Before I Turn 30 Goal :: Accomplished!

Beep Beep :: Beep Beep :: Beep Beep ::

:: We interrupt our originally scheduled post about my birthday extravaganza to bring you the following news ::

As most of you know, my 30th birthday is fast approaching. Depending on the day, I may be excited or curled in the fetal position in my bed unwilling to move or even wipe the streaming lines of mascara off my face. Today, I am up and moving, so it is a good day so far.

Awhile ago, I told Mr. Marine I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and accomplish something I never thought I could do. I wanted to do something I hate, but do it well and feel great after! Well, what does this girl hate more than being stabbed in the eye with a fork? Running!!!

So, I signed up, with a girlfriend of mine (who is also married to a Marine) and we decided, come hell or high water, we would finish a 10K! I know, most people start with 5K's, but I was on a deadline and didn't think 5K could be bragged about. However, I am also not one to jump on the "I ran a half" bandwagon...so a 10K was perfect for me.

Looking back, I should've blogged about my training since I went from 1/8 mile to 6.2 in ten weeks! But I didn't tell more than a handful of people I was doing this, due to my fear of disappointing myself even more if I couldn't accomplish it. 

Mr. Marine is my hero! He made me run when I didn't want to. He pushed me when I was screaming, "I'm going to die!" He gave me a high-five or a fist bump after every run, no matter how good or bad it was. He even made me run on my birthday trip (I was pissed).

Then, I changed running shoes and the store peeps didn't tell me not to run far in them until I had gotten used to them. So I ran 10 miles in 2 days. Two weeks before my big race, I couldn't walk and later found out why...I had severe tendonitis. I cried in the doctor's office because this was my "before 30" thing and now I would turn 30, never having run a race in my life! So he did what any good doctor would do...he numbed my foot and told me to have a good race and he would see me when the numbing wore off for further evaluation!!!

So, last Sunday, Mr. Marine (and our friends) crossed the line together! I was set to walk a bit, and be ok with that, given the foot injury and my inability to train due to it. I was about to puke on Sun, knowing before I hurt my foot, I had only gotten to 4 miles and had to walk part of that. There was no way I would be able to run 2 miles further when I hadn't run in weeks...However, this chickadee RAN THE WHOLE TIME!!!! I got in my rhythm and pounded the pavement for 1:06:42

I typically run a 10 minute pace, so this was a little slower but I don't normally run hills and there were a TON of hills! So, I am very pleased with this pace! And now, I am one of those people who runs for "fun"...not! I do enjoy running with Mr. Marine though, and that's why I do it now. It is uninterrupted time for us to chat, see new things, share experiences, etc... I still can't run alone. I can't decide if it is mental, or if i just don't like my own company :)

Here is a terrible pic of me before the race... I didn't get one after, though I can tell you what it would have looked like: DEATH! 

30th Birthday Road Trip Extravaganza: Stop 1

I swore I'd be a better blogger. I failed. No excuses (though I could find a million). Instead, I will brag on my amazing husband. Last year, he turned 30 and I surprised him with 30 gifts for each day of his birthday month, along with a trip that included surprise guests, a beach cottage (aka Party Central), chartered sailboats, golf, and an exclusive golf package at TPC Sawgrass (more on that later). So, this month is my 30th and I had no idea what to expect. Mr. Marine is terrible, let me repeat terrible, at surprises. I love them. So once I knew he was up to something, I didn't so much as mention my birthday for fear he would cave or let something slip. Then I saw on my work calendar that I was off for a week. 

I was told what the weather would be, and nothing else. So, I packed my entire wardrobe and shoe collection "just to be safe" and we headed west. 

Funny Conversation:

Mr. Marine: "Obviously, we are heading west. Do you have any idea where we are going?"

Me: "No. No clue."

Mr. Marine: "What's west of Missouri?"

Me: "Colorado." 

Mr. Marine: "That's waaaaay west. What's on the southwest corner of MO?"

Me: "Arizona?"

I have to be honest. I rocked geography in school. However, I was, and still am, under the impression the Midwest should just be lumped into one giant state. They really don't have much to offer independently and would be much more noteworthy as one large entity.

Anyways, after a good chuckle - ok, more like a rolling laugh that came from the depth of his belly - Mr. Marine told me stop #1 on my birthday trip was Oklahoma. Norman to be exact!

