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I moved my blog to IRunISweat.com. Hope to see you there!!

Azzeria & Other things

 

I worked a bit later Thursday and when I talked to Jared he offered to go to Aladdin’s.  Not in the mood for Aladdin’s (gasp!), I suggested to go to a pizzeria for something quick.  I knew just what I wanted to try…

 

Azzeria is located on a busy road in the South Hills.  It’s a neat little place.  Actually, it’s two neat little places depending on which direction you are driving.  For example, if you are driving into the city, say on a weekday morning, you can stop on the inbound side of the particular road and get your coffee, breakfast panini, etc and continue your morning route.  If you are driving outbound you can stop and grab a pizza, or stay and enjoy the nice atmosphere.  We tried it out and were surpised by the unqiue entrance.  As soon as you enter, you see the brick oven.  Around the corner and up the stairs is the restaurant part of Azzeria.  We ordered a pizza, and sat down.  They have gelato, coffee, teas.  Outside was a fire pit, though not “open” due to the rain.  What a neat concept.  The pizza was okay.  The sauce was a bit sweet for my taste, but I would return for the whole wheat crust option (Jared’s face when I asked if we could get WW detered me from ordering).  Jared ordered wings and breadsticks.  The wings were just that, wings.  They weren’t bad, I had one, but didn’t go back for more.  The breadsticks were good, but could have used some seasoning.  No pictures of the food this time.

 

We rounded out the meal by splitting a gelato.  Jared chose the triple chocolate, and I chose the banana cream pie.  The two worked well together, but unless you love chocolate, which I do not, it was really intense.   I mean, really intense.  All in all, not bad.  I would return there in the summer months, to enjoy gelato and coffee near the firepit. 

 

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The week at work has been nuts.  Stress out the ears.  I need a day off.  Not an afternoon off, but a full day off. 

 

Friday started with an e-mail from our solicitor saying a breaking news article on the Post Gazette website was “too harsh” and he “wished I would have written that we are simply following policy”.  Oh, I guess he forgot I am not a newreporter instead of the borough manager and that I didn’t write the article.  Here’s the article, you will just never please some people.  Brush it off and move on.

So then, I get a call around 1:00 that a news reporter wanted to talk to me about the article on the PG website.  Okay.  Frantic I gather all of the information.  Made a few calls, in ten minutes six people call me.  Again, I spoke with the solicitor because, he was to advise me what I absolutely should not say.  Instead, he just gives me some hints and no legal advice.  I bet that 10 minute conversation cost the borough $50. 

Anyways, they come to the building, set up the cameras, and after about 10 minutes, I am done.  I answer a bunch of questions (better than most people could have), and they spend more time filming me fanning the bills than actually getting a story.  I was on at 5:30 last night.  No, I can’t find the video.  A good thing because they filmed on my bad side

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I made the plunge.  Or at least I attempted to.  You see, I have a domain here, but never really messed around with making it WP compatible.  I am in the process of transferring domains and installing WordPress.  I don’t know what the hell I am doing (haha), but I guess to transfer the domain to dreamhost, it will take a few days.  That’s fine.  It will give me some times to work with graphics.

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The week in running has been horrible.  I don’t know what I blame it on.  Part of it is the cold & me not wanting to leave, part of it is not waking up in time.  I’ll move on.  I know the premise of this blog is me not going to the gym, running outside in Pittsburgh elements, and maybe I’m being a wimp.   Probably a combination of both.  Yikes.  Maybe I am hinting that I may join a gym again?  We’ll see

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Lots going on this weekend.  Stock-up trip to Trader Joes & Costco, dinner with my Aunts, pumpkin picking.  Seize the day, huh?

Fun Clicks: Fall Coat Edition

When I was a junior in college, a really long time ago, about 5 years ago, I got a great black trench from (gasp) Old Navy for $10 (clearance!).  It had been my go-to look professional coat since, well honestly, last spring.  I would wear it religiously to internships, and my first post grad school job in both fall and winter.  I honestly loved it.  I never had it dry cleaned, so this past spring I donated it to Goodwill, as it started to look grey instead of the black it once was.  Everything about it (aside from the classic trench style) was looking 5 years old and really loved.  I’m not really looking to spend money on a new coat right now, and I’m sure the luck of finding a coat for $10 is pretty slim, but it’s still fun to look.  Also, it should be noted that I’m not wearing any coat now, as I am trying to appreciate the crispness of fall…

 

In the Navy Jacket, $80 Modcloth.  This is too cute for words.  The traditional detailed buttons are offset with the belt. 

