Survey about me

I've seen these all over the blog-o-sphere and thought I'd give it a shot :) something fun! and to be honest a little blog post "filler" when you're lacking in that area :)

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?

Well to be honest, I do most of my blogging and blog reading at work (shh don't tell), so I'm not really eating much... if anything something from the vending machine... speaking of, I'm hungry and I'm going to get something. Be right back....

ok, I'm back and I got a Snickers (also, shh don't tell)

2. What is one thing you don't want to live without?

Beside the obvious family, friends and of course my husband Derik (what would I do without them, seriously!!) I would have to say fruit, I love fruit, and when it comes down to it... if I had to choose a strawberry over a chocolate cake - oh boy I would be having that strawberry! Better yet, just make it chocolate covered strawberries - yum! I would take a fruit dessert over any other dessert out there! I LOVE fruit pies/cobblers/cheesecake! YUM!

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

Definitely between beach and mountains. Well I love the beach... and it's where I spent my honeymoon and I loved it. I've also gone skiing. But, I don't know. The Beach might get tiring where as the mountains change with the seasons... so maybe the mountains. Plus, I get to snuggle with my hubby when it's cold :) And who really would want to wear a bathing suit almost all year, NOT me!
4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?

I absolutely hate folding clothes! I will wash/dry clothes. I'll even wash dishes, clean toilets, mop floors WAY over wanting to fold clothes! I actually talked about this on my facebook page just this day!

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

I have no idea. Derik once told me he thought I looked like Reese Witherspoon. I'll take that :) She's adorable!

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?

It all depends. I love hanging with friends, but sometimes I like my alone time. I love curling up on the couch and watching a movie with Derik.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

Why so hard!? There are too many to pick!!! But I just recently saw "The Proposal" and I have never laughed so hard in a movie! loved it!!
8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?

I used to be good, before we got married I took Accutane for about 1/2 a year and was very sure to wash my face! I washed my face all the time leading up to the wedding. But, since, I've really kind of let it go. I wash my face when I feel like it and in the shower... I need to get better at that seriously... not good for the face. And I don't want my face to be the way it was!

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?

Well, I love anything creative. I love my photography. But, I think it would've been really fun to have studied medicine. Now, I would never have been able to do it... I'd be a bit squeamish with some things. But, I love taking care of people and how amazing would it be to learn about the complicated and intricate body of a human God created.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?

I have no idea. I guess I'm really good with creativity (as I said above) but, I really don't know a "strange" thing that I'm good at. Maybe cleaning? Since we've had our own house... I've been really good about cleaning. My dishwasher is never full. I always empty it and reload. So, therefore I don't have dishes laying in my sink all the time. We'll see how that goes in a few months/years :)

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

I'd have to say his sense of humor and his athleticism. He makes me laugh so much. We get each other. He ran track and did long jump/triple jump for Texas Tech. Go babe!

12. What is something you love to smell?

I love candles. I never could have them in college. Dorm wouldn't allow. I didn't have many in my room at home, because my mom would be afraid I'd forget to blow them out. So, I barely ever lit them. But, now, I practically light a candle everyday! I am in love with Yankee Candle's Macintosh Spice... smells like the holidays :) I need to buy a new one already!!!

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

Gosh I don't know. Probably that I'm so detail oriented maybe... It sometimes bothers Derik when I want to get stuff done and he says we can wait some. But remember this post?

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?

Well, lately it has been saved. I'm saving up to buy a new camera. But, I really have wanted to go shopping lately! Good thing, because it's time to shop for Christmas soon!
15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

Depends on how "tickled" I am. Mostly a loud, I don't know, I'll listen next time :)

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Target. Banana Republic (Outlet). Ross. DSW (love me some shoes!)

17. What is one thing you would do more often if you had more time?

Relax. Take more bubble baths. Focus more on photography. Take one day at a time.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

I'd say frugal. Derik would have to differ. I only spend big after much much thought! I almost ALWAYS buy things on sale too!

19. Who is your favorite character of all time? (from a movie or a book, can't be real)

Gosh another hard one just like my fav movie! I'd have to say Haddassah from the Mark of the Lion Book Series by Francine Rivers. Amazing - I could read that again - thanks Britt!

20. Would you want to be famous?

I think I wouldn't want to be "famous" but I would want to be well-known. Especially in my photography. My goal is to one day go full-time with photography so that when we have kids I can be flexible with what we want to do!

Awesome idea and a little fun

ok - check this out

what a creative "bride" idea - awesome!

and a little fun:

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Haha LOVE IT!

Jack-O-Lanterns and FALL

Fall is FAST - seriously...

These past few weekends have FLOWN by and I miss them! Not because I want them back, but I feel like I've been flying each week... some weeks go by slow but then the weekend comes and I feel like I don't get enough time to sit and do what I would like to do.

I have MUCH to do with my photography business and have no room to breathe to do it. I do errands and housework in the mornings and sometimes I don't have time for a shower some days (sorry, ewww, but seriously). The reason why this blog hasn't seen much "action" lately either...

