3.31.2015

Backspringing into ...spring again.

Here's to wrapping the past year in one post.  And to having a more eventful year that will warrant more frequent posts.


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So, guess what?   I completed the half marathon and I have the medal to prove it!  I realize that was one heck of a cliffhanger from my last post. 





The Pittsburgh Marathon packet pickup at the Convention Center, complete with a huge wall of names.



It is a huge event where you can pick up your bib and do mini workouts, buy marathon related gear, including new shoes based on how you run on a treadmill (a little late now, don't you think?)  and any fuel you use for your run (gu or sport beans or whatever tickles your fancy).


Home sweet home

The wall was double sided and in teeny tiny font.  I don't even know why I HAD to find my name.. Far right, bottom corner as always.  Maybe a last call, to confirm that I did have to wake up and participate in the morning, for sure.  Sorry knees. 

I promptly got a manicure afterward, I promise

My time was not as ideal as I was shooting for (but still acceptable because I did not stop and I finished, two musts for a marathon run) but I blame the winter.  When it is this cold and this snowy, it is nearly impossible to get my feet out from underneath my grandma-electric-blanket unless absolutely necessary.



This year's half marathon (Yes, I am doing it again!) may have similar results for the exact same reason.  I have yet to hit the 10 mile mark!  It is one of my favorite races of the year and I don't mind training, once I get going. 


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This year, my training game has been weak because of the weather.  Too cold, too muddy, too tired.  I did, however, find a way to multitask and get a "workout" in everyday.  I have been wearing this Contour ab belt twice a day, usually when I drive into work and when I drive home (which also helps to keep me awake behind the wheel). 


It stimulates ab muscles to contract and over the course of 6-8 weeks, the company claims that you should "have abs."  Well, I've always had abs, they are just hidden under some insulation (or bacon storages).  I am on week 7 currently and do feel like my abs are a little stronger and more defined, but I hardly have Batman abs. 



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I have kept traditions and gained some new ones.  I ran the YMCA Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving as I do every year but added the Jingle Bell Run 5K, The Great Race, Brain Cancer Awareness 5K and Brain Aneurysm Awareness 5K to my list.  Why not donate to causes related to my profession and something I can feel for?

Well feel for I did!  The Brain Aneurysm 5K was a tear-jerker to attend.  I recognized family members of patients I recently took care of on my unit, and those family members also recognized me, greeting with big hugs and appreciation for the care the nurses gave.  Each of the families rallied friends and family and made T-shirts honoring their moms and wives and ran the 5K as a team.  I look forward to participating this year, with my supply of tissues tucked away. 


Nurses n'at at the Jingle Bell 5K

Not too shabby for a freezing run by the river


Brain Cancer Awareness 5K at White Oak Park

It wouldn't be a Pittsburgh event without Turner's Iced Tea and Kenny Kangaroo!
 

As the weather warmed up and I was able to get out more, my time improved, though after the marathon and far too soon to count for this year. 


You see that?  "...your fastest mile ever."  Until something happened not too long afterward....
 

BOOM!
!!!!!!!   I wish I was back in this place again.  It's gonna take some warm weather and new shoes to get me back to this kind of shape.  Hoping to post 8:46 next time!


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Holidays are not the same as I remember.  They come and go in the blink of an eye it seems.

My favorite traditions for Easter while growing up was the hunt...  the dress hunt!  Big surprise, huh?  My sisters and I were on a mission to find the perfect dress to express our excitement because as I was taught growing up in a Catholic school, the Lord does not rise every day!  Or was it, you may resume eating meat now, with a side of candy?

Growing up as the third girl with two older female cousins, I would pine after that pair of overalls or that NKOTB shirt, wondering when it would be passed down to me.  I would look forward to hand me down clothes, unless it was for the beginning of school, when I got my very own brandy new clothes, or... ::Oprah voice::  A HOLIDAAAAAAY!

I was pretty certain that "my" selection was the perfect fit and expression for me, when in fact, it was usually the same style but a different color or pattern from my sister who is 13-months older than me, I was usually purple while she was pink.  #easterpastels  Back then it felt great to "pick" but thanks to photos, I am onto you, Mom.

