Visting Country:)

After packing up from Indianapolis, we headed down south to visit some friends and family along with a vacation. Well it gets a little complicated, and confusing... in actuality, they're sort of Mark’s distant – divorced - step family. Mark’s step grand son from his first marriage had a son and Mark wanted to make a visit.

So… that makes me ... a step - great – grand – ma?!? When I told this to Justin, one of my good friends, he busted out into laughter so hard, I thought I had gone def in one ear… err!

First stop was Cedartown, GA a quick visit to Mark’s long time good friend, Jerry Forsyth – out in middle of nowhere, literally. Our 3 GPS system could not locate Jerry’s home so he met us from a main road and guided us to his paradise. Was it a good thing that he did! Our Bus needed extra trimming of branches from trees on each side of barely two lane road to get through.

Jerry whipped over to grab his chain saw from his house and Mark pulled out the expandable ladder and cutter from the storage belly of the bus. Jerry was definitely an outdoor boy, he had no problem climbing to the top of the bus to trim the branches as Mark drove forward, working his chain saw expertly. I guess a picture is worth a thousand words here.

Fran, Jerry’s wife was an extraordinary woman, who was cute as a button and had more energy than most 20 year old! She greeted us in her straw hat, rubber boots and layers of clothes while tending to her organic garden and didn’t even break a sweat.

Once we got in, boys talked about what’s going on in the billiard industry, mostly going wrong and Fran gave me a quick brief on Organic Harvesting for Dummies – 101. She had natural herbs and seasoning for everything, including a natural sweetening leaf that she used for cooking to coffee and tea - Fascinating!

Next morning, I crushed couple of leaves of this plant to sweaten my morning cofee:)

She was so vibrant and full of “good” energy, I felt good just to be in her kitchen and smell all the natural organic herbs. It really relaxed me to no end.

Me and Mark agree that we’re both “city folks” and couldn’t adapt to permanent country living, but we both certainly enjoyed the short stay. It really was beautiful and calming out there.

Thanks Jerry and Fran for the hospitality and sorry Jerry for almost giving you a heart attach when I took off into a long nature jog by myself without a cell phone. Who knew there were 3 bulls running wild out there in your neighborhood? Who just leave thier bulls to roam around?

I just thought all of your neighbor rised cute donkeys like the ones who live a mile away from you:)

Dumb city girl, right?

Cougar? Really?

I am starting to notice that more and more boys at a drive through and at the register is looking more and more.... not like they used to make when I was 20 some...



Here is a proof. One time I was flying, I sat at the window and a middle aged man at the isle. Soon we realize that we weren't so lucky and a young beauty joins the middle seat heading to Las Vegas. She sits down and I can see her curves filled every bit of her torn and tattered jeans. She is every bit of a woman.



Our guest to the isle asks. "Is this your first time to Vegas? I know the perfect party spot!"



The young and hot middle seat answers. "I don't party, I'm only 15 and traveling with family friends!"




How awkward!!!! But I could had never guessed she was only 15!!! It was so unbelievable, I asked her if I could take her pix. Here she is ....Yeah, and the Mr. Pink shirt - I know where to party, LOL.


They just don't look the way they used to when we were 15. Oh and it gets worse... later she tells me that she's almost 15, arrrgh!!!!

Tid Bits

This is one of my favorite pix of Mark-taken in Indianapolis, one chilly night out with me:)

Not that I love shopping that much, it just happened to capture his real smile that many don't get to appreciate. I love me some Mark.

The "BUS"

During an early stage of our very short existted "courtship", Mark mentioned that he owns a "BUS" which he kept at a RV lot and how much he enjoyed the RV'ing. Then he proceeded to tell me how much "I" would enjoy it as well! The ability to travel without set schedules, boundaries and limitation, all the freedom and so on...This got me a little wherry, no actually quite terrified!

My eyes almost popped out of my socket as I snapped "RV Park? I don't think so! I don't think I can live on limited supplies and amenities!" Well... my actual words were little more R rated:)

In my mind, I pictured this tiny RV camper (similar to photo on the left) with limited water supply to go along with tiny shower stall...where I couldn't bend over to pick up the shampoo bottle and a fold out couch to sleep on! No way...I protested over and over. I wasn't having it!

"No, no, honey, you'll really like the BUS, it's 45 ft long, very roomy and it's got everything you need. Plus, it's not just on a regular RV park, it's at one of the top RV Resort in the US! It's hard to get a lot there!" He said 45 ft, but for someone who have no dept perception or with limited mental dimension ability 45 ft didn't sound much different from 4.5ft. I am extremely visual creature with hyperactive imagination. Not a very good combo at this time because it filled my mind with images of fear and frustration. I saw myself stuck in some wooded area being eaten alive by swarm of mosquitoes while Mark enjoyed the outdoor scenery without a bother!

Yes, I'm one of those people who are allergic to all insect bites and swell all over. If that isn't enough, my blood is more enticing to mosquitoes than average jo's. To simply put, my blood to mosquito is like a Fillet Mignon to a steak lover. So having me around in a mosquito infested area is as good as wearing a mosquito repellent because they will get fill on me and leave others alone. Some fortunate gift I have!

Mark went on and on about this BUS and his RV Resort and I suspected a hint of irritation, probably because he could tell my mind was closed off to the idea. I could see his face cringe with frustration as he was left to wonder why he even had to convince me to like the BUS. I think he was even offended even how I had no interest it at all.

Well, one day we had to go to the "BUS" cause Mark needed to get something from there.

We pulled up to a gated community with 24 hour security guard and the gate was opened when the gate guard noticed the decal on our car. I thought, 'hmm, maybe not that bad...at least I don't have to worry about waking up all tied up in someone else's basement...YES, I watch too many scarry movies and would be afraid to ever spend a night in a tent, camp ground or even on a secluded neighborhood...

