Oh, How Pinteresting!

No theme this week.  Just randomness.  I'm too preoccupied with a) getting all my work done so I'm not leaving my colleagues with a lot of stuff to do when I'm off on Friday, b) getting our house ready for Oktoberfest, and c) getting rid of this stupid cold that I caught yesterday.  Seriously, guys, my throat is killing me.  And my nose won't stop running.  I am pretty sure I slept for about an hour last night.  Most of the night, I was lying awake, trying not to swallow and cut the hell out of my throat with the razor blades that someone apparently shoved back there. 

So, for purposes of trying not to think too much today, here is just a random smattering of some stuff I pinned recently!

I love that each little tab-thingie (technical term, you know) is more lyrics from the song.  Hysterical.

I knew it!

Nerdy kitty!

So these posters are so freaking awesome, and I really really want one.  The columns that make up the background?  Yeah, those are all the words from the novel.  The entire book is printed on that poster.  How amazing is that?

I am completely in love with this nursery.  I really want to do an "alphabet" theme for my baby shower.  Whenever that happens.

I may have to make our future pregnancy facebook-official with a photo like this.  I just love it.

Link up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple to see lots more pinning!

A Few of My Favorite...

Geez, I have neglected the blog a bit recently.  I realized today I haven't done a 10 Day You in weeks.  And I missed Man-Candy Monday this week (again).  And I haven't done a Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday in weeks, either.  So...this week's




Are just a few of my favorite things.  People, movies, music, sports...whatever. 

Death Cab for Cutie

Friends

So You Think You Can Dance - the Butt Dance!

Batteries Not Included

My Pitt Growl Towel.  I miss being a part of the Panther Pitt

Steelers Football.  Hines Ward.

Michigan Football.  Charles Woodson.

Savion Glover.

If you haven't seen Batteries Not Included, you really should.  It's 80s cheese, but super sweet and a lot of fun.  And you should check out some videos of Savion Glover tap-dancing.  He's amazeballs, you guys.  I got to see him in person in his Broadway show Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, and I was absolutely, totally, completely in awe.  The guy has more talent in his pinkie than I ever could in 25 lifetimes combined.  Have you seen Happy Feet?  That's him doing the taps for Mumble.

The Panther Pitt is what we affectionally call the Student Section at Pitt home games.  I loved going to the games, and I miss it terribly.  Matt and I keep talking about going out for a game, but it just never works with our schedule in the fall. 

And yes, I live in Pennsylvania, grew up surrounded by Penn State fans (blech!), and went to Pitt.  But I am a Michigan football fan.  It hasn't been easy in the past few years, but - hey - we are nothing if not loyal.  Charles Woodson is - hands down - one of the best players to ever grace the field at UM Stadium, if not the game of football.  He's incredible.  Along with Desmond Howard, Jason Avant, Tom Brady, Chad Henne, Braylon Edwards....just to a name a few.  Michigan's produced some pretty stand-out players!

*all photos from my Pinterest

Party Planning

Every year, Matt and I host an Oktoberfest party.  It started the year we moved into our house as a house-warming party.  But since we held it during the traditional Oktoberfest dates, we called it an Oktoberfest party, and we've been doing it ever since.  Except for last year, since we were kind of busy getting married. 

Anyway, I'm already planning away for this year's party.  Now that we're married and grown-up, I'm ready to class it up a bit.  In the past, I've barely decorated, mostly just putting out food and booze and letting our guests take over the house.  This year, I want to make it look pretty.  I want it to scream FALL PARTY. 

So, linking up with Michelle at the Vintage Apple for...




...here are some of my thoughts for this year's Oktoberfest!

I love the thought of these lining the steps into the house, or along our new retaining wall...

Every year, there are a few specific dishes that our guests can count on.  Brats cooked in beer, onion, and pepper.  Soft pretzels (I cheat and buy them from Philly Pretzel Factory).  Corn and olive dip.  Oktoberfest-style beers (which just happen to be my favorite style of all).  Two years ago, I found a recipe for a reuben dip.  I know technically reubens are considered Irish, but since they have saurkraut in them, I consider them part-German.  Like me! 