Currently, traditions have evolved.  The candy is reserved for the niblings and the real food is enjoyed by children turned adults, myself included.  Since I work on Easter (to keep Halloween traditions of passing out candy since they are paired holidays at work), I usually try to have a few nibbles of my favorite Easter foods before heading out to work, but sometimes I will gamble for leftovers.  Either way, moms will be moms and mine usually hides a plate for me somewhere.  Thanks, mom!

Speaking of moms being moms, mine is always in the spirit.  She knows her kids and has kept the holiday exciting, even as we have aged.  Now, instead of a dress hunt, we all do an outdoor adult Easter egg hunt, with a bonus silver and gold egg for "the bigger prizes" and thus, with elbows flying and faces being palmed, everyone turns into children again.  All I know is that inside those eggs is the means to a new dress!



I got festive and dyed some eggs this past year, choosing from a rainbow of eggs for breakfast every morning.  They tasted no different. 


The Grammy and Pappy with some of the grandchildren out for a walk.  Looking pretty green in 2014! 


As all holiday traditions evolve, so does Halloween.  Once- dressing up, carving elementary-worthy pumpkin sculptures, eating pizza and gorging on all the peanut butter cups before bedtime because it was usually a school night has now become a grass fed, veggie loaded meal with intricate pumpkin carvings and Pinterest inspired seed recipes before popping a bottle of wine and passing out candy to all the excited little kids in the neighborhood.

I enjoy Halloween as a "holiday" because there is not much pressure, the weather is starting to turn, the smells in the air are comforting (fall, pumpkin, cold dry leaves, etc).  I mostly love the marathons of scary movies, The Descent still being a favorite and must watch every year. 


"We all start out wide eyed.  I want to go back to that" -Mike Wazowski


The costumes every year entertain me, especially since Pinterest* and other mommy-friendly websites have been introduced.  Sometimes it is a throwback to when I grew up, but mostly, it is people getting creative and competitive with their children that makes me laugh. 

While horror movies are probably some of my favorites to watch, conversely, I also love all of the  the Pixar films, including Up, which is probably why one of my favorite costumes of this past year was Up inspired. 





My twin nieces gave this costume a run for its money, they were such a hit!  Somehow, it is hilarious dressing little humans up as adults but when you try to do the opposite..




...the humor is lost and it's just kind of pathetic?  gross?

*I mention Pinterest several times on here but I am actually pretty clueless and don't "pin" anything on any special walls, I just know about it for the love for pop culture.  





When I was younger, like 5 years ago, Christmas used to seem to last for a month, or longer! The lights, the carols, the TV specials, the shopping.. December was the longest month as I saw it. Now, since I live my life in two week increments (which coincides with paydays), Christmas blows by and I barely see the wrapping paper on the "things" I bought to celebrate the holiday. Being an adult kinda stinks.


 


Christmas also reminds me of how thoughtful family and friends are everyday in the mail. I get cards, including photo cards, from friends (who have made memories with me that we shall only repeat in private) with growing families and successes. I have always considered myself a late bloomer in life. I have nothing to really boast of in a photo card. Maybe me with Max? Just Max? My niblings (I just learned that is a real thing and can't stop using it)? It's all too.. not me. Then, I was introduced to these cards and I wish I would have thought of it first because it is exactly me.
This could pass as me.  Just me. 



I promise every year to be better at getting in the spirit and sending cards, so maybe 2015 is my year.  Stay tuned to the mailboxes this year!


Maybe the card from me this year should be like the 27 dresses movie, a photo from each wedding.  Whew, there were a lot!  Near and far, I helped family and friends celebrate and boy are my wallet and body are exhausted. 


In no particular order, I will start with my brother's wedding.  He married Christie and she was easily the least high-maintenance bride I've ever met, at least from what I saw - I can't speak for Jeff!

She transitioned into our family with ease, like she had been here all the time.  It was a big year for them.  House, wedding, baby.  Looks like I am the "baby" in the family now, with my baby brother being all adult and stuff.  Quit it already.

