My Visit to the Westmoreland Sleep Center!

On Thursday, I had an appointment at the Westmoreland Sleep Center. I was referred to them by the kidney doctor whom I visited the week prior. It was a quick visit and I learned a lot from the doctor there. My appointment was at 3pm. As I usually do, I arrive early, and was able to meet before my scheduled time.

I’m familiar with sleep apnea but here’s a definition and I will talk about this in future blogs as well. Per Wikipedia, it is a sleep-related breathing disorder. Many factors can contribute to sleep disruption and poor ventilation. It is a chronic condition and complications include, but are not limited to, heart attack and stroke. I’ll be doing more research to contribute to future posts.

The Westmoreland Sleep Center is located on Pellis Road, just a few minutes off of U.S. 30. From Greensburg or Jeannette, just take the Pleasant Unity exit off of U.S. 30. If you’re coming from town or from Latrobe, turn at Humphrey Road.

The main office is at Pellis Road, but there is a secondary location at the Fay-West Medical Commons in Scottdale. There are a lot of medical offices along this stretch, including UPMC Outpatient Care and other specialists.

I have a sleep study scheduled in April, with a follow-up a few weeks later. I’ll stay overnight there while they monitor my sleep. I’m interested to see how this will work, as I’m used to sleeping during the day (7:30am to 2:30pm). A sleep study is a non-invasive, overnight diagnostic test that records brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, breathing, and muscle activity to evaluate sleep quality. Conducted in a lab or at home (for apnea), it helps diagnose disorders like apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy by monitoring sleep cycles. 

I’m just getting this done now as it was brought up by the kidney doctor whom I went to see. I would have done it a while back if I had better insurance, or even after I started at Giant Eagle. My sleep habits could be one of the key contributors to my blood pressure being high as well.

Finally, I’m reading through my book on NPR and have arrived into the ‘80s. This brought about the start of Morning Edition and the network’s move into the new decade. While I began listening to NPR around my senior year, it’s fun to learn about the history of the network as well. 

Going forward, I’ll have read the book in its entirety sometime in the Spring. I’m planning to buy Governor Josh Shapiro’s new memoir. It was released a few weeks ago during our period of extreme cold after the big snowfall we received. 

I’m saying yes to learning more about our Governor, and also when it comes to reading about the Jazzmen (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie). I’ve been perusing the books on Amazon and plan on buying them soon. Maybe I’ll start once I get to halfway on the NPR book. I’m trying to limit my intake of books on political figures, as I easily get triggered from all I see on social media. 

Looking well ahead (late Spring, early Summer), I have another book I’m interested in is “Three Shades of Blue”. This is another jazz-centered read that goes into the cool jazz era. The author has also penned biographies on Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He also co-wrote with Jerry Lewis and John McEnroe.

The Bags are Back!

For those of you rooting for me in my nontraditional fashion journey, the rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated again. 

But first, Tuesday’s weather brought with it a Spring preview. For me, it was a nice drive down to Connellsville for my first in person Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting since September. 55 degrees in February is a heat wave compared to what we’ve had over the last few weeks. Even with this warm stretch, this has still been a cold winter (still nothing like the late 1970’s though). 

Winter came back midweek and we had some snow yesterday as I visited the Sleep Center. More on that to come so please leave the comments to the weather or encourage me to be me. 

Along with the recent February thaw, which is decreasing the snowpack every day, I’m also getting back into Toastmasters. My resurgence began Monday with the “Lunch and Learn” session online and continued Tuesday night at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters. I’m also getting my stuff sent so I can get credit for our home club. 

With the thaw in our weather and in my mood so I can enjoy the things I love, something else is hot again. 

I’m jumping back into my nontraditional fashion journey. Monday night, I dusted off my Michael Kors bag and brought it to work and did so again at Tuesday night’s meeting. I brought it again Wednesday night. I want to take on other hobbies this year, but being nontraditional and writing makes my heart happy too. 

