Phew!

My party pants are wearing thin after the weekend, but as luck would have it, I was able to get today off to catch up on laundry, house cleaning

("Maybe you should not go into work and clean house full time." -J)

 and precious, but nowadays rare, treadmill time.


Also, I wasn't 'Able to get the day off'.  We blew a tire this weekend (typical) and discovered that we needed to get the rear two replaced (see ya later, paycheck!) ASAP.  Jody went underway today, and we had to get it taken are of this morning, so I skipped work at the warehouse to get er done.  I'm not fessing up.  I don't feel bad at all.  I don't.  Seriously.

Anyway, on Thursday evening, we (I) dressed up and attended the Arleigh Burke's annual Christmas Party out in VA Beach.  Since the party was in a fancy hotel, we were all given discounted rooms for the night.  You may now make your assumptions about the general conduct of this party.  It was...fun.  Ish.  The food was good, the drinks were free, and I met lots of faces that I'll never remember, but it was nice to shake the hand of the CheifOfficerCaptainWhatever's who all seem to be so important in the world.  Other than nearly vomiting in the speakers face during his 'deployment's going to be great' speech, the night went fine.  Can't say I'll sign up again for next year, though.

Since Jody and I both had to work on Friday, we left the hotel early in the morning and had a lazy Friday evening together.  On Saturday, we loaded up the car and drove out to meet some friend's at their cabin for the night.  It was a great time!  I can't quite remember where the cabin was located, but it was in a beautiful area.  Although there was no tv or internet, we were able to snuggle up and watch a movie, play some gin rummy, catch up on sleep and otherwise hole ourselves up for the evening.  On Sunday, we headed out on some hiking trails and took some pictures while exploring. 

Having a few drinks in the hotel room.  Notice his new Carharts?  Thanks, Ma and Pa Sky

Lovely Stephanie and Handsome Daniel accompanied us to the party and were our hosts at the cabin.

I swore they took a picture of us, too -- but somehow it didn't survive the night.  Not sure.

 Pretty water fall.  The dot up there is my husband.

Always the monkey.