My chubby knuckles were covered in the crap yesterday, and I think I went to work this morning with brown edges on the corners of my mouth.

...

I’m pretty sure this purchase was NOT a good decision. 

I’m very excited about tonight!

Will and I have tickets to the very first ever OKC Thunder Basketball Game!!

It’s about time our humble state had something professional.

gasp.

No- I didn’t just diss our Sooners. Sheesh.

Anyway, I’m so very stoked about tonight! We have super duper cheap seats but it will be fun nonetheless! Look for me- I’ll be the one not wearing a Thunder shirt. ha ha

I’m so excited about having a pro team to cheer for here in Oklahoma. I know what great support they’ll have from this state too.

Have I mentioned I’m excited about having a pro basketball team in my home state?

Go Thunder!

Oh- and by the way- have I mentioned I hate our team name?

Hey… I shouldn’t be picky, right?

Yeah, yeah I know.

Okay-

One more time-

Go Thunder!
...

Nope, still don’t like it.

Eh- at least we have a team, right?

Have a good day! 

Although Will and I came home for a part of October in 2006, this is the first fall I’ve experienced since 2004.

2004!

How sad.

When I think about it, I’m pretty sure fall is my favorite season. I love spring, but the pessimist in me is reminded of the heat to come. Being home this fall has made me realize how much I missed the cold, colorful days of fall.

The days of pumpkins on porches and the smell of spice in the air. The days of Christmas decorations being brought out at Target and nights of “brrrr-y” football games all bundled up.

It reminds me of 2002 when I first this random guy with these amazingly striking blue-green eyes.

I’m sure I’ve told you all a time or two how I met this guy, but indulge me as this is my first fall back in the states.

The summer of 2002 I broke up with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. “The one.” He was the guy I had secretly been in love with since I was in grade school, only he never ever paid attention to me- until my junior year of high school. Anyway, we were together for quite a while (in “teen years” of course- now I know how short 2 1/2 years really is!) but I felt God telling me to break things off, so I did.

Ha-

so I did.

I say that as if it was so easy. “Brittny- break up Mr. So and So.”

“Okay God! Consider it done!”

I’m afraid it didn’t work out that way, but for the purpose of this post, let’s pretend it did.

So I spent a lot of that summer and fall growing close to God and spending lots of time with my family. It was a really good summer for me, and I’m glad I had it.

The fall of 2002, a friend and I signed up for a PE class (which was mandatory) and decided to take ballroom dancing.

The class made me throw up in my mouth a little because all these cutesy couples were in it- all lovey and happy.

Puke all over your neighbor please.

Anyway-

As you can imagine, there were far more girls in the class than guys- because, let’s face it- what single guy is willingly going to undergo the pain of learning the cha-cha.

Exactly.

Apparently Will.

Okay, not really.

He took it with a girl friend of his. Friend that was a girl- not girlfriend.

Anyway, we had to line up like cattle while the guys would take turns dancing with all the girls. It was like awkward junior high dances all over again. Sweaty weird palms in your hand. Forced conversations. Yeah- a blast.

Then we learned how to swing dance. I met Will on a cold, fall November night swing dancing to “Return to Sender”

A real Lifetime movie sort of encounter (ha ha).

We talked and talked and talked through so many songs that the instructor had to tell Will to go dance with the other girls in line!

After class I didn’t think much of Will, but apparently he thought of me. During our conversation, we realized we had a few mutual friends through church. After class Will called one of them to get the scoop on me! Not only that but the following day he visited one of my friends at work to ask about me.

Class rolled around that following Thursday and once again we had a nice time chatting and dancing (which-for the record- has been the ONLY time my husband has danced with me. I should totally make him feel guilty for that, shouldn’t I?). Afterwards he asked me to go to the Baptist Student Union with him for their Bible Study. I honestly had no desire to go. I had gotten into a wreck that afternoon, had homework, and had no interest in staying out late.

It was the last thing I wanted to do.

4 hours later I got home all giddy with a big crush.

I have no self control.

We spent that evening at the BSU followed by a trip to Sonic where I ordered water.

Water.

WATER! Who the hell orders water at Sonic? At least force a soda down! What a weirdo. He must have liked me. Water. That should have been his first warning sign.

That night was followed by many more cold fall nights talking at “our spot” on campus. Freezing our butts off but huddled together holding hands and sharing our lives with one another. Every time fall rolls around I smile because I’m filled with so many good memories of freezing, Will giving me his coat, and talking for hours on end out in the cold with the leaves crunching under our feet. I always think of coming to a part of campus that was really steep and having to literally jump into his arms, knowing that I wanted him to be the one to catch me for forever.

