My Crazy Morning Hair

My hair has a life of it's own. Srsly. And yes I intentionally spell seriously like that at times when you must pronounce it as written...srsly.

I guess I never really took much notice of it until it became an expectation every time I stayed with my friends Anna and Clairessa. We live about 20 minutes apart, so when we plan on drinking when we hang out, I end up spending the night...'cause that's the responsible thing to do, folks! Listen to your elder!

We began to realize a trend; I would wake up with hair that looked like I had either an..ahem...entertaining night in bed...or a head banging with hair spray at a rock concert night in bed. So we woke with laughter...isn't that how life should be? Oh...and just to be clear...entertaining nights or not...my hair is always like this in the morning...and even after naps...just from sleeping, y'all!

Anyway! I've started to document my crazy morning hair, and when I'm not with my gal pals, I text Anna a picture. It's time to take the next step and share it with you, my darling readers. This blog addresses some hard hitting issues, so it's a must that I share some silliness too! I hope you all enjoy!

This is dedicated to The Honcoops and Clairessa! Hugs and love to them and to you all, my lovelies!

Peace!
Crazy Morning Hair Lady

p.s. This is morning time. No makeup, puffy faced, and melatonin laced. Don't be haters, people! lol

May is Mental Health Month...Why didn't I know this?!

We're more than halfway through the month, and I just found out today that May is Mental Health Month. I've also learned that May is "fill in the blank month" for several other topics. Initially I felt like I had messed up by not making mental health a more dominant conversation here on The Ro Fo Sho. Then, I realized that with all of the other subjects of the month out there, that it's actually a good example of how this topic seems to get lost in the mix! I remember reading a single column segment in a magazine once about celebrities talking more publicly about their personal struggles with mental illness, and I can't think of another time the matter was addressed again!

On The View today, Chicago Bears Wide Receiver, Brandon Marshall, shared his battle with mental illness. Brandon Marshall discusses the Brandon Marshall Foundation, and his mission to end the stigma attached to mental illness. This is the synopsis you can read on The View's website. What stories could other celebrities and athletes have to share?

On the 12 o'clock news today, I learned that yesterday there was a run on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for depression and suicide awareness! I had no idea this was going on!!! Will there be other events to drive awareness?

I now know that there is so much more I need to do to be an effective part of the discussion on mental illness. I'm not a celebrity, an athlete, or someone prominent in the public eye. I'm just an every day woman with clinical depression. I want to also be a part of Brandon's mission "to end the stigma attached to mental illness." I've tried to encourage my readers to talk about their struggles and to not feel like they can't share their illnesses for fear of judgement or becoming an outcast. Now I need to do more research on foundations, resources, events to drive awareness, and places to find support.

This is my last week at work before we move to Florida and I find a new job. I've already shared my plans for The Ro Fo Sho, but I'd also like to say that I will be working on this blog and the topic of mental illness, specifically depression, to provide more information for you, my dear readers. Whenever I read an article or watch a news blip on this subject, I feel like I don't read or hear about it again until an individual has reached the brink. Bullying, cancer, the dangers of smoking, and so many other issues are prominently addressed in the media everywhere we look. I believe that the subject of mental health concerns should be just as prominent and not just when something negative brings attention to it.

Any ideas or contributions y'all would like to make would be greatly appreciated!

The metaphor about the caterpillar becoming the butterfly is definitely well known...and probably used way too often! I for one appreciate the caterpillar. She's sturdy. She's lovely without being fragile. She hasn't yet become what she's destined to be, but she's not just lounging around waiting. She's moving and eating and traveling...she's checking out nature and feeling the warmth of the sun and resting in the coolness of the shade. She's living.

I hope that makes sense to y'all! If not, thanks for putting up with me anyway! Haha! Hugs and love my lovelies!

Love,
Amy

p.s. I don't know if this little cutie becomes a butterfly lol...sorry I'm no expert here! I don't even know if all caterpillars become butterflies or not! If they do, well that's awesome! If not, well, like I said...I love caterpillars!

Girls Day! Karla and The Ro Fo Sho Edition!

My friend, Karla, and I use to consistently have the same days off together until both of our employers decided to shake are schedules up. So we had a series of "bummer" weeks when we realized none of our days off aligned! Finally, yesterday we both had the same day off! Whoo hoo!

Okay first, here's something to note. My husband and her fiance are on the same ship...so that's why we like to get together so often...our men are gone at the same time when the ship is out! (My friend, Whitney's fiance is also on the same ship...I'll tell you about our sushi dates another time.)

When I first became a part of this military lifestyle, it was challenging during those times when he was away. Thankfully, I had my life savers/ sisterfriends, Anna, Clairessa, and Regina (which will also be featured in later Girls Day Editions), and I still have them! They were and have always been there for me, and I'm forever grateful! Tom being gone got easier to handle when I was with my gal pals! Karla came in to my life after their 2012 deployment.

