Soapy Saturday…the Pre-Cuba Edition

I’ve written several blogs in my head but haven’t been able to get these going for some reason, but I’m hoping this starts the flow back up. However, I do have some things to get off my chest real quick before I roll into this vacay….

1. There are a lot of new “friends” on my FB recently…which it’s nice to always meet new people. But here’s the disclaimer, I’m pretty easy going, generous, straight forward, and I’m always down for a good time. I’m also, the witty, blunt, problem solving, part time thug who will shut you down the minute you cross my boundaries of bullshit. You’ve been warned.

2. If you sit and complain about how miserable your life is bc of everything else “happening to you”, you just suck at life and need to rewrite your next chapter. Meanwhile…you’ve been cut off. I don’t need that kind of negativity.

3. PS the worst thing a woman can do is not have her shit together.

4.Always journal…when you feel like no one’s listening, write it down until someone will. PS God’s always up for listening.

5. Does it bother anyone else when you’re smarter than most of the room? I know that should probably make me feel good…but I just feel disappointed.

6. Just so we’re clear, if your kids are bad ass, ungrateful, disrespectful kids, I’m looking at your ass….not at your kids.

7. This is the first trip I’ve taken and not ‘planned’. I’m excited for the new adventure, which I know will try me and inspire me.

8. The boys in the hood are always hard, you come talking the trash, we’ll pull your card. Knowin nothing in life but to be legit…Oh, break time, just seeing if you’re still here 😎😂

9. Listen, I don’t legit own “porchtime”, but I own porchtime, you feel me? I’ve literally been all over the world spreading porchtime cheer for decades (which is no easy feat), so I’m pretty sure I started the revolution across the globe. If you’ve used the word porchtime, chances are you know me or know someone who knows me. Anyone who tries to copyright my shiz, see number 1.

10. There’s no cell plan I’m trying to be a part of while in Cuba, so in George’s best bwahahahahha voice, he gets me all to himself this week he says. I think unplugging will be fabulous for us this week.

11. How is it that I’m so out of the loop on kid toys? Apparently I purchased a couple hard to find girl toys right now, according to the mom guarding the display waiting for her friend to grab as many as her little fingers could carry. Meanwhile, what the hell are these LOL Surprise Glitter Series dolls in balls? *Shrugging shoulders* Saige? Anyone? Whelp, I now have two that I’m sure will brighten some faces this holiday season.

12. We are going to meets G’s grandfather for the first time and I cannot wait for that. Three generations of Isla men over 40…dude. My goal this trip is to get as much of the family’s lineage documented while in Cuba…and also have google translate on deck at all times.

13. FYI…Don’t ever wake up to Live PD playing on the tv in the middle of the night…that shit ain’t right lol.

14. The headlines about #metoo referencing ‘women being sexually harassed or assaulted’….this is not news to women. Women have been putting up with overbearing and inferior bs from men since birth. We can handle some serious shit. Applause to those who are speaking up and are brave enough to know their worth. It takes a real asshole to make a person feel unsafe and powerless.

15. I may not have had a hand in planning the trip details, but I have legit plans for my Canon and Cuba. Been cooking up a photo series idea for this week’s adventures! Hoping it all aligns with what’s in my head!!

16. If I’ve been a loyal direct sales customer of yours (as I am to many), and you fail to treat me as such…I will jump ship on your ass! How are you going to not only take as much money from me as you possibly can on a regular basis, but the friends I refer as well…and then not tell me about a free shipping promo until the day after I already place a huge order? I see you and my referrals do too…peace out ✌🏽.

17. I saw a lady who is “prominent” in the community and has never had to work a day in her life apparently…so why did she look like Tales from the Crypt? I need answers. Maybe stay out of the sun, or get some collagen, I don’t know. There’s just no excuse for any of that. She scared the shit out me when I first saw her.

18. I’m so grateful to be taking our first real vacation since retirement and having my mom around to come stay with our kids. I haven’t had this as a real option in 20 years. Thanks Ma.

Ok today is day one of the #IslaCubaAdventure. Bon Voyage Blog peeps….catch you on the flip side.

Xoxo,

Di

What’d Ya Learn 2016

Holy Smokes….2016 was a doozy yes?!?!

I have been taking notes all year just for this blog post!  It’s one of my favorites to write and it really sums up my thoughts for the outgoing year.  Also, it helps me appreciate what I’ve gained and what I’ve lost along the way. Physically and mentally.  And crap, What a Year!  Let’s get to it shall we?