We adore college towns and this was one I never expected to have the opportunity to see, so I was ecstatic he was making a stop here! 

We checked in at the most darling B&B and got ready for a fun evening...

One thing Mr. Marine is big on is going for a run in a new city. He swears you see more on a run than anything else. So, we laced up our sneaks and headed for a 3 mile jog through the OU campus. While we were there we saw the Road Trip crew (a show we love since it tours college towns) and we were able to get a quick pic with them! 

They were there doing a segment on Norman and that's how Mr. Marine revealed stop #2 (to be revealed in my next post!)

The OU stadium. I am a Longhorn fan so I was tempted to spit my gum out on this field. But my mama taught me better!

This was a gorgeous campus and a beautiful city. The people were friendly - since I wasn't wearing burnt orange, nor were we driving my car with TX plates. We really enjoyed Norman.

After a great run, a few cold beers and a yummy dinner, I spied a frozen yogurt place. God, I love that stuff! Vanilla, raspberries, chocolate chips...delish!

On our way to stop #2, we stopped by a liquor store that had "Texas Sux" beer and on the bottom of the box it reads, "Stupid Texan, Open Other End." Not sure Oklahomans should be casting stones :)

If you have never driven through Oklahoma and North Texas...I am sorry, because that means you missed out on Robertson's. We stopped there, in the middle of nowhere and enjoyed the best damn ham sandwich I have EVER tasted. Period. Oh, and it was like $2. Oh, I also had sweet tea with crushed ice in a Styrofoam cup. A-Maze-Ing!!!!!

Now, get in your car and drive to the middle of nowhere and get you one! Go. Hurry!

Well, that there was stop #1. Next, I will tackle stop #2 which was probably one of the most amazing things I have experienced. It was a dream of mine and the fact that Mr. Marine planned it for my 30th birthday made it that much better!

End of Summer Happenings!!!

Once again, I am playing catch-up! Summer has been crazy busy but I can't complain since it has been loaded with fun memories, time with family and friends, uncontrollable laughter, happy tears, and talks about the future and all I have to look forward to! So, rather than bore y'all with a thousand words...we'll do a story via pictures!

Celebrated/Worked the Grand Opening of the women's boutique 

(We were previously men's only)

After hours (13 in stilettos, to be exact) all of us celebrated our successful event at a fabulous after party!

Mr. Marine and I grabbed some of our favorite people and went to see Sugarland in concert. We stopped by the Marine tent to say hello to the recruiters we know.

We went home to Houston, and while we were there we went furniture shopping. I begged to take home this chair!

We ate yummy Greek food at Niko Niko's.

Ummmm...gyros

I got to see one of my very best friends before she pops! I cried when we said goodbye. I always do. True friends are damn hard to find and I am lucky to have this girl in my life.

Before my bestie got knocked-up, we used to hit this bar up every time I went home. Mr. Marine had never been so we grabbed the rest of my family and we had a wild time at Cedar Creek! Oh how I love thee!

We actually got to use our season tickets to the Texans game. So we went with my parents and watched our Texans whoop the Cowboys!!! Woot Woot!

We enjoyed lots of this. Shiner, BBQ and Football? Nothin' makes this girl any happier than that combination! 

I will try to be better about posting. We have some rather large events coming up...I'm running (or trying to), I'm working a lot and loving my job and the ladies I work with, I'm gonna get busy again with Junior League, etc...

Oh, and did I mention Mr. Marine is sweeping me away and planning something for my big 3-0 in October? This man cannot keep a secret so I am more than thrilled he has kept this one! I'm so excited I can scream!!!!

Honest to Goodness Frienship

"Friends are like melons; shall I tell you why? To find one good you must one hundred try." 

-- Claude Mermet

Do you ever wish you could go back to when friendships were determined by who was nice to you that day? Or who was willing to trade their twinkie for your apple? To be honest, I have never been that person. I have never changed friends like some women. I have never been a friend of convenience. I have never been someone who trusts easily. I am not quick to push myself into another woman's circle of friends, nor am I quick to welcome people into mine. 

As I have moved through the various phases of life: grade school, high school, college, professional career and now military spouse, I have acquired many acquaintances but only a select group of friends. I remember my mom telling me as a child, "When you grow up, you will be lucky if you can count your number of true friends on 2 hands." She couldn't be more right.

