If you're overly addicted to online window shopping clap your hands!

CLAP! CLAP!

So, I've decided that Kyle and I are pretty big weenies with our blog (i.e. we don't post much) and I think that's partly because we do larger entries. Therefore, I decided that I would post this mini-post of sorts today.

Kyle and I don't exactly have a lot of money we can spend on whatever we want, but I am addicted to shopping. I am a recovering shopaholic! I once spent thousands of dollars in one summer (the one right before I went to University and gained too much weight...) on clothes and shoes and makeup, etc. Now, I am reduced to a small clothing budget. :-( That's okay... I've come to terms with it. *sniffle*

ANYWAYS, so I find myself shopping online a lot of these days. And now it's not just for myself. The past day or two I have been looking at cufflinks online for Kyle. Not that I will buy them and that he will accept them, but it's nice to dream anyways. There's even these really cute beehives ones that I thought would be cool if he ever had to do stuff with Young Women's.

To keep this short, I "love" (please don't tell me) finding new and interesting places to shop online but I continue to frequent old favorites such as RW & Co., Gap Co. (Old Navy, The Gap and Banana Republic), etc.

Please Santa, this year, bring me more self-restraint... That way I don't send myself into a depressed state every time I think of typing in www.gap.com.

P.S. This is the first attempt I ever made at putting a picture on the web. I am so pumped it worked. 

Now that we're out of school, we have to make our own quiz

I stalk... a lot. I stalk with Facebook and I've begun stalking with blogs. I go on a friend's and then click from there and see where I can get! I stole this from someone who has no idea who I am... 

I thought this would be really good to because it lets you get to know us a bit better. :-)

I hope it doesn't seem super jr. high but it's a quiz!

P.S. I just had to do it in green and red because it's so close to Christmas.

P.P.S. We aren't reading each other's answers until it's published, so there was no consultation. I know I'm excited to see what he wrote! It better be nice...

Brittney's quiz about Kyle

1) Where did you meet? At a ward Halloween party in BDSC. 

2) How long did you date before you were married? Not very long... 9 (hahaha 9 months... NO!)

3) How long have you been married for? We're on our fifth month

4) Who said "I love you" first? It's a complicated story, but Kyle was the first one to say those words.

5) When and where was your first kiss? It was on a winter night (?) in Kyle's driveway just before I was leaving to go home and he was going to babysit Emmett (our nephew).

6) Who kissed whom first? I DID! I DID!!! But Kyle gave all the signs. I just had to go for it because after a good 10 minutes of awkward chat my legs were numb and I wanted to go.

7) Who proposed? He did! And he kneeled in the mud. It was the best. Then I got too excited and dizzy and my tummy hurt so I had to lay down. (It was at the Legislature.)

8) What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Saturday, after all the cleaning and errands and chores are done, just to cuddle and watch something.

9) Do you have kids? NO! NO! NO NO NO!!!! Everything that is good in the world, please no!!!

10) What does he do that surprises you? Gosh, so much! He's just so funny in ways that I wouldn't think of.

11) What is your favorite feature about him? Hm.... I can't pick one. But he's so handsome... :-)

12) What is your favorite quality about him? How friggen hilarious he is!

13) Does he have a nickname for you? Binnie is the most common and loved.

14) What is his favorite color? Stripes! (Okay, I think it's blue, but I know that he loves stripes, which I also recognize is NOT a colour!)

15) What is his favorite food? He LOVES pizza and pasta! But there's lots of food that he loves. I'm not sure what his 100% favorite is.

16) What is his favorite sport? He really likes to run and swim.

17) What is a hidden talent that he has? His ability to get back scratches/rubs through thorough whining.

18) How old is he? 24, nearly a quarter century! Very excited for the birthday!

19) What do you admire most about him? How hard of a worker he is!

20) What is his favorite pastime? Civilisations is the big thing right now because he doesn't play games during the school semester.

