tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78681148756598901892024-03-05T06:25:02.981-08:00from thoughts to ramblesbe yourself ... everyone else is takenbrittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-53441067030793489332017-03-03T10:08:00.000-08:002017-03-03T10:12:14.914-08:00book review #1 - hidden bodies by caroline kepnes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">book review #1 (only 19 more to go. whew!)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ok, so beginning this challenge, I kinda just found some random book lists that had the "most anticipated books of 2017" or the "best of 2017" ... so I wasn't really sure what I was in for when picking up these books! HA! I didn't read the backs of books, I just thought they looked interesting and got good ratings ... so I dove in!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">hence where we start with hidden bodies by caroline kepnes. I had NO idea what to expect, but the first page had me captivated and wanting to read more. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">she is a VERY descriptive writer. she wrote this book in the way that every chapter kept you hanging and you didn't want to put it down. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the premise of the book was ... well ... different for me. but that is the whole point of this challenge ... push me out of my "typical book list". so this was a good book to put me into gear.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HOWEVER ... I can't say I LOVED the book. it was pretty dark, had a lot of foul language and was very descriptive at times, as I mentioned above, maaaaaaaaybe a little more than I would have chosen. BUT ... even though I wasn't the biggest fan of the book ... it was quite intriguing and had me from page one. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I feel as though I keep flip flopping with this particular book ... I didn't love it but it wasn't the worst I read ... it kept my attention, which I feel makes a great writer. even if you aren't a fan of the entirety of the book ... the writing was good in my opinion.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't know that I would particularly recommend the book ... perhaps depending on the person ... but I liked caroline's writing, so I am inclined to read more of her books.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't think this book was a fail ... it has definitely kicked started my challenge into full momentum, so I call it a win! HA! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I feel incredibly contradictory in this post!! maybe I'm not the best person to review books!! but if you are reading this ... I'm going to keep reviewing the books I read!! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">let me add ... I found out AFTER the fact that there is actually a book PRECEDING this one :( which I was completely unaware of ... BAHAHA maybe that will teach me for not reading up on a book before I pick it up!! *face palm*</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am going to give this book a 3 out of 5. solely for the reason that I liked the writing, because it was captivating, not so much for the content of the book. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and with that ... I'm on to the next!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></div>
</div>
</div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-24990279344259399802017-02-08T13:42:00.000-08:002017-02-09T14:52:24.670-08:002017 book list<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">well this post is a longggggggggggggggg time coming, but it's here!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i've decided, as i have in previous years but have never succeeded, that this year i'm going to read more. but actually 2017 is the year. i am going to commit to reading 20 books this year. doesn't sound like a lot on one hand, but on the other, i'm like omg that's a lot of books (!) anyways, here goes nothing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i've taken a list of books to read from <a href="http://dearcrissy.com/30-must-read-books-for-2017/" target="_blank">Dear Crissy</a> and a few from top 10 lists on indigo and a couple that i've been wanting to read. i'm going to start using goodreads (which i'm really hoping keeps me motivated ... and if you are on good</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">reads ... let's be friends! *insert my link for goodreads to find me, but i don't know how to do that</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">some of these ... i'm not really sure if they will be my style ... but meh why not give them a try. i wanted to read some non-fiction, fiction, biographies/autobiographies and some "self-help" books ... so there's some variety! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">i went on the calgary public library website today and started putting holds on these books ... so i'm at 20+ holds right now ... haha i'm like pretty much i'm crazy pants.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">here is my list ... 20 of which i must read before december (!):</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/spinster-making-a-life-of/9780385347150-item.html?ikwid=spinster&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">spinster: making a life of one's own</a> by kate bolick </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/orphan-train-a-novel/9780061950728-item.html?ikwid=orphan+train&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">orphan train: a novel</a> by christina baker kline</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-underground-railroad-national-book/9780385542364-item.html?ikwid=the+underground+railroad&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the underground railroad: a novel</a> by colson whitehead </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/truly-madly-guilty/9781250069795-item.html?ikwid=truly+madly+guilty&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">truly madly guilty</a> by liane moriarty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-nest/9781443445238-item.html?ikwid=the+nest&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the nest</a> by cynthia d'aprix sweetney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-tipping-point-how-little/9780316346627-item.html?ikwid=the+tipping+point%3a+how+little+things+can+make+a+big+difference&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the tipping point: how little things can make a big difference</a> by malcolm gladwell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-book-thief/9780375842207-item.html?ikwid=the+book+thief&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the book thief</a> by markus zusak</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">8. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-zookeepers-wife-a-war/9780393354256-item.html?ikwid=the+zookeeper%27s+wife%3a+a+war+story&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the zookeeper's wife: a war story</a> by diane ackerman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/me-before-you-a-novel/9780143109464-item.html?ikwid=me+before+you&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">me before you</a> by jojo moyes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/moonglow-a-novel/9780062466723-item.html?ikwid=moonglow&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">moonglow</a> by michael chabon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11. <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Bring-Me-Back-Micalea-Smeltzer-ebook/dp/B01ES3JD0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486587514&sr=8-1&keywords=bring+me+back" target="_blank">bring me back</a> by micalea smeltzer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">12. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/small-great-things/9780345813381-item.html?ikwid=small+great+things+by+jodi+picoult&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">small great things</a> by jodi picoult</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/faithful-a-novel/9781476799209-item.html?ikwid=faithful%3a+a+novel+by+alice+hoffman&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">faithful: a novel</a> by alice hoffman </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">14. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/all-the-missing-girls-a/9781501146244-item.html?ikwid=all+the+missing+girls&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">all the missing girls</a> by megan miranda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">15. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/what-she-knew-a-novel/9780062673343-item.html?ikwid=what+she+knew%3a+a+novel+by+gilly+macmillan&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">what she knew: a novel</a> by gilly macmillan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">16. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-nightingale-a-novel/9780312577223-item.html?ikwid=the+nightingale%3a+a+novel+by+kristin+hannah&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=4" target="_blank">the nightingale: a novel</a> by kristin hannah</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">17. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/a-man-called-ove/9781444775815-item.html?ikwid=a+man+called+ove+by+fredrik+backman&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">a man called ove</a> by fredrick backman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">18. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/a-house-without-windows-a/9780062477842-item.html?ikwid=a+house+without+windows+by+nadia+hashimi&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">a house without windows</a> by nadia hashimi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">19. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/it-ends-with-us-a/9781501110368-item.html?ikwid=it+ends+with+us+by+colleen+hoover&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">it ends with us</a> by colleen hoover</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">20. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/i-let-you-go/9780451488596-item.html?ikwid=i+let+you+go+by+clare+mackintosh&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">i let you go</a> by clare mackintosh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">21. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/you-are-a-badass-how/9780762447695-item.html?ikwid=you+are+a+badass%3a+how+to+stop+doubting+your+greatness+and+start+living+an+awesome+life+by+jen+sincero&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">you are a badass: how to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life</a> by jen sincero</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">22. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/dark-matter-a-novel/9781101904220-item.html?ikwid=dark+matter%3a+a+novel&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">dark matter: a novel</a> by blake crouch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">23. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-magnolia-story/9780718079185-item.html?ikwid=the+magnolia+story+by+chip+and+joanna+gaines&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=2" target="_blank">the magnolia story</a> by chip and joanna gaines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">24. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-couple-next-door/9780385686945-item.html?ikwid=the+couple+next+door+by+shari+lapena&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the couple next door</a> by shari lapena</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">25. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/when-breath-becomes-air/9780812988406-item.html?ikwid=when+breath+becomes+air+by+paul+kalanithi&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=4" target="_blank">when breath becomes air</a> by paul kalanithi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">26. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/hidden-bodies-a-novel/9781476785622-item.html?ikwid=hidden+bodies&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">hidden bodies</a> by caroline kepnes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">27. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-girl-before-a-novel/9780385686914-item.html?ikwid=the+girl+before+by+jp+delaney&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the girl before</a> by jp delaney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">28. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-silver-star-a-novel/9781451661545-item.html?ikwid=e+silver+star+by+jeannette+walls&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the silver star</a> by jeannette walls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">29. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/we-were-the-lucky-ones/9780399563089-item.html?ikwid=we+were+the+lucky+ones+by+georgia+hunter&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">we were the lucky ones</a> by georgia hunter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">30. <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-improbability-of-love-a/9781101872574-item.html?ikwid=the+improbability+of+love+by+hannah+rothschild&ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=0" target="_blank">the improbability of love</a> by hannah rothschild</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">ok there it is! i feel like this is a huge commitment and feels like a lot of reading ahead of me! haha but i am excited. i'll be posting a blog post with each book i read. this is in no particular order of how i will read these books. right now i am reading <i>spinster: making a life of one's own</i>. i'll post something in the next little bit and give some updates about it as i go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i may add or remove books as i go, but will keep this as up to date as i can!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and now ... i must read ... ha ha ha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-32601250768054483712015-05-06T14:02:00.002-07:002015-05-06T14:09:40.431-07:00goodbye gluten<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last week I got diagnosed positive for celiac disease. I was 100% in the pits when my doctor told me
the news ... I immediately started thinking of everything I wouldn't be able to
eat, how my life style would have to change, how I would have to start reading
EVERY label, how i needed to go buy a new toaster, etc. ... the negative
flooded my head. After all the news I've
received within the last month from my doctor ... quite honestly, I never want to
see my doctor again ... HA! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Let's back up a month ... I went for my annual physical
(which let's face it means ... every hmmm 4-5 years for an annual ... haha
maybe I should fix that!) I was having concerns because I wasn't getting my
cycle on a regular basis ... So my doctor, being amazing as she is, decided to
be thorough and send me for testing ... now when I say testing I mean ... let's
mark off every box on your requisition form and take about 1000 litres of
blood! She also sent me for an
ultrasound ... this is what confirmed that I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS). Now this is kind of where the
negative thinking started ... I check off every box for every side effect of
PCOS ... why me ... why ... sigh. This doesn't
mean I'm dying so I shouldn't be bummed right?
But I still am ... there are a lot of things that can go wrong having
this ... I am higher risk for things that really anyone could get ie. heart
disease, weight gain, blood sugars, cholesterol ... really, things everyone has
to be aware of ... I just have to be even more aware of it. Infertility is a big one with PCOS ... not
that I'm even thinking about kids right now ... but for someone who has always
wanted to be a mom ... huge bummer that this could be the case. It's not for sure, but the chances are
higher. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Really all I'm trying to say here is, I'm scared and worried
and these are all the things that are going through my head when I hear what
has been causing A LOT of my problems including but not limited to ... acne,
sleep apnea (which isn't 100% positive I have it, but another test I have to go
for), irregular cycle ... after all of this negative ... let me tell you where
my head went ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A LOT more things make sense about me now. Instead of going to the doctor and her coming
back to me saying "we don't know what's wrong" it was the opposite
... don't get me wrong, I don't want there to be something wrong, but knowing
what it is allows me to get better and be me again. It allows me to know what's wrong and fix and
change things I am doing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So back to the point of this ... saying goodbye to gluten
... I have gone off gluten before, and I felt fabulous! So, being celiac ... maybe not such a bad
thing (trying to be positive here!). I
have decided to take the approach that it's not "look how many things I
cannot eat" or "this is so hard, gluten is in everything" it's
going to be "I have to alter and adjust what I eat, but at the end of the
day I'm going to feel so much better".
