Happy Monday

Ciao readers!  I have a confession:  I just didn't felt like blogging over the last few days.  There hasn't been a lot going on lately and I decided to take the down time and enjoy a few "me" days.  And oh, they were glorious.  So anyway, blogging was just one of the last things I really felt like doing. 

Instead, I relaxed, looked at beautiful things (bought a few of them), and recharged my spirit.  But, no worries, I think I'm ready to jump back on the blogging bandwagon.  Plus, I've gotten a little inspiration for posts to come soon.  Sometimes all you need is a little break. 

I've gotten to talk to John Ralph several times in the last few weeks.  He has done a great job keeping me updated and letting me know he's doing ok.  We got to Skype on Saturday and Sunday and the internet connection was good enough for us to use the video and not just type.  Talk about a happy wife. 

Now, I'm going to take a little second to show you how awesome of a husband he is.  Today is a very special day to the two of us, and he did an excellent job arranging for beautiful flowers to be delivered to me at work...complete with a handwritten note from him.  It just melted my heart. 

Thanks honey! I LOVE YOU!
As far as the lovely things I purchased...I thought I would share these cute little note cards I got on sale at {tiny prints}.  When you're far away from family and your spouse, you tend to write way more than you usually would.  I just couldn't pass up a discount, and they brought a little happiness to me (both when I purchased them AND when I got them in the mail today).  Plus, who doesn't love a good stationery set?

My next lovely was this cute little "pinch pot" I got on a Saturday shopping trip.  It is the new home for my kosher salt and a nice accessory for my stove.  Nove is a town only about 20 minutes from us and it is where tons of ceramics are made.  (The platter that my stationery is on in the picture above was also a purchase I made).  Vetri, Tiffany & Co, and many other companies have their ceramics made in Nove.  Things that you would normally pay lots of money for in the states, I only paid 13 euro for here.  This penny pincher knows how to find a bargain! 

Now, my last pick me up isn't exactly a "lovely", but it is something I'm super proud of and excited about.  It's pretty important that you have a plan during deployment.  If not, you will sit at home and drive yourself insane.  One of my plans is to get in super amazing shape.  I'm starting to train for a 10k, which is something I never thought I would do (remember my post on the guys running the marathon?!).  I'm also going to the gym and working out 5 days a week, along with one easy, fun exercise day on the weekend (like a nice long walk).  To motivate me a little more I got this watch.  It looks a little aggressive in this picture because of my tiny little arm and hand, but it's the perfect size.  I can't wait to reach all of my fitness goals.  John Ralph isn't going to know what hit him next time he sees me. 

And that, folks, is all I really have to share.  A new "Life in Italia" post is coming soon, and I am going on a trip to Portofino this weekend, so I should have good pictures and posts from that.  Ciao for now!!