As a Marine wife, I move every few years and with that comes the need to find new friends. I have become more open to meeting new people, but remain selective in those I truly consider friends. 

With age comes trials and tribulations. It is during these times, we discover the difference between friends and acquaintances. When my cousin died, I collapsed into my best friend's arms. When I had alcohol poisoning in college, my dear friend rode with me in the ambulance to the ER, thereby giving up her Halloween celebration. When I called off an engagement, my friends didn't judge; instead, they told me I was brave and they then stood beside me as I married the man I'd loved since I was 16 but had only seen a handful of times over the course of 10 years. When my parents have had health issues, my girlfriends have listened to me cry. When my husband deployed, a woman I had known for less than a year brought me wine and tissues, and when he came home she took pictures though her husband would remain overseas for another few months. 

No matter what has gone on, these women have never been "convenient" friends, or (as we call them in the military life) "deployment friends." No, they have been there when life isn't convenient. When it is 2am and they are sound asleep. When God makes me really mad and I just need someone. 

They are also there when I am rolling on the grass laughing so hard I wet my pants. They are there when I need a drink at noon. They are there to tell me turning 30 and still being childless is ok, and that I am not destined to be the cat lady. 

These select few are some of the bravest, most generous, caring, supportive, hysterical women I know, and I thank God every day for the friends that are here when life isn't convenient.

Thank you all for letting me watch your kids (though I am always more terrified than you or your child). Thank you for letting me share in your "I Do" moments. Thank you for knowing what I need, even when I don't. Thank you for everything. 

"A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." -Bernard Meltzer

Who Knew NOT Having a Baby Would Be This Hard on My Body?

Y'all must think after my last couple posts that I am a diagnosed Debbie Downer, so I promise this will be my last serious post for a while. I thought about not even posting this, but I could really use some advice from y'all.

As you may recall from a while back, I have been having trouble with steady weight gain (22lbs in two years to be exact) despite not changing my diet. In fact, I eat much healthier and work out more. Unfortunately, my weight continues to rise. I have fought with doctors about that symptom, among others, and have received little to no response. They finally ran some tests and for the most part, my thyroid is "normal" with a slight "abnormality" to my cortisol levels. They are running more tests but "don't expect my endocrine system to be the problem."

Well, what the hell is the problem? That, I don't know. But I began doing some research on the only foreign substance I put in my body...my Birth Control.

I take Yasmin and have for the previous 4 years. I was not on any bc before I got married. 

Now that I've been researching this drug, I'm almost convinced it might be my issue. Online forums and medication review sites have listed a number of what I assumed were thyroid symptoms as side effects of Yasmin: 

weight gain, loss of sex drive, mood swings, depression, hair thinning, shortness of breath, cramps in legs, anxiety, ginormous boobs, etc...

People who have taken this drug describe themselves as being "off" like they just weren't themselves and that's EXACTLY how I have felt for almost 2 years!  I just attributed it to moving (again), inability to find a job in new city, husband traveling a lot, and everyday stress. 

But something is most certainly NOT right. I am not the person my husband married, the girl my friends know and love, the happy go lucky sister/daughter my family loves. 

Im thinking of stopping the pill and letting my body get back to its natural state for a while but the sites also say getting off this pill will make me have terrible acne (though I never had acne growing up), it will make me bloated, etc.. I thought if you were going to have side effects from a bc pill, it would occur immediately, not 1.5-2 years into it.

Have any of y'all taken Yasmin? Suffered these side effects? Gotten off it? 

Dreaming of Home

"You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing"

Once again, it has been too long between posts but it seems life isn't willing to cut me a break right now! I'm sitting here, alone, resembling a raccoon with mascara running down my face as I listen to Miranda Lambert sing about going home. My parents just left after a week here and truthfully, it is always a waterworks show when my mom and I leave one another. However, my dad seems to have joined in as of late, which is really hard for me. My dad has always been a rock in our family, so for me to see him with tears in his eyes...well, it just kills me! 

However, this time I dropped my parents off at the airport and headed home to an empty house. Mr. Marine travels all the damn time now, which I am adapting to in my traditional fashion...get annoyed and barely communicate to avoid missing him. In NC, these "vacations" from my hubby didn't bother me. It was more time for wine and chick flicks with my best Marine wife friends. Now, they are nothing but a reminder that this place ain't home.