The mild stretch continues next week as we reach the 50’s. However, it comes with the chance of showers. The warmup also raises flooding and ice jam concerns. I’ve been noticing the snowbanks gradually melting on my way to and from the gym. Is Winter over? Not by a long shot, and we will see several shots of snow and cold before it’s all said and done. But it won’t be as brutal. 

I learned a lot on Monday at the Lunch and Learn session online. With membership, it’s all about the three R’s (Renew, Reward, Recruit). With Public Relations it’s the three P’s (People, Progress, Pride). Maybe feeling idle for the month of January and taking that week off last week was what I needed. What about Greensburg? How can I help in these aspects of my home club? Who can benefit from Toastmasters?

I visit the local coffee shop in town and ask myself that question. I think the Baristas could benefit as well as some of the clientele. The latter ranges from college students to teachers and influencers. We have Westmoreland Hospital in town, and over on Pellis Road some other medical offices. Who can I reach and help become a better communicator?

I had some Coach purses gifted to me from a friend and fellow Toastmaster. Later this winter I’m going to clean them up and maybe use them when I go out and about for coffee this coming Spring.

My February coffee tour needed to be retooled a bit this week due to my appointment at the Sleep Center, but it all worked out. I went to Caleese this morning before going to the gym. The place was awash in sea of red, pink, and cards and chocolates. You know, for those looking for a cute Valentine’s Day gift last minute. I was dressed like it was Saint Patrick’s Day. I’ll remember that when I go for coffee on March 17. My drink of choice came from the featured holiday menu, the Tira-I Miss You latte. 

I saw the cutest little Yorkie at Caleese this morning and even got to pet her. Thor, be jealous. I could have made the trip yesterday but it is what it is. 

At Cutie’s, the St. Patrick’s Day menu is coming out next Saturday. I’ll be there next weekend to show Sara what it’s all about. It’s way cooler than any cafe in the South Side. It’ll be nice to catch up on life and everything else. 

Time to make plans for the Spring!

Wearing our Hearts on our Sleeves at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters!

It felt good to drive down to Connellsville on Tuesday night for my Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting. It felt even better telling myself that I’m all in after a January slump. Whether or not I honor that remains to be seen.

Meeting online is nice but it has its setbacks. I can’t tell you how good it was to meet in person for the first time since September. Plus, we had a guest who’s familiar with Toastmasters. Nick came to us from New England and is now one of our newest members.

This meeting brought a couple of rare occurrences with it as well. We had a speaker get evaluated twice. Our club president is competing in the evaluation contest at the end of February. He needed the practice. In addition, he also gave feedback to our guest whose speech counted as his ice breaker speech. Now comes the task of choosing a path.

The theme for our meeting was “Hearts on our Sleeves”. The Word of the Day was LOVE, but it wasn’t used too much. Love is stronger than hate. I saw that displayed at the Super Bowl Sunday night.

We had a fun table topics session that had everyone laughing. We picked a card and read the question out loud and someone gave their answer. In addition, we also gave a thirty second response on how we can build membership. That’s the thing we need to work on to achieve our goal to be a Smedley Distinguished club in 2025-2026. We stand at 14, so we’ll need 11 to meet the requirement.

Right now at the point in the Toastmasters season, I stand at 5-5, and I will be putting all the chips in to ensure a great end to 2025-2026.

An officers’ meeting is coming up soon and the main topic will be membership.

Before the Laurel Highlands meeting on Tuesday, I attended a training session online. In attendance were some of our dignitaries as well as other members and two from District 10. The point of training was on membership and public relations. Area 23 Director Autumn did the PR training (I attended her TLI training) and Club Growth Director Lorie did the Membership training.

