my little piece of heaven

It's been months since I have wrote anything. I find that quite unfortunate. My life has been full and busy though, so I will not apologize.

So for now I will just attempt to begin writing again with a dream of mine, it's a big one. It's probably unrealistic for my life. But I've had this dream for a long long time, and I feel like I just want to get it out there somehow. So I'm just going to let it flow, type it as it comes. So bear with me if you like. Or wait until the next post.



A house, large, but humble. It's yellow with white shutters and a deep red colored door. A wrap-around porch with chairs and swings covered in pillows and blankets for when there is a chill in the air. Big open windows with light,polka dot curtains flapping in the breeze. Inside the ceilings are vaulted making it open and spacious. It is welcoming. There is a fire place with a mantle covered in art, my photos, little one's drawings, trinkets and memories. The furniture is comfortable but practical. Lots of pillows on the couches too. Colorful rugs cover the wood floors. With one special rug by the screen door where the big dark lab lays to watch his world and guard his people. The kitchen is bright and cheery. Vibrant colors with a retro feel. Black and white checkered floor, lots of spacious cabinets and counterspace. Plenty of room for cooking parties. The dining room beckons you to come and feast with a table big enough for not just family but any spontaneous friends who may show up. There is always room here. This house is a place people know they can always come to.
There is photography everywhere, my photography. High quality prints framed beautifully. There is a room for each child, and a beautiful guestroom that makes people feel at home. The master bedroom is a sanctuary. The bed huge and lush. The bathroom has a claw-foot tub for long leisurely soaks. It's cozy here.

This house, that is filled with laughter and joy, where the doors
are always open, is surrounded by beautiful green land. If you scream at the top of your lungs the neighbors still can't hear you. There is a huge oak tree behind the house in the middle of a meadow of wildflowers and tall grass. The meadow is often filled with games of tag and hide and seek. It has the best light as the sun gets low at the end of the day. Many photos are taken here. The oak tree contains a treehouse, a special place for the kiddos. It was built by strong hands and a big heart. There is a little creek a mile or so away. Sometimes we walk there sometimes we ride horses, to have picnics by the water or to cool off during the hot summer days. It's beautiful.

This house we have will be one that the kids long for while they are away at college. It will be the home they bring their future spouses to, to meet the family. It will be the summer get-a-way for our grandbabies. This will be home.

My ranch, my dream, my little piece of heaven.

Wishful Thinking...

Sometimes I wish I had followed my childhood dreams...

then I realize I did to some extent.


Sometimes I wish I had clear skin (okay all the time)...

then I realize my face could be constantly and completely covered in zits, and it's not. so i am thankful.


Sometimes I wish I lived in a foreign country...

then i realize maybe someday I will, and I hold onto hope.


Sometimes I wish I had more confidence in my art...

then i realize i have more than i used to.


Sometimes I wish I was a better wife...

then i realize i am getting better at it everyday, it's a learning process.


Sometimes I wish I knew John Mayer...

then i realize that probably wouldn't be healthy for my marriage, and my marriage isn't worth it. but still i would be his muse for his music, and he for my photography. he would adore my red hair and ever changing eye color, he would write songs about them. i would remind him of what is real, and what is important in the world, that it's not all about fame and money, that he can be loved for who he is inside, i would understand the real him and and....whoa whoa whoa....see what i mean? TOTALLY unhealthy.


Sometimes I wish forgiveness was easy...

then i realize it probably wouldn't mean as much.


Sometimes I wish we lived back home in San Diego...

then i realize it's more exciting living somewhere new, and I like the home we have created here.


Sometimes I wish I could get a tan...

then i realize that wouldn't be very retro, and I like all things vintage. I'll keep my peaches and cream complexion, the rest of you people can enjoy premature wrinkles.


Sometimes I wish people would just call/text/stay connected/let me know they are alive...

then i realize that the best of the best still keep in touch, and i know i am loved.


Sometimes I wish that I had a baby...

then i realize we want to do so many things still that a baby would prevent us from doing, and that I would lose my figure, and my who-ha will never be the same after, and my boobs will be sucked dry.....babies will come soon enough.


Sometimes I wish we had a house...

then i realize we wouldn't have free cable anymore, or people to fix things, and we would have to pay for electric, AND water, AND garbage, and lots and lots more things. i am content.


Sometimes I wish I had the ability to go over to my parents house and visit on a regular basis and just be there to hang out, i wish i could be at taco night, and go to my brother's baseball games, i wish i could hug my dog and take him on a walk...

then i realize...i will always wish for that.

