Going Bowlin'!!! (November 26th)

For anyone who saw the State game this past weekend, you will appreciate the story that unfolds in the pictures below. For those who didn't see the game, I will provide captions.

I honestly thought this was going to be the best picture from the entire game. Can you find my brother Bryce?

This was the sad pathetic score at the half. I seriously wanted to cry. People left yelling obscenities at the field. It was humiliating.

Not sure how it happened, but the WolfPack came out of that locker room with a ferocity that no one had ever seen. This was the team the beat Clemson! This is the team I love!

See how I love them! 5 touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Seriously, if you missed this game, you missed the game of the decade!

Wolfpack for life baby!

TICKETS!!! (November 25th)

Normally Black Friday is a big day for me. Lots of shopping, lots of waiting in line, lots of running around like a chicken without a head. I found it exciting and even good exercise. My mother, sister and I would write what we wanted on note cards, send one person to hold a place in the line and the others would scour the store for our items. We thought we KNEW how to do it. This year however, I had all of my Christmas shopping done and my sister is the GM of a Gamestop (so of course she had to work). So instead of trying to get doorbusters alone, my mom went to bed and went shopping in the afternoon. As it turns out, NOT going Black Friday shopping is the way to do it! My mom even mentioned how shopping in the afternoon was so much better than fighting the crowds.

So, all that to say that all I did on Black Friday was ride to Apex with my mom to pick up three free tickets for the NCSU/Maryland game on Saturday. WOOOOO WHOOOO!

Read them and weep!

Turkey Day! (November 24th)

I have always loved Thanksgiving. (1) There is no other day of the year where it is socially accepted to get 5 plates of food. (2) It reminds me how blessed I am! And how thankful I am for this amazing life that I live! (3) It brings my WHOLE family together, and with a family as big as mine, that is hard to do!

I am just going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

We also got a huge announcement on Turkey Day. I am now going to be an aunt x2! Both Bailey AND Brianna are pregnant!

Pre-Thanksgiving Cooking (November 23rd)

Today I actually learned something (unlike all those days that I do school work on)! I learned how to cook the world's best Macaroni and Cheese as well as two different types of sweet potatoes (sweet and spicy). I took extensive notes on what to do while I watched (and tried to help) Jon Kremer cook like a master! Below are a few prep shots.

Spring Cleaning... a little early? (November 22)

So I couldn't sleep last night. I'm really not sure why, but I couldn't. After talking to my boyfriend for several hours after he got of work, I just could NOT go to sleep. So, I did a little cleaning. Here are before and after shots of my handi-work in my parents kitchen!

Fridge before:

Fridge after:

Pantry before:

Pantry after:

Bed of Nails (November 21st)

Nope, I'm not joking. Well maybe just a little. Ever since I got here (that being NC) I have had a lot of back pain. Eventually it got so bad I was willing to try anything to get rid of the pain. Sitting hurt, standing hurt, lying down hurt, bending over REALLY hurt. So while I was talking to my mom about it, she put on her, "ohhhhhh I know what will help, but you aren't gonna like it" look. Yes, she has one of those.

She brought the bed of nails into my bedroom and told me to lay down on it. It felt weird but really wasn't that painful. When I got up, HUGE relief. The pain wasn't gone but it was definitely better. Below is a picture of the "nails," there are over 6,000 of those little spikes on the mat, but totally worth it!

After feeling the relief, I purchased one from Amazon and sent it to my boyfriend. He has a slipped disk in his back and deals with horrible back pain on a daily basis. He never complains about it (he is one tough cookie!) but any possible relief is worth a shot. Just heard that it helped him quite a bit too! So thankful for that little miracle mat!

Is Increased Incarceration Worth the Cost? (November 20th)

Sunday, the day ALL of my school work is due and of course I don't start until the day it's due, or close to it. This week, a paper on increased incarceration rates; exciting, I know.

I won't post my paper here for two reasons. (1)You never know when someone is going to accuse you of allowing someone to cheat off of you. (2) It's really boring.
If for some reason you would actually like to read the paper (I got a 94% on it!) let me know and I will e-mail it to you.

Love Actually (November 19th)

Tonight was a Christmas/Romantic movie night at my friend Sarah's. I had never seen the movie Love Actually, so we rented it for only 52 cents at Blockbuster (that's a Friday and Saturday deal through the holidays, might want to check it out!) I enjoyed the movie, but it was not my favorite as it is Sarah's.

