Power's Back

Four trucks rolled down the street while we were walking Louie. Excitement and hope filled me up. I didn't notice the names of where the trucks came from though. M took notice though: Kansas City. And when you read about people having to be evacuated from NYU Hospital, ambulances also came from across the country. And all I could think about is how much community we have in this country. God bless America. People are willing to help from near and far.

So after going to dinner at the restaurant around the corner, we came home to power. Power! But my excitement is somewhat torn. I feel both happy and sad. People are still affected by this storm. Lives have been lost. People are still without power. And the Northeast will take a long time to recover from this.

Going into the office today, you could see how much flooding occurred. The number of power lines and trees down that line the streets is just another reminder of how grateful we are that we personally went unscathed. I don't feel like posting a happy post because it's not a happy time. Mother Nature kicked some serious butt and put life in perspective once again.

I just feel very, very grateful. I'm sending lots of love and prayers to those affected.

Carry Me Through

So I'm a huge fan of listening to Pandora while I plug away at work. Last week, while listening to my Needtobreathe station, Dave Barnes came on singing "Carry Me Through." I had to share this because I just love this version of the song so much...

I hope you have a great day!

P.S. This is a pre-scheduled post just in case "Frankenstorm" hits, and we don't have the Internet slash power.
P.P.S. I'm making sure that my laptop is fully charged so that we can entertain ourselves by watching DVD like last year's hurricane.

Thank You, Ruthie!

Fortunately, I'm out of the boot now, but when I was still in it and feeling terribly bummed out...Ruthie's fantastic words of wisdom put a big smile on my face. So a giant thank you to Ruthie! And an even bigger thank you to this blog community for bringing me to realize how important female friendships are... Because there really isn't anything like friends that you make through blogging.

Another Foot Update! With a Picture of My Feet

Well I've been in the cursed boot for a month exactly now, and guess what? I'm no longer in it! Woohoo! I was in a lot of pain last week, so I decided to go for a second opinion and see a doctor who knows feet. Turns out that I don't have a stress reaction after all...

I was diagnosed with peroneal tendonitis.

To say that relief washed over me with this diagnosis would be an understatement. So what's next? Well, I'm in this snazzy brace for the next 6 weeks.

I'm also jumping right into physical therapy with my favorite PT. I see my doctor again in November, and I just can't wait to run again. My doctor's exact words were "we just want to get you back to normal." Thank you, doc!

So in the mean time, I'm going to be strengthening both my left and right foot because I'm naturally loose jointed and don't want this to be an issue with either of my feet again. I'll also need to wear a brace, potentially on both ankles, when I run, but I'd rather that than no running at all.

He also thinks that I didn't have a stress reaction at all, especially after yesterday's x-rays. So, my gut was right when I was in pain last week and knew I shouldn't be still having not run since August 18th.

Happy Friday friends! Good luck to anyone running MCM this weekend!

Where I Stand

Where I stand on a typical morning lately...

...I'm carrying too many bags and drinks and keys

...I'm trying to balance everything in my arms

....I'm also trying to balance my mind, body, and spirit

...I'm teetering down stairs, or hobbling because of the boot

...I'm sick of wearing one sneaker and the boot, but looking forward to 2 doctor's appointments this week (one for a second opinion)

...my mind is fuzzy with too many thoughts

...despite it all, I'm really, truly happy

It's a Sign! {Signazon Review}

I was contacted by Michelle at Signazon a few weeks ago about potentially doing a review of a custom vinyl banner  At first, I wasn't quite sure what I would have a custom vinyl banner made for, but then I thought better and decided to have my work's logo thrown onto the custom vinyl banner!

We have a several events coming up that we'll be attending, so having a logo with our name on it that's large enough to see from afar was what really pushed me to decide to order it.

I ordered it on a Friday, and then by Monday, it showed up at our office's doorstep. It's even better than I could have hoped. It has the little holes in the corners that are re-enforced so that the sign won't rip.

We had a table at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Sunday, so we were able to put it to use right away! We have several different events coming up in the next few weeks, so I'm glad that we were able to get it and use it so fast!

And of course, I needed to get a picture with the banner...and the boot! 

I would definitely recommend using Signazon if you ever need a sign for anything! It's very easy and straightforward, and the shipping is super quick! Plus, you're getting a good quality product, which is the most important to me.

Have you ever ordered anything from Signazon? Did you know they actually have other products besides banners?

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my own opinion. My only compensation for doing this review was the product itself. 

