Pack Mule

What a day! Let us start with my outfit choice - cute summery dress with white cropped cardigan & fab silver sandals. Cute, right?

Well let's then add to that wind & humidity!! I was playing fetch with the dress practically all day except of course when it stuck to various parts of my body like static cling.

Of course, we haven't even covered the accessories yet. Paired with the silver sandals was my grey Chanel - great match...Though in typical Brittany fashion (and here's where the title of the blog comes in) I didn't stop there.

Due the fact that I had a training scheduled late morning I headed out to my first meeting with an additional 200 lbs. Now I know I have a propensity for exaggerating, but this time I may be pretty close to the truth.

My tote was filled with the standard "Brittany outside sales woman extraordinaire" paperwork (yes this is a joke - feel free to laugh), as well as, my laptop, and a monster sized price book. Additionally I had a bag with TWO shower heads (in case you missed the emphasis - that's 2 shower heads) in it.
My arms were so far out over the bags (picture the Marshmallow Man) that I had great difficulty catching my skirt or separating it from my behind (depending on whether the wind was blowing or the humidity was getting the best of me.

By the time I came home to drop some of the weight off I was drenched in sweat and my face was tomato red - I was the picture of beauty!

So much for the cute outfit!

My life as a juror - Day One

Here's some writing I did while doing my civil duty -

Damn, I forgot all my quarters. I could have filled up on vending machine junk all day - that would have been fun! I could have been that girl that keeps getting up to go to the vending machine all day.

I found $1.50 in quarters - I can't read the sign from here but doubt that would even get me a soda & a snack (heck maybe not even a soda these days!). Guess I will just eat the lunch Stephen packed.

On a positive note I did snag the row with extended leg room & unlike an airlines the NY court system isn't making me pay extra for it - Sa-weet!

They have started the video to teach us about the good we are doing here today. Guess they started the wrong one... Now this is quality acting. I suppose Ed Bradley narrating it makes it more legit.

The lady making the announcements should be a stand up comedienne - perfect deadpan delivery.

I'm sure I look like a crazy person - I have aleady caught myself humming to a song out loud & just now I pratically jumped out of my seat dancing to Gypsy Kings! Ohhhh - now Nelly is rapping...I'm gonna turn this place into a dance party!

11:40 a.m. - Two civil case selections and my name wasn't called for either one of them.

Do you ever crave certain things? What a silly question of course the answer is yes! Right now I find myself craving a Diet Snapple Lemonade Ice Tea & a bag of Peanut M&Ms. Of course they have neither in the vending machine.

(Sidenote: There are NO good pictures of Diet Snapple Lemonade Iced Tea, however, this is the only Snapple I drink & the one I was craving, so please use your imagination when looking at the picture above!)

--and that's where my IPOD died.

The second day was spent reading my book (Gods of Alabama - definitely worth a read). I was never picked for a trial (never even asked to sit in during an interview process)...normally I would have a complex about not being picked, but the Ed Bradley narrated charm of a video taught me that it is nothing personal - just a random drawing!

So there you have it (in case you wanted it) - my thoughts as a civil servant...seems like they are better off that I won't serve for at least 6 more years!

Have a Heart, Give a Heart

Sam Savage is a man of many stories. His life has been filled with so much exciting stuff - from drag racing on Cherry Hill to owning his own business to dancing in the streets. I love to sit and listen to all the funny and often crazy stories he has experienced in his life.

Sammy has loved and laughed and lived! He is a fun person to be around that knows how to get the party started.

When Sam and my Mom were married I was twelve years old, and for any of you who have ever dealt with or been a teenage girl you know what kind of special person it takes to sign up for the job of dad at that time.  But that's exactly what Sam did.

For the past 17 years he has taught, disciplined, and loved me.  Alongside my mom, Sam helped mold me into what I have become today.

Sam still has a ton of life to live and joy to give, but now Sam needs a heart.

