The End of an Era

My sister's pageant was Saturday night.  She won 2nd!  We were all excited for her!  I think my dad was probably the most excited over everyone.  He is finally done with cheerleading and pageants!  I can't tell you the money he has offered and bribes he has tried to make to get both me and Cass to give these up.  He is definitely not a pageant/cheerleading dad.  He is the dad that makes fun of the girls that mess up! haha!  Those of you who know my dad, know this is true and hilarious!

My mom threatened to get him a "Cheer Dad" shirt.  He shot it down before she could even complete the sentence.  He finally had one of his dreams for his girls come true a few weeks ago when my sister made the golf team.  It's so random and no, she's never really played golf before, but she did the best out of all the other girls during tryouts.  From what I hear, that's not saying much.

Cass at home in her interview outfit.

Answering her Top 10 Question

Sportswear

Formal Wear

Waiting to take pictures before the pageant

Cass and Me (AKA:  Her personal assisstant for the day--?  Apparently that's what she thought)

Getting pictures made.  She looks like such a DIVA in this picture!  These pics aren't that great, but I just took them while he was taking the professional ones.

After it's over.

Poor dad, we are working on his picture taking skills.

Cass and Grammy (I love this lady!)

Grandparents

Grandparents

Me, Sis (my cousin), and Maggie-->They came out to watch

Me and Mags

Bunko

My Bunko Friday night went really well.  My food, wasn't quite as good as I would have liked, but there's not much you can do when it's over.  Here's a recap of the food:

Lasagna Cups:  Really good, but next time I will use more garlic

Alfredo:  A complete mess!  The cheese refused to melt in the sauce and it just wasn't good.  Next time I want Olive Garden alfredo sauce, I'll just go eat there.

Spinach Dip:  This is an amazing recipe!  If you like spinach dip, you have to try it.  Everyone said it was the best they have ever eaten.  

Mini Cheesecakes:  The cheesecake part was very good.  They had Reese's in the middle of them, but they didn't melt as much as I would have hoped.  There was also too much graham cracker in the bottom of the pan.  

Overall everything turned out really great!  I love Bunko nights.  Playing is so fun, but we always end up sitting around talking after.  Our conversations are so unpredictable!

The Tables.  I forgot to take a picture before everyone got there (Probably because everything took way longer for me to cook than expected and I was running way behind!) so I had to set it back up at the end of the night so I could get a pic.

Charli and Stacey

Watching the "Dancing With the Stars" work out video that was one of my prizes.  Notice it says "watching" the workout video :)

P.S.  There is a certain show that I will not even say the name of anymore but it involves one man trying to find the love of his life among 25 different women.  I hate that show and I will never, NEVER watch it again.

That's all I am saying.

EVER!

Poison Update.

WARNING!  THIS IS GROSS!

So I'm sure when I said I would do a better job of posting pictures, this is not what you expected.  But I have seen worse in the blogging world!

This was the poison oak last Friday.  It got much worse so I went to the doctor.  Apparently it got infected.  

I got some medicine and here we are today:

*My arms are double jointed so I think they look weird like this.

I'm almost cured!  Unfortunetly, it spread to my neck, chin, and in my hair line before it started healing.

I'm sorry you have to see this.  Hopefully one day I will be able to post cute pictures of my kids and not stuff like this  :)

This weekend is my sister's pageant at school.  I love her dress.  My mother will demand my camera have batteries so pictures will not be an issue.  

Friday night is my night to host Bunko for our group.  ( I always refer to it as a league, but I know that's not right!) I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and looked at their 80% off stuff for some of my prizes.  I found so much good stuff!!!!  I want to keep it all for myself!  I know I have to give up a few things though.

I'm very excited about my menu too!  It's an Italian theme.  I'm doing this for the main dish.  It seems very easy and looks like it taste good too.  And it will be great for a big group.  

I'm doing salad with dressing from Olive Garden, and I'm getting some of their breadsticks too.  You can buy them uncooked and then you can cook them yourself.  I also got the recipe for their Alfredo sauce to make fettucini alfredo.  And yes, I love Olive Garden!

