Everyone has their own New Year’s traditions that they take part in.

For some, it might be taking the polar bear plunge in the freezing cold Monongahela River. Others may go to the movies (of course this was a pre-COVID activity) or sit at home and watch the many bowl games that air on ESPN and FOX.

I’ve had my own special New Year’s Day traditions past and present that I’ll post here, as well as a preview of more content that will be coming to the blog.

I started a new tradition for January 1 (well technically, I did it today the 2nd). Last year, I went to Tanger Outlets in Washington and shopped around. I did buy a couple of charms for my Coach purses but other than that it was rather uneventful. It’s so much easier to buy stuff online than to find it in store in this day and age, isn’t it? I also went to Primanti’s for New Year’s Day lunch, before heading up north on US Route 19 (Washington Road) to find deals at South Hills Village. Other than going to ULTA, it didn’t feel like I had a good time. Perhaps I was not feeling the love for my non binary journey as I did in 2021.

Today’s lunch at the Greensburg Primanti’s brought to light past New Year’s Day traditions. When I was in high school, we would go out for lunch somewhere in Monroeville and then go to Borders (which has since closed) to spend our gift cards and our Christmas money. We always came away with shopping bags full of books and CD’s. Great memories were made back then but things changed over time. We got older and became adults and moved our New Year’s Day adventures to a more local destination: Greensburg and Barnes and Noble. Still fun but nothing like our trips to Borders and Monroeville Mall. Sad that the company is no longer in existence. Fun fact: My mom worked for Waldenbooks in the late 70s into the ’80s. They were a subsidiary of Borders Group. Both companies were owned by K-Mart

Aunt Sue and I started the tradition for a few years of going to see a movie on New Year’s Day. I remember 2014 when we went and saw Frozen and 2016 when we saw Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. Both films were big box office hits. Frozen 2, the sequel came out in November of 2019. In 2017 and 2019, I drove out past Pittsburgh and shopped in Robinson at the Mall at Robinson and at Settlers Ridge. I always made a trip to Barnes and Noble as well as JCPenney while I was there. One year I ate lunch at the Central Diner and Grille. I definitely recommend this place if you’re in the area.

I’m wiping the slate clean after an uneventful 2022 that saw me question my life choices, try to let go of the past, and learn to love myself. My New Yorker from Primanti’s was awesome. I got some ideas for what I want to purchase with my gift cards and, I bought some classics at Barnes and Noble.

This holiday season has been a big improvement over the last two and I’m excited to see what 2023 has in store.

And with that, 2023 begins. But let’s look back at this past holiday season so I can catch you up.

Excuse me as I experiment with fonts for my blog posts.

In November, just before Thanksgiving, I celebrated my one year anniversary with Giant Eagle. It’s a blessing being so close to home after traveling to other stores for 13 years to do inventory. I took a week off not long after Thanksgiving and it was my first paid vacation in over 15 years. That dates back to my Kings days. Fun fact: I’ve been employed by three Pittsburgh-based companies going back to 2004.

While on my week off, I visited Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters; finally put my Aristicuts gift card to good use that I got for my 40th birthday; visited my aunt in Somerset and had lunch with her; went to Ligonier to hang out in the Diamond, and; did my Christmas shopping in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Overall, it was a complete week off for me. However, next year’s week off will be warmer as I use it to go to Delaware for my summer vacation in June. Is it summer yet?

I heard lots of Christmas music and played some of my favorites over and over. “The Christmas Waltz” was a favorite of Gramma Gaffron’s during the Holidays. I also played “This Christmas” by 98 Degrees a lot. I even played that often overplayed Mariah Carey Christmas album with that often overplayed song that gets so much airplay on the radio. Fun fact: The Backstreet Boys released their first Christmas album this past Fall and it’s the first one to feature a cover of “Same Auld Lang Syne” originally performed by the late Dan Fogelberg. I actually. It’s liked it. It’s a break from the overplayed Christmas tunes you hear on WISH 99.7 and 3WS (94.5).