21) Who sings better? I don't think singing is either of our fortes.

22) Who is smarter? KYLE! Way more!! He is going to get such a good GPA this semester... way better than mine. :-(

23) Who does the laundry? We share the laundry responsibility.

24) Who pays the bills? Kyle. Not for any particular reason, but he just thinks of it sooner. I wait until closer to the deadline. 

25) Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I think that this is a kind of existential question. It depends which way you look at it. If you're looking AT the bed, me. If you're looking from on the bed, Kyle.

26) Who cooks dinner? Mostly me.

27) Who drives? We share driving because we both REALLY love driving.

28) Who is more stubborn? Me.

29) Who has more siblings? We both only have one sibling.

30) Whose temper is worse? Mine. Definitely mine.

31) Who does the dishes? We also share this responsibility, but it's probably Kyle that does slightly more.

32) Whose parents do you see more? Absolutely his; we see them every Sunday. We see my parents at the Keg whenever a birthday or holiday comes up. ;-)

Kyle's quiz about Brittney

1) Where did you meet? In the gym of the Bonnie Doon Stake Centre 

2) How long did you date before you were married? Eight months

3) How long have you been married for? Four Months

4) Who said "I love you" first? Me

5) When and where was your first kiss? My Parents Driveway

6) Who kissed whom first? We kissed at the same time, but it was Brittney who made the first move. 

7) Who proposed? Me

8) What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Probably watching a movie at home. 

9) Do you have kids? Nope. Unless Britt is hiding a deep dark secret

10) What does she do that surprises you? She will usually say something really bizarre in public

11) What is your favorite feature about her? Bright eyes with a pretty smile. 

12) What is your favorite quality about her? She is charitable and always helps others, even to the point where it is annoying. 

13) Does he have a nickname for you? Several... such as: Goob, Goobie, Goobaloo, Doobie, KP, Jerk. 

14) What is her favorite color? Green

15) What is his favorite food? She really like Stir Fry

16) What is his favorite sport? She hates sports. She refuses to compete at something she can't win at

17) What is a hidden talent that she has? It's hidden, so I don't know it...

18) How old is she? 21

19) What do you admire most about her? She's bilingual, I'm really jealous of that

20) What is his favorite pastime? Breakfast at uncle Toms?

21) Who sings better? She does. 

22) Who is smarter? She's more right brained, I'm more left brained, so it is hard to say. I get better grades, so on paper...I am!! 

23) Who does the laundry? Both of us. 

24) Who pays the bills? I mostly do.

25) Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

26) Who cooks dinner? Both of us, but it is usually her

27) Who drives? Both of us.

28) Who is more stubborn? She is. Though we are both pretty bad

29) Who has more siblings? Tied.

30) Whose temper is worse? Mine

31) Who does the dishes? Both do, but I think I do more. 

32) Whose parents do you see more? Mine

To the Evil Librarian: You're Needed on Floor 3.

I will never forget my experiences at the Ardrossan Jr/Sr high school library. I’m not sure what I was doing there, looking at my grades it was apparent that I wasn’t studying. I particularly remember two of the librarians, who I considered tyrants. One was a cranky old lady whose golden years weren’t so golden. The other was a middle-aged man-hater with a shrill voice and a nose for greasy Jr. High troublemaking..

They watched our every move, shushed us at every opportunity, and even expelled us from the premises from time to time. I even recall getting yelled at for “randomly” picking a book off the shelf. They ruled with an iron fist, mercilessly belching out punishment at their whim. I hated them. I want them back!

As a University student with a fairly average brain, I am relegated to study for fairly long periods of time. To avoid procrastination I often study at the library. I enjoy studying at Rutherford North because there is a system. There are ‘quiet floors’ and ‘silent floors’, the latter being my preferred choice, as I need to concentrate to figure out what the notes I hastily scribbled out in class actually mean.

