Friday Fav - Team Strong

Happy Friday! Sorry for the delay in getting on here and updating you all things Brittanie's life, but the only way to sum it up as of late (and probably for the next few months) is crazy busy. I miss writing, but I also miss sleep, so sometimes it becomes one or the other. Today, for Friday and for one of my best friends, I'm back with a Friday Fav that means a lot more than those in the past.  

Last week I received a text that turned this world upside down. My bff, Whit, lost her best friend, teacher and partner in crime - her dad :( Two years ago, Doug aka her "Kouk," was diagnosed with brain cancer. Two years ago, I began working at Susan G. Komen for the Cure and really started to know and sympathize with the word, "cancer." To know this disease had not only invaded my best friend's life, but has invaded so many lives makes my heart hurt every day.

Today, on this special edition of Friday Fav, I want Whit to know that not only have I learned a world of lessons and best friend memories from her, but I've also fallen in the love with what she has taught me about life. Some days are going to suck. Some days you're going to receive the worst news of your life. Some days you're going to need to put on your big girl pants, fake a smile, and be present. Some days, you're only going to have those days to remember that while something may have invaded your family's life, you had all you needed seeing someone else smile. 

Whit, my heart pours out for you and your mom right now, but something tells me you're going to be stronger than this and what's ahead. Your dad gave you the humor that makes my abs hurt. Your dad gave you the direction to dream bigger. Your dad taught you love and kindness through welcoming anyone and anything your home. Your dad knew that being your dad was the best gift he'd ever been given, but seeing you grow up to being who you are today and everyone's best friend was something more than he knew possible. Your dad also gave you what many miss out - the meaning of life.

I can't imagine the pain, hurt, wondering and missing you're going through right now, but I do know you've given your dad the best days of his life and he's always going to be your angel.

When you see that ray of light sneaking through the dark clouds, you'll see him. When you walk through a park and hear kids laughing, you'll hear him. When you find a lost dog or "Free Kittens" sign on the corner, you'll laugh with him. And above all, when you want to tell him something or show him your latest and greatest accomplishment, just know he's listening and already smiling.

Whit, I love you! And as always, I'm sending the biggest hug your way.

"Play Early - Play Often - Play Forever." Doug, you've led a wonderful life and raised my best friend.
We'll miss you :(

Friday Fav - The Juicer

Happy Friday! This week got away from me, but in a good way. I didn't catch up on sleep, but I'm not complaining. I didn't stay on top of my work projects like I hoped, but I still showed up. I wanted to finish my latest read by Monday, but I reminded myself at least you picked it up.

So when thinking about today's Friday Fav, I immediately thought of something I've been hating on for awhile, but especially this last week. Drum roll please .... The Juicer. I'm not sure if you're riding this train, know someone who is, or aren't even aware of what I'm saying when I type, "juicer," but at the end of the day this is big ol' topic for Mike and I.

A year ago, Mike invested his pesos into what has become his love. (Some might even think I'm jealous of her.)

Coincidentally a year ago I started hating on her like no other. I slowly continued to tell others about her taking up too much room and causing a mess. I complained to Mike about her and his love for her. I've complained to my co-workers and friends about my craving for ice cream, his craving for a juice. I didn't get her power, why she was around, why he liked her, you name it ...

Since she and I are now under the same roof, I've been told it's time to compromise. (She's been living in a cardboard box that I've slowly tucked away in a cabinet.) This morning .. something happened. She walked herself onto the counter, stole some veggies from the fridge, made a lot of noise, poured herself a glass, and sat there waiting for some attention. Mike left for work leaving us alone together. I walked up to her, gave her the look, and said, "We're giving this one try and that's it."

Today's Friday Fav is all about her, The Juicer. 

She held my hatred for one year and didn't back down. This morning, after taking one sip of her carrot, kale, lemon and apple concoction, I cracked a smile. This girl got the best of me. I actually (somewhat) fell in love with her, too. This morning, I learned a little something that was not hard to swallow. I learned juicing perhaps isn't all that bad. I wanted to compare her to my morning bowl of oats, but it wasn't fair. I wanted my morning coffee to dominate her taste, but it didn't. And last but not least, I really wanted to hate her, but just couldn't.

This week I've learned as much as you think you know something about everything, you simply just can't know it all. I've also learned it's harder to hate on something, than to just give it a go. Mike, I've learned ... I might ... just might ... be okay with juicing!

Let's make a toast and cheer to the weekend!

Friday Fav - You Gotta Disconnect

Happy Friday!!! The tough thing about coming back to work after a long vacation is the amount of catch-up to do, but that also means you've got a fast week under your belt. Missing 2 weeks of Friday Fav posts, you may have forgotten why I write these in the first place, or you might be new - either way, thank you for stopping by and here's what happens. I wake up Friday morning thinking about something I've either 1) learned over the past week, or 2) fallen in love with.

This week after returning home from a trip that took me to Utah and Montana, I realized the beauty of escaping. I wasn't about to carry my laptop across the country, and I definitely wasn't going to hook up with work while on vacay. Even though it's Friday and I got home Sunday night, I still feel like I haven't quite caught up on my zzz's. I also feel very connected. Say what?

Today's Friday Fav is You Gotta Disconnect. 

I not only learned that our phones and computers tie us down to being everywhere at once and available to everyone every minute of every day, but I also fell in love. It was a much needed slice of love pie in my life. Pre-vacay, I'd wake up at 4am in a panic that I needed to check my email, but since my return I've been waiting until my coffee has been gulped. It's the little things, right?

While I was away and unplugged from the rest of the world here is what I did:

I walked dogs that weren't mine.

Learned how to Greek dance from this beautiful bride.

I danced the night away with my mom and 2nd mom.

I devoured s'more after s'more.

I drank.

Got my nails done. Went w/o makeup.

Frolicked through the fields.

Felt like a kid again.

Got fancied up and watch my bff get married. I also met some amazing girls aka Bridesmaids.

While this trip went by far too fast, it was one I'll never forget. It was also the perfect reminder I needed that sometimes you just gotta disconnect.

This weekend I plan on doing just that and hope you do, too! Have a wonderful weekend!

Home Sweet Home

I'm still trying to catch up on life since I got home, but I wanted to pop in and say I'm back and I had the best time ever! Returning home this time was something a little out of the norm. Most often, I kinda dread (harsh harsh word) coming back to the humidity and east coast folk, but this time ... something was different.

I've come back to a new roomie. Mike and I decided to take things one step further and call it a deal. He's learning how to deal with my OCD with cleaning, and I'm learning how to deal with his constant singing (it's a good thing he's got a voice unlike me). I couldn't be happier ending off such an amazing week with 2 of my newly married friends than to come home to my best friend!

As I get some pictures uploaded, I'll share my amazing week with ya'll, but in the meantime just imagine a big ol' Greek wedding surrounded by the most caring people, and the most gorgeous ranch-styled wedding tucked away in Montana.