We got hit with some bitter cold air just before Christmas and the situation turned tragic in Buffalo with blizzard conditions wreaking havoc. We got off easy in Pittsburgh but it was more frigid than snowy. You could complain but many more folks had it way worse than we did. My cousin came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve (actually they went to the Holiday Inn Express in Greensburg above the shopping center since they were celebrating Christmas with us). That was a great present right there.

My Christmas 2022 went a lot more smoother than Christmas 2021. No one was sick. I got some great gifts including gift cards for Old Navy and Target, JCPenney and DQ, as well as Amazon. I would have risked COVID last year to celebrate Christmas with my adopted family. We extended our Christmas into New Year’s Eve as we opened presents at Aunt Sue’s holiday celebration. I got the Queer Eye book from Aunt Sue, as well as a laptop from Katie and Brendan so I would be able to blog more. I also got complemented on my style from my cousins and was told I was “slaying it”.

I didn’t get out much in 2022, so I want to do that more in 2023. More coffee dates are on the horizon even if they’re with myself. I plan to do more restaurant reviews and that includes one for Guy Fieri’s restaurant in Westmoreland Mall located inside the Casino. Look for more food reviews, as well as fashion as I pick out my outfit of the day and look fab. These will be more abundant. There are other topics that will be discussed as well.

I hope to make it out to more Toastmaster events in 2023. With my new laptop and the purchase of a webcam it’ll be easier to sit in on more virtual meetings. I’m making plans to attend the District 13 conference in the Spring as well as club officer training in June (the latter will be before or after I get back from vacation).

I’m excited to go to the beach for the first time since 2018 (ah, pre-COVID). As Spring and my trip gets closer, I want to buy some nice accessories and outfits perfect for the shore. We’ll be going to Delaware this time but I’ll still highlight Cape May in some of my upcoming posts this Spring because I’ve gone there in the past for vacation.

So far that’s what I have in terms of planning for 2023. No matter what’s on the agenda, it’ll be a better year than 2022 was (no matter what happens).

What will make 2022 better than 2023? More self love and who better to inspire me than this quote from culture/lifestyle expert Karamo Brown of Queer Eye fame?

And with that, 2022 has come to an end.

Enter 2023.

Just hours into the new year, things already felt different for me. I guess letting it go, leaving it in the past, and wiping the slate clean really does help.

I don’t expect 2023 to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination. While I want to continue to love myself and be confident in my own skin, I also want to make room for mishaps, mistakes, and continue to grow.

Believe it or not, I’ve been blogging on this platform for almost five years. I started out as the Slippery Rock Toastmaster in the second half of 2018. That title was way past dated and I figured it’d need to be changed at some point. After regularly posting at the end of 2019, I changed the title to the Stylish Traveling DTM as that title seemed more appropirate and up to date.

While 2019 started rough and ended well, I was confident that the new year would be just as great. We all know what happened in 2020. I was posting regularly in the first half of the year and then fell off after. The first half of 2021 felt the same before I got on a kick from Summer onward. It felt like a complete year with a lot that happened. You can read about the top ten from that year in some of the previous blogs that I posted on this site.

I expected 2022 to be more of the same as I had goals to grow this blog and make it to 400 blog posts at some point in the year. I regressed completely and maybe that’s what needed to happen for me to grow the platform this coming year.

I was getting settled into my new job late in 2021 and that temporarily stalled my progress plus I didn’t hear much from my biggest supporter. Giant Eagle is an LGBTQ friendly company but I wanted to get established in my new job before I got back on the non binary train. With my parents dead set against me living my best life, worried it would lead to teasing and ridicule, I almost gave it all up last Spring.

We went to the annual Fourth of July picnic at the Gaffron farm and after breaking down to my cousin who was very supportive of my gender nonconforming journey, I decided to keep on going. I didn’t realize how many family members I had pulling for me that day. Just needed my purse and a scrunchie that day to really show off my beauty.

