Happy Bloggiversary

One year ago this week, I launched my blog (under a different name than what I have it as now). Since then, a lot has happened in my life. In tonight’s blog, I’m going to embellish on some of the big events in my life, how I dealt with my time off from COVID-19, and what I plan to do with this platform in 2021.

In the middle of December, I attended our Winter Toastmasters Training event at Westmoreland County Community College. The blog was just getting started. My District 13 Toastmaster family was already giving me rave reviews for the blog. They encouraged me to stick with it. A couple of days later when I visited Cranberry High Noon, the members were very happy to see me and were excited about the launch of the blog. We all knew that I was going places with this project.

Around the holiday weekend just before New Year’s Eve, I began to get into Gilmore Girls. I watched all seven seasons on Netflix. It really related to me this time aroundy. The series ran during my college years. I didn’t have as much interest for it when it aired on the WB. Now I’m a huge fan of the show and would definitely rewatch the series. Here’s some of my GG merch and some Stars Hollow things I wish I had.

Not everyone met my blog with open arms. A total stranger took it upon herself to criticize my blog and attack me for taking selfies (saying teenage girls only do that). At our makeup training, my Division C Toastmasters family offered me nothing but love and support as I fought this battle. Haters are my motivators. I offered this same encouragement to one of my Instagram friends who just recently went through the same thing herself. You’ll meet her later. Eventually, my cousin had this person reported for repeated harassment of me on social media.

Downtown Greensburg had a grand opening for a store that would have a major impact on me later on this year. On March 6, the Trendy Bunny Studio opened it doors to a packed house. The line to get in stretched all the way back to South Pennsylvania Avenue. The place consisted of three women, three businesses, and big dreams. For a long time, I followed Trendy and another business (Masterspieces) on Instagram and learned about them by following their posts and watching their videos. Eventually we began to share common interests. Alisha and I both love Gilmore Girls. She wanted to be like Lorelai and I wanted to be like Rory.

When COVID hit in March, Trendy was shutdown along with everything else. They were only open a week before being forced to close. But they persevered though it all and reopened in June. This pandemic would teach me to appreciate small businesses and to support my local everything. When I was off work for almost two months, I also began to follow a routine.

Toastmaster Christina Keener presented a speech on April 19 that proved to be very helpful. She gave us five tips for remaining positive and productive during the global pandemic.

The first point she shared was that we need to get outside at least once a day. Of course, we still need to practice social distancing. A great example here involves taking a walk. Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful late April sunshine and drove up to Ligonier.

The second point is we should call at least one friend or relative per day. I prefer texting on going on Facebook (I’m not really a phone person) but I am turning into an old pro with Zoom meetings. I post these blogs and share the link on Facebook so that everyone can see them.

The third point she talked about was that we need to give ourselves something to look forward to. I always look forward to blogging for you guys. I look forward to my visits with my Trendy Bunny friends. Toastmasters meetings are always something to get excited about. In fact I have two visits coming up this week.

The fourth point that Christina highlighted in her speech was that we need to acknowledge our feelings. Let’s face it. Most of us are frustrated, we’re expressing disappointment, sadness, as well as anger.Express feelings of gratitude. Count your blessings and pray. Write down in a journal what you are thankful for. Show appreciation to those people, places, or things whom you took for granted but would give anything to have them back right now.

The fifth and final point that she talked about was something a lot of us aren’t doing right now. Especially if we’re living our lives at home. We need to shower first thing in the morning and put on clean clothes. When you practice this number one tip, you’ll feel better in spite of everything going on in the world. Have a nice outfit ready to go.

This summer, due to COVID-19, was uneventful. Our Cape May trip was cancelled as my family worried we’d bring home symptoms. Therefore, we settled for Erie. It was still fun but nowhere near as fun as the shore. The end of August marked 20 years since I’m started college. Rather than try to relive it all again and again, I felt it was best to just let it go once and for all and leave the past in the past. My walk around HGA on Labor Day Saturday marked the end of an era. Just as last year when I retired my SRU homecoming tradition, so I did the same thing with Johnstown.

Just as I wrapped up my visits to the past, I began to shop small and support my local everything. I attended the Greensburg night market and the first person I met was Kelsey (owner of Wolf and Whisk). I introduced myself and told her that I followed the Trendy Bunny and Masterspieces and was looking forward to visiting them in person. I bought some cookies and a sticker to put on my pink water bottle. I made plans to attend Courtney’s upcoming grand opening the week after night market.

My visit to Masterspieces on Labor Day Friday was awesome. I got to meet Courtney’s family and hooked up once again with Kelsey. She had her sugar cookies there and I would buy a few. We talked about night market and this is when I began to ditch my insecurity. I worried that people would look at me weird because of how I wore my clothes or my bag. But everyone made me feel confident. I made out pretty well that night. The Mister Rogers book and shop local tumbler are still two of my favorite purchases from that night.

My visit to Trendy the next day would be the first of many. I introduced myself to Jen and Lacey and got to know more about the business. We talked about life and I learned that we’re all Hempfield graduates. Soon after, in subsequent visits, I got to meet more of Team Trendy. The girls have all become wonderful friends of mine.

In September, the Trendy Bunny Studio held a blogger event. I read about it on Instagram and while I knew most of Team Trendy (I’d meet Juliet a week later), I got to meet some other new faces and start following their pages and reading their blogs. One of those is Joyfullyyoursamanda, and boy does she have a story to tell. She has had her struggles with depression and isn’t afraid to talk about her mental health. But she started her page to spread joy, and I’m blessed to call her friend, just like I am friends with Team Trendy. Other bloggers include; Tiffany (breakfastattiffanymaries), Vanessa (thebombshellsuite), and Bria (accidental_farmgirl). I hope to meet more of these awesome boss babes and bloggers soon.

I’m going to close off the blog with this. I’m feeling very full this year despite all 2020 has thrown at me. My best Christmas present singer this year has been all these friendships I’ve built.

There’s some things money can’t buy. Friendship is one of them. Big things coming to the blog in 2021.

Have a great Sunday. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.