Three things I learned from both the Membership and PR trainings:

Membership–Renew, Reward, Recruit

Public Relations–People, Progress, Pride

Visiting five other clubs is something that’s not new to me, as I’ve visited other clubs plenty of times. Cranberry High Noon holds the most visits as I’m almost an unofficial member of the club. I’ve also visited Earlybirds and Johnstown, as well as Western Maryland (online). This June, when I’m off, I plan to visit South Hills in person.

This was what helped jump start my week and refueled my Toastmasters ride. While I’m not sure I can make the contests, I will be registering very soon for the Spring Conference. It will be the final event for District 13 as they get ready to merge with District 10 to form the new District 219.

The next training session is February 23. Our next three Laurel Highlands meetings are February 24, March 10, and March 24.

The February Thaw!

Today is Super Bowl Sunday! I’m not wanting New England to have more wins than Pittsburgh, so I’m rooting for the Seahawks. Seattle’s defense was top ranked in 2013 when they beat Denver, and they were back up there in this wild 2025 season.

My best memory of the big game was that time that I got together with students in my Campus Crusade chapter at Slippery Rock. We gathered at the house of my church’s lay leader to have Bible Study before kickoff. The two entities were getting ready to collaborate on starting a contemporary church service to bring in more college students. It was a great night and I enjoyed the fellowship. It was a good game and a fitting end to a great season.

Yes, we did start the worship service at the church.

My opinion on the logo is that it’s improved over the last few years. It’s better than past years (the 2010s had pretty bland logos). The Lombardi is well represented but accentuate it a little better. The 90s logos are the best but I’m biased as it was the best decade.

Now, on to my feature presentation.

2026 has been off to a slow start for me. The contributing factors include: 

  • The extreme cold (last day above freezing was January 22)
  • The snow that hasn’t melted (it will begin to melt this week as we gradually warm up)
  • The post-Christmas slump (taking down the tree and decorations makes the house seem less joyful)

My Toastmasters journey has been idle. Remember, last year when I had that magnificent speaking streak? The fire has since gone out and needs to be rekindled. Being online for my meetings and missing last week’s brought me back to the days of social distancing. If I had an NFL record, it would read along the lines of about 1-4. 

This week brings the good news of a February thaw. We will finally make it above freezing on Tuesday with highs reaching into the 40’s. After weeks of extreme cold, tomorrow’s forecast never felt so good. The thaw will extend beyond the weather, and it will also reach me as I break free of the pattern that I’ve been stuck in. Now, it will go back to seasonal weather later this week and we’ll still see snow, but it will be more manageable. 

The factors contributing to how I’ve recently been feeling are also bringing fatigue. That has affected my extracurricular activities. I wanted to take on different hobbies in 2026, and that’s still the plan. I still think I want to write a little bit more. The idea of writing a short story has crossed my mind. I am jotting down some ideas as to what it will include. The concern over the weather with the winter storms and extreme cold hasn’t helped, either.

Contest season is approaching; thus, it’s the perfect time to relight my Toastmasters fire. It isn’t completely out, but it could be shining brighter. There’s nothing wrong with a little rest and relaxation. January and all that came with it brought back some of those negative feelings that came during COVID, as well as when I was transitioning. This afternoon around High Noon, I will take part in a “lunch and learn” online training session. The session is for VPM’s and VPPR’s and is being conducted by a few of our dignitaries. 

The February thaw we’ll see this week coincides with my own winter thaw, as I continue to go all in for 2026. The above freezing temperatures, in addition to the heating of the day, will aid in melting the snowpack. The weather will go back to February-like this weekend, but it will be enough to gradually melt the snow and not cause concern for flooding.

Returning to Cutie’s!

The forecast once again trends cold this weekend and an Alberta Clipper will give us a little bit of snow. Nothing to worry about with just 1 to 3 and higher amounts in the ridges. It’s the perfect weekend to get out to Hidden Valley or Seven Springs. For the links, not so much (you’ll have to wait until April for that, I’m afraid).

This latest cold blast doesn’t have staying power though and, there’s light at the end of this cold, dark tunnel. If you call 40 degrees and precipitation falling in the form of rain, that is.

