walk

I took the Monday after the Pittsburgh 13.1 off.  I had a feeling I would be pretty beat up and knew it would not be a good day to be with my girlfriends.  I knew I needed to get the blood pumping through my legs to recover a little faster, so the husband (Mondays are his Sundays) and I took a walk to our local library.  

We live in Ambridge, PA, a suburb NW of Pittsburgh.  It once thrived as a steel town in the 50s, 60s, and 70s until the mills were closed in the early 80s.  While there is much character and history to this small town, most of the storefronts are bare and/or boarded up.   However, there are many streets and homes hidden from the main drag that are well cared for.  Those hidden streets are what make the walk through to town more enjoyable.  

Grape vines on the side of the Rapp House in Old Economy Village. 

The Laughlin Memorial Library is small but I love it's architecture.  So much character. 

There are also a few antique shops along the way that are always fun to walk through when you aren't with your husband have the time.  

As much as the city of Ambridge has deteriorated over the years, there is character.  With a local coffee shop a block from our house and yoga study opening in the heart of the town,  I have a feeling things are slowly starting to turn around though.  

Where are you from?

What are you favorite things about the city you live in?

Do you explore your city often?

Linking up with Shanna, Julie, and Melyssa today!

short & sweet

I keeping it short and sweet today, y'all!  I have had quite the unproductive week.  Lack of sleep because of this silly cold has really had me pretty exhausted at the end of the day.  

However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this beauty with you.  I actually got up when my alarm went off this morning (mainly because it was plugged in across the room) so I was able to spend some time with the husband before he left for yoga.  I happened to look outside to see this gorgeous sky.  As sick of the snow as I am, I couldn't help but keep the snow covered rooftops in the shot.  Adds a little extra something to the story, don't you think?

It's sights like this that make getting up at 7am so worth it. 

How has your week been?

Are you a morning person?

What moments did you capture this week?

Linking up with Aimee and Jess today!

until next time

old economy park

The Sunday before Christmas, the husband and I decided to head up the hill to Old Economy Park for a little hike.  It was the first day since the beginning of December that there wasn't snow on the ground.  With temperatures hovering around 55 and 60, that will happen.  Since it was so nice, we decided to take advantage of it and get some fresh air.  

We have been up here before but never really gave ourselves time to explore.  This day we did.  And we discovered a connection of a running route to the park.  I am excited to explore that route and other trails within this park more when I start the longer runs for my 13.1 training. 

It is so nice to reconnect with nature even when it's somewhere you have been before.  Does the body good for sure.

Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?

Do you have any parks you like to explore near you?

What is your favorite part?

Linking up with Tiffany and Kimberly today!

until next time

Breathe.

This week has been one of those weeks of being crazy busy but not the good kind of busy.  The kind of week where I barely had time to breathe.  I recently started a PT job with American Eagle Airlines as a Ramp Agent - which I learned is just a fancy name for someone who cleans the planes.  I worked two shifts from 5am-2 or 3 then started my (and what will be my normal schedule) night shift of 630-1 (or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5.  All depending when everything gets done) last night.  Like with every job, starting and trying to remember everything that you have been taught is uber stressful.  I do not want to be that employee who everyone refers to as the "idiot new hire."  Not how I want to be known.  But alas  I am a new hire and will make some mistakes but once I make the mistake I know I will learn quickly how to remedy it.

Anywayyyy, that is why I have been absent from the blogging world all week.  And before you think I am complaining after only working 3 shifts all week I also nanny for two adorably hilarious girls Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  So see, crazy busy.  Now that I have a schedule figured out and know it will work out and have a better idea of what I am going to doing hopefully this week will be less stressful.

Now, to figure out where we are going first...:)

Since today was my first day off, husband and I went down the street and grabbed ourselves our Christmas tree.  I can smell it all the way up the stairs in the man room.  Mmmmmmm lovely!  Since I am not participating in this weeks Scavenger Hunt Sunday:( I will leave you with a few photos of our tree so far:)

a day late...

Lately I have not been carrying my DSLR around with me like I used to.  That needs to change.  My remedy; start participating in Sunday Scavenger Hunt hosted by Ashley Sisk over at Ramblings & Photos again. Hoping this helps to motivate and inspire me on a weekly basis.  I have been in need of both recently.

Last weeks prompts were:  Nature, Vintage or Retro, Whimsical, Cooking and Week's Best.  Here are my interpretations (a day late)...

1) Cooking.

I do not cook or bake.  And I honestly have no interest in learning.  Luckily I have a husband who does not mind it.  Otherwise I would be most likely still be eating Pierogies and Lima Beans from the can.  However, I do make a mean oatmeal.  That is the extent of my "cooking."  

 2) Nature.

Pittsburgh had fabulous weather this weekend.  Yesterday it got up to 70!  Our last hurrah before Winter finally takes over.  I'll take it though!  Anwayyyyy, on weekends husband and I like to walk to our favorite breakfast joint in Ambridge (a suburb approximately 40 mins NW of Pittsburgh), The Maple.  We go at least once during the weekend for a cheap but delicious breakfast when we don't feel like making our own or we are out of whatever we need.  Over the Summer we got into the habit of walking  there (approximately 2 miles each way) as a way to get exercise and enjoy some fresh air.  Since it was so nice yesterday, we decided to continue with this tradition.  The above was taken on our way back.  I love when nature invades civilization. 

 3) Vintage/Retro

This is a corner shelving unit in our dining room.  It has pretty much been the only thing in my house that I have gotten around to "decorating" even though we have lived here for just over 2 years.  On the top shelf is one of my favorite antique shop finds; an old Kodak Duex and the second to bottom shelf on the right; an old camera my sister found when she was in England she gave to me for Christmas a few years ago.  It has markings on it dating back to July 21, 1896.  Pretty cool, huh?   

4) Week's Best. 

This was taken on our way to The Maple for breakfast.  I love the colors contrasted with the black of the bare trees and blue sky and how the yellow balloon is perfectly illuminated by the shining sun behind it.  

4) Whimsical.  

I love games. Yahtzee, Phase 10, Apples to Apples are some of my favorites.  This, however, may be my new favorite.  It's called Cards Against Humanity.  Similar to Apples to Apples but for a much more raunchy crowd.  Great to play while drinking with friends.  Lots of laughs will be had by all, i promise.  

Hope you have enjoyed my interpretations for the week.  I am excited to get back into SHS again.  If you do not already participate, you should!  It is a great way to share your blog with others and see other people's talent as well.  

Linking up with:

Hope everyone has a great week!