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because being "gluten-free" is a fad ... there are
so many more alternatives then there used to be. The flip side of that is because it's a fad a
lot of people don't take you seriously when you have a severe allergy (buttttt
... that can be a rant for another day!).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Going back to my last appointment with my doctor ... yea it
was horrible news, but again my doctor is so amazing and so encouraging ... she
is celiac herself, so she is an awesome resource to have. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All in all it's been a month of bad news ... despite having
a rocky, negative start ... I am committed to being positive about the change
in my life and looking at it as a healthier lifestyle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now to address the worry, fear, anxiety ..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There isn't much I could have done to avoid this. And I have to keep believing that God has a
plan for me, even my health, but He will never give me more than I can
handle. This seems hard right now, but with
His strength, this will be easy. He is
bigger than PCOS or celiac disease. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbG2IfbCDjzWUzhsGdl8ubizbXLjahgpnpY4PzmNNCNTda3A85nqoIwbQkOEkQcRXzoCWzHHx6y28P_SVX8jmxZiyusDeov8bHSiYWe2nF8HuRqiZI6jwIcYLL9Hq45r2_ZH45CfU3w/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbG2IfbCDjzWUzhsGdl8ubizbXLjahgpnpY4PzmNNCNTda3A85nqoIwbQkOEkQcRXzoCWzHHx6y28P_SVX8jmxZiyusDeov8bHSiYWe2nF8HuRqiZI6jwIcYLL9Hq45r2_ZH45CfU3w/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So for now it's ta-ta gluten and hello healthy living!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-17862868124476512192015-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:002015-01-19T09:47:34.106-08:00happy monday loves<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">happy monday loves!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it's the confidence you portray </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">even when you don't feel confident,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">if you believe somewhere deep down that you are</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it will show</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">let your sparkle shine today!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"confidence is the most beautiful thing a girl can wear"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0wcIVLW6lfbHWY9yXbblHLZxAPekYizsOmz0qolcZ7dJuOTEume3ENFXwwBcDEb9OOUCcotLJuZeXIp2JVD47-rv10_qY_4Ee3rVlT_vpw41k4UrwAfLjwJcq7e4EWYRgHHbzLHNyw/s1600/e7eec5d1b632ffb1831e7a538939cf5e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0wcIVLW6lfbHWY9yXbblHLZxAPekYizsOmz0qolcZ7dJuOTEume3ENFXwwBcDEb9OOUCcotLJuZeXIp2JVD47-rv10_qY_4Ee3rVlT_vpw41k4UrwAfLjwJcq7e4EWYRgHHbzLHNyw/s1600/e7eec5d1b632ffb1831e7a538939cf5e.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-much love, b</span></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-51988289670994650162014-10-13T23:11:00.001-07:002014-10-13T23:22:35.784-07:00happy monday loves<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"special edition" </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">happy thanksgiving loves! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have SO much to be thankful and I am thankful with such a grateful and full heart this year! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful for my friends</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have a beautiful (new to me) apartment</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have a new place to call home (life connection)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have the privilege to travel and see new places ... Germany in a week :)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have a car </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have a Father who loves me unconditionally </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I love music ... sometimes it's the only thing that gets me through a day</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am thankful for my job</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm thankful I have the opportunity to love! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mostly I am more than thankful for my family: daddy, mommy, derek, sarah, jesse, matt, judah and hunter ... I couldn't do life without any of yous. you all make me laugh, smile, cry (in good ways) and love you even more every day for so many reasons, all very unique. bottom line life is so much better and sweeter with each of you in it. thank you for always loving me and never letting me down. Im so happy I was placed in this family!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">writing this down makes me realize I could go on for hours ... because I have so many things I can say I'm thankful for ... and I know a lot of them are cliche, but I say each one for a reason because to me ... I really am thankful for each and every one of these things ... cliche or not :) </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">maybe this will encourage you to make a list of your own and realize, even when life is tough ... there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for and we are all beyond blessed and loved. and today remember just that ... </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you are so loved </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am thankful for you! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz3ZyhhAucVdbZxaK9Iz6X2piW9kdNSy03qR5WjsLdaPfof2OEPYEcOMx3D6RHW9KsYO8fQCUTYS1xhnw8YXJeFictn0O63VuIP0qgNHxq5_lXnZuI6sBedt81F_w-Es964Ju9YOTuA/s640/blogger-image-1616645200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz3ZyhhAucVdbZxaK9Iz6X2piW9kdNSy03qR5WjsLdaPfof2OEPYEcOMx3D6RHW9KsYO8fQCUTYS1xhnw8YXJeFictn0O63VuIP0qgNHxq5_lXnZuI6sBedt81F_w-Es964Ju9YOTuA/s640/blogger-image-1616645200.jpg" /></span></a></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-67996843938656034012014-09-29T15:01:00.001-07:002014-09-29T15:01:42.808-07:00happy monday loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this is one of the most beautiful quotes that completely changed the way i thought about myself </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsB0Xa1DsyBpcH5EehkGHeBRweGgiGirF6bDquXXtyu3CNJFVwCgKOzJQgu-NOz_vb1F2uC6b4PvfYAqYL27hQam5iVCfIDIiwPtaHRhGSskjWeW8j_cupBWnvUfzERYnSQg8dcAdbQ/s640/blogger-image--220922752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsB0Xa1DsyBpcH5EehkGHeBRweGgiGirF6bDquXXtyu3CNJFVwCgKOzJQgu-NOz_vb1F2uC6b4PvfYAqYL27hQam5iVCfIDIiwPtaHRhGSskjWeW8j_cupBWnvUfzERYnSQg8dcAdbQ/s640/blogger-image--220922752.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>much love,</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>b</b></span></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-39669974931347190172014-09-22T10:39:00.000-07:002014-09-22T10:39:49.952-07:00happy monday loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">just a little monday laugh!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQpn_j_lgGM7Z-cogo1pxEXqUf_7xNLEeuQ045V9yKwOrev12lleL10mTSu5zbEhcn4x8IlcEkAQxFi5Gk0jGwa8q4V8514c7eOZ_9rcBu2ifrauE3dbi6wwRYLiNnGSjNxU42cifbQ/s1600/blonde-diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQpn_j_lgGM7Z-cogo1pxEXqUf_7xNLEeuQ045V9yKwOrev12lleL10mTSu5zbEhcn4x8IlcEkAQxFi5Gk0jGwa8q4V8514c7eOZ_9rcBu2ifrauE3dbi6wwRYLiNnGSjNxU42cifbQ/s1600/blonde-diary.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></b></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-57415922512367067662014-09-15T13:39:00.001-07:002014-09-15T13:39:03.861-07:00happy monday loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg4SthaHgqF8Q9E0ukNqlbCoGCxgU1eQ2e06vvil68uEAuGlt87M5eQxs9WnnORsDOENtPztK5kegcEQ9MektYTf3ztmCacHWdcbLdH6-X_PQ_BvHZ6JY6U-lwtu_jOxEcmS2Z2_54Q/s1600/671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg4SthaHgqF8Q9E0ukNqlbCoGCxgU1eQ2e06vvil68uEAuGlt87M5eQxs9WnnORsDOENtPztK5kegcEQ9MektYTf3ztmCacHWdcbLdH6-X_PQ_BvHZ6JY6U-lwtu_jOxEcmS2Z2_54Q/s1600/671.jpg" height="320" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></b></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-36849114553314558382014-09-02T03:54:00.001-07:002014-09-15T13:35:10.703-07:00happy monday loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwQ0tKsKGZ0mL9Si7jnssQ8xJfbYRx8mzNMJIwOqZ64oy1st6T-Sacc3D6WVbE2mq63dKl9jVYsX4UVtwe2e0ePLzt2tuH7pRtTSHbRZjljnVf_-mROc502yPWho8fGr81lg8YTvkpQ/s640/blogger-image--921290500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwQ0tKsKGZ0mL9Si7jnssQ8xJfbYRx8mzNMJIwOqZ64oy1st6T-Sacc3D6WVbE2mq63dKl9jVYsX4UVtwe2e0ePLzt2tuH7pRtTSHbRZjljnVf_-mROc502yPWho8fGr81lg8YTvkpQ/s640/blogger-image--921290500.