"It looks like you got a good workout,” the gentleman said to me as he exited the cash advance store and I walked out of the gym.

As I felt sweat drops trickle down my back and hit the pavement I let out a little laugh, “Yeah. I guess I did… I’m glad it’s over!”

He smiled.

As I got into my car and he got into his old red truck he looked at the younger man in the passenger’s seat, maybe his son, and sighed and said, “Well, it looks like we’re okay for a few more weeks.”

And then they drove off.

I don’t know why the whole brief moment grabbed hold of my heart today. I watch the news. I know the economy is awful. I know people are hurting. I know people are losing their jobs. I know people are losing their houses. I know all that, but for some reason that man’s tired eyes and worry to provide for his family struck me hard today.

I sat in my car and let the air hit my face for a few seconds as I thought about that man- and every other person right now in the same situation- and felt humbled.

So often my mind is so centered on what’s coming for me next. The next purchase for our house, the next trip we can save up for, “things” I want. I don’t think it’s all bad to think about those things, and I’m not consumed by them, but I must admit I have the case of “the gimmes” much more than I probably should.

As I sat there in my car I was reminded of how blessed, how truly blessed Will and I are. We have what we need, and God has truly blessed us. It’s so easy to think about “more” and the newest thing and what’s bigger and better than what you have, but this morning I remembered how good I have it. How good God is to us and how thankful I am for all He has done for me.

Times are tough, and like most everyone else we’ve been affected by the economy, but as I pulled out and drove home I began counting my blessings. Thanking God for the provisions he has made for me.

I have no idea what the future holds for my small Oklahoma life, but I know that today the Lord spoke to my heart today and refocused me on the bigger picture- which can be easy to lose sight of.

Off to enjoy the day. 80% chance of rain in OKC. The game should be a BLAST tonight.

Can you sense my sarcasm?

<3

I <3 Chicago.

I already knew that because I've been there before, however this past weekend reaffirmed it once again.

I had the most amazing weekend with my mom and sister, and it's something I'll treasure for a long time to come. Especially since I have no idea when all three of us will be together again all as once.

I flew to Chicago Thursday night and was greeted by my parents and sister. We had a late dinner at Gino's Pizza- which was amazing. Nothing welcomes you to Chicago quite like a deep dish pizza blanketed in layers of cheese at 9:00 at night.

Friday morning my dad took off for a short trip with his brother for a guys weekend in Indianapolis, so it was just us girls left on our own to shop and have a wonderful time.

Saturday morning we started off at Panera Bread followed by shopping, shopping, and more shopping. I haven't been shopping in AGES. Will and I are on the Dave Ramsey plan and we've got that "gazelle intensity" to get out of debt and make sacrifices other places. Anyway, it was so.much.fun. to buy new clothes. My mom is the best. So we did that all day Saturday- followed by The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was a great day- and I was actually a tiny bit sore from all that walking. I don't think that's good! What does that say about my gym workout?! Perhaps I need to change up my routine?

Sunday was a lot of fun. My sister stayed the night in her apartment the night before so my mom and I got an early start on all the Labor Day sales followed by a trip to the Shed's Aquarium.

Along with the entire state of Illinois.

It was insane.

A zoo.

An insane zoo aquarium.

It was still fun. This was my second time to go. I went with my dad the first time so it's cool that I got to go with my mom this time. After Shed's my sister met up with us and we had some coffee and had a relaxing afternoon followed by-

The Blue Man Group that night!

It was such a fun show and I'm so glad we went. Guys, my mom was freaking cracking us up so much. I don't think I've heard her cackle or laugh so hard she cried as much as I did that night. It was classic and I simply can't do it justice in this blog post. The funniest part was at the end. There's this whole "thing" with strobe lights and loud music and toilet paper being pulled from holders all over the auditorium. My mom kept yelling at me and P to "Pull! Pull! Pull!" while she was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face and while the strobes were going and the music was pumping. P just looked at me and yelled, "I feel like we're at a rave with our mom!" Too funny.

Anyway, that was lots of fun.

After the show we went for a late steak- which is where I caught the end of the OU game.

And saw all I really needed to see.

I called Will immediately after (who was down in Dallas to watch the loss) and told him that perhaps this was good. Perhaps it's good that we are disappointed at the start of the season instead of the end like always.

He didn't agree.

Yesterday was spent doing more shopping. This time for P's room. Groceries, stuff for school, etc. It was fun. I love her place and I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that she's all grown up and in this giant city living this adult life. It makes me look at myself and realize how old I've gotten as well and how surreal it seems. I still remember being in 5th grade and having her barf on my hair while we were visiting my grandparents in Iowa. Good times.

