"I’m 26 years old and I still loathe buying tampons. You’d think that was something I would have grown out of- but, no.

I wonder why, too? I mean- I realize it’s no big deal. I must admit, though, I really love when you go for me.”

“Yeah- but I don’t.”

“I know- but like I said, I hate it. When you go people know you’re just being a wonderful husband. They know they’re not for you. When I go, however, it is very, very clear that those super duper sized tampons are for me. Ha- or it could also be the gallon of ice cream I buy with them. That probably gives it away too. I mean- it’s this whole thing! Do you get a cart for the tampons, or do you tromp around the whole Wal-mart holding them discretely by your side while you casually walk to the entire other side of the store for the ice cream? Do you-”

(cutting me off)

“Brittny- lately it seems like anytime you talk about things or tell me stories it’s like you’re blogging.”

“Nooo. You’re crazy. I just like to drone on about things.”

And then I hopped out of the truck and began my tampon/cookie dough mission (thinking all the while about telling you guys about standing in front of the cookie dough section holding a jumbo sized box of tampons).

Um- between you and me? After assessing the most recent stories I’ve told Will this week? Yeah, he’s right. I totally talk in blog.

A nearby community is holding their annual Woofstock event this weekend, and I’ve literally been excited for weeks.

Weeks.

Poor Will has had to hear me drone on and on about Woofstock this and that and how much fun it will be and “maybe we’ll meet some nice people.”

Only there is an underlying predicament which needs to be addressed:

Which dog(s) are we bringing to Woofstock?

Yes- it has become a “predicament.”

Sad, I know.

It’s like being Charlie from Willy Wonka and having a bright shiny golden ticket into a whole new world of amazement and perfection and dog utopia- but can only bring one dog.

What a toughie!

I would say we’d bring all 4- but are you kidding me!? Not only would Wil and I end up in marriage counseling from all the, “You’re letting the dogs walk YOU! Get ahold of them, Britter! How did you manage to let go of the leash!? Teddy has officially taken out the Woofie Snack Table!”

It would go something like that= and that’s just the way WE would behave. That doesn’t even count the way the dogs would behave.There’s just no way we could bring all four. It would be pandemonium and we would most certainly end up blacklisted from any furture Woof event.

So- I’m leaning towards taking one Big and one Little.

But who!?

Lucy would represent the “Littles,” but I’m not sure who will represent the Bigs.

Rocky is by far our best behaved dog. He is so loving and wants to please you and is very obedient. However, I’m apprehensive to bring him because of the fact that he’s so freaking gigantic and I don’t want to overload him with a million dogs to play with. He’d be hard to keep on a tight leash because he’s so strong- and although obedient, I know he would want to go play with the other dogs.

Teddy, however, is WAY terrible. We call her Marley because she’s so hyper and has been difficult to train. She’s most definitely our most beautiful dog, however, she’s just so darn hyper and jumpy that I know she would maul everyone in sight with her excited-ness.

It appears as though I’m analyzing my dogs for you guys:

a. Like they’re children

b. Like you freaking care

Trust me- I realize that both are ridiculous.

So- I’m leaning towards me carrying Lucy in a carrier while Will keeps Rocky on a leash- because he’s way more capable of maintaining a leash than I am.

Wow.

Listen to me.

I make fun of people like me.

Weeks, guys, weeks! That’s how long I’ve been talking about this weekend.

About an event- for dogs!

I seriously need to get out more.

Although I’m beginning to realize how ridiculous I sound about my Woofstock zealousness, I will most certainly post pictures for you all to share in our fun.

<3

I realize you don’t care what I had for lunch today or how nice people were to me yesterday but the truth is- I really feel like I need to post about the last few days in my life because I really want to remember them- and when you have a bad memory like me, it’s important you write everything down!

So Sunday was nice. Will’s parents showed up with a dozen roses for me, a homemade strawberry cake (with real crushed strawberries in it!), and my gift. It was so sweet. We also went out to Olive Garden for lunch. It was a nice Sunday.

From there the week continued to get better (okay- I realize we’re only mid-week...)

I’m not sure how long you’ve been reading, but if you’ve read since the Kuwait Days you know that most of the time I really, really hated my job (I’ve linked you to my “This Isn’t CTU” posts so you can take a walk down memory lane). Things were done so backwards. People were total unprofessional morons… it was tough. Moving back to America and working where I do now was such a giant shock. Like a tall glass of ice water with a squeeze of lime. Even after being here for almost a year I still have to pinch myself- and I always say, “Wow! It’s so weird working for a “real” company!”