I don't want this to be a soapbox letter - I just know for me personally it took someone I love needing a transplant for me to send in my organ donor registration. My thought is if knowing a person that was affected by organ donation inspired even one person to send in their donation registration then that could be more lives saved.

It is the easiest thing I have ever done. Go to www.organdonor.gov and find your state website. Just fill out the paperwork and send it in. Of course, you can also choose to donate when you renew you drivers license.

Feliz día de San Valentín

So Stephen & I are starting a new Valentine's tradition tonight (yes, I know tomorrow is Valentine's Day)...we have decided to have a Mexican feast - complete with his homemade, extra delicious margaritas!!  

I just ordered the food to be delivered (after all this is Manhattan) & am looking forward to a night of fun, food & those potent margs!!

Hope y'all have a fabulous V-day filled with love & joy!  

Photo send off is one of the hubby & I loving each other during a recent Mexican dinner excursion -

To Blog or Not To Blog...

I can't believe how long it has been since I have had a thought I deemed worthy of blogging about. It's not that I have been a recluse, or all that boring...I just have not been in the writing mood (I guess!).

Let's see...since October...we spent Thanksgiving with the Zahoriks in NYC, went to Atlantic City for Christmas (totally non-traditional), and I met my mom in Memphis for a great family visit.  Mike & Jenn were just in town for Super Bowl weekend.  

I got bangs (boy did I - they definitely take some getting used to!).  

I think that's an okay summary for now.  I promise I will be better about writing - it's almost nice to just put basic thoughts on page - even if it is just Liah reading ;)!!

5-Hundy

I did it!  I did it!  I won me some $$ by losing 5% of my body weight!  I love Money (but not in that tacky VH1 show way).  Here's a pic of my winnings (with all important info marked out - for those sneaky folks that think they may want to hit the bank up!)...

Anywho, just thought I would let y'all know that in fact I did it!!  More later...

Must Eat Meat

So, I'm no carb-ing it...Like NO carb-ing it.  I'm currently in the induction phase of Atkins & am limiting myself to mainly meat & cheese (and the occasional Jello cup).  Please spare me the "this is no good for you" lecture, because I know, and I have not been feelin' my best on it.

BUT, you see, we are having a contest at work to lose weight & grand prize is 5-hundy (as in $500), and I happen to know that since I screwed around the first 2 weeks of the contest I NEED a diet that's proven to drop weight fast.  Last time I did this I lost 14 pounds in 2 weeks & I was about 40 pounds smaller then (which makes me think that I'll lose weight faster now?)!

PLUS, it's the easiest diet to do during football season & Stephen has hopped on board with me. And it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to lose the poundage...I really want to fit into some of my old clothes again!

  

So, guess I've admitted it (somewhat) publicly now...I've gained 40 pounds (some days more) since I've moved to NY...for those keeping count, that's 3-4 sizes!  I know, Oh My Goodness!!! 

I've had high cholesterol (no kidding), and while that should be a VERY serious subject - I, go figure, have a funny story about it (or a story, nonetheless).

So, for those who have yet to experience the joys of high cholesterol, once you get the 'Strol (that's lingo), ANYWAY, once you get it you have to go in every 3 months to test & see where you are (or at least I did).  The Doc did NOT want to put me on the meds (because apparently once you start you can't stop - kind of like with Pringles or Lays & also because it wasn't ALL bad - I had a high amount of Good cholesterol, too - Thank You Monounsaturated Fats!)...

Anywho, he had me coming in to test & see how I was doing on the "diet/exercise" that he said would lower the 'Strol.  So I guess it was mid-November last year (as I  had just wrecked my company car - different story, different blog), and I was going to be late for one of these tests (because I had to ride the train to work).

I called the Doc to let him know about my lateness & it was decided I would come in a couple hours later, which gave me time to go by the office first.  Well - whaddaya know - when I get to the office someone has brought Munchkins (while I'm not a Dunkin Donuts fan, you can't beat donut holes in all the different donut flavors)!   And I proceed to eat - oh, half a dozen....maybe nine...okay I lost count.

