Brittney Has Something To Say » Holidays

V-Day Countdown

Brittney — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:16:37 +0000

Good morning friends, family, Twitter creepers & those of you who only find this blog by searching “Avoid the Stork.” Recently I’ve gotten bangs (not really by choice, more by way of an overzealous stylist at Pro Cuts. Have you been? It costs about $12 to get your hair cut there. I am far too cheap to care enough about my hair to not get it cut for only twelve dollars), started being oddly productive on Fridays, gotten really into putting honey mustard dressing on my salads, adjusting to putting only one space after a period in sentences which is difficult and completely against everything I was ever taught for 13+ years of schooling, hitting the job search hard, and getting completely Becky Home Ec-y in the kitchen (was my mother the only one who ever used that phrase? It’s probably made up.) In addition to making homemade valentines this year, I’m also making some of the edible variety by way about one hundred sugar cookies– thanks for the cutters for Christmas, Grandma– with people’s names piped on the top. That is today’s project, I’ll be sure and report back on how it goes. I also plan on making these gems before the weekend is over, and in a perfect world I would also squeeze in a meal just devoted to these, but I’d like my pancreas to survive til Monday– Valentine’s Day, my favorite holiday. For those of you who live under a rock or need a refresher, I will be spending my V-Day evening in Moline, Illinois at perhaps the greatest show of my nearly 22 years. Making this event even more blessed is the meal I will be happily shoveling in my face beforehand. The Ozzy/Slash tickets were Neil’s Christmas gift to me, if you recall, thus my German beer hall visit is technically my Valentine’s Day present. Or so he says, but there also better be some flowers or trinkets bestowed to me throughout the day if he knows what’s good for him.

2011

Brittney — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 04:42:56 +0000

Christmas was a rousing success, and we managed to continue the awesomeness into a 713 celebration of the new year last night. Apparently 2010 sucked the big one for many people around me, but as per my prediction at this time last year, it was perhaps my greatest year to date. 2011 is looking to be equally as awesome, though perhaps a touch more scary. I could not be more excited for the coming 364 days (if this first one was any indication, this will be an amazing year) because BIG things are sure to happen. In five months, I’ll graduate college, (hopefully? No, surely) get a job, move, make a lot of grown-up decisions– so exciting!!! Yes, that was a lot of exclamation points and overused adjectives, but seriously 2011, let’s do this.

Christmas Eve

Brittney — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:55:01 +0000

Merry Christmas Eve!
As per usual, we’re at my grandmother’s house in Fort Dodge eating far too much, putting together a puzzle, and waiting until church and dinner are over tonight to get to the main show: presents. (Yeah, yeah, it’s all about giving. But you have to admit presents time is still the best time.) Hopefully Fergus is still alive at NPH’s house. My grandfather asked me yesterday, “Who do you miss more, Fergus or–” and before he could finish, I shouted, “FERGUS!!” Sorry, Neil. My favorite part of our journey North thus far was when my grandmother went out of sight by the basement stairs and shouted, “It’s just a box, not me, folks– don’t worry,” which made no sense until we heard something tumbling down the basement stairs (the box, not her.) You probably had to be here, but I thought it was amusing. When I brought NPH up here earlier this week to meet them and inquired to Grandpa as to where they got a particular set of ornaments I was admiring, he told me he was lucky to know his own name and address most days, so how the hell should he know.
Since I haven’t taken any photos yet of this joyous holiday weekend, I will leave you with this, Fergus in his Christmas sweater (from a couple weeks ago, sadly, because we are not together today):

What a diva

Almost home

Brittney — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:35:27 +0000

For being officially on Christmas break, I sure have left myself a lot with much as-yet-unfinished business before leaving Iowa City tomorrow. While packing for home is the most daunting task on my to-do list, it’s surely the one that will be put off the longest. NPH, his roomies, and I are hoping to catch a showing of Black Swan in Cedar Rapids this afternoon (Fandango doesn’t show it playing in Iowa City?) I’d also like to see The Fighter sometime over break, but I feel that’s more of a kettle corn with the Pops event. Tomorrow I’m loading up the car with NPH and Fergus and heading to the booming metropolis of Fort Dodge, Iowa so that the grandparents and boyfriend can finally meet. Mostly I just want him to experience my grandmother’s house at Christmas because it’s off the CHAIN and not able to be adequately described with words. But seriously, trees in every room. And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Afterward, we’re headed to Adel so my mother can see Fergus again (ok, not the only reason, but definitely the one she’s most excited for. For not being exactly thrilled that we got him, T-Bone is in l-o-v-e with this dog.) Perhaps send some well wishes NPH’s way that he makes it out of this family-filled weekend alive and still sorta fond of me. Now if you’ll excuse me, Roomie Rachael made cookies last night, and I’m hoping to snag a few for breakfast. Break is quite necessary, if only for the free food.

