Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately, 8

Man what a week.  I ended up taking a day off on Friday to recharge myself.  I get 17 days of paid time off per year, and while most of it will be spent going to other people’s weddings later this year, I will fully enjoy each of my 17 days.

I’m not usually the person who just takes time off, but working in customer service is draining.  You need to charge your batteries so you can fully give to others again.  I was running on empty for a while between going back and forth to the hospital, shoveling, etc.

What's happening lately?

This week is a continuation of the themes from Sunday Lately 3.  I’m not sure if anything is still the same or matches up, but here’s what we’ve got this week…

Dwelling

I’ve been thinking a lot about my father’s upcoming surgery a lot.  It’s his fourth in under two years.

Helping

I’ve been lucky to have neighbors who are helping me this week.  There’s been a lot of snow during the day and I have been coming home to a freshly cleared driveway.  Bless the snow angels who are helping me out.  I’ll pay back the acts of kindness with cookies and Oreo biscotti.

Forgetting

To get my tax stuff together.  I really have to get on that.  I hate having to get that together because I always think that I’m forgetting something.  I try to keep my receipts separate during the year, but without fail, I end up running around and printing things out, leaaving things in the wrong place, etc.

Switching

From coffee to tea.  Some days.  Not always.  But I try.

I know I should drink more water, but I just don’t want to drink something cold in the winter, so I end up drinking a lot of coffee because that is my go-to.  I get up, walk around at work, and just naturally find myself by the Keurig.

Relying

I’m still relying on Jonathan.  He’s been fantastic.  It was wonderful to spend an extra day together this week.  I’ve been relying on phone calls to my mom a lot this week.  They’re long and there are a few deep conversations, but it’s mostly a distraction from the suckiness of everything, which is so necessary.

And my aunts, too.  They have been so helpful with my father in the hospital.  It’s unfortunate that he’s surrounded entirely by women with no manly break in the action.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately, 7

If you missed it on Friday, I’ve been in particularly snarky mood this week.  I’ve been trying to keep to myself and not let it explode all over others too much.  The prompts this week will definitely help to drag me out of this.  A little appreciation goes a long way.  Just ask Britt Reints!

Sunday Lately 7Doing

Taxes!  It’s about that time.  I get so anxious when it comes to that.  I’m always worried I’m doing it wrong.  I probably wouldn’t have a problem doing it for myself if I was just doing personal taxes, but since I also have side income, I just ship off a big ol’ pile of receipts and paper to the accountant and I am happy to let him deal with it.

There are certain things that I don’t mind paying for convenience and that’s one of them.

Appreciating

Planning ahead.  I usually have social posts planned out week-by-week for some businesses that I manage, but somehow Past Angelica knew two weeks ago that Future Angelica would need a break and scheduled further in advance than normal.  Sometimes I’m my own best lifesaver.

I’m also so appreciating the support from Jonathan while I was going nutso and the time spent with friends from out of town last weekend.

Designing

My #30Lists book!  I bought a small notebook with some foil letter stickers and a cute mini-arrow stamp from rukristin on Cyber Monday (after much agonizing over what not to include in my cart because it was about $100 after discounts and I couldn’t justify that.  My stash is ridic as it is).

I can’t wait to share it with you all.  Side note: I’m a sponsor of #30Lists for March 2015 and I’m so excited!  Scrapbook nerds, unite!  You can register here for March 2015 here!

Humming

Nothing exciting.  I have been listening to my iPod in my car because I’m so sick of everything on the radio.  The songs I’m hearing now I heard on satellite radio in August when I was borrowing my father’s car and was already over them.  I haven’t updated my iPod since I purchased my new computer (4 years ago) and lost the majority of my downloaded music collection in the switch, so that’s getting a little dull, too.

I have been loving Anberlin’s Devotion album, though.  If you have recommendations for new music, please let me know!

Expecting

To have a relaxing week, hopefully.  I can’t believe it’s already the 3rd week of the month.  I feel so jypped that February only has 28 days and I’m losing 10% of the time I’d otherwise have to accomplish things.

I’ve been doing a 21 Day Affirmation Challenge with Propelle so I’m expecting that I’ll have a blog post written about that soon.  I’m also expecting that it’ll work out positively!

What have you been up to lately?

