Five For Friday

#1 It's negative-freakin-SIX-degrees right now.

#2 I'm so happy that a few have commented and emailed about a swap!

There is Christmas spirit left in the blogland! hehe

As of right now we be few, but I'll accept more until Sunday. Spread the word if you'd like. I know I was super sad that it would have been my first year not having a swap to do, so don't let anyone feel left out!

A few people have asked about Christmas card swappage, so I'll add that too. Since some people like to craft, I would partner crafters with crafters, buyers with buyers, and card swappers with card swappers. Just leave a comment like "crafter", "purchase a gift", "swap a card". I also like to card swaps for myself, and the beautiful Miss Rach is the first address I received this year!

#3 I wasn't going to decorate for the holidays with the impending move, but then I was because I thought I would be happier and more in the spirit, even so we ran out of time on Turkey day when I planned to do it, and now we are a mere three weeks away. Perhaps, that will be a good event for this weekend. Good thing I bought Egg Nog Protein Powder!

#4 If your man needs some sexy pants, go to Khol's and check out the Marc Anthony line. We ran in there before date night the other day {yes, we tend to shop for him on a need basis based on what I wear}, and I almost fainted over the sexiness when he tried them on. I bought him THREE pair I loved them so much. Just trust me. Go buy them.

#5 I have the next three days off, and I couldn't be more excited about it, for the specific reason that it will be so cold that I will be forced to stay in la casa. Poor Will won't be able to stay home, though :( He has a 24 hour duty AGAIN.  How is this possible? They do separate schedules for the week and weekend, but both start at the top of the alphabet. If I were in charge, I would start one at the top and one at the bottom, but what do I know? I'm just a dumb blonde. Yeesh.

I hope you all have a warmer weekend that I!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Raise your hand if you are excited about tonight's Sound Of Music Tribute?

Me, me, ME!

I know some people are freaking out and saying that you can't 'remake' SOM, but you are wasting your energy. The powers that be knew that no one wants or can imagine it remade, so this is going to be a fabulous tribute performance. Genius.

In honor of tonight, I figured I'd share a few of my favorite things.

+ Kashi berry cereal.


I don't like sweets in the morning, but it makes a great late night snack. I know, I know, everyone says you shouldn't eat that late, but I have Hypoglycemia and it helps me avoid waking up with the shakes. It also gives me extra fiber, which I'd rather take at night if you know what I'm sayin'.

+ New boots!


Yes, I only have two months left to wear snow boots, but I took that into consideration when I ordered them. I made sure to pick a lower profile that I would be willing to wear when we move. Plus, my last pair only cost $5 and I wore them slap out. ..totally deserved new ones.
+ Red Wine Risotto
I never say no to Risotto, and now that I can make it in the crockpot, I could eat it on the daily. I love crockpot season!

+ Having most of my Christmas shopping done.
I actually started the Christmas shopping six months ago because I always keep my eye out for great gifts. Sometimes I buy things off the Christmas lists that go around, but I try to think outside the box. I feel like it means more if I find a gift that they will love on my own.

Recently, I asked around about a Christmas Swap, and I haven't seen one. I feel like this is a sad indicator of the blogland Christmas spirit, so I'm going to host one of my own. It's last minute, so I know you may be apprehensive, but how much time do you really need? I feel like we all just drag them out, and it becomes more of a chore than anything.

So here's the deal, comment that you want to participate, choose "purchase a gift" or "craft a gift", and then I will partner us all up by Sunday. We will have about five days to mail, and then we will link up our gifts. I've participated and/or held a swap every year, so I would just feel cheated without it. Wouldn't you?

Now it's passed my bed times. Nighty-might!

I Shouldn't Complain, But I Am

I'm pretty sure Tuesdays are one of my favorite days of the week.

