Almost like home

I just finished my blog post and somehow blogger didn't save it. Like any true stroke of genius it cannot be repeated, but I will try my best to recreate it. Please bear with me as I grumble through this..

 Things have started to change around here. There might not be snow on the ground, but the air has a decided bite now. We might not have the smells of apple cider and evergreens, but it has rained recently so the air smells clean and we have candles. 

There have also been some dramatic changes in decor lately.

The DFACs really do go all out; this is hands down the best use of paint and styrofoam that I have ever seen! Kudos, DFAC managers! 

We have also received boxes and boxes of stockings full of goodies from Operation Shoebox. 

We've received so many that we sent some on to the outlying bases. I received an email this morning telling us that the unit can't take any more boxes for the outlying posts because they have completely run out of storage space! It's so nice to hear that everyone here is passing on the care packages to the much less-fortunate posts. Trust me, my living conditions are luxurious compared to some of the smaller bases. Some of them live in tents with no running water, limited access to showers and less than 3 hot meals a day! We have it good and I am so glad that everyone here is sharing with the men and women elsewhere. 

On top of the giving-spirit everyone has, the forecast calls for rain, which means we will see more snow on the mountains! 

That really does make it feel like home, where we can see the beautiful snow capped Cascade Mountains. 

Another easy way to feel like you're home is to run errands. My errands for the day were a trip to the post office to mail out some presents and a trip to the store to buy more gift wrapping supplies! 

Thankfully I finished my last beanie in time to get it out with the rest.

Don't mind how terrible I look, it will look much cuter on my daughter! 

So on top of all of those homely things, my knight in shining armor sent a care package with some essentials! He sent me a new sleeping mask, my beloved slippers, some shirts and Biore nose strips. 

It is shocking how different you can feel with some different clothes (preferably clean, good smelling, non dingy clothes!) and clean pores! Instead of being countries, continents and oceans away from home, I felt like I could have been at home while my family was out for the night. I am so thankful for those home touches. It was just what I needed to put me in a good mood and kick start my usual holiday cheer! 

Oh, thank Heaven!