It may be frigid this weekend and we get an Alberta Clipper to welcome us with snow. Still, it’s nothing compared to this weekend back in 2010.

A long awaited thaw is coming next week with more average February weather. It doesn’t mean winter is over (by a long shot) but at least the season becomes more manageable.

The final season of Queer Eye made its debut a few weeks ago. The Fab Five is changing lives in Washington DC and while it’s a short season, it’s been a good one. I’ve noticed that Antoni and JVN have been a little emotional about it ending and that’s OK.

I began watching the popular Netflix series in 2022, about midway through the show’s run. In that time, I’ve been able to catch up and follow the Fab Five from Atlanta to Kansas City and from Philadelphia to New Orleans. While I’m enjoying the final season, I’m also finishing up season 9 which has the four gay kings and one non binary queen 👗 in Sin City. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Jeremiah has been a welcome addition to the group after Bobby’s departure and I enjoy his work just as much. His husband is iconic designer Nate Berkus.

My coffee schedule for February has been set. I’ll make a return trip to Caleese at the end of the month, and a couple trips to Cutie’s (I’m actually there today). I’m looking forward to introducing it to my fashionable sis in a couple of weeks. She lived in the South Side for a few years, and that part of the city has lot of cafes and bars. Steep Mountain and White Rabbit visits for me the next two weeks.

It’ll be nice to have her close to home though.

As for my Cutie’s visit, I ordered the Strawberry Cheesecake Latte. My presence has most definitely been missed since Christmas but I’m making a comeback. I’d like to bring my cousin here sometime. In addition, I’d love to have coffee with her sometime at Silver Horse in Donegal or Brewed Awakening in Somerset.

The Lucky Girl menu debuts on February 21. Maybe on my next trip, I’ll get something green.

Books I’m Reading (in February and beyond)

January has come and gone (finally!) and while it’s still going to be cold this week, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. 

This morning saw many venture up to Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney to see what the groundhog was predicting. Spoiler Alert: Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter. According to Pittsburgh Dad, that means six less weeks of roadwork. 

Football’s over, with the exception of the Super Bowl on Sunday. If you’re a sports nut, what do you turn to now? College Basketball gets a little more interesting now as March Madness isn’t too far away. Friday night is the beginning of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Not too long after that is when pitchers and catchers report to their sites for the start of Spring Training. My dad watched golf over the weekend, so there’s that too, and the Daytona 500.

Last week I finished Matriarch by Tina Knowles, and Meet Me at Luke’s by Kristine Eckart. Both books I started in October. Matriarch is the second of the three books that I picked up at Barnes and Noble on my summer vacation. I learned of Meet Me at Luke’s when Oakmont was hosting a Gilmore Girls event upon release of the book in October. If I was available, I would have gone to it that day. I ordered the book and brought it to the reunion. I even read it in Ligonier one day during my vacation. 

Tina’s memoir covers everything from her childhood to her hair salon to everything else. Family is mentioned as well, including Beyonce and Destiny’s Child and her philanthropy. I learned about it through Michelle Obama’s podcast and was interesting in reading the book. Meet Me at Luke’s covers all parts of the show, and includes the author’s take on the series. Many references are made to pop culture. The Rory Gilmore reading list is on there as well and it is extensive. If you haven’t seen the series, you may not want to read the book cover to cover. 

I like that she highlighted Babette and Morey as a good couple on the show, and even her and Miss Patty’s friendship. Even the side characters get some love here. 

With those books now finished, it’s on to my next reading project. “On Air” talks about the history of NPR, from its humble beginnings in the 1970’s to its triumph and tumult. For me, it’s the second book that I’m reading about the history of the network. I read “This is NPR: The First Forty Years” in 2011. The chapters are long, and I’ll read this like I did so with “The History of Jazz”. I’m looking at finishing this book by April. 