1.  Careful What You Wish For! – Some people don’t really think about the end result of a self indulgent split second decision do they?  The need for instant gratification causes more long term issues than anyone truly has time for. So before your inner self screams “Hey let’s see if we can stir it up and add that Celebrity Apprentice guy to the ballot!” Or “I drank so much haterade today, I decided to rev up my passive aggressive engine and steam roll people I probably shouldn’t have!”, take a nap, have a smoothie, do a little cardio or some shit.  Think about what you’re about to say and/or do!!  People make rash and unthoughtful decisions all the time, make sure you are ready for the backlash that may come with those choices.
2. Less is More – I took a step back on social media this year compared to recent years. I made it a point to lay my phone down at family events & social gatherings. I spent so much time trying to navigate a million apps in order to “capture memories”. Until I realized I was actually missing them. While I’m fumbling around trying to unlock my dayum Dayum DAYUM screen, a magical unicorn probably tried to lure me into his secret candy land and I missed it. Just saying….happy medium. I can’t do without a little app obsession, nor can I stay away from snapping photos.  But, don’t miss the real shiz going on around you peeps!
3. Death is Looming – 2016 I’m sure had the most deaths ever. Well, it seemed that way right?!  Maybe not, but it felt like death in itself was its own headliner this past year. So incredibly sad and sobering. We’re not getting any younger. Make each day, week, month, year…each second count!  Don’t be lured into the negativity and chaos, we all know misery loves company.  And misery leads to a short lived…everything. Enjoy and manifest every second you have here with the people who love your crazy ass!
4. Say Yes – I used to say No a lot. I mean I have three kids.  No is like the 2nd most popular word in Parental Paradise.  It goes with the territory. “No, you cannot wear a tank top when it’s -10 degrees outside.” Or “No, please don’t pummel your brother with that crowbar your dad left on the garage floor.”  I mean No happens. This year, and now that I’ve realized my kids aren’t babies anymore, I challenged myself to say yes more!!  Like “Yes, I will host that fabulous party even if I’ve got 79 boxes to unpack.”  Or “Yes, I will have a slice of pumpkin caramel cheesecake!”  Do it!  It feels fantastic and it’s contagious!
5. Leave Your Comfort Zone – We all know I’ve left some comfort zones this past year.  Goodbye Military lifestyle, Hello Civilian Territory!  People asked me for years how I was going to handle this major transition in our lives.  The key here is don’t overthink and embrace the adventure!  Do we want things to shift seamlessly and successfully on their own?  Yes of course. Will they?  Not a chance.  It’s all about how you approach your issues.  Most of you know I shine when it comes to problem solving. Reason being, I don’t overthink when I’m faced with a challenge. Or moreso, I don’t collect all the negative scenarios in my mind as to cloud the sweet spots of resolution when I need them most. So for us, transitioning to “normalcy”, I could have easily freaked or avoided my problems (which just ripples into 8 more problems).  Instead, I made a choice to run with bulls. Get in on the action, do what feels right and things tend to work themselves out naturally. I know that sounds cliche but you’d be surprised how many people lose all their sanity when they get asked to leave a comfort zone. If all that seems like too much, think ‘New Adventure’ or “Plot Twist” and keep it moving.  Take a stroll outside of the box…you might like it!
6. Wine “Enthusiast” = Acid Reflux “Fall Guy” – So this year I realized that acid reflux is some straight bullshit. And apparently my love affair for all that is spicy & the aged grapes in wine are it’s primary enemies. Yay!  Which means….nothing really, except I’m gonna need the best mf acid reflux meds on the market!!  I’ve tried switching to a variety of craft beers here and there when I would normally go straight for the Reisling…but then I’m just a belching bloated beast afterwards.  Oh well, seems legit.  Nexium here I come…
7. Confidence is Way Sexier than You Think – Listen, I BEEN knowing this….but I feel like I haven’t said it publicly in a while, so let me reiterate. You can spend 1,000 hours at gym and still look like shit or vice versa. And I say that with the utmost respect to gym rats. I don’t care if you do 400 squats a day, if you cannot smile at the girl doing only 2 a day or have the balls to really peel away that “strong exterior” and show someone who you are, your sexy just took a nose dive to snoozeville.  I’m not the fittest nor am I the flabbiest, but dammit I will strut through everyday like I give zero fcks…because I feel good in my skin!  And if you don’t believe me, ask the men in your life.  My husband, like many, could care less how I “look”, as long as I let him see how amazingly confidant I am with my mind and body. Trust me.  Walk into the living room or kitchen nakey (ok, let’s make sure the kids & your in-laws aren’t around I guess) and just wait for the reaction.  Suddenly, what you thought were cottage cheese meat legs are now spellbinding & glistening lassos magically visualized around your significant others’ neck.  Just sayin…that’s what dudes see when you show them some unexpected skin.  No lie.  Own all that shiz…
8. Homeowners Have It Made – I was terrified of being a homeowner so late in life and not knowing what to expect.  Ok maybe not ‘terrified’, but nervous for sure.  Mostly because so much is riding on your shoulders financially as a homeowner…example: if one little thing goes faulty, you best pray you have a ‘guy’ who can fix it for you without price gouging the hell out of your wallet.  I guess that still remains in the back of my mind…but WOW, look at the limitless potential you have now!  If I wanna paint cotton candy swirls on all my walls or add a ‘She-Shed’ extension to my casa, I can.  Owning your own property is life changing.  I highly recommend it.  I also recommend you find the ‘guy’ for when your garage door spring shits the bed on you.
9. Travel Travel Travel – I learned I didn’t travel nearly enough as I wanted to in 2016.  Granted we were in moving mode,  but I wanted more!  I yearn to travel. Taking a journey means soaking up something new every single time.  I’ve engrained it in my Kids, my Family, my Friends, anyone I know.  It makes us richer, fuller, more compassionate, smarter and it’s a complete mood changemr. Stop putting off that dream destination and book it!  I’m pretty sure you could forgo eating out for a month or two and have enough saved up!  Priorities, people!
10. Florida is as Spectacular as I Remember It – Yes I’m aware FL is on the crazy radar these days to some, but it’s home.  Still, the sunshine does NOT quit here which makes my day regularly. My radio stations (and countless hours of freestyle) are back in my life.  I can hop, skip or jump and be at any given attraction of my choosing!  This state is a Photographer’s dream with its instant all time backdrops of palm trees and beaches!  And bonus….now we live here, so our peeps now have a makeshift vacation home at their fingertips!  G may rope you into a couple rounds on the course, yet another FL perk, but who matters!!!  Come and enjoy our stomping grounds!!