I am actually changing my business name to encompass more of what I want it to be. I am excited about it all, but it's a lot of work. I need to get a business license for taxing purposes, because well... I am going to make enough money to be making it a business (exciting, yet VERY scary for me).

So, it's all about one thing at a time, right!? ... I am not good at that.

When I want to do something, I want to get it done right away... I want it to be perfect right away... I am very detail-oriented and sometimes can't see the big picture. Better yet, I can't be patient enough and wait to see the big picture because I want it done NOW! I have much to learn!

But, thankfully these past few weekends my husband and I slowed down just a little bit and were able to start somewhat of a little tradition (or at least I hope it becomes one)

We went to a pumpkin patch!!!

and got pumpkins!!!

and I felt like a little kid again!!!

I loved carving pumpkins with my dad when I was little. And I even loved to pull all the "gooey" stuff out with the seeds...

Derik however - does NOT like this part. He's VERY squeamish to gross things like this... weirdo! :):):) haha!so he carved for us :)

And I feel like my house is homey and falley now :) Yes, I just made up those words...
Derik is the one that has "pimples" (that's what I call them) and mine is on the right
HAPPY HALLOWEEN - MMmwwahahaha! [insert spooky laugh]

5 Months!

Seriously!??? we've already been married 5 months!?

I remember all my countdowns (here, here, here, here, and here) as if they were YESTERDAY!

it is truly flying by!

I'm going to be a little sad when hubby leaves me for 2 weeks in November - ugh! Praying I'll make it! But, I'm very excited to have friends come stay the weekend next weekend - we're all going to a Jeremy Camp Concert and I am oh so excited... pics for sure to come.

Also, we're carving our pumpkins this weekend - woohoo! :)

Happy 5 months to us! Half a year in a month - WHAT!??

Ummm... funny :)

"I will seek and find you.

I shall take you to bed and have my way with you.

I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.

I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop.

I will exhaust you to ...the point that you will be relieved when I’m finished with you.

And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.

All my love,


The Flu

Now get your mind out of the gutter and go get your flu shot!

This is just TOO...

ADORABLE!


read here

Show Us Your Life - What do you Make?

Kelly's Korner is having another SUYL :)

This one is fun because so many woman (and maybe men) are showcasing their creativeness.

I have been LOVING my photography business (www.designsbybrittney.com) The name *may* be changing soon... WELL - I just recently started my "Christmas Special 2009" and have had a few inquiries - YAY! check it out here... If you're in the Central, TX area I would LOVE to photograph your fun family & friends :)

But, for anyone who see this and has a picture of their own that they would like me to create a Christmas Card for... here are my recent designs :)

I love them and am excited to get started :)

Cute Hubby

Last time Derik had to leave for business, I kept one of his colognes and smelled it whenever I missed him. I don't know if that's weird, but it made it feel like he was just a little bit there :) I also left his pillows up on the bed so it felt like there was someone else in the bed - ha! Well he thought it was cute when he found out what I did.

Well...

Derik is gone on business (AGAIN) this week... but when I came home Monday evening... this is what I saw :)

I wish this would post sideways... but for some reason it won't!

It says:
"Hey Baby, I can make it seem like I'm here next to you. Sorry I have to leave you this week. Be very careful and call me/text me a lot every day. MWAH!!! - Derik"

and he put his cologne on his pillow and left the bottle for me...

and here is the "pillow Derik" he made for me - hahaha!

LOVE YOU BABY! come home soon!!!

Show us Your Life: Tailgates and Favorite Teams

Before I knew Derik, I was a UT fan... because, well my family was. I was never an outrageous fan... I just went for them (and I still do, but I am neutral on Tech vs. UT game day).

My dad and Derik sure have fun with this. They are hardcore for their teams. According to my Dad, it's going to be a lifelong rivalry between them :) oh boy!

There are a lot more pictures of us at games, these are the only ones I had on my at the time :/

Texas Tech!!

This was when Tech beat OSU last year (they had an AWESOME season last year)
here is the score - 56-20
and you'll notice that they are 10-0 at this point...
this year however, well, we won't go there :/
the game
"The Goin' Band from Raiderland"



this is also us rushing the field when we beat OU a few years ago... here's to hoping for the same this year!!! :)

Also, I found this and thought it was fun :) I did not make it up, and I don't agree with ALL items listed, still it's pretty true :)

FOOTBALL IN THE SOUTH:

STADIUM SIZE:
NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.
SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

FATHERS:
NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.
SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

CAMPUS DECOR:
NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.
SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

HOMECOMING QUEEN:
NORTH: Also a physics major.
SOUTH: Also Miss America.

HEROES:
NORTH: Rudy Giuliani
SOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

GETTING TICKETS:
NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.
SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus, make a large financial contribution and put name on a waiting list for tickets.

FRIDAY CLASSES AFTER A THURSDAY GAME:
NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because they have classes on Friday.
SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to class.