The thing that comes with weddings in Pittsburgh is cupcakes, tiered cakes and specifically the cookie table.  My inner cavewoman was mostly good, but if you eat Paleo, you know it is 80/20 so I only "caved" a little and tried my favorites.




Ladies...  The bridesmaids


The rehearsal and dinner was even pretty relaxed.  Everything happened with such ease. I remember all of the coordination and stress that came from my sisters' weddings.  This had the same result, less stress.  Maybe he is onto something.

The Groom
Growing up, my siblings and I experienced "Pictures with Mom."  I think she may have had a part time job at Olan Mills or a bootcamp.  We (meaning us, but also our friends and dates) would hear the following:


"Stand up straight!"
"Shoulders back, chest out!"
"Look at me!"
"Ok, now...  smile and hold it!"


We like to be great adults and mock this tradition growing up.  For every formal event, my siblings and I "pose" for pictures to show Mom how far we have come since our slouchy, teenaged days.

c. 2009


c. 2014

But, we can pull it together when it matters, see.



The sibling picture, with Jeff playing the part of Jessica's earring



A real sibling picture, easily one of my favorites from the day.




And then a not so favorite one.  Found this little gem while looking through the proofs.  I am such a miserable person.  This was during the speeches, "Yeah yeah.  Blah blah blah, let's eat."


resting bitch face, captured

We were also able to capture an updated Wells/Joyce family photo, plus or minus a few faces.


Congratulations to the new Wells Family!



I work with the girl in this picture.  Once upon a time she knew this girl, I knew this guy.  We had nothing to do with it as much as Pittsburgh is a small place and they got married.  We sat at the same table.


I can't remember if this was a tally of which wedding or the table number

We had a great time helping them celebrate at The Priory in Pittsburgh.  The night quickly turned into this:



Congratulations to the new McIntosh Family!



Next up, I flew through a rainbow, or two, with one of my best friends as my date for the wedding of our travel nurse friends in Durango, Colorado. 




We landed on a Thursday and promptly met up with them for dinner and drinks at this brewery downtown.  A comment was made (not by me) about "that funny smell" and I knew we were in Colorado, for sure.  It was so great to see Bryan and Michelle again!






Friday was the bridal shower in an outdoor area near her mother's friend's house.  Of course, because it was sunny and warm as heck!  That is no Olan Mills backdrop either, beautiful!





With the Bride-to-be





We played all the usual games while enjoying food and drinks outside, and spotting a few people kayaking.  After we helped Michelle move her gifts to her parents home (I saw where she grew up, so that was neat too), we headed back to the ranch to join the boys after their golf outing and start decorating before rehearsal. 





I was put on menu duty.  I wrote with this neet chock marker and tryed my best to spell everything corectly (see what I did there?).

so it leans a little... 

The chairs were set up, we just had to set up the "altar" and flowers and other signs and decorations.  Turned out pretty nice!





 








Dinner tent, no assigned seating.

The ranch where we stayed, hey dude.





Jared and I snuck out during the evening rehearsal to find a shirt and tour Durango.  It was still a gorgeous day, with an even more beautiful back drop in the Target parking lot.  Yes, we found a Target!

Wowza.  And I am not talking about that Camry.


The Colorado weather was much nicer than my memories traveling home from the west coast.

Colorado - May1.  Also, I got a new car in 2014, another Jetta!




I guess the trade off for living in mostly beautiful weather on the regular, you have to share it with bears, who may poop in your front yard.


'Berry' gross, bear. 


We did a little tour around Durango, downtown.  Found some chocolate place, coffee, movie theater in the hillside and.. fell across the doors of a winery with a chihuahua as a mascot.  So we went in.







At Four Leaves Winery, n'at

It is the first time I ever had a barbera or a sangiovese, both in my flight.  I am a fan!  Thanks for the recommendation, Jared.

This was also a great time for us to catch up since we had not hung out in a long, long time.  He joked that we would have to talk really fast at the same time to fit everything in on this trip.  I was happy to share my friend at the ranch, but also to have this time with Jared.  And that chihuahua.  And whoever that lady is between us. 


