Loaf & Ladle

I had so much fun yesterday with my Aunt Annette. Last month, I started volunteering with her at the Loaf and Ladle soup kitchen. This is is the second time I've gone and I'm starting to recognize the regulars. It is amazing how appreciative people are when I don't feel like I'm doing enough.

One of the perks is that she is giving me cooking lessons. She taught me how to make butternut squash soup (one of my favorites), a pasta bake with homemade sauce, and apple crisp. YUM!

Exciting Updates!

It is official - I will be returning to the Gulf Coast in 2010 for my next hurricane relief trip! My flight was booked yesterday and I will be staying at Camp Victor from Feb 28 - March 7.

I was re-certified yesterday afternoon as a Wish Granter with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I was moved up to a "lead" wish granter which means that I'll be making the initial contact with the family and working closely with the back office to help wishes come true!

A new topic for my blog.

A recent post by Penelope Trunk reminded me that I have a blog and I actually miss writing it in. I disagree with her statement that blogs must have topics in order to be meaningful because there are several blogs without topics that I enjoy reading. I'm taking her advice because I think it will help me stay motivated to keep writing.

What is my topic? My blog topic is going to be Volunteerism because volunteering makes me happy. I'm feeling stressed in just about every other area of my life, this will be a nice place for me to slow down and remind myself all that I have to be thankful for.

Stay tuned...

Pittsburgh

It was Jessica's 30th birthday on Friday so we celebrated with a road trip to Pittsburgh for a girls' weekend and to visit her family.

Shortly after crossing the Pennsylvania border, we met roadies who were making a documentary about the band Apple Miner Colony. We watched the Stanley Cup game at a bar that was part of health club. We walked by people who were lifting weights, passed a wedding, and ate a ton of loaded french fries. Out of curiosity, Jessica's dad asked someone in the wedding party who was getting married and that person replied, "I know my sister but I don't know her new husband." It was very exciting to be in Pittsburgh when the Penguins had their victory and it was the perfect end to Jessica's birthday evening.

On Saturday, we all had great luck shopping. I bought a new sundress from Macy's and a spent my birthday gift card on a pretty pink shirt from Banana. We went saw the city from Mt. Washington and went dancing at Dolce. James Harrison from the Pittsburgh Steelers was also there. We woke up to a nice big breakfast this morning and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

It was fun to have a weekend away and I hope that we can all go on another road trip soon. We are thinking about Montreal, Philly, and Washington DC.

If only I could get rid of my sunburn.....

My First Facial

Aunt Sue took me out for my very first facial yesterday to celebrate that I am now 50% finished with my degree! When I arrived at my appointment, I was pleasantly surprised when I was brought to a room with heated blankets and soothing music. (I was expecting a chair next to a sink and sliced cucumbers). It was a wonderfully relaxing experience and I can't wait to go back. :)