So much has happened since my blog went quiet last summer. I figured if I was going to try to get back into this blogging thing I first wanted to take a look back. So here's the highlight reel...
We got a new fucking President finally. I mean, it took a few days to confirm the projection but it happened. Those were LONG days. I remember barely being able to eat and walking around shaking from anxiety and probably lack of food too. Katie tried to reassure me and I didn't believe it would actually work out so I promised her my straight-edge ass would have a full on adult beverage with her if Biden wins. And sure enough he did. After the worst 4 years of my life with that soul sucking orange asshole I finally started to see a glimmer of hope. Like a pinhole. And for the record I absolutely love that I go days, sometimes a full week, without even thinking about Biden. He's in the news of course but it's at a normal level again.
Taylor dropped a SECOND surprise album in December called evermore. I remember loving 'Tis the Damn Season and Gold Rush upon first listen. Coney Island grew on me HARD. Like dare I say it's my favorite? It's at least top 3. Honestly it's another incredible album. I wouldn't quite call it perfect because I really struggle with Cowboy Like Me but it's as close as you can get. I've tried to get into that song so much because the story is fun but the melody and music just doesn't do it for me. But when was the last time you liked 16/17 on a single album. Ok, other than folklore obviously.
Thanks to Kaycee I got my first library card as an adult! It took all of 5 minutes and now I use the Libby app to borrow digital library books that come straight to my phone/kindle. It's a total game changer! Why was I buying every damn book before? Now I only buy books if it's one I already love or it's not available any other way. Otherwise there is no point in taking up the already limited space in my house. Moral of the story go get a library card!
I wasn't blogging but I was still brain dumping in written form. I have filled up two journals since the pandemic started. You know me, I've just got to get those feels out. So I did. It's raw and emo AF but it's not for anyone but me. It's exactly how I was feeling at that particular time and even though it's a bit cringe to look back on I honor that version of myself. She was really going through it. Also I don't care about my search history the I die but can someone burn my journals? Kthx.
I became a full on plant lady. I have always had like one plant (given as a gift) and several succulents (I do not SUCC at keeping them alive) but that was it. I was not in the realm of "plant lady". But then I found myself buying a plant here and there. Then I would seek them out specifically. My favorite plant babies are my false shamrock, elephant ear, and my real life monstera (I also have a fake one inside because...cats). I've been not only keeping them alive but some are even, dare I say, thriving. Now I didn't wake up one morning and become a plant witch. I actually downloaded the Planta app. It sends me reminders when to water them and had me take progress photos. It's a literal (plant) life saver.
I got a new tattoo! I scheduled it back in December and got it in February by Shane at Rise Above. I've been following him on Instagram for years but never quite knew what I wanted from him and then it hit me. I wanted a swan to represent Orlando and oranges to represent Florida. He knocked it out of the park like always. I definitely see myself getting more work by him. Also it was the easiest tattoo I've sat through (all while wearing a mask!) and healed from. Hands of an angel that Shane!
This was the caption on my Instagram post of the tattoo:
Lake Eola strolls. Lake Susannah swims.Late night drives down Colonial and back again. Walking to Sam Flax. Rollerblading through Fern Creek. Colonialtown. College Park. Leaving our backpacks at the from door at the Thornton Park 7-11 before the first Howard bell. 4-Wheeling to McDonalds. Writing my name in wet cement of new townhomes. Climbing on fallen trees after hurricanes. The wall of humidity that greets you at MCO after being away. Catching my breath after that first spring jump. Rock Haven dances. Spring romances. Second chances. Amazed at each gator. Finding my very first shark tooth 30 years later. Weeks in the city. Every other weekend in the country. Hating the heat but loving thunderstorms. Each crack of lightning feels like home. The Okahumpka meet-ups. The Gainesville familial catch-ups. Palm Coast firsts. Geneva lasts. Deland blasts. The nights out. The naps in. Just when it's over it begins again.
I also finally made an appointment to get my eyebrows micro-bladed. It was something I have wanted for a few years now (ever since Jess got hers!) but kept putting off because it's a bit pricey. But when the apocalypse kept raging on I said "fuck it!", made the appointment, and got that shit done! Why wait on something you want especially in these highly uncertain times? So I've been saying yes to a lot more than I ever have before because I'm of the assumption we only get right now. And so many people's "right now" have been cut entirely too short. But back to the brows...they came out fantastic. They are so natural looking that you wouldn't be able to tell I had them done unless I told you and made you get inches from my face. I'm such a minimalist with makeup that I hate the look of drawn on brows no matter how professional they look. I wanted mine to be fuller with shape and boy did Hannah at Revel Beauty deliver.
I ate at my first restaurant INSIDE in April.