Being home this year has seeme to bring that young girl out in my again. It reminds me of those feelings of infatuation and freshness. It reminds me of how fast we began to love each other, and it reminds me of all the good memories we have during the fall, and at our little spot. In fact, that’s where Will proposed to me! This fall has reminded me of sitting in Will’s truck before class, not wanting to leave his side. Going to the Nutcracker the weekend it opened- and Will missing an OU game to go with me

(gasp! Yes- mark it down! When Will was courting me he actually missed a couple OU games to take me on special dates. I think he did it so I wouldn’t know how fanatical he was. It worked. He sucked me in. He totally had me fooled.)

I truly love the fall for so many reasons. Just typing about it makes my heart feel so full and eager to enjoy another day. I can’t believe I allowed myself to miss so many of these beautiful days.

I hope you guys enjoy today as well- and while I’m sure my puke-y gag me love story made you bored and annoyed, I ultimately hope it reminds me of your first few months with your loved one! In fact- since I made you throw up all over your brand new fall boots, it’s only fair that you make me do the same! If you feel like it, share you story too.

So there you have it. I heart fall.

Now-

I must close with a few administrative matters.

Firstly, girls- aren’t you so glad we’re friends? I am. I am all the time. Thank you so much for responding to my post for P this past weekend. I’m pretty sure it meant just as much to me as it did her! You girls are great- and I enjoyed your stories. Jacqueline and Lyna, I love you guys- and miss you! Thank you for your kind words. Lyna I’ll have to look for pictures of the kids in their costumes. I bet they’re cute.

Just so you know, P is already adjusted and has made lots and lots of friends. Foreign ones. Did I mention she’s the only American that goes there? Crazy right? Unique I suppose. Why can’t I be that cool!? Sigh…

Also- my old nestie friend Ann gave me a blog award! It made my weekend so great. Who doesn’t like their friends doing nice things for them right? I must say that I’m a big fan of Ann’s blog and you should definitely check her out if you don’t read. She’s got the best stories ever- Ann- you seriously have a story for so many pertinent parts of life. She’s a sailor’s wife and I have lots of respect for her and her family! Now go and read!

There’s something I need to confess today:

I hate buying new purses.

Yes, I know as a grown woman I’m supposed to love the idea of a brand new gorgeous bag, but the truth is- I don’t.

I hate purse shopping. I hate trying to find the “perfect bag.” I hate the idea of having to trade purses to match outfits- yes- I’m the one you gasp at for wearing browns and carrying a black purse. That’s me.

I find a purse and pretty much drive it into the ground. I carry so much unnecessary crap inside that you’d think I had mothered a basketball team. My purse probably weighs the same as a bucket of bricks. In fact, I’m pretty sure one of my shoulders permanently hunkers lower than the other. The thought of switching all that crap from one purse to another tires me. I’d rather just stick with Old Faithful. In fact, the purse I have now? Yeah- I’ve had it since the fall of 2006.

I plan on trying my best to make it through at least 2008.

I know that means by the time I finally break down a buy a new purse a whole new president will be in power,

we could be on the cusp of flying cars,

and Kuwait may have seen snow for the first time-

but that’s seriously how much I hate purse shopping.

I hate it almost as much as jean shopping- almost (I’m pretty sure shopping for jeans is the worst experience ever. In fact, I think that’s how they punish female criminals in some small countries).

From the outside, my current purse doesn’t look too bad. In fact, I still really like it.

The inside, however, leaves something to be desired.

I finally came to terms with it’s weakness this past week.

A few months ago I noticed a small hole in one of the pockets. Nothing too big, but slightly annoying. I also noticed that every now and then a lip gloss would get stuck inside “the abyss” due to the hole. Not that big of a deal- I mean- if one is going to hold the No New Purse conviction, you have to be prepared for a few annoying holes, right?

Well, last week it was as though the angels of purse heaven staged an intervention. A moment so intense that it brought me to a tearful confession:

“I...I’m out of control.... I need help.”

I had been searching for a lip gloss I had in my purse just the day before. Where was it!? Why couldn’t I find it? Ah- it must have slipped into “the abyss,” inside the linings of my old and worn purse. I stuck my fingers in the little hole that had developed and noticed that the “little hole” had grown significantly!

In fact- had I known the hole was so freaking huge I totally would have smuggled way more diet cokes and skittles into the movie we saw last week (just kidding of course...kind of).

As I stuck my hand inside the abyss I was astounded at all the little cylinders I felt within.

For months now I’ve sworn up and down I’ve lost several of my favorite lip glosses. I had simply blamed it “on the move-” which I’m finding is also a GREAT way to explain why I seem to have “lost” some of the bad gifts I’ve received over the years.

As I continuted to dig I began to pull lip gloss after lip gloss out of the abyss I realized I had a problem. I realized I probably needed a new purse.

The first step is admitting you have a problem, you know.

