Funemployment: Random Wanderings

DUNKIN DATE with KAT(i)E: Katie and I met up at Dunkin in the first couple weeks after I lost my job. I was so excited that she had time because girl is a busy bee and for very good reason. We sat there and talked ALL morning. Like 3+ hours we just went on and on about all of it. In the middle of our girl talk a lovely elderly woman (I believe she said she was in her 80s) came up to us and complimented my cat tattoos. She told me how beautiful they were and then after a closer look also complimented Katie's as well. She then went on to tell us about how her grandson got a tattoo for her and then she showed us an old tattoo of her own. She told us she wanted another one but she's probably too old now. We both told her she wasn't and she should do it if she wanted to. It was so incredibly refreshing to have our tattoos complimented by someone whose generation often judges them. But that's the thing, you can't assume just because someone has tattoos that they are a bad person or have ruined their skin just like you can't assume all elderly folks hate them. Just when I start to harden the world surprises me with little things like this. It was the icing on the cake. What a therapeutic morning spent with my girl. I asked to take her picture because she looked so damn cute. I forgot what I called her...Palatka Princess, Contemporary Country? I'm not sure but I loved the mix of her roots (Palatka) with her evolved modern style (hoops and winged liner). GET. IT. 

RIFLE PAPER CO.: If there were ever a store that screamed "ASHLEY!" it is most definitely this one. Amanda told me about it because she tells me about everything cool and so far she has hit it out of the park every damn time. 

On my way home from one of my interviews I decided to stop by since it was on my way. It's this little shop filled with lovely cards, enamel pins, notebooks, stationary, art prints, etc. It's not a huge space but it took me several laps just to make sure I had seen everything. I spent a good 10-15 minutes talking to the woman manning the shop. She told me the history of Rifle Paper Co. and how it started in an apartment in Winter Park and grew into this huge business. I of course told her how much I love snail mail, about my envelope tattoo, about my participation in SnalMailMyEmail, and so on. I get very excited anyone wants to discuss anything having to do with hand written letters. Sure, you can buy things at this shop and online but their stuff is all over in places like Barnes and Noble and Anthropologie. Also I just noticed they have a partnership with Keds. How cute are these floral sneaks?! I bought a couple cards when I was there but as soon as my budget isn't so tight I'll be back to buy half of the store. Ha!

ST. PATRICK's DAY: We spent our 13th anniversary in an incredibly chill manner. Thankfully we didn't have any plans before my job loss so we just decided to keep it easy and celebrate with food. Originally we were going to try out The Boathouse at Disney Springs. I made reservations and everything but then I thought about the traffic, the parking, the crowds and we just decided we didn't want to have to go through that mess. So we didn't. Instead we ate an early dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and that was that. Easy and delicious!

Prior to our meal we stopped at Lauren's to do some cat sitting which I take incredibly seriously (you know what I'm saying Antonia and Ed!). It's such a comfort when you can trust the person looking after your pets while you're away. Pat has been that for us several times and it makes leaving that much easier. She was on a cruise for a couple days so we just stopped by the once and made sure they were good on food and water. I also cleaned the litter box because I know how that can get with two cats after just a couple days. At first, we saw Monkey on her bed from a crack in the door. She wasn't scared but she also had no interest in us. We went about the cleaning and what not and then Sophia came out (from where I do not know) and was such a little love. She couldn't decide which she wanted more: pets or food. She'd just go back and forth. A bite of food then she'd come rub against my leg. Then back for more food. It was then Monkey decided to join the party but when I say join she was just physically closer to us. She still had no interest in interacting with us the way Sophia did. Monkey had that look on her face like "Thanks for stopping by but you're not my mom so I'm going to watch these birds and ignore you". Fair enough.

We ended the evening with a viewing of I, Tonya which was just as wonderful and batshit as everyone said it was. I definitely recommend watching it even if you aren't a ice skating fan like I am.