I discovered Queer Eye on Netflix and fell in love with the Fab Five. I love Jonathan Van Ness for his style and Antoni Porowski for his love of cooking, but Karamo Brown wins the internet because I’d love to sit down and talk with him about anything on my mind. I still doubt he’d change my parents’ minds but my mom is starting to turn a corner. She bought me a pride sweatshirt for Christmas. Man’s a licensed psychotherapist so he’s definity legit.

There was a lot of bad and ugly to 2022 with the war between Russia and Ukraine, plus $5 a gallon for gas. I was having trouble shaking the past while trying to embrace my new job and I still do sometimes but the present is starting to win out. 2022 was the year without a church home not so much because of my schedule at Giant Eagle but more because of my non binary standing and not feeling like I’d be welcome. Mama Tammye, a nominee from season two of Queer Eye, has been in this boat too being a strong woman of faith in God and having a son who came out as gay.

While 2022 was dramatic with the crazy gubernatorial and senate races in Pennsylvania, my cousin’s health issues, and frigid temperatures that did give us a White Christmas, it was neither a good year nor a bad year for me. The step back was a good thing and now I’m ready to get out and be confident in my own skin in 2023. Don’t want to say too much as I’ll post more of what’s to come in tonight’s blog.

As I look back on 2022 there’s as much to take from this year and maybe that’s a good thing. Sometimes you need things to be calmer. 2021 was exciting even though we were still in the midst of a global pandemic and still are in 2022.

Some of the best things to come out (no pun intended) of last year were Rob and Sara’s wedding, our Gaffron Family Reunion, my 40th birthday, and taking a new position at Giant Eagle after a long run of traveling and doing inventory with WIS International.

2022 centered on getting accustomed to Giant Eagle, not being sure if coming out was the right thing (I later identified as non-binary), and celebrating Annabelle’s 10th birthday. I fought mental health issues and depression in 2022, and I experienced changes in my workplace.

It was a crazy election season in Pennsylvania as the senate and gubernatorial races really heated up. I knew who I was voting for but I still had the scars from past presidential elections still polarizing me. Luckily my candidates came out on top but those who voted for the other person running I hope I can find some middle ground with.

2022 saw me finally embrace Giant Eagle and let go of my old job (it wasn’t easy but it’s hard when you’re near and dear to the place). We finally got to attend in person events in Toastmasters again. I realized that I didn’t need everyone’s approval and learned to love myself.

Here’s a look at what shaped my 2022. Look for my top ten starting Monday.

January (IceFest in Ligonier with Rae, Sara, and Rob; watching Stepbrothers and eating tacos afterwards).

February (joining Laurel Highlands Toastmasters; getting selected for jury duty)

March (attending Division contests for my Toastmasters District; I became a fan of the Office)

April (learning foreign languages through Duolingo; I started with Spanish and now I’m learning French, Italian, and German)

May (being unsure of my decision to come out; searching for a church no matter their views or how LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 friendly they were; struggling with my mental health; the start of changes at work)

June (attending my first in person District 13 TLI since December 2019; overturning of Roe v. Wade—a very sad day for our country)

July (Fourth of July picnic at the farm; breaking down to family about my nonconformity; learning to love myself and be proud of my sexuality)

August (Night Crew Team Member Appreciation dinner; we had a nice feast and our crew members were each given a gift bag with treats in it).

September (We met our new Store Leader; I discovered Queer Eye on Netflix and began to really relate to the Fab Five).

October (Annabelle’s 10th birthday; Gaffron Family Reunion; Kenny Pickett’s first start as Steelers quarterback)

November (Election Day and the crazy senate and gubernatorial races; one year Giant Eagle anniversary; a nice Thanksgiving dinner at home)

November 10 marked the grand reopening of the new Market District store in Murrysville. Once a longtime Giant Eagle, the company made plans to repurpose its store and started the construction in the summer.