When we got back, we arrived in time for the BBQ dinner that ended with a bonfire.


Cheers to our new friends!



Saturday, we tried to make ourselves scarce, mostly since we were sharing a bathroom with the bride and groom.  We went to brunch, got more coffee and more wine (picked up bottles for the reception). 

Brunch:  I will have all the liquids, please.  With a hunk of bacon.  Thanks.


As we pulled into the ranch, the bathroom was cleared for use as the wedding party was taking pictures before the ceremony.   We quickly got ready and headed down to the "chair area" to get this party started. 

In the beginning of the ceremony, there were lots of instructions since it was a nontraditional wedding.  One instruction relayed that we should not take pictures.  Well I guess I just busted myself because I snuck one.  It was such a pretty shot, I couldn't help myself.  #rebelguest

The Quintanos(our name for them in LA because Michelle ruled Bryan)!  I know them!!

They were married by their friend, in an intimate setting.  It was one of the most unique weddings I have been to and I loved every detail.  Flawless.


We promptly headed over to the reception area after the ceremony for pictures and to start eating and dancing.  Now we are talking!




Obviously, it was another beautiful day.  What you can't see is the sun directly in our faces and the wind blowing hair into my lip gloss.  How frustrating and what a terrible problem to have!


Take 1 - Try again...



Take 2 - not quite...

Well, we already look ridiculous in this photo shoot (not shown) so why not?


Take 3 - There we go!




And then finally...

Our friends, the freshest Mr & Mrs Houck

Her dress was actually her grandmother's original dress, sent to a tailor and altered- a lot (there was a turtleneck involved).  Gorgeous couple of travel nurses right there. 


We attempted to recreate a selfie from one of the most fun nights together in LA, not too bad:

California, c. 2012



Colorado, c. 2014, reunited


Michelle and Bryan were just as we remembered them.  They love and hate each other like any couple.  It's mostly love, but then sometimes it is hate for a second.  Then it's right back to love again.


Love...



Hate...


Love again...


Just like that one time in California where we were trying to have a nice lunch at the beach...



All love today..





We continued to dance, celebrating until the shirts came off and things got confusing.  We ended up near the bonfire again to round out the night of celebrating our friends, with new friends.










Shirtless spottings...  I see two.  Byeeeee.


The next day, we met for one last brunch before everyone headed out of Durango.  Jared and I planned to drive to New Mexico and spend the night there, extending the trip one more time.  If you have never been, again, in love.  On my cross country trip, it was easily one of my favorite cities an I can't even describe why.  I would love to take a hot air balloon ride there!  Or anywhere, really.

The drive from Durango to New Mexico was good one on one time for Jared and me.  We caught up on everything we didn't have time to say during the weekend celebration.  We finished the trip in the desert and headed back to the east coast for a cold, cold winter.  







Congratulations to the new Houck Family!



Remember the girl from the McIntosh wedding above?  

 

 Well she also got married.  Luckily this was a close wedding this time and it was simple waking up and donning a dress to head down the road for this celebration.  It was her third wedding?  One at the courthouse.  One at the beach.  One to celebrate, reception style, near my house.  

It was a good night of not wearing scrubs but still hanging out with my work friends, and seeing everyone in real people clothes. 



It was so hard to capture a picture where everyone was looking and not goofing off, so, here we are (sorry Val!):





The beautiful bride



I love this picture!

Congratulations to the new Lemne Family!




When I am finished emptying my wallet for weddings, I actually have to refill by working :)  

I started some new work hobbies to have fun while we worked.  It was dreamed up one day when a patient was having daily bronchoscope procedures, where they shove a tube with a camera and suction into the lungs to basically look and suck anything out.  Sounds horrifying but it is less bad than it sounds.  The patient was intubated and pretty sedated.

After each procedure, we would assist the respiratory therapist in cleaning up with machine as well as the patient.  I noticed as we cleaned that the camera was still "on" and as it was moved around, we saw flashes of the room and ourselves on the TV monitor.  And so the bronch selfie was born, thank you.  I have been pretty successful with these, pulling anyone into the room to snap a shot.