You know what comes next...I have to call the Doc to tell him I've just eaten more than enough Munchkins & I would not be able to make the Cholesterol appointment!  Oh my...his only response (cuz what else could he do) was to ask, "Was it good?"  My reply (cuz what else could I say) was, "Oh YES they were!!"  

The moral of this blog, I suppose, is that my Doc would freak if he knew I was subjecting myself to eating such high fat items...but, oh well...anything for a little extra dough & to be back in fightin' shape!

Photo send-off is a cartoon send-off this week...reminds me of Stephen & I this weekend!

I Do. I Did. Now What?!

If you are recently married, or have been married for some time, or even if you are getting married...this is a Great & Funny must read book...LOVE it!

Fact & Fantasy

Even though I feel like this...

I am going to try my best to stay up & watch the Cowboys - in hopes that they not only kick the pants off the Eagles, but also (and really more importantly) to track how well our fantasy football team does!  And that is a fact!

Notice I call it OUR fantasy football team.  You see, Stephen drafts the team (after all it is a league with all of his buddies) & then I help manage it throughout the season!  It's a perfect marriage & a fabulous way to get into the games.  I LOVE it!  

I used to make fun of Stephen & his fantasy team.  There is a great Bud Light commercial (you know the one with the deep voice guy talking about different types of 'guys')...well, this one is the Fantasy Football guy & it makes fun of the fact that they have a fantasy team in a fantasy draft & they probably used to be big into dungeon & dragons with their fantasy girlfriends!  (or something like that - anyway, it was funny!)

Now I'm so into, I can't make fun of it.  I find myself scouting players & talking to him about trades...my oh my!

So, while I'm super exhausted & have a lot of work to do, I find myself getting ready to cheer on the real deal Cowboys & a team that only exists on the computer!

**Photo send-off is suspended this time due to the fact that I posted a picture of myself practically drooling at the beginning of this blog...go ahead scroll back up & make fun!**

I'm not Clumsy...I Just Fall A lot

It's been so, so long...so, so long.  I never figured out my IPhoto problem, so now I have to save pictures to my desktop, then upload them to the blog.  I'm sure you don't care about my hassles, but you know, I might as well share them anyway!

So, what have we been up to the past couple months...

Well, we celebrated our 1st anniversary, went to Mexico, celebrated my 28th birthday, had visits from the in-laws & my momma, went to Austin, floated on...guess we've done some stuff.  I totally want to post pics of all that, but y'all will just have to trust me, because that's just too much to handle.

 So now, we will start fresh & tackle the title of this blog...Yes, it is TRUE...I fell AGAIN! 

I was leaving a customers @ Bond & Lafayette Streets and the wedge sandals combined with the uneven sidewalk equaled disaster for my leg.  Take a look yourself...

I know, I know...can I seem any clumsier??  At least I didn't break anything this time...just a couple of bad raspberries & some bruised ego!  I think my main mission in life now is just to try & stay upright!

Already time for Photo send-off...it's the picture I promised like 4 posts ago...here are the koozies I had made for the River trip...totally loved the job the "Beer Koozies" did - should you ever need custom koozies, they are definitely the place to go!

Technical Glitches

So, it's been awhile...I know...I've been tryin' to blog, I swear!

I have a draft from 7/9 and one from all the way back on 6/22, but no posts.  This is due to the fact that we uploaded the new iLife on our computer & now I am unable to get pictures uploaded onto the site.  I'm sure it's an easy solution (or maybe not), I just need to devote myself to getting it done.

And I am of the personal opinion that a blog is SO much better with pictures (especially when I'm doing the typing!).  

So, I will try working on my little glitch this weekend & see if I can in fact get back in bidness!

Mexico Bound!

Headed South of the Border!!  Will have plenty of pics & a new post once we get back!