Our store in Hempfield took in some of the employees who were displaced from the Murrysville location over the summer. We got news on how the remodeling was going and my mom and I looked forward to checking out the new location when it opened in the Fall. Luckily, it has had its grand reopening before shoppers would begin shopping for their Thanksgiving meals and Christmas baking.

I am no stranger to Market District, having frequented the South Hills and Robinson locations on multiple occasions. I’ve gone there while Christmas shopping to buy gift cards and have fallen in love with how much bigger these stores are than the normal size Giant Eagles. These are two of the larger-size locations (I haven’t been in the others yet). Murrysville is smaller in size but caters to that demographic. Now here’s a little backstory on the company.

In 2005, those who consider themselves foodies in the company set out on a mission to create a truly memorable, dynamic food shopping experience. It would be the ultimate in food fun, exploration, innovation and LOVE, a place where you could find exciting, new products, learn about cooking and dine with delight — the kind of place food lovers longed to shop. From that passion and knowledge for all-things epicurean, a food shopping, cooking and dining destination unlike any other was born.

The first Market District store in Pittsburgh opened in 2006 in Shadyside. The chain quickly expanded throughout Western Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in 2015, Market District opened its first store in Indiana. That’s 13 Market Districts, plus one Market District Express in the outer South Hills of Pittsburgh — a smaller version of the signature shopping and dining concept. Market District’s dedication to deliciousness dates back to 1931, when their parent company, Giant Eagle, Inc., was founded in Pittsburgh, PA.

There are six locations in the Pittsburgh area, with four in the northeastern part of Ohio near Cleveland (go Browns) and two in Columbus (go Buckeyes 🌰) plus one in Indiana near Indianapolis. The Pittsburgh locations include Shadyside, South Hills, Robinson, Pine Township, Fox Chapel, and Murrysville.

My first visit to the new store was good. I walked the store and checked it out. Starbucks is up front as you walk into produce. There’s a seating area for people to do their work or eat. The store is like a regular Giant Eagle but has more of an emphasis on artisan food. I did my grocery shopping there while I visited. I’ll definitely be back and I know my mom will enjoy it. If I have a favorite location, I definitely like the bigger Robinson or South Hills stores.

Tuesday marked a big milestone for me as I celebrated one year working at Giant Eagle. It was a welcome change to get a job five minutes away from home after making a living traveling (sometimes three hours away) to count inventory.

I worked Tuesday morning so we celebrated in the wee hours. It’s been a little hard to break away from the routine and forget the WIS life sometimes. I’ve taken a lot of memories, good and bad, from that job. In my next year with Giant Eagle, I want to devote more time to growth, continuing to excel at my job, and staying away from the gossip. The latter is what has made this job stand out for me.

Just before I started my new job at Giant Eagle, the week of Thanksgiving was spent filling out paperwork with the HR rep for our store (fun fact: he also worked at the Kings I used to work at). I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and enjoyed light up night in Ligonier. I also did my training Black Friday morning, which consisted of computer work, and learned how to use the time clock. I looked at my schedule after finishing my training and warmed up my car on a chilly day after Thanksgiving. I came home to my house being decorated for Christmas.

Just before starting the job, I talked with my second Momma, Paula Mason, on how things were going in my life. I told her about Giant Eagle and that I was working overnights. She told me I have to have Mason blood in me to do well working late nights. She told me that she was blessed to call me family and that I was one of them.

Monday after Thanksgiving was my first night at Giant Eagle. I survived the first week of working late nights, as well as Christmas. I went through changes in management and new hires. I told them all about how I was non-binary and they accepted me. I learned how to break down the orders and know what aisle everything goes in. I also enjoyed a steak dinner that our store leader put together to thank us for all the hard work we put in.

Here’s to Year 2 with Giant Eagle and more success.