She's come a long way from those days. She's a woman in the city. Remember this post? Its sort of the same, only with her now. She’s back in America, all grown up, and experiencing this whole new life for the first time and I’m glad I get to be a small part of it.

So that was Sunday. Oh- and we also had a ridiculous amount of food. We at at the Five Guys burger joint, followed by dessert at the Ghiradelli place (um or however you spell it) and, well, I think the list goes on from there.

It was around the time I finished my dessert that afternoon that I started to feel a little bummed.

Which is what I promised Will I wouldn’t do. He knows me so well. He made me promise not to get bummed out early and to enjoy every minute of my time with my mom and sister until the end. So- I tried to do that.

P and I walked around and she took me to “The Bean” (not the official name, but the one I’m pretty sure most people know it by). It was a nice walk, perfect weather, and really nice. Definitely a walk I appreciated and will tuck away in my little pocket of memories I want to keep forever (whatever that means...).

We had a quiet night in and watched TV and just hung out, which was nice. It’s those little things of doing “nothing” that you can sometimes miss the most when you’re away from your family.

Today came early and it was sad to say goodbye. I hope we’re all able to see each other soon, and I hate that we’re all so far away now. I guess that’s normal though, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it, right?

So here I am, back in Oklahoma (um, which is a far cry from Chicago, right?). It’s been a typical evening, followed by a typical (thankfully short) week, followed by a typical weekend.

It was nice to step out of the mundaneness for a while. I’m thankful for my trip.

And I’m also thankful for the Chicago pizza which will be arriving to my door Wednesday afternoon.

I’m off to watch TV with Will.

Happy Labor Day!

A year ago today I was embarking on the most amazing trip ever. I must say, 5 August 2009 was far different different than 5 August 2008. Instead of boarding our amazing cruiseship and getting ready for what truly was one of the best three weeks of my life, I sat in my little cubicle reading the Federal Acquisition Regulation and trying to make heads and tails of our finance guy’s pricing sheet.

Good times.

I must admit, my heart hurt a little bit today when I got up. I know it sounds silly to be all reminiscent and bummed about the “anniversary” of my dream vacation, but I was.

I guess that’s got to be normal, right?

Please tell me that’s normal.

Okay- so we all agree that my feelings today were normal.

What is not normal is looking ahead to the next 20 days of my life thinking about how I’ll be all, “Oh on the 14th I was in Pompeii” or “On the 12th I was in Tunisia. Sigh...”

I think that borderlines as a little crazy. When I stop and think about it- that trip, last year, was the last time I took a vacation! Granted, it was three weeks (Yes, my boss is amazing. I had already had this trip planned before taking the job so she let me go.)- but it was a whole year ago! Craziness. I did take two days in January to go to Miami, but that’s more of a long weekend.

Anyway, perhaps I’m just bummed because I fully realize that the next time I’ll get to do something that spectacular is when you win the lottery and give me all your earnings we retire.

I guess I am being rational, right?

Oh, and so today I went back for old time’s sake (um, which bummed me out even more) and read about all the amazing adventures me and P went on. It’s sort of funny to look back and read these now because it was our chance to say goodbye to each other before she headed to school in Dubai for four years and Will and I settled down in Oklahoma.

Well, I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you that P is moving back to America! She’ll still be far away, but not an ocean away- and close enough for long girl weekends! I’m very pleased with this decision.

I tell you that because it’s funny how things work out. Last year i was just certain I’d never see my sister again, and here we are a year later and she’s going to be fairly close again. I guess that’s why we’re not meant to worry about things, right?

Enough rambling today. Here’s to the most amazing trip of my life, and some of the best memories I’ve ever made-

and here’s to planning something just as great in 2010, perhaps?

Um- only way way shorter. I’m pretty sure that three week vacation thing was a one time deal.

There are two things in life you can be certain of:

Death

and

Taxes.

I think right about -> ______ there is where I’m supposed to insert some sort of pithy comment or remark about this subject, but sadly I have nothing pithy so share today.

More like lamenting.

I won’t get into all the terrible details but let’s just say Will and I got this huge random surprise in the mail this past weekend.

Um- and since we’re both alive you can probably guess it’s not the death part I speak of.

Although… it sort of felt like that. I began to feel all claustrophobic and itchy and sweaty as if I were trapped in some cheap velvety low quality wood coffin.

Good times.

Anyway there was this big misunderstanding (Um that’s my cute and polite explanation of what happened. If we were discussing this issue with you in person I would definitely not say “big misunderstanding.” I would instead say something that would probably make you blush a little.) and much to our surprise we owe taxes we thought we had already paid.

Like I said- a “big effing misunderstanding.”

Good times.

Oh- and it’s Monday.

Oh- and it’s freaking hot.

Oh- and it’s supposed to storm tonight.

