Weekly Therapy: another year “wiser”

May 10, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Yeah, yeah, yeah… birthday week. It’s been one of the hardest of my last few years — and has nothing to do with aging. Well, I’m sure that I’m thinking too much about it because of my age, but it’s nothing to do with NOW I’M 36. I’m equal parts just speechless about a lot of things right now and really stressed. Relationship maintenance is hard, you guys. I don’t even know where to start or finish after saying that.

But thinking about this Cooking for Two: Reconnecting with Your Loved One from A Taste of Therapy.

weekend:
Bout Day! actually, I have TWO bouts this weekend (one of which, a hangover bout… woof) and hopefully a little bit of birthday celebration.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#12: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell – wasn’t quite as engaging as “Blink,” but I did enjoy the personal stories of success.
True story: I was NOT posting this weekly update until I finished this damn book.

seven things, seven days:
1. Started off the week with a Cinco de Mayo stoop
2. …and a big argument. *sigh*
3. Continuing tradition with a free birthday dinner at Eleven (third year). They always have the best birthday desserts too.
4. Started my 10-day NO IBUPROFEN challenge. It’s not really a challenge so much as it is REQUIRED… but, because we took this month off from 30-day challenges, why not?!
5. Rules for Life from the lovely Bloggess. Don’t stop reading at the end of the article… the comments are just as important.
6. Want this book! It’s so pretty to look at.
7. 13 reasons why growing up is mind boggling {#12 is so hard to admit sometimes}

Weekly Therapy: cookies for my troubles

May 3, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Woah, boy. We learned way too much about zoning, permits and the pains of living in a historical neighborhood. Found out the hard way upon applying for a permit because we wanted to have the deck resurfaced next week — a deck that is a) not to city code and b) never approved in the first place and c) also butts up to a property line of an abandoned house (the one we’ve been trying to find an heir to purchase). What. A. Mess. But also, basically, since we have this lovely courtyard that is technically the side of our house and not the “back” we need historical review for everything.

The deck project will happen, even if it means just tearing the damn thing down. It’s just going to be delayed a few weeks.

weekend:
Headed on a short road trip to Bloomington, Indiana for a derby tournament. Our last travel game until post season. Definitely not the last of travel though for summer.

This Sunday is the Pittsburgh Marathon. Fun day to go into town and give some support to these runners. Take the T or ride your bike because driving a car in/near downtown, east end or north side will be basically a lesson in detours.

seven things, seven days:
1. My review for Benjamin’s (a burger joint in Pittsburgh) made Yelp review of the day this week!
2. Wake up to an iPhone? You should change your alarm to a theme song from your playlist. Mornings are so much more fun now!
3. I celebrated one year at my part-time job. Time flies. Like the birds. *chuckle*
4. Signed up to do the Tough Mudder in August. I’m equal parts terrified and excited. And so ready to challenge myself.
5. Speaking of which, I finally went back to our team trainer this week. And the soreness feels GOOD.
6. Check out this Kickstarter campaign for Cherry Bombe Magazine: a beautiful publication celebrating women and food. I like!
7. Counting down the days until my birthday next week. How I feel about that. TLDR: Not great.

Weekly Therapy: missing packages

April 26, 2013 - Mel

the week:
The post office seriously just delivered my “missing” package from March 23 (you know, that package when I went to my local office to pick it up, was not there). The delivery person was “confused” as to why the numbers weren’t matching up. Uh, BECAUSE IT’S NOT THE SAME PACKAGE. The other missed package (my Sprig Box!) to be redelivered this past Saturday: no attempt at redelivery (even though I’ve now scheduled it twice). What is it that does not compute for these postal workers?! So frustrating that I’m ready to never shop online with any company who uses them to ship.

There are probably bigger things that I should worry about…

weekend:
Volunteering on the Beer Barge, as part of PCBW.
DIRTY BALL! The best party of the year.
Then tailgating on Sunday (and game, of course) for the Pittsburgh Power.