Not only that but I felt a little guilty when I pulled out a.brand.new.bottle.of.perfume. that had been missing for ALMOST A YEAR!

That’s right, my friends, almost a year! I had always secretly blamed this one girl I shared a vehicle with because she would always tell me how much she loved the smell. I figured she had stolen it.

The truth was that it was hidden inside my 30 pound trunk.

Yeah- I suck.

So- while I was very happy to have found some of my favorite lip glosses, I also realized that I probably need to begin thinking about getting a new purse.

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but definitely before those flying cars roll out.

Anything you need to confess today?

Alright friends-

I’m calling upon you guys for help. We’re friends, right? Friends help each other out, offer advice, are there for one another in need- right?

(like the guilt trip I’m laying on you guys?)

So- with that said I’m pretty sure we’re bound to each other in the obligatory book of friendship.

or something like that.

So, now that you guys are in- I must also do a little private side note before moving onward.

P-
I hope this post doesn’t make you mad at me! I figured that this was a GREAT idea and would be really helpful (ha ha, probably more for me- the worrying sister). Know my intentions and the fact that sometimes I’m a complete idiot, unknowingly doing something to hurt someone else although my heart is in the right place.

Okay- so now that all the initial crap is out of the way- let’s get started.

This is P’s first official week away from home and in college. She’s in a foreign country and doesn’t know a soul. She’s surrounded by a huge city, but all alone.

I think P was very brave to choose the school she did. It’s away from everyone she knows and in a whole new country. I’m really proud of her- not to mention living vicariously though her! She is going to have the most awesome college experience EVER!

”Is going to” being the key part.

Like most young freshman away from home for the first time and not knowing a soul, P is lonely and is ready to pack up and go home. It hurts my heart guys because it’s not like we can go see her, or talk on the phone for hours on end. For the first time in my life I can’t really be there for my little sister and I hate that.

I called her today and we talked for a little while, and through laughter and trading funny stories about the two moths flying around P’s room and how we could capture them, we also shared tears. I told her that I knew it’d be a lot like Kuwait- she hated it at first but ended up loving it. I’m convinced of that, but I know it’s hard to believe your older sister when you’re down in the dumps and all alone in a cold tiny dorm room.

So- that’s where you come in.

Most of us are done with school and have already been through the awkward scary freshman year. Now we’re so old and wise and know absolutely everything…

okay, maybe not… but we have lived through freshman year so let’s focus on that!

Do you guys remember how you felt when you first started school? Did you have any scary moments? Embarrassing stories? Funny memories? Any stories about walking into the wrong classroom right in the middle of a class (check), getting lost on your first day and having to ask the registrar for help (check), badmouthing your professor while- unbeknown to you-he was right behind you (check)?

Share!

Would you guys please share those with P in the “Share the Love” comments section?

I want her to know that things get better (um yeah- so if things got worse for you- please lie) and to hang in there.

I look forward to all the stories that you’ll share and really appreciate your friendship! Hopefully your experiences will provide P with some cheer and will let her know she’s not alone. You guys are the best I’m so glad we’re friends.

Tomorrow is her first official day of school, so I’ll be sending lots of thoughts and prayers her way.

P- you’re so brave and I love you tons and bunches. I hope you were able to capture the moths! You are going to be a success and I know that this week may be tough, but I’m positive it will get better. Just remember- worst case scenario you can always live with me and take care of my little adopted son while attending OU online.

Yeah- I figured you wouldn’t want to do that, but hey- I had to try.

Thanks again guys. I know for sure this will bring P cheer.

Have a great weekend.

We’re watching the game and are going out to dinner and a haunted house with our friends tonight. I hope you guys have fun too. <3

If I have to eat one more Big Mac, drink one more McCoffee, or order one more large fry I seriously might die-

of trans fat poisoning.

Or fatness.

Either way, it’s not looking good.

I’m not sure what I hate more this very second- the fact that it’s Monopoly Time at McDonalds or the fact that my husband loves the fact that it’s Monopoly Time at McDonalds.

Oh- and of course they don’t have the stickers on all their 3 healthy options- because apparently health-conscious people are not deserving at a shot of $1M.

We missed 3 years while we were in Kuwait, and before that we never played. For some reason, however, this year Will decided it would be fun for us to peel off the stickers at the same time and have this whole serious drum roll and parade and the whole 9 yards.

It was cute at first.

Now I’m just fat.

I secretly think that he’s using this as an excuse so he doesn’t have to eat my cooking.

I’m pretty sure he’d sell our first born for Boardwalk, so if you have it- call me. 

I’ll never understand what makes college kids think it’s totally legitimate, acceptable, and normal to roll out a kegger at 9:00 am just because it’s game day.

Isn’t there a rule or law that says prior to 10:00 you must drink coffee or juice only?

