Welcome to Our Beautiful Chaos

 

 

Ok... so I saw this pillow at Big Lots yesterday and I was like, "This is my life! Obviously, I need to own the pillow." I will also admit to having a bit of a throw pillow problem, which is still much less destructive than say a prescription pill problem. I choose to focus on the positive. 

 

Anywho... I am starting my blog by digressing to irrelevancies. Let me see if I can rein this in.

 

It has been a while since I have posted an article but since my life seems to be in a moment of pretty major upheaval, as I know most of yours probably are too, I figured now was as good of a time as any.

 

For those of you who know me, this will be a familiar review. And for those of you who may be new to my life... Welcome! This shit is about to get real. I will thank you in advance for having patience with me, excusing or embracing the occasional (or frequent) curse word, and looking to see where we can connect on the common trials, tribulations, joys, and successes that we will surely share along the way. 

 

I will readily concede that there is a whole host of things that I know nothing about. Like how one can honestly enjoy black licorice. That is the devil's candy. But if there is one thing that I do know for sure, it's that I am not that unique. I mean, YES, ok... I may be different from many of you in how I approach my life, the decisions I make, the information that I choose to share in a public format, and perhaps my fashion choices. My son has been sure to tell me at least 4 times today that the dress I am wearing makes me look pregnant. "No offense." I said, "Why would I be offended? Pregnant women are awesome!" 

 

At the end of the day, I truly believe that we are all just trying to figure out how to make a good life with the hand we were dealt and the future that we dare to dream up.

 

I will endeavor to be honest, transparent, real, and positive as I share with you the challenges and successes I face in my life as a woman, mother, wife, daughter, professional, and fellow human being. So let's have some introductions. I will start.

 

Hi everyone. My name is Aleta and I am an adrenaline junkie.

 

"Hi, Aleta."

 

I never wanted to admit that before but I can see it more clearly with each passing day. I worked with a career counselor years ago as I attempted to make sense of my varied and seemingly disjointed professional path. When I told her that I had drastically changed my career and /or state of residence every 3 years for basically my entire life, she exclaimed, "Oh! You are a cliff dweller!" I was like, "Huh? Ummm... no, thank you.” Besides not knowing what the hell she meant, I am also afraid of heights, so that just didn’t seem to fit. 

 

But, as it turns out, I do seek out the adrenaline of change and transition to push myself to grow and learn. And since that meeting, I have jumped out of 2 planes. I ALMOST peed myself that first time. But I didn't. So there. Take that heights!! 

My need for change is pathological now that I really look at it. And 3 years seems to be the point when I start to get that familiar itch. No... not the one you are thinking of... Thank you, antibiotics... but rather the itch for a new job, cross country move, or opportunity. But one must be careful what one asks for. One just might get it!

 

Hello, Covid-19. 

 

We are a military family. I am a veteran and my husband is still serving our country through his military career of almost 24 years and running. We call Washington State our home but we also just spent 3 years in up-up-upstate New York. Think Canada... only more remote and arguably colder. It was an amazing experience and we were also thrilled to be able to move back "home" to Tacoma, WA. In the middle of a global pandemic. With no guaranteed jobs lined up. No house to return to either. Yes, my husband is a bit of a cliff dweller too.

 

So... this blog will be a place for me to share our beautiful chaos with you all. Our journey through Coronavirus land while raising 2 boys and a dog all while trying to maintain our health, a marriage, careers, sanity, and a sense of community. It will surely be messy, hopefully funny at times, hard and scary too, and also... beautiful.

 

This is my life, my family, and my journey. Beautiful chaos. It's time to embrace it.

 

 

P.S. Don't get too used to seeing that makeup, accessories, and hair. This is NOT my everyday look these days.