OH AND PS– for some reason ICON is being terribly dumb and enlarged on my screen and not showing the toolbar to get to my grades. Any other Hawkeyes experiencing this? Because I’m gonna need to see how I did on my EU final like now.

DJK & Christmas spirit

Brittney — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:07:30 +0000

Today I finally found myself in the holiday spirit, perhaps because of the news of our Hawkeye receiver Derrel Johnson-Koulianos’ recent drug charges. (Get it? It was a cocaine joke! Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty more.) Today I finally hung up Christmas lights in our living room (and made an inappropriate lighted appendage with the remainder of the strand on the wall above our TV) and got rillll domestic in the kitchen with peanut butter balls, chocolate covered pretzels, and frosted sugar cookie cut-outs. Unfortunately, I discovered that I hadn’t stolen any of my mother’s Christmas-themed cookie cutters like I’ve done in years previous, so was left with the only other cookie cutter in our house: the aforementioned inappropriate body part. For the record, the cookie cutter belongs to Roomie Lauren, and I believe was purchased as a gag gift and/or jello shot shaping device long before I came into her life. So really, I’m the innocent one in all of today’s debauchery.

SPEAKING of debauchery, my social networking sites have been understandably blowing up with the news of DJK’s arrest. I’ve seen some quite annoying updates, some really funny jokes, and everything in between. Personally, I have no feelings beyond mild amusement. Our football team wasn’t exactly having the immaculate season we were promised, and as someone said, he’s only human. He was given superstar status and everything he could ever want here, so I shouldn’t think it’d be surprising for a guy his age to think he was invincible when it came to his off-the-field drug habits. He is certainly not the only person on campus doing these drugs or selling these drugs, but he’s the only one who will be getting this attention because damn, can he catch a football. Honestly, I feel bad for him. He made a lot of dumb mistakes, but now he has to deal with the consequences for the rest of his life. Sure he’s an idiot and should realize that his legions of fans would hold him to a higher standard than the other coked out losers roaming Iowa City, but I’m an idiot sometimes and you’re an idiot sometimes– at least we’ll probably never be a trending topic on Twitter when we get caught.

Do-Gooders

Brittney — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:18:00 +0000

If you’re checking in for an update on my bruised behind: it might possibly be worse. It’s also shaped kinda like Massachusetts, which is fitting since most days I’m fairly certain my ass is the size of Massachusetts.

This afternoon I volunteered at the local Hope Lodge with some other girls from PRSSA. We put up their holiday decorations, which included many wreaths and figurines and strands of lights. We also assembled two trees which we then adorned with some uh, interesting artistic themes could most politely be described as eclectic. There were two guests who also participated, one who loved to decorate at home and was more than willing to put in her two cents whenever it seemed we were at a loss for how best to hang ribbon on a tree. I’m really glad we went– they had a good time, and the place looks great.

Afterward, Roomie Lauren and I got take-out sushi from Oyama, a place I forget about but is probably my favorite sushi place in Iowa City. Leprechaun roll? TO DIE. Fergus, who has been feeling under the weather lately (probably because he is a little cuss and gets into very non-edible things) joined us later to have way too much fun playing with Lauren while I made gingersnaps. Aren’t we just the cutest little family. Neil told me what he’s getting me for Christmas today (IT’S SO AMAZING) and I told him Friday (because I can’t, can’t, can’t wait for anything to save my life) and because we both got each other not so much items as experiences. What he got me (where he’s taking me?) is way better than me to him, but that’s because Slash is involved. SEE, there I go again. Jumpin’ the gun on everything.

Holy blaaaah

Brittney — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:24:26 +0000

I have nothing to write about. I could complain about how obese and unmotivated I feel, or fill you in about all of Fergus’ adventures with the family for the past week. I could (belatedly) make a list of things I’m thankful for, but I’d say my Thankful til Thanksgiving thing on the blog was a big fail this year. I finished Ozzy Osbourne’s autobiography I Am Ozzy last night– it was fabulous, as I think most drug-fueled memoirs are (besides my possibly most prized possession, a signed copy of Slash’s autobiography, I also have Steven Adler’s recent book, and Nikki Sixx’s The Heroin Diaries.)
Savannah and I went to the movie Morning Glory for her birthday on Tuesday, and it was really good. Does Harrison Ford growl like that when he speaks in real life? We finished off the night by going to some Adel bars– an, um… interesting experience that I wouldn’t like to repeat more than once or twice a year. My grandmother once again hosted a kick-ass Thanksgiving, though I’m gonna get mushy here for a second when I say both Fergus and I miss NPH something awful. We’ve been trying to put together a Norman Rockwell puzzle for over 24 hours– you’d think 1,000 pieces wouldn’t be that hard with three people working on it, but you’d be wrong.
“Are you telling them how good Fergus was? Grandpa didn’t even take the paper to him once.” –my grandfather, better known as Papa John, sitting next to me. He and my grandmother are definitely my most avid blog readers, and he’s correct in that Fergus was shockingly well-behaved the whole time. They’re probably going to be disappointed at the lack of substance in this post, but I promise a better follow-up later with photos and a better attitude in general towards being out of bed.

