Thankful

I'm sure,  by now, you've seen a million cliché posts all over various social media stating things for which people are thankful.

So....ahem....get ready for more!

Being in the Navy, we hardly ever get to spend important holidays with blood relatives so I can't even begin to express the gratitude I have for friends, new and old, who have stepped in and volunteered to be family in times when we have none. It makes times like this absolutely amazing.

Even though this is one of the most low - key Thanksgivings Adam and I have ever had, it was our first one hosting AND our first big holiday meal (ever) in our new home! I couldn't have hoped for anything better. We made mostly traditional food and much like everyone else, we have a ton of leftovers. Luckily there was another Porter couple who was able to come and join us. They even brought over their new puppy to play with Piper and Luca.

Now I have to force myself to sleep because I have a long day of work ahead of me tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Here come the cold

Seriously! What is it with men and snoring?!? I'm sitting in bed, wide awake, while my darling, sweet husband is moving the walls of the bedroom in and out with his freight-train like breaths. The other night it was equally as terrible so I began to shake him...gently. Then I pulled the covers off him in hopes the icy air would wake him. No such luck. Fatigue took over my brain and convinced me force was the only option. The swatting and kicking began. Nothing hard...at first. I know is hard to believe but this man snored through everything without budging. I'm not proud of this but at one point I swatted him with the book from my night stand. (Thank God I read paperbacks!) Eventually I had to spend the night in the guest bedroom because the Snore-a-saurus was unable to be silenced. And so the saga continues...

On another note; one of the benefits of living in Virginia is that we get to have four different yet breath taking seasons every year. Each has its own individual beauty and I can honestly say I'm going to miss that most when we finally have to move. Coming from a Floridian, seasons can be a fun, welcomed luxury.

With that being said... perhaps it's been too long since last winter because this cold has snuck up on me far too fast. The sub-frozen temps and the lack of adequate clothes have promptly reminded me that winter isn't coming. ... it's straight up here. Every year I tell myself I'm going to be better prepared for the climate NEXT year. Naturally, that never happens. I don't know what I'm going to do when we move to Newport! Agh!

The beast beside me had stifled his noise to a dull, throaty snort so I'm going to try and sleep...if only for a moment.

Goodnight.

Christmas already

There are very few things in this world I've inherited from my parents: 

1) An aggressive, Scotsman's unibrow (thanks, Dad)

And

2) My mother's serious, elf-like affinity for all things Christmas

Luckily, I've learned to control number one with rigorous upkeep but I'm completely helpless and powerless when it comes to Christmas anything. 

I, Jenny Peeples, am a Christmas-holic.

Just yesterday I had a pretty rotten day at work (for a BUNCH of reasons) so on my way home, I started listening to Christmas music. Although I could feel it working, the music simply wasn't fixing everything. (It was a REALLY bad day.) As I exited the interstate, I decided to go to Garden Ridge (our version of Hobby Lobby) and poke around. Instantly upon walking in the store I could feel the season opening it's arms and welcoming me to my happy place. The carols were playing over the loud speaker and the giant inflatable Santas stood next to the light up yard reindeer as sort of a welcoming committee. This was it! I let out a deep breath and I could just feel the stress from earlier start to melt away. 

I know there are people complaining that there are ALREADY Christmas songs on the radio or decorations in department stores but I, for one, truly enjoy every bit of it!! It reminds me of old traditions and makes me excited to create new ones. 

Today is my day off and I plan on breaking out some holiday decor to replace my fall stuff...which (by the way, you judgmental Scrooges) has been up since September (aka: way longer than my snowmen will ever think of being here).

Tis the season, folks. Like it or not. And I plan on embracing it!!

jp