Shrivel, crinkle, and slowly spring back

There were tears and goodbyes, stress and frustration, and challenges and obstacles that wrapped up 2013 and started 2014. I believe it was the worst end and worst beginning I've ever experienced during this, not to be dramatic, pivotal time in all of our lives. Out with the old and in with the new ya know? My out and in was more like a shrivel, crinkle, and slowly start to spring back! I could share several stories to explain how this all evolved but they're not so much fun and involve topics that really should be kept private from the internet population. I will say that right now my heart is heavy with worry for my grandma...but that will be a whole other post to itself.

Anywho!

Rather than share all of the yucky parts of the end and beginning of years, I will be sharing stories of being home for the holidays, our 3 year wedding anniversary, fun times with friends, and much more in the coming days. My husband will be leaving (doing the Navy thing) for just a short while and therefore will not be around to distract me with his devilish good looks so that I may be able to write more often...haha! But before I leave...

We arrived in Oklahoma on the Eve of Christmas Eve with basically enough time to visit a bit and then go to sleep! The next morning, before I met up with Tom and his family, I took a walk with my sister, nephew, and dogs through a neighborhood covered in ice...a beautiful magical icy world! Here are some snapshots along the way (taken with little point and shoot Canon Elph)...

Stay warm, darlings ;)
Hugs and love, my lovelies!

Christmas in Oklahoma

Merry Christmas from Oklahoma, dear ones! I'll have pictures and stories to share later, but tonight is for quiet time with the family...unwinding and snacks...playing with my nephew...chilling out with my mama and sister :) I'm so happy to be home for Christmas! Tomorrow...our 3 year wedding anniversary...love it!

Hugs and Christmas time love, my lovelies!
Amy

Hours away of actually enjoying this holiday season!

This is my first time to try and blog from my tablet, and I'm on the end of my lunch and in a noisy breakroom...my fingers are also slightly dirty from chips...I'm classy like that ;) Anywho! This is my last shift; then there is one more day left for planning, cleaning, and packing; and then we'll be on a plane home for Christmas in Oklahoma...seriously seriously...srsly....cannot wait!!! At seven o'clock PM I will officially be able to enjoy the holidays...retail has it's upsides during this time of year...but they are no where close to outweighing the lovely bliss of NOT working during the holidays. So sigh...aaahhh...biss...it's almost over :)

Dang...my keyboard just died. So to wrap up...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, darlings! My heart, love, and prayers for all those separated from their loved ones this season...especially our military service members!

Hugs and love my lovelies...and....I'll be home for Christmas :)
Amy Ro Fo Sho

Kakashi Dog's 3rd Birthday

Kakashi dog is my baby boy...my sweet baby boy...and yes...he is indeed a mama's boy. He turned 3 on December 5th, and, although he's older and much wiser (ha), he is not so cooperative with having his picture taken. He also seems to have a grumpy and disgusted look on his face in most of the shots, but its okay 'cause it kinda cracks me up :)

So anywho! Just wanna share Kakashi's birthday photos...and maybe write a little birthday poem for my furry baby...so here goes...ahem...

Kakashi dog
he's the cutest puppy
in the whole wide world!
His name is Kakashi dog!
And I love him
so so much...
He's my Kakashi dog!

Actually that's a little song I like to sing to him from time to time...yes...I'm weird.

Happy Birthday, Kakashi! Mama loves you!

Hugs and love my lovelies,
The Ro Fo Sho

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 :)