November Thanks

November has changed for me over the years. When I was a kid, Thanksgiving was just the "stupid holiday" before the holiday with the presents. During college, Thanksgiving was the first real break from school, and for the first time ever, I loved to lounge around the house and nap after overindulging in Dad's scrumdillyicious cooking. Plus all of my friends were "home" for the holiday so there were always great parties happening. Now, Thanksgiving has come to mean what I think it has meant to all along, a day to be thankful. During this time of year, I realize that I have so very much to be thankful for.

I have the love of a very extended "family". Family, to me, includes many friends, after all, there have been years of my life that I have spent away from those whom I am biologically connected to. I am thankful for every single one of my family's members, even if I haven't talked them in far too long, years in some cases. I probably think about each of them far more often than they would ever guess, I am just too lazy to pick up the phone and call or pick up a pen and write a note. (I do believe that I am sensing a New Year's resolution.)

I have my health, no outstanding debt, plenty of money to survive on, a nice home, a good job, plenty of food, and the list goes on. I feel very blessed. Among those blessings, I must include the love of my life. During November, for several years now, I tend to hold him a little closer, appreciate him a little bit more, and count my lucky stars that he is here beside me.

This past weekend, husband brought up the fact that three years ago he was on R & R and we were either on our way to or in Garmish, Germany. I have been thinking about how wonderful and relaxing that week was and have decided to share some photos and memories. Here we are, getting cozy by the fire at the hotel we stayed at.

This was also the trip where we took a horse & buggy ride in the freezing cold, bundled up with hats and gloves under a wool blanket. We also attended a German hockey game; we even got all excited when the home team scored. I didn't put myself through the frustration of attempting to ski, although we did make a trip to the Zugspitze, the highest point in the German Alps.

I also acted like a little girl when I saw the "real" Cinderella castle, Neuschwanstein, looming over the nearby town just before we started the hike up the hill to see it close up.

It was a wonderful holiday of togetherness. Just the two of us. I also bought husband presents, which, funny enough, we were also talking about this weekend. One was a leather coat that he finds just a little too bulky and heavy. The other gift was a pair of really cool boots that he finds too preppy. (Oh how I want to throw his Doc Martins into a fire!) I am still trying to convince him that that they don't make him look like a "pretty boy".

This year, we get to spend Thanksgiving with family. Aunt Mickey is hosting the festivities which I am sure will prove to be a grand time had by all in attendance. A little wine, way too much food, a game or two of dominos, and then it will be time to head off to a good nights rest so that we are ready to take on all of those glorious sales during the shopping madness of the day after.

May you and your family have a blessed and love filled Thanksgiving.

Remembering...

In the shower this morning, remembering the events that took place three years ago today, sobbing. The sadness, the fear, the disbelief, the heart ache, I still vividly remember how it felt to understand the greatest sacrifice of war. During my day-to-day life, I tend to not think about the losses unless one of the many war related country songs comes on the radio. Not today. Today it takes every fiber of my being to fight against the tightness in my chest and hold back the tears that want to pour out. To be continued...maybe.

Rent

I am very excited. First, because, it is cool enough that I can wear a sweatshirt and jeans to work today with my hair in a ponytail. (Yeah for casual Friday!) And, secondly, because Husband and I have an afternoon date tomorrow to see Rent in Raleigh. So, we get to play dress up, go to the theater, and then out to a nice dinner.

I have come to realize that I enjoy matinee performances more than evening performances for the simple fact that they usually end shortly before the dinner hour, thereby making dinner much more enjoyable. Rather than feeling rushed to finish so we make to the 8:00 p.m. performance on time, we can simply make reservations for after the show is over. That way, if we want to have a full bottle of wine and then coffee and dessert, we can, because we have no place else to be.

My mother-in-law made me think of something funny regarding Rent when I talked to her last night. I have no clue what the story is about. I know that I love the song Seasons of Love that they sing and I think that someone dies and I think it has some sort of love story attached to it, but beyond that I haven't a clue. I wanted to view the movie version months ago, but just never seemed to get around to it. Plus, the movie versions of plays are simply different. Regardless, I am certain it will be fabulous.

Catch-Up

I flitter around from one person's blog to another but it seems that I have not updated mine in about three months, oops. But, now that life has slowed down just a little bit, maybe I will get into the habit of posting more often.

The first big news is that Husband is on terminal leave, which means that he is using up the months of vacation that he has collected through the years, and will officially be out of the Army at the end of November. It has been a wonderful experience (more or less) for both of us, but the time has come to move on. He has been contacted by his new employer and will start in December, so he is pretty excited about not having to get an intermediate job. I will stay put while he is training and we are anticipating a move in the late spring/early summer. As with any life transition, I am sure this one will have its trials and tribulations so stay tuned.

I "ran" the Army Ten Miler in October with some great friends. It was a wonderful weekend of catching up and reminiscing.

My workouts are once again on hiatus due to stitches in my ankle. Nothing too crazy; I had a mole removed. But, all of my athletic shoes hit in the exact spot of the stitches. So, I am taking some time off. They come out next week and I am hoping it is healed enough to begin a more strict workout regimen to combat all of the Halloween candy I ate as well as the upcoming holidays. I am also going to try a new gym with better ventilation and cooler locker rooms.

We spent Labor Day weekend at the beach with Husband's family. It was wonderful and relaxing and we hope that we are able to join the fun again next year. I will edit this post and add pictures once I have some extra time.

It's supposed to be around 70 degrees today...and it's November! What the heck? I just can't get used to the warmer weather of North Carolina. And, I am not sure that I like it all that well. I am not a fan of gray icky slush, but I love wearing sweaters and sweatshirts and the number of days I can here are very limited. If it would just drop into the low 50's...

The females on the Husband's side of the family are making the drive down tomorrow to spend a girls weekend. Once again, Husband will be what we term "the token male" which makes us laugh as we flash back to the outings my friends and I forced him on while he was on rear detachment in Germany. It should be lots of fun as we plan to peruse the Holly Day Fair where I got just about all of my Christmas shopping done last year. Fingers crossed, I will be as successful this year as last.