Posts tagged family
The Cheesecake Factory
Jun 5th
I went to lunch with my sister at The Cheesecake Factory in Southside Works. We had a hard time deciding where to eat in that area. There were two newer places I hadn’t eaten at yet though my sister never ate at the Cheesecake Factory.
First I must say the place is beautiful. I am sure it cost a fortune to get this place going. You think the outside is nice the inside is just crazy.
The ceilings are very high with beautifully decorated columns and walls. The seating is comfortable and the backs of the booths are high enough that you don’t have your neighbors staring at you. Yeah I just love having weirdo’s staring at me while I am eating. I had it happen at an Eat N Park recently and I wanted to ask her if she needed money for food or something she was so up in my shit. I didn’t realize we were that interesting of a family to watch eat.
Anyway they give you some nice bread to fill up on while you wait.
That was our second basket of bread. I’m not sure if it was that good or I was that hungry.
Ok the menu. It’s ginormous, about 20 pages. So that tells me they aren’t great at any one thing. Oh, except for cheesecake. Too many menu items makes it difficult to decide what to eat.
My sister ordered a B.L.T. Salad which is supposed to be an Appetizer Salad. It was half a head of lettuce in two wedges. She said it was good but didn’t realize they would put the dressing on for you before bringing the plate.
I ordered Renee’s Special which consisted of half a chicken salad sandwich, a cup of potato soup and a small green salad. It looks more like a whole sandwich to me but who am I to complain? I took half home and ate it the next day and it was just as yummy! I just wish I had known there were nuts on the sandwich. I had to sit there and pick them all out! The soup was good once I took the sour cream off the top of it. The salad was very stemmy and I couldn’t eat much of it.
I don’t eat dessert just about anywhere. Like most anywhere else they could cut down the amount of food they give you and charge less. The difference however is I want to take home dessert when I go here where other places the dessert isn’t all that. It’s the one place that even after that large bill I still want to spend more to take a slice of heaven home. They have an entire page of different types of cheesecake but I like good old original.
I never liked Cheesecake much. This stuff is like an orgasm in your mouth.
Harmony Salon
Jun 3rd
Harmony Salon is a bit of a drive from Pittsburgh but always well worth it. I have been getting my hair done by Harmony since she was in school. Probably close to 20 years. She was always professional and I knew a long time ago she would do well. She now has her own line of organic hair products called Mothers Milc. She has been featured on B94 and on the cover of Maniac Magazine. I have attended a few local hair shows she has done though never thought to take a camera with me then. Her shop is very clean and beautiful and weather your getting your hair washed or getting it cut you will be comfortable.
My youngest daughter went to the salon for the first time and received first class treatment. She has very thin hair so we needed a cut that was a bit shorter and to fluff it up a bit. Her favorite part was getting her hair washed by one of the staff. It’s my favorite part too 
Harmony was great with my daughter cutting her hair. She talked to her the entire time even though my daughter didn’t talk back much LOL She spent just as much care with her as she would with any adult customer that walked in.
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And may I present my daughter’s new and beautiful hair do:
She loves it as much as I do thank goodness! She was adamant prior that she didn’t want her hair cut short as she wanted it to grow but I assured her that it would look great.
I always let Harmony pretty much do whatever she wants with my hair. I tell her what I need and let her go to town. I had planned on an all over dye however I was attending the Best Restaurants Party before my appointment and just couldn’t go with 3 inch roots and greys so I had to dye it myself. So we did highlights. Gotta love the foil head.
My hair is much easier to work with and she fixed my hair cutting mistake. Ummmm oh yeah I didn’t tell anyone else. I was cutting my own hair about 4 or so months ago. I meant to pick up the layering scissors and didn’t notice I grabbed the regular ones. Yeah I cut a huge chunk of hair instead of a layer. The highlights as always are awesome!
Harmony Salon is holding Aubrey’s Cut-A-Thon on Sunday, August 8, 2010. You can get a men’s cut for $18, Womens cor $30 and kids 12 and under for $18. She is also offering 20% off on products. Be sure to get there early though as it is first come first served and you cannot make an appointment for this event. Click the link for the story and more information.
Also check out her Videos on YouTube. You will find style techniques and testimonials from customers.
I live on East Carson
Jun 2nd
I often blog about Southside wanderings so you think I would live there. Nope. Even though there are news articles of assholes coming from bars and peeing on peoples sidewalks at 2am I still would rather live there than where I do. I don’t live far at all though so I venture there often.
There is always something to do in Southside day or night. My sister and I ventured there to get some walking in.
