Another migraine took me down today. I started getting migraines about six weeks after Dad died in 2006 and I still get them every once in a while. I flew back to Pittsburgh yesterday and had a hint of one, but figured a night's sleep would take care of it. Wrong.
Today, at 1:00 I called uncle and left the office. I made it back to hotel in time to flop into bed for 15 minutes before having to rush into the bathroom. Honestly, I've thrown up more in the past three years than I have my entire life! Here's hoping tomorrow will be a new day with a new brain!
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Foray into Cosmetic Procedures
This past weekend I went to San Francisco to do a bunch of errands and see old friends. One of my first stops was the dermatologist, where I spent $500 to have the sunspots on my chest lasered off. That's right $500 - and in the midst of a global recession. Really smart spending, I know!
It was a frivolous thing to do, but it's been a bee in my bonnet for more than a year, so I decided to go for it. I have HATED the sunspots on my chest - they've been a daily reminder of my teenage sun worshipping days - so I decided to try to get rid of them. My chest is still looking pretty narly 72 hours later, but here's hoping that the $500 is worth it! What a bummer it will be if there's barely a noticeable difference. I'll consider it my first and last attempt at elective cosmetic surgery!
While in San Francisco, I stayed with Amalia and Gordon and had a nice, albeit quiet, time with them. On Friday night, Amalia and I went to dinner with Karen Castagna and Gwen Helvey, which was really nice. I hadn't seen Gwen in nearly two years and I hadn't seen Karen since November, before the birth of her fourth daughter. The four of us went to dinner in Palo Alto and had a nice time catching up. A huge part of Karen and Gwen's "catch up" was commiserating about lice infestation in their daughters' schools. I thought Amalia and I were going to crawl out of our skin listening to them share how they had to pick nits out of their daughters' hair; launder clothing, sheets and towels; vacuum their cars, etc. It was beyond disgusting - made all the worse by Gwen acknowledging that she also got them. Yuck!! Honestly, it's another argument for homeschool!
On Saturday, Ama and I cruised back up to San Francisco to pick up her wedding dress. She and Gordon decided to postpone their wedding by 6 months to a year in order to ride out the recession and allow Ama to find a new job. She's been out of work for nearly a year and finances are tight, so spending thousands on a wedding isn't in the cards right now. I'm sure the experience of picking up a wedding dress that you thought you'd be wearing in three months was bittersweet, but Ama handled it all so gracefully. The dress is beautiful and she'll look stunning! Hopefully, one day soon we'll all witness their marriage!
The weekend was short - back to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning - but it was fun to go back "home" and get out of the 20 degree temperatures that have plagued Pittsburgh for three months! I'm ready for Spring....now!
It was a frivolous thing to do, but it's been a bee in my bonnet for more than a year, so I decided to go for it. I have HATED the sunspots on my chest - they've been a daily reminder of my teenage sun worshipping days - so I decided to try to get rid of them. My chest is still looking pretty narly 72 hours later, but here's hoping that the $500 is worth it! What a bummer it will be if there's barely a noticeable difference. I'll consider it my first and last attempt at elective cosmetic surgery!
While in San Francisco, I stayed with Amalia and Gordon and had a nice, albeit quiet, time with them. On Friday night, Amalia and I went to dinner with Karen Castagna and Gwen Helvey, which was really nice. I hadn't seen Gwen in nearly two years and I hadn't seen Karen since November, before the birth of her fourth daughter. The four of us went to dinner in Palo Alto and had a nice time catching up. A huge part of Karen and Gwen's "catch up" was commiserating about lice infestation in their daughters' schools. I thought Amalia and I were going to crawl out of our skin listening to them share how they had to pick nits out of their daughters' hair; launder clothing, sheets and towels; vacuum their cars, etc. It was beyond disgusting - made all the worse by Gwen acknowledging that she also got them. Yuck!! Honestly, it's another argument for homeschool!
On Saturday, Ama and I cruised back up to San Francisco to pick up her wedding dress. She and Gordon decided to postpone their wedding by 6 months to a year in order to ride out the recession and allow Ama to find a new job. She's been out of work for nearly a year and finances are tight, so spending thousands on a wedding isn't in the cards right now. I'm sure the experience of picking up a wedding dress that you thought you'd be wearing in three months was bittersweet, but Ama handled it all so gracefully. The dress is beautiful and she'll look stunning! Hopefully, one day soon we'll all witness their marriage!