Yes, I have Twilight fever. (November 17th-18th)

It's true. However, I do want to qualify that statement. Not because I want to say I don't have it, I most definitely do, but I do not much enjoy the movies. I saw the first movie in theaters at least 10 times with my sister when my first boyfriend broke up with me. Shortly after seeing it, my sister and I both realized it was a book series and got hooked immediately! I very much enjoy the books and have re-read them a few times (minus the boring parts in New Moon). However, I don't own any of the movies and probably won't watch them again. I will finish the movie series, out of principle.

The best part about this night however is that I got to see the movie with my good friend Sarah Sugg! We cracked jokes and made comments throughout the movie and even went to enjoy a cookout milkshake afterwards. It was definitely worth the 10 bucks for the experience.

I'm honestly not sure what Sarah is doing....

Also, we were NOT the only ones who took a picture with the poster!

My first cook-out run since being back in NC!

In the Belly of the Beast (November 16th)

While this might sound like a really interesting title for a blog. It really isn't. All I did today was work on school work. Another one of those days. I will note here though that the book I am reading for my American Prisons class is interesting. In the Belly of the Beast by Jack Henry Abbott is not for the faint of heart, but it definitely provides a new perspective on the life inside prison. Jack Henry Abbott is a convict that has spent all but 6 weeks of his adult life in the prison system. He started his criminal career in his youth and hasn't seen much of the American public other than the 6 weeks he escaped from prison.

Like I said, not for the faint of heart, the author does not use a filter in his writing, but if you are looking for an interesting or challenging read, pick this one up.
(I also want to note that Abbott does not speak well of the 'pigs'. He is referring to the prison staff, particularly the guards. I do not subscribe to his beliefs and this book should be read with a discerning eye.)

Happy Birthday Savannah! (November 15)

Today contained an interesting surprise. Rusty's brother and his wife have two young children who attend a daycare/school during the day till about 3pm. I think that's a pretty normal situation in most families, what was interesting today was that on her way to pick up her children, Amy's (the mother) van had a tire rod break. Obviously she couldn't drive with a broken tire rod, so several missed phone calls later, someone finally got ahold of my mother and I and we jumped to the rescue. Well, I jumped, my mom stood up like a normal person.

Anyway, the added surprise today was that it was the little girl's birthday! She is now 4! Below is a picture of her with her new dolly!

Happy 4th Birthday Savannah!

Don't you love the smell of perm in the morning? (November 14)

Well it wasn't exactly morning, in fact it was the opposite, but that didn't make for a catchy title. Over the years my mother, sister and I have all gotten perms. All of us have flat, straight, fine and thin hair so it helps to give us a boost. Also, I just love curls. I'm not sure when I first started doing my mom's perms, but I have given her several over the past few years. Obviously, it is difficult to give someone a perm when you live 3000 miles away from them, so on my 2-month stint here, it was a requirement.

The idea was that I would give my mom a perm and she would give me one. The only problem with said plan is that my boyfriend has a thing for straight hair. While he very explicitly told me that it's my hair and I can do what I want with it, I decided to keep it straight. Aren't I a good girlfriend?

Below are the during and post perm pictures, all pre-color (that will come another day).

Champagne colored Sperrys anyone? (November 13)

Today was an awesome day! I got to spend it with my favorites from college, Dana Miller and Sarah Sugg. Oh how I missed them. I won't confuse you with the details of our day here, but suffice it to say, I love those gals!

Dana is getting married at the end of March 2012. I get the supreme honor of being one of her bridesmaids. Sarah is going to be her maid of honor! So while we were spending time together today, we decided to do a little shoe shopping for the big day! As Dana was laying out the guidelines for our champagne colored shoes, Sarah and I were, let's just say, not being helpful. We made a joke about wearing Uggs as a wedding prank and then another about champagne colored Sperrys (hey! it works under the color guidelines!) We did not realize however that the Sperrys we laughed about actually exist AND they were on clearance (probably because no one bought them).

We exhausted our shoe options and decided to do a little other shopping. Somehow we ended up in a Hallmark looking for earrings? While the Hallmark did not have the jewelry we were looking for, it did have a source of entertainment for us. Below you can see Sarah and Dana turning around all UNC emblazoned decorations as well as a Ram that is no longer with us...
All I have to say is Go Pack! The three of us most definitely bleed red!

Again I shall say, oh how I miss these girls!

