for the last 2 months I'll pay the 725$ rate."

I pick up my keys 3/28 and essentially will be moving by myself. Brent is going to help with the heavy items (washer/dryer, dining table, futon, bed, dressers) the following day. It's within my same complex..if I could go in a straight line, it's essentially across the parking lot from where I am now...so it's close, but that will be a pain!

I also have to prime my heart out for the current unit to avoid paying the hefty painter's fee...but still plan on painting in the new unit. :) For now, here's a picture of my new kitchen!