santa, baby

Hope everyone had I great holiday break. With thanksgiving over, and the christmas season in full swing, I've been scowering the internet for some friendly cyber-monday steals. I have a goal to be the best Secret Santa! Yay. Anywho, while in search of great gifts for others, I came across a couple of things I wouldn't mind for myself ;)

My sister is supposed to be getting me the Female Brain, but I couldn't resist putting it on my list for the world to see. I've already read it, but it is absolutely amazing. I think everyone should read it! And that means you too!

1. Storm Necklace by Modcloth, 2. Season 5 How I Met Your Mother on Amazon, 3. Suede Ankle Boots by Forever 21, 4. Cute fingerless gloves by fredflare, 5. Navy Blazer by Forever 21, 6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins on Amazon, 7. The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine on Amazon, 8. LOST poster designed by Ty Mattson

I've been cutting...

things out of paper.

I don't want to be an animal

AND THAT IS THAT! HA!

aging like a fine trashtalking s.o.b.

Today is the 235th birthday of the united states marine corps.
My father was in the service for 22 years (16 years of my life)
and retired a Master Sergeant.
We lived in 5 states
(NC 3 times, Indiana, Tennessee, Hawaii and Missouri)
7 different schools.

Marine Prayer card (with my edited text of course)

The dandelion seed is the official flower of the Marine Child.
Me and my sister were talking about getting a tattoo of it for awhile now.

I really feel that growing up a brat was the best way of life. Not only do you get to travel all over, and continually learn the art of making friends (thank god for facebook! I've reconnected with so many), but you also get to live in a world of extreme patriotism and loyalty and honor and truth...that civilians just don't understand. We've been out since 2000, and the one thing I have learned in that 10 years is that people have a serious lack of those values.

All I know is that I miss living on base with all the ache in my heart. I miss the sound of helicopters and planes doing runs over your house and school. I miss watching a group of men in matching fatigues PT on my way to school. I miss going to the commissary and the exchange. I miss going through the gate and having an MP check your plates.I miss the high and tight, the dressed blues, the dog tags. I really miss it all.

Me and my pop in '91 (my first day of school in Hawaii)

This is my Marine. My hero. My dad.
He's pretty awesome.

Happy birthday! And thank you for all that you do.

falling back as I may...

today i woke up before my alarm and it was glorious.

After a rather productive weekend of cleaning and clearing out the house (as well as a large rather over due donation to Goodwill), I awoke this morning with nothing so much as a yawn. The weather was amazing, so I tried to spend as much time as I could in its 70+ degree splendor since the sun will set an hour earlier tonight. Can't believe its November!

So in between working on web graphics,
I took a 3 mile jog through the park and read on the back deck.

Glorious day, indeed.

Sometimes to get through the day...

I daydream about mermaids.

Halloween Update

This year, I was at a loss for what to be.
So this was very last minute.
I also had a request from a friend to build their costume as well
(where the Cash Cab comes into play)

I was a Giant Mizzou Foam Finger.
It was kind of hard to manuever around in that get up but I made do.
Cash Cab was pretty successful. My friend look super identical to Ben Bailey and even walked around with questions...a correct answer got you a piece of candy :)

My favorite day of the year is pumpkin carving day!
I just LOVE baking the pumpkin seeds. We doubled up on our
pumpkin quantity this year just for more seeds.

They were delicious.

Here are 3 of our 4 pumpkins that were carved and ready for the trick or treaters.
Our puppy MaLady is not a fan of Halloween. Too much stranger danger walking around.
She stood at the door in preparation for children all night.
She was prepared for the pounce.

Happy Halloween!