Here is my dessert.  Here is my appetizer.  Not the punch.

Sunday I have another bridal shower.  It's for my friend Courtney.  We have been friends our whole lives.  Our moms have been friends since they were in 1st grade!

She is marrying Zach, who is on his way to being a pro golfer.  Like seriously.  He is number four or five in the world right now for amateurs.  

Trying to make it pro in the golfing world is crazy!  It's way different than other sports.  That is very random, but I'm learning a lot about it right now.

Ok, I have a meeting to get to.  I'm supposed to get off early today, but it's not looking like that is going to happen :(

Because you might be wondering....

Out of all the dresses I saw last night, this is the one I would have chosen to wear to the Academy Awards........

And this would be my hair style of choice........

Slacker

I've been quite the slacker recently when it comes to posting.  And I failed in my attempt to take pictures this past weekend.  I need new batteries for my camera and I just haven't gotten them yet.  

Here is a picture for you though...

That my friends is poison oak.  I know the picture is awkward but I was trying to avoid getting the rest of my body in it.  Let's just say I got ready in about 10 mins this morning.  I also have the poison on my neck.  Hopefully it is done spreading because it is itching soo bad and I don't think I can handle much more of it.

Here is a recap of my picture-less weekend.

Friday night Reid and Amber (my good friends from Dallas/Memphis) came into town.  They were on there way back to Memphis and they made a stop in B'ham.  We had so much fun!  We went to The Fish Market and ate dinner then headed over to Jackson's for their famous cookie dough egg rolls!  They are fabulous!  After dessert Amber and I stayed up until 1 catching up my guilty pleasures of Grey's and Private Practice.

Then Saturday we had lunch and grabbed some Valentine's cupcakes and peti-fours from Edgars Bakery.  They have the best desserts!  So basically we ate the whole time they were here.

Saturday night about 20 girls went out for Valentines Day.  We had a simple dinner at Moe's (Because it's just not as fun to eat out somewhere really nice when you are buying it for yourself...) and then we went and watched "He's Just Not that Into You."

I was not to sure about the movie before because I just had not heard any really good reviews on it.  However, I loved it!  It really was so funny! 

Sunday we finished up our 2nd week of Generation Mission projects.  This is where we are going out into the community and helping senior adults and single moms with things around their house they are not able to do.  The houses we have went to so far have been sooo grateful.  This is where my poison oak came from.  Who knew poison oak existed in the winter....... not me!  

Sunday night several of my friends got together and we had a mini Rook tournament.  I am terrible at card games.  I have no luck and I refuse to conform and play the way everyone else does.  I like to have my own strategy.  One day I'm going to perfect it and everyone is going to want me to teach them how to play!

Ok, so I gave in and here is a semi pic of neck....

Trust me... the fact that you can't see the rest of me is for your own good :)

Ok, I'm off to grab some lunch.  I'll leave you with a new blog that I'm loving to read now!

www.kellyskornerblog.com

P.S.  These pictures are confirmation that I should make a few trips to the tanning bed very soon.

Pictures

I just realized I haven't put any pictures on here in forever.  Which can sometimes make for a boring blog.  I haven't put any on here because I haven't taken a picture since Christmas.  I'm going to work on that.

I'm sitting at work right now (yes, on a Saturday), which usually isn't that bad, except that it is absolutely gorgeous outside today!  But I get off at four and I'm going to babysit some of the most precious little kids so I'm hoping we can play outside for a while.  (Some friends from church are foster parents and I keep their foster kids.  Ages 2, 3, 4, and 5!  I love it!) 

Tomorrow we start back our mission projects for The Generation.  We will be going to 7 houses around the community to help senior adults (most of them are widows) do yard work, painting, cleaning, etc.  I talked to a lot of them on the phone and they are so excited we are coming.  I have to be careful sometimes because they will talk to me forever!  Many of them I have never met, but I know their life story.

Ok, I'm going to finish watching the Bachelor---->I told you Saturdays at work aren't too bad :)  I don't really like Stephanie anymore.  She is way too intense and it weirds me out a little bit.  

"Student Life, this is Brittany."

