Dream Home 2011... It's mine!

A few days ago,  Jeff and I were at his house watching some type of house hunting show on tv.  We love these shows.  Don’t ask me why.  It’s just fun to look for houses or see what types of houses other people are finding and buying.  But anyway, we saw a commercial for HGTV’s Dream Home 2011.  And so it begins….

Since that night, we have both entered every single one of our email address on both website every day.  Granted, it hasn’t even been a week yet, but that says a lot for the two of us.  Determination isn’t always the strongest quality in us as a pair when it comes to things that are usually easily forgotten.  However, we are in love with this house.  Yes, in LOVE.  It is in Stowe, Vermont (which isn’t my first pick of locations, but I’m pretty okay with it) and it is gorgeous.  It is so up to date, well obviously, considering it’s brand new and all.  And the kitchen is uh-may-zinggg.  But it just has so many amazing features to it… once again, it's love.

Jeff and I are now so full of determination and hope that we haven’t stopped thinking or talking about this Dream Home.  It's gotten to the point where we look and sound like crazies who actually think they have already won.  But fear not--we are striving in every way possible to win this thing. Did I mention you also win $500,000 and a brand new GMC Acadia Denali?  We have researched this contest and looked at pictures and tours over and over again.  I’ve read interviews with past winners and everything.

So basically, all I wanted to say today (in a million+ words) is that Jeff and I may have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  But if we win this Dream Home, it is totally worth it.

Goodbye 2010, 2011, you're already smacking me.

2010 was one of the biggest, best, worst, and unforgettable years of my life.  I would have never expected so many good and bad things to happen, and I never thought I’d ever have another year anywhere close to it.  Being only the 7^th day of 2011, I’m already starting to think it’s going to be a close match to 2010…

In 2010 great things happened to me.  In April, I got a new job in the Biology department at the University of Utah and I also went to LA with my sister, Erin, to see a Taylor Swift concert…front row tickets and a fully paid flight and hotel room.  I had won this previously (November 2009) from my favorite radio station, KBULL 93.  It was so much fun to get out of town with just my best friend and sister, Erin.

I got engaged to my boyfriend of 4 years in May, which was both surprising and exciting. I started wedding planning which is both good and bad.  It’s fun, but really stressful and frustrating at the same time.

In August, I was accepted into the Elementary Education program at the University of Utah.  After a lot of preparation, the letter seemed to take forever to come in the mail.  Hence that coined term, "snail mail."

Another good thing that happened in 2010 was I found out my best friend is having a baby.  I’m so so so excited for her and I can’t wait to hopefully go through the experience with her. 

Now, as I’m writing this, I am struggling to think of the positive things that happened last year as the negative is looming in my mind.  In June 2010, I was awakened around 8 in the morning to the news that my brother had passed away in an accident early in the morning.  Since then, my world has completely changed.  And I really do mean completely.  I look at everything in a different way than I know I would have previously.  I think of him in every thought of every day, which is both comforting and makes me sad.  It makes me question a lot of my previous beliefs I have had set in my mind from a very young age.  

As 2011 is now in my mind and I’m hoping to never forget anything that happened to me last year, I am starting to prepare even more for my wedding, which will be in June!  I really cannot wait to start this new chapter in my life.  I am going to be Britney Hillier. Graduate college as Britney Hillier and be an elementary teacher as Mrs. Hillier.  I have always imagined being Mrs. Dahle...

It seems as though every week, I hear of someone else from high school getting engaged.  It really so is so crazy!  So far in my mind, my wedding is going to be the biggest thing of the year.  Or at least I’m hoping nothing too much bigger comes this way…

As I said previously, already it’s only 7 days into the new year and new big things are already happening!  Remember my best friend having a baby I mentioned above?  Well, I just got news from her about an hour ago that she found out this morning she is having TWINS!  I cannot believe it.  I will admit I have already asked if I could have one… no response back yet :)  So not only is that a big thing, but the actual event of my friend having her babies is going to be huge!  I am so excited for her and her husband. 

Congrats guys!  I love you both!
In the Fall, I am set to start my student teaching.  I am incredibly nervous for it, but maybe just a little excited about it at the same time ;)

2011, Bring it On!!!

Bake with Brit

I started my cooking/baking blog a couple of days ago.  It's nothing fancy yet.  Only 2 recipes so far and they are super easy (maybe a little bit boring, but delicious none the less).  

Head on over!

http://bakewithbrit.blogspot.com/

A Cooking Blog

For the past couple of days... or maybe it has been weeks (who really knows during the holiday season?) Jeff has been urging me to start a cooking blog.  Everyone knows I love to cook and especially bake treats, so I'm starting to think, okay--why not?

So, to start off, yesterday I made Rolo Surprise Cookies.  I got all excited to take pictures during the steps to post on my new blog with the recipe... and wouldn't you know, as I was transferring the last batch of cookies from the cookie sheet to the cooling rack, I realized I never got my camera out and didn't document a speck of the action!

