Wrapping up 2015

Of course it wouldn't seem right if I didn't do one last "dump" post before the year was over would it now. I've had a few pictures and drafts waiting for a place on this here blog of mine for a good minute and well I just haven't had the time or energy to sit down and put the words together. So here you go, the last little bit of 2015 and how we spent it.

*Early December we went to the Hubbs Battalion Ball down in Nashville. We ended up staying the night down there and had a great evening out with friends.

*The morning after the ball we went to breakfast at Biscuit Love. I'd been wanting to try it for a while now and well it was tasty, I have to say its not some where I'd rush back to.

*While the hubbs was at a match I took advantage and tagged along. After dropping him off I headed into town to check out the Franklin Factory and Market. I picked up some tasty 100 layer donuts and some Bison for our Christmas Dinner.

*I'm in love with our new fire place mantel picture. I had originally planned to put it over out bed but I just love it here.

*It just wouldn't be a complete holiday with out some freshly made Gingerbread loads and a Candy Cookie Cake for our work New Years Eve Pot Luck.

* I hadn't been to a match with the hubbs recently so I decided to tag along this particular day. Bonus we had lunch in Nashville and did a bit of window shopping.

*Our first ever date way back in 2006 was to "Ice" at the Gaylord in Texas. When I found out last year that they did it here at the Opryland Hotel & Resort I told the hubbs we had to go. We enjoyed it and had such a great time.

*My childhood puppy I had before moving to Hawaii was adopted by my best friend Ang. we found out late on Sunday night that she ended up having to be put to sleep. She had, had so many problems of the years but lived a long long life!!!

*Right in the mist of preparing dinner one evening after work our power went out. We decided to take the pups on a walk to give it time to come back on but no such luck. Out to dinner we went and ruffly two ours later when we returned there was still no power. I decided it was the perfect time to watch a movie on my computer.

Christmas Weekend 2015

We had a wonderful relaxing low key Christmas weekend this year. We stayed home through the Holiday. We didn't have any family come to visit, it was just the two of us. Plus of course the furry mutts. But it was just perfect. It was nice not to have to worry with the hustle of trying to get from one families home to another. Staying home we where able to do our own thing and simply enjoy each other. I unfortunately had to work up until the day before Christmas Eve, which I suppose wasn't that bad. Other that the fact that I would have much rather been at home with the hubbs. I ended work late Wednesday night due to us having our Preschool Christmas Spectacular Concert. It went off great and everyone really seemed to enjoy it.

Christmas Eve Morning we woke up and went for a bike ride on post. I really enjoying riding together. It's become something I look forward to doing on the weekends. After our morning ride we went home and I made some delicious GingerBread Pancakes for breakfast.

The hubbs had plans to go shooting with a buddy of his early afternoon which left me home alone. I took full advantage of the day and cleaned the house top to bottom. I even straighten up the garage and took the pups for a walk. It's such a wonderful feeling so have a spic and span home. 

We lounged around the rest of the day and watched Christmas movies. For dinner we carried on a Family Tradition having Sandwiches for dinner. We enjoyed some tasty Turkey, Ham, Bacon and Cheese Croissant Melts with a side of Sweet Potato Puffs. One of my favorites :). Followed by more Christmas Movies.

Christmas Morning we managed to sleep in a little bit, which was nice and much needed. We agreed to wait and exchange gifts till after I got breakfast in the oven. At his request, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Don't mind if I do, I absolutely love them. With breakfast in the oven, the hubbs gave the pups their gift, a large bone each. They seemed to really enjoy it. We too turns opening gifts from each other as well as my Nene. Generally each year it seems like I end up going with a theme for his gifts and this year was no different. It was all about it bike. He received clip on peddles, a bike maintenance book, a bike maintenance rack and clip on shoes. Of course there where a few other odds and ends added in there as well. I received lots of kitchen ware, a oldie but most defiantly a goodies. A new complete set of tubberware (seeings the hubbs has managed to loose not one, two but three sets since he's been home, don't even get me started), a waffle maker, a electric pancake griddle (both of which I'd been wanting). The hubbs also gave me a new Garmin Fitness watch which I'm still learning and playing around with. We of course did get each other a few things for the Westy. Christmas wouldn't have been complete if we hadn't.

We spent the day lounging around doing absolutely nothing, we stayed in our pjs all day and just relaxed. Something we never do and let me tell you it was so nice. For dinner we went a non-traditional route, Kabobs. Our menu included: Seared Bison topped with sautéed Mushrooms and Feta, Grilled Chicken and Veggies with a Plain Baked Sweet Potato. It was just perfect and tasted fabulous.

Saturday, I decided to go with the hubbs to his match,  this way we could go down into Nashville afterwards and do a little shopping. After grabbing some lunch we headed back home to de-christmas the house. I absolutely love the Holiday's and the way our home looks when its decorated but I was ready to get it back to normal. We managed to get everything down, packed away, the tree and loads of boxes that had been piling up loaded in the truck and off to the dump. It was a great feelings to have all of that done and behind us.

Sunday, we went on a ride, came home busted out the new waffle maker for breakfast and made Belgian Waffles. The rest of the day was just kinda hanging out. We ran a few earns but nothing to fancy. It was a bit rainy and ugly out so we took advantage and chill-axed at home.

All in All it was a great weekend, just the two of us and I really wouldn't have had it any other way. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Holiday. Merry Christmas!!

