Monday Musings

Good morning, friends. The boy left yesterday, so I am back to regularly scheduled posting (and incredibly cranky and pouty to boot...I hate saying goodbye, and even though I know it's the last time we have to do it, it wasn't any easier). In an effort to kick my mood to the curb and replace it with something a little more cheerful (or less mad at the world anyway), I decided to take part in Katie's marvelous campaign this week. Thank you for hosting, love (and, consequently, putting me in a slightly better mood than I would otherwise be).

My Monday is marvelous because....

...I had an amazing last weekend with the boy. It included a run (where I only got scolded twice for going too fast...new record...and completely not my fault since I got up two hours earlier than someone and was raring to go [much like a puppy] when someone finally made his appearance....), a trip to our favorite burger and whiskey bar, froyo, a night out with friends, a trip to Trader Joes, puzzling, the viewing of Django Unchained (which actually wasn't horrible...I found myself enjoying most of it [minus some crazy violence]...I was shocked, too, friends), and the boy's birthday dinner (three weeks early) at Meat and Potatoes. This is a restaurant we have been itching to try for over a year now, but it's always been booked when we attempted to go...so I made this reservation a month ago to make sure we got in. Totally worth the wait, friends. We enjoyed fun things like...

My drink (i.e. the Brandy Buck) complete with a cherry because I'm five and get excited about such things

The Short Ribs Flatbread

Fried pickles....because we have to get them anytime we see them on a menu....thank you, Jersey Shore

Boy's meal of the Hudson Valley Duck Breast...I tried some...the boy is now allowed to make duck as long as it tastes like this...he is very excited about this

My meal of the Pappardelle...definitely not something I would usually choose and very much out of my comfort zone since this one was pork based but I loved every bite I took and was very happy with my choice

Oh, and froyo for dessert of course. The birthday boy chose very well for his birthday dessert. And this is one of my favorite pictures of him from this trip.

I couldn't have asked for a better visit with this man (oh, and Meat and Potatoes....yeah, you should go the second you get to Pittsburgh...definitely one of the best meals I've had in the city...and the drink list was super fun too!), and March 8 cannot get here fast enough (60 days!!).

...I have a wonderful mum who comes down half an hour after the boy leaves to spend the afternoon with me. We went out for Chinese food and girl talk, and it was absolutely fabulous. We haven't had a girls afternoon in ages, either, so it was long overdue. 

...it's my last week at my current job. I know I'm going to miss my kids and co-workers immensely, but I'm also very excited to start this new phase in life with such a special family.

...only 18 days until I get to see these girls (oh and this crasher ;) ). And I absolutely cannot wait.

...I'm realizing some things about myself fitness wise, and rather than try to make myself fit a certain mold or keep following the path I'm currently on, I'm listening to my head and heart and looking into exploring some different options. I love to run. I also love yoga and trying out different circuits and strength plans. I want to find a balance of both. If that means decreasing mileage a bit, so I have time to rest and make sure I do what I need to to stay healthy, that's what I'm going to do.

...I have some great friends who know the day the boy leaves is rough for me and invite me to go along with them to hangout while they eat Taco Bell and catch up on life. Taco Bell has never been a favorite of mine, but I was happy to go along and keep a friend company. I haven't had a chance to see them in awhile, either, so it was also overdue.

...Downton Abbey came back last night. And I stayed up way past my 9:00 bedtime to watch it. Totally worth my sleepiness today.

....HOCKEY IS FREAKING BACK!!!!! Let's go Pens, friends. Let's go Pens.

Have a marvelous Monday!

What's marvelous about YOUR Monday? How excited are YOU for the return of hockey? Did you do anything fun this weekend?