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!

For anyone who is wondering, NYX cosmetics are awesome + cheap + cruelty-free! The only thing I don’t love so far is their mascara (currently loving the equally eco-friendly Physicians Formula for that!!) #nyx #cosmetics #makeup #crueltyfree 💄💅👄

In the midst of the media (left and right) spewing about beer cans, controversies & nontroversies, Santa penguins, and the legalities of babies in mangers, I just want to offer a simple reminder to get back to the basics and avoid the drama. Live and let live. Enough with the mockery. Be a good human this holiday season!

In a pleasant turn of events, two of my old co-workers from DC were in Columbus on business this week.  As it turns out, one of Chuck’s old Marine friends from TBS was also newly in the area. Chuck and I met them out for dinner Downtown. I haven’t laughed so much in quite a while! Good reminiscing, dynamic conversation about what we’re all up to now, and jolly silly fun all ‘round.  I left feeling refreshed and energized!

It’s always good to catch up with old friends, and it’s always fun to combine both Chuck’s and my worlds in one lively evening! I do rather miss that sometimes.

I’m so bad at selfies. But I want to show off my new glasses! This is the first time I’ve updated my prescription in about 4 years, and since my old frames were all cracked, I figured I’d splurge on those too! The prescription is so new and strong in comparison, I feel lightheaded! #gucci #cokelenses #soblind

Annie sits at the corner of my nightstand and watches me every night before I go to bed, patiently waiting for her nightly brushing. Little thing is getting so spoiled. #cats