Perfect timing!

So, I had a bunch of cute little 'P' phrases like, Pretty in Pink or Pocket full of Posies but none of them amounted to anything more than a rambling post about nothing. In lieu of that, I decided to do the little handwriting post that's going around, thanks Tiff, it was PERFECT timing even though Yvonne tagged me first =0P

Show us your handwriting by answering the following questions:

1. Name/blog name
2. Blog URL
3. Copy "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
4. Favorite quote
5. Favorite song
6. Favorite musicians/bands
7. Something you say all the time...
8. Friends whose handwriting you'd like to see!

Here you have it...

**Challenge: See if you can spot my handwriting OCD**

Obsessed...

First, I feel the need to apologize for getting so behind in the challenge, unfortunately, some days just don’t have enough hours. I only have three weeks left in this semester and the deadlines are definitely weighing on me pretty heavily right now. While, I may not be able to post the appropriate letter on the appropriate day, I do promise no letter will go unwritten. I hope that’s okay with you all.

Now, on to the letter ‘O’…

I tend to go through what I like to call my ‘obsessed’ phases; basically I find something that I love and I indulge in it until I can’t stand it anymore =0) So here’s my obsessed list as of late(if you’d like any of the recipes just let me know with a comment)…

Thai Cucumber Salad

Thai Cucumber Salad with Thai Burger

We tried this one on Sunday and it will definitely be a staple on my summer salad menu! It’s fresh and light with a spicy kick…mmm!! Also, included in the pic are Thai burgers that were super delicious and a perfect pairing with the salad!

Creamed Spinach

I haven’t taken a picture of this yet but I’m telling you I could eat it at every meal. I didn’t realize I was even a fan of spinach but this particular recipe knocked my socks off!  

Cauliflower

Carne Asada with Faux-tato Salad

Cauliflower is such a versatile little veggie, I had no idea. We’ve tried it in a few recipes so far and every single one has been a hit in my house. Give ‘em a rough chop and steam them for a ‘faux-tato’ salad. Run them through the food processor and sauté them for a spin on rice. It’s a great substitute for all my carbaholic favorites!

Scentsy – Honey and Oats

OMG! I purchased my first Scentsy warmer a few weeks ago and this scent is my absolute favorite. Apparently, it’s an acquired taste but it warms me to the core, I love love love it! Also really digging Luna right now =0)

This dress…

Old Navy - Tiered Ruffle Sundress

Nicknames...

I've had several nicknames in my life: Britt, Brittritter, my father-in-law calls me 'the Brittster', my brother calls me 'fat-head'. I am also called...wait for it...Butt.

Yes, Butt; as in booty my friends. How did I get this nickname you ask. Well, I could tell you it's because I am a proud member of the fat-bottom girls club (and I am) but this is not the case. My best friends mother has incredibly loopy handwriting; upon seeing my name (Britt) scrawled on her refrigerator I dramatically exclaimed something along the lines of "why did you write my number under the word BUTT?!?" And so it started.

The name was exclusive to just family at first but then it spread to a few of my friends and now my friends' kids refer to me as 'Aunt Butt'. I've answered to this name proudly for nearly half my life and it never occurred to me that it might be inappropriate. Then it happened...

I took my bestie's kiddo (we'll call him A) to McDonald's. We ate some lunch and then, of course, it was time to play on the playground. I parked myself on a nearby bench and supervised as 'A' ran wild. After a few ups and downs on the playground it was decided that 'A' desperately needed my attention and so, from the top of the playground, he proceeded to yell my name. 'Buuuuutttttt!!!' 'Aunt Buuuutttt, look at meeeeee!!' I have never been up out of a chair quicker in my life. 'A! I'm right here,' I hushed him. My face turned about 10 shades of red as I realized practically every adult in the vicinity of the playground was now looking at me with quizzical stares. I was soooo embarrassed...at the time. Now, I giggle every time I think about it.

That's the thing about nicknames, sometimes they're totally awesome, sometimes they make you blush but it's typically a term of endearment and there's nothing wrong with that. I proudly answer to ALL my nicknames and I'm secretly waiting for one of the kids to mention their 'Aunt Butt' at school because I KNOW that's gonna be a funny story and I won't be the one blushing this time =0P

M.A.M.A.