-16 goals for 2016-

Making Goals sounds so much more do able than Making a New Years Resolution. I'm all about having goals, writing them down and having a visual to help keep myself accountable. So here in no particular order at all are my 16 goals for 2016. I'm hoping that by setting realistic goals for myself I will be able to maintain them and keep up with what I have set out for myself in the new year. So here's to 2016 and everything it has ahead to offer.

1) Be more mindful / careful about spending money. Ask yourself do you really need this, must you have to have it.

2) No eating out during the work week. Which includes stopping for a drink or snack. Sticking to my planned packed lunches. (I'm pretty good at this already, but I do allow myself a treat here and there)

3) Putting $50.00 - $100.00 from my weekly check into savings on top of what we already put in there. Sticking to our savings plan.

4) Work out at least 5 days a week. One day being a weekend day, and never miss a Monday. On top of my normal routine, Run at least twice a week and bike at least once a week.

5) Make a point to walk the dogs every day, unless its raining.

6) No eating out during the month or January unless it's a special occasion.

7) No eating out for dinner during the work week, unless its a special occasion. Making sure I have something planned and prepped for dinner every night.

8) No sweets during January. (Continue on month by month)

9) Getting off my phone and computer more and being a more present Wife / Spouse.

10) Being better about sending cards for birthday, anniversary and just because to family and friends.

11) Take the test I need to take in order to finish school and continue on.

12) Pay off our USAA card, again.

13) Get to my goal weight by my birthday in April and continue to maintain it going forward.

14) Make time for us, make time for date day's / night's. Doing something new; in or out of the house.

15) Finally get our Holiday Card / Letter book put together and Finish framing and hanging the pictures and prints I have printed that are simply sitting around still.

16) Staying on top of the house, keeping it picked up and clean and put together. I'm a super OCD, Crazy Neat Nut when it comes to our house already but sometimes the upper level can get a little neglected. 

Happy Holiday's 2015

Happy Holiday’s to you and your’s. Is it really that time if year again?! Another fun filled fabulous year of memories behind us. You may remember Gabe was deployed from November 2014 - July 2015, leaving me to spend the first part of the year keeping busy with work, school, running and doing fun girlie things. I was even able to enjoy a few weekend getaway’s to SC, OH and WV. 

In February I experienced my first snow storm. This Texas girl wasn’t really sure how to handle all that snow or even attempt to drive in it. Mean while Gabe was doing what he does best, helping defend our country down range. April & May rolled around when we celebrated another birthday. I spent the 4th of July with the Gabriel’s and some of their expended family. Mid July rolled around, Gabe and I where reunited after his 3rd deployment, this time after being gone 9 long months. It was definitely the highlight of our year. 

In August we enjoyed two long over due fun filled weeks in both Texas and Arizona visiting family and friends on both sides. Surprising both my brother and Gabe’s mom with our arrival, along with Gabe finally getting to go out on the boat to see us ski where just a few of the many highlights from our trip home. 

This fall we went on a few weekend get away’s, which included a trip to Louisiana, Memphis and Gatlinburg. Our trip in November to Gatlinburg was to celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary. We enjoyed exploring the Great Smokey Mountains, a first for the both of us. Such a beautiful place. 

One of our most exciting adventures since Gabe returned was the purchase of our ’91 VW Vanagon Westfalia. Also known as our Westy. We’ve spent many weekends now working on the renovations and restoring process of our Westy. It’s become something that we both really enjoy working on together. I know we will have years and years ahead of us to enjoy the Westy and create wonderful lasting memories with her. We’ve already taken her out on a few adventures. We spent Thanksgiving weekend at Montgomery Bell State Park camping. A new tradition maybe? Previously while we where home in Texas we purchased two bicycles and have since then enjoyed getting out and cycling together. Having the bikes to load up on the Westy and take camping has been great, they really come in handy. Especially on our 3 mile ride we had to take to Thanksgiving lunch. 

We’ll enjoy Christmas and ring in the New Year here in our Home Sweet Home of Tennessee. It’s been a great year. Full of up’s and down’s but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We hope the New Year finds you and your family filled with lots of Love, Joy and Happiness. 

                                              Happy Holiday’s 2015

We did something a little different this year for our picture card, and I had our pictures made into polaroids and we made labels to go on the bottom and included them with our yearly holiday letter. I loved the change and I think they turned out great!! 

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree.... Oh Christmas Tree... How Lovely are your branches. 

We knew we wanted to take the Westy to pick out our tree this year but it was just finding the right time. Last weekend we had planned on going but it was so rainy and ugly out we decided not to. This morning I made us a tasty breakfast that included biscuits, sausage and gravy. We decided we would wait around to till the mail came to see if our Odometer came in that we had sent off to be repaired before heading out. No point in putting the dash back together if it was going to come today. Sadly no such luck. So the hubbs screwed everything back into place and we headed out. It was the perfect day. The temperature was just right, it was nice not to have to bundle all up like we live in the Arctic. 

So we headed out early this afternoon to a local Christmas Tree Farm, Lazy Spread Farms to pick out our perfect tree for this years Holiday Festivities. This is the 2nd year now that we've picked out a real tree and I absolutely love it. 

We took our time, looked around the farm at all the tree's before settling on the perfect one. It's just right!! I can't wait to get it inside and all decked out!! It's the last thing we have to do, to have our house perfectly decorated for the man in the big red suit to come visit us.