Back From Hiatus!

Hey there! I took an unexpected vacation from my blog for a while; sorry about that. I also took a real vacation to Austin, and I plan to post a long and drawn out story about all of that — complete with pictures — relatively soon. In the meantime, I will tell you about my craft weekend.

So. Like any other girl who is obsessed with Pinterest, I found SO MANY COOL THINGS recently. It all started because I was supposed to have this past weekend to myself. BF was going to be out of town, parents were out of town (and they took the dog), and I was gonna have a nice, quiet weekend to myself to do WHATEVER I WANT. So there.

Yeah. That didn’t happen.

I found out Friday afternoon that BF was no longer going out of town. (I had mixed emotions about this.) I knew he wouldn’t want to be part of my crafting, but I didn’t want him getting in my way. I pretty much decided I was going to craft anyway. I decided to look on the bright side and try to convince BF that since he was home we could go see G. Love at the 9:30 Club. Success! We went out to dinner Friday night and made it to the club just in time for his set. So there goes Friday night.

The rest of my weekend was spent bonding and crafting with BF. Surprisingly, he kind of enjoyed himself. He also declared that he felt like Lady Gaga because he was completely covered in glitter by the time we gave up on everything at 2:00 a.m.

I will conclude with pictures of what we accomplished this weekend. I will try to do a tutorial on at least one of these things in the very near future, so keep an eye out for that.

We decorated for Christmas! (My favorite time of year.) And while I have always been one of those people who does NOT start Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving, this year we’re a little busy, so I started one week earlier. No big deal. Stop judging.

Tree is pre-lit (YAY!) from Big Lots. I had originally seen this tree at Target for almost double the price, but when I found out I could get it at BL for SO much cheaper, I had to do it. All the ornaments and garland are also from BL. Tree topper is from Target. The really sweet Merry Christmas sign was also an awesome find at Target. Dude, $10. Go. Get. One.

These. I love these. I bought white letters at AC Moore and then bought acrylic paint. So simple. BF painted my G and I painted his E. So cute. And before you say that the letters aren’t evenly spaced…we know. We’re working on it.

So. I saw these “snowflakes” on Pinterest. They didn’t come out the way I would have liked. BF had so much fun making them, though. I just couldn’t take that away from him! Easy:  styrofoam balls, toothpicks, spray snow. Self-explanatory, right?

Now for the spoons. Also a Pinterest find. Considering I needed wooden spoons anyway, I figured I could buy some cheap ones (thanks, Wal-Mart!) and make them my own. I totally LOVE them. I’m still searching for a good sealant for the paint, though. Can’t seem to find anything food-safe.

Last craft of the weekend. OMG. I’m in love with these. I found them through Pinterest (duh). Please ignore the shadow; these are hanging in the dining room and our light fixture was in the way.

There is so much more I want to get done. I bought wall decals last week, and they still need to go up. I also have all the makings for a poster board calendar, but haven’t gotten around to creating it yet. Plus, I need to clean my whole apartment. AND we need to get a dining room table. (I know, pathetic.) Looks like my busy weekend will turn into a busy week. Have I mentioned that we’ve lived in our apartment for six months? Yeah. It FINALLY feels like we actually LIVE there. Crafts are good.

I’d like to update again soon, but just in case:  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Published!

Okay, so I hope this will not be my only post today. But it’s short and sweet, and considering that I am re-directing you to a link where you can read 1,000 words that I wrote, I think I would be excused if I didn’t post again.

http://www.realcityonline.com/maintain-maryland-pride/

That’s my article. I took both pictures included with it. You can also find me on the Staff page (under About).

Check it out!

And just for fun:

Question 6 Referendum Petition (Ch. 2 of the 2012 Legislative Session) Civil Marriage Protection Act

Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

 

Question 7 Gaming Expansion Referendum (Ch. 1 of the Second 2012 Special Session) Gaming Expansion

Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education to authorize video lottery operation licensees to operate “table games” as defined by law; to increase from 15,000 to 16,500 the maximum number of video lottery terminals that may be operated in the State; and to increase from 5 to 6 the maximum number of video lottery operation licenses that may be awarded in the State and allow a video lottery facility to operate in Prince George’s County?

 

Halloween! And Also the End of my Childhood.

Today. is the Best. Day. Ever. !!!

I love Halloween. And I know some people out there would be like, “Oh yeah? Prove it!” But no, I won’t. I can’t. My house isn’t all decorated and I don’t have kids to take around to Trick or Treat, and I didn’t. even. buy. candy. this year.

This is how I know my childhood is over. I used to obsess over costumes all year, but now… not so much. I mean, I still love getting all hopped up on candy, and I always wear an orange shirt on Halloween, but I guess the real thrill is gone. It’s been years since I’ve even seen a Trick-or-Treater. Boyfriend and I are going to a Halloween party this weekend (it was supposed to be last weekend but got rescheduled due to Sandy), and I pretty much JUST decided my costume. And I haven’t even put any effort into it. I’m going to be Peppermint Patty from Peanuts. The idea just came to me one day. BF calls me Peppermint Patty sometimes because of my hair and freckles, so I guess it just seemed like a good idea. I’ve done no work for the costume, and I’m cheating. I’m going to wear a long-sleeved green shirt that I will draw black stripes onto with marker, black shorts, and brown flip-flops. I already owned all of these things. There was no fun in fussing over what my costume will be. I didn’t even buy anything. Actually, every time I tried to brainstorm a costume idea I got stressed instead of excited. What is that?