It’s just so different.

So Monday I got to work and one of the ladies I work with on a regular basis (and was also the girl who was my secret pal) got me a Vanilla Frappuccino and a box of Crystal Light On the Go and wished me a “happy birthday week!” I thought that was so sweet.

Yesterday was so nice. Will surprised me with the I Love Lucy boxset (she’s so great) and Dunkin Donuts for breakfast.

I got to work and had this super duper cute bright pink box in my chair. I opened it up and there was the cutest Halmark Hoops and YoYo card. I’ve linked it here. You so have to check it out because it makes me laugh. What’s even funnier about it is that the guy that got it for me is gay. There was also the cutest Hoops and YoYo stuffed animal that talks and these really cute Hoops and YoYo sticky notes with funny sayings on it. It was the sweetest surprise.

Another coworker brought me a hilarious homemade card and breakfast for everyone (two pastries for me- on top of my donuts… wow… what a way to start off 26)

It was so thoughtful.

Then my “secret pal” coworker and boss surprised me with this giant coffee mug planter filled with gorgeous tulips! It was so sweet.

We went out to lunch and I ate more. Ugh. Fat.

I got back from lunch and there were more flowers on my desk! My parents and sister sent me the most beautiful bouquet. They’re so gorgeous and pink and happy and vibrant. It was the sweetest surprise.

After lunch there was more eating.

The Cheesecake Factory’s 30th Anniversary Cake.

Delish.

Seriously amazing…

You have no idea.

It was wonderful.

The only damper was that I had a dentist appointment yesterday- no cavities so I guess that’s a plus!

It was just a really nice series of days full of really thoughtful people and surprises.

Like I said- I’ve never had a good working environment before. It’s been such a blessing to be where I am.

Today the hits kept coming. My boss and coworker wished me a Happy Birthday Week again today. I told them to stop being so nice to me and they laughed and said- “No-you’re nice!” I opened the card they got me and it made me laugh. Check it out.

HA HA

So you’ll never guess what I got today.

Remember my purse post? I mentioned the fact that I’ve had my current purse for three years- and they did something about it. Today I got the most awesome pink purse! It was the sweetest thing ever. I felt so loved!

There are a lot of times in which I miss Kuwait. We came home at the worst.time.ever. Could the economy be any worse ( ha ha- say that like Chandler Bing when you read that)? However, it’s days like this week in which I remember that my working environment is a lot better than it was before and I’m really blessed.

So- my birthday week has been great.

So I know this post was a sucky read, but I needed to post it just for memory’s sake.

More to come- and less annoying happy personal life update crap.

Tomorrow we’re going to OU’s official Red and White game. It’s a scrimmage they do every year and is somewhat of a big deal around here- for sports fans anyway.

It’s funny to look back and see that four years ago this time I was doing the exact.same.thing. I guess life is cyclical a lot of times.

So- even though we’ve missed the last 3 Red and White games, Will and I are restarting this tradition. Although there are a lot of times during the week in which I miss our life in Kuwait, it’s days like today in which I think about how a normal American weekend sounds nice.

I’m trying to talk Will out of the Ted’s part though because it’s my “birthday week” and darn it- I should get to choose what we have, right!?

Okay- I know I’m stretching here…

So Saturday should be fun and I’m looking forward to it.

Oh- and did I mention I’m going to try my darndest to go to the gym before the game? In some really sick way I’m tempted to text The Gym Nazi to see if she wants to meet up with me….

Because I’m insane.

I’ll let you know what I decide.

If I don’t post in a few days please come looking for me as there’s a good chance my body parts will be strategically stuffed within gym equipment.

Oh wow- that would really be a bad way to go…

Okay no more psychotic murderous gym talk.

Anyway- so the verdict is still out about whether I’m going to text The Gym Nazi- but between the two of us? I so am.

Okay so anyway- Sunday is Easter.

Yay for Easter Sunday.

I’m not going to get into the whole importance of Easter discussion in this post, but I will say part of me is sort of blah about Sunday.

Okay blah AND excited.

If that’s at all possible.

And- I’m pretty sure it’s not…

Which therefore means I guess I need to choose whether I’m blah or excited.

…

How about we split the difference and just say I’m neutral about Sunday?

My in-laws are “surprising” me on Sunday because my birthday is next week. They’re going to drive to our house with a cake and my present and have lunch with us after church.