Reuben dip recipe

It was a huge hit, so I'm definitely adding it to the regular cast of characters.  I usually also make a few desserts, once of which is always Crack(er) Cookies, which are easy, cheap, and addictive.  And somewhere in there, I throw in a pumpkin-themed recipe.  Usually a dessert, like two years ago I made pumpkin brownies.  I wasn't too impressed with them, though, so I'm looking for a new recipe.  I just might put out this dip.

Pumpkin Fluff recipe

So that's it!  Our Oktoberfest party in a nutshell.  I can't wait to host it again this year!

*all images from my Pinterest

More Randomness

Yippee!  It's Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!




I'm going to subject you to more of my randomness.  I surely hope you don't mind, dear readers.

Remember I mentioned I've been fantasizing about redoing our kitchen?  This is the kitchen I've put together in my head.

except in turquoise.  i have a new-found obsession with turquoise.

I need a friend to have a baby soon so I can get a cake like this.

I am in love with this nursery.  And this rug.  Not that they really go together.  But, they kind of do...

Is it wrong that I want to hang this in my office?

Last but not least, can you name all the movies quoted in this poster?

Link up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple!  Have fun with it!

*all images from my Pinterest

Social Work is Pinteresting

In many ways, it feels like "Oh my God, it's only Wednesday?!  Could this week be any slower?"  But then I opened up my blogger dashboard and there was Michelle at the Vintage Apple with this week's Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday.  What?!  It's Pinterest day already!? 




I've had a long week so far, and I feel like it's just going to continue that way.  Saturday night is the full moon.  It is a well-known fact among hospital workers (and probably mos mental health workers) that full moons bring out the crazy in people.  Already this week, I have had 3 psych placements.  And we're still 4 days from the actual full moon!  Psych placements are a problem not because you have to deal with patients who are psychotic and/or depressed and/or suicidal.  The patients I can handle.  It's the bureaucratic bullshit that it takes to get them placed.  Getting a note from a psychiatrist that includes a full mental status exam and the 5-Axis diagnosis.  Calling the insurance company, speaking to a live person, and obtaining an authorization, within 24-hours of when that psychiatry note was completed.  Finding an available bed at the appropriate level of care.  Arranging transportation.  AND, if the patient is being involuntarily committed, getting all of this done within a reasonable timeframe so that we don't have to take the case to court and get the committment extended.  [In Pennsylvania, an initial involuntary committment, called a 302, is for 72 hours.  After that, you either have the patient agree to treatment (a 201) or you have to take it to court to get it extended, which is then a 303 and lasts for 5 days.] 

It's time-consuming and annoying.  Yesterday, I spent probably 7 hours of my day doing all of that for 2 patients.  One did not get approval from the insurance company until 5pm, at which point it was too late to look for a bed.  The other ended up not having any insurance after all, and we had to have him cleared for discharge to home.  It is an incredibly frustrating feeling to spend 7 hours doing something, and have it all go to shit. 

Anyway, in light of that, and in light of my post last week about how proud I am to be a social worker, this week's pins are all about my career.

First some funny ones.  Because, really, if you can't laugh at this stuff sometimes, it'll drag you down...

Now, here is what social work is about...

And finally, this isn't about social work per se, but Jane Addams basically invented social work, so here's a nod to her...

Link up and join the pinning good times!

*all images from my Pinterest

If Only...

I wasn't completely incapable of losing weight...

Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies

I had all the time and money in the world...
 

Tiramisu Trifles

I had a pinky-full of real talent in the kitchen...

Guinness Cake with Whiskey Caramel Icing

I would love to spend my days making amazing creations like these.  Desserts are just...

Well, you know, it's funny.  I don't usually order dessert when I'm out.  I rarely eat dessert at home.  But seeing pictures like this might make a convert out of me yet. 

S'mores in a bowl

I mean, really...who could resist this?

Red Velvet Crepes

Linking up once again for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!




*all images from my Pinterest.  Click the caption to see the recipe for each picture.