Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

finally free.

Yesterday was a very exciting day for us. We finalized the sale of our house in Pittsburgh, PA! Well, when I say “we” I really mean Marc's mom signed the paperwork in Pittsburgh while we are in Phoenix. It’s still very exciting.



We bought the house in August of 2008 and let me tell you home ownership is so not easy! I know you’re thinking “well, duh!” It was a great little starter home though. Marc worked really hard to make is a great place to live. We were able to have some great little fires and cook outs in the backyard. Aurora was able to play in the park right across the street and we got to stretch our legs and grow a little bit.

I can’t say I’m sad to see it go. As I looked back at pictures of the house it feels like we were there so long ago that it’s just a memory. I didn’t really feel attached to it all that much. We’re getting closer as a family and more independent here in AZ and I’m really happy about that. I miss our family and friends for sure but is home is what you make it, not where you make it. Who knows where we will end up next! We’re drifters, it’s so true.

Here’s to the future!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

empowerment.

A little while ago Danielle of the merriweather council asked about empowerment. I seriously thought about this for a while. I didn’t really think that I had done anything in my life empowering for myself, but I guess I have. I think a lot of times I feel the things I’ve done in my life are small and unimportant, in reality they are pretty big.

First thing I did that really was a big deal was graduated from high school. Even though the odds were against me I managed to pull out a head and prove that I was more than what everyone said I was. After high school I attended community college and had a great opportunity to be a part of the Theater department and be involved in some really great shows. I even had my first official lead roll there. I’ll never forget performing in “See How They Run” as Penelope; it will always be a great high light of my life.

During my college years I also got to do some traveling. I visited Israel with a woman’s group and I’ll never forget how breath taking and beautiful that country is. At the same time it can be a sad and scary place for the people that live there. I was able to walk in places that have been inhabited for thousands of years and see things not a lot of people get to see.

Yes, that would be me akwardly riding a camel. It's not easy! He tried to bite me a couple of times too.

An amazing moment where I got to float in the Dead Sea. Float is the key word, you really can't swim in the Dead Sea.


The next big trip I took was with my church’s youth group. It was my first official trip as an “adult” helping out and it was amazing. We not only visited Germany but we got to experience time in Poland as well. It was a rocky road but serving on that trip was amazing. I think the thing that stands out in my mind is when we visited our second prison in Poland. There were only a few men that attended our service, but they were very thankful and receptive of us being there. I’ll never forget the looks on their faces and how shocked they were that a group of kids from American wanted to come visit them and share something important. It was a really beautiful moment to watch.

I think this is pretty much the entire group that was there. We were able to visit an old German concentration camp while we were there... wow... amazing.

This is our little acting group. We had a lot of fun preforming for the kids at the Vacation Bible school. The teens that were with us were so amazing. They're all grown up now, I can't believe how time flies.


For several years I floundered around not knowing left from right or what I was doing. Somehow, by the grace of God I believe, I found my way. Marc and I had Aurora, got married and shared in the biggest decision of our lives, I think. Deciding to move from Pennsylvania to Arizona was as easy as breathing but as hard as you can imagine. I feel like we are both growing and blooming into new people on our adventure and the best part is we have each other. I know I’ve talked about this a lot but it is very important to me. I have to say I’m proud of us and what we are doing. Being on your own is defiantly empowering.

Think about your life and what you’ve done. Things you wouldn’t have thought were that important probably were. If they were only important to you than who cares, they were important to you. Sometimes just getting down and really cleaning the house makes me feel empowered. Not killing our house plants thus far also makes me feel pretty empowered!

Now is the hard part, the next step. Moving forward I want to make sure I’m taking the steps to continue on my journey of empowerment. I admire so many people for what they have done and what they do now it’s my turn!

What are you doing to do?

Monday, March 7, 2011

dialect vlog thingie.

This whole dialect vlog thing seems to be pretty popular, so I decided to jump in the band wagon. Please forgive how I look and the wind. If you didn't know I have a lot of trouble seeing so I make some pretty entertaining faces trying to read my computer screen.



Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped
body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry
groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you change the TV channel with?


Here is the Pittsburgh post I was talking in the vlog. Also, if you did one of these please share it with me! This is really interesting (and funny) to me! ^_^

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

I'm not a big football fan, but I grew up in a town that when a game was on the world shut down. For 25 years I lived in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Steelers. I can't say I like their quarterback, or the team in general very much, but I'm a Pittsburgher; it's in my nature to cheer for them.

If you have never been to Pittsburgh or don't know anything about the city, it's like a whole new world. Pittsburghers are often called "Yinzers" because we speak our very own language. I've caught myself using terms like "jag off," "read up your room," and "jagger bush" or even "Yinz guys ganna go to the mall n'at?" I can't help myself, since we've moved I've noticed my "accent" even more than ever.

I have to say I love living in Arizona, but a part of me will always be a "Yinzer." To explain more of the Pittsburgh nature I found some of my favorite Pittsburgh videos.

Growing Up in Pittsburgh


Going "Dahntahn"


My husband loves this song. It was filmed in Pittsburgh, we hear it one the radio here is Arizona.


And for all the Packers fans, just so there's no hard feelings




HERE WE GO STEELERS!!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Better late than never, right?

Hey everyone! Sorry it has taken me so long to post anything. I’ve been having a seriously tough time getting motivated lately. I’m still trying to shake off winter break I think. We really did have a wonderful trip back to Pittsburgh, PA. It was really great to see all of our friends and family! The newest addition to the family, Lily, might be one of the cutest babies ever! I am her Aunt though so it comes with the territory. We’re all getting adjusted to being back in AZ and I must say, again, I love it here. I love the people back in the ‘Burgh that’s very true but there is something about this place that I just love. I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! I promise not to slack so much in the future. As soon as I shake the last bit of dust off my motivation things will be back in full swing, you’ll see!

Here’s a look at our wonderful holiday!









Happy Trails!

Monday, December 20, 2010

A Holiday Break.

Wow has this year gone by fast. I know I’ve been talking about Christmas and the holidays for a while but its here! I feel like I turned my back on the calendar and *poof* like magic Christmas is only five days away! On top of everything I’ve been doing lately, tomorrow night we board a plane headed back to Pittsburgh. I’m really excited to spend time with our friends and family. We left home at the end of August and it’s just been a whirlwind ever since. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with the change of weather! It’s been in the upper 70s to low 80s here in Phoenix and in the ‘Burgh it’s been about 20 degrees, fun.

I’m completely stressing over packing too. Not only do I have to worry about myself but Aurora too! I’m making my husband pack for himself and the dog (sorry hun.) I feel sorry for poor Piston, although he has a really super place to stay, and he gets to be in warmer weather then us. I’ll miss the big goof ball. Who’s going to keep my feet warm while I’m sleeping?

Marc and I are going to "share" one suitcase. Share meaning: I hope theres enough room for Marc's clothes after I'm done.


Piston is helping me pack, or something.


I was really hoping to get a few more blog posts cranked out before we left but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, soooo much stuff to do! I’m going to try and post maybe once and again while we are away but I think this is going to be a much needed internet break for me. Between online classes and blogging I’m pretty much on the computer all of the time. My wrists have been killing me lately and I think all the typing might have something to do with it! I’ll be back enthusiastically posting again the first week of the New Year. I have so many great things and ideas to share already!

Lola, my lovely SLR camera, will be traveling with us so I can’t wait to share photos of the trip. Hopefully it will be a white Christmas in Pittsburgh and I’ll get to share our winter wonderland!



Have a safe and wonderful Holiday season! See you in the New Year!


I also wanted to share my favorite Christmas song. Yeah, it's Hanson, I can't help myself. It really is a beautiful song.



No matter who you are
How far you've come
This is where you belong
At Christmas.
- Hanson


And as always… Happy snow tire trails…