A Few Favorites

I started to write a post about things that were annoying me. For some reason I felt annoyed this week. Not sure if my pregnancy hormones are going crazy again or I am just tired, but things kept coming up that I find annoying (like men's socks not matching their dress pants at work. I mean really, is it necessary I worry about this issue?)

Alas, this feeling of annoyance does nothing for my attitude, so I won't feed it this time.  Instead I think I will write about a few favorites, challenging my inner positive feelings.

Beautiful Fall Day in Pennsylvania

a few of my favorites right now:

• I found this blog somehow, some post within a post maybe? I forget. Regardless, I love her post about post-baby health and weight loss. She is very honest, which is a relief. I know a majority of it disappears after the baby is born, there can be some time before you get back to that magical pre-baby weight. This subject is on my quite a bit now. I want to formulate a working plan and her approach seems really reasonable. I know it will all come off, just a matter of time. 
• This book. I started listening to it on audiobook while I work from home in the afternoons (thank you pregnancy, at least I can be home in my sweatpants and a little bit more comfortable). Another reminder that a journey with no end is ok.
• Fuzzy Socks. It is getting cold out there! My body is hot (oh thank you baby)but my feet are cold. Thank you fuzzy socks.
• Our baby's name. Which is a secret until the big day but lets just say I LOVE IT! I am so excited to meet him, finally! 
• Fall. Really could there be a better season? Some days are sunny and beautiful, others are cold and rainy. Perfect for long walks and eating a homemade batch of soup (check, did both of these things this week!)

Take Care

Talk about a lame weekend. I spent most of my lovely weekend held up on the couch with the worst cold. Fever, shivers, runny nose and body aches. It was a well spent two days lounging around as I feel better today but I hate losing a weekend to a sickness. I was able to catch up on sleep and my television episodes, so I will count that as progress. 

It was another beautiful weekend in Pennsylvania. The temperature felt cool but you could be outside without a coat or sweatshirt. My husband and I took a scenic bike ride around the state park near us. It was beautiful to see the leaves starting to change. It really makes it that much more beautiful to see reds and oranges on the trees. We felt pretty darn sick after that ride, but it was nice to be outside. We got some apple cider and donuts on the way home from one of the local markets. Another great thing about fall, all that warm apple cider. I am all about fall!

Although Mondays seem to drag on and on sometimes (case of the Mondays anyone?), today I am looking forward to our first ever dinner party in Pennsylvania! My husband has a few lab partners from his medical school that want to meet me. I thought it would be nice to cook them a meal this week. I know they had a big test today and making a full meal is probably not on top of their to-do list. I am happy that my husband is making friends and enjoying his time at school. When he first started school I know he missed his college friends, who had been there for four years. I am sure he was reluctant to find new friends as he didn't want to replace any of his old ones, even though that would never happen. Its good to feel like you have someone to talk to at your work/school. Days can get lonely if you never talk! I can't wait to have people over that are my age! I have yet to make a friend who is my age. I try, I really do, I just have not found anyone yet. Hopefully this will be my chance!

I am making goulosh, bread, pumpkin bread and apple pie. Can you tell I am excited? 

I will let you know how it goes!

Have a non-Monday Monday!


-EAA

13.1

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
That's how I felt on Sunday at 10 am after waking up at 4:45 am, running 13.1 miles and eating banana. 
You probably couldn't wipe the smile off my face if you tried.

Erie Half Marathon Results 

I am ecstatic that I signed up. After months of debating with myself, asking if I was ready or could even run that far that fast, I did. And now I am more energized then ever to run more, further and faster. I cannot wait to sign up for a marathon. I am thinking that I want some more time to train, get long runs under my belt and figure out that whole drinking water while running thing. I am still confused and baffled that people can actually drink water or gatorade WHILE RUNNING. Serious skill. I gulped down about a half cup around mile 7 and that was about all I could manage to get in my mouth. It did make me feel better, but it added some time to my race time. I am going to have to experiment with that stuff as a train for a marathon.


any ideas on which marathon to do in the spring? I think there is one in Buffalo, NY which isn't too far...i will have to do some more research on the area to see what will be the best option. training through the winter in a town next to a Great Lake could be a challenge, but I am enthusiastic (and a sadist).