One night, the wife and I decided that we would study together on the silent floor (3^rd). We were lucky enough to find a table to share and we got to work. If we needed to communicate we would message each other on our computers to maintain the “silent code”. We were reminded of this rule by a little sign that was on each table that said “This is a silent floor – No talking”. Unfortunately three distinguished gentlemen across from us did not understand this concept. To them “no talking” meant “I can whisper, constantly”. I don’t know what it is about University students, but they cannot shut up, even for ten minutes, they are always talking no matter where they are. They were also listening to their music loudly and one of them had this strange laugh, it was like a hundred little exhales in a span of three seconds. Both of us were getting annoyed. Since my wife is far more courageous than I, she decided to go over there and inform them that this was a silent floor and not a quiet floor. Like most people, they shrunk at conflict and were quiet for a minute, but then came to a realization: There is nothing they can really do, and carried on as before.

Oh, what I would have gave for the dynamic duo of evil that reined with blood and horror over my Jr. High library! Oh, how I miss the swift, thoughtless punishment dished out so freely and without mercy!

If only my thirteen-year-old self could hear this now!

-Kyle

Christmas Too Early Makes Me Surly

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. How can't it be? No school or work, good times with the family, great food, and most importantly: material possessions. These are the days of Starbucks hot chocolate, advent calendars, Rafee, Babybell cheese, Cap'n Crunch, new sweaters, snow, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, perspiring in retail outlets, Coca-cola polar bears, and the burning log on TV. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

It seems to me that certain people *cough* Brittney *end cough* would start Christmas celebrations around June, if left unchecked. She is not alone, I am sure she is in cahoots with my Grandma and sister; three peas in a premature celebration pod. No doubt they are in some sort of syndicate with aspirations of world domination, all centered around Christmas of course. [Insert your Christmas is a commercial scam conspiracy theory here, if you wish].

In my world, a perfect utopia which the likes of ye have never seen, Christmas celebrations should start Dec 1. This is more than fair, that's 25 days, or about 7% of our year celebrating one holiday. I am horrified to see the Christmas stuff, which I dearly love, magically appear about 0.0000001 seconds after Halloween is over. This is the start of a 55 day marathon of decorating, celebrating, and gluttony that would put Who-ville to shame.

Premature Christmas celebrators have many methods of smearing the holiday cheer where it doesn't belong:

The Carolers: They publicly bust out the Christmas tunes far too early, a heinous crime to say the least. Often this is before Halloween, the only tune I want to hear before Oct 31 is the Monster Mash! I suspect that they listen to carols year round, especially since the rise of the all powerful ipod. I have caught certain individuals listening to Christmas music in August...you know who you are.

The Nogger: You will notice I did not mention eggnog in my earlier list of Christmas essentials. I don't know what it tastes like, but I think I may have tried it as a kid and didn't like it...I am not going to risk it now. Plus, I recall Chevy Chase had a glass of nog before his mental breakdown in Christmas Vacation. This clearly shows that eggnog fuels insanity. If you are going to consume this nectar of mental illness, please wait until the designated December 1 deadline specified in my flawless utopian existence.

The Lighter: This is the person who puts their Christmas lights up way early. Now, I am somewhat sympathetic on this one. If I had to get on the roof to put lights up, then I might do it early so I don't slip off and break my neck. With that in mind, you don't have the turn them on yet, especially if your overly illuminated house poses a national security threat by providing a homing beacon for North Korean nuclear warheads. In addition, the additional emissions caused by these lights will melt the arctic and kill the cute polar bears that enjoy coca-cola, not the mention Santa’s workshop.

Even so, these people are better than the "I can just leave my lights up all year" people. They essentially take a good principle such as laziness and twist it into the perversion of year round Christmas cheer.

The Tree Hugger: Their artificial tree is carefully stored, waiting to be unleashed at the earliest opportunity. It has to be artificial because if they used a real tree, it would die before Christmas actually came. I have a soft spot for the three hugger for one reason only: Boots. He's my cat, he's 16, mostly blind, deaf, and cranky, and he loves to sleep under the tree. I suppose I could tolerate an early tree for his sake. Unless you have an aged cat that is cheating death, you are not covered!