In conclusion, the cooking/baking blog will have to start another day with another recipe!

Dessert Party, Anyone?

ATTENTION:

short blog entry ahead.

I want to have a party.  One that consists of many many desserts.  PREFERABLY home-made desserts.  Brownies. Cookies. Cakes. Candies. Candied nuts. And all that good holiday stuff.  Anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome :)

Email me.

These are a few of my favorite things....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

In the hype of the Christmas season, I decided to make a list of my favorite things.

*Note: The list above is not compiled of MY favorite things 

1. Sending Emails 

If you know me well, you know I love to send emails.  Formal emails, professional emails, friendly emails, long emails, short emails, sweet emails, news articles via email, pictures via email, website links via email, to-do lists via email... and it goes on and on.  I love to type it up, edit it, and press that little send button.  However, then I have to sit and wait for emails to come back.  Which they very rarely do, but I still love...

2. Receiving emails!

Hello... I love to send them, yes, but I love to get them too.  That little number that pops up that says how many new messages are waiting for me...beautiful. But I must admit, I'm getting sick of all those stores sending me holiday coupons I will never ever use.  Thanks for the offers though.

3. Photography

No, not really taking pictures or anything to do with me and photography, but I've found a love for looking at photographer's blogs.  I would say this started when I found my wedding photographer.  I love to check her blog to see if she's posted new pictures from a shoot.  I love love LOVE it.  I wish I some a little bit of that talent (WHOO! I just got an email).

4. Baking

Yes, baking.  I absolutely love it.  Send me a recipe and I'll make it.  Christmas presents this year?  Food items.  Mint chocolate chip brownies, candied nuts, almond bars, caramel apple dip, crinkle cookies, cookie in a jar mixes.  Love it.  Embrace it.  Eat it! 

5. My bed

What would this list be without my almost favorite thing in the world? I love to lay in my bed with all my blankets and pillows and, of course, Bragley and Kaia.  I love sleeping and just being super comfortable.

6. Sweatpants

Any size, shape, or color. Jeff hates it.  'Nuff said.

7. My LV purse

*Inspired by Sharron F. <3

I bought Louis in Hawaii in October 2007 (I think) and have used it almost every day since.  Hey, I have to get every one of those 600 dollars worth out of it. Although sometimes I do think of all the other things I could have bought with that money, it's the only big splurge I've made in my life.

8. Water

It's all I drink.  Sure, sometimes I'll get real crazy and have a sip of Jeff's coke or have my own, but typically I'm an H2O supporter. 

9. C.lean L.aundry S.mell

CLS is what I like to call it.  I like having clean clothes to replenish my closet, but I hate putting them away.  This number 9 is strictly saying I love the SMELL of clean clothes.  MMmm.

10. My dog

You all know that.  Kaia is my baby.  She is naughty and psycho, but that just adds character to her lovely self.  

11. My Family

They're kinda crazy, and drive me kinda crazy, but I gotta love them.  I don't know what I'd do without them.  When you lose someone, it makes you realize even more how much you have to appreciate everything about your family and friends. 

12. Jeff... of course!

Did I really have to say that?!

I've been missing... Glad you found me.

So... I haven't updated my blog in forever.  Since June to be exact.  Of course a lot of things have happened, but in reality, not much has really happened.  I am trying to move on with life and be that strong person every person always tells you to try to be.  And it's hard.
I miss my brother every day and think about him every... I may even cry a bit about it every day.  But.  I can just hope and pray that he is happy and watching down on me and laughing at all the stupid things I do or say.  Especially when I secretly try to talk to him as if he's there listening.  Don't worry, I still think he is. 

I miss my dad, who I only get out to visit only a few times.  With my busy work and school schedule I feel like I wake up, leave, come home at 7 or 7:30, eat dinner, sneak in some homework, and go to bed.  Do I feel guilty for resting and playing around on the weekends instead of visiting him?  Oh sure, all the time.  But when I do get to see him it makes me feel better.  I love my family.

Yay for the holidays being here, right?  For many of us, that means lots of food, family, and money-spending.  I'm still hoping to wake up every day and find that secret money tree in my back yard.  And no, I won't tell you or share it with you if I ever find it :)
I'm still trying to plan my wedding... which is in June.  Believe me folks, it's even more expensive than those holidays previously mentioned.  

We've: 

picked a date 

booked a venue 

bought my dress.shoes.veil.hairpiece.etc.

found an amazing photographer who is super cute and nice (I literally cannot wait for our engagement session in early May).  

So what's left?  

Lots.

 Like: 

picking a florist and flowers we want

sending out invites (pretty sure we've already picked who's going to do those)

finding a band

getting an officiant

picking out wedding rinds/bands

registering for those fabulous gifts you'll all be buying for us :)

and other things I can't even remember.  

So why, may I ask, do we spend so much time and money and effort for people to come watch us get married and eat and dance?
I don't know, which is why I'm asking you.  To celebrate?  Of course.

We'll see you there!