Adios!

Workin' It Out & Off

Yesterday I worked out for the first time in a LONG time.  This morning my arms, abs & legs are sore & that makes me happy!!  

Breakdown: 30 minutes cardio (with heart-rate in aerobic zone), 300 sit ups, set of hundreds, and free weights for arms.

Can't wait to go back & work out today...before you know it, I'm going to be rockin' my skinny jeans (which all of them seem to be), and wearing bikinis just for fun!

Food wise, not such a great day, but not so bad either.  We went to Vamos for late lunch w/ John, Catherine, and Tony.  We have this habit of finding a restaurant & becoming totally addicted!  For example, in the past week, Stephen & I have been to Vamos 4 times!!  Oh well, it's good & inexpensive - our kind of place!

After Vamos, we went to engage in some Flip Cup at Whisky River...it was not my day to be on a winning team, but had a blast, anyway.

We would definitely like to give a shout out & big thank you to Tony for being such a fair ref & a great photographer!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the fathers out there.  Photo Send-off is the two top guys in our lives:

   

Don't Mess With My Beer

It's Been So Long!!  I have missed my bloggin', but not to fret, I'm BACK and bootless!!

So, you are probably unlikely to deduce from the title of this blog that I am indeed looking to drop some weight & drop it fast.  Maybe I should title it...Procrastinate, procrastinate - Never Get the Job Done.  

It is now 2 1/2 weeks until Mexico & my fat a** is still fat!

**Side story - this reminds me of this time my mom went to the McKinney Flea Market (yea, we can save those jokes for later)...anyway, she goes & was trying something on (once again, jokes later)...can you imagine that I'm off track on my off-track sidestory...ANYWAY, mom says to the guy, "My fat a** can't fit," to which the man replied, "Honey, we call it sweet"**

So, my sweet a** is still fat!!

I'm going to hold myself accountable on this blog.  I will not share with you my starting weight, but I will report on the weight lost & exercises done over the next couple of weeks.  If this plan works, then I'll keep going b/c you know I want to look fly on our Labor Day River Trip!!

Which brings me to the title of the blog!  I'm sure you thought we would never make it!!

I'm putting together these "Survival Kits" to send to all the people attending the 10th annual Float On Labor Day Trip.  You know a kind 

of R-rated box of fun that will get everyone all P-U-M-Ped!!  

I'm looking on the internet for customizable koozies & what did I find???  OMG, koozies that have the old "Don't Mess w/ Texas" logo & you can import the name into it...So it reads "Don't Mess w/ (name's) Beer"!!  LOVE IT!  The koozies have already shipped, so I'll be sure to post a pic when they come in & if they are totally fab (which I just KNOW they are going to be), I pass on the website where you can get your very own!!

Photo Send-off this week is a shout out to my Grandma, who Stephen & I visited over Memorial Day - bet she never thought she'd be on the internet!!

I would suggest, should you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, KS, to grab a bite @ El Charro.  Of course, they are a local chain, so you can check it out in Lamar, MO, too!

Just found this, thought Why not Post...

**6/13/08 - Even though I just posted a new fresh blog, I found this draft from over a month ago & thought I would share it with you b/c I know how you love to read as much as you can - gosh I'm so caring!**

It's been one of those fabulous mornings...you know, where you play the Itunes on shuffle & get some stuff done.  Our particular stuff that's been getting done includes the laundry, dusting, and to add some actual excitement to it, we have been working on scheduling our Labor Day weekend plans.

Labor Day may be far, far away, but you know it will be here before you know it & the cabins we are going to rent on the River have the tendency to be rented right out from under your feet if you don't act fast!

The River is not my particular "cup o' tea," but I married a man that wants to be buried there (well, more like scattered!), so I guess it's one of my compromise vacations for many years to come.  And the cabins are not exactly "roughing it"...hopefully the mosquitoes will be in check, then I should be all good to go.  You know the 'squitoes are super attracted to my whiter than white skin...I'm like a bright light attracting them all day & night.