There is quite a bit going on in my life that I have no control over and it is making me want my mama. I know I signed up for this ride, but it doesn't make these days any easier. I'm not one to divulge personal information; In all honesty, I don't even tell Mr. Marine certain things until I blow up on him and he insists I tell him "what my deal is." When things are bothering me, I don't want you to hug me, ask me how I'm doing, or tell me everything will be ok...unless you are my mommy. I will be 30 in a few months and I still find the most comfort in putting my head in her lap and having her rub my hair. 

North Carolina felt like home to me, so even though it could never be Texas, it was a decent substitute. I was close enough to visit my in-laws, my family, and I had the company of some of my best friends. Well, no matter how much I want it to be...our current Midwest home just doesn't feel like home. 

Do any of my fellow mil wives get so homesick you just want to pack up, grab the dog and head home to friends, family and familiarities that make everything else ok? 

P.S. Tomorrow, I won't be so pity partyish...As my Mimi says, "I'm allowed one night. Then I have to pick myself up by my bootstraps and move along."

This Houston Gal Needs Some Dallas Ladies to Help Me Out!

My mom and I are huge (and I mean HUGE) Nordstrom shoppers! I firmly believe, if you are a "shopper" you have a *fave* store. Some girls are Saks lovers, others are Neiman loyalists, some prefer Bloomies...we are Nordy Girls! 

I have been a Nordy's Girl for as long as I can remember and I will be a Nordy's Girl until I die! That being said, when I left for college *ahem* years ago, we changed our game plan a bit. Sure I still hit up Nordstrom once, or five times, when I headed home but we decided to make a special girls trip once a year to shop in various cities. In college, we met in San Francisco. After college, we shopped in Houston. I lived in LA for years, so all the Southern California locations were hit. We've been to Austin, Chicago, DC, La Cantera, you're getting the pic. 

Well this year, I picked....

DALLAS!!!!!

My sis really wanted Chi-town (she didn't go when we went before) but I have some friends there and am planning a visit soon, so I thought it would be a blast to meet my fam in Dallas. I really miss Texas, and when I have the chance to go home...I jump on it! So, in November, I'll be jumping on Southwest and heading to Dallas!

Now, as strange as this might sound, I've never been to Dallas! (Cricket Cricket Chirp Chirp)! I knoooooow...a gal from Houston hasn't been north to Dallas? Nope! Only to fly through, where I take every opportunity to spit on each piece of Dallas Cowboys merchandise before hopping on the plane outta there! Those airport cops can be scary :)

So, where do all my Dallas girls recommend staying, eating, etc...? Obviously, we will be at The Galleria but I want something fun outside of that too! A neighborhood of hip restaurants, chic boutiques, and your best recommendation for an authentic Dallas BBQ joint! 

Let's hear it ladies...I'm headin to Dallas and I want to live it up with my sissy and my momma! Where can we do that best?

I Don't Wear Shoes When I Shower!

After an amazing weekend spent with family [will post pics later today/tomorrow] it is time to rejoin reality.

Today begins the renovation of our bathroom. Our heinous, ugly, old, dated bathroom - complete with matching brown tub, sink and toilet - will be gone! The contractor comes this morning to gut this puppy down to the bones and replace the lovely (snicker) purple, teal and white tiny square tiles with gorgeous marble!!!!

However, I will be without a shower for the next X number of days! Mr. Marine told me to shower at the Y, where we workout. I told him, "If you have to wear shoes where you shower, you're showering in a place you shouldn't be!"

Thank God for wonderful friends willing to let me use their spare bathroom for the duration of this process!

Here we gooooooooooo!!!!!!

Epic Blogging Fail...

Last y'all heard a peep from me, I had just returned from a fabulous cruise with Mr. Marine and my family. I promised to give you an island by island recap.

I failed.

I'm not going to turn this into a pity party because plenty of FABULOUS things have been happening in my life. However, in the midst of wonderful happenings and not so wonderful things, I decided I needed to take a blogging break. I realize most women announce such a break, but I didn't even have that much in me.

Over the past few months I have laughed to the point of tears and cried to the point of physical pain.

