this old rowhouse

Sunday Lately for this 30-Something: Week 58

- Mel

Blogger Tribe_Sunday LatelySunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe (lead by Angelica, Meghan, Nicole, and Katy). Every Sunday morning, the Tribe shares a small glimpse into the last week — and I’m sharing along, too. Every week, a new theme is released for all of us to post and share links through one of the host’s post. All are welcome, so if you’re a blogger looking for his or her Tribe, click through and join us in the Blogger Tribe Facebook group. Today’s Lately is, well, a little later than usual because my ass woke up for an early long run today.

30-something SUNDAY LATELY Week 58

This week’s themes: Creating, Finding, Switching, Forgetting, Craving.

Creating: Am I the only one who creates piles when cleaning a room and moves those piles to a different location? I’m in Purge Mode again, so stacks of books-to-be-donated are on my dining room table, picture frames to be packed away are in another pile. Creating some kind of organization from the chaos… eventually.

Finding: Now that the contractor is finished with some of our house projects, we’re finding residual dry wall dust EVERYWHERE. I mean, we knew it would happen but I’m always a little shocked at how much lingers in the air and settles even after we’ve completely Swiffered a room.

Switching: Switching mindsets from buying to selling, as we put our little old rowhouse on the market this weekend. Yes, this is HUGE news, but more to come on that… soonish.

Forgetting: Forgetting about all of my failures so far in training and looking forward. Gasparilla is for FUN (I know my definition of “fun” is warped!), and I have plenty of weeks to make sure that I’m in top form for the Pittsburgh Marathon (which is also for fun, WHO AM I?!). But for now, we do something of a fake taper for the next two weeks, and I’ll come back strong.

Craving: Yesterday, my boyfriend and I went to the Sewickley Chocolate Walk, and one of my favorite items on the taste tour was a chocolate-covered cherry smoothie from Sincerely Yogurt. My second favorite was black cherry balsamic-drizzled ice cream from Two Rivers Olive Oil (as per the chocolate walk, they were featuring their dark chocolate balsamic, too). I’m basically craving everything cherry flavored now. Now, now.

Sunday Lately for this 30-Something: Week 57

- Mel

Blogger Tribe_Sunday LatelySunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe (lead by Angelica, Meghan, Nicole, and Katy). Every Sunday morning, the Tribe shares a small glimpse into the last week — and I’m sharing along, too. Every week, a new theme is released for all of us to post and share links through one of the host’s post. I’m so happy that I found this amazing community of bloggers! And look forward to all that I can learn from them. All are welcome, so if you’re a blogger looking for his or her Tribe, click through and join us in the Blogger Tribe Facebook group.

Sunday Lately, week 57

This week’s themes: Doing, Appreciating, Designing, Humming, Expecting.

Doing: Prepping for BOUT DAY! For a long time, I had a very specific game day ritual (and order of things). After being gone for a season, I wonder what new little quirks and superstitions I’ve picked up. This morning, I’ll also be doing things like cleaning my wheels and bearings (the rink we skate in is SUPER dusty). Also, picking out a Boutfit — what the heck am I going to wear???

Appreciating: We had a contractor come out this weekend to repair some random drywalling and replace trim around our windows in the attic bedroom. This guy worked THE ENTIRE DAY, and didn’t leave until after 6pm. He basically finished everything, and has to come back one more day only to paint the attic. And holy crap, I cannot express how much I appreciate his work ethic!

Designing: I’m currently designing my February plan/challenge around the theme of RELAX. Boy howdy (do city girls say that?), my stress is at a critical mass right now. But I have an action plan to, hopefully, keep my anxiety at bay this month.

Humming: THIS song is my Bout Day theme song. {Explicit lyrics warning!}

I’m a huge old school hip-hop fan (but especially Missy Elliott), and I even have my own lyrics to the chorus that I hum and sing to myself that pertain to roller derby and game day. 😉

Expecting: I have some serious false assumptions about time. Mainly, the amount of time it takes me to do or complete something. This expectation frequently prevents me from using my time wisely. For example, I *really* wanted a hard-boiled egg on my salad and peeling eggs is on my Things That Are Basically The Worst list, despite having 6 minutes left on the oven for my Quinoa patty to finish. I basically had to out-loud yell at myself: JUST PEEL THE EFFIN’ EGG. But with the real swears. It took less than two minutes, by the way.