So that pretty much sums up 2016 for me…in a nutshell.  There was a lot going on I know, some things more relevant to me than others. I’d love to know what things were relevant to you in 2016…let me know!  Until then, keep on keeping on, but careful what you wish for! 😉

Love ya,

Di

MilSpouse Magic

It’s National Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

It’s also my last year as an official MilSpouse. I felt the strong need to blog bc the title Military Spouse means so much to me, my Family, and my fellow Military sisters and brothers. Being a Military Spouse equates to wearing many different hats throughout your Servicemember’s career. There are plenty of people in the world who wear multiple hats…and do so well. We all know someone who’s About section on their Facebook profile lists “Mom, wife, cab driver, chef, tutor, volunteer, and finance manager”. Applause applause, because the struggle will always be real for me and my fellow multitaskers! It’s those other hats that only a MilSpouse can wear I reference here.

You know, the pillbox one…to help you recognize Military customs and courtesies so that when you walk into a formal function or your SM’s office, you don’t embarrass your SM, their ‘unit’ or yourself. Nobody wants to be the one who breaks OPSEC (operation security) or the one caught walking in the commissary parking lot while retreat is playing.

The coach’s hat…for when your SM is gone and your kids’ sports league has no coach due to deployments and you must step up and teach something you’ve never actually done in order to give Military kids the same opportunities as civilian kids. It takes a village.

The newsboy cap…where you take it upon yourself to become part of the community and help teach new Military Spouses how to handle Military life and it’s curve balls. When you know better you do better right?

The tourist trucker hat…I am a bonafide travel guru! Moving every few years and the places the Military lifestyle can take you, forces a MilSpouse to become a promo packer, a travel agent, frugal tourist and a master of itineraries. My passport stamps are legit! And MilSpouses are some of the best to ask when it comes to travel tips!

The Photog fedora…there are more MilSpouse photographers than I could ever count.  Some hobbyists, some educated and some with just a ‘good camera’.  Either way, being a MilSpouse means it’s your job to make sure there is documented proof of what is going on while living so far away from Family and friends. They want to know…they want to see…they want to share in the experience. So it’s up to us…camera in hand.

Supporting sun visor…we’ve never had to get close with complete strangers like we have as MilSpouses. I’ve given many baby showers, birthday parties, held hands with, been a shoulder to lean on, an advocate for and a sister to Spouses I just met.  It’s like nothing I’ve ever dealt with before the Military because we all know there’s a risk factor every.single.time. Hence the sun visor, to keep the shade in check.