PARKING:
NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game parking.
SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

GAME DAY:
NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.
SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting 'Game Day Live' to get on camera and wave to the idiots up north who wonder why 'Game Day Live' is never Broadcast from their campus.

TAILGATING:
NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down.
SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthews Band,...who come over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

GETTING TO THE STADIUM:
NORTH: You ask 'Where's the stadium?' When you find it, you walk right in.
SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it is the state's third largest city.

CONCESSIONS:
NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.
SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

WHEN NATIONAL ANTHEM IS PLAYED:
NORTH : Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up.
SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

THE SMELL IN THE AIR AFTER THE FIRST SCORE:
NORTH: Nothing changes.
SOUTH: Fireworks, Gunpowder (from the cannon in the end zone), with a touch of bourbon.

COMMENTARY: (MALE)
NORTH: 'Nice play.'
SOUTH: 'tackle him and break his legs.'

COMMENTARY: (FEMALE)
NORTH: 'My, this certainly is a violent sport.'
SOUTH: 'tackle him and break his legs.'

ANNOUNCERS:
NORTH: Neutral and paid.
SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

AFTER THE GAME:
NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.

SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week's game. Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the glories of Southern football!

Decorating and the Weather

I've been trying to do some decoration (still have lots of boxes to unpack though) and we've been doing yard work here and there. Well Central Tx has welcomed some much needed rain and we got some "fertilizing" in just at the right time.

ok so, this makes me laugh everytime...

My husband was going to wear flip flops and I suggested that he go change his shoes (so it wouldn't get all over him) and he comes out wearing... this...

that's his best man over there helping... but keep scrolling to see the beauty of his choice of shoes - haha!

Yes, this was my husband last Saturday...

THIS is today - it is POURING rain and making me ever so sleepy!

here's the mirror I spray painted - kind of a bad picture, but what do you think?

and if you look in the mirror... you can see the collage wall...

far away

up close

ok, so SERIOUSLY, what do you think... I've rearranged and un-rearranged tons of times and don't know if I like it... do you think it looks good?

I realize they are pretty much all pictures of us (and wedding/honeymoon pictures at that) but we'll change them out as we get other/&more pictures... do you think my picture in the middle is too overwhelming??

My mom said "they're pictures of just you two??" - does it look weird with only "us" pictures...?

Derik says that maybe if there weren't those circle frames, or if the circle frames were horizontal...?

Please - totally be honest!! I need help!!

I [heart] PB&J

Tonight, Pam Beesley & Jim are getting married :) tee hee!

so excited! :)

YUM-O!

Ok, so since getting a house (and my own kitchen) I've been really into looking at recipes. I'm not really good a cooking (I LOVE baking - but who doesn't?)... I only have like 2-3 things I can make "well" haha! And even then I can really only cook on weekends because of my work schedule! ugh!

Well, most of you may know about Kelly from Kelly's Korner... but what I did NOT know is that she shares a lot of recipes on her own recipe blog - I looked at this a lot tonight and wanted to email/print like ALL of them for myself... haha!

here's the link

Thanks Kelly!!!!

You can also find more recipes from her "Show us your Life" blog posts (I've done a few) - tons of ladies have linked their fave meals here and their fave deserts here... I'll link more if she does any holiday recipes or anything...

Happy Hump Day - ENJOY!!! :)

It's been a while...

Gees - a week can sure get past you (and i'm over a week!)

But, not much has been going on... So, this post will be random musings as of late :)

Derik is going to be gone all week next week again (yes, again) and I'm not too excited about it

AT ALL!

What am I gonna do all week?

I need to work out...

Derik's mom had to go to the hospital EARLY Friday morning

She just got to come home today

She's ok, just had an infection and got very sick very suddenly

Derik's over there right now (at his parents) visiting

and I'm at work :/

wishing I were there

Saturday we fertilized our yard

It's funny what will get you excited as a home owner

RAIN!

It rained a lot this weekend...

and last week

and probably this week

I'm glad it's fall now

but I love me some summer

We had my family over for dinner on Saturday

we watched football

We went to church on Sunday and I'm getting excited about Operation Christmas Child already

and really just excited about Christmas already

and decorating already

and shopping for said decorations already :)

Sunday was lazy, we napped and watched the Cowboys play TERRIBLY

We went to my house to pack up more boxes of my stuff

WHERE DOES IT ALL COME FROM!?

Starting to think I need to garage sale some things...

our house doesn't feel as big anymore - ha!

I organized and unpacked boxes today

there's still a lot more

I'm ready for the weekend of October 30/31 and November 1 :)

more decorating :)

We were given a wall mirror a while back

I didn't like the color combo (gold/black)

I'm more of a silver girl

I spray painted it silver and we hung it

decided it was hung too low

rehung it

*TRIED* to make a frame collage on the wall

don't know how it turned out

Derik said it was "decent"

that to me means it was not good

he said - "no it was ok"

that didn't help

might rearrange frame collage on wall

or scrap it altogether

??

will post pictures about it sometime soon

maybe you can help

the end