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-33079291009643406402014-08-25T08:37:00.000-07:002014-08-25T08:37:23.993-07:00happy monday loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN82NAOz5INeM_Qxs7K3ovgNsq7EOAVarmTbJSBhjapruOrzei91lKc1nVqnYoSM3-usg41kvo5z9DT56mayvdty5yddUNwCUqmaFna8_EQ5UmByznIZz-9ldkFdjr47vbIEgmjA5qHg/s640/blogger-image-1052671490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN82NAOz5INeM_Qxs7K3ovgNsq7EOAVarmTbJSBhjapruOrzei91lKc1nVqnYoSM3-usg41kvo5z9DT56mayvdty5yddUNwCUqmaFna8_EQ5UmByznIZz-9ldkFdjr47vbIEgmjA5qHg/s400/blogger-image-1052671490.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>much love, b</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-87933062358246588432013-10-28T15:07:00.003-07:002013-10-28T15:07:23.383-07:00fall love<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>o</strong></span>k ... this is a couple weeks late :S</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and now its snowing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but here it is anyways ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i LOVE fall!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it's sometimes hard to admit</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">because it means we are that much closer to a long cold winter</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but i can't resist loving fall!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">the colors</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">the smells</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">the crisp fresh in the air</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">fall food!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i'm gonna take this blog into full fall goodness!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">new receipes that taste like fall!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">some will be winners</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">some will be losers (i'm sure !)</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">thanksgiving seemed like the perfect kick off to this.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">family, laughs, memories and food!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">desserts ... i would say are more my forte</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so i'm gonna start sharing with you</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">NEW fall recipes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">my 'rules' for myself are this:</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1. i can't have made the dessert before (execpt this first post!)</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">2. i MUST document and</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">3. i'm going to try doing 1 new dessert a week</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i may end up gaining some pounds (!)</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>caramel popcorn</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup air popped corn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">2 cups brown sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup butter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup corn syrup</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 tsp vanilla</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">pop popcorn. will make about 5 quarts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt in medium pot</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">bring to a boil -- boil for 5 minutes, without stirring </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">take off stove and stir in vanilla and baking soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">pour over popcorn and mix well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">spread on cookie sheet and bake at 250 for 1 hour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">*i don't usually bake the popcorn, i find it stays softer without baking it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnDtAC7RoIIKjm2-eKO4YhhwhJmhmjYShthOW_HZr5Mk-9twsS8dplU4RzcAjnPcI0bUUPgBjULGUUXxkzxtlJt3XGh0dv7OCjYFpc1MHfbeMIAo58dqLvbE0EYXmrULArrQIrJsilw/s1600/IMG_0215+-+Copy+(S0532622@xC4C08).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnDtAC7RoIIKjm2-eKO4YhhwhJmhmjYShthOW_HZr5Mk-9twsS8dplU4RzcAjnPcI0bUUPgBjULGUUXxkzxtlJt3XGh0dv7OCjYFpc1MHfbeMIAo58dqLvbE0EYXmrULArrQIrJsilw/s320/IMG_0215+-+Copy+(S0532622@xC4C08).jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_512298771"></span><span id="goog_512298772"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-76823364478005602872013-10-21T14:21:00.000-07:002013-10-21T14:21:44.157-07:0021 things girls in their 20s should have<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></strong> LOVE this!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">21. ability to feed yourself on a daily basis</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">20. a bathing suit you feel grerat in</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">19. a license</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">18. functional famiy relationships</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">17. the ability to laugh at yourself</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">16. ice cream in your freezer in case of emergency</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">15. money you've earned</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">14. a favorite movie that's not the notebook</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">13. if you're going with gosling, at least say blue valentine</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">12. comfort in your own skin</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">11. common sense on social media</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">10. the ability to be woken by an alarm</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">9. friends you adore</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">8. a supportive bra and motivation to exercise once a week</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">7. an interview outfit</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">6. awarness of your country's political situation</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">5. someone to drunk text</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">4. a signature dance move</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">3. savings for a dream trip</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">2. a gynecologist</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1. self awarness</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">here's to our 20's!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>all credits to </em></span><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/video/hillarylevine/21-things-girls-in-their-20s-should-have" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>buzz feed</em></span></a></span><strong></strong></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-24020829851970525152013-09-27T10:47:00.001-07:002013-09-27T10:50:02.261-07:00"how to" organize: using small spaces efficently <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>h</strong></span>appy friday!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">today is the start of one of my new blog themes!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">"how to"</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">right now i am going to focus on organizing!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">one of my favorite things!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">this new segment will not be a ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">'you have to do it my way or your doing it wrong'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it's simply me sharing how my life goes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it's simply me sharing what works for me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">in saying that .. here we go (!)</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i want to share a couple things that have helped me when organizing in small spaces.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i am 100% speaking from experience and how i live right now!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">one of the most helpful things for me when organizing is bins/boxes/baskets.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">my family makes fun of me big time for the amount of bins i have!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i have been deemed "the bin lady"!