I have been moderately successful with my other hobby but I will not/should not post pictures or my hobby will be ruined. It has nothing to do with patients or privacy, don't worry.  I take selfies in doctor coats while the doctor is busy in the room with a patient, a patient who is not my responsibility.  They are like trading cards and I strive to collect them all, so don't leave your coat unattended around me.  But really, you can leave it because I probably already got you.


Other things at work that get my heart pumping include vital signs like this:


I'm not sure whose heart was beating faster!  He made it (I am not that cruel to post about the deceased), phew!  He was a challenging patient who did better than anyone imagined.  I see (whatever is your equivalent of) miracles, among other things, daily. 


Or this:





The end of the strip says, "I want to live."


Just a tip:  Your heart shouldn't beat like that.  Or that.  As far as I know, these hearts are still beating even though they acted up like this.


And on occasion, when you least expect it, one of these guys visits. 




PSA:  If you ever go to a hospital, I don't care how clean you think the place is, DON'T PUT YOUR BAG ON THE FLOOR!  They are old buildings with dirty drains and you don't want to take one of these guys/girls and all the babies home with you!

We deal with pretty gross things on a daily basis that would make you toss those Pittsburgh-cookie-table cookies, and this is still completely digusting to me.  It didn't help when I was attempting to capture this guy, one of my coworkers tickled the back of my neck with her fingers.  Rude.

Speaking of the gross things we do without batting an eye, how can I ever date anyone who non-medical and have a conversation over dinner about "how my day was" when this is how my day was:


Get ready, nana, here I come!

It's more like:

 




And speaking of....

A favorite and frequently used one




 
You know how you know that you work too much?  The photos that used to populate the camera roll on your phone are replaced by memes like above that you share with other nurse friends to make you giggle and cope with days of handling these fragile patients who you care about more than they care about themselves, most times. 

All in all, I work hard so I can play hard.  It's so cliche but it is true.  I am willing to pick up an overtime shift if it means I can eat a healthy meal with friends or run another race or feel fancy in my new clothes.  Working 4- 12+ hour days every week can leave you feeling a little unbalanced though, since most of the "off" time is spent recovering.  I usually leave work feeling like I accomplished something and that I made a difference, no matter the size, but also a little like:






And since we are not able to have a water cooler like this at work....


We nurses must dress up and go out to control+alt+delete the brain so that we can return to work feeling balanced and ready to tackle another heart racing day.


 
Gentlemen...

I revived The Supper Club when I got back from California and DC.  Every month we would plan a new and fun place to try out.  Pittsburgh is stepping up their game and every month has more and more to offer.  I am looking forward to the opening of Superior Motors in Braddock, yes Braddock. We have tried several places and I may reboot once this place opens.    Hurry!





I tried bone marrow for the first time here.  Other must haves:  Mac 'n' cheese and brussel sprouts.  They are related to Meat and Potatoes.  I have never been there but it seems like everyone else in Pittsburgh has, so that was never on our list.  I'd even try brunch at this point, I just wanna go!









Tucked away in the strip, this is an excellent seafood choice, unless you prefer Red Lobster (Connor). Naturally the sea bass was pretty tasty.  They also have a cigar bar in the back and a great wine selection.  A great place for dining and then walking around in the strip.




It may not be pretty or expensive but it is one of the most unique gems hidden in the Pittsburgh area.  It is a Hungarian menu, styrofoam plates, Hungarian music from a boombox and a Pittsburgh toilet in the basement.  The menu comes from the owner's mother who is completely Hungarian and he uses her recipes, including the meals she used to make while he was growing up.  It is a BYOB and if you are lucky, when he is finished cooking, he will join your table for a glass of wine and conversation.  I've never been to a place like this in my life. 


You have to park on the other side of the tracks and then cross them on foot to get to the house turned restaurant.