The weekend was short - back to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning - but it was fun to go back "home" and get out of the 20 degree temperatures that have plagued Pittsburgh for three months! I'm ready for Spring....now!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Weekend in Park City
I spent President’s Day weekend in one of my favorite places – Park City, Utah – with one of my favorite couples – Julianna & Cody Johnson. Juju and Cody just moved into a new home in Park City and have been after me for months to come visit, so I finally made it out there. A special bonus was that their family now includes the addition of their new son, Louis, who was born on December 13.
I love staying with Cody & Julianna. I can always count on a comfy bed, great homemade food, some good movies, funny conversations and a little shopping and dining. Once again, they did not disappoint.
Our weekend included a stroll down Main Street in Park City with Jill Jackson and lunch at a yummy new BBQ place called Bandits. We’ll be going there again! Juju and I then went to see a movie – Confessions of a Shopaholic – which was sort of like watching my life story, minus the love interest! Basically, the lead character shops to her heart’s content, racks up enormous credit card bills, freaks out over the monthly payments she owes and embarks on a payment program to become debt free. Like I said, it’s basically my life story over the past 10 years, minus the boss who falls in love with me.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day by going to Cody’s parents’ home for their annual Sweethearts Dinner and on Sunday we splurged on a special post-Valentine’s Day treat by going brunch at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Few places put on a Sunday Brunch as well as Stein’s. The buffet included crepes, pancakes, eggs, prime rib, crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, BBQ ribs & grits, cheese blintzes, cheese & olive platters, salads, soups, sushi, fruit plates and more. The best part was the long table of desserts – jello, cheesecake, brownies, cookies, coconut cake, raspberry tart, petit fours, key lime pie and more. Our hands-down favorite was the vanilla-blueberry bread pudding with vanilla and raspberry sauces. Are you kidding me?? It was so good that Juju and I went back for a second helping, which was a problem because we weren’t shy when we served ourselves up the first time! Juju and I discovered bread pudding last year when we went to a lunch buffet at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City and we’ve decided that if the dessert is done well (i.e. loaded with croissants, cream and sugar!), there’s nothing better!
I absolutely LOVE going to Stein’s. There’s something so plush, so decadent, so….wealthy about Steins! After we valet parked our car, walked past a fleet of Lexus SUVs, and were seated amidst well-heeled skiers who were attired in thousand-dollar ski outfits, I looked Cody dead in the eye and said, “Judge me if you want, but I really like this kind of lifestyle.” What’s not to like?!?! It’s a five-star lodge at the base of a beautiful ski resort with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. I think Cody was in turns amused and flabbergasted by my obvious desire to be well-heeled myself, but what can I say? I like the 5-star life!
Being back in Utah with Cody and Julianna was so great, especially since I was able to meet Louie. They adopted him in mid-December and he’s been such a good baby! He sleeps practically all day and when he is awake he’s happy as can be. Honestly, he’s so quiet and happy that if I hadn’t wanted to have my hands on him all the time, I’d never have known he was there.
If only I could say the same about their dog Murphy! What a true puppy that one is! I think I said about Louie, “Oh, he’s so sweet” as many times as I yelled, “:Murphy! No!” Murphy’s cute and a lot of fun, but he sure does make me think hard about getting a dog of my own one day!
I love staying with Cody & Julianna. I can always count on a comfy bed, great homemade food, some good movies, funny conversations and a little shopping and dining. Once again, they did not disappoint.
