thirty days of 30 - day 8

Brittany, age 7

My friend Josette pointed out that my "mullet years" began at age 5.  I laughed out loud because until her observation it never did register that my hair did resemble a mullet.  Sorry mom.  You can leave your defense in the comments section (though you've always known that I didn't like my short hair... love you!).  

I will say, I do like this picture of myself.  That was a hand-me-down dress from my sister and I always looked forward to the day that I could wear it.  I believe she is also wearing it in her second grade picture.

Day 8 Festivities: Spread good cheer  Try to spread good cheer

I made five loaves of zucchini bread this afternoon (two of which were duds since I forgot to add the eggs.  (Argh!)  Hence, why I made two more).  I was going to pay a well-over-due visit to two friends who had babes last month.  One was out of town and the other was away from home for the night.  Sigh.  That's what I get for attempting last minute drop-ins.  Next time I will call well in advance... before I bake the bread.

Something about me: I'm a sucker for stuffed animals... even now, at nearly 30-years-old.  So much so that I slept with a stuffed animal until the day I got married.  And still do when Wyatt is gone for the night.  And still find myself resisting the urge to purchase a cute stuffed animal I see at the store.

thirty days of 30 - day 7

Brittany, age 6

Day 7 Festivities: Speak in church

That's right, I'm counting speaking in church as one of my festivities.  Mostly because I really, really, really, really wanted to do what I was going to call the "Mothball" (my own version of The Moth) for one of my thirty days but I chickened out since I couldn't get myself to invite a group of my friends to entertain me with their stories.  I haven't completely dismissed the idea.  I just can't seem to envision it going the way I hope it would since most people hate public speaking and don't want an "assignment" to hang out.  I guess the biggest reason I've (sorta) dismissed the idea is because I couldn't think of a good enough personal story to start the evening off with.  

Anyway, the reason speaking in church counts is because Wyatt also had to speak.  Which, as it turns out, is something Wyatt is terrified of.  He joked with the congregation and told them that he had "sacrament talk syncope."  (There is no doubt he had all the symptoms.)  It was a treat for me to hear him speak because he told one of my favorite stories about himself - the one where he had to stand on a milk crate and preach the gospel (in Spanish) in the midst of a very busy Queens street.  Love it!  So it was as if Wyatt was my own little "mothball."  And! other people commented on how funny they thought Wyatt was and that they had no idea.  I'm glad people were able to have a small glimpse into my life and see one reason I love Wyatt so much - he's good at making me laugh.

Something about me: I LOVE stories!  This explains why I love The Moth, This American Life, and Radio Lab so much.  And why I like any book that has a good story.  Some of my fondest memories are the times my family reminisces about the past telling stories.

thirty days of 30 - day 6

Brittany, age 5

Day 7 Festivities:  I'M SAILING!

Our trip to Harstine Island did not disappoint!  The day was filled of goodness, including: a relaxing morning walk along the beach, biscuits and gravy and french toast, swimming, napping by the pool, sailing in the Puget Sound, and "half-price" sushi.  And!!! our friend Jonah fished a baby jellyfish out of the water for me to hold.  You can't really see it since it's clear... and since it was a baby, it didn't sting me.  (I think we might've killed it fishing it out of the water.  Good thing it didn't die in vein - seeing that it was day 7 of my thirty-day celebration.)

baby jellyfish

those are Jonah's fingers... not a sensor

Something about me: I enjoy chores that offer instant gratification - such as power washing and mowing the lawn.  It's so satisfying!

thirty days of 30 - day 5

Brittany, age 4

Day 5 Festivities: Camping at the river Drive to Harstine Island, WA  

Our friend Jonah Crowley (yep, that Jonah Crowley) invited us to hang with him (and his friend, Mike) up in Harstine Island, Washington.  We decided it was an offer we couldn't resist - since there were promises of a "resort" filled with swimming pools, hot tubes, and Marshmallow Mateys.  I know, today was kind of a pathetic celebration since it was nothing but driving (and Marshmallow Mateys!)... but tomorrow will be better!

Something about me: I've lived in four states - all of which are bordered on the north by a state beginning with W.  Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Oregon -- Wyoming, Wisconsin, Washington.  Perhaps Kentucky or Virginia are in my future...

thirty days of 30 - day 4

Brittany, age 3

Day 3 Festivities: Waxing (ouch!)

Something about me: My favorite attribute about myself - my wrists.  I don't know why, they just are.  To the point that I constantly find myself wrapping my fingers around them - middle and ring to thumb.  Sometimes when Wyatt sees me doing this he asks me what's wrong with my wrists.  I guess it kind of does look like I'm injured or checking my pulse...

thirty days of 30 - day 3

Brittany, age 2.  

Day 3 Festivities: Temple

Today's Young Womens activity was to visit the new('ish) Portland Temple Visitor Center.  I decided I'd squeeze in an endowment session between work and the activity.  

Miss G and M posing on the temple grounds with me.  

Something about me: I love the cafeteria at the temple!  I always make it my treat after I attend (sometimes before depending on time).  My usual: chef salad with ham (today it was with artificial crab meat, not as good), blue cheese dressing (I don't know what it is about their bc dressing but it is lip-smack'n good!), cup of soup (corn chowder today), and a GIANT cheese roll... with butter of course.  All this for $5.45!  Okay, I admit, it's not the most stellar deal in town BUT it is a good deal.  AND! I always feel full and satisfied when I leave.  You should check it out next time you go - tell them I sent you.  (They won't know who I am but you can tell them anyway...) 

thirty days of 30 - day 2

Brittany, age 1... roughly.  

In case no one saw my mom's comment from yesterday, I will relay what she said in regards to her thinking I was an unattractive baby.  "...you left out the part that I thought you soon grew out of it once the baby acne , etc. and I just thought you were a doll."  Sorry mom, I didn't mean to make it sound like you were a bad mother for calling me ugly.  Which, even if you disagree, I still think I was.  Since the next thirty-days are all about me, I won't hesitate to say what a cute 1 to 3-year-old I was.  Maybe it's the toe-head blonde hair?

Day 2 Festivities: Waxing Relief Society Garden Party (my original appointment was canceled)

Something about me: Coincidently, the activity at the RS Garden Party tonight was to write a fact about  yourself.  So I'll just reuse what I shared with the ladies at the party.  I love giving human traits to inanimate objects.  Perhaps this stems from when I was little and my mom used to make the leftover food on my plate whimper, as if it were sad that I wasn't eating it.  Needless to say, it worked, I couldn't bare the thought of "letting down" my food.  Today, I feel sorry for a blanket that's not being used, a coat that's been overlooked, or a dying plant.  Wyatt and I have even gone as far as adding googley eyes to our kitchen appliances.  Love it!  Something else I equally love is giving human traits to animals.  Yep, I'm one of those that loves the website I Can Haz Cheezburger.