It’s really sweet and thoughtful- I know. Not only that, but Pat called Will and wanted to get me a birthday cake I really would like.

I seriously heart boxed strawberry cake with regular old canned vanilla frosting on my birthday, and Pat is going to take time out of her busy weekend to “surprise” me with my favorite cake.

I say “surprise” me because Will absolutely knows I would kill him if my in laws up and showed up without any sort of advanced notice.

I mean REALLY! He knows I have to create the fake house before people come over or he would be the one stuffed within a treadmill belt (um- totally kidding about that- don’t arrest me).

I guess the “blah” part is the creating the fake house part. I was really hoping I’d get to be lazy Sunday afternoon, but it doesn’t appear that will happen.

Oh well- it’s still a nice gesture and I should focus on that I suppose.

Please for my sanity say a prayer that Pat doesn’t say anything about the miracle of BIRTHdays and how they celebrate LIFE and how 26 years I was being BORN and how special NEW BORN BABIES are on their BIRTHday.

Because I seriously might launch a wad of strawberry cake up against the wall.

Ha-

Who am I kidding!? You guys know I could never waste a good cake.

That’s blasphemy.

I really want to sit down and tell you guys about the slave driver of a gym Nazi I worked out with Sunday.

She kicked my…

well…

you know.

“How in the HELL did I get this GIANT purple and red bruise on my inner thigh!?”

I have no clue.

Oh- that’s right-

It was probably when she stepped on my leg and told me I sucked and “You CAN do 40 more lunges or I’ll cut you!”

Yeah…

I think it was that.

Anyway- I want to tell you about the Gym Nazi but I can’t.

Apparently marriage is about sharing everything.

The last Little Debbie Nutty Bar,

the living room TV,

the last Little Debbie Nutty Bar (crap. I already said that one...).

Well apparently now I also have to share our computer from 9-10 pm.

That’s right- Willy Boy is cutting into my blogging time. My gym Nazi storytelling time. My unwinding time.

Long story short- we’re having DVR issues (gasp!) so we can’t tape and instead have to watch a show on fox.com tonight “that simply can’t wait until tomorrow.”

Doesn’t he understand my need to blog?

A GIANT PURPLEY-RED BRUISE.

ON MY INNER THIGH.

The people need to know!

THIS GIRL IS A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT.

Sigh… he just doesn’t get it.

So- I’m off to share now- although I really don’t recall this computer crap being anywhere in our vows.

Here’s to healing- and a mediocre, not so great workout tomorrow.

<3

Baby steps.

I hate them.

I would much rather take big giant leaps and get to where I need to be instead of tiny methodical steps.

The truth is in some cases, baby steps are far better- and giant leaps don’t always work.

Especially when it comes to money.

Last night Will and I went back to school.

The school of Dave Ramsey.

The school of Baby Steps.

FPU (Financial Peace University).

I’m so very excited to begin this journey with Will (and cheat off of him in class- ha ha). We’re one week down with 12 more to go.

Our baby first step is to get an ample emergency fund established as.fast.as.we.can. One of those “Duh stupid- of course you need an emergency fund!” but also one of those things that can be tough to do in this day and time we’re living in. Like I’m sure many of you, so much of our future is (ha or WAS) in the stock market. We’ve each looked at what we can do to make sacrifices and are going to do to grow our emergency fund. We also came away with homework to do this week which I think will be very enlightening and beneficial.

I have a feeling some of these baby steps we go through each week might be a little tough, but I know the end result will be so worth it. I just want everything to be paid off and in its right place tomorrow!- but then we go back to the baby steps versus the giant leaps. It’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a lot of chopping away each and every day. But why can’t it be easy?!

Ha- I guess that’s the same thing as asking why I can’t lose 15 pounds in a week!?

I’m really excited to do our homework together and meet again to see what else in in store for us. I’m up to the challenge, even if it causes a little pain.

But then again- learning how to take baby steps really never is an easy thing.

More to come… <3

Hello lovelies,

Saturday night in the big town, right?

Most of you are probably out and about having some wild Saturday evening, while I’m sitting in sweats on my couch having (another) night in.

Okay- so the truth is that probably more of you than I think are having the same sort of night in, right?

I say that to make myself feel better.

I hope I’m right.

Who cares if I’m not? We’re going with this notion.

I have refreshed my facebook homepage countless times.

Nothing.

I’ve held the flashlight for Will as he investigated a weird sound in the truck.