I have been told most of my life that I have a tendency to mumble.  I guess it's true because almost every time I answer the phone at work and tell them my name, I get "Hey Brinnie" Or "How are you today Bernie?"  Bernie?  Seriously?!?!  So I'm really working on my word pronunciation. 

On another note, have you ever been in a situation where you want something, but you know that God is telling you to wait and let him work it out.  Ugh, I hate that!  It's so hard not to take matters into your own hands.  

On another, nother note..... my driver's side door of my car has decided it doesn't want to work anymore.  If I lock it, I can't unlock from the outside.  And recently it just struggles to open at all.  So last night I got stuck in the car.  My friend was waiting on me in the cold and kept wondering why I was just sitting in my car.  He had his phone turned off so he didn't answer when I was trying to call him and tell him to come get me out!  Finally he walked over and just stared at me and yelled from outside the car, "what are you doing?"  I had to yell back, "I'm stuck."  After a few minutes of tugging at it, it finally opened.  I'm really hoping this doesn't happen out in public.  My only options will be 1) rolling down my window and asking someone else to help me 2) crawling out the passenger side door--which will not be an easy task 3) Going at it the Dukes of Hazard way where I just get in and out through the window!

Let's just hope I actually stay home long enough for my dad to take a look at it.  Several years ago I dropped a $20 bill in the slit the window rolls up and down in.  I told my dad he could keep that 20 when he finds it trying to fix the door.

I think it's a fair trade.

Living It & Loving It!

To start with, I'm going to go ahead and explain why I titled my blog "Living Life."  Basically because so many people have asked me what I'm doing right now and this is the only answer I know to give.

I really am just living it and loving it.  I'm seeking God and waiting on Him to direct me.  But I'm not in that place that I'm longing to be somewhere else.  I have NO IDEA what my future holds but I'm truly excited.  There are some things that I really feel like God has put on my heart, but I'm just trying to discern it all.

As far as the updated blog goes, I'm still not that crazy about it, but I think I've done all I can with the little bit of blog knowledge I have.  And I am past the point of frustration with it, so I sort of just gave up and left it with what I have.  I've said I wasn't going to pay someone to do it, but I'm not completely ruling that out anymore.

Now I have a random funny story that I want to share:

New Year's Eve we went to a friend of a friends house for a party they were having.  There were surprisingly a lot of people I knew (we thought we were only going to know the friend that invited us) but there were also lots of people I have never met. 

Well there was this guy and girl that seemed to feel that they needed to impress everyone with the stories of all the fabulous things they have done in their lives.  Many of there stories began with "While I was backpacking through Europe...."  or "When I was living in....."  And they probably did backpack through Europe, but it was neither the time nor the place to share this information.  So basically it was just a "hey, look what I've done" time for them.  And most people weren't even listening, so it was just weird.  I almost looked around for cameras because it seemed like a scene from a movie.

Anyways, my friends and I get in the car that night and are talking about it.  And I told them that we should have told them the stories about how we go and "breast feed the orphans in South America."  

I don't think it is going to read as funny as it really was.  

We were dying out laughing in the car. Part of me wishes I would have really said it at the time.......  I told the story though because now it comes up all the time!  Of course right now I can't think of any of these times to share, but they have happened!

Now you will catch yourself answering the question, "can you help me with _____?"  by saying "I don't know, I might be breast feeding the orphans."

If you don't think that's funny, then there is something seriously wrong with you.  Ha!  JK!

Changes Coming

I love the picture on the top of my blog, but the background is seriously getting on my nerves!  It has got to change!    My blogging format is a mess!  I would say a "hott mess" but that's not really me.  I never talk like that, but some of you will understand what I'm saying if I speak your language!  Either way, something has got to change because I hate to look at it. 

So be looking for that later on.  I will tell you it won't be anything fancy that you have to pay for :)  I'm not that into my blogging just yet!

The change will not occur today though.  I am trying to put the finishing touches on what I will be speaking on tonight (You can refer to my previous post to see what I'm talking about).  I'm such a last minute person.  Sometimes I apologize for it, but I've just decided that's who I am.  