Caribou Coffee can be found on East Carson in Southside Works. I buy their K-Cups for my Keurig Coffee Maker. I didn’t see them in the shop but you can find them many places K-Cups are sold. On a hot day my Strawberry Banana smoothie sure hit the spot!
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Now that I had a cool drink I was hungry. So we ventured to The Pretzel Shop for something to eat. If you didn’t already know they have sandwiches made out of pretzels. Think that’s weird? Try one! My favorite used to only be available one day of the week and is now available every day. They also make veggie pizza on a pretzel among other goodies. They provide outdoor seating if you want to eat it right there. You can find them on 2316 East Carson. Here is a website with their menu —- Pretzel Shop Menu.
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I hadn’t been in S&S Candy and Cigar Company in years. It can be found at 2025 East Carson. They have alot of bulk candy items for sale. It is quiet a savings compared to buying that much in single packs. I know many local softball and baseball leagues purchase here for the snack bar. My only wish is that they had the candy dots on paper. I miss those.
We realized that it was a Tuesday and the Farmers Market would be in Southside. You can find it on Tuesdays at 20th & Sidney Street in a parking lot from 3:30pm-7:30pm. Pittsburgh has many other Farmers Markets in other neighborhoods too. Here are some photos from some of the booth’s.
I hadn’t been to a Farmers Market in years. I remember as a kid going with my parents. I can recall fruits, veggies, flowers and even some meat and cheese. I don’t remember homemade goodies though. The market was on the small end but had lots of fresh as well as already made pies, mexican food, greek food, homemade soaps, and goat dairy products. I have found similar local produce cheaper elsewhere though so watch prices (Strip District). Also some venders at the same market have the same items that differ in price so it pays to take a walk around. Most of the vendors did allow you to sample their products. I went home with baklava & an apricot roll.
Little of This and That
May 27th
Right now I miss work for a few reasons. #1 I miss the money cause unemployment isn’t covering it all. #2 I miss talking to people every day. That’s about it. If I could make a living staying home and blogging your damn right I would. But I sure don’t miss not being home when my kids got home.
My sister is laid off from work too. Sucks for her but great for me. I don’t drive, she does. Love ya! 
I think were gonna spend alot of time together. As if we don’t already LOL
I think were gonna spend alot of time together. As if we don’t already LOLYesterday she picked up me and my mom. First we went to lunch at Bob Evans near Century III Mall. Those of you on twitter probably saw my post that the server was getting on our nerves. She asked over and over if we were ready to order and we kept telling her no. Lady get a clue if were still engrossed in our menu’s leave us the hell alone! Apparently we got on her nerves too cause she switched areas with another girl LOL I wasn’t very hungry so I had one pancake and some fruit. I was thankful they had WiFi there though. While I was twittering my mom asked what I was doing. I showed her and she went on about how I better not mention her name. I reassured her that I only said “mom”. She was pretty adamant that she doesn’t want her picture or name mentioned online anywhere. She doesn’t seem to understand why I would bother telling anyone my business at all (Twitter, Facebook, This Blog). Yeah if you couldn’t tell my mom doesn’t have a computer hell she can barely figure out texting. So I guess I won’t share the pic of my mom and me on here.
We spent a few hours in the mall looking around. I am picky when it comes to clothes and my mom and sister don’t have the same taste I do. It’s difficult to shop when you get looks about the stuff you would wear. Normally I don’t give a shit what people think but when your family says shit it’s harder to swallow. That doesn’t mean I agree with them. I did find an awesome dress at Macy’s. Thank you Mom!
This dress even has pockets it’ awesome! My mom just loved my socks, Not! LOL Now I need to go somewhere I can wear my dress I will probably spend alot of the summer in it. Oh and Macy’s apparently doesn’t have locks on the dressing room doors. I have a tip for other fellow dressing room people. If the door is closed someone is probably in it. If your not sure please knock. DON’T F’ING open the door! Yeah, I had someone open the door on me while trying on this dress.
I will probably spend alot of the summer in it. Oh and Macy’s apparently doesn’t have locks on the dressing room doors. I have a tip for other fellow dressing room people. If the door is closed someone is probably in it. If your not sure please knock. DON’T F’ING open the door! Yeah, I had someone open the door on me while trying on this dress. 
Tour Capa and Jazz Performance
May 20th
As if I don’t promote Capa enough. I want to give you a virtual tour through the school. I had the pleasure of going to an event that took place on many floors which enabled me to see more than the front door and theater. Mind you I seem to be missing some of my pics. Hmmmm……..
