Vacation flashback: Joshua Tree National Park

June 4, 2013 - Mel

joshua tree

During our California trip, we made plans to drive from Los Angeles to Phoenix to visit my siblings for a couple days — and my new niece (squee!). It wasn’t that long of a drive, all things considered, and we’d just fly back from Phoenix. On our route was Joshua Tree National Park. When will we ever be on that section of road again? Likely, never. So we detoured into the park. It resulted in a three-hour detour (half of which was to get OUT of the park. Lesson learned.).

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most wonderful places that I’ve ever seen on this planet. And another thing? The forest is quiet. One of those eerie quiets: a cleansing, big-sigh-out-and-breathe-it-in quiets. It doesn’t even echo. And it was beautiful and breathtaking and expansive (and there was no cell coverage). If you ever get the chance, it’s something you just HAVE to experience for yourself.

Take the detour.

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)

Every 30-something needs… a vacation.

February 13, 2013 - Mel

I’m back!

This past week’s adventures took us through Southern California and Arizona. CHILLY California. COLD Arizona. By plane, and then by rental car. At least there wasn’t snow? But seriously, who would’ve thought we would need an ice scraper in Phoenix?!

Sure, it was chilly and beautiful and a little hard on my body… But this vacation was a success!

The main reason for the trip was for roller derby (it’s the beginning of our travel season; and this, being our “big” trip of the year). I SKATED BANKED TRACK! SUCH a thrill. The secondary reason: well, I’ve never been to San Diego or LA, so we flew out a couple days early to explore and stayed a day later (to take a road trip to do #3). Thirdly: to visit with my siblings and meet my new niece! One of my favorite parts of the trip was all of us sitting on the bed face timing with my Dad in Ohio.

Why you need a vacation too:
Whether it’s a trip around the world or a staycation in your hometown, each and every one of us 30-somethings needs some time off: to decompress, de-stress… enjoy life’s simple pleasures again without the constant checking of email and internet (wish somebody would have told the boyfriend *tsk tsk*), and hey, maybe reconnect with a loved one (for me, it was to connect with my teammates AND family). Some other reasons we use to vacation: you might need time away from the kids (or other family). Or could benefit professionally from a writing retreat. Or desperately need a girls only weekend.

A vacation — hey, even a long holiday weekend break — is something that changes up our daily patterns and responsibilities — all while helping our minds and bodies recharge.

Now that I’m back (and relaxed and recharged… and IcyHot-ed all over from three games in three days), I’ll be sure to share some highlights of my trip in upcoming posts.

More reading:
{The Science Behind Vacations} – from IBT
{7 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs} – from yours truly, via All Women Stalk
{Why Your Brain Needs a Vacation} – from CNN Health

Weekly Therapy: the travels and tribulations of a 30-something

December 29, 2012 - Mel

the week:
Driving. Snowstorms. Missing family plans. Paying an extra night for hotel because it was booked for December 25 and not December 26. (seriously). Hangovers.

HANGOVERS.

Just another holiday trip back to Ohio. While we were “snowed in” during our stay at the lovely Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, we checked out the new casino, and ate and drank our way down East 4th Street (a must-visit street on any visit to the Midwestern city).

By the time we arrived back home, I was tired and cranky and… sick. Ugh. So sick. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be that Old Lady recovering in her bed on New Year’s Eve.

weekend:
Sunday, Browns vs. Steelers at Heinz Field!

52 books in 52 weeks:
6. Cleveland is Your Best Friend: 67 Things I Miss About Home (gifted from the boyfriend on Christmas). Finished it in one sitting.

seven things, seven days:
1. Hot yoga on christmas eve — what a way to start the week!
2. AND a new yoga mat and bag to continue my practice in style.
3. Yes, I got my watch. (I know!!!)
4. 30-day No Alcohol rule in effect for January (this is not a resolution, but a “cleanse” if you will).
5. Derby practices start again next week!
6. So happy to connect with TWO new clients this week for my freelance business!
7. In light of the upcoming holiday, Making Habits/Breaking Habits: How to Make Changes That Stick (adding to my read list!)

Happy New Year, 30-somethings!

Weekend Therapy: whiskey is the only thing that will kill this sickness. And maybe some dessert.

October 13, 2012 - Mel

the week:
I don’t even know how one person can be sick for this long. What started as the flu — and went away — is now some kind of cold. And it is LINGERING. I suppose that I should be thankful that those dry cough episodes at night have ceased. The little things… but it’s totally throwing me off my game — and my workout schedule.

I usually kill my cold with lots of Vitamin C and Zinc. These new Hall’s Zinc & Echinachea drops have totally helped the sore and dry throat.

And you can’t beat three cuddly cats who want to snuggle in the warm bed all day.
Now pass me a tissue, please.

weekend:
Besides some necessary work to catch up on, this weekend we’re attending an anti-baby-shower baby shower, followed by a dinner of Mexican proportions with friends of ours who recently engaged. So much excitement and celebration happening around us. (Maybe one day we’ll finally have our housewarming.) Naturally, I have no idea what to wear.

I’m the worst kind of procrastinator — I’m procrastinating on my procrastinating!! — and it’s certainly something I need help with. I filed for a tax extension, which expires on the 15th. They’re “done,” they just need to be filed and paid. PROCRASTINATOR: YOU MUST BE STOPPED! So add that to my weekend To Do list.

seven things, seven days:
1. Hot Toddies and apple crisp (with ice cream, natch) for Friday lunch pick-me-up? Best decision EVER this week.
2. Does anyone have a greater tendency to bake or crave sweets when sick? Because I’m making these pumpkin doughnut muffins on Sunday (thanks, Brown Eyed Baker!). Having a mid-week S’mores treat was fun and delicious too.
3. I found a fun Halloween costume… but I’m not sure that we have any party plans this year. Outside of passing out POUNDS of candy at our house! (so. many. kids.)
4. Also trying to plan the boyfriend’s upcoming birthday. I had one idea, but we couldn’t make a mid-week travel schedule work. And he thinks he’s old now and doesn’t need birthdays, which means he needs to celebrate even more, of course. With alcohol.
5. Cursing Netflix for not having “It’s a Funny Kind of Story” on Instant. It’s been on my must-watch list for too long. I’m not much of a movie person, but when you’re sick and recovering, you need things to pass the time.
6. I have no idea why I’m dreaming of a road trip, when I JUST RETURNED from a long weekender to Vermont (and have been sick since). That was a brutal ride in a 12-passenger van, however.
7. IT’S FALL, PEOPLE! And I’m a brunette again. 🙂