Today I'm thankful for...

- a pasta shop within walking distance of our current apartment. It makes heavenly pasta - fresh and cheap. Hallelujah!

- my absentee ballot arriving! CO already mailed his back to his state of residency. I got my ballot in the mail yesterday from Hawaii and am researching the issues on the ballot. Hmm... I have to figure out what I think about cannabis enforcement?

- chocolate. It makes me happy.

- the fact I don't have to work tomorrow! Woohoo! No screaming at me by some little "ankle-biter" tomorrow!

- all the friends/family having babies.

- my family's health. I'm reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It's really interesting.

- the chance to live in Australia. We're loving it! (As evidenced by the fact my husband got to go surfing at Bells AGAIN today!).

- my CO having a stable, good job that he enjoys. He really believes in what the Coast Guard does and really likes his job. I'm thankful they sent him to grad school and consented to let us go to Australia for part of it.

- my birthday being a short time away. Well, I might as well celebrate it!

I am loved!

Not that I thought I wasn't... but I feel extra-special today!

Yesterday, I got a package in the mail. I wasn't expecting anything, but it had my name on it. I opened it up, and it was a cd - Maori Songs. DH bought it for me! I love surprises, but DH is more the strategic planning type (aka boring). But, he knows that when we're over in OZ, I really want to figure out how to get over to New Zealand and learn more about the Maori. (Yes, I have become obsessed with all things Polynesian lately). DH had found the Commandant's reading list, and this was a recommended cd. I was so excited! Good job dh!!

Then, when I got home from work tonight I checked the mail again (another obsessive habit of mine - I just love getting the mail!) and I had a package addressed to Tia Julie. My nieces call me Tia (which I also love). The package was from Hilo. Now, I'd be a little upset if my nieces went to Hilo without me, but I opened the package and it was a cute wallet I saw on etsy! I had just looked at some of my favorites on etsy yesterday and was sad to have seen that someone bought it. Little did I know it was my sister!! Also included in the package were some ono honey roasted macadamia nuts and cute little stickers! Woohoo! Could life be any better?

Looks like they know what my love language is! Thank you guys!!

HWotD:
ono - delicious
"oh-no"

Thanksgiving Break!

We had a great Thanksgiving break. We got to see a lot of friends (well, Erinn and I never met up - sorry!) and family. We went to Chuck E. Cheese, we played Apples to Apples, and DH supposedly even won a game of Settlers of Catan. It was really good to connect with family and spend some good time with Calli and Mari.


Hard to believe, but the fam convinced me to go bowling, and I actually liked it! I stink, but that's ok! It was good to have a smoke-free bowling experience, so my score was the only smelly thing coming out of the alley!

We had some family pictures taken by the lovely Amy Carroll, and here's one we snapped ourselves on the way out. I can't wait to see her pics!



The secret's out of the bag. No longer is this town under cover!