I lost a job and found another one. This new job keeps me from eating dinner with Mr. Marine, enjoying the runs/walks we had come to cherish, spending Sundays in bed or going to a midmorning brunch. I will get used to these adjustments I am sure, but I miss him and our routine and I can tell a difference in our relationship. It makes me sad.

I traveled home for my bi-annual melanoma scan at MD Anderson. All is well and I enjoyed being home in Texas. I went to the rodeo 3 times in a week and a half. My trip was only supposed to be 3 days long...I extended 2x and Mr. Marine finally called my mother and told her to put me on the plane.

I have enjoyed time with my girlfriends here and continue to build friendships with amazing women. However, when I left Chuy's in Houston and said goodbye to my best friend, I sobbed like a baby once I got back in my car. She is my second half, my sounding board, the girl who knows my thoughts and reasoning even when I don't. She knows my deepest darkest secrets and I hers. I miss that terribly.

We are getting ready to gut our bathroom and completely remodel it. I'm not looking forward to the mess, the hassle or the outgoing checks...but I CANT WAIT FOR THE FINAL PRODUCT!!!!! 

I have a lot going on in the upcoming months and I will do my best to keep this thing updated instead of going into my shell when I get overwhelmed. 

To all of you who emailed me to check on me...thank you. It means a lot to me!

xoxo

P.S. Ally, I can't wait to come visit you in Chicago!!!!

Back from my Caribbean vacay and I have a ton of pics and stories. However, my internet is on the fritz right now so I will leave you with a few...

I'll post more in different posts (Island by Island) in the coming days!

Here's to Becoming Batman!

This email was forwarded to me and I just about peed myself...Mr. Marine, I'll be your Batman any day! xoxox

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

 
I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends. One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years.
 
We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes.  We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes. 

Here's how it all went : 
 
My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he
found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made passionate love all nightlong.

 The mistress:
 Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.

Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes.
When he came in the door and saw me he said, 
 "What's for dinner, Batman?"

Biggest Loser - Stiletto Style!

It's crunch time, folks! I will be leaving for my cruise in one week and I have pledged to complete my own "Biggest Loser Week!"

This week, beginning at 5:30am on Monday morning, I will complete the following:

1. Spinning from 5:45-6:45am

2. Running on treadmill in the middle of the day

3. Zumba from 6:30-7:30pm

4. Repeat

I am also forgoing all starches, as this week will only consist of salads and lean proteins. No sugar either!

Mr. Marine and I have also looked up the fitness center on the cruise ship, as that will minimize typical cruise weight gain!

I am tired of being a chunkster and having to go swimsuit shopping today made me realize how unacceptable this body is! I understand that one week of Biggest Loser workouts will not make me Heidi Klum. However, I needed a major kick in the ass and swimsuit shopping was just what I needed! 

I refuse to wear a one-piece when I turn 30 and this is my first real step towards my ultimate goal in 2010...be my best self, ever!!!!

Here's to a happier and healthier 2010!! Whoot Whoot!!!!

Selectively Avoiding the Rain!

What does it say about me that I refused to leave the house and venture out in the rain for this...

 But I have no qualms whatsoever about venturing out in the rain for an evening of wine and this exact flaming sushi roll with my girlfriends?

What Every Girl Likes to Hear!

As much as I loooooove gettin all dolled up...isn't it nice to have a man who feels this way?

Hang up that red dress, 

let down your hair, 

cancel those reservations 

don't need to go no where. 

As good as your looking right now, 

girl bet your thinkin I'm crazy, 

there's a side of you that I wanna see 

that never ceases to amaze me. 

Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess 

sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, 

thats the you that i like best, 

gimme that girl. 

Gimme that girl lovin up on me, 

old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, 

thats the you i wanna see, 

gimme that girl. 

Gimme the girl thats beautiful, 

without a trace of makeup of on, 

barefoot in the kitchen, 

singing her favorite song. 

Dancing around like a fool, 

starring in her own little show, 

gimme the girl the rest of the world, 

ain't lucky enough to know. 

Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess 

sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, 

thats the you that i like best, 

gimme that girl. 

Gimme that girl lovin up on me, 

old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, 

thats the you i wanna see, 

gimme that girl, gimme that girl. 

 

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is fourteen days." ~Totie Fields

"If my jeans could talk, would I be embarrassed?"