On to the Capa Tour
One of the many Dance Studios, The Black Box, The Cafeteria, The Ceramics Studio:
Hallways and Stairwells:
Some of the Student Art Work around the school I liked:
My Son had a poem in the hallway:
Some of the things we did at the school:
The Ceramic Bowls we made that night will be donated to the Empty Bowls Dinner. The flower pots we decorated were for a garden project for the students.
Jazz At Capa
Just last night I attended a Capa Jazz Concert. My daughter plays Sax. I was looking through the awards case and saw an award from a year I attended Capa and it was the year a friend of mine was in a group that earned the Grand Prize in a contest for an OJ commercial they created.
I ran into Mr. Humphries whom I knew looked familiar and the name sounded familiar as well.
I finally got up the nerve to ask him if he ever taught at Capa. He said he had for 29 years. Click his name to go to his website. Also he is doing a Jazz River Cruise on June 6th. Proceeds help benefit the Roger Humphries Sr. Music Scholarship Fund. Click the Cruise for ticket info. Speaking of that fund I won the 50/50 raffle at the school event last night which goes towards the fund. I donated the money back to the fund. As much as I need it being laid off thats how much more I believe in Arts Education.
My daughter’s Sax Solo: (sorry the quality isn’t great I used my cell phone as I forgot my camera)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9oOL_PdfuE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
Pittsburgh CAPA
May 12th
Last night I attended a Pittsburgh Public schools World Arts & Cultures Showcase Event. There are events going on all this week at various locations. Last night’s event was hosted at Capa 6-12. The first performance was by the Capa Orchestra followed by the All City High School Band. My daughter participated in the All City Band in middle school a few years back as well as last night. The All City Band is where students are represented from all Pittsburgh Public Schools in one performance. These kids are damn talented to be able to get together and play one day during school hours and the next night perform for everyone.
My daughter has had many performances over the years. She started playing Clarinet back in 3rd grade at our local elementary school. Her teacher was Mr. Lennartz, who was also one of my music teachers at Capa High School many years ago. She went on to Rogers Middle School and then to Capa High School which as of this year both were merged to Capa 6-12. These kids brought me to tears back in middle school. I knew my daughter had a natural talent for music but hearing kids play for the first time together I was amazed.
As part of the showcase last night there was some Art on display at Capa. These kids are amazing.
My son is a Creative Writing Major at Capa. Maybe one day he will allow me to share some of his writings online.
Flashback to Rogers Middle School in 2008. My daughter was in a performance where she played the Clarinet. She also picked up the Saxophone in middle school and when she left middle school she continued playing the Sax.
Here is a video clip of one of her performances:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmj20-rhZcI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
A picture of my daughter back in 2008 at the above performance. I hope she doesn’t kill me, if she even reads this LOL
Here is a picture of her from last night with yours truly. My how they grow!
And now onto the full length video from last nights performance.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BqfWh6s0GA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1]
Check out Capa’s calendar. They have shows and plays all the time. If your child has some talent consider Capa. They have ma
ny art’s programs and I am proud to have my kids attend there.
ny art’s programs and I am proud to have my kids attend there.
Opposite
May 11th
Last night we had our marriage counseling session. We hadn’t had one in a month as she was on vacation. We talked about what’s been going on over that time. Alot has gone on. We talked a little about my being laid off and the camping trip I just went on but not much. Hubby monopolizes most every conversation. It makes me think of the movie Two Weeks Notice when the one girl yells out to her boyfriend “Not everything is about you!” That’s what I want to scream, though I doubt he would listen.
He drives me nuts sometimes. He talks and talks and has to give every detail and every goofy thought in his head. We talked about him hurting his back, alot. I’m sure I sound like a bitch but I am so sick of my days revolving around him. I have helped him when he asked, and offered when he didn’t. My perception from knowing him all these years is that he claims he doesn’t need me or want help but I swear he milks the crap out of everything. When I am sick or hurt most often I barely see him. Ugh he drives me crazy.
I am the giver, the give-inner, the mother who takes care of everyone. When the hell is someone gonna take care of me?
So anyway, at our session she asked us to do the opposite of what we would normally do. For example I would stop offering to do so much and he would offer to help. I have a hard time having positive thoughts about any of it. Hubby is the type of person who just does what he wants for himself. He is selfish. He knows it and does nothing about it. Anything suggested to us to help in the past was brushed off once we got home and he acts like any tiny act of kindness to spend 20 minutes in the same room with me deserves a medal.
