Did you miss me?

Me deepest apologies for my long absence.  It appears that the blog site went through some kind of update, and I was having the hardest time getting signed back in!  But I have figured it out and have some really interesting things going on that I can't wait to tell you about!

Unfortunately, it was way past my bed time when I finally got this far... so I will have to wait.  But I promise, fun pictures and updates are coming soon.

Finally! Ruidoso pics

Ok, so hiking in the snow after a bout of pneumonia maybe wasn't the best idea, but it ended up being fun!

Brian at the trailhead. One-way down, then we had to walk back!

Hmmm, who's a bigger nut?!?

Ugh

I've been trying all morning to upload some photos of our anniversary trip. Unfortunately, the website is not cooperating. Please try again later.

Grrr.

I'm a Pastor's Daughter!

It's been a busy, busy weekend! I flew home to Georgia this weekend to see my Daddy get ordained as the new pastor for Messiah Lutheran Church.

Not only was I in town, but Dad's sisters (Debbie and Robin) and brother-in-law (Don) all made it down from New England.

I also got to visit with some friends in Savannah and enjoy a good meal at Moon River Brewing. The only downside to the whole weekend was finding out that I'm sporting a case of pneumonia. Here I thought the coughing and fever were just a touch of a cold...

A warm welcome to 2012!

Well, a frantic 2011 came to a frantic end last month. I took a moment to reflect on some of the many things that happened this past year, and came up with the following:

*Went house hunting in Savannah

*Stopped house hunting when Brian got orders to move to Texas

*Got married

*Met my father-in-law and step-kids for the first time

*Raised an adorable little puppy

*Quit a job that I loved

*Moved halfway across the country

*Spent 7 months looking for a job

*Made some pretty amazing restoration projects

*Started adapting to Army life

*Spent two weeks with the kids

*Brian and I spent our first holiday season together

*Started a Master's degree

*Met some pretty cool people and a bunch of knitters

*Took computer classes and got Network+ certified

*Finally got hired and started working again!

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty crazy, busy, stressful, wonderful year. I am not really one for making New Year's resolutions, but I do have a few things that I would like to work on this year.

*Stay focused and proactive in my studies

*Make time for taking care of myself, physically and mentally

*Excel at my new job

*Keep in touch with my friends and family

*Explore ways to expand my creative outlets

Between working full time, taking two classes each semester, participating in the El Paso Knitting Guild, and still making time for my husband and dogs, I'm sure 2012 will prove to be a very full year!

We're having a ball out here!

No, really, we went to a Ball! Brian's unit had a Holiday Ball on Thursday, so we got ourselves all scrubbed, polished, and pressed for the festivities. This was Brian's first chance to wear his snazzy new Class A uniform, and I have to say that I think the new colors (blue and black instead of green) look really sharp.

I tried dress shopping downtown, but the choices were, for the most part, not my style and the size selection was limited to say the least. So, I did what I often do, and decided to just make my dress myself! I took a pattern I used before and made a few tweaks, and came up with this purple satin gown. I even finished it was a day to spare (though I did whip up a little matching zippered clutch about an hour before we left).

I didn't lose my slipper, but I still got the prince in the end. :)

Giving Thanks

Well, it's that time of year again. Cooking for hours, eating too much, rushing to finish up my Christmas crafting. And, of course, thinking on all the things for which I am grateful. Here is a short list (in no particular order):

the first full holiday season with my hubby
family that supports me
friends that keep in touch
dogs that lick my hands
an abundance of craft supplies
opportunites, both present and upcoming
plenty of food