Now, these premature celebrators will argue that celebrating early is spreading around a good thing and that everyone benefits. I smell Communists! Let’s see: spreading the wealth (cheer), Santa wearing red, receiving the same gifts regardless of behaviour (I always did). Now that I think of it, Santa and Karl Marx kind of look alike.

It's about time that we put the capitalism back in Christmas! Joy is a scarce resource, it must be horded and invested to exploit the poor 11 months of the year, and unleashed in all it's glory in the spectacular event that is Christmas. Afterward, I can celebrate a new calendar and make a bunch of promises to myself that I know will not keep, and wait two months to be showered with gifts in celebration of my Mom’s hard work bringing me into the world.

-Kyle

Don't box in Christmas

Twas a night in November, when all through our house

We both were laying traps, trying to catch a mouse

Tree decorations were bought, but sat in the dark

Kyle didn't think it was time; he's a Christmas narc

In Edmonton, Christmas is a big deal. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but virtually everyone has an opinion of how Christmas should be celebrated. When does it start? What is its meaning? Is Christmas but one season? Kyle and I have differing views on Christmas. I believe that the Christmas season begins after Remembrance Day ends; Rememebrance deserves undivided focus and respect. The key to knowing when to celebrate is knowing why you celebrate. Christmas is a time of love. In more recent history, the holiday has changed to become non-denominational. The purpose of this blog is not to argue the Christianity of Christmas rather, it is to show that Christmas should not be restricted in any way, by any one.

As was aforementioned, visible Christmas celebrations must conform to a respectful timeline, but these restrictions do not need to be as strict as many think. In no way am I advocating that everyone should begin celebrating Christmas on November 12th, but that one should be free to celebrate without incurring the judgement of others. Christmas gift shopping has no restrictions; any time you can get a good sale on a gift, go for it. What I'm referring to is Christmas decorations, listening to Christmas carols and other visible means of celebration. The Christmas holiday brings on so many wonderful feelings. Among other things, Christmas reminds us of the importance of family, charity, compassion; it reminds us of love. Who wants to stifle those feelings? We should have the freedom to choose when and how we wish to celebrate this holiday. We choose when to have Christmas. "It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air" (ELLIS) and no one's heart should be too small to block love from coming in (not even the Grinch's). This brings it back to why we celebrate.

In order for us to be able to experience Christmas to the fullest, we must embrace its purpose. Christmas is centered on love. Traditionally, it celebrates the birth of Christ - who's life's purpose hinged on love. Christmas is universal; it is no respecter of persons. It can be shared with everyone, no matter their background. If one chooses not to celebrate the christian Christmas, they may still participate in its residual effects: charity, baking, sales... Christmas is a blessed season "which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." (MABIE) If the focus of our Christmas becomes the gifts and the technicalities, we will miss out on full participation; we will forget about opening our hearts. One of the messages of Christmas that many people miss is that materialism prevents us from full participation in life.

Many lessons we learn at Christmas can be applied to other holidays. Why must we feel that Christmas comes but once a year? Does it begin and end in the last month of the year? Or is it the holiday that prepares us for the following year? Valentine's Day teaches us to think about our significant other. It makes us ask what we can do for them. Mother's Day and Father's Day make children reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of their parents. Veterans put their lives on the line for our lives, which are full of comfort and freedom. Christmas has no timeline, yet others continue to force one upon it.

Christmas is year long. Celebrate it how you will. Put on your fuzzy red pajamas, play your carols and start your baking. Unshackle your heart and spread the love like fairy dust. Don't get too caught up in the technicalities; this is your Christmas. This Christmas season, don't let others box you in.

XOXO

Brittney

P.S. Feel free to leave comments and tell us what YOU think!