As in, the most amazing mom around and yes, I do mean mine =0) I can’t tell you how much I respect and admire my mother. She’s steadfast and loyal; she’d do anything for you at the drop of a hat and without complaint. My mom has done a lot for me over the years; she’s molded me into the person I am today and I am so thankful to have her loving guidance. She’s so much more than a mom to me, she’s my teacher, she’s my most honest critic, she’s my biggest fan, simply put, she is my best friend.

This past year has been a very challenging time for my family, particularly my mother. My heartbreaks when I think of the adversity she has been faced with but I have to smile at her unwavering grace and dignity. My mother is the strongest woman I know. I say this to her often but it really is the truth, I hope someday I can live to be half the woman she is…she is just that awesome.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was facing a bittersweet moment in my life. I have worked with my mother in the same office since graduating from high school. I see her eight hours a day, five days a week, I call her on my way home from school and I still see her on the weekends. There are times when I spend more hours in a day with my mom than I do with my husband. This has been the case for nearly ten years. Needless to say, my mother and I are incredibly close. As you know, I start student teaching in the fall. While I cannot wait to begin this new adventure, I feel an ache in my heart when I think about leaving my mom (it brings tears to my eyes writing about it now); it’s like the end of an era. I know that our relationship will withstand the distance but it’s so hard to imagine not having her so involved in my day to day life. **le sigh**

The purpose of this post is simply to give my mom a shout out for being such stinkin’ amazing woman!

I love you, mom, you’re simply the BEST!!

Little Loves

**Life is getting the best of me, I'm sorry to be tardy to the party!**

I’m sure most, if not all of you have had a pet in your lifetime and perhaps some of you love animals as deeply as I do. I sure do hope so because only then can you understand how I can dedicate an entire post to my sweet little loves/animal children: Shiloh and Tucker!



Tucker was a disaster from the start! We drove all the way to Burleson (actually we got lost on our way out which led to 2.5 hour road trip) for an 8 week old kitten and arrived to find a 4 month old cat. She was scared to death, wouldn’t come out of the corner and seemed to have no personality at all; needless to say my husband wasn’t sold on her. I, on the other hand, refused to leave that place without her, and so it began.



Tiny Tucker

Lazy Tucker!

Big ole fat Tucker!

Model Tucker

First bath...she was thrilled...not!



Our first snake in the new house!



 Tucker is a hot mess still to this day; she’s a quirky little cat, alternating between sugar and spice with the blink of an eye. She absolutely adores Austin (of course) and she kind of likes me (go figure). When we moved last year she became a full blown outside cat, the change definitely suites her and my furniture as well, they are both flourishing with the new arrangement =0P Tuck’s favorite pastime is catching snakes and presenting them to me in various states of living/deadness and my little packages always arrive when my husband is either asleep or away…thank you very much! I've included some pictures of our little snake hunter and some of her prized possessions!

 

The snake she kindly left on my car.



Shiloh boy was part of a litter of pups from my parent’s dogs. Much to my husband’s chagrin, I fell in love with this shy little puppy immediately. Our first three months with Shiloh were, well, a little challenging (so bad I thought it would be my husband or the dog) but thankfully he grew out of eating everything in sight...kind of, he still prefers my Old Navy flip flops on his high anxiety days. Shiloh is the sweetest, most sensitive, loving and frustratingly neurotic dog I’ve ever come across in my life but he definitely stole a piece of my heart! His favorite pastimes are singing (video to follow) and getting loved on, here are some pics of my sweet pup:



How could I not fall in love with that face?!






My little fox puppy!

 





Two year olds get big boy bones!



Estee Lauder Puppy =0)



And finally, for your viewing pleasure, ‘Shiloh Sings’!

If that doesn’t make you laugh I don’t know what will =0P

Kickin’ Fat’s Arse!!

I started writing on this particular subject back in March but when I decided to join the A-Z challenge I figured it best to save it! My first post in 2011 was about some great expectations I had for myself called my ‘new life resolutions’. Obviously, I was unable to follow through on all of them (sorry blog world, I guess posting twice a month was just too many for this chick up until now, right?). I am, however, super happy to report that I’m sticking to the most important one, getting healthy; i.e. kickin’ fat’s arse!!

The journey so far…

It took about two months for me to kick it into gear; I had the right frame of mind but lacked the motivation. Then on March 1^st, the husband and I got serious and started our fight against the fat =0)

Step 1: Diet!
I’m officially doing Atkins. I was really apprehensive at first for several reasons; the biggest being that cooking is one of my favorite pastimes and I wasn’t willing to give it up. Luckily, Barnes and Noble had a going out of business sale and I stumbled across this great low-carb cookbook; best impulse buy ever! Once that issue was resolved, I agreed to give it a chance and I’m so glad that I did!