 

 

Spartan Coat, $200 Anthropologie.  Wow, that’s a little steep for a fall coat.  Or, at least to me.  I do think it’s cute, and would hope I could wear it for many years to come.  Then again, I’d probably have it dry cleaned in an attempt to preserve it

Similarly priced, the Classic Trenchcoat $198 Banana Republic, seems to fit the bill when you want the traditional black, formal trench.  I almost prefer 95% of my waredrobe to be plain traditional, and use accent pieces to spice it up.  That’s just me.  I’m a plain jane traditionalist with a bit of flare (what is bebe?). 

 

Traditionalist, what? Marylebone Coat is steep at $278 from Boden but if someone gave it to me, I would question what it is they really want, think I was being bribed, question it, and maybe accept the coat.  Its terribly cute.  I love Boden.  I think most happy women would, too!

 

 

And finally, since I think I had a tweed coat like this a few years back (where it is now, I will never know) this Nick and Mo Quilted Knit Bomber Jacket is undoubtedly the best priced ($68, Nordstrom), but probably the least functional.  I don’t see myself wearing a berry coat to meeting at work, but would certainly wear it pumpkin picking on the weekends!

Catch-up

I had a wonderful time last night enjoying dinner…

Don Lee Farm’s Veggie Burger (they’re in the freezer for go-to dinners) with pepper cheese, lettuce, and mustard, celery sticks, and amazing tuscan three bean salad from none other than McGinnis Sisters.  This was a great dinner to have while checking up on all the blog posts out there.  I almost prefer to keep my Google Reader stocked full of new entries!

In addition, thought I don’t know if you can tell, our fountain is pink during October, and has been for several years.  It looks so neat!

Looking forward to my chilly run this morning!!  Happy Thurs-itsalmostFri-day!

Several Updates

Hey bloggers, not many pictures this post, but I expect to spend the night catching up on all the lovely blogs…

 

1.)  Jared and I are doing well.  In fact, we are better than ever.  We really needed a catch-up talk like we had Saturday.  I need to remind myself of this more often.  I think one of my problems is that I assume I’m being open when I’m really not.  I love him, and I feel closer to him than ever.  That is a great feeling.  We are a unique couple, and I love that.

 

2.)  Work has been nuts.  I keep inheriting problems from the old manager.  Couple that stress with no outlet (i.e., running), and I am one unhappy camper.  I ran a little on Monday, around Carnegie, but got a side cramp and stopped.  Finally, today, it had built up so much that I stopped at a gym near work and got all of my frustrations out on the treadmill.  Let me just say how strange it felt to be running on the treadmill.  Sure, it felt great to run in general, but it took some getting used to.  40 minutes of running (real fast!) intervals was just what the doctor ordered.  I’m still frustrated with work, but, I need to get my ass outta bed/get warm pants and run in the mornings.

 

3.)  I finally broke down and purchased a pair of running pants.  Between not running Monday morning (feeling too cold in capris) and knowing the inevitable winter months ahead, I stopped at Marshalls with no luck.  I was going to go to Fleet Feet (and probably will if I invest more into cold weather running gear) but decided to go to Dick’s.  Happy, I found a pair of Nike Pants for $50.  Yes, $50 is steep, but if anyone’s priced running pants, they are almost always more than $50.  I’m sure if I went to FF it would have been $80 or $90.  They are sort of warm, so we’ll see how they work out.  They look something like…

PS—I love my snipping tool!

 

 

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but I’m stressed out, suffering from post race blues, and am not sure what I have to look forward to! 

 

 

Oh PS–  Just an update.  I have been off my pill for about a week.  Physically, I feel amazing.  I needed to get off that so bad.  I’m getting my IUD soon.  I’m scared (as hell!), but I need to follow my heart!

I’m alive

I miss blogging, and running, and will be back with that story, shortly!

Whirl-wind weekend

Wow, what a weekend.  It was fun, it was emotional, I felt exhausted through most of it.  Let me elaborate a bit.

 

Saturday started off with a planned 8 mile run, this would have been my first long-run since the half marathon.  I got all ready, headed down to the Southside, and was looking forward to running on the flats.  I got about 2 miles into it, and my legs felt like logs.  It was a little chilly, and I could feel that on my legs (I’m still wearing shorts part-time to run in), and since I’m not apparently normal, my legs were tight!  I guess I only did about five miles. 