Well, I finally did it. I tried my first Gobblerito. You know what? It was really good. It was my preview to what should be a great Thanksgiving holiday. My aunt drove down from Somerset to try it with me and she enjoyed it too. I finished mine while she didn’t.

Mad Mex is a local chain with nine stores in the Pittsburgh region. Canonsburg, Cranberry, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Robinson, Scott Township, Shadyside, and the Waterworks. We ate at the Monroeville location inside Miracle Mile Shopping Center. They also have two other locations in Erie and Willow Grove.

It didn’t take us long to order our drinks and food. The menu had a lot of great options but we were here for one thing and one thing only… the Gobblerito. I had a 12 oz Cranberry Margarita frozen with salt on the rim. In addition to our food, we also had free chips with guacamole on the side.

This wasn’t my first go around with Mad Mex. I ate at the Robinson Township location back in March following a Toastmasters Speech Contest.

The atmosphere was very relaxing and well-lit for middle of the afternoon. We had excellent service and the food and drinks were reasonably priced. I got my money’s worth on both. The decor was nice and made the place stand out. There’s an outdoor area which obviously wasn’t going to be used on day like Thursday but it’s perfect for the warmer days which we’ll have to wait until next year to experience.

As for the Gobblerito, it was a win-win.

Grade: A+

One year ago today marked the end of an era. I traveled a lot in my 13 year WIS career and built some great friendships and made some great memories. My last inventory was the Rite Aid in Rochester, in Beaver County, not far from Monaca and Beaver Valley Mall.

It was nice to end my storied WIS career with a store that I knew, equipment that I was familiar with, and a crew that was like family. That drive home was bittersweet as I made my way down 376, past the Airport and Robinson (the latter where I worked many times over the years)

I would be hired by Giant Eagle just a few days later. I got the call while out for a drive and I was on top of the mountain on US 40. A few days later I signed the papers and was officially hired.

The weekend prior I was introduced to my first Friendsgiving.

My “sister” Sara invited me to the Friendsgiving celebration she was having at her house. While I didn’t have to bring anything, I made pumpkin bread. It was a small crowd but enough for it to be the perfect Friendsgiving.

We ate some nontraditional food which Peppermint Patty would have balked at. The amazing Friendsgiving spread consisted of spaghetti with vodka sauce, stuffed peppers, potatoes, all types of green vegetables (spinach, asparagus, and broccoli to be exact), and biscuits. The earlier appetizers included a vegetable tray and chips and guacamole. We also had plenty to drink, including some mimosas.

I regret not getting pictures of the amazing smorgasbord of food that Rob and Sara put together. I played Cards Against Humanity with Sara, Rae, and Shannon. I never played it before and it was a lot of fun. Sara and I enjoyed ourselves even though we lost bad to Rae and Shannon.

Unfortunately, Rae took her pie home with her, which irked us because we really wanted some. However, my pumpkin bread more than made up for the loss of said pie. The bread was a hit, but we were dying for pie.

Before we wrapped up the night, we all walked over to the Johnstown Incline. We got a breathtaking view of downtown and the lights really looked pretty. Sara told me how grateful she was for my friendship over the years.

Sara reached out to me on Instagram about another Friendsgiving celebration this Sunday. I’m not certain I’ll be able to attend because of my work schedule, but I did promise her I’d FaceTime her if that’s the case. Her and Rob recently moved to Pittsburgh from Johnstown as he got a new job. Sara left the banking profession (she was previously with First Commonwealth) and is at Sephora now as a beauty expert (not sure of the exact title). I follow her store on Instagram and she seems to be enjoying her new job and the city. She’s my fashionable sister and I think this is a perfect job for her.

No matter how much we see each other, we’ll always be family.

.

It’s mid-November and the holiday season is upon us. I’m currently listening to Christmas music even though Thanksgiving isn’t for 9 more days. I usually start listening the day after Halloween with even a few sneak perks before.