As we drove around I was pleasantly surprised that Mark wasn't just pulling my chain:) about the RV Resort. It was truly beautiful and relaxing palm trees and every where and each lot boasted professional land escaping, water fountains tropical style huts. It was as each lot owners tried to out do each other! Some lots were so extravagant that just the upgrades and land escaping alone was more expensive than some houses in Indiana! Resorts amenities included 3 swimming pools, jacuzzi, a giant club house with gym and 3 Diamond Pool Tables. (Yeah, pool table, LOL)

OK, maybe... just maybe I can be comfortable here... but what about the BUS? I will still be cramped in there...As I looked around, I noticed some of the RVs were more "over the top" than others. I mean, like the ones you see rock stars and athletes travel around in - and there were many of them...but I held my breath...

Finally, we pulled up to our and there it was!

OK, now I got the visual of 45 ft and yes, I think I can, just maybe big enough for me. Holly Batman, it was HUGE! But still skeptical... I need to see the inside... what was in there? bunch of seats? it looks like a huge bus from outside and me being never in one of those monster BUS, for all I know, it maybe full of bunk beds... Right? It's possible...



OK... here goes.



OH-MY-GOSH!!!



OHHHH----MY……………..


I was greeted by 2 beige leather recliners, one each for the driver and a passenger. I looked at the steps, and I thought to myself 'what is this? marble steps?' Yes, the entire BUS is decked with white marble floor and granite counter tops! Full kitchen with large fridge and every appliance to cook and play with! In the back was the bed room... Not to shabby, huh?





Of course, separate bathroom and shower definately passed my seal of approval. The shower was large enough that I could do yoga even if I wanted to, LOL. And the best part? The walk in closet, baby!

OK, I think I played it off well enough to hide my excitement from Mark but I thought, I just might... maybe... possibly like this RV living:) thing after all.

...

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Leaving the Navy

Yes! I am no longer bound by the laws of UCMJ, the military Uniform Code of Justice. As if today, I am free to voice my opinion in a honest way and I have waited a long time for today...

I have had learned and experienced great deal from the Navy and it's a rewarding experience that will benefit me for the rest of my life. I know I will be more able to adapt to changes and stressful events rather quickly than most - face the challenges and seek for solution! List goes on and on. I can't really thank the Navy enough.

Some people never get out of their comfort zone and spend their entire life being surrounded by same people, same job and same culture. Nothing wrong with that, but the Navy has given me the opportunity to interact with people from all sorts of back ground and from many corners of the states and even the world. It truly opened my eyes to look beyond their appearance, body language and any distraction to truly listen to people and see their quality or purpose.

I am by nature an intuitive person and thought that I was a very good judge of character. Many times, I made my decisions within seconds and new if I like that person or not - done deal, just like that! Well, with the teachings of Navy and diverse interaction has awakened a more observant side of me and now I am more careful and wiser.

If you're a fan of personality tests, you can say that being in the Navy has slowly changed me from totally intuitive to intuitive and analytical.

So, here goes why I left the wonderful Navy that has made me a better person through and through.

When I married Mark, it became a challenge to balance our life style and my Navy career. Mark wasn't an ideal military spouse - dependent is a military term for family and I would be a sponsor. Military spouses, usually have to give up their career to support their sponsor's military career. Be able to pick up and move to every continent of the world or face a long separation if not allowed to accompany - such as hostile location, can you say Iraq? or on a ship. Many military spouse pick up part time jobs, work at home or become a stay at home parent..


However, Mark is a successful businessman based out of Los Vegas and with many employees that depend on him. Plus, his business required frequent travel and he is actively involved in many other projects. So, began the long distance marriage me flying all over the coasts, about twice a month to be with Mark as much as possible. In the beginning everything was fine and exciting but soon, the tolls of travel and odd working hours start to get the best of me.

My basic routine were: Get caught up, travel, work while and during leave (burning vacation time) in Los Vegas home, travel, work late to get caught up with no overtime pay and travel... I was seriously getting burnt out!

After about a year of this ... I carefully weighed out my options. I could request for next duty station to be in Las Vegas or in Cali - Navy's presence is predominant in CA. Me and Mark had many serious conversation to not just through away the 15 years of service and not receive the retirement pension for it.

But then the deal breaker came.

As I advanced in the ranks of Navy, more and more I see people playing manipulative games to get over on people. I got stabbed and stepped on because I refused to play the game and up hold what I believe in. It was a dog it dog world times 10!

Plus, I was in the era of clashing of Old and New Navy!

The Old Navy was that the Rank meant everything! You just don't stand up or correct anyone who is ranked higher than you. And how do you achieve higher ranks? Connection and time served! Education, managing, communication and leadership skills had nothing to do with it. Needless to say, there are lots of people sitting in leadership position collecting their high paychecks and DEMAND respect by the color of their uniform.

Well, that's where my problem gets thicker... I just cannot eat shit with a smile on my face. I really had hard time respecting someone who just didn't have a clue, abused their authority and couldn't adapt to the changing Navy. They thought they had special rules for them that didn't apply to others and it made my skin craw every time I heard, "if you made the paycheck like he/she did, then you can do the same!"

The New Navy is more relaxed and are trying to run more like a corporate. Training and selecting deserving people for certain roles with more credibility and quality. Many benefit to encourage further education to obtain a degree. In the New Navy, an enlisted member with a Doctorate Degree is not un heard of and even becoming a trend.

However, the phasing of Old to New hasn't yet had it's full revolution and still some are getting by the influence of Old.

This was the life I dealt with before Mark and would had completed my 20 to retire, but when looking at all the options, it was best that I left the Navy to be at Mark's side. We would be much more happy and and able to truly enjoy each other.