In Tuesday’s blog, I did a review of the book I’m reading about Michigan’s 2023 season where they win the National Championship. This despite all the battles they faced, like not being good enough to win it all. There was also the drama going on with coaches being suspended due to NCAA violations that occured at the height of the pandemic. That too could have been a distraction. In Wednesday’s blog, I wanted to talk about the some of the battles I faced during that same time period. This all coming off of a successful run in the mid to late 2010’s, which rivaled my Hempfield and HGA years (1996 to 2003).

In 2020, I battled isolation and the new normal as I had to deal with social distancing, herd immunity, masking and other new terms because of the global pandemic. All the plans I made for 2020 were dashed like that. It didn’t hit me at first but when it did, I crashed hard. I also battled the status quo in my fashion and started wearing scarves and buying bags.

2021 I battled getting older as I turned 40. I also dealt with health issues as I had to be hospitalized for high blood pressure. I also went up against change at work as we were merging with our competitor, and we lost some key faces in our office. By the end of the year, I was gone from WIS. I also encountered disappointment as my Christmas plans were dashed due to the latest strain of COVID.

In 2022, it was depression and new routines I was going up against. I started my new job and didn’t have the support system I did a year prior. I thought I found myself but alas, it was back to the drawing board. Even though the year started bad, it got better as it went on. The holidays were much better for me than the previous two years, but it still wasn’t a happy holiday for some people. I had my first paid vacation in 15 years when I took a week off in December.

In 2023, I was battling the critics and myself, as well as worry. It was a bridge year for me as well. We made plenty of visits to Children’s to see Benny that year, and I dealt with self doubt in my journey once again. But I prevailed over the haters.

In 2024, I was battling against myself once again. My way of thinking was really unnecessary and took away from some of the great times I’ve had this year. As I’ve learned to love myself and not rely so much on attention, it’s brought for me a change in attitude when it comes to my journey.

Despite all the wars I’ve been up against, I’m still here and that matters.

Last week, I followed in the footsteps of my cousin who has started to do book reviews on her blog and did one of my own. I reviewed The Story Behind the Smile, which covers the history of Eat’n Park going back to its humble beginnings in 1949. I will finish the book next week. Today, I’ll be summarizing what I’ve read so far in the sports book Michigan vs. Everybody. This book chronicles the 2023 National Championship season of the Michigan Wolverines football team.

So far I’ve only read a few chapters of the book on my Kindle. What I’ve learned so far is that Michigan was determined to win it all after coming up short in ‘21 and ‘22. They made it to the College Football Playoff and lost both years.

Jim Harbaugh came to Michigan in 2015. It was the school where he played quarterback in the mid ‘80s before he started a lengthy NFL career. His biggest hurdle was beating Ohio State. He finally got over the hump in 2021. There was a petition for his dismissal as coach following the pandemic-shortened 2020 season but he had his contract restructured and came back.

The team was full of superstars that led Michigan in 2021 and 2022 to the playoff. The losses to Georgia and Texas Christian hurt but Michigan was hungry to win it all in 2023. NCAA violations that happened during the COVID dead recruiting period sidelined Harbaugh and other coaches but the interim guys were ready to fill their shoes. Michigan last won the title in 1997 when they were co-national champions with Nebraska. Cornerback Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy that year.

I am just starting into the 2023 season and will write more at certain points. Reading about the Harbaugh era Michigan teams, I’m reminded of how the past year went for me. My 2023 was a lot like ‘21 and ‘22 Michigan. It was a good year and I had success but I came up short. 2023 was like a bridge year for me. 2020 to 2022 for me was a lot like the Steelers seasons of the late 90s and 2000. Mediocrity and regression. For me there was also fleeting interest in my old job before things eventually went downhill.

More on this in my next blog.

This isn’t my first book on Michigan football as I’ve read other books about the program. I’m not a Michigan fan either so Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State fans can rejoice. I just like reading about teams that are successful.

Today was Homecoming at my alma mater, Slippery Rock University. While it’s no longer a tradition for me as it used to be, I still like today I’m in my homecoming era. I remember for so many years I got up early and made that drive up Interstate 79, arriving early and finding a good spot for the parade. The themes for Homecoming week were always awesome, whether I was in school or long after I graduated. My first year when I was a student they went with a Hollywood theme. A year later, they went with an ’80s theme and I remember seeing some of my friends in legwarmers. I met Dennis Haskins during Homecoming week. You might remember him as the principal from Saved by the Bell.

The Slippery Rock marching band always did a great job in the parade, marching up Franklin onto Main Street and onto campus. They also put together a hell of a performance at halftime during the football game. The show always ranked up there with the homecoming court being announced. I always stopped in the alumni house and had a muffin and something to drink, and I always took plenty of pictures. I got my meal ticket and ate in the alumni tent while enjoying some music from the DJ.