Wow! This day just gets better and better. Okay- I realize I can’t blame all my troubles on Monday, but it just feels so darn good!

Don’t you guys sometimes seriously miss the days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and naps on the blue cushy kindergarten mats? It’s days like today where I do.

Actually, it’s days like today where I think, “Seriously. What in the HELL am I doing living here!?! Why am I here!? I could be back in Kuwait away from all this stupid ‘real life’ trouble and crap.”

I’d be lying if I haven’t been thinking that a.lot. lately. I guess it’s normal. I mean we seriously found this amazing “loophole.” Where the real world worries are distant memories. I realize that what we had wasn’t exactly normal and that what happened to us this weekend happens to people all the time, but it’s days like today, when Uncle Sam has kicked me square in the stomach when I was already down- and wearing my Sunday best- that I really wish we never even moved back.

I realize we moved back probably at the worst time ever- which is something I often have to remind myself- and a lot of people are experiencing the same things we are. I also truly believe everything worked out so perfectly to move back and was definitely of God. I’m still not sure of how it fits into “the master plan,” but I know I had a peace about coming back.

I also know I love my job and where we live. I’m very blessed. However, I’m not going to lie- days like today seriously make me miss life in Kuwait.

Oh- and days when I have a messy house. So you know… like Monday thru Sunday (ha ha).

Sorry to vent. It’s just been a seriously lousy day and has me bummed. “Big misunderstandings” suck. I know we’re not the first to experience them and we’ll certainly not be the last. I know everything will work out and we’ll be okay, but I just felt the need to blow off some major steam.

You know- because I know how much you love hearing about other people’s problems when you have a slew of your own!

More typical Brittny posting to come soon. I’m traveling this week and you may remember what happened last time I travelled. Who knows what’s bound to happen!

More to come.

<3

When P and I were in Olympia last year we saw something very interesting leading up to the stadium.

Cheater’s Row.

Cheaters Row was a whole entire line of statues of Olympians which- as you guessed it- were found to be cheating. They created a statue of these cheaters and on it displayed the person’s name, family’s name, and where they were from.

Everyone that was on their way to the stadium passed by these status and saw the shame these people brought to their towns.

What a disgrace for the cheater. Even today, hundreds of years later, remnants of Cheaters Row remain as a testament of those before us.

Cheater’s Row wasn’t placed outside of the stadium “just because it seemed like a good place to put these statues.” They were there on purpose. As a reminder. As a way to humiliate those who cheated. As a way for their name to be remembered- forever set in stone, both literal and figurative.

I know- YAWN. I’m killing you guys, right?

Sorry. I’ve just been thinking about Cheater’s Row a lot the last couple of days. It was not that long ago in which having your name tarnished was disgraceful and painful. It wasn’t long ago in which a person’s name meant something. When deals were made on handshakes, and when a honorable man said something and followed through.

Perhaps I’m romancing the days of old, but it just seems as though we don’t make people like we used to.

Nowadays we ("we" being used collectively as a societal whole) let TV teach our kids about God and right and wrong, school teach them about sex and politics, and their older friends about love, relationships, and doing the right (or wrong) thing.

What happened to our responsibility in society to um- do it ourselves as parents?

Yes, I realize I don’t have kids- but it doesn’t matter. I see a trend that is quite alarming and I feel it’s only going to get worse.

We raise kids to expect things- to feel as though they are owed everything and don’t have to work for things. We don’t punish criminals, which teaches our kids that really? there aren’t things such as consequences, and even if there are there’s always a loophole.

I know- you guys are totally rolling your eyes now and want to ship your kids off to my house so I can really try this parenting thing out since I sound so self righteous.

I know- I’m talking all crazy. The truth is that I’m just blowing off some steam.

Okay-

a LOT of steam.

Long story short Will and I were innocently driving home Friday night, minding our own business, and some moronic kids nailed a rock right into our truck. No reason. No justification. “They’re just kids.”

Ha- kids old enough to know better.

It’s a whole long story, but basically the father came off as this nice guy- and a “man of his word” and was going to take care of the problem, only he has conveniently been unreachable since the incident happened. We finally got a hold of him today and “it wasn’t my kid- it’s not my problem.”

Like I said- it’s a long story.

The jist of the story is- what are you teaching your kids? I’m thinking that you’re teaching them it’s okay to violate someone’s property and not have to pay any consequences. 

We did absolutely nothing wrong. We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and somehow the kid comes out as totally innocent and the father- a grown man-refuses to take responsibility for what happened on his property. In fact, he even changed his story and said that it wasn’t a rock- it was a hackey sack. Um, the dent and chipped paint on our truck suggests otherwise. Where is the accountability?

