Hello December, nice to see you

I'm excited you are here!

My last week at work.

Lots of packing and planning.

Shopping and wrapping.

A big move.

A long drive.

Stress and worry. 

House hunting.

My husband returns!*

Our first Christmas together, our first place together, our first time maybe feeling like a normal married couple?*

I think you're going to be a great month. 

 photos: what happens when I type in "December" in Pinterest

*hopefully; we all know how the Army likes to change things...

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Wednesday Wedding: Winter

They say it's the most wonderful time of the year, so it must be a great time to get married! I got engaged right before Christmas, and this time of year is certainly special and filled with love and pretty things. Also, cities and towns put up lights and decorate for the holidays; why not take advantage of the festive spirit all around you? 

one two three four-eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen-seventeen

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Nine Months Old and Six Months Down

These two cuties turned nine months yesterday. They have been waking me up a lot lately, but they are really the best kittens ever. I will really miss them when I leave them up here while I drive down to Texas and Kyle and I find a place for us all to live. And they are really going to hate us for a while for driving them down to Texas in January, but hopefully they get used to the car and learn to enjoy the adventure.

I also totally didn't notice we passed the six month mark for Kyle's deployment! Hopefully we won't have to take it to seven!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Christmas in Color

A better version of the gift tag I made earlier, since I refilled my craft supplies.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

To Be Jolly

To Do: Before moving to Texas in two weeks or so

- Christmas shopping

- Christmas wrapping

- Sort through things: what to keep, throw away, donate; what to take with me and what to send with the movers

- Packing and Organizing

- Meet with a Florist

- Get 2 tires replaced (12/8)

- Plan the drive down to Texas

- Clean the apartment

- Organize the apartment so it doesn't look like there is just stuff everywhere (but there is)

- Go to the store to get litter and other things

- Moving day

- Turn in the keys, etc

- Move the cats to the parents house

- Get Kyle's things to the apartment, then go through and pack things for him

- Last days at work! (12/5 and 12/8)

- Finish grad school applications (for the most part)

- Talk to a florist for the wedding

- Christmas Cards

- Look for a place to live and a job

- Laundry

- Sleep? or Coffee

- Other things I forgot but have written on a post-it note or on my phone or somewhere in my head

I might be going a little bit crazy, but I am actually very happy and excited, and I found a station playing Christmas tunes all the time, and gosh Starbucks holiday beverages are delicious. :-D

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Turkey Day and the Next Couple Weeks

The Thanksgiving Day work extravaganza went pretty well! I got to chat with Kyle and see his face on my iphone (love that phone!), I got to visit family for a wee bit, and I got to eat some turkey! I am so looking forward to the holidays; I'm really ok with Christmas music starting up, decorations going up, and all things Christmas. I am hoping Kyle and I will have found a place by Christmas to get moved into, but as long as he is back I will be ok if we have to spend the holiday at a hotel. I am really super excited. Two more weeks of work, then I'm moving to Texas and going to see my husband! I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Gobble Gobble

My schedule for the next couple days:

Tonight ARC sleep shift 10:30 pm-6:30 am

Thursday: ARC 6:30 am-1pm, 5-10:30 pm, sleep shift 10:30 pm-6:30am

Friday: ARC to 6:30am, PATH 10-4ish pm

If you're thinking this sounds a little crazy, that's because it is. 

But, it shouldn't be as bad as it seems. I'm not exactly missing the holiday; I think we'll be cooking a Thanksgiving meal for the residents, and we can put the Macy's parade on in the background. I do have a few hours in the middle of the day to go home, shower, feed the cats, and visit family for a little. If I have to be at work on Thanksgiving, I am glad it's at a job where I am helping people directly and immediately, and making sure they enjoy the holiday too.

image

I am thankful for a lot this year, but I am most thankful that my husband is returning safe, sound and soon. I can't wait! 

Have a nice Thanksgiving!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Winter in Finland

Following up to my Summer in Finland post, here's a look at winter. Finland is absolutely the best place to be any time of the year, but just look at how beautiful it is covered in snow. These pictures are from all over Finland- Lapland, the Arctic Circle, right in town in Turku, visiting family in other cities, out in the archipelago ice fishing, Savonlinna castle, a Rotary ski trip, up North again for Easter, walking around one of the many islands off mainland, and a tiny bit of Sweden. Going through all these photos definitely prompted me to whine at Kyle about when we were going to Finland (next year, I told him).

Stay tuned for a Finnish Christmas post, full of gingerbread and Santa's Village. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M