Christmas Cards

Someone asked me once why I send Christmas cards with all the work and expense why bother, right? Well I love everything about doing the cards. I love looking back over the year for the perfect photo or taking one special during the year. I love that the girls will look back over those photos someday, as I look back on the one's my mom did for us, and see how much we have changed and how many different places we have lived. I love looking at all the fun card designs on Shutterfly (I must have really liked last year's because this one is nearly identical). I even like figuring out what to say on the card so I don't have to hand write everything. I love the time we spend together as a family getting the cards ready to go in the mail (isn't it fun to get mail that isn't a bill or low interest rate notice??).

But the thing I love the most is thinking of each person on my Christmas card list and thinking about how they have touched my life. I get to replay memories from how I know each person whether we worked together and at which company, if we met playing tennis, spent crazy nights at the bar, had water fights in high school, or shared just a short time during one of our Navy moves. Even if I only contact you this one time each year please know it is my way of letting you know that you are special to me.

Another reason to love living in GA

One of the best things about living in coastal areas is having impromptu trips to the beach. Today I took dinner to a friend in Fernandina so we made the extra trek to the beach. It was a little cloudy and threatening rain, but that didn't stop us from playing chase the sea gulls, freeze tag, and looking for shells. I usually love to go to the ocean when Ben is gone because it makes me feel just a bit closer to him.

Here are a couple photos from our adventure. And I should note that we all managed to stay dry!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

So back in about 6th or 7th grade there was a bake sale at school. A friend and I decided to make chocolate chip cookies. There was some sort of mix up with the baking soda and baking powder and we had these horrible rock cookies that never spread out. Ever since I have struggled to make a decent chocolate chip cookie and ever since discovering Schwan's frozen chocolate chip cookie dough there really is no need to make this type of cookie from scratch.

Now I should point out that I absolutely LOVE to bake and cookies especially. There isn't anything more relaxing than baking a batch of cookies from scratch.

Today I decided to use a bag mix to make some chocolate chip cookies thinking there was no way I could mess these up right??? Wrong! Again I have little lump cookies that didn't spread. I'm sure it is because my butter was too cold, but hey it's getting late and after melting the first stick I wasn't willing to risk going for softer. However, these cookies taste better than the middle school batch so someone will be forced to eat them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone has been doing thankful posts on fb and it got me to thinking about what I'm thankful for...

• I'm thankful I have Ben to love me even though I can't have him close all the time.
• My crazy girls. They really make me laugh and remind me how special life is.
• My mom (who else can you call 10 times while preparing for turkey day and she is still happy you called) and the rest of my family I can't wait to see at Christmas!
• That my renters are almost living up to their name.
• So thankful I have wonderful friends to share the holiday with.
• To the Navy for taking us to so many places to meet so many wonderful people that I treasure.

I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving! Please enjoy your families and be happy they are there to make you crazy :o)

Why I should write things down

So last night as I was laying in bed trying to drift off to sleep at a somewhat decent hour I came up with a great idea for a blog post on...something, I think it was about family and thinking about the future. Anyway when that one comes back to my brain I will post about it. In the mean time I will try to post on a few things I have been putting off while I was trying to soak in as much of Ben as I could while he was still around. We were really busy with the girls this summer so I will post some fun pictures soon.

Hope everyone is well...and hug your family or dog or friend it makes you feel good.

KBSWOC Cookbook

In case you were wondering why I haven't been posting...I have been completely consumed with a new volunteer project. I took on being the chair of the Kings Bay Submarine Officers' Wives' Club Ways and Means Committee this year. And I am having a blast!

I remember when I worked in corporate America there were always volunteer opportunities available to me so I didn't have to put forth a lot of effort to help out. Then when I wasn't working I didn't make the effort and didn't realize how much of an impact helping others can have on your level of happiness.

So the committee and I have put together a bunch of donation drives, fundraisers, and service projects to keep us involved in our community over the next year. 100% of the proceeds raised throughout the year will be distributed to local non-profit organizations through the KBSOWC Community Grants Program in May. The application deadline is April 1, 2010 please visit kingsbaysowc.com for more information on the program or an application.

We came up with this great idea of putting together a cookbook for a fundraiser. So over the past month we have compiled, edited, sorted, proofed, proofed, and proofed 300 wonderful recipes. Meanwhile, one of our members painted a gorgeous cover for us.

In case you are wondering the cookbooks will be available in November and cost $20 +$3.95 shipping if you live out of state. The cookbook is 7 x 9 inches, bound with a 3 ring binder, and a beautiful full color cover. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing one so we are sure to order enough :o)

And here is a recent photo of Ben the girls...Morgan's hair is finally growing out.

Things I loved about today

Cuddling with my girls first thing in the morning and listening to them tell each other about their dreams.

Spending time with a good friend.

Being present for the first time a boy told Morgan he loved her...and all she had to say was "WHAT???"

Being productive.

Having dinner with the family at Chick-fil-a and watching the girls discuss whether they want ice cream cones or cups through the glass.

Playing wii with my most favorite person in the whole world...even though he beat me, again!