 

I was a little disappointed, mostly because my cold legs kept me from running like I would have wanted to.  I guess it is officially pants time.  Any hopes for an Indian summer are just that. 

 

After, I came home and ate breakfast. 

I forgot how much I love toast.  Toast isn’t exactly portable breakfast food, so I don’t often have it during the work week.  The star of the show was this new Smucker’s Orchard’s Finest tart cherry preserves.  I’m not a huge fan of preserves, jams, or jellies.  Though I prefer real fruit preserves.  It was tart.  I don’t love cherry preserves, but this was okay.  I purchased it on sale, with a coupon, and think I will use it for holiday baking.  I also have the three berry, which is something I think I’d enjoy more.

It ended up being an Arnold Wheat Thin with the preserves on half and pnut butter and banana on the other.  It was simple and filling. 

Before we left for Johnstown, I snacked on raisins, cashews, and a few white chocolate chips.  Delish.

 

The drive out to J-town was scenic.  I tried to cheer Jared up.  He hates going to Johnstown.  His attitude was poor all day.

  If that doesn’t show it, I don’t know what will.

Still, though, it was a great day for a drive.  We drove through Ligonier which is a cute little town that was smart and preserved it’s historic business district.

We arrived at Jared’s father and step-mothers house.  They just refinished their kitchen.  No pictures, but it’s amazing.  Their house is a DIY-er’s dream home.  Radiant heat flooring, two additions, antiques, and now the kitchen.  I’ll be happy if we get windows in before winter .

 

We hung out for awhile, I gabbed with his step-mom, and we were off to dinner.  It was her 50th birthday, and he surprised her with a party with a lot of her friends at her favorite restaurant in Johnstown.

 

      

The rest of the night went sort of downhill from there.  Let’s just say that Jared and I had some issues to discuss and it hit the fan at the party.  I needed to be home, in my bed because I was emotionally exhausted.  What happened to get to the breaking point isn’t as important as all of the loads of stress Jared and I are both carrying. For him, some personal issues from the past come up in Johnstown, coupled with school, work, and now this argument.  For me, the new job, the stress of the new job, working long hours, and now the argument.  I just needed to go home.  I asked to go home.  I apologized profusely to Jared’s parents, and his mom understood (she’s married to his father after all). 

We took the car ride home to talk.  I simply told him that I’ve spent the last two years sacrificing a piece of myself to make sure we were okay.  That I loved him, and I didn’t mind the sacrifice, but that when I do such things, and get his emotionless reply, that I don’t feel like he cares.  We both love each other to death.  I will be with him forever, but I told him it’s exhausting.  I know he loves me, but certain events in his life have lead him to be scared to show that he cares about me.  I know he does, I know its in there, he just doesn’t know how to show it.  For once, I tried to be very honest with him and how I perceive things, and I think I did a good job.  Then I told him something I never thought I would, but have always felt…

I would rather be single, than to spend my time in a relationship with someone that I know loves me, but doesn’t show me he cares.

He asked me if I loved him.  And I told him that if I didn’t love him, I wouldn’t be in this relationship.  He knows that.  We both cried (he’s only ever cried once before and that was the night he told me he loved me).  I get worried when he cries.

We got home and hugged.  I was exhausted mentally and emotionally.  Seriously, it took everything in me to get out of the car. 

To make matters worse, we got home and he had a strange voicemail on the machine.  I cannot elaborate, but he just broke down.  Sorry to be somewhat disconnected, but it lead into him thinking he was doing everything wrong, that he was not the person he was trying so hard to be.  It was rough.  I reassured him that I loved him, and that I know how hard things can be.  That if I thought for one minute he was not the person who he is, an amazing person, I would not be with him.  I realize not many people who read this know about my & Jared’s life, but I have the most amazing man in my life.  I am so proud of him, in everything he does.  This isn’t meant to be a gushy blog entry, but Jared is an amazing person.  I want no one else but him.  I know that will never change.  We spend the remainder of the night talking, until about 1:30 am, when my second wind ran out. 

 

Sunday, something happened that I haven’t done in probably about 2 years.  I slept in until 9:30 am.  It felt late to me.  I was exhausted.  I came downstairs and read a few blogs, probably for about 20 minutes and came back upstairs because I didn’t want to be away from Jared.  Then something else happened.  I fell asleep again until about noon!  Seriously, unless I am VERY SICK, I cannot remember the last time I slept that late.  It felt amazing!!  No running, no cooking, no grocery store, just rest.  I felt so rejuvenated.  I needed it and enjoyed it.