Shouldn’t the general public be allowed a cup of caffeine and a few hours to prepare for such moronic behavior?

Shouldn’t regular people like me and my husband be able to enjoy our juice-filled game day mornings idiot-free?

Doesn’t it seem a little early to find yourself without a shirt on, spray painted red hair, and hugging a trashcan puking all over your bare feet- and the sidewalk where we were walking?

Maybe I’m old, or maybe I just like wearing shirts when I hug a trashcan and puke all over my bare feet for everyone to see (ha ha), but it seems to me that kid should have stuck to the juice rule.

I felt it necessary to post about something.

Anything.

Nothing for God’s sake.

I felt it necessary to put something above the thong post. Something about it seems so tacky and inappropriate.

Funny- I felt much more liberty to speak freely while in Kuwait- a ultra-consertaive country- than I do here. I guess it’s becaure I’m home now. Home where I know people people think they know me, the young Brittny they knew a whole three years ago before I moved away for three years and became a lot different.The truth is that they don’t, but seriously- do you really think I’m going to say that to them during a short 5 minute conversation of catching up.

“Oh hi Brittny! It’s so nice to see you! How have you been?”

“Great- oh and by the way you have no idea who I am anymore and it irritates me the way you judge what I do!

...

How are the kids??”

Ha ha, yeah- not so much.

Anyhow, the thought of running into these people- these “friends” of mine at Walmart (because that’s where EVERYONE hangs when you’re really not wanting to run into someone, right?) makes me cringe.

how silly.

We have lots to discus my friends! Lots and lots. Like- how my sister leaves for college this weekend, how I’m in a weight loss competition with our friends (yes- I still have them! I haven’t scared them yet!), and much much more. Unfortunately I’m running late for a very important date (ha ha, I always wanted to say that) and can’t get into everything now. More to come, I promise.

Off to enjoy the day.

Let’s hope the Sooners pull through today. Oh- and go Mizzou.

Oh- and cross your fingers I don’t run into anyone I know.

Okay so I basically get dressed in the dark on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I get up at 430 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to meet my friend at the gym, so by the time I get home on those days I’m very alert and conscious of bad apparel decisions. Tuedays and Thursdays, however go like this:

Set alarm for 6:20

Alarm goes off

Hit Snooze.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Finally decide, “Who am I kidding? Am I really going to get up now?”

Decide that I’m not.

Set alarm for 7:00.

It’s at this point, 7:00, that I get up and begin to rush and panic and think to myself, “What an idiot! Why would I get up so late!?”

Today was no different. I rushed around to get ready- spray ironed my clothes, took my rollers out in the car, and drove like a bat out of hell to get to work.

Classy lady.

That’s me.

Today, however, was not a good decision to sleep so late. Today we had a meeting with our customers- people I’ve spoken with several times but never formally met.

So explain to me why- why- I wore a sweater without the cami that MUST go underneath it to make it long enough and work appropriate.

Why?

And why- why- did I wear a sea foam green thong today that continually threatened to make an appearance as if to say (in a friendly British accent, of course- because that’s the language of all thongs), “Hello Mates!”

Why?

This whole morning was spent tugging, pulling, and grabbing at my shirt to ensure no sea foam thong peekage would occur.

I’m pretty sure I focused more on my sweater than I did the actual meeting.

What a tacky, tacky look.

I think all is well, and I’m pretty sure I’ve stretched my sweater to the point that it’s a mini dress, but I’d rather be wearing a mini dress than a ridiculous top that’s too short!

What a morning. Perhaps I’ll get up at 6:55 next time…

Well lovies- it’s here.

You’ll have to go to a sports blog to get the play-by-play pre-game stuff (because I know how my female audience LOVES to talk all about sweaty 200 pound college boys colliding into one another), but you’ll get everything else right here.

I’m preparing to jump in the car with Will and 2 of our friends (Friends! Friends! Did I tell you guys I have Friends now? I have people, people! Sorry...as you can see I’m still very new to this concept and often find myself smiling and singing for no reason. Food tastes better, the sun shines brighter… you get the picture… ) to head to the Big D!

Wow- this post is really choppy.

Do you realize I just inserted a whole freaking paragraph right in the middle of the above sentence?

!

How do you guys read this crap?

Very carefully, I suppose.

Anyhow-

I’m siked about Texas-OU OU-Texas.

I figure if all goes to hell I’ll find myself in a trans-fat-fair-food-comforting stupor.

“Where’s Brittny?”

“She’s over by the basketball throw rubbing fried snickers all over herself. I think she’s gone off the deep end.”

Yeah- I figure this weekend won’t be all lost if we lose.

There’s always fried snickers.

Some may say I sound like such a pathetic fan.

These people have never indulged in a fried snickers.

<3

boomer sooner