Dear life

Dear Friday, how did you arrive so quickly? I feel like I accomplished so much, yet nothing at all this week. Dear M, thank you for being the most amazing boyfriend and best friend. How you put up with my crazyness, I still don't understand, but I love you so much for it. Dear work, I love you. Dear foot, please stop hurting so much. We're back to the pain that I felt in August, which makes no sense. I'm thinking you might be a fracture and not a reaction. Dear Louie, sometimes you're just too cute. Dear fall, I'm loving the leaves changing, but my allergies are confused when some days are 75 and others are in the 40s. Dear Starbucks soy lattes, I think I have an addiction. Dear pay day, helloooo, I've needed you!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! And I must say thank you again for all your support and honesty with my post earlier this week on running and envy. I appreciate it so much!

It's OK to Not Like Flamin' Hot Cheetos

I haven't linked up with Neely in a while, so I'm linking up now for "It's OK Thursday!"

It's OK...

...that I tried out the "Flamin' Hot" Cheetos and don't really like them.

...that I burst into tears last night when my NYCM t-shirt and gloves arrived.

...that M and I had a Wendy's date last night in my car with Louie in the backseat.

...that I lay in bed catching up on Revenge and Nashville last night.

...to want to go for a run so badly it hurts.

...to still be absolutely loving my job, even after a month and a half.

...to be that girl who was excited to come to work on Monday morning.

...to have two coffees sitting on my desk.

...to have eaten a rice krispie treat for breakfast.

...that I'm pumped about watching Avatar in 3-D at home this weekend.

...to be planning a trip to getaway in the next few weeks.

On Envy in Running

It's in the air. It's in the trees. It's even in the pavement. Perfect running weather has arrived. And with that comes the arrival of one of the most famous marathons in the world. The world. (Yes, this is about to be a dramatic, yet truthful post.) And when I started training back in July, I couldn't believe I was living out a life-long dream this year.

August 18 was the last time I went for a run. That's 59 days ago. Or 8 weeks. Or 1,392 hours. Or over 5 million seconds. That's not so bad, you might think. Wrong. Not in my mind. For someone who loves running, who's passionate about lacing up my shoes at any hour in any climate, it's not okay.

M's already faced the wrath that is Amanda when she's ordered to rest. And although I appear positive on the outside, on the inside I'm battling something major: envy.

It almost figures that envy is literally in my bones; my stress reaction-ed cuboid bone to be exact. I have a bitterness inside me that I do not like. And though I appear chipper about this injury, I am not. Every time I read a tweet about someone running NYCM, there's a stir in my bones that I do not enjoy being present. And as much as I fight the reality that this year wasn't my year, I'm envious of all my running friends who get to conquer the 26.2 miles, no matter whether it's their first time or fifth.

It pains me that I feel this way because I am not this person. I am positive, look-on-the-bright-side type of girl, so if you ask me what happened to my foot you'll get the:

"It's a stress fracture...from running. I was training for the New York City Marathon. Don't worry, I get to run it next year!" But even as I smile through my teeth and feel frustrated with every stare, every question, every look of pity, the reality is: it's not that bad. And thus I feel guilty for whining about how hard this has been for me because it could be a hell of a lot worse.

So how did I get to this post where I'm sharing about my frustrations with the lack of running? How did I come to admit that I'm battling envy? Because I'm bringing back the focus in my blog.

Meg wrote this post about what blogging has become, and it hit home. My dear friend and I email back and forth about how important actually writing is. Ruthie and TV always seems to share those deep posts that you walk away from doing some self reflection. So after reading Whitney's honest and beautifully written post that I discovered thanks to Sarah, how could I not start re-evaluating my blog? Or more importantly, this young woman behind the blog?

And there you have it. I'm battling envy lately, and now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'm feeling a little better. 

Do you battle envy? 

Monday: be happy

via

That's all I've got for you on this fine and very warm Monday! Be happy.

Guilty Pleasures

We all have them, don't deny it. And since the weekend is upon us, and M and I are having a "staycation" weekend, let's talk about some of life's guilty pleasures that I thoroughly enjoy at home. Read my latest story up on HooplaHa all about guilty pleasures, some of which include SkinnyGirl...obviously.

Have a great weekend!

The Little Writer In Me

I'm a writer, and this started out as a "what's in my purse?" post, but I changed my mind. I change my mind quite often when it comes to these blog posts. I need a direction again. So instead of talking about something I've done recently or Louie or M or family or friends, I'm talking about writing.

And you should know that because of the little writer in me, my purse is a little heavier than it should be. You see, I have a writer's notebook. It's a book that I picked up in HomeGoods or Marshalls. And I carry it everywhere, almost.  

Except I find it funny that I only really write in it at night, when I can't sleep, and the ideas just flood my mind. And my normally pristine handwriting turns to these scribbles that I don't even recognize as my own. 