We did leave the house around 2:00 and took Ambrose to the dog park.  We also took him to the “doggie spa” where he got his nails trimmed and a bath.  He smells so good, looks so shiny, and he soaked up all of the attention and socializing.

The best part of him getting spa time is we don’t have to tackle him to trim his nails.  The people at the pet store can clip them better than I can, so I appreciate that.

 

The moral of this story is that it’s important to balance what is important to you with who is important to you.  Jared is my best friend and the love of my life.  Nothing will take that away from me, but at the same time, I have to be true to myself… 

I’m going to save my run for after work.  I’ve got a long night tonight, and I’d like a break in between the normal work day and a long work night.

 

I should also say that I got the first draft of the 2010 budget completed on Friday.  I am proposing a 1.4 mill increase.  I will see how quickly Council shuts that one down.  If they do, there will have to be layoffs.  While I agree there is some room to cut, I’m not certain that we should be cutting as much as we need to if we hold the line on taxes. 

I am looking forward to next weekend already.  Though every Monday comes, I blink my eyes and it’s already Friday. 

Fun Clicks: the Pamper Edition

When I was at my old job, the first thing to go, and the first thing I started to view as a “treat” was make-up and pampering items.  Dial/dove/other body wash items were bought on sale, with a coupon.  In fact, I did a great job of stocking up on them this way.  I dreamt of the day I could go to Sephora or Keihl’s and find something, and just buy it.  Well, I think I still dream, because I think I almost prefer these drug-store/Target items.  I honestly love the Dove Go Fresh line almost as much (if not more) than some of the other fancy lines…

 

But if you are in the mood for a splurge, or need a gift…

 

Kiehls Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Wash Cream is definately a product I’d love to try.  $7/2.5 oz or $17.50/6.5oz.  Again, a splurge.

 

 

Have you tried Philosophy?  My mom swore by it for the longest time.  I appreciated the smell, and she went nuts & got everything philosophy.  I have recently splurged, with help of a giftcard, and purchased a miniset.  I love it.  The face cream is to die for and the smell is amazing.  That’s why I am featuring this humungo size from QVC which is almost double the size as Sephora, at the same price.  I’m not a huge QVCer, but I think if you love the scent, this is a great value.  (QVC, $34.50)

 

As of this week, I am totally over the Bare Minerals/loose make-up trend.  When my Bare Minerals exploded all over me, in the car, driving to work, I decided I leave them behind.  I purchased this Laura Mercier Cheek Colour Duo over 1.5 years ago from Saks (on a giftcard!) I loved it.  It was perfect.  A hint of pink, blended with some color for my pale skin.  I ran out and subsequently purchased Bare Minerals.  I didn’t love Bare Minerals.  I loved this, but refused to waste my Minerals… until they wasted theirselves in my car, on my lap.  ($24)

 

Mike & Chris Jersey Henley ($80, Bluefly) is a pampering item.  New, fun, shirts are pampering items, I swear!

Goodmorning Goodmorning!

I swear if it rains in Pittsburgh one more day this week, I am going to freak!  The transition from summer to a rainy fall is not one I look forward to!  Though, it’s not that bad, Jared and I  hung out on the couches last night and watched the Penguins game.  I forgot how much that boy has gotten me to love hockey!  I think it helps that I understand it more now that before.

 

This weekend should be a lot of fun.  We are going to the big city of Johnstown, PA to visit with his dad and stepmom.  It’s his stepmom’s birthday, today, and he father is using us visiting as an excuse to surprise her with all of her friends at a dinner.  What fun!  We will be staying over night which should also be a nice little escape from the normal weekend routine. 

 

I’ve got an eight mile run planned for this morning, which I am really looking forward to.  I haven’t run a “long” distance since the half, for various reasons.  I cannot honestly blog and say I am looking forward to it, but I know I need to do it.  Once I’ve got a good cup of coffee in my system, that should all change

 

After that, I’ll hopefully get some laundry done, a gift bought, and we’ll be packed and on our way.  Oh, and we don’t know yet what we are going to do with the dog, but I have an hunch my dad will come by and let him out tonight, tomorrow morning, and hopefully tomorrow afternoon.  Better than keeping him in the cage at Jared’s parents (who aren’t dog friendly).