The really great thing about my friendship with Karla is the convenience of our guys on the same ship and the convenience that we're literally right down the street from each other! I love spontaneous get togethers, and Karla and I get to have those all the time! But, it's always nice to plan something too...and when we found out we had the same day off together...Girls Day!!!

Yesterday morning, we both thought the same thing and invited one another over for breakfast...great minds think alike! Karla won the toss and we shared a delicious breakfast and coffee at her place. She does have the Keurig, and that's always a winning option!

The weather was wonderful! Blue skies and lots of sunshine...nice and warm too! Our first stop, the Navy Exchange (NEX). We're actually not the greatest companions for each other when we shop because we encourage each other to, "yeah you should totally get that!" Haha which means we are more likely to spend more money...oh well who cares? Hahaha! Nothing specifically fun to share about that adventure, except that on the way out we couldn't resist a pretzel! Sooo yummy!

The warmth and bright skies inspired us to go to the beach of course. Instead of going to the Oceanfront tourist beach, we went to the beach at the Little Creek Base...obviously you have to possess a military ID, so the beach doesn't get so crowded, and it's great! Close by and convenient...gotta love it! However! I'm not exaggerating in the slightest bit! With the gate in sight, the skies were turning gray; and as we crossed in to base, there was a fog hovering all around us. We. Were. Bummed. But, we kept on driving and went ahead and set up on the beach with a bit of chill in the wind and an eerie mist on the horizon. It was her puppy's first time at the beach and Kakashi's first time in a long time! We buried our toes in the sand and snacked on fresh guacamole I whipped up and tried to make the most of it. It was nice...it really was...but it would have been nicer without our dogs...or with our men to help take care of the dogs. Kakashi and her German Shepard, Athena, were straight up jerks. They would not chill out or be cool at all....Athena ate sand and Kakashi ate dried up seaweed....they shook their sandy bodies right next to us every time. I think we lasted an hour before we were like, "Okay I've had enough...you? Yeah." And right as we're driving through the gate to exit...blue and sunny skies again. Kid you not.

So we settled on enjoying the last few hours of sunshine by the pond at my apartment...Kakashi and Athena right along with us. We attached their leads to the iron fence posts at the back of a little sun deck on the water. Aaaaannnndddd...Athena got a little clumsy on the stairs and fell in the pond. A pond currently filled with algae. Totally yuck looking. Karla quickly grabbed the lead and I hauled Athena out of the water thus soaking myself in water and green goo. After the drama calmed down...Kakashi thought he should jump in too...and again...I hauled his stinky wet dog butt outta of it. Then, we moved to the grass with a rocky barrier between us and the pond. Our next Girls Day will not include our fur babies...those punks caused a lot of stress haha! Time with Kakashi and Athena will have to include time with our men to help us deal with our hell raisers.


Despite all of the mishaps, Karla and I enjoyed our Girls Day and definitely had some laughs. We're also pretty sure we witnessed two ducks gettin' it on...not 100% sure...but a good story to wrap up the day!

Cheers to Girls Day! Hope y'all are startin' your summer time fun! Hugs and love, my lovelies!

Slainte!
Amy Ro Fo Sho

Leaving This Place for the 3rd Time aka Last Time

Sitting in the furniture aisle at work. Shoppers shuffling their feet as they walk by. Happy children and screaming children.

Advertisements blaring. Florescent lights glaring.

I've worked for this company two times before. I'm the best at what I do. Over qualified really...but it just makes it easier.

Head is steadily aching. Nerve is gradually breaking.

I leave in less than three weeks. I will not work for this company again.

Big retailers are getting more greedy. Customers are getting more needy.

This third time here, not at all a charm. But I've met good people. Brought joy to my customers. Been inspired by others.

So long 1 hour photo lab.
I've got some dreams to grab!

Hello dear ones! Yes...yes I am blogging at work haha! These last few days have been challenging...hence the inspiration for my little...a bit cheesy...poem.

I've got some work to do after I leave here...boring practical things. But before I find another job, I'm going to do some renovating on The Ro Fo Sho! And that means from working on my own health to truly dedicating myself to my art and my blog. I forsee the more than mediocre life I've always wanted...part of it has been that way thus far but I know the majority will soon be taken over! And thank heavens for my husband! I couldn't do it without my hard working, supportive, not to mention devilishly good lookin' man!

Making changes and still kicking depression butt! We just have to...don't let depression, whether clinical, situational, or temporary, keep you from your dreams for too long. Otherwise, it takes longer to start seeing the possibility of those dreams coming true!

Hugs and love, my lovelies!
The Ro Fo Sho

A Refreshing Spin on Wine

Ree Drummond,  The Pioneer Woman, featured a wine and club soda concoction once on her Food Network show. It looked so refreshing and delicious! I think I looked the actual recipe up when I first wanted to make it, but at some point I just started throwing it together without any thought!

I take a giant wine glass I got at The Dollar Tree and toss about 4 ice cubes inside. Then, I pour whatever white wine I have on hand halfway up the glass, and top it off with Club Soda. It's super light and bubbly...I love it!

