New Beginnings...

As of last Thursday, I am officially an Army wife : )

When Ross and I first got married we always threw around the idea of him going into the Military. He wasn't really sure what he was going to do after he graduated to gain work experience and to build up his resume and we always thought that Military service would be an amazing opportunity but we just left it at that. Just an idea and every once in a while we would bring it up.

Well graduation was getting closer and closer and we really started to do our research. For months we debated pro and cons. We thought of everything - compared different branches, different jobs, whether or not Ross would go in as an officer, etc. We finally came to a decision that we both felt great about and we really felt was best for us.

Ross enlisted in the Army for 5 years active duty and he'll be a cryptological linguist.

Which means........ we'll be moving to California for about a year for Ross to attend the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. :)

We are so excited (and nervous) to be starting our lives out west and in this new journey together!

Ross leaves for Basic Training in 6 weeks...

Wish us luck!!

Cathy

Heart Maps...

I just have to say that I found the most amazing fabric store yesterday. I was literally giddy, Ross was laughing at me. I'll do a post later this week about it.

I've been working on a project for some time now and I needed some fabric and a few other supplies for it, so I bit the bullet and bought it all yesterday so I can start it already.

(we bought a new jigsaw, but I'm suppose to say I used it because it's a female's tool :)

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can post about it. I'm really excited for it.

But onto what I wanted to blog about. I always try to find something sentimental to get Ross for holidays and this time I came across a print of a map and fell in love.

The close up stinks but you get the idea. He loved it. I thought this would be a cute idea to remember where we spent our first anniversary and where we were sealed.

I also bought this cute pillow to add a bit more to the room. :)

I can't wait for my fabric to come in the mail...I'll be waiting very impatiently!!!

:)

Cathy

Love...

It's a beautiful thing.

Ross and I decided we needed to get away for a day or so. It really didn't have to

do with Valentine's day, seeing that I don't really make a big deal out of the holiday

but that was the excuse to spend some time together.

We ended up going to a Bed and Breakfast in Vermont for a couple of days and I'm

so glad we did. We had a great time. We ate a ton, sat by the fire a ton, and enjoyed

being with each other a ton.

The Inn was about 200 years old. They've tried to make minimal changes since

it opened.

Here's the lobby:

The stairs going up to the second floor:

Sitting area on the second floor:

And here's the stairway up to the third floor where our room was:

Our cute room:

Here's my stud building a fire. He thought he was dressing for the

occasion with his flannel. He's like "When in Vermont, you must dress like

a Vermonter." :)

We went to dinner that night in their restaurant downstairs. It was literally

the best meal we have ever eaten. I could have died at the end of it and my l

ife would have been complete. Over exaggeration obviously, but it really

was the best ever.

And then we had a full spread for breakfast in the Sun room the next

morning, just as amazingly good.

We went ice skating, antiquing and ate homemade ice cream from a

Vermont creamery. It was seriously the best.

Big news coming up in the next couple weeks - no, I'm not pregnant but

just as big. I think at least.

How did you spend Valentine's days? Hopefully with the ones you love.

:)

Cathy

The Birthday Boy...

Our favorite furball had a birthday yesterday :)

I can't believe a year has gone by already. (well technically we got him 9 weeks from now but still)

Eating his Peanut Butter Delight cake :)

This was his one and only gift. He's already pulled it apart a little.

Ross calls it the Q-tip.

We love our pooch so much!

♥

Cathy

Reflections...

So I've been going through a phrase. A long one. That I wish I could move on from but just haven't been able to let go of some stuff. It's been really hard at times.

I came into work today, checked my email and this was in my inbox:

The subject line read:

Reflections of a Monday Morning

And the body read:

Well it's another Monday morning, the beginning of a brand new week, a brand new start to something amazing. What will this week bring? Hardship, joy, changes? What can we do to make the world a little better this week? How can we change ourselves for the better? What can we give up that is holding us back or impending our progression in life? What are we not letting go of?

Let us take this week and dedicate it to changing ourselves for the better. Let us overcome those things holding us back or slowing us down. Let us focus on the little things that make us happy and let go of the things that don't. Let us help those around us to make their lives better too.

Life is full of choices. Some big some small. How do we let these choices affect our happiness. Can we let go of the reins a little and just sit back and see where life takes us?

No one ever said it was supposed to be easy but it will be worth it.

This email was from my Husband. This is all it said. I thought he had copied and pasted it from somewhere but in fact (to my disbelief) he wrote it. I knew he was a good writer (I have to admit that he wrote a few of my college essays for me) but didn't know he was this good.

I have a very patient, loving, and smart eternal companion, whom I don't ever give enough credit. He's my cheerleader and therapist.

Keep this in mind this week. What can you do to make your life just a little better? What can you do to help other's enjoy their journey through life?

♥

Cathy

Well that's funny....

So I don't have readers who are romantic novel lovers. Why am I not surprised?

I'll will be giving one book to Debby who stated that she wanted to continue eating and creating a healthy lifestyle and I think I'll give the other one to my mom. Shes always up for a good read. : )

I'll have a better giveaway another day.

New Design Trend I'm smitten with:

Velvet.

Call me old school but I'm loving it right now. Like really loving it.

Is this not a beautiful headboard?

This couch would be so comfortable to snuggle up on :)

And last but not least..... Kate Middleton rocking a velvet clutch and belt combo. Not to mention a gorgeous lace number. Man, to have her closet.

First day back at my Yoga class today - I definitely missed it.

Hope everyone is having a great week and that you're keeping up with your resolutions!!

:)

Cathy

Resolutions and a Giveaway....

So, I have no excuse. Really. I just got busy doing stuff and being lazy. It happens. :)

We had a relaxing Christmas. Tons of goodies and Medved had no idea what was going on but he loved it.

He currently has only one of his Christmas gifts left. Everything else has been destroyed. We need to get him some more durable ones next time.

We went up to Ross' family for New Years. It was really low key. We "cheered" to Mountain Dew and Ross ate Taco Bell 2 mins after Midnight. (He gave up soda and fast food for a whole year)

Some New Years Resolution for me this year:

Lose some weight (I have yet to have a year without this one)

To not be so hard on Myself

Envy Less

Learn to Accept More

Make more time for Myself

Since I haven't been blogging that much lately, I wanted to make up for it with a Giveaway. We went to the Nate Berkus show this last fall and everyone in the audience was given this:

Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins.

She was at the show. I wasn't totally impressed but apparently these are supposed to be pretty premium for their Genre.

I'm not a romantic novel reader myself, and Ross barely reads books, let alone girly ones. So I've decided to give them to two "lucky" readers.

What you have to do:

1. Post a comment here telling me a New Years Resolution of yours (if you can't post a comment, please email me at cathymschanck@gmail.com)

2. Become a follower of my blog.

And that's it. If you do both 1 and 2 you'll get added twice.

I'll be putting all the names in a hat (because I don't know a technical way of doing it) and drawing next Monday night. January 23rd.

Good Luck!

I did a little photo shoot with Medved with his Christmas Bowtie on. Yes, they aren't good. Yes, I don't know how to use a camera. And yes, I'm a little obsessed with my dog.

Isn't he so photogenic?

I call the last one the look away Blue Steel. He knows he's handsome. LOL.

Here's to a new year with new possibilites!

Cathy