This program has not been a diet for me, so I’m officially dubbing it a ‘live-it’. Aside from the first two weeks (you have to quit drinking during this phase =0P) it truly has not been a challenge at all, whatsoever and I honestly thought it would be torture. I mean, I really couldn’t imagine my life without pasta and potatoes until I realized that we were eating one of the two in excess at practically every meal. It was a strange revelation when I admitted to myself that I was officially a carb-aholic, like totally addicted. The more carbs I ate, the more carbs I needed; the less I had, the less I wanted.  I mean, I was out of control and I’m so happy to have moved past that…and my body is too! 

I’ll add here that I’m not 100% carb free, I get just what my body needs through yummy veggies and berries and nuts. Eventually, as I continue my weight loss and move through the program I will begin incorporating more carbs but it’ll be through healthy avenues like whole grains and higher carb fruits.

I’ve dabbled in diets that haven’t worked for me, mostly because I always felt like I had to sacrifice. I felt like I was deprived and I could be strong for a few weeks until I just couldn’t take it anymore then I’d splurge and blow it out of the water. This time is different, maybe it’s my mentality or maybe this is just a really good fit for me. It’s actually probably a little of both, but like I said, for me it’s not a diet, it really feels like a ‘live-it’!

Step 2: Exercise!
My success has not been solely due to diet, I’ve also started incorporating exercise. The husband and I purchased an elliptical in February, LOVE IT! I can get on that thing, read a book and zone out for at least 45 minutes without feeling the least bit tortured. We had a treadmill already but I can’t walk on that thing for more than 10 minutes without looking at the clock counting the second until I’m done, HATE IT! So, elliptical a few times a week and also walks with my girlfriends. It’s so motivating to have someone with you and I’m really enjoying the extra time we’re getting to spend together. I’ve also done Jillian Michael’s Yoga Meltdown video but she’s one tough cookie, I haven’t been able to fully commit to her style of torture, yet =0P I will admit, I have been lazy for the last two weeks but we all need a break I guess, I’m back on track as of this weekend!

Step 3: Water and Vitamins!
I drink water in excess, but I’ve always done that, it really is my favorite and I finally started taking a multivitamin, too.

So that’s my kick start combo so far. And where have these three steps gotten me you ask…

Well, I’ve lost 12 pounds and about 6 inches overall, 2 ½ inches in my waist alone! I feel good and my body feels great! I’m getting my confidence back, too; those endorphins definitely help give a girl a boost =0) I’ll keep you guys updated on the progress and maybe, just maybe, I’ll feel comfortable enough to share with you all my before (yikes!!!) and after pictures at some point.

Until next time…

Jaffe...

…as in Sarah Jaffe and other fun music must-haves!

**side note: I know it’s hard to believe that I could so passionately LOVE all of the music/artists that I have or will post about but it’s the honest to goodness truth,I swear it.**

Sarah Jaffe – Clementine

Man, I sure do love her. Discovered her at a show in Denton and fell in love! She’s very soulful, and her voice is amazing! She’s one of the local artists that my husband and I stalk pretty much every chance we get. We even got to see her at ACL, last year or the year before. I deem her a music must-have!

Centro-matic – Triggers and Trash Heaps

Ahhhh, Centro-matic! This is one of my husband’s all time favorite bands, if not THE all time favorite. We have attended many a Centro-matic show and I myself have fallen in love through the years. In fact, my husband proposed to me at a Centro-matic show, after a very sweet introduction from lead singer, Will Johnson, himself. **It was definitely dreamy and a night to remember** Yes, he is a little hard to understand as far as lyrics go but eventually you learn. Officially stamped a music must-have!   

Will Johnson – Just to Know What You’ve Been Dreaming

Yes, Will Johnson of Centro-matic fame. This song in particular was our wedding song, swoon!! He’s also in a band called South San Gabriel and moonlights as the drummer in yet another band called Monsters of Folk (all of which deserver a listen!). This man is a jack of all trades and if you didn’t get the gist before I’ll tell you again…MUST-HAVE!

The Pierces – Secret

This sister duo is super fun! Their sound is different and I love it! I dub thee music must-have =0)

That’s all for now, I know this was a short post as far as music goes but I’m playing catch-up people, give me a break =0P