52 books in 52 weeks:
Remember that reading plan? Yeah. I’m back at it. And have some MAJOR catching up to do.
#11 Gone Girl – read it in less than 2 days. Couldn’t put it down, but mostly because it made me SO ANGRY. You should read it.

seven things, seven days:
1. Scored a really fun Kindle cover and tiny ear buds at Five Below (and workout shorts and a sports bra and… man this store gets you!).
2. Loving our CSA so far, but our egg share was missing the last two weeks. Kind of a bummer.
3. League headshot day! Naturally my hair did not cooperate. I need some new hair-spiration.
4. We’re making plans for a road trip to Wisconsin in June: beer and friends and cheese and derby. EXCITE.
5. I’m sporting two sets of blisters this week on both feet from my new casual slip-on tennies. PISSED. Mostly because they were so comfy when I tried them on before purchase.
6. Time Management Tips for Those with ADHD from PsychCentral.
7. Psssst… Zoya Giveaway via The Beauty of Life

Weekly Therapy: Oh hey, Ohio!

April 9, 2013 - Mel

the week:
We started the week in Columbus (with HOCKEY! and BRUNCH!). It’s always nice to take a mini-vacation to Ohio and see old pals. Too bad I couldn’t get up to Cleveland for the Indians home opener.

This chocolate place in Columbus is SO GOOD!

weekend:
Bout day! These back-to-back bout weekends are certainly a challenge in getting my body to move in the mornings. Heh.

seven things, seven days:
1. We (the boyfriend and I) just found out our mutual friend — the one responsible for finally getting us together — is moving to Pittsburgh. SO EXCITED!
2. We also picked up our first CSA (Penn’s Corner CSA for those in the Pittsburgh area).
3. Enjoyed a nice, solitary morning in the park… and then a goose came over and nipped my shoe. Dick.
4. Was so great to catch up with one of my old college friends.
5. Starting a day off with hot yoga: one of my favorite ways to wake up.
6. Did I mention Baseball Season? BASEBALL!
7. Once again, I missed skipping my justfab selections, so I have to pay for yet another month of crap. For whatever reason, I still don’t get their emails announcing the new month picks (even though my settings say otherwise), and there’s NO WAY to cancel online. You have to do it by telephone. And well, NOBODY’S GOT TIME FOR THAT. {/rant}

Weekly Therapy: April!!!!!!

April 5, 2013 - Mel

the week:
This week, I started my April 30 Challenge to “do something new every day.” The opportunity is there to do some amazing things… but a few things will be kind of ridiculous. And by ridiculous, I mean, I NEED IDEAS! Won’t you leave some in the comments?

Also this week was my annual skin cancer screening. I had to have a biopsy ON MY FACE. Thankfully, it was tiny, so I didn’t need stitches. BUT STILL: ON MY FACE. For the record, it wasn’t a mole either, which makes it all the more scary. Ladies, if you haven’t stopped with the tanning beds and vacations full of sun exposure, I feel it’s my purpose to tell you STOP. NOW.

And don’t forget the sunscreen.

weekend:
I’m taking yet another road trip to Ohio this weekend. We have a game on Saturday, so I’m making a mini-vacay out of it: dinner (and carb load) with an old friend on Friday; hockey game on Sunday. Plus, we’re seemingly out of the season of 800 layers (woo).

If you’re looking for something to do in Pittsburgh, check out this Awesome Events post from I Heart PGH.

seven things, seven days:
1. One of my reviews made it into the Weekly Yelp!
2. Speaking of Yelp, we went to a performance at the new Arcade Comedy Theater on Monday courtesy of the social network. So much funny.
3. BASEBALL!!! (you’re going to get a lot of that from me this time of year)
4. Second year in a row that I won some cash from the scratch-off lottery ticket in my Easter Basket. BINGO!
5. I don’t know how I got subscribed to The Red Bulletin magazine (from Red Bull), but it’s my absolute favorite right now for its stories of travel and wonderful articles on adventure-seekers.
6. I applied for a job at google… kinda blew my mind hitting “send” on my resume. Why not, right?
7. Can you believe that more than HALF of Americans shop in order to feel better? {StyleCaster article} Ahem. I am one of you.