In need of a yard sale! (November 12)

For those of you that have never visited my mother's yard sales, you are missing out. She had seven children, none of which live in her house anymore. This means that everything we left behind, is hers to sell. And let me tell you, there is a LOT of it!

I managed to get a before shot:

And a shot of our progress, all those boxes are full of yard sale items!

Organization Extravaganza! (November 11)

Today might have been lots of work just like yesterday, but this kind of work, I enjoy. I'm really thinking I should be a professional organizer. Whether I'm good at organizing or not, I sure do love it! We started on the mountain of papers that stacks up in everyone's "To Do" pile.
Here is our box system.

After we put a size-able dent in the stack of To Do's, we went to Red Robin and I celebrated with a Mint Brownie milkshake. Insider Tip: Get the gingerbread shake instead... too much brownie in this one. Plus the gingerbread will rock your socks off!

You gotta do what you gotta do. (November 10)

Some days aren't so much of an adventure. Today, is one of those days. I spent all day and most of the night doing homework. Really, I'm not kidding. That's it. Well, I guess I ate in there to, but probably next to my computer or textbook doing more homework. Here is my exciting picture of today!

Thrilling, huh?

Dancing with the stars! (November 9)

Today I spent the day with my sister and brother-in-law. They both had the day off, so we thought some time together would be nice. Our adventure for the day was by far one of the funniest I have had (yes, I know I have only been doing this for a few days). We played baseball, tennis, darts and even had a dance competition. I caught quite a bit of this on video, but a certain someone in a few of the videos, won't let me post them here.

Here are a few of the best pictures. (I really need a good camera, my phone can't take a decent picture when light or movement are involved).

Baseball with Jon, tie game due to the world's most amazing fake catch.

Shake it momma!

All work, all play. (November 8)

Yesterday I mentioned having the un-joyous task of de-mantling my mother's halloween village. Well I don't think I fully explained what halloween is like at her house. My mother and step-dad dream halloween. Their decorations are the envy of the neighborhood. Let me just put it this way, if you haven't been to their house for halloween before... make the trip next year. They are always improving and getting more creative, and they put a lot of time and effort into making it fun for everyone.

Sadly, I only took one picture of one section of their house before I took it all down and boxed it up. The decorations are a lot less fun to look at when they are all shoved into a box...

Here's what I have for you. The mad scientist's bookshelf. Enjoy!

The thing I missed most about NC? (November 7)

Today my adventure was a goodie. I got the chance to revisit one of my favorite places in North Carolina. I can't tell you how many times I frequented this place while in college, it was truly a source of pure joy. Here it is ladies and gentlemen, my adventure for the day.

I also had the un-joyous task of de-mantling my mother's halloween village. She really did an amazing job, here are a few pictures to give you an idea of the effort she puts in.

Yellow Belt Status (November 6)

Today my mom, stepdad and I all visited my pregnant sister and her husband. What a fun trip! It was great catching up with those two, haven't gotten to sit and talk with them in a long time! About halfway through the day, Maddie (my sister's unborn daughter) began kicking. I personally have never felt a baby kick before, what a fun experience! It felt like little pulses in my sister's stomach. We decided that Maddie has achieved yellow belt status, can't wait to see what comes next!

Britt

Back in NC (November 5)

Remember Remember the 5th of November. I will definitely remember this day, although not at all for the same reasons. This was the day of my return to NC, the day my family got together to celebrate me!

Only one thing stood in the way of it being a perfect day. I was greeted at my bedroom door by this....

Dinner with the family was crazy as always but that's why restaurants love us!

(Bryce missing to the left of the picture).

Good Start to the 365 project!

Britt

Aren't I supposed to write stuff on here?

I have come to the realization that I am the world’s worst blogger. I started this blog when I went on an ‘adventure.’ Kenya was definitely an adventure. I found great joy in blogging about my time there and providing my small base of readers with pictures. I have not however been able to bring myself to write about the everyday mundane things that happen to me. I have never felt that my everyday life was worth reading about… it’s pretty normal.

So now, I’m going to fix that. I am making a new resolution. Yes, I know that’s something you usually wait until the beginning of the year to do, but since I’m making my way back to North Carolina, I think it would be appropriate to start now. The resolution is this: take a picture each day of my adventures.

I’m hoping this resolution with do three things for me. First, I’m hoping it will make me blog more about my life, get my creative juices flowing. Second, I’m hoping that it will help me to find the adventure of everyday life. Third, I’m kind of hoping it will make me a better photographer.

Start looking for my new posts!

Britt