Blanche: What a waste, Rose Nylund in New York!

Rose: [to Dorothy] It’s going to be a great trip, you wait and see. You’re going to be cured, and I’m going to get to see the Big Potato!

[Blanche gives Dorothy a "See?" look]

Dorothy: I said she was comforting, I didn’t say she was smart. -Golden Girls

This past week Travel Girl, Match’s sister, was in town visiting from Peru. We spent the majority of our time at Match’s parents spending time with his sis and the fam, and also their newest addition to the family, an adorable standard poodle puppy.

We had a great time on the 4th of July playing Bocce Ball at Match and TG’s aunt’s house. TG and I had time for a little bit of girl talk which was fun.  She’s really easy to talk to, and I feel really comfortable around her. She regaled some of her stories of traveling in Peru, and also some of the dating she’s done while there. I can tell she’s finally starting to want a boyfriend and a bit of stability. I just hope that someday she’ll want that state side. Though a visit to Peru would be a lot of fun!

Wednesday proved to be a crazy day for me. Right before I got off work, I was sitting at my desk, minding my business when I heard yelling outside. To make a long story short I was an eye witness to a nasty hit and run between a man driving a van and his wife’s SUV which he decided to back into on purpose and plow two feet into the curb. It was crazy scary, and I spent the afternoon with a coworker comforting the wife and her young son who was in the SUV with her. Thank god they weren’t hurt, and they’re pressing charges on her abusive husband. That really woke me up on a sleepy midday work day!!

Wednesday night we had game night with Couple Friends, Travel Girl, and Nice Guy. Couple Friends brought over Couple Hubby’s tuxedo from his wedding for Match to borrow for the upcoming “Prom Re-Do” that’s happening on the 25th. Match looked so sexy in a tux! Can’t wait for Couple Wife’s birthday Prom bash. Don’t worry, more pics of both him in a tux, and me in my fancy dress to follow that weekend.Couple Baby got to meet my dog Monkey for the first time and they did pretty well together I think.

Friday night Match and I went to dinner with his fam, and then met up downtown with Drama Chick and B. It was a fun time, but both Match and I agreed the bars really aren’t for us anymore, and that game nights and house parties are more our thing.

Saturday we took Travel Chick with us on a day trip to Sausalito. We had big plans of walking around downtown by the pier and enjoying a relaxing afternoon. We didn’t realize that where we parked was really far from the pier, so our relaxing walk was more of a trek. The downtown was nowhere close by, and we were exhausted at that point, but we managed to enjoy a nice picnic lunch by the docks and watch the boats go by. It’s a really pretty spot isn’t it?

Travel Girl headed back to Peru early this morning, and I’m sad that she’s gone. We had a great visit, and I feel like I’m really getting to know her. Plus every family function they had, I was included, and it felt so nice. Hopefully Match and I can make a trip down to Peru to visit TG soon.

Phoebe: I’m not sure about buying a mattress from Janice’s ex-husband. It’s like cheating on Chandler.

Monica: Not at these prices!                                        -Friends

After a lot of frustration, a lot of disappointment with being outbid, and a lot of paperwork, we’ve decided to put the house hunting on hold. It’s disappointing, because of course we’ve been dreaming about owning our own place, having a backyard, ecetera. At the same time, I’d rather us save and be prepared than get in over our heads and be house broke for years. We’re still young and we’ve got a lot of time to be strapped down with bills right?

The market is so insane right now, and even though people say it’s a “buyer’s market” there are so many buyers out there that the prices aren’t as low as everyone says. If we can save up 20% down instead of battling with an FHA Loan, we might even try free online auctions and get a house for way under market, or we may go the traditional route. Also, not borrowing from Match’s mom would be nice. As generous as her offer was, I think I’d feel better if we did things on our own.

So while we’re still saving, I’ve decided to pay off one last credit card that was looming over me (yayyyy debt free besides my student loan, woot!). We also decided to get a new mattress and bed set. The only bed I’ve ever owned was a day bed, and now my very plain bed that is just on a bent metal frame. The mattress is also super old, I think it’s older than me!! I’ve always wanted a nice bed with a headboard, maybe some matching furniture. I’m also thinking this is a wise decision because once we do buy that house, we’re going to need a bed to put in it.

Oh, and can I just say that testing out mattresses at the store in front of a salesman is about the most awkward thing I’ve ever done? Match and I went to a mattress store on Saturday, and the salesman sort of stood over us while we tried to get comfortable. The first thing he says is, “lie down how you’d normally sleep and see what’s comfortable”. Um, yes, I always sleep with a strange man staring at me. Finally he got the idea and walked away so we could relax a little bit. We decided on this really comfy mattress that I can’t wait to order. The only worry is that we’ll be so comfortable it will be even harder to get out of bed in the mornings!

Phoebe: So, how was the honeymoon?

Monica: Oh, so much fun. But the best part is we met this incredible couple on the flight back.

Phoebe: That was the best part? [To Chandler] Good honeymooning, Tiger. -Friends

Last weekend I finally started to feel like myself. My stupid rash was almost gone, and Match and I had the whole weekend off together which we spent with some of the different couple friends we have. Saturday we drove to the East Bay with Couple Wife and Baby to cheer Couple Hubby on as he competed in Autocross Nationals. For those of you who don’t know, Autocross is car racing around a track set up by cones in a giant parking lot. It’s actually much more fun to watch than Nascar where they just drive in circles. The track has lots of corners and sometimes the cars spin out. Match was in little boy heaven watching all the nice cars and getting to stand with the guys between runs.Meanwhile, I was in Auntie heaven playing with Couple Baby who is cute as a button. Oh, and Couple Hubby won! Yay!  Also, Couple Wife was back to her old self, and I think Match was right when he said she was just having an “off day”.

When we got home, Match and I packed up our stuff, including Monkey, and headed to his parents house. They were out of town all weekend, and we got to enjoy the luxury of their pool and gorgeous backyard. Can I just tell you there is nothing better than skinny dipping? I love the fact that their backyard is so private we didn’t need our suits! I still felt like we were being naughty, breaking some sort of rule running around naked, splashing each other and laughing like crazy. The water was 80 degrees and it felt amazing.

Sunday I planted myself poolside for the entire day. We had a BBQ in the afternoon, and B, Drama Chick, Lax Guy, and Baker Chick came by. I hadn’t seen LAX and BC in forever, so it was nice to hang out. They got along great with B and DC too. The guys gathered around the BBQ while us girls swam in the pool and chatted. It was nice to hang out with other couples, and it felt great to escape the heat. It was in the upper 90s all weekend! It was hard for me at first to get into a bathing suit in front of other people and not feel self conscious, but then I finally relaxed and just enjoyed myself. I knew starting this week I’d be able to work out, so I just tried to forget about my body issues and have fun. And you know what? I did.