Life & Love

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And that’s a wrap!!

As of this past weekend, I am officially finished with wedding season! I know everyone has their crazy years, and this was most definitely mine, with eight weddings this fall and winter. I must say that I am very glad I went to them all, because it will likely be quite a while before I see everyone all together again. Each wedding was special, unique, and fun. I feel like Captain Jack Sparrow – “I LOVE weddings. Drinks all ‘round!”

Anyway, this past one was in Portsmouth, a Naval port city in southeastern Virginia. It seemed kind of random at first, but it came together nicely as I realized how well it fit the couple, both of whom graduated from the Naval Academy back in the day. I think this wedding wins for best DJ! I had so much fun dancing the night away 🙂

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Guilty confession

I may or may not have set my alarm early this morning to catch the online Lilly Pulitzer sale as soon as it opened. I NEVER do things like that! Unfortunately (or maybe quite fortunately), very little of what I’ve been admiring the past few months was actually on sale…

But still! No shame… no shame. The sales are just too dramatic to miss. And this particular style will be great for life in tropical Japan. Am I right??? Yes, I am right.

This was the most classy, low key, and expensive New Years’ Eves I’ve ever had, but it was also one of the most magnificently fun. My dear Roomie (with whom I lived for 3 years when I was in Arlington), recently bought her first home with her husband, right outside of Atlanta. They opened their beautiful doors for us, and we headed into the city for dinner and drinks at the Sun Dial Restaurant & Bar – a rotating establishment perched on the 74th floor of the Westin, featuring stunning panoramic views of the city below! We were even too high up for the fireworks that went off at midnight 🙂

I’m not sure it was the type of thing I’d ever do again (it was so overpriced!), but I am still glad we did it. I’d say everyone should do it once, if you are ever in Atlanta! It’s probably somewhat cheaper when it’s not NYE.

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2013: A Year in Review

Actually, I’d like to talk about more than just one year. Specifically, I want to talk about the past 3 years! Only because I feel as though 2014 is the beginning of a whole new era, and it’s rather unbelievable how much has happened in that relatively brief period of time. The events of those years have ultimately culminated into what I am feeling at this very moment, and captures an interesting combination of emotion, growth, and self-discovery that I know is not nearly finished yet.

In that time as a new wife between 2010 and 2013, I’ve been through two deployments, two work-ups, three less-than-desirable moves (about to do a fourth), and said goodbye to two really good jobs – not to mention friends, family, and ready access to some of my favorite things. Sure, I’ve dealt with a little resentment in the process (and probably still will from time to time), but I’ve also experienced things that have added new dimension to my life, in all kinds of ways that I like to think make me happier and more interesting than I was before. I worked in the medical community. I lived on the beach. I diversified my resume in the business community. I visited beautiful Southern cities and held baby tigers. I learned the inner workings of (and made a name for myself in) a whole new city. And with frequent moves and long separations, I learned my own strength. Essentially, the past few years have forced me to create opportunity for myself in new and unexpected ways.

Now, I’m about to embark on a new adventure with my husband and partner in crime. I can’t lie – the first few weeks after hearing the news were really difficult and full of inner turmoil, but now I am remarkably at peace with it. In fact, I am even excited about it, and look upon the move with inspiration and hope for the great (and even the not so great) experiences it will bring.

I do struggle with some things that come with being a military spouse (and I try not to struggle too much out loud), but the truth of the matter is that Chuck is the best thing to ever happen to me, and I love him and my little Annie Bean more than anything in the world. I know how rare and special it is to find that kind of love and family and adventure, and I want to be sure I never take that for granted, in 2014 and beyond…

I am generally not a fan of cold weather, but I could see myself *occasionally* missing evenings like this once I move to subtropical Japan. Chilling rain outside… hot cocoa, snoozy kitties, fuzzy blankets, and glowing candles inside…

Seriously, it can’t get much better than that (sometimes!)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!! I hope you are celebrating a very joyous season with your loved ones 🙂

Annie’s definitely got the spirit of something… That’s for sure.

Two of my favorite culinary items from this past weekend’s Army/Navy Football + Christmas party are pictured above: jumbo spiral cut ham and chocolate chip cookie dough brownies! I also loved the mashed potatoes, but they aren’t quite as photogenic 🙂

The party was a hit. It was pouring rain outside, but pretty much everyone we invited showed up. After the game (yawn), we played a rousing and hilarious game of Cards Against Humanity, and then played with the XBOX Kinect until our knees and joints ached. I never tire of Dance Central!! I looove that came, and of course – I always win 🙂

This is our last week before we head home to Virginia for the holidays! It’s pure admin before we go. Medical clearance for Japan, various appointments for government passports for Japan, random miscellaneous paperwork… you guessed it, for Japan. I feel so bad for poor Annie. Her past two Japan-centric visits to the vet were traumatic enough, but the worst is yet to come! Early January, she has to get a blood test that will require tying her up and restraining her, since they will take the blood straight from the jugular. They will ask me to leave the room 😦

Probably a good idea, to be honest. It’s gonna be heartbreaking!