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.

You may have noticed the lack of content from the blog this year. However, that doesn’t mean I’m at all giving up on writing. Here’s what is keeping me from my passion project.

1) I only have my phone to work from and the app limits me from what I really want to do with this platform. After talking with my cousin at our family reunion a few weeks ago, I am going to purchase a Chromebook which should help me get more content out. It’ll also be nice to have for those times when I want to attend Toastmasters meetings virtually.

2) I feel that sometimes my life is too simple to blog about. If I can be real for a minute, my life is not that interesting, or at least I think that. Coming out as “non-binary” brought some spark into my life but I feel as if I’m doing this alone most days. I almost gave up doing this but after hearing how much I inspired my friends and family, I’ve decided to keep it going. Beauty is about loving yourself, not caring about what others think.

3) I’ve spent 2022 feeling somewhat depressed. Maybe it’s because I’m no longer at a job I was familiar with for 13 years, or because I don’t feel I get the support I do for living my gender nonconforming life the way I do. Maybe it’s 2020 showing up a few years late, or it’s this crazy senate and gubernatorial race in PA. I know who I’m voting for. But it’s started to lift as I’ve learned to love myself and embrace my beauty. I’ll keep it going and look forward to a fun 2023.

One year later we look back at my final days working for WIS International as it merged with RGIS. What would the future hold for me? Would I stay on with the Traditional side or eventually transfer over to Dollar with everyone else? Or would I leave the company after a dozen years and start anew? Decisions decisions.

Before I look back on my final days at WIS, I need some context as to when the news of the merger broke and the events leading up to the breakup of our office.

It’s June 2021 and we are in West Mifflin. We finished the inventory for one of the many Targets we counted in the Pittsburgh market. The bosses and our supervisors were talking about news of the merger between WIS and its biggest competitor, RGIS, as the former bought out the latter. It was the biggest news for the company in over 15 years (when Washington and Western merged to form WIS).

For most of the summer, everything remained quiet. By September was when the rumblings began. People began to learn their assignments and if they would be counting big box stores or dollar stores. For me, I would be one of the few who would be going over to the traditional side.

Our last day as office 3609 was emotional and the end of an era. We were breaking up into a new team. For me I was losing my family and support system (I had come out as non in 2021 and wasn’t sure how the new crew would react to my sexuality). But there would be hope.

I began my short lived Traditional career with a Shop n Save in Penn Hills and an easy Pharmacy in Homewood. The inconsistent hours and travel had gotten to me and I knew I couldn’t make the next day’s Lowe’s in DuBois.

I got to experience CVS and that was the one bright shining moment in my tenure. The twilight of my WIS career would include Rite Aids with familiar equipment and even more familiar faces.

The first week was rough but I survived. I also put in applications to work at Goodwill that week and gave some thought to applying at Giant Eagle.

The second week saw me attend Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters and have lunch with some friends afterwards at Chen’s. Next day I made plans to attend the red carpet event for the new Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club at the Carnegie Library in Connellsville. I put in my applications at Giant Eagle, did a video interview, and did an in person interview at Giant Eagle.

I also made plans for Friendsgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving with my sisters.

The third and final week put me on those Rite Aids I knew well. Plus it was all WIS, no RGIS assists like last week. The penultimate inventory for me was in Mount Pleasant and Zach ran it. Nice to be close to home. My final inventory would be in Rochester (PA) with Maura.

I was on the phone doing an interview with a Giant Eagle recruiter and scheduling an interview for Goodwill in North Versailles. I also drove up to Eastgate Giant Eagle. I didn’t have an interview that day but I chatted with the HR guy whom I’d eventually train with next week.

My last inventory was WIS was done around 11:30. The drive home was bittersweet. I passed by all the retail in Robinson and went through both tunnels for the last time working for WIS. I traveled many miles for the company in 13 years and now it was time for a change.

That Friday I got the call from Giant Eagle that I was hired. I was out for a drive and on top of US 40 near Farmington when they called me and told me the good news. I would do paperwork and computer work (training) the next week.

End of an era indeed… and things are going well.