Beautiful Bright Fall Foliage!

I love fall leaves. They really are kinda like snowflakes...although the shapes may be almost identical, the markings and colors are always different whether subtle or dramatic. Trees and leaves always make me happy : ) Here are some snapshots right outside my apartment. I hope y'all enjoy!

The leaves are blowing off of the trees quickly...lots before they even turn! I had to capture a little bit of it before winter really takes over. Jeez it sure is cold right now!!! Winter is coming ; ) Stay warm, and hugs and love, my lovelies!
 
p.s. I'll probably crop my beaming white hand outta those before I print them...in the meantime...I hope I didn't blind y'all!

No Skipping Thanksgiving

I want to savor Christmas. I don't want to rush it at all! The anticipation is part of the magic of the season. So, therefore, I don't skip Thanksgiving because I want to savor it as well, and relish in the knowledge that the day is very simply a time to be thankful...to not want...to enjoy food, family, and friends with the parade, games, football, and relaxation. Sigh...what a blissful day : ) I also love fall decorations as much as Christmas decorations. The foliage outside is decoration enough...next year I plan to do some crafts to bring the outdoors indoors. But I love the simple elements of Autumn that I get to incorporate in my home even though my collection is sparse at this time in my life. I also did a little bit of redecorating when I put my fall decor up...my before and after photos show some of my Halloween decorations as well, so just remove the Jack 'O Lanterns from the pictures ; ) Also, they're not the greatest photos, but you'll get the idea!

Before.

After. Remember to ignore the Halloween elements ; )

And the other day, I added this cute little dude...

The past couple of Thanksgiving were spent with my good friends, the Honcoops, and it's kind of a bummer we'll not be together this year...it'll be a bit weird. However, it will be the first year, since we've been married, that we'll celebrate the holiday in our own home. Therefore, I'm excited to see how the day will go and what traditions we'll start. And even though I have to work the next day, we'll still drink some spiked apple cider, eat a bunch a food, laze about on the couch...and it'll be a happy happy day! Hugs and love, my lovelies : ) Oh...and Happy Thanksgiving!

p.s. My lovely wonderful grandma did the painting above the fireplace...art I will cherish always!

Overwhelming October...New November

So much for blogging "very soon" as I shared in my last entry! Turns out October is a little bit overwhelming! It has always been my favorite month very simply because it's my birthday month and the beginning of delicious fall weather, but this year I think I overloaded my plate a bit. There was my birthday weekend, my friend's birthday weekend, Halloween party weekend, and then the Marine Corps Ball (which was technically the beginning of November, but I still group it with October so there).

I got super behind on laundry and my wifely duties...ha...ha...haha...ha. The husband didn't seem to mind, but the mess drove me a little bit crazy! It was actually enjoyable catching up on my chores and making my home presentable again...ugh...that makes me feel old!

I've been totally kicking butt with my fight with depression. It's been a relief feeling genuinely happy without the shadowy presence of my illness hovering about! I'm still struggling with fatigue, so my doctor wants me to do a sleep study...I haven't set that up yet, but I will asap! I can't imagine what could be wrong...my doctor's only thought was maybe hyper insomnia...we'll see I suppose! I'll keep y'all updated of course!

But anywho! Since October was just a bit too much, my attitude towards November has been to take it slow...live life a little different...out with some old routines and habits and in with a good dose of newness! We're halfway through the month and I've spent some time with new friends, reconnected with old friends, got a new piercing (cartilage) and a new tattoo (needs work), and I've been expressing thankfulness every day. I'm also determined to blog more...which I've said numerous times before...fingers crossed!

Okay then...that's enough for now! I'll leave you with flowers my husband brought me...he's so wonderful about "just because" gestures of love...makes me smile :)