I have been addicted to fashion blogs as of late. New York Fashion Week happened to be on my radar and I needed to keep up with some of my favorite designers. Not that I am a fashion slave, but I do like to see what is trending for spring and how I can start to look for the newest styles. Coming from a small mid-western town, my fashion knowledge has come from a lot of reading on-line and in magazines. Its funny though, I like to see what is new in terms of style, but can't force myself to buy all the trendy items. I like classic fashion, a  mix of preppy style and timeless pieces. I would much rather buy an accessory that is in style than a whole wardrobe that will be out of style soon enough. Fashion blogs have been lighting up with soft palates and lots of patterns, both of which i love! I cannot wait to get some of those striped shirts paired with flow-y silk skirts. But for now I will have to wear my favorite boots and warm sweaters. darn.


It finally feels like fall around here, and I am very glad! I love fall colors, scents and food. Fall is my favorite season by far. I think its the most beautiful and enjoyable of the seasons since you can be outside without having to sweat like a maniac! You can cook warm meals and heat up the whole house with good smells. In our house we have already had some acorn squash and apples from a local orchard. I have a new recipe for vegetable soup and classics like chili and goulash always test better in the fall. Its a tradition in my family to make goulash in the fall, I have some of my fondest memories involving goulash at my Grandparents cottage. Something about warm food and fall make me feel comfortable.  
I am getting hungry already!


Its also my favorite time for new socks! One of the small luxuries I enjoy in life (good coffee being the number one luxury!) The feeling of warm toes and squishy padding under my feet could not be more welcomed. I once said in an interview that new socks were one of my favorite things to buy (side note: I did not get that job). Its amazing that you can find such joy in little things. 

Ok. Another stellar week ahead for me. 
I promise to write sooner.


Your pal,

EAA

Oh Happy New Couching!

Wasting my time. That is what I must be doing not writing on this blog.
Actually I have been busy. And time flies when you love your life.
Most nights are relaxing, down time with my husband but recently we have been on a
home improvement kick.
You know when you get started thinking about an idea and then just like that you have
to make it come to life? That is how I operate. I get stuck on one home improvement
idea and need to get all the parts for the project, work on it and finish it in one day.
My husband and I started out thinking about what we could do with our unfinished
basement. There was already some wood paneled walls, a la the ‘70s, and concrete floor
but essentially a blank canvas. We ended up in the flooring section of Lowe’s, eying the
perfect floor solution, tiles. These sticky tiles are great for concrete floors and require
little tools or adhesive products. The tiles were boxed with adhesive backings that pulled
off before sticking to the floor. We hurriedly brought the tiles home, scarffed down a
quick dinner and then heading to our workspace. After staying up until 2 am, moving
a couch at 1:30 am and running a broom over the floor we had finished! The basement
looks great and its now a functioning space for my husband to work in. We added an
older couch, a few lamps, a desk and some stereo equipment to complete the space. Such
a small change made a big impact.
Our second big change came in the form of furniture. The first piece of furniture bought
by us a married couple, hopefully not the last piece. We found a bargain of a price on
a leather sectional, only problem now is the space it takes up in our living room.
There is also the problem of what to put on the walls. Oh gosh, this new couch is turning
out to be a pain! I have a rustic looking large clock, which I love, some pictures, which
are small and not really big enough to fill wall space. I am at a designing dead end. Urgh.
I hate when that happens. I usually try to do a little research via the internet but nothing
caught my eye. Any suggestions?

These are issues that matter.  Just kidding. But I glad that these are the problems I face in mu life.

Last weekend I was blessed to have another friend come to visit. One of my best girl friends came all the way from Michigan. We went over to Northeast and explored the vineyards and the wineries, I even found my new favorite wine at a local winery. Delicious! We got to head over to Presque Isle, ride bikes, run and be outside all day on Sunday. It was a great weekend. Luckily the weather was beautiful all weekend. It was great to see someone familiar and show them around our new town. Its fun to discover new places and be able to enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer. 

It was also great to spend some time with a girlfriend. I love my husband, but a girl will talk about celebrity gossip, fashion and girly thing! It was nice to share what is going on with another girl. I also loved hearing all about her life and what is going on.

Work is going well. We stay busy every week with our customers need products yesterday. Its demanding at points but that is what makes the days go by faster. Unfortunately I am a temp worker so my full hire status is still unsure. I am working hard to do everything I can extra, try to improve process and make sure I show how worthwhile I can be. Going in with a positive attitude is key some days, there are always time when people or things get you down. 

Alright more tv watching time!