Sometimes I do this with red wine...you don't really get the same effect, but I like it when I want to drink a red with a more diluted flavor.

Anywho! If you want a refreshing and simple drink this summer, this is definitely a favorite of mine!

Hugs and love,  my lovelies!
Cheers!
The Ro Fo Sho 

p.s. I only drink Moscato wine when it's a Moscato D'Asti...any other kind is way too sweet!

Blogging from my Samsung S5

Testing testing...how easily can I blog on this new fangled technolgy phone. Yes...yes I have been behind in owning an up to date phone. Moving on with testing.

Ahem. Subject shall be yummy foods I ate this weekend!

Chorizo Fiesta Omelet at IHop. Delicious! A flavorful spicy dish with a little holy moly hot hot hot pepper on the side!!! Nice taste but my mouth was very much on fire!

Table Side Guacamole at Chili's. Avocados are a gift from heaven above!  Oh my, the goodness of guac makes life oh so perfect!

OK so I had to attach the photos before I composed this blog...so let's see if it worked ok!

Fingers crossed! Hugs and love, my lovelies!

Keeping up with the new and now,
Amy

If You Wanna Follow Me On Instagram

p.s. My Instagram username is amyrofosho if you'd like to follow me. I promise I will not bombard y'all with selfies!

Whoops! Gotta hurry up and get ready for work!!! Running late!!!

A Little Bit of Serious, Fluff, and Nonsense!

Valentines Flowers from Tom

I hope the randomness of my posts aren't annoying for y'all...would you want me to elaborate more on one topic? I'm only thinking about this right now because what I've read, a successful blog has a consistency to it, from topic to how often one posts. I know my common thread has always been about living with clinical depression, but I don't talk about it in every entry. Hmmm...

Well that's a good thing! All of us living with mental illnesses know that it's not something we want to particularly ponder on a daily basis. Here's something for y'all to know; if I'm not writing about it, that usually means it's not affecting my day at all...those are happy days! But, today is a happy day even though I'm writing about depression...so when I'm writing about it, it's not that I'm having a bad day necessarily, but rather I just want to talk about it...remember what I've said?

Keep the conversation going!

Terribly sorry if that was all just a bit confusing! I've had a lot of coffee today!

Anyway! I just wanted to share a few things on my mind. So! Back to depression...let me tell y'all how it's going! I'm still trying to get to that wonderful place I was in not too long ago, and I've actually had some moments when I'm there again. I want to be there every day though, so it's still a struggle and a process. That's just a part of it though...one does not get better over night and sometimes not even after a few months. I think the time that it takes and the effort we put in to that time builds a stronger foundation for us to feel better and stay feeling better. So keep pushing!

I also want to share more about living with depression while being a spouse of a military service member and being part of the "military community." I'm always hearing or reading about how someone "could not imagine being committed to a military person" or "that lifestyle would be too hard for me." And then I read and hear the military significant others explaining that a "strong enough love is enough to get you through it" or "it's really not that bad." A strong love is definitely essential! However, it is a hard lifestyle with mental illness...life in general is a challenge with mental illness...but there are a good many more chunks of challenges when you become part of the "military community." I don't want to elaborate too much in this post today, but I do want to let y'all know that it IS something I will be talking about in the near future!

USS Iwo Jima Homecoming 2012

Now for a little bit of fluff and nonsense! For my husband's 30th birthday, I got him the new Samsung 5s...aaaaand I got one for me too! Lol I couldn't help it...he's been needing a new phone and I just really wanted a new phone! I'm not the girl who has to have a new model every year...but...I wanted one so that I could have Pinterest and Instagram and Candy Crush and basically all the good apps. It's perfectly fine to need these apps since I'm an artist and photographer and blogger, right? Right! I had an HTC Radar and it had a system that they had tried (and failed) to execute as an exclusive thing like IPhone and Androids...you know what I mean? Anyway...it was no bueno. Anywho! I'm especially excited to have Instagram again! Definitely not a fan of the barrage of selfies I see...seriously...how many times must one share the same silly expression or the same "sitting in my car" pose...drives me crazy! I love Instagram because it feels like taking snapshots of the world around us and adding filters and edits and such, makes the simple every day life all the more beautiful and special! Here are my latest little shares...

I made the collages using my app "A Beautiful Mess." I highly recommend this app and their lovely delightful blog! Photo apps are so much fun! It's like completely stress free photography for all of us professional photographers...we mostly just have to pay attention to composition and can basically forget about all those other little manual settings like white balance, aperture, shutter and all that good stuff! So yeah...I've been having fun!

All right I guess that's enough thoughts for right now. I've gotta start getting ready for work! Oh yeah! I work in a photo lab, so this month is especially relevant because May is National Photo Month!!! Yay!!! So get out there and print your photos, enlarge them, put 'em on a mug, transfer 'em to a canvas...so many fun things to do with your photos...don't just keep them on your phones, y'all!

Hope y'all have a beautiful day! Hugs and love, my lovelies!

Smiles,
Amy