Hungry for Hungarian




We stopped at this place on our way to dinner, which was more of the highlight of the night. In the summer, they have live music and food trucks in this new outdoor area.  I have not experienced the food trucks yet, but I am intrigued.  Maybe this year.  Live music lasts only until a reasonable hour since the backyard area is also the outdoors for several other homes in that area.  Nice little area, pretty good variety of ciders. 





Another BYOB favorite in Shadyside.  It requires some planning to get to dinner but I love visiting.  The Portuguese inspired food is always a great change from the norm.  The design inside is something that needs to be seen in person.  I think the space was a former garage.  It is wrapped up best in a review of the place:


"Cafe Zinho is not fancy, or pretentious, and far from formal or expensive. It sits in the same genre as Cafe Du Jour on the South Side. You'll see old couples sipping cheap liquor sat next to groups of CMU Professors talking Spanish and college kids on a first date with a 6-pack of beer, It's that kind of place. The staples that keep us returning are excellent food, relatively bargain prices, and a dose of urban weirdness. It won't be long until we return for another fix."

Cafe Du Jour was also one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh, they have a great outdoor area for dining al fresco, Pittsburgh weather permitting.

This most recent time I visited, I asked for coffee at the end of the meal.  I jokingly asked (as is a running joke from work) if the creamer was breast milk and we laughed.  Then the check came.


The waitress was so nervous that I would post it somewhere that would be associated with the restaurant.  When I saw it and we connected eyes and laughed again, she said "Don't Instagram that!"  She said nothing about blogging about it, hehe.

Always a great meal and time there.






I also went on a road trip to try a new place.  Well, not really for that restaurant.  More to see my nephew and sister, with a side of dinner, which is always a perk.
 
We spent the night out in Harrisburg, starting at Cork and Fork.  Dinner was so good!  I ordered some meat and cheese plate and a mushroom pizza (Cavewoman was on a vacation, kinda).  Everything was so tasty, and of course the wine was delicious.

We also squeezed in a competitive game of Jenga, where I won every single time.   I brought the world traveler deck of cards, Phase 10, but she refused to play with me because "the game is so stupid."  She probably thinks this because I beat her every time. 


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Yes, I do DO more than stuff food and drinks into my face.  I love movies and music as much as another other "basic" girl, but I stay away from Nicholas Sparks inspired films, country music and the sounds of Ariana Grande, because even if she is kind of pretty, she still made me an hour late for work because of the traffic of "the basics" going to her concert recently.

First concert of the year (I think) was Lady Gaga again.  She always puts on a great show.  More about her in a bit.





Oh yes I did!





This past summer I was able to see two of my more favorite/most played bands, Fitz and The Tantrums (for the first time) at Stage AE outdoors, and Lindsey Stirling (again) at Stage AE indoors.


Lindsey put on a great show, as expected.  She was indoors and had lots of costume changes and played with lights but sounded exactly like her album and told a story about her travels, showing us a video.  The picture doesn't even seem real.



For Fitz, it seemed to be "pulled in" for a more intimate show but maybe I was just dreaming that detail up.  It seemed like we were so, so close.  They put on a great show!  If you haven't before, you should check them out.  It is one of those bands with 0 bad songs.





I found Paleo-friendly beer!


Oh yeah, this one time I went blonde over the summer for like 5 minutes.  It was not my idea but I will usually try anything.  It was not one of my favorites.  I will be a brunette for life.  Well, unless this gray hair trend catches on, I love it!







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Most times on my days off, I am not out running around town.  I have watched more TV than I would care to share with anyone, having binges on some really great documentaries and TV series, such as Orange Is The New Black and House of Cards.  Have you watched it?  I want a row machine!

I don't know what drew me to The Oscars more, living in LA or binging on new release movies.  It's such a great memory and also about one of my favorite hobbies, as Dane Cook named them - cinematic adventures. 

In my house, we had a full spread and watched the entire show, including the incredible performance by Lady Gaga.  She has really proven to be a talented artist.  This past year alone, her performance on The Oscars in addition to an album release with Tony Bennett for something a little different than her poppy Just Dance days. 

Anyway, back to The Oscars.  The dresses this year were just..  kind of blah, not that anyone asked me.  There were no Jennifer Lawrence knockouts.  My favorite dress of the night was actually not even on an actress, it was on the pre-show with Giuliana Rancic on E!.