Woo.

Actually- it was a little fun (but please, whatever you do, don’t tell Will or I’ll be deemed his “tool holder” forever)- but after while I began to feel like a little restless kid helping their dad.

“A little more to the left.

A little more…

Britter! Stop shaking your arm!”

“I’m sorry! I’m sort of bored...”

That’s sort of how it went.

Plus we he still hasn’t figured it out.

And now Will is all crabby and worried.

Which makes for a thrilling Saturday night.

I was all geared up to watch 48-Hours Mystery tonight but the stupid NCAA games have gotten in the way.

Now that OU is out I really don’t care. My bracket has been hosed since Louisville got out so I don’t really care anymore.

I tried to look up the fat content of the burger I had tonight, but surprise, surprise there’s no nutritional facts posted.

I have no idea why not. I mean I’m sure their sausage cheeseburger isn’t that bad.

Puke.

Don’t worry, I didn’t get that- but Will did. It looked like a bleeding, throbbing, greasy heart attack.

Although- mine wasn’t much better either.

Hey! I guess we did get “out” tonight after all, right? I guess if you consider a hole-in-the-wall diner getting “out.”

So as you can see, my Saturday night has been less than exciting.

Even after my awful Cholesterol Burger of Death I’m still contemplating eating chocolate chips right of the bag.

Some would call that Boredom Eating.

I say they’re full of crap.

It’s been close to a week since I’ve mindlessly wandered the internet- and I guess it seemed like a thrilling thing to do on a Saturday night but the truth is- not really.

It’s pretty bad when you look at the clock and hope it’s “late” enough to go to bed.

It’s 10:00.

I have deemed that late enough.

I know what you’re thinking- you’re feeling sad for me, right?

Don’t worry- I’ll have my midnight chocolate chip snack a couple hours early and go straight to bed without brushing my teeth.

Such a thrill seeker.

Actually?

I have a dentist appointment (on my birthday no less! :( ) coming up.

I better not.

But maybe just maybe I’ll do something crazy tomorrow.

<3

More to Come

It’s that time again, my loves-

March Madness.

I’m sure at some point during the life of this blog I’ve mentioned that Will and I fill out brackets each year and compete against each other.

Ha- although, I doubt I elaborate much, seeing as how he’s beat me 4 of the last 5 years!

Anyway, it sort of becomes a big deal in our house- mainly because Will always wins and makes it a big deal.

I’m a very humble winner.

Although- it’s been a very long time since I’ve experienced the rush of victory so if I ever won I may not be all that humble.

But that’s neither here nor there!

Anyway- so yesterday was “Fill out your bracket day.”

Only- something was different.

Will had 2 brackets.

2 brackets!?

“Why would Will have 2 brackets?” I asked myself.

Becase he’s bracket cheating on me!

I know- I was shocked too.

I mean, you don’t just share your bracket with anyone! Geez- there’s no boundaries these days. You know a person for a few days and decide to take the plunge of sharing a bracket…

I don’t get it.

Okay- so I guess I’m being a little sensitive.

I mean, after all, I shouldn’t be surprised he had to go elsewhere for bracket satisfaction, right? Let’s face it- I’m a bracket loser.

Sigh…

So Will decided to have the obligatory married bracket with me and his “real” bracket with Ross.

You know- because apparently I’ve been faking the whole time.

I’ll have you know ESPN helped me tremendously and I’m feeling rather confident this year! Not only that but Ross also summoned the assistance of ESPN- so really, it’s like we’re competing against Will as one entity!

However, yet again Will has to one up me. Apparently he found some site that runs all the possibilities in a computer like 10,000 times or something ridiculous like that.

So once again I’m left feeling a bit like I lost before I even started- you know- it could be because of the bracket cheating or the super awesome amazing website Will found-

but to those things I simply say-

they call it March Madness for a reason.

If everything was predictable they probably would have named it “March Everyone Ranked Higher Wins”

um- or something clever like that.

So, we shall see. Let’s hope I give Will a run for his money this year.

Let the madness begin! 

This weekend was lovely. It was simple and nothing extravagant, it was just nice.

Friday night was very uneventful. I made a pork loin and mashed potatoes for dinner and we watched our FRIENDS boxset. I was asleep on the couch before 10. I’m so fun.

We went to IHOP for breakfast yesterday. I love the place and Will isn’t the biggest fan- which to me is a big way to show love. In these economic times taking me to IHOP is like buying me a tennis bracelet… or something like that.