</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">using every space in a room is key.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">depends how your closet is, but in mine there is complete wasted space high up</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">... use it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">one thing i like to do is have my summer clothes seperate from my winter/fall clothes.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to do this ... i use bins :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i know it's kind of simple but its a huge help!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and storing that way up hight in your closet .. out of the way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but completely accesible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">next: 6 month rule</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">we all have those clothes that we like but we don't wear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">or we just hold on to them "just in case"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">here's to stopping that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i put aside those clothes (in yet another bin .. i know i'm crazy!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and if i don't think about those clothes, look for those clothes, or want those clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">after 6 months they go directly into a bag and off to salvation army</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i don't even look at them when i put them in the bag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">adios!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">do you have any 'small space' tips that have worked for you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i love the feedback and trying new things!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>much love, b</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-52836978875977424842013-09-11T13:48:00.002-07:002013-09-11T13:48:48.547-07:004 month planning<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>W</strong></span>hy does writting come so hard?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">some days i just want to sit and write and blog</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but my life isn't interesting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">what could i possibly write about that anyone would be interested in?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">this is what i sit here contemplating</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i think "oh i'll just start writting and all sorts of things will come to mind"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but no the complete opposite happens</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so then i think</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">why have a blog?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i need something that will keep me and whomever may read this </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">somewhat interested!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so ... i'm revamping my blog</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it's going to take a commitment from me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">because what i plan to put forward</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">is going to make me research and prepare!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">do i have what it takes to actually come up with enough interesting things </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to talk about and write about?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i don't know!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">is it worth a try?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">yes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so it's going to take some trial and error on my part</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but i'm going to come up with some themes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and hopefully i can stick with my new "blog plan"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">(which even includes a blog binder and calendar .. !!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so here we go!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so my sister came up with something that's really been helping me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i'm going to share with you today the idea of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">the <a href="http://sarah-nadine.blogspot.ca/2013/01/goals-and-things.html" target="_blank">"4 month goal planning"</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i don't know if anyone else has this problem</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but it seems, for me, that i have all these dreams and goals</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">and i write them down but nothing really gets accomplished</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">alot of people do the new years resolution thing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">but honestly who actually follows through the entire year with that list of goals?!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i never do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">so what sarah has shared with me is this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">3 times a year, every 4 months</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">sit down and write your goals, dreams, accomplishments</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it's neat to look after those 4 months to see what you had written down previously</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i think the benefit of making shorter term goals is:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">1. your less overwhelmed and goals are more attainable -- in the sense that 4 months seems more tangible than lets say an entire year. maybe one goal will be repearted every 4 months but that's ok. as long as your working towards it. it takes time sometimes to accomplish these things but if you give yourself a time line, in this case 4 month periods, it somehow is less overwhelming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">2. see more results -- i've seen myself get to way better places since doing this. i've accomplished more things. i work better when i have a time limit to do something. not everyone is like this, but for me i've been less discouraged seeing where i was 4 months ago to today. that in itself is an accomplishment!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">3. you still have long term goals -- as i will show you with this "plan" you can still have long term goals, but not everything you want to do is a long term goal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">when sarah first sat down with me to do this, she gave me some ideas of how to 'catergorize' my goals. these work for me and i sometimes add something new or change it around, i've just customized it to work for me personally. not everyone has the same goals/dreams, so personalize and customize what works for you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">some of the catergories i have are:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">this year ... dec</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to come ... 6+ mos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to learn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to dream</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">accomplishments</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">this year ... dec:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">these are my 4 month goals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">(sept-dec, jan-apr, may-aug)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">september, january and may all seem like months that new things happen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">september -- summer is finished and life kinda gets back to normal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">january -- new year! still a resolution thing :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">may -- winter is finally over, seems like a natural beginning again!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to come ... 6+ mos:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">these are my longer term goals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to do:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">this is where i put specific things i want to do in the next 4 mos.