Ode to Summer » 2012

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Sparkler Tomfoolery

Even though I had Wednesday off because of the holiday, this week seemed like the longest week. I'm glad I had some friends come over and keep me company and light up some sparklers with me. Plus, it was pretty fun playing with some other, random settings on my new camera.

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Independence Day » 2012

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Cleveland » Big Fun

Another place we stopped at in Cleveland was a toy store called Big Fun. It was also one of the places Kaylah suggested on the Travel Bug post on the ModCloth Blog. I am so glad I read and saved this post because it was so helpful in finding some sweet locations! So, it was already on our agenda to visit while in town, but we sort of just came across it in route to another location. Let me tell you, this place was packed full of awesomeness and nostalgia. Just about any toy you could remember, plus more! I honestly didn't take too many photos in this store because I was pretty busy looking at all the shelves, drawers, and racks full of little treasures and trinkets. I ended up buying a few things there that I really couldn't live without and I'm sure if I would have browsed longer, I could have found a whole lot more. I definitely wish there was a store like this closer. It's the perfect little shop to kill time in with a friend. So much to look at! You could seriously find something for anyone, of any age there. It would be a great place to pick up little gifts for friends for any occasion or no occasion at all. I'm just so pumped that a place like this exists. My favorite feature: Definitely the floors being lined in old board games. Too perfect! The whole place was really bright and colorful and cluttered in all the right ways. I felt like a little kid in a toy store.. literally.

11512 Clifton Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44102

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Unwind

Yesterday was a typically wonderful lazy Sunday in Brownsville with my family. Sundays are the perfect relaxing day to end a fun weekend and muster the energy to do it all over again. It was super nice to just lay in the cool grass in the sun. I had forgot how much I missed having a yard. That is one aspect that city life can't even begin to compare with.

I'm looking forward to this being a quick week. I called off work tomorrow already. Corpsey and I are going to head to Pittsburgh later in the evening to see Primus and Gogol Bordello. So, I figured I'd just take the whole day off. Well deserved, if I do say so myself.

I still haven't came to terms with the fact that I'm not only off tomorrow, but off all of next week. I get so easily stuck in routines. I'm looking forward to the change of pace, though. It will definitely feel so good to just have all that time to unwind from the usual grind.

 » Linds

Happy Days

I'm pretty happy today. It's unusual for a Thursday but let me tell you why....

First of all, look at these photos of Ick. I took these a while back when I was home visiting with the ferrets. They really weren't too pumped at all about the ball pit like you'd think, but it did make for a super cute photo op.

I'm just glad to be home.. after a long day at work, with no break. Plus, it is Thursday, so that means, no children at work tomorrow because it's Friday. No children till Monday. I do love my weekends. Plus, coming home to these little furry critters.. all  5 of them. On top of that, Michael was off today so I got to see him earlier than 10PM. That's a good reason to be happy.

But... what is making me even happier this week? Well, Tuesday I found out that 2 of my favorite bands are stopping in the Pittsburgh area within the next few months.... The Bouncing Souls and Modest Mouse.

Of course, you know, The Bouncing Souls are my all time favorite but it's been a few years since I've saw them in my own city. It cannot compare to the shows in Jersey, I know that much, but it was be very convenient and I'm looking forward to it very much. I can't wait to check out their new record.

As for Modest Mouse, I've been pretty jealous for the last couple years over the fact that Michael got to see Modest Mouse before. I was beginning to think I'd never ever get to see them because they are constantly over seas or just playing here or there, never anywhere close.

So.. I got tickets to both this week and it's definitely something I'm pretty excited about. If you know me, you know how giddy concerts make me. This makes my summer.. no matter what other crappy situations are going on currently or are going to happen within the next few months.

I was seriously very close a couple times on splurging and buying tickets to see Modest Mouse in Atlantic City at some big festival. Going to Atlantic City, in general, is something that's been on my list of things to do, but I know deep down how much I loathe festival concerts and getting the time off work and the drive.. it just would have been a hassle all around.

I was also close at some point to buying tickets to see the Souls in Philly because I was going to withdraw of seeing them. In hindsight, I'm so glad I never got crazy and went through with purchasing tickets to either of these. This is so much better.

I would like to believe this is one of those  "everything happens for a reason" things but I'm not sure if I believe that. Though, sometimes it's nice to.

However, I know The Adicts are playing in Cleveland next month and I love The Adicts.. hands down, some of the best, most entertaining shows I've ever attended. Plus, the first time I saw them was also in Cleveland at Peabody's. Brings back so many good memories, but as for funds and time off work, I'm not sure sure the stars are completely aligned for me.

Not completely, but close.

I must mention, too, that Primus is coming back to Pittsburgh. It really hasn't been that long since I was fortunate enough to see them, but I think they are another band I could see time after time and never get enough. I haven't got tickets for that, but I think it is something I'd like to do. If not, I'm sure I'll kick myself for it when the day comes and I'm not there.

Oh, and Tim Barry is playing at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh next week. I first saw him several years ago when he and The Gaslight Anthem opened up for The Souls in Pittsburgh. I fell completely in love and I haven't had the opportunity to see him again yet. I'm thinking this is something that need to happen and there isn't really any reason that it shouldn't.

One more thing, I was just reminded when I typed that, The Gaslight Anthem is coming out with a new record. In fact, I just read they are releasing the first single off of it very soon. That is also another new record I can't wait to hear! But you know what that means... new record calls for a tour. Let's cross our fingers that Pittsburgh is on their agenda!

Okay, so that is probably more than a few things to be happy about. Let me soak it all in.

» Linds

Unseasonably Warm Weather

Just a few days ago, it was so snowy, and icy.. getting home from work was a treacherous adventure. We had delays at school! I had to wake up early to thaw out my windshield on the cruiser! Today? It feels like a beautiful spring day. I shed my winter coat by noon. I've got the window propped open for Maestro. What's up with that? It will probably be snowing again by tonight. Pennsylvania weather is so whacky sometimes. It's just so hard to believe it's technically winter! Well, these pretty temps. got me day dreamin' of spring and summer times. Don't get me wrong, I still believe that fall and winter are my favorite seasons.. but look at these moments I captured on my blog in the warmer weather months. I have to say.. I feel really blessed to live in an area that has all four seasons! They are all undeniably beautiful in their own ways! Let's show some love for pretty, sunny, breezy days like today.

xo, Linds