This same line of thinking has prevented me from doing a lot of my strength and core workouts. I KNOW that I can do this certain HIIT body workout and it only takes TWELVE STUPID MINUTES of my life, but I decide that I don’t have enough of those minutes on this particular day. I’m expecting everything to take MUCH longer than it does, and holy wow, did I have a bitch-slap moment because of that darn egg.

I hope you have a lovely Sunday! (I’m making egg salad now.)

Weekly Therapy: KILL IT WITH VITAMIN C

- Mel

the week:
Ughhhhhhhhh, Monday through Wednesday nights, I didn’t sleep more than 4 hours each night, and getting at least 8 last night was simply amazing. Though I feel much better this morning, I have had a sore throat for a couple days. (Defense Up juice from Evolution Fresh is my jam; in this case, my 310% Vitamin C per serving jam.)

weekend:
Tonight is the annual Light Up Night (aka: Holiday Bar Crawl) tradition downtown. I scheduled a massage for late Saturday afternoon but otherwise it should be a relaxing weekend. I see TV show binge-watching and a Snuggie in my near future.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#44 Just for the Love of It: The First Woman to Climb Mount Everest from Both Sides by Cathy O’Dowd — really, really got into this book! Exceptional and vivid storytelling — I felt like I was climbing with her!

seven things, seven days:
1. Made the Post-Gazette in our Pittsburgh Browns Backers shirts. *honk*
2. I have either bruised ribs or some muscle strain in my back. Welcome back, roller derby!
3. But I killed my endurance test (part of the minimum skills test) — 32 laps in 5 minutes! More laps than when I was skating regularly. *high five*
4. Woke up two days in a row with 61 degrees on the thermostat and cold air blowing out of the vents. Quick maintenance and diagnosis of the problem, but likely something we’ll need to replace on the furnace at some point.
5. :-/ When you get a promotion, but you’re still making $30k a year. {via The Financial Diet}
6. Where all my Midwesterners at? What’s in a vowel? In search of the disappearing short-a {via BELT Magazine}
7. Good news for me! > Strong legs help keep brain healthier in old age {via The Guardian}

Weekly Therapy: RTYI

- Mel

the week:
I’ve felt rushed, tense, and scattered all week. I’ve felt burned out by city life. I’ve been mostly unmotivated to work out. Not enough hours in the day to do everything on my list. Not enough days in the week to catch up. Craving to slow down and feel some sense of peace… but apparently not this week.

weekend:
Checking out for the weekend. Bye, Felicia. See above.

Although I’ll admit that I am super-bummed to be missing the Harvest Moon race this weekend. This 5K has been my regular race each year (or more closely: my annual fitness test), even when I wasn’t training at all. There’s also a 10-mile race as part of the fun.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#33: In the Unlikely Event by by Judy Blume – I haven’t read a good bit of fiction in SO LONG. And I absolutely loved this book. True to form, upon reaching the last 100 pages, I couldn’t put it down.

That said, I’m still 6 books behind schedule for this year’s goal. Since I’m shutting down over the weekend, I’ll definitely finish another 1-2. But I’m definitely feeling some stress at being able to catch up (for what it’s worth: at least, I’m still enjoying reading outside of school materials every day, very much).

seven things, seven days:
1. So, they’re filming a Ewan McGregor movie literally right outside my door this week; however, don’t let that hype fool you — it’s wholly disruptive and annoying. Thankfully, night two of filming was a lot quieter.
2. It’s on my 30s Life List to bike the GAP Trail — now revised as a “luxe” cycling trip.
3. Speaking of my 30-something bucket list, I have a LOT of stuff to cross off in less than two years!
4. Relevant: WHY you should taper {via Runners World}
5. Also relevant: How to stop skipping your workouts FOR GOOD (or, at least, for today) {via MyFitnessPal blog}
6. The psychology behind FOMO {via Slate}
7. MORE RELEVANCE: What happens to your body during a marathon. Pretty interesting video!

Weekly Therapy: Setting intentions to LISTEN.