I forget the exact timeline but it was around this time that I got the flu.  This year was so bad!  Symptoms varied and almost everyone got it, vaccinated or not.   I remember being bed ridden with all the aches, nausea (thankfully nothing came of it, either end) and a fever. I did something I never did before in my life and still claim that I was not in my right mind.  I sat there the night of The Bachelor premiere and ...  I watched it!

The next Monday, I was feeling better, but then wondered, "Will they keep that crazy girl on for ratings?"  "Will the nurse make it another round?"  So I watched again.  And again and again.  Week after week til the end because I have trouble leaving things hanging (except The Walking Dead, I'm sorry.  I tried.  It was so slow once that kid got shot.  I may pick it up another time because I keep hearing great reviews and "just stick it out, it's worth it!"  Maybe, but not yet.).  The night of the finale, I poorly planned and had to work.  Thankfully I had a tame assignment and family members who were just as interested so the TV was on and I was watching in real time while I was charting and (most importantly) my families were occupied.  I dressed in "costume" and multi-tasked away.








Now that enough time has passed, I don't feel like there are any spoilers here.  I am so happy that the nurse came out on top.  Wait a minute, what am I saying?  I don't even care about this show.  But I am still glad the nurse won. 

If you DID watch, this was a pretty funny image going around the internet.



I hope the flu stays away from me next year!



In my non-infected state of mind, I chose to watch The Jinx on a coworker's recommendation, just before all the hubbub came out in the news.  They announced the arrest before the final episode.  For once, I was on time for current events!  That was thrilling enough.


But seriously, how can I trust this documentary when the details are all off?


If you have watched or end up watching this documentary, may I recommend another entertaining series in a different form?  I really enjoyed Serial.  It's a 12 episode podcast and it's free.  One of the characters was also recently in the news, I believe related to the release of this series of podcasts.  There is a season 2 coming out this year and I cannot wait to give it a listen!



We are also weeks away from a new season of Game of Thrones!!
I shouldn't even link it because I think it is big enough to speak for itself, but I did.



I binged pretty hard on that series and got myself caught up.  No, I never read the books.  I am still highly entertained and stick to nerdier books that have less characters to keep straight.  Seriously, I had to pull out the family tree several times to keep up.  And also to confirm that I should be as grossed out as I was.  I love my siblings as much as anyone else but...  ::shiver::

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Speaking of siblings, my sister's son - my nephew, is having a pretty good year.  He was accepted into Central Catholic High School, made his confirmation and competed in his school in Project Lunch Tray where he made it to the final round and won an award for the food he and his classmates created.  Pretty cool, Ben!


Confirmation at St Angela's


Competing for the final spot at a Farm to Table event







Ben, Keith Fuller of Root 174, and Kelsey Weisgerber (CORE Amy's sister, you PUH people)

Ben worked closely with the chef from Root 174 in Edgewood, Keith Fuller.  When he spoke at the event, he relayed how much he likes to volunteer and about his summer farm dinner series at Churchview Farm.  My nephew was invited.  Since it is right up my alley, I went home and immediately bought a ticket, as seats are limited.

Speaking of farms...

My friends and I went in on a cow and got lots and lots AND LOTS of local, grassfed beef, all chopped and ready to go.  I look forward to what this cavegirl will whip up now that grilling season is approaching again.  I just picked up a cooler full of meats, it was incredible!  And heavy!



Finally!  We are all caught up to present day and I hope to post before a year passes.  I cannot wait to see what 2015 will bring.  I have big plans, hopefully some of them catch on.

I have a few races, including the Pittsburgh Marathon (half) and one quick 10K run through Kennywood Park this summer so far, that Churchview Farm dinner which should be amazing and getting my nose in the books to get certified and advance in my career and my Paleo lifestyle. 

Hope you enjoy reading and I look forward to sharing all the posts that couldn't/shouldn't/wouldn't ever be posted on Facebook.  Ever.


Laters, baby (name that movie).