Anywho, that's been today.  The past week/weekend included a visit from Mom & Sam, as well as, a Cinco de Mayo dinner w/ Scott (our brother-in-law).  

Tell Your Momma Hi

What do I start with first...hmmm...okay, well, I guess I'll lead with the fact that I went to the doctor yesterday & the boot - ah, the dreaded boot - has to stay on at least another 2-3 weeks.  

The doc said it wasn't healing as fast as he thought it would...to which I replied, "Maybe I should not have been dancing on it?"

...that's when he looked at me like I was ca-razy, so I quickly exclaimed, "I've been drinking lots of calcium!"

Oh well...what's another 2-3 weeks...especially when I have my toes painted!

Oh yeah, baby!  The lady even painted my other foot, but the boot kinda takes away from it!  

My mom was in town this whole last week - from Sunday to Friday.  We had a girls day in the City on Thursday, which included the spa - a total treat!  We each got massages, facials & she enjoyed a pedicure, while I stuck to just getting a good ole toe paintin'.

The spa was relaxing & her trip here was fabulous.  I don't know where she gets her energy & being half her age it makes me embarrassed that I simply cannot keep up sometimes!  We went out to dinner EVERY night (after workin' all day...remember, her territory now includes NYC).

   

There were so many truly fab restaurants we tried...yes, my momma knows how to pull at my heartstrings!

One of my fave places we ate was Barbetta's. It's this great Italian restaurant that has been open for over 100 years & still owned by the same family that founded it.  What added a whole other awesome level (besides the food, wine & fabulous company), was this tree we were sitting near.

I know...silly...a tree, awesome?  But take a look...

     

When mom asked the waiter what kind of tree it was, his reply was (in accent), "Well, it is an old tree."  It was more than likely one of those "you have to be there" moments, but trust me when I say it was HILARIOUS!

                     

So that's the story, morning glory!  While mom was in town, Stephen was in Oregon.  He flew back in last night (or early this morning) & today we are meeting Johnny Boy up for some lunch!  Wonder where we'll go...???

Photo send-off....mom & I enjoying the Old Tree and each other in New York City!

Tortoise and the Hare

So, as I promised, here is the pic of me on my more than FABULOUS scooter!  

It was great...I may even put the boot back on next year, just to be able to rent it again!  Besides the deluxe leather chair & the 2" DUBS, the scooter rocked not one, but 2 horns & speeds that ranged from tortoise to hare (no, really, the knob turned from a picture of a turtle to a picture of a rabbit)!  The nifty basket up front held the backpack purse I've been sporting of late (because of ease of use), and it even had headlights.

The only suggestion I would have for the folks at Scootaround (seriously the name of the place I rented it from), would be to include a holder for the crutches!  I about killed myself trying to catch the crutches when they fell off the scooter when I was going at the hare speed!

At one point, I was haulin' it (air blowin' through my hair & all), and I heard an older lady say to her man, "She doesn't look hurt!"  You know grandma was just jealous because she wanted a scooter of her own!!

So, I'm back in town (as I have been all week), and am finally walking without the crutches, which is great.  So, hopefully this means there will be no more references to the broken ankle & I can put it all behind me!!

Tonight, I decided to be Chef Brittany (rhymes with Boyardee - hee hee - you know I just sang the song in my head)...and cooked this Chicken w/ Feta, Lemon & Zucchini...

**Update - this picture was snapped before the meal went into the oven**

My feeling is that it more than likely would not look like this if presented on a cooking show. At some point during the cooking process, smoke started to come out of the oven, setting off the smoke alarm a few times.  Stephen, being the wonderful man he is, said he thought for sure it was just steam!  In the end, Stephen enjoyed the meal (Seriously, I'm not just making myself feel better)...and I liked the zucchini.

