Nobody's Cuter Than You (Review! Review!)

I so loved Melanie Shankle's latest book Nobody's Cuter Than You. It made me reflect back on the friendships I've had over the years, and it made me ever so thankful for the girlfriends I have in my life today. And because of Melanie and Gulley, it seriously made me want to grab my friend Jenna, load up on Sonic Vanilla Diet Cokes and take a road trip! Because a road trip is always a good idea.

A couple of parts really stood out to me in this book. During one section she talks about when her friend Jenn lost her dad. Melanie and her roommates piled in the car and headed to the funeral. Melanie says, "And that's when I learned one of the most important lessons I've ever learned about what it means to be a good friend: you show up for your people." AMEN. I can still recall the girlfriends who showed up for me when I lost my grandparents...and it has been over 10 years. I couldn't agree more...you show up for your people. Your presence is the greatest gift and speaks volumes when you are at a loss for words.

I also resonated with her explanation of why we need girlfriends. She's talking about how a relationship with your significant other is great and can complete us, blah, blah, blah. And then she hits the nail on the head and writes, "I mean, we need Jesus to truly complete us, but we absolutely need our girl friends, because no man wants to listen to all the words we have to say in the course of a day." And again I say...AMEN.

Love this girl. She's witty and her books are easy to read. I felt like I was listening to a long-time friend when I read this book. Great summer read, and a sweet reminder about the holy gift of friendship.

PS: I'm linking up with Heather today with my book review. She does Friday book reviews and she has great taste in books!

OK, okay, I'm back...

After weeks, no months of virtually disappearing, I'm going to give blogging another whirl. So many of you, okay, ONE of you, demanded my comeback. So, here we go!

Since I've been gone, here is what I've been up to:

1. Attending as many LSU games as possible! Geaux Tigers! #1 team in the nation!

2. Obsessing over Pinterest. But, who isn't?

3. Spending every Friday night for the past 11 weeks with the SBS Varsity cheerleaders. Love my girls!

4. Baking, baking and more baking.

5. Reading. Most recent favorite book - The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. LOVED!

6. Starting a diet, stopping a diet, starting a diet.

7. Jazzercising. Don't judge. It's four minutes from my house.

8. I don't miss an episode of Modern Family!

9. Celebrating with friends in the joy of their new babies! Sara, Brooke, Misty, Amy!

10. Celebrating 30th birthdays with my sweet friends - Joy in October and Kim in November.

11. Shopping, but not nearly enough!

12. J and I took a Birkman Couples Workshop at church and leaned so much about ourselves and each other. It was incredible. If you ever have the chance to take this test, do it. Totally worth the money!

13. Not blogging (obviously). Sorry...

14. Still spoiling Charley rotten! Of course!

15. Work, work, work! Blessed to work at such a great place!

I know this was short, and contained no pictures, but hey - gotta start somewhere!

Have a great week,
B

Hunger Games..

...has consumed me. Have you read it? I've spent the better part of the last two weeks with my nose in the book, quickly reading about the adventures of Katniss, Peeta and Gale in Panem. This isn't typically a genre I would read, but after several recommendations from friends, colleagues and cheerleaders, I was eager to read it. I loved it. Totally a fan, and can't wait to see the movies.

By the way, if you've read it, I am Team Peeta!

What I've Been Reading

I've read some interesting books recently on my Kindle - which I'm obsessed with, BTW. Generally I stay in the chick-lit genre of books, but in April I expanded my library to include other types of fiction novels. No regrets, here. These are the books I read:

Room by Emma DonoghueIf Oprah were to read this book, she would book the mom and her son on the show immediately. But, since it's not based on a true story, that would just be a hypothetical scenario. This story is told from the perspective of Jack, a 5-year-old boy living in a single room his entire life. To his Ma, its a prison cell, but to Jack, it's all he's ever known. Very compelling and heart breaking story as you discover why they live in Room. It's our book club book for May, so I can't wait to discuss it next week.

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

A laugh out loud funny book, that is as equally moving as it is awkward. When Judd's father passes away, his dying request was that his family (including mom and three siblings - and their families) sit shiva after his death. Putting the family together under one roof again brings out the good, bad, and unexpected in all of them. I loved it! Great up and coming author!