The Homecoming tradition began in my first year as a student in the Fall of 2003 and continued long after I graduated. I went my first year after college and that was a red flag as I should have been getting established at Kings. I missed a few years due to other trips I was taking (Virginia in 2011, Disney in 2015) and could have benefitted from missing a few other years too. Nevertheless, I attended for many years reminisicing about the good old days and hoping to recreate some of those memories. Before I got into the blog and began my fashion journey, I was pining to go back to school for another degree. Even if it was a different field and not worrying about the debt I’d have to pay back, I wanted a do over because early on, I felt like I had a bad experience in school.

My late teens and 20s were like that, as I dealt with anxiety and it got the best of me. I experienced meltdowns and got uptight, but I digress. Back to being in my HOCO era.

While at homecoming, I always paid a visit to the SRU bookstore and came home with a bag full of merch. A ROCK sweatshirt or a t-shirt, a water bottle, and some other fun stuff. I still have my Slippery Rock coffee mug upstairs collecting dust as well as a sweatshirt amongst my Gilmore Girls attire and Old Navy rib knits. A piece of the ROCK still lives in me, even 20 years after gracing the campus with my presence. I still have the book on the school’s history autographed by the author and former VP of Student Life, Dr. Robert Watson.

The Slippery Rock homecoming tradition was retired in 2018, as it had run its course. It was the end of my homecoming era Soon after, I started this blog and began my journey. I attended a Toastmasters event in 2019 in place of Homecoming and dealt with 2020 in all its social distancing and masking glory. Fading interest in my old job, cobbled with COVID restrictions and other changes in my life slowed me down in 2020 and 2021. But I’ve since emerged from the ashes and continue to do well for myself.

Brace yourself, the (End of) Eras blogs are coming as are the five year reflection blogs.

2019 was, to say the least, one heck of a year. It was a year of achievement, new traditions, and a time to say goodbye. Five years ago, I worked some crazy nights at my job as well. If you’ve known me since late 2021, you know I work overnights at Giant Eagle. If you knew me before then, I worked at WIS and traveled long distance to count other stores’ merchandise.

In my 13 years of doing inventory, it was very rare that I worked evenings, much less overnight. Only a few times I pulled off this feat before it became regular to me. Most of these occurred in 2018 and 2019. Either it was a JCPenney or Target (the bigger of these stores would be scheduled at night while the smaller ones ran in the morning). One of my most memorable overnight events occurred on this day five years ago. It was the Target in East Liberty. Mom and I passed this store many times when we would go to Children’s Hospital to visit Benny.

We started a few hours earlier than we usually do. Most Target stockrooms began at 6pm with the sales floor starting a few hours later. This one was a 4pm start. I didn’t have the luxury of a five minute drive as I do now and I wasn’t finishing after eight and a half hours. I could leave when the store was done. It was supposed to be an easy night, but no night at WIS was ever easy. It became the longest night and I almost walked out that night because of how shitty it was. The sales floor was a mess and the stockroom was packed. I didn’t expect it to be THIS bad. Eight hours in and we were nowhere near being done. Can you say train wreck?

I wondered if I was even going to make it to my Fall Symposium the next morning? This is the Toastmasters event that replaced our Fall conference and this was the year that I retired my SRU Homecoming tradition (for now, at least). As bad as it was, there was eventually light at the end of the tunnel. The event came to an end around 7:30 AM. I was allowed to leave since I drove separate and I rejoiced with Wheeling as their van and my car were finally headed home. Yes, I did get to attend my Toastmasters event the next day, in case you were curious.

The Marathon Target that night ranks up there with many other Targets than ran long in 2019. We finally set it right the next year and they all ran in the morning (the ones that did go that weren’t wiped out by COVID). My last Target with WIS was October 8, 2021, in the North Hills. Let me not forget the 14 hour JCPenney at Century III where we had no A/C and I ran back and forth to the water fountain to stay hydrated. That store and the iconic mall no longer exist. I had back to back 11 hour nights in May of 2019 with a Target and JCPenney dragging on. While I’m no stranger to overnight now, back then this was a culture shock.

I’m all ready for Sunday and I will be bringing boxed coffee and boxed hot chocolate to the picnic. The forecast calls for rain but we will have a great time regardless. What I’m not going to bring is self-doubt about my journey, or a chip on my shoulder as I did in 2021. I’m going to enjoy myself and look forward to seeing everyone.