Our weekend included a stroll down Main Street in Park City with Jill Jackson and lunch at a yummy new BBQ place called Bandits. We’ll be going there again! Juju and I then went to see a movie – Confessions of a Shopaholic – which was sort of like watching my life story, minus the love interest! Basically, the lead character shops to her heart’s content, racks up enormous credit card bills, freaks out over the monthly payments she owes and embarks on a payment program to become debt free. Like I said, it’s basically my life story over the past 10 years, minus the boss who falls in love with me.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day by going to Cody’s parents’ home for their annual Sweethearts Dinner and on Sunday we splurged on a special post-Valentine’s Day treat by going brunch at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Few places put on a Sunday Brunch as well as Stein’s. The buffet included crepes, pancakes, eggs, prime rib, crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, BBQ ribs & grits, cheese blintzes, cheese & olive platters, salads, soups, sushi, fruit plates and more. The best part was the long table of desserts – jello, cheesecake, brownies, cookies, coconut cake, raspberry tart, petit fours, key lime pie and more. Our hands-down favorite was the vanilla-blueberry bread pudding with vanilla and raspberry sauces. Are you kidding me?? It was so good that Juju and I went back for a second helping, which was a problem because we weren’t shy when we served ourselves up the first time! Juju and I discovered bread pudding last year when we went to a lunch buffet at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City and we’ve decided that if the dessert is done well (i.e. loaded with croissants, cream and sugar!), there’s nothing better!
I absolutely LOVE going to Stein’s. There’s something so plush, so decadent, so….wealthy about Steins! After we valet parked our car, walked past a fleet of Lexus SUVs, and were seated amidst well-heeled skiers who were attired in thousand-dollar ski outfits, I looked Cody dead in the eye and said, “Judge me if you want, but I really like this kind of lifestyle.” What’s not to like?!?! It’s a five-star lodge at the base of a beautiful ski resort with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. I think Cody was in turns amused and flabbergasted by my obvious desire to be well-heeled myself, but what can I say? I like the 5-star life!
Being back in Utah with Cody and Julianna was so great, especially since I was able to meet Louie. They adopted him in mid-December and he’s been such a good baby! He sleeps practically all day and when he is awake he’s happy as can be. Honestly, he’s so quiet and happy that if I hadn’t wanted to have my hands on him all the time, I’d never have known he was there.
If only I could say the same about their dog Murphy! What a true puppy that one is! I think I said about Louie, “Oh, he’s so sweet” as many times as I yelled, “:Murphy! No!” Murphy’s cute and a lot of fun, but he sure does make me think hard about getting a dog of my own one day!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Livin' in the 'Burgh
I’m six weeks into 2009 and more than 18 months into my work assignment in Pittsburgh. When I first started traveling to Pittsburgh in July 2007, I had no idea that more than 18 months later, I’d be a semi-permanent resident of the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.
While the lifestyle I’ve chosen for myself – no permanent home, belongings in storage, flying on an airplane every 4 days – is a bit exhausting, it has allowed me to see more of my friends and family on a regular basis. I’ve also enjoyed the work assignment – it’s given me good exposure to the inner workings of a Fortune 100 company and allowed me to develop my client-counseling skills. An unexpected bonus is that it’s given me an appreciation for the city and people of Pittsburgh.
The ‘Burgh is one of those towns that’s beloved by its residents and mocked by everyone else. When I tell people I’m working in Pittsburgh, I inevitably get a reaction of recoiled horror, followed by inquiries of how I’m surviving life in one of America’s armpits.
In reality, Pittsburgh’s a pretty good town. I’m not looking to move here, but it’s a nice city, full of friendly people, world-class museums, good shopping and several corporate headquarters. While the city does boast several very good restaurants, they also have a few culinary doozies that make me scratch my head. Among the popular culinary traditions here are french fries on salads, including taco salads (and speaking of salads, someone needs to introducer ‘Burghers to lettuce alternatives besides iceberg!); sandwiches that include coleslaw and fries on top of the filing; and onion and potato perogies. I’ve been hard-pressed to find healthy meals here, and as a result, have packed on a few pounds, but that’s another post!
More important than all the restaurants, museums, exhibits and shopping, however, is that Pittsburgh is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As an off-again-on-again resident of Denver for more than 30 years, I’ve had instilled me a devotion for the Denver Broncos that is equal only to my disdain for the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve rooted against the Steelers since the mid-1980s when they beat my Broncos in an AFC Championship game and broke my teenaged heart. I’ve never forgiven or forgotten. But now, as a semi-resident of Pittsburgh, I have to acknowledge a grudging admiration for Steeler Nation.