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

In another attempt to get on the Jodi Picoult bandwagon, I read this novel about a school shooting, told from the perspective of the many characters involved in the massacre. I did like the book, actually, it was an insightful look into the ramifications of bullying, in what I would call an extreme case. She really likes to put her characters through the ringer. For example, one couple never got to see their children graduate high school - both of their boys were taken away from them too soon (a little tragic, no?). Anyway, liked the book until the TERRIBLE ending. No more Picoult for me.

Happy Reading!
B

The Art of Racing in the Rain

My book club just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. And while I honestly haven't loved every book that the Chapter Chicks has read, I can honestly say I LOVED this one! I also loved the rich discussion about the book!

The story is told through the perspective of the family dog, Enzo, as he reflects on his life with his human family. Enzo lives with Denny, who is single for awhile, then marries and has a daughter. Enzo's perspective is insightful, and it truly makes you wonder, "Hmmm...does my dog think this way, too?" If you have a dog, had a dog, or just love dogs, its a must read! Prepare to laugh, cry, fume, and smile - you won't be able to put this one down!

Happy Reading!

Well, hello there....

I know you don't want to hear any lame excuses about my lack of blogging lately, so I won't bore you with them. I will give you a run down, however, of what I've been up to lately, and just some of my random thoughts! Then, I'll follow up with some pics over the next few days!

- Christmas with the Adams' family (hosted here at our house) last weekend; lots of cooking, catching up and laughs!
- Christmas with J's family in Baton Rouge this week; lots of fun, gifts, parties, people and great memories! A little exhausting....
- Performed in the Really, Really Big Christmas Show at Second Baptist Church and had a blast! I'll post pictures of it, it was such a moving experience and I got to hangout with/meet really great people!
- Hosted our first Christmas Party at the house and it was SO fun! Lots of fun stories from that night, and got to show off our new casa to our friends and family!
- Training for the 1/2 marathon still (absolutely NO pictures will be posted of it) - farthest run so far is 8 miles....less than 40 days to go! Boy, is it a lot of work and time!
- Obsessed with reading on my new Kindle (I think I'll actually have my book club book read before our meeting this month!)
- Studying to get my CDL....don't laugh! Someone has to drive my cheerleaders to away games, people. I'll be spending the better part of my week, unfortunately, at the DPS.
- Also obsessed with scarves....my answer to the daily dilemma of "what necklace should I wear"
- Also majorly obsessed with the Tory Burch purse J surprised me with for Christmas! L-O-V-E it! He got lots of brownie points for that one!
- Loving the color gray this season - it just seems to go with everything!

....more to come, later.

Continued to be blessed beyond measure.
B

Where did August go??

Is it really the end of August? Sheesh! That means its practically Christmas (at least according to Hobby Lobby it is!). Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to this month:

Hanging out with family and friends at White Linen Nights!

We went to Denver for Jeremy's friend, Quinn's wedding!
It was beautiful! Another pic from the fun wedding weekend!

Other miscellaneous August activities:

• I GOT INTO THE HALF MARATHON! Yes, you read that correctly! I'll be running 13.1 miles in January! I'm so nervous/excited! I've been training since May, and ran my first 3 miles this past weekend and it went great. I seriously felt like I could've kept going (but I was happy to stop!). I'll keep you posted on my progress!
• Football season has begun! SBS started last Friday and LSU begins this weekend! We'll be heading to Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A kickoff game (LSU vs. North Carolina). I'm SOOOO excited!!! Geaux Tigers!!!
• I got great news last night - my brother and his wife are expecting their first baby!! Soo excited to be another Aunt! Come April 2011, I'll have 5 nieces/nephews! Holy Moly!
• We had the chance to spend QT with our Compass friends this past weekend and had such a great time out at Cedar Creek! We love our St. Luke's friends!! They are such a blessing to both of us!!
• Work has been CRAZY busy - but I love it! I have the opportunity to work on major SBS events this year, and though its been stressful, I really enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you planned something thoroughly and it all goes well! I like it :)
• What am I reading? I read several books in July (The Alchemist, Bitter is the New Black, Heart of the Matter, and Perfect on Paper). My favorite was Perfect on Paper - a great chic lit book with a lot of heart! Loved it! Book Club is reading a book about the Salem Witch Trials...not sure about this one yet, TBD!
  
• What am I watching? Drop Dead Diva! Tell me you are watching it!! Best show ever - the lead actress has this uber confidence that is so compelling! I love it! Too bad the season finale is sitting on my DVR from last night....
• What am I not doing because I'm blogging? WORKING!! Gotta go people, duty calls!