Roll out the red carpet! It was a great night at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters and, it was my first time attending in-person since August. I missed the last meeting as I was spending time with the Johnstown Toastmasters club. Since summer turned to Fall, the parking lot was a little busier with things going on at the community center, in addition to our meeting. We had three speakers, some guests, and a wonderful time was had by all. We’re growing the club and we have a great agenda planned for our next meeting on October 22.

Our three speakers had great topics to share. Ryan talked about the joys of being a father. Andrea spoke on raising the bar, and discussed how we are influenced by alcohol, either through commericals, social media, or at sporting events. Sharon’s sister, Jennifer, gave her ice breaker speech and gave us some inspiring words and some food for thought. I evaluated her ice breaker and just last week at Greensburg Toastmasters I was in the same boat, giving mine as I began my new path. Our area director did her visit Tuesday night, so Greensburg should be seeing her soon (via Zoom).

On Wednesday, I made a rare appearance at Cutie’s (I usually go over the weekend on Sundays). I will likely go again on Saturday since I’ll be at my family picnic this weekend. Sunday is their one year celebration and there will be a market going on as well (across from their cafe in the parking lot). They’re having a staff party today to celebrate their one year anniversary. I got the Maple Cutie latte, complete with maple leaf cookie garnish. If my cousins are looking to go somewhere for coffee on Saturday, I’ll be very happy to mention Cutie’s. I wonder what I’ll drink this time. Next weekend, I’m happy to take a little fall drive to Ligonier if the time allows.

Sunday is the picnic and I volunteered to bring coffee just like I did last year. Since I’ll be en route to the Laurel Highlands, the plan is to stop in South Greensburg or Youngwood to pick up some boxed coffee. I did this last year and it went over very well. If it works well, just keep doing it. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday and catching up, whether it rains or not.

For those of you heading to Fort Ligonier Days or to Slippery Rock for homecoming this Saturday, you enjoy your weekend as well.

Monday night, we celebrated Annabelle’s birthday at EDO Hibachi. Over the last couple of years, I’ve really grown to love this place. Mr. Clougherty has enjoyed it and Aunt Sue did as well when I treated her to a nice birthday lunch last month. It’s that experience of watching your food being made, catching food in your mouth, and seeing the flames rise up from that onion volcano. The chefs here are very talented and don’t mess around when preparing your food.

Once again, I caught the broccoli in my mouth (I batted 1.000 as I did in September) and cleansed my palate with some sake. Annabelle didn’t do as well, but I gave her some of my winnings.

It was Dad’s first time at Hibachi and I wasn’t sure how it would go over. He liked the food but he passed on the veggies and sake, and the chef was very understanding. We all enjoyed our Hibachi. I ordered the shrimp just like last time, and Annabelle got the steak. Dad got chicken. I had a little bit left over for my lunch at work (which I ate at 2:30am). To challenge myself, I’d love to get the hibachi with the filet mignon. We have gone to Texas Road House in the past, and Annabelle did get to go there last week.

Monday night means it’s Halloween Baking night on Food Network. I’ve been watching this show for the last four years and this season is just as good. Since, I don’t have cable I’ve been watching it on the Discovery App on my Roku. Beats sitting through the commercials as well. Since it airs later in the evening and I’m usually getting ready for work, I watch it on Tuesday or Wednesday evening. While I enjoy this show, it’s second to the Holiday Baking Championship which begins in early November. Talented bakers come onto the show to create some masterpieces and a chance to win a grand prize (a lot of money). They are judged by some very experienced celebrity chefs, including Carla Hall. Their fate when they get voted off is all for laughs and isn’t real.

With three weeks left in the competition, things are only going to get more challenging from here on out, but that’s what keeps you watching. I already have two bakers in mind whom I want to see win that grand prize.

The Halloween Baking Championship runs through October 28.

In 2024, Eat’n Park celebrated its 75th anniversary in business. The years have been good for this iconic Pittsburgh institution that has withstood the test of time. Started in 1949 as a drive-in restaurant on Saw Mill Run Boulevard, they‘re a few years ahead of McDonald’s, which was founded in 1955. Eat’n Park has evolved from being a drive-in restaurant to a nice sit down family restaurant, serving comfort food that has been a favorite for generations of customers. So, why not write a book talking about the history of this iconic institution? That’s exactly what one author had in mind.

I went to breakfast one morning in August after getting some bloodwork done. Fasting for 12 hours, I was happy to have somewhere close by so I could eat some breakfast. The place for smiles was right across the road from where I was so I was definitely eating there. I enjoyed my first meal since the night before. As I was waiting to be seating though, up front were some copies of the book covering Eat’n Park‘s long history. I thought about purchasing the book myself after I ate. Can’t make financial decisions on an empty stomach, however.