At least it wasn't like the time I made Penne w/ Lemon, Ricotta & Herbs.  Oh my...I made the dish w/ an insane amount of parsley, because that's the only herb we had...to sum it all up, the dish tasted like grass & we threw it away and ordered take out!!

Alright...photo send-off time!!  A little tribute to Rambo, as my mom is about to take him back to Texas after her trip this next week.  Love his hair all crazy with static!!  Boy are we going to miss him!

Maxed Out

So, Stephen & I watched a great documentary - Maxed Out - the other night.  It's about the national & consumer debt.  

Very interesting stuff.

Then I just read this correlating article on CNN -     

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/17/news/economy/credit_cards_hearing/index.htm?cnn=yes

So, while not in the mood to give you a whole "blogpinion," I will say that it's an eye opener & worth the time.

This weekend I will be sure to post the scooter pictures & update on more...for now I'm off to bed, as my throat & ears are hurtin' & that just can't be good.

This Boot Was Made For Walkin'

Thought I would start it off with a pic of me being silly.  Seriously, left my make-up in the car Friday, which led me to find out that I'm not that good at the whole liquid eyeliner thing!  A lil' "clockwork orange" style fun pursued.

Well, Friday I got the cast off & they put me in this nifty walking boot -

I was thinking that a walking boot meant I would be walking in it...but oh no, ain't no way I can walk just yet!  

You see, Friday after I left the doc's office & got to my office, I thought - man, this is feelin' pretty darn good, maybe I should try "walking on it"...'bout hit the floor in pain, I tell ya! Whew...not one of my best ideas.

It has, however, gotten a little better over the weekend, with me testing my limits on how much pressure I can put on the injured limb.  My goal (and I could be setting myself up for failure) is to be able to walk on it by Thursday (that's when I board the plane - at 6:40 a.m. nonetheless - for Chicago).

Now I'm sure you all have heard enough about the "break", so I'm movin' back to subjects I know best...

...Stephen and I went to Hill Country Bar-b-que yesterday.  (Come on, you knew I would be talking about food!!)  Now I cannot think of anything better than a Texas Barbecue market in the middle of NYC...they played country music while we noshed on some serious brisket, sausage, and sides!  And to top it all off I had a Coke Float w/ Blue Bell ice cream!!  

That's right, I just typed Blue Bell...they fly the stuff in special...they also fly in Big Red, Kruez sausage & my personal fave Mexican Coke!!  (the stuff you drink, duh!)...

Man, oh man, were we in heaven!  Check it out for yourselves...should you ever find yourself implanted in NYC from the Great State of Texas (or even if you just live here), you should definitely give it a try!

So, I guess that's about it...I leave you with a picture of my cast watching the mighty Longhorns fall to Memphis last weekend (this is becoming somewhat of a trend - you know, the photo send-off)!

Scoot, Scoot, Scootin' Along

I tell ya, my timing is impeccable! Of course, I go and break my ankle just a few short weeks before the biggest convention in my industry. This year it's held in Chicago & it is 4 days of straight walkin' and talkin'. Though this year will be a little different, because I will be scootin' around!

That's right - I get to ride this at next week's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show:

So, I'm 50/50 on being embarrassed and being totally pumped!

The Embarrassed Brittany - "Oh my, this is a serious networking event. All the biggest vendors and customers will be there. How can I possibly do business on a scooter?"

The PUMPED Brittany - "Oh my, this show is always a pain on my feet & this year I get to scoot around on my booty the whole time!! Woo - to the - Hoo!!"

Eventually, I'm just gonna have to let the Pumped Brittany take over, because there is simply nothing I can do about the fact that I NEED the scooter. Maybe it will be so great that I claim severe arthritis every year after this one & find the scooter to be the best thing since delivery service in New York!

Don't worry, I'll be sure to get a few pics of me actually on the scooter to post after the show...surely wouldn't miss an opportunity to have y'all share in one of my lil "Brittany moments"!!