Make new friends, but keep the old?

Recently I have really been feeling the ache from loss of contact with a few different people in my life. It has been an adjustment, one that has been painful to make, to have people who were once so constant in my life become so absent. I know that things like this in life happen, that throughout life as we grow and change so do our friends and sometimes people move on. But there are some people I just never thought that would happen with. People who I still don't quite understand why it happened with. It makes me sad, it breaks my heart.

I have been told by different friends several different times, "It's their loss if they don't want to keep in touch with you" or "You still have so many people in your life." While these things are said out of love, it doesn't fill the empty spot that my missing friend left behind. My husband often remarks at my ability to easily "make friends". While it is natural for me to meet new people and not struggle with making conversation or getting to know them, it takes me a long time to actually build a relationship with someone. When I was young I had many experiences of "friends" turning against me, ignoring me, lashing out at me because of jealousy or insecurity. While I am able to look back now and understand what was causing that girl to so suddenly turn, I was baffled and confused at the time. It is because of these experiences that I am so careful and guarded with my hopes for friendships until someone is in my life for quite a while. Until the friendship is proven to be trustworthy, I never completely let someone into my heart. So when one of these friendships that I had so carefully put more and more of myself into just goes away, I just want to cry. Maybe this sounds childish to some, maybe it sounds naive, but really it's just how I feel. Believe me, people have come and gone from my life before. While it was never something I wanted, it wasn't always hurtful. These friends I am referring to are people who I pictured always being in my life.

I put friends into two groups. There are "seasonal" friends, the ones who may only be around for a little while but you learn from them and enjoy them while they are in your life, and then slowly they become less and less present. Then there are the "all-weather" friends. The ones who were built to last through all the seasons of life, from the harsh cold winters of life to the sunny and breezy springs. It's the loss of these "all-weather" friends that hurts me so.

I have so many questions. Mostly just, Why? Yes I got married, but I'm still the same me. Becoming a wife doesn't completely change my identity, it just adds something more to who I am. Yes I moved away, but I am closer to many people now than I was before I moved. So I am good at long distance, I know I am. My husband and I lasted through 9 months of long distance before we were married. I'm a great communicator. But I can only prove it if you respond to my texts and return my calls. I would rather have my questions of "Why?" answered with "I just don't care anymore", than have no answers at all. At least then I would get some closer...
The truth is, I'm nervous. I'm nervous about which all-weather friends I could lose the next time a big change happens in my life. We will be moving again next February, hopefully closer to our hometown but who knows? The Navy could send us anywhere. Will that just be too much for another dear friend? What about when I have a baby? Oh lordy, I know things really change when people become parents, but still! I want my wonderful friends in the lives of my babies. I want my kids to have many adopted "aunties" and "uncles". My best friends have made such a wonderful impact on my life and have supported me through so much, I want these incredible people to be apart of my family too.

All I know is that as long as you let me be apart of your life my dearest friends, I will be. I am doing my best from way over here, I love you all so much.

Another Installment of here in Florida...

Yes yes yes, it's been a month since my last post. I am slightly annoyed with myself for the neglect, but not too much. I figure no one has noticed much anyway.
This is *crosses fingers* hopefully the first of a few posts this week, I have several things rolling around in my head. I should definitely put them down.

So here we go with another post of Florida quirks.

• Here in Florida...almost all the traffic lights hang over the intersection on cables. I almost don't notice it at all anymore, but for the first several months of living here it had an unnerving affect to see them sway in the wind over my car. I guess they figure when a hurricane comes it would be less damaging for just the lights to fall instead of lights and big steel poles.

• Here in Florida...you may be driving and OH NO! EEK! Is that..um..roadkill...oh nope it's just a big wad of Spanish moss.

• Speaking of roadkill...Here in Florida there are armadillos! I've seen three. Dead. On the side of the road.

• Here in Florida...there are palm tree dwelling squirrels. It is just bizarre. First of all the amount of squirrels just roaming around the city is strange and disturbing to me. Then throw seeing them hanging out in PALM TREES. It's just not natural. Squirrels belong in parks, climbing pine trees or oak trees, ya know? Not freaking tropical trees.
  

• Here in Florida...I have seen "I <3 Manatees" bumper stickers.Really now people? Manatees? They do nothing but float and eat, they are too dumb to even stay clear of boat propellers.>

• Here in Florida...Carl's Jr. is called Hardee's, Rally's is called Checker's, and Souplantation is called Sweet Tomatoes.