Okay. So. Backstory. Everyone thinks I’m crazy because for as long as I can remember I’ve only ever worn Halloween socks. I mean like ALL year. They’re pretty much the only socks I own. My aunt sends me a few pairs every year, so they’ve started adding up; hence, I don’t need to buy socks. Ever. So today. It’s ACTUALLY Halloween. Guess what.

I forgot to wear orange AND I forgot to put on Halloween socks. Seriously?

To me, these have to be signs that I’m too old for Halloween. Well, they’re at least signs that I’m too old to care in the way that six-year-old me cared. So I guess I’ll have to find a new way to express my love for the holiday in the coming years. Nothing will take away the fact that I still believe it’s the BEST. DAY. EVER!

ATX!

I’m going to Austin.

I’m going to Austin!

I went once back in February and pretty much decided that one day I will move there. I didn’t think I’d be itching to go back so soon, but I AM! So the boyfriend and I booked our trip and we leave on November 7th for a five-day trip. I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m counting the days, and we’re down to nine! And only five and a half work days! We just went to Puerto Rico at the beginning of September, and that was fun and everything… but TEXAS!

I’m totally excited about every aspect of this trip:  airplane, partying, Home Slice pizza, The Continental Club, Counting Crows, walks around the Hike and Bike trail… Ahh. I can’t wait!

There will be pictures (Instagram, phone, and real camera), and you bet I will be posting them here! There is a pretty good chance that I won’t post anything until after the trip. This is what I’m expecting my schedule to look like: party all night (until 2 or 3 a.m.), go home, sleep, wake up, shower, eat, nap, party again. Oh, and don’t forget the concerts.  Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, after all!

I do have to say that I’m quite sad at my poor planning, though. I absolutely LOVE Bob Schneider, and I make it a point to see him whenever I can (I saw him twice when I was in Austin last time — he’s from there), but he won’t be doing any shows while I’m there this time around. Oh well; I suppose I can wait until his tour starts again and I’ll just catch him on the East Coast.

I had a ridiculously horrific stomach virus less than a week before I left last time, and I spent a good amount of time downing Vitamin Water and laying on the couch trying to get my stomach back to normal while I was there — it really took away from my vacation/Austin experience. I couldn’t eat all the barbeque in the world or the pork tacos with chili verde, or the spicy Thai food, so this time I hope NOTHING goes wrong. I’m ready to re-do my experience, but BETTER! I will eat ALL THE THINGS this time.

Right now I have a cold. I’m furiously taking medicince and vitamins and overdosing on orange juice. This atrocity better be gone by the time I step on that plane next Wednesday.

Nothing will ruin Round Two.

2012.

2012. Election year. Good or bad? It would be nice to have a sanctuary where I could escape the television advertisements, radio ads, signs on the road, bumper stickers, and harsh words.

Don’t get me wrong — I love to vote. I couldn’t be more excited about stepping up to the poll this year. I live in Maryland, well, actually I live in Virginia but I’m still registered in Maryland. There are some pretty hefty issues going on this year. We’re gearing up to voice our opinions on Question 6 and Question 7; I’m so excited!

I will never put a bumper sticker on my car or talk about politics on Facebook. That’s just not me. I grew up in a household where we don’t start fires. I’ll gladly argue my opinion with anyone who wants to talk about it, but I’m not going to start it. And really, it’s none of your business what I believe. There are a select few issues about which I will volunteer my opinion because I feel VERY strongly, but those are few and far between.

I very recently (two days ago) wrote an article about this for a website called Realcity (www.realcityonline.com). It should be posted on the website within the next two weeks, and I will gleefully post the link to it on here. Speaking of writing (nice segue, right?), it makes me so happy that I have found an outlet. I love having a blog (two blogs), but I can never seem to make myself write in them. I’m more of a paper and pen kind of girl. I’ll write in journals all day long, but typing it up for my blogs is the part I forget. It was really great having the opportunity to write for a website. I was on a timeline, and in the end I know people will still see it.

As the election winds up, and then down again, I will most likely be posting how I feel on here. Or in a journal. Or by screaming at the TV when the ads come on. Anyway, I’ll be glad when it’s over.

Life.

I love my life. I love to live my life. I’m always busy (except for those rare occasions that last five minutes when I think I can’t possibly “go” anymore).

I like to travel. I like to take pictures. I like to crochet. I have a puppy. I have a hedgehog. I just moved (well, four months ago) into a new apartment. I like short sentences and semi-colons. I like to judge people. Yep. I do. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying that because everybody does it; I’m just the one who will admit it. I have a very dry sense of humor. I drive a Yaris. I have a career. I might want to be a teacher. I do what I want.

My life might not exactly be exciting, but I don’t care.I like things this way. I’m busy.

I will probably post pictures. They will probably be of my travels or my creations with yarn. Henrietta the hedgehog will most likely make appearances on this page, as will my four-pound Yorkie.

I’m sarcastic and like to tell people how I feel. I’m convinced that one day I will write a book called The World According to Gayle. This blog is most likely going to be my practice. If I offend you, sorry.

Salsa should be its own food group and I love giraffes.