High Five For Friday 12/13

Another week down. Only one more until we are in Thailand! I don't feel prepared yet, so I might be running around like a crazy person next week getting ready. 

{ONE}

Today I have the Blog Baton on Instagram. If you want to learn more about it, go on over to Mason Like the Jar and check it out. I will be posting lots of fun pictures so follow The Blog Baton on Instagram to see what exciting things I post. Should be fun!

{TWO}

I forgot to share that last week I was approved to start subbing at the schools on base here. I'm not exactly sure when I will start getting calls to come in, but I am excited! It will be nice to get back into the classroom, even if it's not my own classroom. Of course, it will be challenging and make me sad at times that I haven't gotten the opportunity to have my own classroom yet, but it will be nice to still have a flexible schedule. 

{THREE}

It's been really rainy and cold this week. I feel like the weather here alternates between sunny and warm and absolutely beautiful to cold, rainy, and dreary. Still not missing snow though. When it rains, it is hard for me to get motivated to do anything. I would way rather snuggle with my dog and watch Netflix all day. Enter the most comfortable outfit in existence. When I first got these cheetah leggings from Brickyard Buffalo, I didn't know what I was going to do with them since animal print isn't really my thing, but I don't think I've taken them off since I got them. They are so comfortable! I haven't gotten the courage to wear them in public, though. 

{FOUR}

Like I said, I've been slightly attached to Netflix every this week. I started watching Hart of Dixie and love it! Makes me miss the good ole' South. I also have been enjoying all of the Christmas movies that were just added. Have you seen I'll Be Home For Christmas with Jonathan Taylor Thomas? I forgot how much I loved it! It's on Netflix, if you didn't know! It might be my favorite after Home Alone. And something that I am embarrassed to admit, I had never seen Christmas Vacation all the way through. I watched it all the other day so now I don't have to hide that secret. Another confession, I hate the movie Elf. Some of you are probably cringing, but it just is a bit over the top for me. Call me a fun sucker if you would like. 

{FIVE}

I have been so horrible about working out lately. I really have no excuse, it just doesn't happen. I had been doing so well with my running. I was running around 3 miles 4 times a week. I didn't go for a couple of days and then a couple of days turned into weeks. I keep telling myself I will at least go to Zumba class, but that hasn't happened either. What was I thinking planning a beach vacation in the middle of winter? Pale+holiday weight=Not swimsuit ready. Thankfully I have still been eating fairly well or I would be in real trouble. Green smoothies every morning and as little processed foods as possible. I have been really bad about the sweets lately though, so I already know what my New Year's resolution will be. I've never had a sweets problem before, but right now I am out of hand! I am ready for the New Year to have a little bit of a reset and get back on track!

I did have a bagel from my favorite place the other day. It is always a nice treat when I am missing home!

We have some fun things planned for this weekend and Jake doesn't have to work! I can't wait

What is your favorite holiday movie? What's your go-to comfy outfit? Have you thought about your NY resolutions yet?

Linking up with Lauren, Darci, Jasmine, and Jennie

The War on Dog Hair

The non-dog owners out there may find this appalling, but our dog sleeps under the covers with us. When she was a puppy, she hated snuggling. After awhile of trying to snuggle with her, she decided she enjoyed it and began pawing at the covers every night to get in. Usually when Jake and I are both in the bed, she sleeps on her dog bed and then comes and gets in bed when one of us wakes up to get ready. I always make the bed when we get up, or she will get right back under the covers without us. She would lay in bed under the covers, with her head on the pillow all day if she could.

When Jake was gone for a month, she obviously missed him because she had to be touching me at all times, meaning she slept with me every night. Once Jake got home, she still wanted to sleep in the bed with both of us in there. The thing about Lexie is that she is part husky and therefore sheds a significant amount. Once Jake was back, he was not happy with dog hair constantly being in our bed, and declared an all out war on dog hair. This got me noticing the dog hair, too, not just in the bed but everywhere else.

Just a typical day in the life of Lexie

She likes to use pillows

Jake decided our first step is keeping her out of the covers. I knew this would be hard because she jumps up on the bed and paws at us until we let her in. And her face is so cute we just can't say no, especially Jake(our future children will most likely have him wrapped around his finger). We found a compromise, she can be on the bed, on top of the covers, but we put another blanket over her so she thinks she is under our covers. She isn't quite fooled, but it has kept her happy for now.

"Mom, please let me in the covers with you"

I have also been on a crusade around the house trying to get rid of all of the dog hair. We thought not having carpet would be better for the dog hair, but now I walk around and see it everywhere. I can sweep daily and it will still be all over the floor. I can't go anywhere without having to lint roll my outfit. 

Yep, that's all full of dog hair. I recommend this vacuum to any pet owners out there, Hoover Windtunnel Petrewind

Dog hair, after sweeping only 2 days before. 

Maybe we should just shave the damn dog and be done with it

Wish us luck in battle

Does your dog sleep in your bed? What do you do to keep the dog hair under control?

An Okinawan Festival

Even though Jake worked ALL weekend, I was able to stay pretty busy. On Friday night, my friend and I went to an annual event hosted by the spouses club on our base. Basically, it is a progressive dinner. We loaded a bus Friday afternoon and went to the first house, which was a New England theme. We had salads, clam chowder in cute little bread bowls, Mac and Cheese muffins, and drinks. Then we boarded the bus and went to the entree house where we had cider and a turkey dinner. We got back on the bus and headed to another house. We pulled up to the biggest base house I had ever seen (relative to what is seen here on the island, so still not that big). It even had a garage, which is unheard of for the base houses here. I then found out it was the commander of the division's house, which explained a lot. At that house we had southwestern style desserts. It was a lot of fun event and nice to get dressed up and get out. At the end of the night we opted out of the after party with the husbands, and ours just picked us up instead. We went home and played catchphrase, our favorite game.