- Mel

the week:
Um, guys? I’m so bored! hahahahahah

But seriously, my week started off with a confirmed broken pinky (chip fracture). And after a couple days off (and one serious day of pain and crankiness), I feel better. A little emotionally drained but better. I went back to run//yoga Wednesday night too, and aside from not doing any floats or crazy inversions, yoga seemed OK for my finger. I definitely had to listen to my body a lot in this practice to be conscious of where I placed my weight. Kind of a welcome change in pace for me.

weekend:
Podcamp PGH X! My intention this year is to learn all that I can about podcasting. I think it might be something I want to dip into this year.

We were also asked to include our garden/courtyard in a strolling poetry reading throughout our neighborhood, in a collaboration with City of Asylum. Each reading is from a specific poet who wrote about the individual gardens in which they are presenting. The collective experience sounded amazing to be a part of, and the boyfriend has been tirelessly prepping the garden (while I write out to-do lists and requests, of course).

52 books in 52 weeks:
Finally finished a book (decided to put the other one to the side, temporarily), which leaves me a couple books behind on my goal, but I have nothing but time to make it up!
#28: The Connection Algorithm: Take Risks, Defy the Status Quo, and Live Your Passions
I was able to finish this book quickly, and there were a few life-affirming gems within it — but I felt the content skewed more towards tech/entrepreneurs and their livelihoods. Interesting read though!

seven things, seven days:
1. Ice wine chocolate, yeah. I just realized today too that maybe these aren’t appropriate for the office?
2. Also, we brought home three bottles of ice wine from duty free.
3. We have approved “jeans day” for the duration of August at work (however, those dang August temperatures aren’t very denim-friendly). I’d like to have Yoga Pants August, please.
4. Would you be surprised that I filled every single night of my week with socializing? (If you saw my face right now, you would *know* that I overdid it.)
5. First post-degree-completion meltdown: CHECK!
6. Why telling kids to dream big is a BIG FAT LIE {via aeon}
7. How my therapist gave me the best career advice {via The Financial Diet}

Weekly Therapy: “You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.” – Abraham Maslow

- Mel

the week:
My Capstone project has been focused on burnout in organizations (and its relation to organizational culture and motivation), and thank the Applied Psych Gods that this course/project is only 6 weeks long because I’m sure that I would be experiencing burnout myself. I’m on my last couple days of assignments, with my final project presentation Saturday morning. And then, I’m DONE. D-O-N-E.

It’s so surreal from when I first started talking about going back to school and some of the obstacles that I encountered even trying to apply!

weekend:
I’m in Toronto for the annual APA convention, and I’m part of its Twitter Team again. If you’re into psychology follow along: @melindaurick and #APA2015

(AAAAAAAHHHHHH. I’M DONE WITH SCHOOL!)

I’m supposed to run Ray’s Race 5K Saturday morning, aka: the Running of the Psychologists as I like to call it. BUT with my final class presentation at 9 am, I’m nervous that I’ll be cutting it too close (and the starting point is a 30-minute walk from where I’m staying). I have 10 miles on my schedule for my long run on Sunday, so at least I’ll have that relaxing way to see some of Toronto without the stress of homework deadlines hovering over me.

seven things, seven days:
1. Experienced a water main break this week on my street. Thankfully, no flooding in the basement!
2. I attended my first info program about grad school… I know, I know, I’m talking all about being done but I plan to take at least 6 months off.
3. Changing your life is not a mid-life crisis. SO IMPORTANT! Change is certain in our lives; we need not judge others (or fear them) for wanting to change.
4. Seemed relevant: Perfectionism and burnout.
5. Something that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately (re: reducing the clutter and noise in my own life): One year without social media
6. 3 effective ways I’m dealing with professional burnout – a great personal essay from The Financial Diet
7. And if you’re suffering from burnout: How to recover {via Mind Tools}

Weekly Therapy: Trust Your Struggle

- Mel

the week:
The formulation of a prospectus for my senior capstone project has been overwhelming. While I have a good idea of my final project, filling in all the parts of what I’ve learned so far in my program, I feel troubled at being able to pull this all together in less than 6 weeks. Mind you, there’s nothing else to work on in this course aside from the capstone project, but BOY do I need the miracle of time and project management on my side (and BOY would a project management course had been helpful in this program). My other course is the Psychology of Motivation and already getting some really interesting info about motives (how can I also work these concepts into my prospectus?).