I finished up the Harry Potter series at the end of August. I contemplated staying in the fantasy genre and reading Percy Jackson or Lord of the Rings. Then, Kamala Harris announced she was running for President which inspired me to reread her book I bought in 2020. Also, I’d like to finish that book on Barack’s first four years in the White House sometime in my lifetime. Today’s blog, however, is a review about the history of Eat‘n Park, called “The Story Behind The Smile.”

“The Story Behind The Smile” covers Eat’n Park from its humble beginnings to the present day. There are chapters on their involvement in the community, as well as Smiley and some of their other ventures. I’ll be reading about those this week and taking the book to our family picnic next Sunday to show to everyone.

Eat’n Park had ties to another famous Pittsburgh chain, the one with the chipped chopped ham, skyscraper cones, and Klondikes. They also collaborated with Cincinnati-based Frisch’s, home of the Big Boy burger. Those ventures Eat‘n Park was involved with include Parkhurst (which is dining services catered to schools and hospitals) Hello Bistro, and The Porch. I would love to try the other two. In the past, they experimented with a bistro in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Plus, let’s not forget the Park Classic Diner, which was a trip back to yesteryear. Some of their best items were their onion rings, meatloaf, and the Park Party Cake, as well as their milkshakes. When I worked there, you could pick any flavor you wanted. Oh, and I loved playing songs from the jukebox up front and gaining an appreciation for the classic songs that my grandparents enjoyed.

The most recent chapter talked about some of those best selling items and the work that goes into creating them. The author of this book also interviewed my cousin, who is senior director of marketing for Eat’n Park. She was in a few commercials for Eat’n Park too if I recall, including one promoting the new pickup windows when they became a thing. Fun facts: Eat’n Park debuted their Salad Bar in 1975 at their New Castle restaurant and rolled them out a few years later. The pickup window was first introduced at Monroeville in 2008. The headquarters for Eat’n Park is now located in the Waterfront but they used to be located in Robinson Township. That move came in 2000. Also, the Soup and Salad Bar and the Superburger are the restaurant chain’s two best selling orders. I wonder if the Whale of a Cod sandwich would be number three?

Finally, Eat’n Park was my first job and if I were brave enough to cross US 30, I could have walked to work. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. I worked at the Park Classic Diner in Jeannette, formerly an Eat’n Park. If I would have embraced the job and not counted down the days until I went back to college, I could have made it more enjoyable. Would it turn into something? Who knows.

But, alas, the days of being young and dumb.

Thursday night, I embarked on a little road trip to do some birthday shopping for my almost 12 year old niece. She’ll celebrate her birthday next week with a Taylor Swift themed party. While I was buying her present, I added some more Pumpkin Spice flavored foods to my pantry.

Last month took me to Market District in Murrysville where I took advantage of gift cards from my birthday and our work celebration party in August. This time I traveled to Monroeville where I shopped at Target and Giant Eagle. The two stores are next to each other just like at Hempfield, but much bigger.

I had success buying her present and replenishing some food I liked the first time around, like the Pumpkin Spice pretzels since they were so good. I’ll put out some of those Maple cookies and make some Pumpkin cheesecake bars. I also picked up a six pack of October-fest beer 🍺. It’s best to enjoy this as I want to be ready to plan for Thanksgiving by November 1.

Christmas is coming and I spotted some Christmas lights as well as some Christmas vinyl at Target.

Next weekend will be busy as Annabelle will be celebrating her birthday at Karate and enjoying the company of her cousins at the Gaffron Family Fall picnic. Monday is her actual birthday and she want to go to Hibachi for dinner. This week, I’ll continue my Fall coffee tour at Cutie’s as I try a Cherry Pie Chai and Maple Cutie Latte. I’ll go down on Saturday (as opposed to my usual Sunday) as well since I’ll be at the picnic that day. Next Sunday is the one year anniversary for Cutie’s and in the morning there will be a market. I’ll be getting ready for our picnic so I likely won’t be able to make it out. This weekend is a perfect one to be out’n about with the Apple Festival in Delmont and a Gilmore Girls themed event Sunday in Indiana.

Brace yourself. It’s October and that means Fall Foliage pics, sweaters, and leather jackets. It also means end of era blogs are coming. This is the time when events in my life were coming to an end. Some of these were needed for me to make beneficial changes in my life.

It’s also the end of the rewatch episodes for the Office themed podcast, Office Ladies. Jenna and Angela aren’t going anywhere though as the podcast will be retooled and that makes its debut on October 7. Office Ladies debuted on October 16, 2019 with a weekly podcast recapping all the episodes from nine seasons of the popular show. That podcast and the show got most people through 2020 and the pandemic.

Taylor and her fans are in their Eras, I’ll be in my End of Eras this Fall.