Christmas list

Brittney — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:34:22 +0000

It’s no secret how excited I am for Christmas, so I figured I’d get some of it off my brain and onto the ol’ bloggity blog JUST in case any readers were looking for ideas. Giant cough toward the boyfriend/ anyone of blood relation. So, drumroll please– I present to you now:

Brittney’s Ideal Christmas Wish List 2010

1. Gallons– nay, vats– of V8 Soups. I don’t have a favorite flavor (ok, I could live without the Southwestern Corn), just buy out your grocer’s entire stock of V8 Soups. If you haven’t had these, I urge you to mow over small children and animals to get to your hands on a magical green carton– I promise you’ll be hooked.

2. Remote start for my car. Because it’s getting cold out and I’m a wimp.

3. A plane ticket to Germany (Munich, please!) With D-Bag. For Oktoberfest of next year. Really not that much to ask, right?

4. A semi-truck load of Morningstar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burgers. You can buy them in 18 packs at Costco, they are my FAVORITE. Seriously, I get really excited for lunch now. Being a vegetarian tastes so much better than my previously meaty life.

5. Hawkeye gear for Fergus. No, I will not take gifts for him as a replacement for ones for myself, but he’s got a self-proclaimed godmother who’s going to spoil him (and perhaps dress him up for a Christmas card-style photo shoot). Natalie, he needs Hawkeye gear for the games– the black will go well with his red coloring.

6. A job starting in about June in Boston/DC/a major metropolitan area on the east coast in either event planning/ public relations/ writing/ being fabulous.

7. Java House gift cards even though I realize those damn chai tea lattes are just all sugar. Ooh, while we’re at it, throw in some gift cards to Which Wich, Target, Bruegger’s, HyVee, Kum n Go, and some extra ones to Target. Pretty sure I could just live there.

8. Do they sell boxed seasons of Say Yes to the Dress? Because um, YES PLEASE.

Halloween photo recap

Brittney — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:47:10 +0000

Halloween Fergus

German beer girl (way to go, Halloween clearance sale at Target!)

AhhhhhGunsnRosesAhhhhhh

Which one of these is not like the other ones?

NPH isn't one for getting all gussied up

Also, giant shout-out to Roomie Rachael who is apparently scrubbing the apartment clean this morning while I “look for jobs” (Facebook?) in the living room, waiting for Roomie Lauren to wake up who I will then assault until it’s pumpkin pie shake time. Don’t let me down today, Hamburg Inn.

I survived

Brittney — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:20:30 +0000

(Alternate title for this post: Coming Out the Other End. But then I realized that could be taken far differently than intended.)

I MADE IT. Through my midterm and my giant, hours-long class project with nary a physical injury and only minimal emotional scarring. Not only did I survive the midterm, I rocked it. Scores won’t be posted until next week, but there was only one short answer question I was slightly unsure of. Needless to say, MUCH better than last time. Our class event not only is over with, it was a big success with over 200 people showing up over four hours. Amazingly I don’t have class on Wednesdays, so sleeping in til 11:00 was in order.

I realize there’s still a few days left in October, but really– who cares about Halloween? Not I. Mark it on your calendars– 12:08 pm on October 27, I revved up my Christmas station on Pandora. I’m SO EXCITED for Thanksgiving/Christmas. This is the time of year when I wish I could end school a month early and just hang out at my Grandma’s house decorating and making Christmas food. My friends have already informed me they’re giving Fergus far more Christmas presents than I can expect from them, figures. Ohhhhmygoodness we’ll have to get him his own stocking. 713 doesn’t have a fireplace, but we can improvise. Speaking of the ever-growing pup, here’s a photo or two to tide over those who have asked for more:

Basset ears

NPH likes to make sure he's extra cozy

I don’t really have anything I want for Christmas besides a job after graduation, though I’m a huge fan of gift cards (if you’d like a list of places I frequent in the greater Iowa City area, boy howdy do I have one ready.) I realize those aren’t the most exciting, but Lord knows I don’t need food, would rather pick out my own clothes at this stage of my life, and have no idea where I’ll be living in six months. Oooh cash is always good. Especially cash for our roommate trip to Vegas for Spring Break. I found $10 on the ground on Saturday. Best day ever.