3 Years Down

Long time no talk!?

I think from now on, I should just start that at every post because most of my posts are so sporadic. So, this weekend I went to Sun n' Fun for the 3rd year in a row. Yes, this November will mark 3 years with my lovely-yet-pain-in-the-butt Aero Engineer boyfriend, also known as Tim or Grouchy Ferret or sometimes my little bon bon. (I have a lot of different moods!)

I always have a blast at the show, and this year was no exception. We stayed in this historical home in downtown Bartow (Tampa) which was about 30 mins from the show.

The lovely patio

Gorgeous pool in the backyard

Tim on the grill, Brian and Jim at the table

Our Bedroom

Front entrance to the House

The Dining Room no one would use in real life

So, when I first rolled into this house, it was right at dark and no one was there to greet me (My little bon bon had told me he was going out to eat with one of his clients) It was dark and creepy as fuck. I did what any white girl would do.....called up my best frand (Wrenn) and proceeded to walk through every creepy ass room with the camera turned on.

I also texted my dad about the house and a picture of the front, to which he very compassionately replied, "If someone tells you to get out, don't ask why, just leave!"  <------- Thanks, Dad!!

After staying in the house for a few days though, I quickly became pretty comfortable. It had a huge kitchen, gorgeous patio for entertaining and cozy rooms. I would definitely change out most of the furniture but being in a house with so much space just made me yearn even more for my own house.

I honestly don't know if next year will be the year for a house. We'll see.

I got to see one of my favorite ladies at the air show and her goofy ass boyfriend, Robert. Spending time with them (and most of the guys Tim works with) is sometimes, out of this world. Their lives are so drastically different than mine and even Tims! I think this time he kind of felt it when we were talking with Jim and Brian at dinner. (Brian is one of their pilots, it was his rental that I drove to the show)

This is the car, more or less, with all the new bells and whistles!

So, Deb manages a resort in Missouri. She literally receives a couple thousand dollar payments from clients during the air show. She is also on 24 hour call for questions, complaints, and all the inbetween (imagine your customers could do that!?) She is feeling getting her real estate license and a lot of her resort customers are actually interested in her buying them properties (think, 3-4 million dollar properties. You can do the math on that kind of commission! She would literally need to sell 2-3 properties a year to be set!)

If you though Deb was interesting, listen to Robert's story. He grew up in LA, "retired" at 38 from silicone valley. He is worth millions of dollars. Looking at Robert, you'd NEVER know it. He's so laid back, goofy, wears clothes from Walmart and doesn't look down on people. He's also as tall as Tim! He sells engines for a company called UL Aero Engines. Their engines go for $30,000 per engine.

A total different position in life, right? Yet, I never feel awkward. They are both people too. I'm telling you the interesting and uncommon things. Deb made homemade sangria and with that, came lots of interesting stories! So, these two incredibly wealthy, successful people, actually have a lot in common with me.

After Deb told me about the money she will be making soon, and the fact that she really didn't need to work because Robert has gladly said he would take care of things, (but she hates being that dependent) she confessed that her doctor was diagnosed with cancer recently, her two brothers are in  unhappy marriages (one whose wife has slept with her daughter's bf multiple times!) and she grew up with a mother who beat her just because. 

I learned this a little when I would proof read papers in college, I used to think that I could not give advice or shed light on topics that I didn't have exact experience in. Not true. You should never think you're less than enough or unrelateable because the person you are talking with has a better job or in a higher social bracket. 

So, for most of the air show I spent time drinking Sangria with Deb and chatting while the boys worked! It was great. I had a good time but I am happy to be home.

Some of the things floating around in my mind after this weekend:

• Marriage and kids (both came up a few times) 
• Losing weight for Oshkosh (I feel like I'd be 50 times more confident)

My Plan:  1. Eat better (eat a salad for one meal, every day, protein shake and flexible dinner. We might even subscribe to one of those meal delivery services) 

                 2. Walk 2-3 miles every day and then increase

• Money, money, money! Why?:

1. Discussions with Brian, Jim and Deb. They're talking about money that I can't even imagine and it makes me want to work harder and do better. I don't want to rich beyond everything, but I want a house, want to travel, want to live comfortably and not debate on groceries or small purchases. 
2. I want to be more independent. Tim is lovely, I adore him and I want to accept when he helps me, but I also want to build my own empire, so to speak. Be a "power couple."

Tomorrow I have a super busy day. It will be the Mondayest Monday of all Mondays, I imagine. 8 cataract surgeries in the morning, 30+ patients in the afternoon then 4 PTK (superficial keratectomy + PRK correction)  aka, he scrapes scars off the surface of the cornea then uses the same laser you'd use for LASIK to correct the patient's prescription. Looooong day.

I will end this post with saying that Robert made a comment I hear a lot and love when I hear (mainly because I don't feel positive enough sometimes) "Are you always this happy and bubbly? I really like it"

My answer was, "well, ask Tim!" lol. He gets ALL sides of me. But, truthfully, I am usually in a good mood and like to put people in a good mood too. I need to remember this when Tim's mood is in the shitter (it was today after the show for a few reasons) and instead of shutting down, becoming quiet, I want to be the bright light. Not just for him, but for anyone that needs it. Including myself. I need it sometimes too.

Yours Truly,

SM