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to learn:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">there is always something to learn, i put it here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">to dream:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">things that may not be tangible for me right not, i put here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">further to my catergories i have specific things i think about when writting my goals/dreams</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i think about personally, finacially, musically, physically, spiritually, career-wise, organizing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">what do i want to do with those things in mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i am in no way saying this is how everyone should plan their life or set things out but it's something that i have been doing and something that works for me!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">apart of my revamping ... every 4 months, i'm going to give you a glimpse of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">what my goals are, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">what i may have accomplished,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">a new dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">over the next 4 months a few things that i want to accomplish are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-paying most of my debt off</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-having a work out routine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-planning a trip for 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-working towards moving out into my own place (!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-making this blog something i love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">-weekly blog posts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i have yet to decide a name for this blog theme!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">it will come, as with the rest of all my ideas jammed in my head!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">i would love to hear what your goals/dreams may be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">what you're working towards!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">much love, b</span></div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-56842799797178175332012-11-29T17:13:00.000-08:002012-11-29T17:29:48.391-08:0026 Days of Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">f you know me at all you know how much I LOVE Christmas!! If I could have Christmas for months ... that would happen! This year has been a little harder though ... I'm having a harder time getting into the Christmas Spirit. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So ... in my efforts to get into Christmas ... and fast ... this is what I plan to do ... I am going to do one thing a day (maybe even more, but at least one) that is all Christmas and blog and Instagram about it! Instead of 12 days of Christmas it's </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">BRITTANY'S 26 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How exciting!! More for me than anyone else I'm sure! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What better way for day 1 than decorating!!! Not just any decorating ... MY ROOM!!! I brought out my ornaments and lights tonight ... The Christmas music is playing ... only thing to top it off ... ELF!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquYJeoUljcLSj-gA2xApYP-2l0kMjRG2UrVGKCbSaTY5ysRGl8Z0-q7Mt7WZYSZ_sg6UEyrie96eMLIzKmgD36V-W83HgzsaeD3OXkSlnhrsE6uYixGMDos6oRzhSRipXAJ2vidjxpQ/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquYJeoUljcLSj-gA2xApYP-2l0kMjRG2UrVGKCbSaTY5ysRGl8Z0-q7Mt7WZYSZ_sg6UEyrie96eMLIzKmgD36V-W83HgzsaeD3OXkSlnhrsE6uYixGMDos6oRzhSRipXAJ2vidjxpQ/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-62450464945489068512012-11-15T08:50:00.000-08:002012-11-15T08:50:11.550-08:00A Perfect World<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>W</strong></span>e have all thought this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>"in a perfect world I would ..."</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>"in a perfect world I would be ..."</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>"in a perfect world ..."</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But what is a perfect world? Well ... it's fictional right? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So what world do we live in? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> If we are constantly wondering what could be instead of focusing on what is, we are creating a thought pattern for ourselves that end up getting us out of where we are and wondering something that isn't or ever will be. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm not saying not to dream ... but if I am constantly thinking "perfect world" or the "perfect situation" I'm 100% setting myself up for disappointment or failure. So, how then do I get myself out of a "what if" kind of thinking into a "this is" kind of thinking? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">None of us are perfect in anyway ... we are human. So why do we have this standard of living up to perfect? We will constantly be viewing ourselves as failing then. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">There's nothing wrong with striving to do your best ... but there's a huge difference in being and doing your best and being perfect.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-32853911883803811272012-10-30T08:25:00.000-07:002012-10-30T08:26:48.996-07:00Shout Out<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span>n the last couple days I've drafted up so many blog posts ... wanting to write but not knowing what to write about. This has to be the most frustrating thing for me because I want to write but hit a wall everytime ...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">But here's to hoping I can finish this post and actually post it</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">(AND it makes sense! lol)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So this post is going to be all about ... NOT me! I have so many people in my life who, whether they know it or not, impact me in huge ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post is my shout out ... it's for 2 people who are beyond amazing! I could go on and on about what they have been through or who they are ... but at this moment I just want to thank them ... Thank them for being such a huge encouragement to me. </span><a href="http://sarah-nadine.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sarah</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span><a href="http://beautyinweakness.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fawne</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> your blogs ... well ... I hope one day my blog can be like yours! You are truly blessed to have the gift of writting & photography skills! I don't think I will get to the point where you two are .. writting and especially not pictures!! But I hope one day my faith can withstand the pressures and burdens of this world like you have both exampled. It's by the grace of God that you are where you are today ... Through the good times and bad, the highs and lows you have done just this:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"<em>I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward -- to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)</em></span></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Not once has either of you said ... I know all the answers to every thing in life ... But you just ultimately trust. THIS is why you two are such a huge part of my life ... the ways you love and care so much. Never thinking of yourself first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://beautyinweakness.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fawne</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, I don't know you all to well ... but from reading your blog, I feel as though I know you a little better. But I really just wanted to tell you how encouraging your words are to me. You have touched so many peoples hearts, especially mine. So thank you!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">You know you have a knack or ability for something when you can capture someone with just a few words ... You both have this! I feel the emotion in your words ... I've cried and laughed with many of your posts. Thank you for being so honest and open!