On Politics | Project 365 {Days 96-106} St. Augustine Photographer

February 28, 2016

I've always been huge into politics. Years before I could legally vote I watched all the debates, went to the rallies, and stayed up all night watching the votes roll in.

Spoiler alert: I'm pretty outspoken. In years past I've been highly verbal about my political opinions. Due to getting older, a diverse group of friends, owning a business, and a million other reasons, I'm learning to keep my political thoughts to myself. I emphasize learning here because it is a work in progress and one heck of a habit to break.

If you're a republican- you're a narrow minded bigot. If you're a democrat- you're an entitled brat who just wants free stuff. No matter where you fall on the spectrum - there are people who will rip you to shreds and, frankly, think less of you.

There is no room for respectful dialogue. People form their opinions and then blinders go up. Its like two parties fighting two simplified halves of larger issues. People are so hell bent on their half of things that they refuse to see that no issue is black and white. Case and point - look at the posts and memes that go viral. On both sides we get an oversimplification of complex issues coupled with snide comments and TADA! Social media gold!

I think it's safe to say I burnt a few bridges last election (FYI - avoid mixing politics, wine & the internet). I don't want to do that this year. I don't want to be looked down upon because I have certain views and I don't want to alienate anyone because they have different views from mine.

The reality is we are humans. And like it or not, we all have our flaws and they run deep. We can all be greedy. We can all be arrogant. We can all be bigots. We can all be entitled and selfish. We can all say stupid shit and be flat out wrong. But we can also be really great things- compassionate, forgiving, strong, resilient. It's easy for us as HUMANS to compartmentalize. But none of these characteristics are exclusive to any one person, let alone a political party.

So here's to the 2016 election & staying informed while remaining civil.

Oh and ps. the Florida Presidential Primary election is Tuesday March 15. You can only vote under the party you're registered under. To check your registration status and find where you vote go HERE

This blog is a part of my project 365 series. Documenting life and sharing too much, every day, for 365 days. To see more CLICK HERE

Day 96 : February 18, 2016

Day 97: February 19, 2016

Day 98: February 20, 2016

Day 99 : February 21, 2016

DAY 100!! :February 22, 2016

Day 101 : February 23, 2016

Day 102 : February 24

Day 103 : February 25, 2016

Day 104 : February 26, 2016

Day 105 : February 27, 2016

Day 106 : February 28, 2016

Downsizing | Project 365 {Days 87-95}

February 17, 2016

At the beginning of the year circumstances lined up insanely perfect for us to finally pull the trigger and move- so we did. We said goodbye to our 3 bedroom fenced backyard house and moved to a two bedroom apartment. When I tell people this they respond as if they feel bad for us - but seriously - don't! It has been the best choice we've made in a long time.

The amount of time it takes to clean our apartment in comparison to our house is just - beautiful. We need to run to the store? Five minutes away vs. a 20+ minute commute to get to town at our old house. We can walk to the beach. Like we literally walk to the ocean- in under 10 minutes- I think that's pretty damn awesome. Just up the road in the other direction is an awesome playground/garden/dog park - more awesomeness. One thing I missed so much when moving to our house - especially in the brutal summer months - was the pool - but now? We have a pool in our complex again!

Having kids young it was pretty easy to get sucked in to the stereotypical 'American dream'. Pride and wanting to prove that we could led us down the road we took. We learned a lot on that journey. But walking away from that? Milton leaving the 9-5 grind and us spending the weekends exploring vs mowing the lawn? Letting go of what we're 'supposed' to do and just doing what we want to do? It has been so liberating I could scream!

Day 87: February 09, 2016

Day 88 : February 10, 2016

Day 89: February 11, 2016

Day 90: February 12, 2016

Day 91: February 13, 2016

Day 92: February 14, 2016

Day 93: February 15. 2016

Day 94 : February 16, 2016

Day 95: February 17,2016

Negativity | Project 365 {Days 72-86}

February 08, 2016

This blog is a part of my project 365 series. Documenting life and sharing too much, every day, for 365 days. To see more CLICK HERE

I often hear people saying they are cutting negative people out of their lives, or that negative people are toxic. Similarly many people are frustrated because, especially on social media, people only put their best foot forward. You're just seeing the highlight reel - an edited life - not the full picture. I often wonder where the balance is between these two aspects. I usually just settle on the fact that people just love to have something to bitch about and try to not drive myself crazy - but some days I drive myself crazy anyway.

People claim they want more then fake surface crap, but greet them with true transparency, reality, pain, struggle, and people don't want anything to do with it. It's like you're allowed to be negative - so long as you're comical about it - or tie it with an inspirational message bow.

Last year when life was dragging us through the mud - I didn't hold back. I'm a vocal person and arguably shared too much about our personal life with people as I tend to do. I have a stupid amount of bad habits - thankfully "holding it all in" isn't typically one of them. In many aspects I am a hermit - but ironically I'm also a people person - I'm certainly a "she talks a lot" person.

My happy little circle of friends shriveled to nothing. People I once communicated with regularly, went months without as much as a text message - certainly no face to face interaction.

2015 was pretty horrific. I was negative. I was scared. I was in shock. I was bitter. I was toxic. I was all over the place. And consequently - I was avoided.

As I say often- life comes in waves - so thankfully the shit storm was temporary- and life is riding a pretty awesome wave at the moment.

Last year, although things were overall 'bad' - there were several awesome moments. Lots of silver linings. This year - life is looking really damn good. But there are still those days where I'm ripping my hair out and on edge.

I really resent the notion that life is so two dimensional - happy or sad. I resent the notion that we should only share the best less we be labeled as negative.

Why can't we accept the simple reality that life is both horrific and glorious? That sure - we are the only one in charge of how we respond to situations - but we're also human which means sometimes, heaven forbid, we respond negatively. Sometimes, for whatever reason, we need to just release all the crud, and it often isn't pretty. Sometimes life isn't perfect - and neither is our response to imperfection.

At the time the loss of community added to the heartache of a particularly hard year - but there were people who stuck around. Who listened to me cry. Who listened to me yell. Who allowed me to be bat shit crazy and loved me anyway. Who didn't shy away but embraced our family among its messiness. And that was one of the more shining of the silver linings - the amazing love and compassion we were given during such a dark time. It brings me to tears just thinking about how lucky we were to have such open people to help us make it through the storm. And now that we're back in a more cheerful chapter - I'm so happy to have those souls by my side to share in our joy.

Day 72 : January 25