Later this month, I have plans to buy Governor Josh Shapiro’s book which came out last Tuesday. “Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service” is the title. I’m interested to see where this book goes. Josh Shapiro put his name in for the Presidential race in 2024 and will likely do so in 2028. Also on my list is “The Jazzmen” which is a biography of some of the most iconic big band jazz musicians of all time. That purchase is leaning probable, but still may be subject to change. I’d like to find a book on Ella Fitzgerald but may push that to later in the Spring. 

January may be out of the way but there’s still plenty of winter to go before we see the first day of Spring on March 20 or 21. Temperatures are looking to moderate by next week (not yet a given, but there’s hope). 

So what are some ways to beat this harsh winter?

Start that new book you’ve had your eye on or focus on those hobbies you wanted to start as a New Year’s resolution. I’m doing that right now as I just started “On Air”. Also, I’ll remind myself to get back to my coloring book, as childish as that sounds. Additionally, I want to get into the practice of writing a daily affirmation or mantra and recite it to myself. 

In these cold, dark days of winter, I need to remind myself that, “This Too Shall Pass”

Finally, I met my cousin in Ligonier at Abigail’s for coffee. We had been planning this for a while. I’ll plan a Cutie‘s visit at some point, maybe in the Spring. The Fire and Ice festival was the weekend prior, you know the one with all the snow. With the cold sticking around, the sculptures should stay up for at least the next week.

We enjoyed each other‘s company and the coffee. They still have the Fire and Ice theme going, and to me that sounds pretty cool. We parted ways, but not without me lending her “The Third Gilmore Girl”. Oh, and there was talk of Gilmore Girls and TV.

Looking forward to visiting Cutie‘s on Thursday.

A Look Ahead To February!

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to be done with January.

From the tragedies in Minneapolis, to seasonal depression, winter storms, and extreme cold, January 2026 has left its mark. Despite a lackluster start to the new year though, I still have a lot to look forward to in February and beyond. I still posted content, including Mike Tomlin’s resignation and a few mental health blogs. But I don’t think my heart was into it as much as it could have been. 

I’m going all in for February as I get ready to post my 900th blog entry. Even if we get snow and Phil predicts six more weeks of winter (*sigh!*)

My cousin and I had a great time on Thursday at Abigail’s, enjoying Ligonier and talking about TV and Gilmore Girls. My fashionable sister will be meeting me at Cutie’s later in February. It’ll be her first experience at one of Greensburg’s best coffee shops. We’ll also take the opportunity to catch up as well. I’ll wear something leopard-print for our coffee date.

  • Despite staying home this week due to the snowstorm and extreme cold, I’m still planning to stick to my workout commitment in 2026. In fact, I’m planning to go next Tuesday as well as next Friday… weather permitting. 
  • Later in February, I’m also planning a Going Going Gone trip to pick up some new activewear. Maybe I’ll get Josh Shapiro’s book while I’m out. I’ll likely go to Monroeville, but maybe I’ll go on a road trip to Bridgeville or the North Hills instead. 
  • Not sure if I’ll be able to attend area or division speech contests yet. The universe really  worked in my favor. We shall see. Area 23’s International Speech and Evaluation Contest is scheduled for the end of February in Morgantown. 
  • Next week will hopefully erase the depressing January vibe I dealt with. We won’t see a thaw but it won’t be bitterly cold like this week has been. 
  • It’s my sister’s birthday on Saturday but before that, I’m hoping Wednesday’s appointment goes well. 
  • So what’s coming up this Spring? After the way this month has gone, I think we have permission to think about longer days and more time outside.
  • Mid-May brings us the final District 13 Spring Conference before the merging of Districts 10 and 13 into District 219. I’m getting ready to make plans for that weekend. 
  • Also, this Spring, I’ll be visiting the Beaver Toastmasters club. It’s been in the works for a long time. I could have moved my Johnstown Toastmasters visit up to September had I known I was off. This could have opened up a visit to the club while I was on vacation in October.