[disclaim]The link to register for 30 Days of Lists is an affiliate link.  I’ve been listing with them in 2014 and I know you’ll love it too.  Thank you for supporting gals that support Gardening in High Heels![/disclaim]

Sunday Lately, 6

It’s been another crazy week of hospitals and running around.  I feel like I’m perpetually never caught up and it’s a bit worse this week.  But Jonathan’s friends visited for the weekend and we had a great afternoon doing absolutely nothing of substance or planned.  And it was wonderful.

Sunday Lately 6

Planning

I’m trying to get a foot up on February (even though it’s already a quarter over!) and it feel like I’m falling further and further behind.  I’m doing just enough to stay on top, but I don’t feel like I’m along far enough.  I didn’t completely finish my Stratejoy worksheets for 2015 and I have to go back and look at what I wanted to do in February for some inspiration.

Loving

New shoes!  At Target yesterday, I spotted the sandals I couldn’t get my hands on last year.  They’re natural with a wedge and look suspiciously like a Michael Kors pair.  I have it in a heeled version and they’re the comfiest shoes I’ve ever owned.  Seriously, I could go all day in those shoes and not feel tired or sore.

Reading

Nothing right now.  Ugh!  But I was selected to read and review Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum so I’ll be working on that soon.  I’m not going to lie, all the talk about 50 Shades kind of makes me want to go back and read them, but I think once is enough.  And I already sold them to a second-hand bookstore and there’s now way I’m paying for them again.

Wishing

For the cold and the snow to be over.  I don’t mind snow, but the below-freezing temperatures get a little….tiring.  What’s it like in your area?

It’s this time of year that I can’t wait to wear all the cute spring things that I see advertised and I know I can’t wear them until May, I’ll get about a 2 weeks of cute, and then it’ll just be humid for 3 solid months.

Feeling

Right now, pretty damn content actually.  I have some coffee, I’m writing, and I’m re-watching 30 Rock on Netflix.  I feel like every time I do a list of “what’s up right now,” I reference Netflix.  I’m also feeling hungry because I’m waiting for brunch.  My world revolves around food.  I need to start taking better care of my body.  But I will thoroughly appreciate my metabolism and ability to eat huge burgers, tons of fries, good beer, pasta, and only about a salad a week and still feel pretty good for as long as I can.

So what was your highlight of the week?

Five Valentine’s Day date ideas (And 5 in Pittsburgh!)

There’s nothing like the excitement of a mystery date, especially on Valentine’s Day.  But, there’s also nothing like having no clue what you’re going to do on Valentine’s Day

In the interest of love this week, let’s talk date ideas.  Jonathan does a great job of finding fun things to do and I’m told he already has something brewing for this year (darling, just tell me to wear).  In case you aren’t so lucky and are scrambling for something to do for the big day, these ideas should translate to almost anywhere.

Five date ideas for Valentine's Day (or anytime!)

If you’re in Pittsburgh, then you’re extra lucky because I have specific events happening in the ‘Burgh on or around Valentine’s Day!

Have a Fancy-pants Dinner

I never get to dress up anymore.  I’m thrilled to be able to wear jeans and Converse sneakers to work if I want to, but I do miss getting a little more dressy.  Dressing up is pretty much now reserved for weddings.

Take a look and see if your favorite restaurant is having a formal dinner and get get on those reservations, like, yesterday.

In Pittsburgh…

There are tons of special dinners, but this one at uber-popular Brew Gentlemen will be out of tickets fast.

Day Drink

As my drinking partner in crime for my guest posts over at PCBN, we have shared many, many beers together.  Since Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday, why not take advantage of that and do a little day drinking?  Wineries are great for this, but some of my favorite Saturdays together with Jonathan have been at breweries.

You get to learn something (how beer is made) and taste it.  Then bring home growlers/bottles of your favorites.  Bonus: breweries have their beer on tap.  You couldn’t get fresher beer if you jumped into the barrel.

In Pittsburgh…

There are tons of breweries and wineries sprinkled around.  And we’ve had great times at every one we’ve visited.

I also love stopping by Wigle Whiskey.  Their tour tickets are sold out for Valentine’s Day, but you can still taste.  There’s also a Cupid’s Cocktail Class on Friday, February 13th!