Now, I do need to work on it sometimes, but for the most part I always get stuff done.  I just majorly stress myself out while doing it. **Side note:  the way I used the word majorly is not really a word.  Just FYI!

So now I'm going to quit procrastinating and get to work!  If I had more time I would go into further detail about what I will be saying tonight, but for now that will have to wait also!  Hopefully I can update on that tomorrow and on Sherri Burgesses.  I'm so excited to hear her speak!

P.S.  I'm getting nervous about tonight so say a prayer if you read this before or around 6:50 central time!

One click is all it takes.....

Thanks to some of you, I have become addicted to some of the blogs I have found from your websites.  I am in a very creative/decorative mood (probably because I'm getting ready to move and I have several parties coming up that I will be decorating for).  I have been surfing the web all week getting some creative inspiration.  There is so much I like, however I need lots of money to really make it all happen.  But I'm determined to accomplish the "Look for Less."   This weekend I'm hoping to make a trip to the flea market to see what kind of treasures I can find.  I also want to hit up a few thrift stores to see if they can help me with my need for furniture.  You know what they say, "One (wo)man's junk is another (wo)man's treasure."

Next week I am speaking at an event our women's ministry is hosting.  It's called "Chit- Chat and Chocolate."  Basically everyone comes in and enjoys coffee and dessert.  Then we break into small groups and several people share their testimonies.  After that we all meet back together in the sanctuary and a lady named Sherry Burgess will be speaking.   (Her husband is the host of a popular radio station in B'ham).  They have a sad but amazing testimony about their sweet little boy that died last year.  Click on her name and listen to what Sherry's husband said at their little boy's funeral--- wow!

Anyways, I will be sharing my testimony at one of the break out sessions.  I wasn't too nervous until I found out they have sold over 1000 tickets to the event.  That means there is a pretty good chance a few people will be in my room :/    

This week I am dog sitting for a friend at work.  Their dog, Marley, is a lab and golden retriver mix.  She is such a sweet dog, but is the most energetic dog I have ever seen!  She loves to play and snuggle.  I let her sleep in the bed with me (because that's what they do) and I laid my arm out beside me and she put her head on my arm right under my chin.  At one point I woke up with her body laid over my chest and her feet in the air.  I laughed so hard and even took a pic on my phone.  It was hilarious!  She just has no idea how big she is.  

I just watched the beginning of the bachelor online and cried like a baby.  The single mom from Alabama is really making her way up my favorite list (not because of where she is from either)  She is quite clear that she is ready for the commitment.  Right now I would say it's between her and the Melissa girl from Dallas.  I wish the viewers could give their opinions before the people choose.  

Here are two of my current addictions:

Great for party planning people

Really cute decor ideas

*Announcement*

Introducing...................

MY NEW ROOMMATE:

This is Autumn.  And very soon we will be living together!  Yea!  Since none of you know who she is, here is a little info:

She went to school at Hayden (where my cousins went).  So I knew who she was, but we had never really talked.  She is a year older than me, but two years ahead in school.  So basically after I moved home, she and I started hanging out.  Then her current roommate, who is also a good friend of mine, got engaged.  Which means she is moving out and I will be moving in!

Autumn' s current roommate, Joy and her fiance, Jeff

(We are in the process of planning her bridal shower so I'm going to have more on that later too!)

We talked about it for a while and I continued to figure out my job situation.  Then the Student Life job came back up and now it's a go!  Joy doesn't get married until March 28, so it will probably be the first of April before I actually move in.  Which is perfect because it gives me a little time to get my stuff together and get some money saved.

I'm super excited and think we will do great as roommates!  We are both crazy party girls and she doesn't mind if I have random guys over all the time!  

Ha!!!! That is totally a joke!!  I'm completely JK-ing!

Anyways, her house is so cute!  It's white with black shutters and a red front door!  It also has a fairly long porch on the front of it, which I love!  I'll get pictures up at some point.  Probably closer to move in day.  For now, I'm trying to get some ideas for my decorating!  I know I'm going to use the bedding and stuff I had in Dallas.  