Two weeks ago, the Steelers grabbed the brass ring when they beat the Arizona Cardinals and won the Super Bowl. In the weeks and months leading to the celebration, I witnessed fan devotion like I’ve never seen before. The office in which I’m working had a “Best Steelers Costume” contest. Fourteen contestants, ranging from admin assistants to corporate lawyers, dressed in Terrible Towels with empty beer cans pinned to their legs. Out on the street and in my hotel lobby, everyone walked around in Steelers jerseys, including the women; cars were festooned with Steelers stickers and flags; women carried Steelers purses and wore Steelers earrings; men wore lettermen jackets with the years of Steeler Super Bowl wins stitched onto the back. Steeler devotion was and is a bit extreme, but as an outsider looking in, I had a great time watching the ride.
The ‘Burgh may not be my home of choice, but I can think of worse places to work than the City of Bridges!
While the lifestyle I’ve chosen for myself – no permanent home, belongings in storage, flying on an airplane every 4 days – is a bit exhausting, it has allowed me to see more of my friends and family on a regular basis. I’ve also enjoyed the work assignment – it’s given me good exposure to the inner workings of a Fortune 100 company and allowed me to develop my client-counseling skills. An unexpected bonus is that it’s given me an appreciation for the city and people of Pittsburgh.
The ‘Burgh is one of those towns that’s beloved by its residents and mocked by everyone else. When I tell people I’m working in Pittsburgh, I inevitably get a reaction of recoiled horror, followed by inquiries of how I’m surviving life in one of America’s armpits.
In reality, Pittsburgh’s a pretty good town. I’m not looking to move here, but it’s a nice city, full of friendly people, world-class museums, good shopping and several corporate headquarters. While the city does boast several very good restaurants, they also have a few culinary doozies that make me scratch my head. Among the popular culinary traditions here are french fries on salads, including taco salads (and speaking of salads, someone needs to introducer ‘Burghers to lettuce alternatives besides iceberg!); sandwiches that include coleslaw and fries on top of the filing; and onion and potato perogies. I’ve been hard-pressed to find healthy meals here, and as a result, have packed on a few pounds, but that’s another post!
More important than all the restaurants, museums, exhibits and shopping, however, is that Pittsburgh is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As an off-again-on-again resident of Denver for more than 30 years, I’ve had instilled me a devotion for the Denver Broncos that is equal only to my disdain for the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve rooted against the Steelers since the mid-1980s when they beat my Broncos in an AFC Championship game and broke my teenaged heart. I’ve never forgiven or forgotten. But now, as a semi-resident of Pittsburgh, I have to acknowledge a grudging admiration for Steeler Nation.
Two weeks ago, the Steelers grabbed the brass ring when they beat the Arizona Cardinals and won the Super Bowl. In the weeks and months leading to the celebration, I witnessed fan devotion like I’ve never seen before. The office in which I’m working had a “Best Steelers Costume” contest. Fourteen contestants, ranging from admin assistants to corporate lawyers, dressed in Terrible Towels with empty beer cans pinned to their legs. Out on the street and in my hotel lobby, everyone walked around in Steelers jerseys, including the women; cars were festooned with Steelers stickers and flags; women carried Steelers purses and wore Steelers earrings; men wore lettermen jackets with the years of Steeler Super Bowl wins stitched onto the back. Steeler devotion was and is a bit extreme, but as an outsider looking in, I had a great time watching the ride.
The ‘Burgh may not be my home of choice, but I can think of worse places to work than the City of Bridges!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Another Year, Another Valentine's Day
I subscribe to the belief that Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday created by Hallmark, Godiva, FTD Flowers and other marketing-savvy companies who have figured out a way to flush happy lovers out of oodles of money. It’s not that I don’t think love is worth celebrating…in fact, I do…I just think that gifts, flowers and fancy dinners should be sprinkled throughout the year, not just on one day. Having said that, if I had a boyfriend, I would expect a Valentine’s Day festivus to celebrate our love!
Although, I just watched another Valentine’s Day pass sans boyfriend, I did have a great day celebrating with one of my favorite couples – Cody & Julianna Johnson. As an added bonus, I was invited to attend Cody’s parents’ 23rd Annual Sweethearts Dinner.