#trust
#trust

But guys? MY LAST TWO CLASSES. In 6 weeks, my week and weekend reports will no longer be filled with homework (but likely more than enough grad school application stuff to keep you entertained!).

weekend:
Tying up some loose ends on aforementioned prospectus. We’ve got tickets to the Indians vs. Pirates on July 4th, along with a BBQ/tailgate with our Pittsburgh Browns Backers prior to the game. I also have a 90-minute massage scheduled.

Otherwise, I’ve mostly stayed out of what’s going on around town this weekend (I mean, aside from You Gotta Regatta because can we really ever get away from that during the holiday weekend?).

52 books in 52 weeks:
I’m halfway to my goal — and I’m on track!
#26: After Perfect: A Daughter’s Memoir by Christina McDowell. This was a TOTALLY gratuitous, guilty pleasure read, and I finished it in one day. Non-fiction, and a really interesting complement (and perspective) for those who are familiar with “The Wolf of Wall Street” story.

seven things, seven days:
1. Four-day workweek!
2. Uh, did some damage to my shopping budget this month: splurged on a TRX Home system (but I got a $50 discount towards it!), some new yoga accessories, and a couple pieces from this month’s (awesome, tropical printed) Fabletics collection. ACK. At least it wasn’t on a credit card? Note: contains referral link.
3. I am committed to putting the EXACT amount I spent towards paying off a credit balance too (in keeping with my July intentions).
4. We hired someone (who came highly referred from another company we work with) to take out a tree on our side patio. Welp, he never showed up!
5. ERMAGAHD, speaking of roots… I finally got my hair done (and it’s more platinum than ever!).
6. That’s one way to a fountain of youth: Older athletes have a young fitness age {via New York Times}
7. Mark Reagan on Tim Brownson’s site posting about the Laws of Attraction… What universe just exploded? {via A Daring Adventure}

List of Ten Intentions for June

- Mel

1. It only took four months at my new job before I was dipping into our joint account again. I need to get my (new) budget under control, especially to be prepared financially for that six months after graduation when my student loans come due.

2. Starting training for my first full marathon this weekend, and just the thought of it right now is giving me a lot of anxiety and analysis paralysis. I need to explore those feelings. I haven’t yet figured out what plan I’m using either, so that’s likely part of the problem.

3. Enjoying a more relaxed state: being more relaxed about stuff happening/needing fixed in the house, not stressing about homework deadlines every week, not putting more pressure on the boyfriend, and generally more time in the hammock reading books. And wine.

4. Cross 5 books off my list for my 52 books in 52 weeks goal. I’m really eager to cross two items off my 30s Life List with this goal too — I have The Lion in the Bedroom, well, in my bedroom just begging to be read.

5. Random intention, but I plan to wear a dress or skirt at least once a week to work every week this summer — especially since recently tailoring a few skirts and dresses to fit.

6. Keep a blog schedule! That Blogger, May I? format really helped stoke the blogging fire again, and I’ve already bought a planner to help me. I won’t be posting every day, but it is definitely my intention to write more consistently.

7. So I have this bad habit of overwhelming myself with activities and fun things. Last month, I didn’t attend two events that I paid for in advance (one of the events was $50). So, I’ll either pay at the door on the day of interesting events or risk not RSVP’ing and getting sold out. No FOMO here.

8. My main goal is getting through this last semester, and with that intent comes a lot more pressure until August when I’m done with classes. A bad case of senioritis aside, and keeping in mind #3 on this list, I need to focus on a strong finish. By the end of this month, I’ll be changing over to my last two classes and ZOMG SO CLOSE. I promise, I’ll be more fun when it’s over.

9. Yoga. Kthxbai.

10. Now post-yard sale and basement/attic clean-out, I have an almost-empty, open-lofted, air-conditioned room to start setting up my office and yoga space. First up, find someone to replace drywall from when we purchased the house. I’ve decided to wait to paint until those things are complete because why do it twice? My intent here is to find someone to do the work, since unfortunately, this is out of my skill level.

Weekly Therapy: Breaking shit and taking names (and calling contractors)

- Mel

the week:
What do you do with transformative thoughts and experiences? Allow them to ruminate for a while until you see what resides — what sticks? Or use them impulsively as a catalyst for changing everything in your life that no longer resonates?