Weekly Therapy: grieving, traveling, remembering…

March 28, 2013 - Mel

the week:
This week started out rough, with my grandfather’s viewing and funeral. So much sadness. I’m sure you’ll pardon my absence.
I have to add though that it was wonderful seeing my sisters and family all together, considering the gloomy circumstances. I wish I could see them every weekend…

We found this letter to my grandmother on the back of a photo (a picture of my grandfather in his military uniform).

weekend:
Trying to get back to a hint of normalcy (and catching up on work). We have Book of Mormon tickets for Friday night. I’ve been anticipating this show for nearly a year. So. Exited.

Saturday, our home team had some “closure” with an end-of-season brunch, which I’m hosting. And I’m much less stressed out socializing in the morning than the evening. Weird, right? #partybrunch

Alas, on Easter I’m working (hangovers!), but the boyfriend promised to bring me home some hrutka. SOMEBODY better also bring me some Cadbury eggs.

seven things, seven days:
1. FINALLY got reservations at Cure — and wow, what a meal! (SALUMI. All Caps.)
2. Remind me to tell you about the time the gate came crashing down onto my car in the EZpass lane on the turnpike.
3. One-point loss in our Detroit game. An amazing game for us, nonetheless. Bonus: after party at Atwater Brewing!
4. Received my Spring Mystery Box from Julep. I am completely obsessed with their polish and products!
5. And then the post office lost YET ANOTHER box that I “missed” being delivered to my house. Their answer: “We don’t know where it is.” SERIOUSLY.
6. Side note: ALL OF THE DESSERTS. I cannot resist you.
7. Your psychology refresher from PsychCentral, the Five Stages of Loss and Grief (Kubler-Ross model)

Weekly Therapy: healing from the littlest baby tooth that could

March 15, 2013 - Mel

the week:
I seem to be healing from my tooth extraction. Ready to move on from eating meals with baby food-consistency.

The boyfriend and I had a fun, mid-week date night. We had dinner at Braddock’s downtown and then saw the performance You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! at the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret Theater (thanks Yelp!). The show is hilarious — and runs through May 5.

weekend:
Busy couple of days! Friday is our monthly bowling league night (I’m still hovering around a respectable 105 average per game); tomorrow I’m skating in Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade (pending weather; we might be walking instead); afterward, our group will be celebrating at the Toonseum for their ‘Stache Bash.

A full weekend of activities, culminates into the big celebration of our anniversary on Sunday (the lovely story of when two drunk Irish people hooked up on St. Patrick’s Day). Sadly, our special occasion restaurant is closed on Sundays, so we’ll be looking for somewhere new (or making sushi at home) to celebrate FOUR YEARS. Where has the time gone?!

First “date”: St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago 2009. Yep.

seven things, seven days:
1. Squee! Alert: my current obsession, thanks to bird breeding season, are nest cams. Pittsburgh has its own eye on Peregrine falcons at the Cathedral of Learning! And then a friend sent me the link to these adorable Barn Owls.
2. We won our home opener last weekend, but my home team lost the championships (and I nearly lost my head with too many sits in the penalty box).
3. Painting my nails at least once a week, thanks to Julep! {if you access via my referral link, use code 8563093 at sign-up!}
4. Craving fish fry and alcoholic milkshakes… SO RANDOM. But definitely experiencing some sweets-withdrawal.
5. Another AWESOME Sprig box this month (hello, carrot cake cookies — I cannot wait to enjoy you after March 31!). This company is opening my eyes to so many amazing companies making raw, organic and gluten-free snacks.
6. Is anyone else completely freaking out about the retirement of Google Reader this summer?!
7. Seemed appropriate: The Psychology of Flossing

Love and salt-water rinses (blech). And shots of Jameson. Sláinte!

Weekly Therapy: seeking power and aggression

March 8, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Seeking: power & aggression. An area of play that I REALLY need to tap into. I feel like I’ve almost got my finger, err hip on it…

weekend:
BOUT WEEKEND! Super stoked that I have a group of friends coming to see me play too. I’ll be skating in TWO BOUTS (travel season home opener and home team season championships!).

Pre-bout, my dad is visiting for lunch. He lives in Ohio, but just so happens to be in town for a performance Saturday night (he’s a musician).