Love, love!
Brittney

Book Review - The Help

One of the top 5 books I've read in my life is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I was reluctant to read it because its a thick book - over 400 pages in length. And, that in itself can be intimidating! But once I started, I wanted it to keep going - to be much more than 400 pages. I yearned to know more about what happened to Skeeter, or how things are with Minny. I love books that allow you to dive in and really explore the characters, so much in fact, that you feel as if they are your friends.

The Help is about three women - Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny - who live in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962. Skeeter is a recent college graduate and Aibileen and Minny are maids for wealthy white folks in town. During the peak of the Civil Rights movement, they each go through transitions in their lives that make them stronger women. They help each other in unexpected ways and unite together through the creation of a surprising project.

Without giving much away, it's an incredibly moving story that really makes you think. What would you do? Would you stand up for your beliefs even if it means losing your closest friends? Would you be accepting of unlikely friends? How far would you go?

A must-read!

Brittney

Tuesday's Top Ten

Since I'm likely wearing all of you out talking about houses, I thought I would do a "Top Ten" list of the things that have been going on lately! And a few random thoughts thrown in there for good measure. Here you go:

1. I'll get the house one over with - our house goes on the market on Monday (the 22nd) and we're going to look at houses for the first time with our Realtor on Saturday! So excited!

2. Call me a teenager - but when are Gossip Girl and 90210 coming back on?

3. I really want a pair of Tory Burch flats. Maybe for my St. Patrick's Day present? Surely, I need a gift to celebrate everyone's favorite Irish holiday. Jeremy...are you listening? I'll be happy with these, or these. Sigh...

4. Many of you don't know this, but our wedding photographer never gave us our wedding book. Yes, you read that right - we payed her for it and she never gave it to us. Classy, right? Well, we found a great photography company that is going to make us a book for a great price! Woo hoo!

5. I was invited to join a book club last week at work - The Chapter Chicks. Cute name, yes? I'm really excited about being a part of this group of really sweet SBS ladies. We are currently reading "Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt." I'll start it this weekend!

6. As I get older, I think my body is falling apart. Last week in kickboxing, I strained my back and could hardly get out of bed and walk the next day. After a trip to the doctor and several great medications later, I'm feeling better. I should also mention that I was walking and texting two weeks ago and ran straight into a metal basketball pole. I had a bump on my head for 6 days to show for that one. Brilliant, Brittney.

7. Only 16 days until I am going to the rodeo to see Kenny Chesney with Jenna! As many of you know, I am absolutely in love with Kenny! Can. Not. Wait.

8. The Bachelor this season totally disgusts me. Vienna is a horrible, awful, trashy choice. Seriously? Vienna? Not Alli or Tenley? Ummm....ok.

9. I can't wait for spring - bright colors, flowing dresses and sandals! Swing wide o doors of J. Crew. I'll see you soon!

10. My new favorite song is Josh Turner's "Why Don't We Just Dance" - love the song and really love the video! In case any of you were wondering!

That's all for tonight - Idol is on :)
Brittney

What I'm Reading

I LOVE to read, and right now the book I'm loving is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I'm sure most of you have heard his story - the Carnegie Mellon professor who passed away recently of pancreatic cancer. It's the story of his last lecture given that was basically written for his kids to read and watch. His children are 1, 3 and 5. It's a great book and an easy read, that really puts life in perspective for you. Here are some of my favorite snippets from the book:

"Just because you're in the driver's seat, doesn't mean you have to run people over."
"Never make a decision until you have to."
"When there's an elephant in the room, introduce it."
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

Happy Thursday everyone!

A Great Weekend

I always hope that Sunday evenings will go by so slowly so that Monday morning doesn't come quickly! We've had a relaxing weekend - I slept in until 11 yesterday, which was wonderful! Then, we went and saw a matinee of Marley and Me. We had just finished reading the book last week, and we both loved it! It was neat to read a book together, and then see the movie together.

We truly feel like our dog Charley is part "Marley." He just does all of these crazy, off the wall, bad behavior things. Like, last night at our friends house, he broke their dogs squeaky toy. In under two minutes, it was destroyed. It's like we have the "bad kid." Ha!

So, now, I'll go enjoy the remainder of my weekend by cooking dinner, playing with the crazy dog and watching TV!