We were so in love with each other. He would have done anything for me at one time. How did it get to this? What the hell happened? Why is it so hard to get it back? I have waited many lonely years and he wants me to be patient still. Maybe I should do the opposite.
Hospital Visit and Eating Healthy
May 6th
Today I didn’t get to do as much spring cleaning done. Hubby hurt his back the other day and he was in alot of pain so we wound up at the hospital this morning. I was looking forward to getting more done before the girl scout camping trip this weekend. I am nice so I offered to go with him and he took me up on it.
I had never been to Mercy hospital before. Been to Upper St. Clair, South side, and Children’s all of which have plus’s and minuses though thank goodness we haven’t had a need to visit the new Children’s yet.
The waiting room has chairs that I’ve never seen in another hospital before. They were pretty comfy.
The ladies at the front desk were nice. They didn’t really look right at you, maybe to avoid conversation but still nice. We get back to the room only about 15-20 min after we arrived and they gave him the dreaded gown. I’m feeling embarrassed for him but apparently when your in alot of pain you really don’t care what you have to wear.
The nurse and doc were wonderful! My husband went in for lower back pain. He can barley walk right. The doc even took the time to write a diagram to show how the spine connects down there and the nerves to explain what was going on. He said that he has Sciatica. They were gonna give him some form of morphine via IV but to their amazement he turned them down. The nurse said, “We usually don’t have many people turn something like that down.” He just wanted something to help at home so he could sleep as it heels.
When we left we drove past the new Consol Energy Center being built. Hubby noticed along the fences was art work. I managed to get a shot of one such example of art work.
See the green? Those are garden hose pieces.
We decided that we were both hungry but with his back we wanted to get his prescription and get home so we stopped at Giant Eagle for some lunch meat and to pick up Eggplant for dinner since they didn’t have any the night I went grocery shopping. I have been on this health kick. I have to contribute alot of it to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Show though. Before that I tried and have been wanting to but it was the show that kicked it into high gear for me. My children have mostly taken to it rather well and are eating better. I am still struggling with what to send them for lunch but our dinners are alot healthier. I also want to start buying more natural and organic food. I found a few things at Walmart but not a ton. My kids and hubby all liked the cereal and said it tasted just like the other brands. I had been buying the natural cage free eggs for awhile now. Anyway how many times I have shopped at Giant Eagle and passed right through these isles after produce to get to the rest of the store and didn’t notice it.
It’s all natural and organic! I had no idea that they sold organic frozen items, spices, you name it. While it’s a small section of the store I didn’t even realize it existed and was right in front of me. I am still wanting to check out Whole Foods. With me being laid off it’s difficult as it is a tad more expensive but we are trying very hard to not use that as an excuse and continue to eat better.
Men are easily amused
May 6th
Men are so funny. The things that amuse them are similar to a child. When my kids were young they were happy with a cardboard box. My husband words in HVAC so we often got boxes from air conditioners and furnaces. They would cut windows in them, color them, tear them apart.
So here I am reading through some Tweets on my Ipod on my front porch the other night and hubby comes out and joins me. He is completely amazed with a couple magnets he purchased. They are oh so strong you have to see this. So he continues to show me……….
Look they stick to my belt.
Guess what, I can make them flip.
Right off the table and through the porch boards. O well, one lost is okay.
Can you see the ashtray spin? Isn’t that cool?
They are so strong in a line they hold this lighter!
Why not get our daughter involved. Did you know that you can make it move through a hand?
I was amused enough to photograph it all.
Marriage is difficult
Apr 30th
I have tried staying away from my personal life too much on here.
There are probably only two people in this entire world who knows my entire marriage history, and one of them is our marriage counselor. It’s not an easy history to share.
I am not sure that counseling is really doing any good. There was a period of time he spent more time with me, bought me flowers one day and the next thing you know he disappeared again. That “he” I married. Yeah I know, I don’t expect things to be right overnight. And I know I am not perfect either. It’s damn hard however to work on things with someone who stays away. Excuses, excuses, he is full of them.
How many other women of being married 16+ years have husbands they never see though in the same house? Hell, try it was that way 8 years ago too. Before that he was never home. I’m tired of feeling like room mates. I want love, I want some passion, I want a companion.
I hate not being able to tell people things. I hate keeping most of it inside. I hate feeling alone.
I have held on to hope for so long. Hope that one day he will see what is in front of him. One day he will think to himself how quickly it could all be gone. My hope is diminishing.
I am thankful for the few people I can talk to. The few who would not judge. The few who care. Thank you.