Monday is over, only three days left of the week post-Tuesday, and one might say it just rolls off the tongue. Although, I have decided that the WORST and most eratic driving is done on Tuesdays. {In case you didn't know}, I over-analyze the shnit out of everything, and even have an entire breakdown of the days of the week. Just don't run away! I won't bore you with my nonsensical-nonsense. Well, at least that nonsensical-nonsense.

The best thing about this particular Tuesday?

I get to have a dinner date with this handsome fella, even though he is on a 24 hour duty. Yep, he's working 24 hours with zero sleep, which means NONE of us can complain about an eight hour shift. Mmmmkay? Thankfully, he gets meal breaks, so we are going to grab a quick dinner to break up the monotony.

For those of you wondering why I've been off my blogging schedule no one's wondering other than Will, but humor me, it's because Will and I have had more time off together lately. Normally, I have at least one day a week that I can dedicate to blogging, but lately, I've had the pleasure of spending extra time with him. It makes me sad to have SO much to tell y'all, and not enough time to share it or catch up with nine million emails, but nothing comes between Will and I, and y'all know this.

I typed up a lot of other excuses, but I realized it sounded like just that...excuses. I'm not sorry that I have been busy, but I'm frustrated that I don't have the mental capacity for one of my greatest passions. It makes me realize that something's gotta give. I'm hoping that this next move will bring me a clean slate where I can have a less taxing work environment or no work environment teehee, and I can find the balance.

You know who else can't find the balance? Flippin' Colorado.

Personally, I think Will jinxed us. I said something about it being December, and he said it couldn't be because it isn't even cold. You got your wish, sucka. The rest of this week is just going to plain suck. December, we are friends-off until you get your weather in check.

To end this on a positive note, these are the things that keep me blogging:

+ YOU

+ The community support.

+ MilSpouse bloggers that are the best resources, and 'know' what I'm going through.

I don't know where we would be without all the advice and help we have gotten over the last few years. In the Military, everything is on a 'need to know' basis, and most of it is simply asking the right questions. I am very happy that I have had the 'right' bloggers to ask the 'right' questions.

+ Keeping in touch with friends even when we move.

+ Getting perspective from the blogs of working mom's and mom's in general. 

IDK how the eff you do it.

+ Having a space for the highs and the lows.

+ My creative outlet.

And surprisingly:

+ Will giving me crap every time I don't post.

What keeps you blogging even when the going gets rough? I feel like MANY bloggers are going through this these days, and I wonder why? Is more expected of us now than before? I've only been blogging for three years, but I sense a big change has happened.

A Perfect Thanksgiving

Last year, I spent Thanksgiving alone eating Cheez-Its, and Will spent it in Afghanistan. Obviously, you can put that in the "worst" Thanksgiving category.

This year? We made up for lost time. We didn't travel, we didn't go out for a fancy dinner, and we didn't celebrate with the masses. Instead, we spent the whole day together, gathered wood to get us through until we move, had a movie marathon, and filled our kitchen with more yummy food than we knew what to do with.

*Side note: Mix Apple Cider with your red wine for the holidays. Hello.

Would we have loved to spend the day with our families? Yes, but we have our own {albeit little} family now, and it is more than enough. It's funny how this man who used to be a stranger, is now the most precious member of my family, and after five years... that still has me in awe. The simple fact that I get to share Thanksgiving with him, is all that this girl truly needs to make it perfect. I hope you all had a great and meaningful Day of Thanks. We need to be thankful everyday, of course, but I'm happy that we have a reminder every year, and that we get to kick off the holiday season with thanks and blessings. 

Now, you are probably getting your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping on, while I will be slangin' wangs. I asked off for the long weekend, but duty calls and I can't say no. At least I'll be making money instead of spending it. I say bring on the holiday tips, and I wish you amazing deals without any physical altercations. 

~UPDATE~

If you want a chance to WIN stuff from the safety of your own home, then you should go visit Chantal @ Scattered Seashells. You will find yours truly helping to give away some swag, so get'on'it.