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Love you both</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-55613530174229574132012-10-17T22:24:00.000-07:002012-10-17T22:24:27.022-07:00Legally Blonde<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">he last couple months have been difficult ... Hard to find something to be thankful for ... Hard to find something to be happy about ... Hard to not feel like I have failed. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">About a month ago I decided that I have to let go and let God. My plans don't go very far if I'm only trusting me. And it took me a couple weeks to actually believe what I was saying ... And it was as if in the moment I decided that things began to change.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today I got the most exciting news ... Something I have been waiting for for a long time ... I am officially "Legally Blonde"!! I got offered a position at a law firm as a legal assistant! My world feels like it's been put upside down in the best way possible ... Something I could have never imagined happened! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I looked up the definition of being thankful:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>thankful: feeling of expressing gratitude: appreciation</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am beyond thankful right now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- my family -- who has been beyond supportive. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- an opportunity -- someone sees potential and wants to give me a chance</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- my friends -- who have also been supportive & incredibly encouraging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- God -- who never left me or forsaked me even when I turned away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'll be honest and say I haven't been in this mood this whole time ... since I left my job at the spa. Lots of people have probably been effected by my "not so positive" attitude ... It hasn't been easy for me or those around me. But I will say that I've learned ALOT from this whole time/experience. I won't look back and say "oh that was nothing" I'll look back and see how much I've learned and how much I've grown and gained. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm not only writting this because I got the "sister talk" tonight ... <a href="http://sarah-nadine.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a> told me I had to have a "Thankful" post so she could hear in my own words how I'm doing and what I'm learning ... but also because I need to hear it from me! This is the one of the many things I love about Sarah! She pushes me to be better .. sometimes I hate it ... but when I look back and see why she pushes me and what I get accomplished when I am pushed ... all I see are good things. Like the first time she tried to push me to curl my eyelashes (I was not happy!) or how she just wanted me to read. I look back, yes these are small things and things we laugh about now, but I LOVE having my lashes curled and I LOVE reading! I wouldn't be where I am today if she didn't push me! The last couple months, not only Sarah, but my family and friends have pushed me ... pushed me because they believe in me and know that there IS a plan for me. It only took me a little longer to see and agree with them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I beat myself up for far to long and I'm now ready to start looking at me in a whole new way! Not only because of this job but starting to see the whole picture. Waiting is hard to do ... but aren't all the hard things in life the most rewarding?! I sure think so! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So here is to: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a brand new beginning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a brand new job</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a brand new brittany</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a brand new look on life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I can't wait to see whats next ... I won't say waiting is my new favorite thing, but its definetly not the worse thing that one can go through, especially when the results are rewarding!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So ... if your reading this ... I know, in some way you have supported me and I know you will continue too ... Thank you! I am so blessed & grateful for you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am ... Legally Blonde</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And this is my journey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">...</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-40293232461224664492012-07-06T14:08:00.000-07:002012-07-06T14:08:21.424-07:00the small things<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">i</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">t's crazy that sometimes the smallest things can make you smile on a really awful day! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">yesterday was once again a terrible day ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i should give some back story first ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the last couple months a few big things have happened. i quit my job 2 months ago, since then i have been job hunting. job hunting in calgary has to be one of the most frustrating, discouraging, & disheartening things one must go through. i'm sure there are worse things to go through ... but this is pretty terrible. all i can do at this point though is try and stay positive and hope that there is something out there waiting for me! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mid may jesse came back from school! he finished 4 years at IMI graduating with a bachelor degree. i couldn't be more proud of my little brother! he has come so far and has grown so much ... i am one very proud sister! since then he got a job with BMO bank ... you never cease to amaze me jesse! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3 weeks ago our whole family changed ... i became auntie, jesse and derek became uncles, mommy and daddy became grandma and pepere, sarah became mommy and matt became daddy ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Judah West was introduced to us on June 13, 2012! he is one of the most adorable, lovable, precious little boys! another "proud sister" moment ... <a href="http://sarah-nadine.blogspot.com/">sarah</a> my oh so beautiful sarah ... how do i even tell you how proud i am of you! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">so back to my ... small things can turn your day around ... my nephew ... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">yesterday was one of "those" days. all sarah said to me was "do you need a cuddle with juju?" and i got the biggest smile on my face! i didn't think i could love one lil guy so much ... he really is the love of my life (for now :)) </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WdeHvwNJY6o82R0XiIKdfKi-KA06J5i5Wpq5emOrEwCtUi8VcG-sM7tXuYG1MeMA4kCXdiDQRAj0D6Pu8XhtjbeMBX7yl_2AAqNGQGkcNkH8ruhzvv9ZUTZbdI-v9uE_CS88yvwbxg/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WdeHvwNJY6o82R0XiIKdfKi-KA06J5i5Wpq5emOrEwCtUi8VcG-sM7tXuYG1MeMA4kCXdiDQRAj0D6Pu8XhtjbeMBX7yl_2AAqNGQGkcNkH8ruhzvv9ZUTZbdI-v9uE_CS88yvwbxg/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> how can that NOT bring a smile to your face :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">looking forward to so many more beautiful days with my juju bug!</span></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-84469145007692315542012-02-03T21:41:00.000-08:002012-02-03T21:41:07.547-08:00letting go<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">his week I did some major mental "cleaning".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Almost a year ago</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Someone I cared about</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Someone I trusted</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Someone who made me happy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Broke my heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">He was the first person I really cared about.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Something amazing happened the other day though.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After almost a year of trying to find something or someone to make me happy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I decided to just 'let go' of the past.