I also keep a list of writing ideas in my phone, although that's short because I only use it when I don't have or am not near my notebook.  Only the people who know me in real life know about it, but mostly they don't. Because it just looks like a cute little notebook that fits in with all the other "stuff" in my purse. 

I guess this is just sharing a vulnerable side of me. Because my "secret" writing partner in crime knows about this. But she knows my passion and love and hate and dreams with writing. Not many other people do. (Except maybe M, my parents, and closest friends.) 

So that's all. I have a writer's notebook. And I feel like it's an extension...of the little writer in me.

Pinterest Recipe Success!

As some of you know, I made a goal for myself to try 25 of the recipes that I've pinned on Pinterest before I turn 25. Well I'm just about halfway there, but needed to share the links to these two recipes because they were a huge success in our little apartment last week. So I'm linking up with Michelle for "Oh How Pinteresting!" Wednesday.

Buffalo Turkey Chili (Originally Buffalo Chicken Chili, click here for the recipe)

Notes: Instead of using ground chicken, I used ground turkey. I also opted for Bud Light instead of chicken broth, along with adding extra Frank's because who doesn't love a good kick! Considering the fact that this is a chili that only takes about an hour from start to finish, I'd say run to your kitchen to throw this together. Oh and always have some fresh bread for sopping up that goodness!

Taco Pasta Bake (a.k.a. healthy Hamburger Helper, click here for the recipe)

Notes: Instead of rigatoni, I went with elbow pasta...I just had a craving! And because M and I like things spicy, I picked the "Hot & Spicy" variety of taco seasoning, but I'm sure it would taste good anyways you made it. I also used Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar instead of the blend cheese that she recommends. Oh and I used the entire bag.

Have you been making the Pinterest recipes that you pin?

Oops, Forgot to Blog Today

Instead of getting out of bed and writing or blogging this morning, I decided to snuggle with Louie and play on M's Kindle Fire. Yes, the Kindle Fire that had been lost for months, and Louie found under the couch. I'm currently waiting for the oven to finish pre-heating so that I can throw our pizza in the oven. And I'm also watching (and listening) to Louie play with his new squeaky ball.

Come back tomorrow though for a post of two outstanding recipes that I made last week thanks to Pinterest! Happy almost Wednesday, friends!

Weekend Happenings

Although the weekend seemed to fly by, it was actually a very fun and productive weekend. Ready for a recap via pictures...?

Babysitting followed by drinks with my BFF who is home from law school for the week.

So happy to be together again!

Saturday we went apple picking...

Saturday night included drinks with some friends. I was pretty tired and was happy to go home on the early side.

M and bff

the three A's

Sunday began with a slow start. I made coffee and we had some apple cider doughnuts.
M modeled Louie.

I love these two!

Then it was off to the dog park, Home Depot, grocery shopping, and finally setting up our bedframe. Louie was happy to model on the bed.

We finished the weekend with some Oktoberfest food and drinks at my parents' country club. To say that I was in a food coma and too full would be an understatement.

How was your weekend?

Sister Love {Ali's First Trip to The Grill}

Now that Ali's 21, we're able to go out and do bar-related things...like go to "The Grill." So a week after her birthday, we took her out for some shots (well she took just one), and here are some photos of the two of us having a good time.

Do you go out with your sibling? And let me guess...you all think that we look a lot of alike? 

I'm absolutely loving that we can go out together now. Last weekend we had a sister date night at one of our favorite Asian restaurants where we enjoyed wine and prosecco together. 

That Time We Left the Game {Yanks vs. Red Sox}

Tuesday night, we did something spontaneous. If you haven't picked up on it already, I'm a huge planner and rarely do anything last minute on a "school night". So when our friend J offered up $7 tickets to watch the Yankees kick some butt, how could we say no?

I didn't let the boot stop me from having some fun up in the nosebleeds.

And T even decided to use my feet for her photographing pleasure...

And for the drunk guy sitting in front of us, to answer your question, NO I'm not going skiing, thank you.

We took some fun photos too. And drank over-priced beers. And ate hot dogs, sausages, and Cracker Jacks. Yes, we did.

Overall, it was a fantastic night...well except for the fact that we left the game. Yes, the Yankees won that night, but we left right before the Yanks tied it up. So as we're walking to the train, we hear cheers and turn around to see the score go to 3-3. Fail. J won't ever let us live that down, nor will some of my co-workers. 

Are you spontaneous? 

P.S. Go Yankees!

P.P.S. This was M and I's fourth Yankee/Sox game, and we're harmoniously living in a house divided.