I love breakfast.

After breakfast I went to the gym to undo some of the pancakes.

It didn’t work.

We hung around the house, got around, and went to Zios for lunch! I ate bad. Really bad. Then we went to see Dave Ramsey. I really enjoyed hearing the things he had to say. I’ve always been interested by him, so it was really good to hear him speak. His thoughts are very enlightening and practical. Things you know about but don’t put into action or use the tools to put together. He’s speaking for the next two weeks and Will and I have decided to go back to hear what else he has to say.

Our evening concluded with taking care of the doggies and making a trip for ice cream.

You know- to round the whole awful night of carnage out on a good note.

Today was nice. Since we went to service last night, we got to sleep in today. It was wonderful. In fact, I haven’t brushed my hair (um-or teeth. Yuck!) all day.

I made us breakfast and we lounged around and were very lazy!

Will and I took the “Bigs” on a walk around the neighborhood, and as always, they were highly um- “spirited-” and took me on a walk. I had to switch off mid trip and walk Rocky instead of Teddy. Although Rocky weighs a million pounds, he’s a lot more subdued than Teddy most of the time.

We came back to the house and watched the bracket b-ball “thing” (ha ha I’m so technical). We ate dinner and then decided to take the “Littles” on a walk too. Only- they don’t walk. We do the walking and hold them close. I’m sure it’s annoying to watch, but we don’t mind. They’re sort of spoiled.

We spent a lot of time talking all day today. Talking about the things we learned about the night before, talking about how we need to set goals, what those goals were, what potential timelines were… it was really nice. It’s been a long time since Will and I have talked like that- probably since Kuwait! It was nice. It made me feel close to Will, and reminded me that we’re a team and need to set some goals we can attain. I think going to see Dave Ramsey was really good for us and I look forward to next week.

It’s simple weekends like this that make me thankful for the things I have- and also wishing a little for a three day weekend.

I normally don’t post “what I did” entries, but for some reason I wanted to round out the “Will and Brittny” week with a bit of a recap.

It just seems right.

More to come.

I know you’re shocked, but I’ve dubbed the road to year five The Year of More Changes.

I can’t imagine why.

This year was so different than I ever would have imagined. I never thought we would have been back in America. I honestly thought we’d be in Kuwait for a couple more years. Ha- and here we are, almost in America for a whole year!

This year was such a whirlwind, full of many changes.

From resigning, to two weeks later being back in America, and two weeks after that finding our house- to almost losing it to other buyers- to getting it again and then finally moving out of the in-law’s house and into our own place- and an awesome 20 day cruise somewhere in the fray!

It was full of learning a new job, housing guests, and getting used to the American life. Oh- and buying two pups which have quickly turned into horses.

And who could forget expensive gas, no maid, and taxes!?

It’s been quite a year of changes, and yet again we’ve adjusted and plowed through- although this year was sort of a tough one. I guess life can’t always be easy, right? If only!

This year has been full of lots of things, both good and bad. I miss my family a lot. This has been the first time in my life in which I’ve lived away from them. I also miss living in a foreign country. I really enjoyed living overseas. However, I must say life in the slow lane definitely has its perks. I forgot how many things I missed.

It’s been full of adjustments and getting used to different things, and it has continued to grow us. This is our life, and this is the life we have made for ourselves- together as a team. We have become a team- albiet a team that doesn’t get along very well when needing to do home improvement projects- but nonetheless a team. It’s almost like I can’t remember my life before Will. It’s always just been us, and I’m thankful for just “us.”

I have no idea what the road to year six will be dubbed. I hope it’s the year of Winning Five Million Dollars, or the year of Inventing Something and Retiring or even another year of Fun.

I have no idea what this year will bring our way- but I’m thankful to God for the things He’s brought us through thus far. I look forward to the road to year six with Will, and I hope you stick around to share the trip with me.

Tonight will consist of making dinner and hanging out on the couch together at home- so thrilling I know. The secret truth is that we’re major home bodies and I’m very excited about our “big” Friday night anniversary plans. Tomorrow we’re going to Zios for a late lunch (um yum!!) and then we’re going to hear Dave Ramsey (google him) speak! I’m excited about our date night. Like I said- we’re not very exciting, even when it’s our fifth anniversary.

Happy Five Year Anniversary, Will. It’s been a really interesting run full of lots of twists, and I’m so glad we’re in it together.

<3