Such a good idea for a party. Miniature bread bowls

cider on the party bus

I won this cute little ornament from the raffle

Saturday morning Jake had to go into work pretty early, so I slept in a bit and then made breakfast for our friends. They were nice to come back up later that day to go to the festival on our base with me. Each base has a festival throughout the year with food, games, and entertainment. Locals are invited to come and really love enjoy them, especially the pizza! Our base has a Christmas festival every year. There was so much good food, tt was hard to decide exactly what to try. I ended up getting a potato cheese ball and potato pancake. I also brought a shiskabab of BBQ home for Jake. We also played a shooting game which I was horrible at. I'm usually a pretty good shot, but I was struggling. It was supposed to be just a fun game, but the guy running it was kind of yelling at me for being bad, which made me even worse. Excuse me for not practicing my shooting very often. 

All of the kids were walking around with these cute things

reminded me of Greece!

Sunday Jake had to be at work REALLY early. I brought him and his coworkers breakfast. It was weird being up so early on the weekend, but I usually don't mind being up early. I got so much done, it made it worth it. I ran errands ALL day and got our Christmas cards printed and addressed. Since we were down to the wire with getting out pictures done and back, I didn't have time to order the ones I wanted and had to make our own. I like how they turned out, but would have liked the perfect ones I had picked out better. I also had a hard time finding envelopes to fit our cards and ended up using not very pretty ones. You win some, you lose some. I was just glad to have them done and on their way. When Jake got home, I made him breakfast for dinner since I had bought so much stuff for our weekend breakfast that he missed out on. 

breakfast for dinner and Christmas cards

It was a good weekend and I am so glad I have friends who are nice enough to keep me company, but I've got to be honest, I will be SO glad when Jake doesn't have to work so much. Our trip to Thailand at the end of the month will be very deserved and very needed by my hard working husband. 

Have a great week!

Linking up with Logan, Sami, Kimberlee, and Carissa

High Five For Friday 12/6

I had every intention of posting my typical Friday post last week, but it didn't happen due to the fact I was wrapped up in the holiday and Jake being home. And sleeping. It was kind of my priority. But here I am back this week for another Friday post.

{ONE}

Monday I was bound and determined to finish my Christmas shopping. I headed over to a little place called American Village. This place is super popular for locals, just like we like going to Vegas and checking out Italy at The Venetian and France at The Paris. I learned that here they LOVE to decorate for Christmas. I have never seen so many lights and Santas. It was fun to feel the holiday spirit and get some shopping done. When I stumbled on a fro-yo place, I about passed out. I didn't realize how much I had been missing it. To top it off, they had my favorite flavor of all eternity, pomegranate raspberry. I figured fro-yo would make an acceptable lunch.

fro-yo  complete with dragonfruit and Okinawan cookie

Just one small example of the Christmas decor

{TWO}

On Tuesday I shared why I hate Christmas shopping. I am happy to announce that as of December 2nd, I have finished ALL of my shopping and sent everything off. And I kind of enjoyed it. Seriously, it has to be some sort of miracle. I am usually always rushing around at the last second. I guess when you don't have the luxury of waiting until the last minute, you get it done. And I did it way within my projected budget. Wins all around.

Just enjoying some online gift shopping while burning my favorite candle and using my favorite mug, It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

{THREE}

Yesterday, Sarah posted about the things she can't seem to find. She kind of hit the nail on the head with things I can't find, no matter how hard I try. I am always in search of perfect nail and lipstick colors. I have an idea in mind of what colors I want, but when I buy them and bring them home, I hate them. It's not like you can open every lipstick and try it. And I just don't have to money to buy tons to try. Also, I have been really struggling in the jean department lately. Jeans have never fit me that well due to my lack of a backside, but since losing weight my jeans REALLY don't fit. I have been looking for a perfect pair that fits me like a glove with no success. What's the secret people??

I did find the perfect pink/purple I was looking for thanks to Pinterest. Why is the car always the perfect place for selfies??

{FOUR}

Sorry to be a downer, but I had to share this sad story. We have had a stray dog living on our front porch. He was so cute and friendly. He was always excited to see me, which is probably my favorite thing about dogs in general. He had a collar, but people here have "pets" and let them wander around outside on their own. He was part blind, so he probably just wandered too far away from his home. Unfortunately, there was no way for us to find his home and were afraid to turn him in as they would just put him down. Our neighbors even tried to adopt him out on Facebook. I would feed him everyday, because he was sticking around anyway and I didn't want him to suffer if he didn't have to. I hadn't seen him for a couple of days so I asked my neighbor where he was. She told me she thinks he was hit by a car, because a little Okinawan girl was holding him wrapped in a blanket on the side of the road. I wasn't surprised since we live on a very busy road and he was half blind, but I was crushed by this. Yes, stray dogs can be kind of annoying and I would get mad when he would jump on me and beg for food every time I left the house. But, I was getting used to the little guy and he was very sweet. I hope no more stray animals show up because my heart can't handle a third. 

{FIVE}

Ok, I'm done being negative. Last week, I was watching The X Factor and saw One Direction perform.  I hadn't known much about them except for a few songs they sing. I had no clue they were discovered on The X Factor and that they are super talented. They performed their new song, Story of My Life and I fell in love. It is such a good song and not super boy-bandy. Even though I can appreciate a good boy-band thanks to NSYNC and BSB. So now I am super intrigued by 1D and even watched a Netflix documentary. Not ashamed, they are interesting and talented people (and really cute if I wasn't older than them, which makes me feel old). 

Linking up with Lauren, Darci, and Jennie