A Great New Year's Resolution

On one of the shows at work the other day, we had a woman come in who bakes and sends cookies for Troops overseas.  Though trying to do my job and listen to the segment at the same time was tough, I was really excited and happy to see someone doing that for the men and women who are away serving our country. 
Germaine Broussard is the founder of the TroopTreats charity and she is known as "The Mail Lady" at the post office since we is ALWAYS mailing packages.  She is a mom, wife, friend and just wants to help.  I have been thinking and finding ways I can help the troops: letters, thoughts (which don't seem so helpful), prayers... always feeling like I could do more. 
This charity is so great because Germaine accepts monetary donations, ingredients to make cookies, as well as toiletries -- things SO small, but necessities... things we take for granted on a daily basis.  If you'd like to make cards for the troops, or even send letters, Germaine will take those and mail them along with the goodies.  Another great thing is 100% of TroopTreats donations go toward mailing packages, and all donations are tax deductible. 
I have decided that I want to help this charity -- and let the troops know I care, and appreciate what they're doing as well as all they are sacraficing.  It really is more than we can know.  The Thank You's and smiles of the recipients will make it all worthwhile.  It's hard to believe that some troops don't EVER receive anything from family or friends.  How sad.  After looking over the website, I'm definitely going to contribute.  I love baking and love the though of baking for such a good cause... and get toiletries, even write letters and cards.  I want to do it all!  Maybe not at once, but gradually.  I'm thinking about starting this once a month.  I want to help and it is so easy!
Here is the website:  http://www.trooptreats.com/
You can read more about TroopTreats, find out how to contribute, where to mail things and even read thank you's from those who have received packages.  I hope you'll check it out and decide to help Germaine as well as our Troops, too.  Why not start off 2011 in a very positive way??  It can only help :)
Tootles!

Joy To The World

In the blink of an eye -- Christmas is over.  It was such a great time at home, I can't even explain.  Matt and I left Wednesday night for Lancaster.  We saw friends and had a birthday dinner with his family, where we exchanged gifts.  I got to WATCH the Steelers game, made cookies with his mom and just enjoyed being with people and away from Maryland.
Christmas eve, after church, Matt and I left for New Wilmington -- drove through the night to my parent's house and got there FINALLY around 1:30am.  The drive was pretty smooth (when I was awake) for being the turnpike.  There were hardly any cars around which was nice!! 
Christmas morning, my sister and brother in-law came over and we all opened gifts, ate breakfast and just relaxed until all my family came over later.  It was a blast!!  We ate, laughed, exchanged more gifts, ate some more and drank.  It was such a great time.  I love my family soo much and we always have the most fun time!!
I'm so grateful I got to be home for Christmas!  I would've liked to stay longer, but it was nice to get to be at both families for the holiday. 

Just two more days of work, then it's home again for NYE with my Love!  Cannot wait.
How was your Christmas??

Dinner for Four

It's the weekend!  After spending a couple hours at the MD DMV (I don't want to talk about it) we are relaxing for a bit before we go out!  I know, it sounds weird because we never do anything!  Surprise!  We are going to Virginia to have dinner with Gary, Matt's boss, and his wife.  I'm pretty excited to get out and have a fun time with people.  Gary is a nice guy with a sense of humor like Matt's -- they're practically BFFs. ;)  I've met him a few times before after visiting HUD and freelancing there as well.  I'm excited to meet his wife as well!!  I hear she's really nice and LOVES scrapbooking, just like me!  She even has a Cricut.  (like the animal.  Google it... it's the best thing ever!) 
It's sure to be a fun night!  They're making dinner, though we're not sure what it is.  But I like surprises!  And food.  Well, time to go.  I have to make a spice cake to bring, get ready then we're off!  :)  Have a good Saturday everyone!
PS ~ 14 days until Christmas!!!!

'Tis the Season

Ahhh, December!  (wow it's been a while since I blogged!)  last weekend Matt and I decorated for Christmas!  We spent the weekend at his parents, and brought my tree back.  I was alittle too excited so we decorated it Sunday evening before I had to get to bed. 
It was so much fun!  I made a Christmas playlist on Grooveshark and we piled bulbs and ornaments on the tree (see the awesome picture to the left)-- along with garland, candles and other fun stuff around the apartment.  I love this time of the year.  It almost brought me back to my childhood: all 6 of us going to the tree farm to pick out the perfect tree, cutting it down, decorating it and just being a family. 
After we were finished, we turned on the TV and what movie was on?  Elf!  I just loooove that movie!  It is hilarious and really gets one in the Christmas spirit.  Now I just need some egg nog!
Matt and I are still working out holiday plans with the two families but hopefully we can get to both places.  I really miss my family and want to be home for a bit... I'm homesick. 
I have a feeling it'll be a good Christmas, and New Year's though.  :) 
Now I just gotta get through two more weeks of work.....