Ok. update time. Haven't been up to too much. Enjoying lazing about the house with the dogs as much as I can. Doing a lot on the computer. Enjoying the hunt for gifts for friends and family. So far, I've managed to find everything that I wanted to get people online, which is really nice. Amazon and Etsy sellers made a fair amount off of me, but coming home from the deployment I had a little extra money to spend on people that I care about.

sooo. Photos!

Finished up the Toys for Tots season a little while back with an event at a vineyard and winery that holds a half marathon on their property each December:

one of my fellow Marines standing around with the toy collection boxes. He and I had the job of standing around in dress uniform and collecting toys from the runners and thanking everyone for showing up.






Our guys hanging out after the event. The younger Marine on the right ran in the event and won the half marathon. He's a ridiculous long distance runner.


the roommates working on decorating the tree with the help of the pups!

one of my projects to keep me sane the last week or so has been festivising the house for the holidays, putting up lights and such. it's been a good distraction.







my roommates also through their annual holiday party for friends they made back when Lu was working at a karaoke bar. they all stay in touch and get together a few times each year to party and make fun of each other. and sing. lots of singing.





one roommate with her ever-present boingy hat.


while the other roomie runs the karaoke



just a few more days and the Christmas madness will be over...then just New Year's madness.

and it looks like I'll be heading to NYC for at least a few days at the end of January to catch up with good friends and adventure I bit before I go back to work.

Hope all is well with everyone, however you do or don't celebrate the holidays. Stay warm out there.