What happened to manning up? It’s sounds more like Will and I have a parent problem on our hands instead of a kid problem.

Can we please start making people take moron tests before we allow them to breed?

Please?

Sorry to vent. I just needed to unload somewhere- and this seems to be the lucky venue. I don’t feel like getting into the details of the story- I just needed to run my mouth about ridiculous things I have no business sharing.

I know you guys love that too (ha).

I guess I just come from a different school of thought than this guy. I probably would have fit in with society just fine a hundred years ago, and I’m sure you would too.

Only- could we please make sure we brought lip gloss, cheesecake, and iPods with us? That’s not too much to ask, right?

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.

I know. It’s not old.

I’m not saying it is.

I’m just saying, “Wow- I’m 26. 26!”

Like I said- I don’t say that in sadness. I don’t say it like it’s all downhill from here. I guess it’s just hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I’m 26.

Don’t you still sometimes feel like you’re the exact same person as you were in high school and college only a little wiser? When I used to see 26 year olds I used to have this certain image in my mind. They were most certainly “grown ups,” had solid careers, a house, a dog, and kids. Because that’s what grown ups do! However, now that I’m 26 and a grown up I realize that 26 is so different when you’re actually sitting in the chair and not an outsider looking in.

I just feel the same. I guess as I got older I thought I would feel older. More “grown up.” Have you been there too?

I guess I’m beginning to realize that you don’t just wake up one day and have all the answers. In a lot of ways I am the same Brittny I was in high school, only wiser and more mature. When I have no idea what I’m doing I just work through it. It has nothing to do with being a certain age- after all, age is just a number.

Sorry for today’s ramblings. I’m 26 today. I have no idea what I’m doing half the time. But I’m figuring it out as I go and getting a little wiser each and every day.

Here’s to 26.

I used to be so good at sitting in front of the computer and just typing about nothing.

About anything.

Just sitting and typing and wherever my mind wandered I followed and somehow it turned out to be a halfway decent post.

However, it seems as though lately I haven’t been able to sit and mindlessly wander. It feels as though like now I need to have a “purpose” for my post- a direction.

The truth is- I’m full of crap. There’s no blog law about purpose and no wandering. I think the truth is that I’m getting older.

I’m growing up.

I don’t know about you guys, but it seems as though each year I age, more creativity and imagination gets sucked out of me and more boring black and white corporate blah adult “stuff” gets shoved in me. I guess part of that is normal and goes with being older, but at the same time, it’s as though it gets easy to lose a part of yourself as you get so tangled up in work and mortgages and “adult responsibilities” (I have no idea why I put that in quotations) that you forget just to lighten up and freaking do what you want to do. Post. About about whatever makes me happy. Who cares if no one else cares?

I have no idea why I’m rambling on about these things.

Maybe because I’m about to turn another year older in a couple of weeks and it’s actually got me a little bummed?

It could be that.

I could be “projecting” (I have no idea why I put that in quotations either).

It’s probably that.

Actually, I have no idea.

Perhaps I’m using my birthday as a way to address my “lack of blogging direction” (again- I have no idea why that’s in quotations)?

Or it also could be that hey- I’m not getting any younger here. These wrinkles? Only going to get worse. And so therefore instead of focusing on the fact that I’m about to officially enter my mid-to-late 20s I am diverting attention to the fact that I can’t “mindlessly wander when I post anymore” (yeah- no idea what’s up with these pesky quotations… or the fact that I’m putting the period on the outside of them. What an annoyance. I wanted to spell nusciance, but yeah- as you can see, I have no idea how to spell it, so I thought it best not to put it in my post...)”

In all honesty, it’s probably a combination of both. I’m getting older. I look back at my first posts in 2005 and they seem to be written differently than the ones of 2009. I guess it’s because wow- I was a baby back then!- but now here I am, almost four years later and a little more mature and experienced than the 2005 Brittny. Also, 2005 Brittny never lived much of her life in the real world, and 2009 Brittny certainly has. I’m sure work and bills and adult-hood has changed me and my ability to sit down and just talk about whatever I want.

Oh- and who can forget that now I actually tend to care about who’s reading these days.

I think that’s a factor as well.

Whatever it is (and really- who cares?) I’ve come to realize I’m evolving. I’m changing everyday and so are my thoughts, interests, and things I share.

So who cares that I can’t just sit here and ramble about “silly things?” (ha ha, now I just want to annoy you with quotes. Yeah- I know. SO mature, right?)

I’m growing up. We’re all growing up. We’re changing and evolving and hopefully getting better.

I’m sure I’ll sit down and mindlessly write some day soon, and it will come easy and I’ll laugh because I was just certain it was due to my little quarter-life crisis.

Until then? I’m not worried.

More to come…

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.