• Here in Florida...people think there is "real" Mexican food. I'm really sorry but beef Enchiladas aren't supposed to have GROUND BEEF in them, salsa is NOT tomato sauce with a few seasonings, and and annnnnd, you just have crap for Mexican food. for real. How can you be "authentic" but look at me like I'm crazy when I inquire about flautas? Or even something more basic, like rolled tacos?! C'mon people!

• and finally, Here in Florida...there are amazing breath taking sunsets.

One of Those Days...

Today was Friday. The day where people are supposed to wake up a little more peppy, have a little bit more positivity, have a little more motivation, because well it's Friday. And after the day is over, the weekend!

Today I could care less that it's Friday.

I came home from work, and I was in my pajamas and in bed before it was even seven. On a Friday! Because it was one of those days. I don't intend on going into every detail because I would probably sound like a whiny pathetic brat. But let me just tell you the weather was a true expression of my heart all day, not one spot of sunlight ever broke through the constant down pour. (I'm smirking at myself now when I read that back, it's quite good I think, but SO true) Anyway it is now 9:30pm on Friday night and since I have been home I have only accomplished that of an old hermit woman with five cats.
After getting into my pajamas and laying under my covers for a bit I decided that I wasn't going to be able to get the raging headache to go away on it's own so I took some medicine. Taking the medicine I hoped also would help prevent my horrendous cramps from returning. Let me just clarify here, when I say horrendous I'm not exaggeration. My cramps are bad, as in sometimes I am out for the day bad, as in the ONLY thing that gives me even the slightest relief is submerging my body into a tub full of the hottest water my skin can handle after taking the prescription strength ibuprofen the doctor gave me....bad. And that's only a glimpse of what I go through every month, catch my drift?

But I digress...



After taking the medicine my husband attempted to comfort and cuddle me for a bit but all I cared about was that he was telling me in the process he was going to hang out with a friend! He was telling me he was leaving me! Alone! In agony after a wretched day! On FRIDAY!
Let's just keep it short and say I was probably over reacting and the conversation probably didn't go well.
After he left to enjoy some much deserved guy time, I proceeded to have a good cry. My mother called me in the middle of this, I should not have answered. Boy did she get an earful and for that I am still embarrassed. My mother, being as patient as one could have probably been with me at that moment gave me some advice. Emotional and physical advice. She has witnessed every visit Aunt Flo gave me from the time I was eleven until I moved away last year so she knows exactly what I go through, and knows it's no freakin' joke. My mom told me to take a hot shower, let it run over my face and just try and relax. It was nice to have my mom take care of me again, even if it was just instruction on something I was already planning on doing. I finished my cry in the shower, I think after the day I had that's what I really needed. To get it all out of my system.
After drying off and getting into some fresh p.j's I set up my new lovely laptop next to my bed, made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and popped in my netflix. Julie & Julia.

What a delightful movie! Half of it about a blogger at that! I love that it was true stories all around. It helped my mood a bit. But now it's over and I'm still her alone in my 'jammies on a Friday night. The neighbors have a freaking baby and they are partying it up more than me! Too much bass people seriously, consider your ear drums, and mine for that matter.

So here I am, writing this blog post that has absolutely no point really, outside of entertaining me, and it's filled with ridiculous paragraphs...interesting. I'm considering popping in Sixteen Candles. Am I in the mood for teen angst via Molly Wringwald? We shall see. Maybe I will browse the instant watch section of my netflix. Whatever it is I decide, I hope your Friday night is no worse than mine whoever you are. Hopefully even better.

A table, a tattoo, and some thoughts.

I walk into the conference room to clean the glass topped table that had just been used. Finger prints and oil smudges from skin are all over it. I come with Windex and paper towels to make it spotless once more. My mind is else wear.

In my head I continue the stream of self-loathing thoughts that have been filling it all day.
"Gosh I love the new blemishes on my face, so disgusting", as I lean over the table to wipe it down I feel my stomach roll, "I'm such a cow", as I am still leaning over the table I see my face reflected in the glass, "Oh awesome, my hair is disgusting and frizzy today". I straighten back up to spray a different area of the table, I roll up the sleeves to my sweater. As I do this I glance at my right arm, my fresh tattoo completely exposed reads "Hallelujah". I hear in my head the meaning "To Praise God," and then "are you praising God right now?" Whoa, that's a hit to the heart. Am I? Are these cruel hurtful thoughts I have about myself, a creation of God himself, thoughts of praise? Surely not. Definitely not. I am ashamed. I am apologetic.

