Thankful

Today I'm thankful that even though most of my kids aren't with me, they are with people they love and they are all healthy and happy.
I'm thankful for an extended Army family that is spread all over the world. I am especially grateful for the two Army families that will be joining us for a fabulous meal today.
I'm most thankful that Nick is home this year and we can be together. The world is just a little brighter when he's home.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Yuck!

As I posted the other day, I've not been feeling well. I tried to be a trooper, went to Providence with my besties to see the Rockettes, walked down the road to a football get together Saturday night, but honestly, by Sunday night I was starting to lose it. Sunday night was not a good one at all. I was up half the night, coughing, trouble breathing, you know the drill... So, yesterday morning as soon as the appointment lines opened, I was on the phone to the clinic. I know these symptoms. They are a sinus infection. It may not be full blown now, but it's coming!  Most doctors will tell me, "Oh it's viral and you need a week for it to run its course"  Then a week later, I'm back in the clinic with a raging sinus infection. Why won't they listen? I know my own body.
Fortunately for me, I did convince my doc yesterday that I desperately needed antibiotics. I have Thanksgiving dinner to host at my house in two days!  I got a bag of meds, (antibiotics, decongestion medication, some other nose stuff and extra strong Tylenol) I started the antibiotics as soon as I got in the car.
I'm three doses down and am starting to feel like I might live. My head is still blasting with pressure, I have an annoying cough, but I'm seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
Nick has been so sweet, running to the store, taking care of things around here, etc. I'm so glad he has the next three days off. I'm going to need some help to pull this off. Thankfully, I'm not cooking the whole meal. My three girlfriends and their families are coming over and all bringing part of the meal. We split it pretty evenly so it should be great. I just need to get my house cleaned, the tables set up and, well you know the drill.
I finally had a shower and got dressed. I think I'll wander downstairs and put on some potato soup for dinner, clean my dining room and put the table cloth on. I had intended to wait until tomorrow to set the table, but I may need head starts on everything now.
I'm so thankful to have a wonderful husband who helps me. I'm thankful for my good friends I've made here, and that our families will be together. Even though my natural family is not here, I have a very strong  Army family and I'm so grateful for that.

Girlfriend Time

Today was a lovely day! The weather was gorgeous. My two girlfriends (neighbors) and I decided we just had to take advantage of this weather and do something today. We know that these lovely days are numbered.
We decided we would have lunch outside somewhere and preferably on the water. We are on an island after all, how hard can it be?
We loaded up and drove into town. On our way to the wharf to find a place to eat we found a beautiful art gallery with some lovely artwork done of the surrounding area. I did not get pictures because I figured it was frowned upon. I cannot afford the lovely pieces of art because I have two college students and a highschool boy eating me out of house and home. But I did enjoy browsing with the other two ladies.
We walked over and found Pier 49 Restaurant.
We were early so we sat with our ice water and visited while we waited for them to be able to take our order. I had a lobster salad wrap with sweet potato fries! YUM!!
Afterwards, we headed over to The Nutcracker Suite Christmas Shop. It was adorable!  I have to admit, I love Christmas and I love shopping for ornaments, decorations and gifts. I picked up this little local beauty.

How cute is that light house?
A few weeks ago, my neighbors and I were shopping at a little local gift shop and I bought this ornament.

Do you see a theme starting here? 

When I lived in Hawaii, I collected so many ornaments that before I left, I had a small tree decorated just with my Aloha treasures. I have a feeling I can do the same with a nautical theme very soon.

I can't wait to drag my Christmas stuff out, even though our house is tiny and I'm not at all sure where I'll put everything.

After lunch and shopping, we hit Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. YUM! I hate to admit, but this was the first time I'd ever had one. It was delicious. It had such a lovely pumpkin flavor. I can't wait to have another one!

This was yumminess in a cup. Of course I had a paper cup with a cardboard sleeve. I skipped the whipped cream. I'll find it easier to sleep tonight because of it.
I love my girlfriend time. We all know we only have a few months here so we're taking advantage of every opportunity to hang out. It's so nice that our families get along and we all enjoy doing stuff together.
This weekend we have high school football Friday night. I think the neighbors are going too. Saturday night we're all going up to Providence for the first night time game of Brown University. What fun!