Then, I get to help a good friend celebrate her birthday with mimosa brunch at Doublewide Grill (so good).

seven things, seven days:
1. Received a super-fun care package from Brown Paper Tickets. Thank you!
2. Happy Hour at Ikea — in the kitchen department (seriously!)
3. My passport expired last month. THE SADS!
4. This month’s Julep Maven box is total score – and I’m absolutely LOVING Lucky!
5. My cleaning ladies never showed for their appointment this week… So. Frustrating. Especially when you wait around the house all day for them to show.
6. Can’t. Stop. Furniture. Shopping. Does this happen to everyone right after interior paint colors change?
7. Super nervous thinking about Monday’s dentist appointment already.

Weekend Therapy: a new coat of paint

March 2, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Painting. Every morning at 7am… but the end result is incredible. I can’t wait to share before and after photos.

weekend:
Meh. Working all weekend. And putting my house back together.

seven things, seven days:
1. Speaking of paint and color: Where Men See White, Women See Ecru {from Smithsonian Mag}
2. Finally became an REI member (no clue why I waited so long)
3. Daylight Savings ends this weekend… FML.
4. Torturing myself beyond reprieve, I purchased TWO boxes of Girl Scouts cookies (Samoas, natch) that I cannot eat until Easter Sunday (at least I smart about that latter part).
5. Found a box of Stonewall Kitchen’s apple cider doughnuts mix at my local supermarket too. SO GOOD. (check out their website for other delicious and all natural baking mixes)
6. Too cute: This little girl is doing a Science project on the “Garfield Syndrome.” If you have a tabby cat, you should help her out!
7. From the bloggess: Xanax makes me a better mom…

Weekly Therapy: from Me, with love

February 15, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Happy Valentine’s Day! (to those of you who celebrate). I got my usual cat-card-and-dark-chocolate pairing from the boyfriend *swoon*. And had my six month-cleaning at the dentist (LOADS OF FUN OVER HERE!) Settling in from vacation hasn’t really happened. AT LEAST I GOT THE LAUNDRY FINISHED. I’m sure you can feel me that that was quite an accomplishment in two days. And I’ve been rushing to tidy the house since we’re expecting guests this weekend AND missed our bi-weekly cleaning appointment while we were gone.

Painting estimates and Masonry estimates and Deck Replacing Estimates. Smells like home remodeling season up in here. Picking out paint colors and selecting the order of remodeling projects… in less than a week? SO MUCH PRESSURE. But colors have finally been picked out for all of the rooms on our first and second level (buh-bye orange living room wall).

weekend:
Tonight is Bowling night! And just when I thought I had a “rest day”… I happened to look at my calendar. *sigh* We still haven’t even been able to grocery shop since we’ve been home, which means take out again tonight. And my favorite crepes place in Pittsburgh for brunch tomorrow (which also means take-home macaroons for me – I’m WINNING!)

We’re hosting friends of ours Saturday night for a “date night” of Mexican proportions. I can never have enough Mexican. But apparently I can have ALL OF THE STRESS. {brown paper bag me, please}

52 weeks o’ books:
10. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I was completely mesmerized by this book… so much so that I want to read it again. This is exactly the type of social psychology that interests me to my core.

But I’m realizing that I’m REALLY lagging behind in my 52-in-52 goal. Need to find some short books for fill-ins. And use my “free” time at work more wisely.

seven things, seven days:
1. We got a new iMac! (it’s so huge TWSS)
2. I have declared a new major with my intended “new” college. Seems it will take me just as much time to complete my Comm degree as it will be to start over with a Psych program. Sounds like the right time to me.
3. Really wanted these stools from World Market. It seems I blinked, and the went on sale and subsequently sold out… MUST FIND TWO.
4. This week, I received notice that I was hired to work (as a development intern) with a local animal rescue organization on a special adoption campaign. SO EXCITED!
5. Found (and bought) a cute striped bikini in California! Even better, it doesn’t tie around the neck. <3 6. 48 Hidden Images in Black Swan (*omg* this is a little creepy, but all kinds of awesome, if you’re a fan of the movie — like me)
7. From Oh Joy! >> Things Worth Splurging on in Your 30s (AGREE WITH THEM ALL! The “perfect” brown leather tall boots still evade me though… *sigh*)