A memory of earlier today comes flooding back.
I was sitting at my desk and a lady in my office who I have taken pictures for was telling one of her employees about me. This employee needs her photo taken and so the lady says, "Courtney can take a few new ones for you, she takes pretty good pictures". Ouch.
She didn't say my pictures were bad or awful, but it was the sort of statement that makes an artist feel only average. She probably didn't mean it in a way to be rude or hurtful, in fact I know this woman to be someone who is very no nonsense and very straight forward. It's just who she is. But to her what are just pictures of her employees, are to me, my hard work and more importantly my passion.

How must my Father feel then, when I His creation, that He formed and designed and labored over, think and say mean degrading things about myself? Probably not so good. The truth is I am insulting His hard work, which is definitely NOT praising my King. If for no other reason, I am lovely because He created me. His hard work and love is why I exsist.

As these things sink from my mind down to my heart I finish cleaning the table. I turn out the light and go to put the cleaning supplies away in the cabinet of the bathroom. While I am there I look in the mirror I think "I feel better". Nothing hateful or abusive. My thoughts become filled with why I wanted my tattoo as I head back to my desk.
I wanted Hallelujah on my arm for many reasons. I think it's a beautiful word, it just sounds musical. It is used in some of my favorite songs. But the meaning itself is even more beautiful. "To Praise God" Just by proclaiming that, you can praise God. I love that. And so I wanted it to be on my arm as a symbol and a reminder that my desire is for my life "to praise God".
I blot my nose with my compact puff, just to get some of the shine to go away, while I mull over the lesson I had just begun learning.

A woman who I don't know, who works with a company in my office is leaving as I do this.

"Oh stop that," she says, "you don't need that at all, you're beautiful"

As I thank her for the compliment I almost cry.

Thanks for that Jesus.

Monday Monday

It's Monday. The weekend came and went in the blink of an eye. It's Monday.
I'm at work so this feels naughty. But I really have nothing else to do, except sit at my desk and be available. Be available and ready for whoever may come through the door or whoever may call on the phone. But until then I must blog, or I will fall asleep.


Today I'm going to tell you some things I've observed while living in Florida.
Being a California girl through and through, living here in Florida this past year has been quite an adventure.

• Here in Florida it is completely flat. No mountains, not even really big hills. I know that most people are aware of the fact that it's flat here, but you don't realize just how weird it is until you are living here. Especially coming from a mountainous place like California.

• Here in Florida it is not the law for motorcyclists to wear helmets. I regularly see guys cruisin' down the highways on their bikes, hair flowing free in the wind, boy is it freaky! I don't understand why it isn't a law in every state for people riding motorcycles to wear helmets. But what I don't understand even more, is why people don't WANT to wear one. I mean seriously?! Is it worth the risk??

• Here in Florida you can ride around in the bed of a pick-up truck. Up until this past weekend I had only ever seen people in the backs of trucks on regular roads. This weekend however, I saw people riding in a truck bed on the highway. Ridiculous I say.

• Here in Florida if it is below 70 degrees the natives freak out. So this winter has been a bit chaotic being that they have been having record lows with temperatures getting down to the mid to low thirties at some points. I think it is the only place where a girl from San Diego can look tough when it comes to winter weather.

• Here in Florida I have only seen two doves the whole year and two months I've lived here.

• Here in Florida, Tampa is the lightning capital of the US. The summer of 2009 was quite an experience for me. On the news they keep track of how many strikes of lightning happen within periods of time during particularly big storms. I remember one day there was over 1,200 lightning strikes in our county within an hour. Crazy.

• Here in Florida the students have to take the FCATS several different times throughout their school careers. It's three days of testing and they don't get the results until December. And if they don't pass the test, THEY FAIL their grade! How absurd is that? What about the kids who just don't test well but have amazing grades? A lady who works in my office was telling me that last year a few high school students who had great grade point averages and who had scholarships waiting for them failed the FCATS and got held back! All I have to say is I'm glad my kids won't be going to school in Florida. The school system here I've heard on numerous occasions is just plain ole' shitty.

• Here in Florida there is a place called Ocala. It is the horse capital of the US. Apparently they breed 'em good.

The truth is there are many more observations and facts I've gathered since living here but I can't recall them all at once. So as they come into my mind I intend to put them on this blog. It is an interesting place to say the least. And it has been a fun adventure so far, I am intrigued to see what this coming year will show me.