Cody’s parents, Marcy & Wayne, were married 43 years ago, and somewhere along the way, they started inviting others to celebrate their anniversary. Marcy goes all out for this dinner – beef tenderloin, chicken cordon bleu, homemade rolls, scalloped potatoes, ginger carrots, green beans, raspberry salad, ice cream pie & gift bags of chocolate, cookies & candies. You don’t really walk out of her home after the dinner as much as you roll to your car while holding your stomach! She is a terrific hostess and cook, who makes you question, “Martha who?”
It was such a fun celebration – especially with Marcy & Wayne, who are such nice people – and it made me appreciate those who I love. While I may not have a boyfriend or a husband, I do have a wonderful circle of friends and a wonderful family. Plus, I have a lot of loves…most of which are frivolous, but they do make my life so much more enjoyable!
Although, I just watched another Valentine’s Day pass sans boyfriend, I did have a great day celebrating with one of my favorite couples – Cody & Julianna Johnson. As an added bonus, I was invited to attend Cody’s parents’ 23rd Annual Sweethearts Dinner.
Cody’s parents, Marcy & Wayne, were married 43 years ago, and somewhere along the way, they started inviting others to celebrate their anniversary. Marcy goes all out for this dinner – beef tenderloin, chicken cordon bleu, homemade rolls, scalloped potatoes, ginger carrots, green beans, raspberry salad, ice cream pie & gift bags of chocolate, cookies & candies. You don’t really walk out of her home after the dinner as much as you roll to your car while holding your stomach! She is a terrific hostess and cook, who makes you question, “Martha who?”
It was such a fun celebration – especially with Marcy & Wayne, who are such nice people – and it made me appreciate those who I love. While I may not have a boyfriend or a husband, I do have a wonderful circle of friends and a wonderful family. Plus, I have a lot of loves…most of which are frivolous, but they do make my life so much more enjoyable!
- Three-day weekends with friends
- Diet Coke over crushed ice with a squeeze of lime
- The smell of a clean newborn baby…emphasis on “clean”
- Friday nights at Rio Grande…what beats queso, fajitas, & chips & salsa?
- Cashmere…sweaters, scarves, blankets…you name it!
- Movie popcorn with loads of salt & butter
- Bose noise-reduction headphones
- Spa time, including a hot-stone massage, mani & pedi
- Tivo…or in its absence, online TV. I need a weekly dose of Coach Taylor & the Grey's Anatomy docs!
- Seeing a Broadway show in New York City
- Driving a convertible
- Spending an afternoon with my nephew, Sawyer
- Beach Week at the Outer Banks
- Getting my hair done
- Coconut cupcakes…or any cupcakes for that matter!
- Getting a passport stamp
- Fresh bed linens & down pillows
- Accruing rewards points with United Airlines and Marriott
- Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge with the windows down, heater on and music blaring
- A weekend afternoon cuddled up on a couch with a good book…..or a Jane Austen movie. Mr. Darcy, anyone?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Fasnacht Day
In late January, I traveled with Amber, Chappy and Cloe Moloney to Amber's hometown of Shrewsbury, PA to celebrate Fasnacht Day. It is undeniable that the Sechrist Family takes Fasnacht Day very seriously - lots of laughs, lots of food and lots of games.
It must be said that no one makes a better fasnacht that Grandma Sechrist and Amber's parents. They all get started at 6 a.m. by making the dough, letting it rise and cutting it using the ancient family heirloom (an old Indianhead penny repurposed as a cutter) into individual fasnachts and rising them a final time on an ironing board and underneath hot towels. It's a very serious and technical cooking operation!
When the time is right, Amber's dad cranks up the cast-iron skillet, heats the oil and begins frying the fasnachts until they're plumped up like a doughnut. He then yells out, "Hot ones!" A team member then grabs the plate, dumps the fasnachts into paper bags filled with sugar and we all start to shake the bags. 
As soon as the fried balls of yumminess are sufficiently covered with sugar, we pop the fasnachts out the bag and into our mouths. There is almost nothing better!
The day is so fun - and the Sechrist Family is nothing but laughs - that it almost makes me wish that I was Pennsylvania Dutch! Instead, I'm just grateful to be friends with one!
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