Get Creative

This is probably my favorite, next to day drinking (I’m young and have a disposable income, sue me!)  Jonathan and I have done some great creative things together and I love it because you have the memory of the time together, but then you also something to take home with you as a memento.

We’ve made glass tiles, painted (okay, it was a room in my house and technically not a date, but it was still creative!), and hopefully will continue to get creative.  There is no judgement from either of us so it really helps to foster the romantical connection.

In Pittsburgh…

Make flowers for your valentine at Pittsburgh Glass Center or get hands-on at TechShop and etch a wine glass (and then drink wine out of it with a wine/chocolate pairing!) or make plasma-cut flowers.

Do Something Nerdy

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a huge nerd.  And I love museums.  There’s a thing in Pittsburgh every fall called RADical Days where museums (and the Pittsburgh Zoo and the National Aviary and….) offer free admission on select days.  Yes, we have gone to five museums in a day because free admission!

Take a look in your city for half off admission nights, deals, or community-sponsored admission programs.

In Pittsburgh…

The Warhol Museum is my favorite.  Every Friday night, they do Good Fridays and offer half off admission and late hours (5-10p).

Fun fact: my grammy rode the bus with Andy Warhol when he was still Andrew Warhola.

Go for Adults Only

Come on, not like that!  A 21+ night is a great way to explore somewhere that you only know from a kid’s perspective (or maybe you avoid a certain places because of all of the children running around.)

I love the 21+ nights at the Carnegie Science Center and we’ve also gone to Phipps when they’ve had one of their nights as well.  It’s definitely a cool vibe and things look totally different in the dark.  There are Chihuly pieces all over Phipps but I never noticed them as much as I did at night!

In Pittsburgh…

Have some adult beverages and then enjoy a late night skate.

The Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory, The Children’s Museum, and I think the National Aviary have 21+ nights.  Explore the museum, look at the plants, make something and do it all while enjoyed a cocktail.

Bonus: Find Live Entertainment

Support your local cultural society.  A concert, musical, play, mystery dinner…always great date ideas.  Pittsburgh Winery also lets you taste their full flight of wine and they have live music on the weekends, so you can get a two-fer here!

If you’re still looking for something to do, check out your local event pages.  Shout out to Yelp for having a great events board.  Yes, I was an intern for Yelp in Pittsburgh.  Yes, I stocked up our event board every week.  Yes, you should check out Yelp for your local city.  </PSA on Yelp>

What are you doing on Valentine’s Day?  Do you have a date or are you celebrating Galentine’s Day?

Sunday Lately, 5

Do you ever find yourself so focused on one thing that other (still important) tasks are totally left at the curb?  It feels like this week is almost like that.  Pure tunnel vision here.

Sunday Lately 5

Completing

Even though I have tunnel vision on one thing (must write more posts), nothing is quite “done.”  Do you ever feel that blogging is like studying?  In school, especially college, I never felt like I was done studying.  It’s almost like that with this blog; until the entry posts, it’s never “done,” it’s just “acceptable to post.”

Visiting

Doctors.  Nothing bad, just two weeks in a row of appointments.  I work a later shift on Tuesdays, so I have the ability to schedule appointments in the morning and not have to take off work.  But that means I get to haul my cookies to the eye doctor (ew) and the dentist two weeks in a row.

Embarrassing-slash-not-embarrassing fact: I LOVE the dentist.  I would go to the dentist every month if it meant I didn’t have to go to the eye doctor.  She’s nice, but I hate having my eyes dilated.

Repeating

My father is back in the hospital, so I’m repeating the fun path of working all day, driving to the hospital, staying there for a while, and then falling into bed when I get home.

Applauding

My best friend is close to finishing up grad school for a masters.  I am so proud of how far she’s come since we were in high school together and it seemed like getting to this point was so far away.  She’s a total rockstar.

We went to happy hour the other night and she was talking about where she wants to go after graduation.  It’s sad that she’s been away for years at school and in a few months she’ll be leaving Pittsburgh again, but you gotta follow your path.

Scheduling

Well, clearly not any more doctor appointments!  I’m trying really hard to have the next month’s Levo event nailed down before the current month’s event and I’m not there with March yet.  I know I have time, but it seems like I’ll have all the time in the world and then BAM there’s the event date next week.

What have you been doing lately?

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together