This (the picture below) is when I first started redecorating my room in Dallas.  So it's pretty plain here, but I have high hopes for my new room!  I'm definitely going to be using my bedding, but I'm going to add more to it.  I'm excited about getting it all done!  I can't wait until I can show pics of the finished product.  But until then, here is a small glimpse at what's to come.

I'm not using those curtains (They were all I could really afford at the time).  My mom has a lady that makes awesome customized curtains for a great price!  If anyone is interested, let me know!  I am also going to do an upholstered head board and make a different bed skirt.

I love this picture!  My friend Charli was in Paris last week and picked me up another print that I'm going to have framed to go with it.  Even though the picture says "The Last Night in Paris,"(or so I've been told!)  it's actually from Hobby Lobby!

This is my awesome chair that the Osborn's gave me for my birthday a few years ago.  I love it!  It's so cute and so comfortable!

Ok, I'm about to leave work and head to dinner with some friends!  Have a great weekend!

Lots of Randomness

• Friday night I went to see this:
  

Sorry it's not a bigger picture.  I loved this movie!  I went with some of my best friends to see it, which made it even better.  If you plan on going to see it, that's the best way to do it! (With your girl friends)  I put it up there with Sweet Home Alabama and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.  It was so funny!

• The other day I was looking for a certain brand of shoes and ended up finding this link

http://www.lorisshoes.com

I really want one of these purses and I'm definitely in need of a new purse.

• Tonight I am starting this study: 
• I'm SUPER excited!  I haven't done an actual Bible study in a couple of years, so I'm pumped about this one.  

I have a pretty big announcement coming.  But I'll have to wait until I have more time to write about it.  It has nothing to do with a boy, so those of you who got a little excited, not this time!

Now I'm off to finish some invitations for my friend Joy's Bridal Shower.  They are super cute!  My desk is a disaster so I have to get that cleaned up too!

New Obsession

The other night we had a girls night dinner at my friend Jill's.  This is what I found on the counter as one of the salad dressing options. 

It's the Olive Garden Salad dressing.  Apparently you can buy it from there.  I had no idea.  So I went today to purchase a bottle of my own.  I thought it would be really expensive because it's from Olive Garden and it's in a nice little glass bottle.  But it was only $4.  Plus some change.  Anyways, I'm now super excited about bringing a salad to lunch everyday!  Thank goodness I don't like a whole lot of dressing, because this stuff isn't fat free!

Low Key New Year's

This was probably one of the most low key New Year's I have ever had.  I went to eat with a few friends and then we just hung out at another friend's house until midnight (the people that were there were so random.  People I never imagined I would spend New Year's with).  Midnight basically was something like this:  We were all sitting around talking and a friend walked out and said "it's midnight."  We all looked at each other and at him and then just kept talking.  After that some of the guys did some ghetto fabulous fireworks.  But nothing more exciting than that.  Even though it wasn't anything too exciting it was still a lot of fun. 

Britt, Autumn, Mal, and me eating at Cobb Lane (This is really the only pic I have from the night)

Christmas in Bama

These are just a few pics from our Christmas.  It went by so fast, I don't think I really ever got to enjoy it.  There were so many things I wanted to do (Christmas things like going to look at lights, watching Christmas movies, going to watch Polar Express on the IMAX, etc)  but I just ran out of time. O'Well!  Maybe next year!

Everyone at my Granddaddy's house.  (Warning:  These pics are in such random order!  Sorry if they are hard to follow).

My Granddaddy

I took this on my walk back to the house after the golf cart ran out of gas...

This is at my Grammy's house.  

Little man with his new back pack

After the food was ate and presents were opened

Cassie at home on Christmas morning.  She obviously doesn't want to her picture taken.

Christmas Eve at my Grandddaddy's.  It was so warm outside.  I took Logan for a ride on the golf cart, however it ran out of gas and we had to walk back to the house.

Everyone just relaxing on Christmas Eve.

Mom and Dad

My mother risking her life and letting my little cousin ride her around on his motorcycle.  You could literally hear her yelling from a half mile away.

Cass and my Uncle

Mom, Cass, Kaley, Granddaddy, Uncle

Logan and Kaley opening their gifts

Logan opening his tricycle

My mom's tree.  I love all of her ornaments.