I don’t know if this is the rumblings of a mid-life crisis or the emergence and clarity from one.

weekend:
Our neighborhood’s yard sale is this weekend, and I’m so excited to chuck a bunch of shit that’s been cluttering my life and home. This process is step one for creating an office slash relaxation space for me in the attic. Don’t put it past me to paint everything by Sunday. Side note: we now have air conditioning up on the third floor, which makes it more a loft than an attic now. Even if said new air-conditioning unit sounds like a helicopter landing on the roof.

I’m also excited to have my sister and niece out for the weekend. I’ll be running a quickie 5K Stride for Pride on Sunday morning (hopefully, PR’ing too) and will find a place to lay my yoga mat outside in the park soon after. My sister is a yoga instructor, so maybe she can show me some other fun inversions to practice.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#18: Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Harmful Acts by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson

I really enjoyed this book — even more as I got further into it. If you’re a social psych junkie and interested in things like confirmation bias and self-justification, this is the book for you!

#19: Gluten is My Bitch: Rants, Recipes, and Ridiculousness for the Gluten-Free by April Peveteaux

I wanted to like this book more than I did, but it was thankfully a quick read so it didn’t waste too much of my time (especially skipping through all the recipes). Nothing new or mind-blowing here, if you’re already gluten-free, except for maybe an enhanced fear of cross-contamination.

seven things, seven days:
1. Ugh, student loans, amirite?
2. The main air conditioning unit won’t turn on. Looking forward to these 90-degree temps this weekend, for sure! (I’ll be hanging out in the attic with the new wall unit.)
3. Remember how much fun I had coloring at the Happiness Conspiracy sessions? Well, Skyhorse Publishing sent me a new coloring book: Paisleys: Coloring for Everyone. I’m going to enjoy this immensely.
4. I broke a door knob off in my house this week too because, you know, you fix a few things in the house and more shit breaks in their place. It’s a never-ending cycle of WTF, house?
5. There’s an Evereve store opening in Pittsburgh next week! It’s dubbed “clothing for moms,” but I think it’s 30-something-appropriate and fun even if you’re child-free. And I’m all about easy, functional, comfortable clothing.
6. I’m out of coffee right now, and have no microwave, so I just heated up yesterday’s leftovers in a pot on the stove. This life is glamorous, I tell you.
7. The benefits of boredom {via Greatist}

SUNDAY LATELY: Completing, Visiting, Repeating, Applauding, Scheduling

- Mel

Today’s Blogger, May I? prompt is another Sunday Lately post. I spent most of my morning riding a struggle bus hangover (woof). I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Completing:
Today’s my last day of Spring Break, and my final semester begins tomorrow. I’ll be taking two courses for the first six weeks, then another two the second six weeks — one of which is my Applied Psychology Capstone. I’ve submitted my application for graduation, so now starts that fun waiting-auditing period to ensure I have everything that I need to complete this program.

Visiting:
Visiting with my tailor today. My, how this pile of unfitting clothes (with tags, harumph) has grown. Ladies, if you’re like me and struggle with off-the-rack clothing that fits properly, make sure you have a good tailor in your arsenal. I always have my skirts fit to my shape and pants because, well, that’s all 5’3″ problems of being not too short and not tall enough.

Repeating:
I am a good person with only good intentions. Sadly, I had to remind someone whom I care about quite a bit. I refuse to have another person box me into a negative persona because I have feelings and opinions. And if I have to continue to repeat my intentions, then perhaps this person will never understand me.

Applauding:
Perhaps more of a CHEERS! than applause, but my youngest brother, babiest of the babies, turned 21 today. If you wanted some insight into how old I feel today. He’s a pretty cool dude, so Happy Birthday, brother.

Scheduling:
Our basement flooded for the first time since being in this house, which got worse with yesterday’s storms — something is backed up in the drain going to the city line, so we’ll be scheduling an emergency plumber to assess what’s going on. I’m frustrated and upset and having anxiety about what this might cost us. I couldn’t believe how quickly the water spread to the other side of the basement, and we were pulling everything we could off the floor to higher ground. And the water/sludge stinks, so the clean-up is going to be gross. ARGH.