Mental Health Series: The Past

In today’s blog, I discuss snow, mental health, and the past. 

If you were lucky enough to stay home today, chances are you got to stay inside and enjoy the snow. Or, you were outside shoveling it. In my dad’s case, he was using the snowblower. Please take your time if you’re removing snow as doing too much can be harmful to your health. It was too cold to enjoy the snow and make a snowman today, and that’s how the week is trending as well. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to get to February. 

Yes, it still snows in February and yes it is still cold, but we’re closer to Spring and turning the clocks ahead. You’ll read my look ahead to February later this week. 

Today, Pittsburgh recorded 11 inches of snow (at the Airport). Some places got less (and that’s because there was more freezing rain in those spots) and others got more (half a foot fell in Slippery Rock!). For most of us, this storm will be as well-remembered as Snowmageddon in February 2010. That was our last big snow event. The Presidents’ Day Storm of 2003 also comes to mind. Those two are the most recent. If you really want to go back, I can include Superstorm 1993 and the Blizzard of 1996. Both winter storms were extreme. 

There’s a reason why I highlighted the most recent blizzards. It’s because I also wanted to show where I was in life during those times. In February 2003 and 2010, I was at opposite ends of my 20’s and in different eras of life. During the President’s Day Blizzard, I was in my last semester at the Community College. I had aspirations to transfer to Slippery Rock that upcoming Fall. During Snowmageddon, I was working part time at WIS International doing inventory for various stores. I was going through a quarter life crisis and was posting weather updates on social media. During my late twenties, I was trying to find my direction in life. 

The President’s Day Storm of 2003 started on Friday but here in Pennsylvania, it hit us on Sunday morning. I was still going to school in Johnstown, attending the local community college. They had no school the next day, but there was no way I was coming back to the dorm until Tuesday morning at the earliest. For me, I wanted to come back on Sunday, but that was out of the question too. Back in my late teens, early 20’s days, you have to know what I was going through. Why was I even eager to go back to campus? It’s a long story, but my behavior in those days was erratic. Even in 2026, I don’t think I can explain it.  

It was my last semester at the local community college. I lived at the Hiram G. Andrews Center while attending the college, and it was my safe space. I don’t know what the future would hold for me after graduating that coming Spring, but I was almost certain that I would be continuing my education. I was making plans to transfer to Slippery Rock for the Fall 2003 semester. The school caught my attention at a college transfer fair the previous Fall. 

Snowmageddon in February 2010 brought us our most snow over a two day period. 21 inches fell from that two day storm. It was our snowiest month since the late 1970’s as we had multiple storms that followed the big one. For me, I was working at WIS International and we didn’t cancel work often, but we did when the storm hit that first night. I think I was supposed to go down to West Virginia but I called off anyway. 

I had been there about a year, and I was still dealing with growing pains there. I wasn’t working that much and my hours had always seemed to be inconsistent. That winter started early for us as we were hit with snowstorms in December, in addition to Snowmageddon. The first two years and last two years (I worked there for 13 years) were bookended and both presented their challenges. Of course the last years presented bigger challenges with a global pandemic. The first couple of years were worse though. 

My mid to late 20’s presented me with another challenge, and that was a quarter life crisis. I was out of college for four years by this point but still trying to find myself. I started posting the weather on social media. As much as I enjoyed doing it, I couldn’t keep a thick skin and was easily triggered. This might have been my way to make up for what I thought was a mediocre college experience at Slippery Rock.

Mental Health Series: Decluttering

This morning, I began the process of decluttering. First up is my wardrobe as I have accumulated too much. I was able to get a few garbage bags worth of clothes I never wore. This will go to Goodwill or Salvation Army with time. Maybe next week.

The decluttering will happen in waves and it wasn’t going to be done in one fell swoop. Not immune to it are some of my bags as well. I’m keeping my Coach (though I may give up one or two) and Michael Kors and will be using them again once the weather breaks.

