December...Currently!

Is it to early in the month for one of these.  Its only the 3rd of the month but whatever.


Listening:  I love Christmas carols!  They just fill me with so many emotions.  Many of them take me back to my childhood or remind of someone special or just give me the warm and fuzzies.  Pandora is my friend right now.  I can stream Christmas music through my iphone on their app. at work and then when I get home I stream it at home.  I will listen to them all month long.  I don't really love TV at all so I prefer to play music.

Feeling:  I feel good and optimistic about the holidays.  I think we are pretty much done with our Christmas shopping. Can I say I think we did all of our shopping 100% online.  Its kind of weird not to even walk into a store and purchase one single gift.  Our little town has some beautiful shops but they don't carry much in the way of gifts my kids want or things we would send out to family.  Tourist off the cruise ships love those shops but they are not the best for Christmas shopping.  I started in late October so I will not be partaking in any mad dashes last minute. I did order are Christmas cards late this year but they are on their way to me which means soon they will be on their way back out to all our peeps all around the country.

Watching:  Trav and I watched the movie Magic Mike last night for the first time.  I realized as I settled down to watch the movie that I have never been to a strip club...EVER!  Is that weird?  I'm not opposed to them and actually encouraged Trav to go to them when we were younger and he was deployed or away.  I'm completely secure in my marriage.  There just was never an opportunity.  I got married young and don't think there has ever been male exotic dancers at any of the locations we have been stationed.  I honestly had no idea the ins and outs of male strippers.  I enjoyed the movie!

Pondering:  My Trav will be leaving for an extended leadership academy right after the holidays.  He actually got orders today.  Can I just be blunt....I'm freaking dreading it.  You would think after almost 14 years of following this man around and dealing with separation I would be better at this.  We have been stationed at units were he constantly deployed and he was gone All.The.Time.  Yet here I am 4 weeks out from him leaving and I feel my chest get heavy and my anxiety rises just thinking about it.  To be totally honest, I'm just not good when he is gone.  I have been with him almost half my life and will gladly admit that I am not the most independent person.  He makes me a better mother, daughter and friend.  He is seriously one of my only friends here and my biggest supporter.  I don't feel weak for admitting that I need him and when he is gone I miss him.  It doesn't matter if its 4 days, 45 days or 6 months I will miss the shit out of him.  Damn....did I mention I am freaking dreading this!!

Random:  A friend of mine from the Cape posted this really great article on Facebook about exercise and healthy living.  I loved the article and have attached a link.  It summarized my sentiments on the lifestyle my Trav and I try to encourage our own kids to lead.  Please read it, its really good.

http://wellfesto.com/2013/11/19/10-things-i-want-my-daughter-to-know-about-working-out/

Speaking of exercise can I just vent that the darkness is a real drag right now.  I can hardly get out and run at all.  The sun does not rise until about 9:30am and then it gets dark again about 3:30pm.  When you work during the only daylight hours offered exercise outside is rough.  I'm not making excuses but I refuse to go to a gym.  I am not a gym person, don't enjoy that type of exercise and can't run on a treadmill.  I feel like a hamster on a wheel.   One of the most difficult things about approaching the winter solstice is the lack of daylight.  My stress level goes up, my tolerance level goes down and this momma just gets frustrated when I can't get my runs in.

On that note:

Tolerance and Frustration:
~ Please people in the lower 48....stop bitching about your lack of daylight and sunshine that comes through your windows.  When I read your rants, I roll my eyes and heavy breath at you.  If you think its dark there, its really damn dark here, and cold and rainy/snowy!

~Rude people, its the holidays.  Stop being so moody.  Tis' the season to be Merry!!!!!

~Sick people, cover your mouths when you sneeze or cough.  For the love of God, its not hard!  I work with the public all day long, 99% of you are over 18 years old.  Use proper sickliness edict!


Lastly:  We are putting our tree up tomorrow night.  Our house will smell wonderful and we will have a beautiful tree all aglow.  Picture to follow.  The boys are leaving for SE Alaska Swim Champioships in Juneau this weekend.  Travi qualified for 6 events plus some relays.  While the boys are away the girls of this house plan to lounge in our PJ's, watch Hallmark holiday movies and be cozy.  I'm already ready for this weekend!