2022 has seen me adjust to life at Giant Eagle after 13 years traveling and doing inventory. I’ve struggled with depression as we’re still dealing with the effects from COVID. I’m still wondering if coming out as “non” was the right choice. It’s a year where I introduced myself to podcasts and the Office, as well as enjoying the company of the Fab Five and Queer Eye. I’m without a church home for the first time in a long time and don’t know when I’ll go back. 2022 to me has felt like most people’s 2020.

All lamenting aside though, it’s time to unveil my 2022 Christmas list. I may be 41 but still have that Christmas spirit and I still believe. You’ll be reading about my favorite Christmas music as well as my favorite movies as we get closer to the beginning of Sparkle season. But for now it’s time to give Santa 🎅 my Christmas list. I’ll update as more things come to mind.

I could always use a travel mug for my coffee. Yeti is a popular brand as is Contigo. I love a good pastel color. I have a lot of water bottles in my possession so I’m good there.

I could use some warm socks for those cold winter days when I want to go for a walk, as well as some hiking boots.

A skin care gift set would be perfect. Target, JCPenney, and Kohl’s carry them as I’m sure ULTA does too. I’m thinking something like Burt’s Bees 🐝

I’m interested in the book Love Yourself: Love Your Life which is by the Fab Five of Queer Eye. I really do enjoy that show.

Not sure about clothes but that’s what gift cards are for. I like Old Navy, JCPenney, and Target. Also Amazon is perfect.

Food gift cards are great too. I’d love a Dairy Queen gift card since I found that one on 711 four minutes from where I meet for Laurel Highlands Toastmasters. Also a nice sit down restaurant gift card would be nice too. Olive Garden 🍝 🍷 or Red Lobster 🦞 would hit the spot.

It’s a reach but this Michael Kors set I found on their website over the weekend is so cute. A three in one tote bad which comes with two smaller purses perfect for going to the store and out for coffee. It’s so perfect and it comes in three colors but I’d definitely want it in pink.

But the one thing that I really want for Christmas that money can’t buy is the gift of community. I love Queer Eye and their Fab Five (hard to choose a fave but I’d love to get a cup of coffee with Karamo or eat an Italian meal made by Antoni sometime). These guys know what it’s like to feel left out and feel rejected for who they love. I wish I had more of a community of people who’d compliment me for being me. I only hear it every so often and I’d love to hear it a little more so I know I’m changing the world and being an inspiration to someone who really needs it.

That brings to mind how I broke down to Emily at the picnic at the Gaffron farm on the Fourth of July. She listened and understood and told me how beautiful I am and I definitely needed to hear that.

2020 was a White Christmas but because of COVID it was a sad Christmas. That and it would be our last holiday in my Grandma’s old house. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to and everyone was in a bad mood and fighting. Last year was too warm and too wet and I’d have rather spent it with my adopted family than my own. Just like Friendsgiving.

For the first time since 2019, it’s shaping up to be a great Christmas.

2022 has seen plenty of downtime for this blog. For me it’s been a combination of not having motivation, lack of interesting content, and not enough time in the day. My interest in Duolingo, playing my Switch, and reading also taken my attention away. But not to worry, because I’m not giving up this blog and 2023 will be a huge comeback year for this platform.

The blog has had a Stylish name for most of its existence. That will change once again. I’m thinking that the Fab Blog has a nice ring to it. My topics will range from Fashion and Food, to feeling festive (the holidays are coming) as well as Fitness and Finance. My restaurant blogs have been a big hit in the past, so you’ll see plenty of those. I have one coming next week as I’ll be going to Mad Mex to try the Gobblerito before it goes away after Thanksgiving.

We’re going to celebrate my one year anniversary at Giant Eagle next week as well as talk about the new Market District which opened yesterday in Murrysville. I plan on going out there before Thanksgiving. I’ll share my Christmas list for 2022, including the one thing I want that money can’t buy. I’ll also be sharing my top ten favorite Christmas songs as some holiday memories. Thirteen days to go until Thanksgiving.