-Brooke Shields

As I'm sure most of you can relate, one of my New Years resolutions is to trim down. I realize I am not obese, and I'm not looking to resemble Rachel Zoe. I would however, like to be in my best shape possible. This is the year I turn 30, and while I will never be one of those women who trains for a marathon to prove her youth and resilience...I would like to enter the next phase of my life in a body I am proud of. 

In addition, Mr. Marine and I are going on a Caribbean cruise at the end of this month to celebrate my parents anniversary. I may have started working out a bit too late to be confused for Gisele Bunchen on this trip, but I would like to shed just  a few before the end of the month. Running outdoors is not an option for me at the moment. After all, it is 3 degrees with a windchill taking it well below zero. No way in hell am I going outside to simply jog. 

So, about a week or so ago, I pulled out my trusty friend Jillian and began to "Shred" my old body in hopes of building a better and stronger one to house my aging bones (a little dramatic, but it's the way I feel sometimes).

I have also been back on Weight Watchers for a while. I am down 5 pounds so far! In my opinion, 5 pounds and a week and a half of shredding at level 2 and 3 should make my pants fit a little looser! 

WRONG!

I went to put on a pair of jeans today (they are my "fat" jeans that fit when my other jeans do not) and they were so tight around my thighs I had to writhe and jump in place to get them up! What the hell? Does anyone else experience this when they first begin working out? Is it one of those cases where it has to get worse before it gets better? Am I just building muscle on top of my fat so now nothing is going to fit?

I'm beginning to think I'm going to look even worse on my cruise...and it's beginning to freak me out!

Holiday Recap circa 2009!

Thanks to Mrs. Smith, I was reminded I have readers out there who actually enjoy my ramblings. I know, I haven't updated in forever, and I feel like a lifetime of happenings has taken place since my last post. 

So, rather than bore y'all to tears with the details...I'll do a photo recap of all that's happened since...

While Mr. Marine and I were flying home to Texas, my sweet Riley dog was getting hit by a car on Thanksgiving Day!

(Note: all is well with him, just some road rash, and a few stitches! Poor guy! But our friends did give him extra love and took good care of the injured pup. I was one very upset momma!)

We went on our annual ice skating trip to the Houston Galleria. After which we shopped Nordy's and of course...ate at The Bistro! My fam has the best traditions!

While we were home, Roger Creager was playing at Big Texas! So the fam headed out for some dancing, drinking and 2am Whataburgers!

Mr. Marine's eyes are closed (or maybe it was just too much of a good thing) but this epitomizes my ideal existence...Mr. Marine, Texas, Dancing, and drinking Shiner Bock!

Be still my beating heart! After seeing me get pushed around the dance floor by every guy but him, my sweet Georgia Marine asked me to show him how to two-step! I about died! What a night to remember!

I had to bring all my favorite Texas fixins back home. Everytime I use one of these, it takes me home, to a place...where I belong (Ok..breaking out in song here...even if it is a song about WV)

Mr. Marine and I have season tix to the Houston Texans (family bought them before I moved) so when we aren't there, my niece and her bf use them...well, we finally got to use them ourselves!)

I was able to eat some dinner and grab a quick beer with my BFF and fellow Marine spouse! I love Cedar Creek, so we go everytime I come home! This time, I finally got to show Mr. Marine!

You can take the girl outta Texas, but you can't take Texas outta the girl! 

Once the holidays kicked off, I co-hosted a cookie exchange with fellow blogger and twinsie, Maggie from It Is Everlasting!

The Junior League ladies enjoyed a day together! Watching my Houston Texans beat the Rams...from the comfort of a suite at the stadium!

Mr. Riley put on his new Christmas sweater for his annual photo session with Santa!

Finally, Mr. Marine and I kept with my family tradition of going out to a nice dinner on Christmas Eve. So we headed to Ruth's Chris with some friends and then to Midnight Mass at the Cathedral.

This was a bit of an odd holiday since we stayed at home and didn't have any family around. People said we'd love it, and never want to travel again. I hated it! I missed the hustle and bustle of family, I missed the noise, I missed all of it! Heck, I think I called my family 20x or more on Christmas Day! But we did end up hosting some single Marines at our house for Christmas dinner. We drank wine, laughed and played Apples to Apples...that's traditional, right?