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In that moment of deciding that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the most incredible thing happened </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I felt happy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am smiling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without faking it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I can laugh</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without faking it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am me again</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without faking it!!! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I feel good about ME!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I honestly didn't think I could just be happy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without something</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">without a catch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but no</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I can be truthful and say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm happy!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't need anything to be happy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I can just be happy.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Happiness isn't a something</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">it's a mind set.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But I most definitely didn't get to this conclusion on my own</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This was a change of heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God has been working in me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And preparing me to be able to let go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By the grace of God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am rediscovering ME!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-11446044514454544292011-12-31T13:20:00.000-08:002011-12-31T13:20:24.929-08:00Happiness is ...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I</strong></span> decided that I needed to figure out what makes me happy. One of the ways I'm accomplishing this is this:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-qnFIe5ZBPV50tNh3d90drzILYiyIdUIO4TdBSWhNQay9ew1LwFpfUAPAdjIxUp1Ndn14nB5qq2DzEjw-IpZu4S1UqsVbo4Cs0XRrRR-ZdJr-fW4LpDZXmXklvqYPwp4mwktTYx5Qg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-qnFIe5ZBPV50tNh3d90drzILYiyIdUIO4TdBSWhNQay9ew1LwFpfUAPAdjIxUp1Ndn14nB5qq2DzEjw-IpZu4S1UqsVbo4Cs0XRrRR-ZdJr-fW4LpDZXmXklvqYPwp4mwktTYx5Qg/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have this sitting where I see it every morning. It's a start ... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's to believing that 2012 brings many blessings!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!!</span></span></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-5913720275969813802011-09-27T14:12:00.000-07:002011-09-27T14:14:01.418-07:00Hurt<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't say I <b><i>LOVE</i></b> hurt. But what I can tell you about it is ... It's definitely a learning experience. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently experienced a hurt that I haven't felt before ... The hurt of a broken heart. I learned so much from the experience. Again, I wouldn't say I've enjoyed the process or wish it on anyone, but I have to say in the moment when I needed to speak confidently I was able to. God has given me that <b><i>CONFIDENCE</i></b> to be who I am & not be afraid to stand up for myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've also learned that I don't need a guy to tell me I'm beautiful or special because God made me perfect and I am beautiful and special to him! I also know that it doesn't mean anything if a guy tells me I'm not worth it because if I wasn't worth it then I wouldn't be here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the grace of God he is mending my broken heart. It takes time, ALOT of time, but it's a work in progress. And one day I will be happy ... so happy I won't even know what to do with myself, and until that happens I'm just going to keep perservering through the hard days knowing that God will be right beside me the whole way through. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What an amazing thought, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"'<i>Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you'. So we say with <b>CONFIDENCE</b>, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mortals do to me</i>?'" (Hebrews 13:5b-6). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This gives me such <b><i>HOPE</i></b> ... We may get broken hearts or get hurt or be in pain, but in the end the Lord will never leave us, He is our helper and at the end of the day no man can burden us because the Lord takes that burden from us. I have so much to be thankful for! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I have been somewhat wallowing in my pain ... NO MORE! I don't want this hurt to be a negative in my life, I want to learn as much from it as I can and if I think about it in a more positive way I will be able to get over it more quickly & not be bitter.</div>
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-5546503213048065272011-08-30T12:43:00.000-07:002011-08-30T12:43:50.575-07:00watermelon<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">I LOVE <strong>W</strong></span><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">T</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">E</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">R</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">M</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">E</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">L</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">O</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">N</span></strong> ... 'Nuff said!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWag2ZtAXhkwLLtu0SgUP8cnu25hk9SbWBj0ImiKyuiSn1mXXDHadNjyJ_il1gRcpJGHZNtlOZgCGI9J7oAV20_-hekHY1P3yNn-_QwhaU0lpCqmKxXfxmusfPxXlpLd-wTYmW2a4mA/s1600/Delicious-watermelon_1280x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWag2ZtAXhkwLLtu0SgUP8cnu25hk9SbWBj0ImiKyuiSn1mXXDHadNjyJ_il1gRcpJGHZNtlOZgCGI9J7oAV20_-hekHY1P3yNn-_QwhaU0lpCqmKxXfxmusfPxXlpLd-wTYmW2a4mA/s320/Delicious-watermelon_1280x1024.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-86920842346240764822011-08-22T22:27:00.000-07:002011-08-22T22:27:47.734-07:00Childs Family<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today's "I love" ... well its not something ... it's someone ... some four!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I lived with Dave & Michelle for almost a year in Edmonton while I was taking my esthetics course. I didn't know them before I moved in ... but now 2 years later ... They are my second family! Carter & Everett are 'my boys'!! They are my 'nephews I don't yet have'!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I cannot tell you how grateful and happy and blessed I am to know such amazing people. When I go up to visit them or see them when they are here in Calgary it's like no time has passed and we pick up right where we left off, even if its been months since I've seen them. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I get to see them this weekend and these are friends who make me SOOO incredibly <b>HAPPY</b>!!! Just thinking about going to see them .. AHHH I'm just so excited!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">God really has blessed me with the Childs Family ... You guys are so special to me & hold a very special place in my heart!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I <b>LOVE </b>you guys so very much!!! </span></span></div>brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7868114875659890189.post-64129439790028958722011-08-17T22:13:00.000-07:002011-08-17T22:15:19.824-07:00Laughing so hard I cry<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> LOVE that feeling of being able to laugh so hard I start crying! That happened tonight ... Jesse, my little brother, is leaving for school for 3 months in Texas tomorrow morning so tonight was our last hangout night ... He was asking me how to sneeze without making noise! Let's just say when he tried to sneeze without making noise it failed!!! We started laughing and NOT a word of a lie ... NO exaggerating here ... We laughed SO hard I had tears rolling down my face! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">It's times like those that i realize how happy I really am, how privileged I am that I have friends and family who can make me laugh and who love me so much! I am so thankful that God has placed such amazing people in my life & I pray for each and everyone of them everyday! </span></span></div><br />
brittany danaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261960005588140540noreply@blogger.com0