Hi! My name is Corinna Goold, founder of theshipshapelife.com
I’m a wife and a mother to three kids, which means I’m basically glue. I hold it all together.
I love a good story, and I have lots to tell.
There was that one time while we lived in Hawaii when I unexpectedly shared a scream-filled shower with a gecko and practically flashed the entire neighborhood trying to get the thing out of my house. That memory is burned into my son’s head for life. But I’m sure he’s not scarred.
There was that time I flew in a C-5 military jet with two kids under the age of 5 and sat next to a mom who’s baby was the one on the show “Lost”. That kid had “star” written all over her. Although in the show she was a he. But don’t tell the producers.
And of course there was that time I was married to a 20 year Navy Diver. Spoiler alert, we’re still married. I know, there are days that I’m just as shocked as you are right now.
What in the world makes me want to sit down and write a blog? Well, I have all these great stories and someone should really hear them. And also, I need to.
I wish that when I was young and just getting started in life that someone had been a mentor to me. Sure, there are lots of military specific stuff that I was clueless about. Like, how do you pick up and move away from everyone you know and love and start all over in a place that you had no choice in? Multiple times. And will there be a test on all of these acronyms? Because, what?!
But there was also just LIFE stuff. Being a young wife, starting a family, and being really, really good at placing myself at the very bottom of any list. And that was on a good day. Most of the time it never occurred to me to put myself on the list at all!
Two of my children have special needs. But everybody always says that you must take care of yourself. Ok. Let me get right on that. Right after I hang up from this phone call from the principal who says I need to come down and pick up my son because he is wandering around on the school campus and refuses to return to his classroom. True story.
Throughout all of the moving, the picking up and starting over, I have met many people. They tell me their stories, they share their experiences. I have learned so much from every single one. I’m a listener at heart and I have spent years listening and observing some truly great examples as well as some particularly awful ones. Don’t worry, I will change the names to protect the innocent.
This listening habit has been part of me for a very long time. I have always loved encouraging people and helping them find solutions to the things that feel impossible to overcome in their lives. As the years have progressed, I can look back and realize that not only have I been blessed to be helpful to others, but that those people have often taught me something in return.
How the heck do you turn platitudes into something real and meaningful? How do you live your best life? What are your strengths and how can you be a positive force in this world?
That is why I created “the shipshape life.” A collection of adventures, stories, encouragement, permission to be you, and a map to get there. I’m sharing what I’ve learned, my experiences, what I’ve done to untangle myself from meaningless and wounding expectations and replace them with purpose, taking care of myself, and ultimately being able to help others.
And doing it all with as few acronyms as possible.
FIVE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT ME:
1. I’ve never been arrested, although I have ridden in the back of a police car. That was awkward.
2. I grew up believing I was related to Dolly Parton. Hey, don’t judge. Tennessee is a special place.
3. I have been to 40 out of 50 of our United States and I have moved 16 times in 20 years.
4. I love to be in gardens, around greenery and freshness. I also have the worst black thumb in the history of the planet. All green things living in my world are entirely thanks to my husband.
5. I hate milkshakes. They confuse me. Why would I take perfectly good ice cream and pour milk all over it, blend it, and drink it? What? Maybe it’s a texture thing, but under no circumstances do I ever choose that. And if I do, something is very wrong and I am probably signaling for help.
Thanks for checking out this space. I hope you find a bright spot in your day here, and if you love it, share it with your friends. I’m a sharer!