The hats are plenty and the memories are endless. Each one of my MilSpouse sisters has brought something to the table and it’s something I will carry with me for eternity.

These are just some of my MilSpouse sisters:

 

I commend all MilSpouses for their dedication, their support, their patriotism, their selflessness and of course…their hats!  I tip mine to all of you and hang up a couple also as I end this part of the Military journey. Thank a MilSpouse and/or a Military Child whenever you can…they deserve it and so much more.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Xoxo, Di

 

 

 

 

What’d Ya Learn 2015

It’s a new year which means it’s time to blog my moments of clarity, things I learned about myself and others, new inserts in my playbook on life and tidbits you may or may not fancy a giggle. Let’s get to it shall we…

1. You never know somebody for who they truly are. I love it when I see someone portray themselves and believe their own hype, and you know or find out they hide the real story. Way to go Mark Salling, Bill Cosby, Subway Jared, Josh Duggar, Rachel Dolezal for reminding me how effed up it is to look for inspiration in anyone besides yourself and your own close Family and peeps. Be ok looking within yourself…rather than everywhere else.
2. I’ll try anything once.  This isn’t news when it comes to me, but I do learn something new each time.  This year, I tried many things….like I do every year.  I learned that direct sales isn’t really my favorite thing to do, but that I’m better at it then I thought.  I also learned that I’m obsessed with these nails stickers so it makes sense that I became a consultant…because my stash is sick!!!  I also tried staying away from wine…the wine won.
3. Parenting while working full time outside of the home is legit hard.  Part time was a good trial period to prepare me, but when I started full time in Sept it turned.  Being a stay at home mom for so many years I was available and my time was my time to feed into all the highs and lows of mommy mode.  Now I have to juggle like a damn circus clown to get my time in with homework, teachers, sports, activities, volunteering, and keeping ratchet kids with bad influences at bay.   G has really stepped up which is such a blessing, but it still pains me.
4. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am definitely at my best when I am in a sunshiney environment.  The gray/cloudy/snowy shiz I’ve been dealing with for the past 6 years is old mf news.  I can’t get to FL soon enough.  The sand, the pools, the sweat, the bare feet, the dayum citrus ‘o plenty, Jimmy Buffet on repeat, the sea shell searches, the palm trees, the fresh seafood at my fingertips gahhhhh….it’s in my blood.  Bring on the Vitamin D!
5. I also learned this year that I did better at this mommy thing than I thought.  Saige has surprised me at every turn this year. Last year I was made to believe I screwed this whole thing up with her (but who listens to haters)…it’s clear we did pretty well overall. With two grown adults who are generous, productive, responsible and kind under our belt I see how all the hard work is paying off.  My lil Fam Bam kicks ass…and I couldn’t be more proud. 
6. On that note, fourth grade boys are sketchy and try to try me.  In the days of youtube and access to seeing dayum near everything, fourth grade boys seem like seventh grade boys.  Rowdy know it alls and shit.  Ummmm no. I will cut a friend off quick in my kids’ life if I see shit turning.  Can my baby just stay a baby, sigh….or nahhhhhhhh?!
7. I need to open a record and cassette store.  Hell, I need a 80s/90’s variety shop let’s be honest.  I have an obsession these days for anything vinyl, jellied, neon, pyrex’d, peg legged, permed, Wahlberg’d and listed on TV Land.  I can see it now…Welcome to “Just a Scoshe”. You saw it here first.
8. 2015 was our last full year in the Military.  I’m seriously on edge about this whole transition.  When the life you’ve known for 20 years spits you out of its bubble and into mainstream society, it’s frightening.  It’s gonna be an adjustment for sure.  Like I said to someone recently, I’ve realized most of what will change is our pool of resources. It will all be brand new again and something we haven’t experienced in over 20 years.  Time to get cozy with a different type of community and this civilian lifestyle.  Yikes!
9. One of the most important things I hope everyone has learned at some point or another is being the best version of yourself is the key to a fulfilled life.  In a world where everyone is a critic, people are not practicing what they preach, so many want to change their outsides thinking it will change their insides, and self doubt rules more than it should…it’s time you live in a happy place.  No one is perfect and shit happens, but how you move through life and pick yourself up to be better than the imperfect shit is how to make a full life for ourselves. Embrace it….you get to live another day!

Thanks for all the people in life that made my 2015 amazing. Let’s all keep it moving into 2016.  And then don’t forget to ask yourself….What’d You Learn??

Xoxo, Di