Declutter is a verb that means to remove unnecessary items from an untidy or overcrowded place. An example of the word used in a sentence is, “There’s no better time to declutter your home”. A synonym for declutter is to simplify. In 2026, one of my goals is to simplify my life.

I set aside my Spring and Summer clothes. They’re in a storage tub along with my Christmas shirts. There’s no plans to get rid of these now. Hence why I said this was going to be done in waves.

As I clean out my drawers, I do plan on getting some more activewear later this winter (thinking late February). I’m getting more serious about the gym and having a routine all set up. Once the weather breaks (and January finally comes to an end), I want to schedule some time to walk outside.

The new park will soon be opening up just off of Mount Pleasant Road. That gives me another avenue for getting my steps in. When I have nights off, maybe a trip to Mammoth or Cedar Creek will be in the cards.

I‘m also thinking about heading to Going Going Gone or Old Navy next month to help me in my exercise journey.

My nontraditional style isn’t going away completely at the moment. I’ve been wanting to restructure and have less for a while. I’ll still have my scarves and my bags for now. My leopard 🐆 print isn’t going anywhere either. That’s my trademark and it’s always a hit. Maybe when Sara and I do our coffee date at Cutie‘s next month, I’ll wear something spotted. In these four years, the journey has been 50/50. It hasn’t been a failure, even though I could have taken my time growing it. It’s far from perfect though.

Mental Health Series/Attitude

This blog is part of the Mental Health Series that I’ll be doing that goes through February. In it, I’ll be focusing on the things we can control, as well as what we can’t control. Today’s blog will highlight what we can do something about, and that would be our attitude. 

Attitude is a noun that means a settled way of thinking, or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior. Synonyms for attitude are viewpoint, outlook, and reaction. Attitude can range from positive to negative, or it can be either neutral or specific. An example of that could be our attitude towards work or a change in attitude. 

One of the places that we can change our attitude is definitely the workplace. This is especially true when change is involved. At my old job, we would sometimes have big events scheduled. These were the department store accounts we did like JCPenney, Kohls, and Target. Attendance at stores like the big box stores was more important than on dollar stores. Unfortunately, people would blow off attending because there were enough people there and a few call offs wouldn’t make a difference. What happens when a few of those call offs, and then some. That all depends on our attitude. Do you fight or flight? Are you calm, cool, and collected; or are you burning up? 

In addition, social media is another avenue where our attitudes can get out of hand. This is true, especially in today’s political climate. It’s changed how we view current events, and everyone has a voice. Opinions are best kept to ourselves, but we can’t help but air our frustrations. In these troubled times, it may just be best to scroll on ahead. 

Christmas is over and we’re in the middle of a long winter. This week and next week look to be trending extremely cold. Spring seems so far away and you want to get out of the house. What is one to do and how do they cope with the long, dark days of Winter? I’ll close off the blog with the answer to that.

I googled some creative ways to get through winter and found a video on YouTube, which listed five fun projects. 

  • Create a cozy environment (one of the things I found in the comments was using seasonal stickers that go along with season). 
  • Romanticizing the season and diving into hobbies.
    • I got a Bob’s Burgers coloring book for Christmas along with some colored pencils. I’ll set aside a half hour to color some pictures. 
    • Cooking or baking one night a week or even 2-3 times a month
    • One of the ambassadors suggested doodling. I’d like to draw or sketch. 
    • Writing daily gratitudes, as putting your thoughts and joys down on paper can change your mindset about the season). 
  • Learning a new skill, and there’s plenty of things that I’d like to do. But I’d like to perfect some other skills as well.
  • It’s going to be even colder next week, so why not embrace the cold? Taking a walk in Lincoln Heights while it’s super cold over the weekend. It’s a great excuse for drinking a hot chocolate afterwards. 
  • Having a game night.