Past Britt

Sometimes I really love Britt of the Past. Let me tell you what I mean by that. Occasionally, some former version of myself saves my current butt and makes my life easier.

For example, today I wanted a cookie after lunch. I went out to my freezer and got into a Rubbermaid container full of brookies and sat one out to thaw for a bit. This was only possible because a crazy version of Past Britt made 100 brookies one day because she knew that Future Britt might want a sweet and shouldn’t have to bake any. Looking in the freezer showed me that Past Britt also knew I would eventually need some cream cheese frosting and some chicken that is cut into bite-size pieces. Someday I’m going to make a kebab, and I’m not going to have to cut up the chicken because Past Britt already did it! And sometime I’m going to need some frosting - perhaps on cinnamon rolls or between honey grahams or even atop zucchini bread, and Past Britt has already taken care of it!

Past Britt baking brookies

Probably 90% of the favors Past Britt does for me are food-related (hello frozen bags of breadsticks imma thaw and enjoy with spaghetti someday soon), but every now and then she surprises me with a non-food luxury. Last Week Britt had the pediatrician fill out Nicky’s medical forms for the upcoming school year so they are ready to go when the golf coach lets us know 24 hours before tryouts that tryouts are, in fact, happening (four years of high school golf have proven that Coach does not do anything to help Future Anyone, so we gotta just be ready to go at the drop of a hat). Future Britt is going to be so excited when she goes to the parent meeting (that she’ll find out about on the Day Of) and she already has the paperwork ready to turn in.

Everyday I need to make sure to do something Future Britt can love me for. 

Hot Seat

1. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Decided to go to California on a whim in the middle of a pandemic.

2. If you could have dinner with three dead people, who would they be?

Steve Irwin, Queen Victoria, and Jesus

3. If you could live in any era, which would it be and why?

I would just go back to the early 2000’s. I’m comfortable there.

4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Here are three of the best.

5. What’s one thing you wish you could change about yourself?

I want to have more energy, and it would be nice if I actually liked exercising.

6. If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

Psychology.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure?

TV, Coke, and thrift shopping.

8. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To have my crap together.

9. What’s the most memorable movie you’ve ever seen?

Probably Romeo + Juliet because I didn’t know how it ended, and I was completely caught off guard. 

10. If you could change one event in history, what would it be?

The holocaust. 

11. What is something you’ve always wanted to try but have been too scared to?

Getting a spray on tan.

12. If you could know the absolute truth to one question, what would it be?

Is there a God?

13. What’s something you’re bad at but love to do anyway?

Gardening.

14. What’s one bad habit you wish you could break?

Eating out.

15. Whats the best compliment you’ve ever received?

One time after I did my happiness presentation, a lady told me that I made everyone in the room feel like we were best friends. 

16. What’s your secret talent? 

If you burp within a hundred feet of me, I’ll know because I can smell it.

17. What’s the most important thing you look for in a friend?

Reciprocity, reliability, and response. 

18. What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn?

To play the piano. 

19. What’s something you’ve done that you never thought you would do?

20. If you could play a character in a book or movie, who would you be?

Mme Thenardier

21. What’s something that make you unique?

I remember names easily.

22. What’s the best way to spend a rainy day?

Inside wearing comfy clothes, reading a book, taking a nap, and eating soup.

Or going to an amusement park and enjoying the low crowds.

23. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

Choreography and pre-marital classes.

24. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

My mind.

25. What’s something you’re surprisingly good at?

Finding good stuff at the thrift store. 

26. What’s one thing you would change about the world?

I wish everyone could live in a loving and stable home.

27. What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself in the past year?

I thrive if I’m ahead of the game. If I wait until the last minute, I can’t function. I don’t work well under pressure.

28. What’s something that always brings a smile to your face?

Dogs sticking their heads out of car windows.

29. What’s the most meaningful project you’ve ever worked on?

Probably my happiness workshop.

30. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a stressful day?

Make Scotty take the kids somewhere so I can be in the house alone. 

31. What’s one thing you’d like to be remembered for?

Anything positive, I’ll take it! 

32. What’s the best part of your daily routine?

Marco Polo-ing my friends on the way home from work and playing Wingspan with Scotty even though I always lose.

33. If you could witness any past event, what would it be?

The creation of the world.

34. What’s something you’ve done outside of your comfort zone?

The Spartan Beast.

35. What’s one thing you’d like to change about your personality?

I’d like to be more outgoing and less self conscious.

36. If you could instantly learn a language, which would it be?

Spanish because it would be the most useful.

37. What’s the most interesting documentary you’ve watched?

Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey. I love me some polygamy and some cults. 

38. What’s one thing you would change about the education system?

GIVE TEACHERS ALL THE MONIES!!!

39. If you could learn the truth behind one secret or mystery, what would it be? 

It’s a tie between where is Susan Powell and what happened to Garrett Bardsley. Both cases hit close to home. 

40. What’s a talent you wish you had?

Perfect pitch.

41. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be? 

An otter or a penguin.

42. If you could relive any moment from your life, which would it be?

Any of my children’s births.

43. What’s something you did as a child that you still enjoy?

Dancing when no one’s watching.

44. What’s the best way to show someone you care about them?

Listen to them. Pay attention. Give them their moment without making it about you. 

45. What’s the most profound change you’ve seen in yourself over the years?

I used to want a big, fancy house in a nice neighborhood. Now I’m perfectly happy with what I have, and I like having a smaller, older home. My priorities have changed a lot. I’m less interested in possessions. 

46. What’s something that makes you feel alive?

Driving a wave runner, going on a rollercoaster, or having a good laugh with good company.

47. What question do you wish people would ask you more often?

“What book should I read next?” (Or what TV show should I watch?)

48. If you could make a rule that everyone had to follow, what would it be? 

No abuse of any form. 

49. What is the last thing you ate?

Pistachio lush leftover from Game Night.

50. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

Proofreading. Especially obituaries.

How We Fourthed

I don’t remember my Fourths of July very well throughout my life. Sometimes when people ask what we do for the Fourth, I draw a blank. Do we have a tradition? I don’t remember. This year I was trying to recall what we’ve done on the Fourth in the past, so I did what I often do and turned to my blog archives… where I didn’t find a single post about any Fourth of July activities. 

So this year I’m blogging about the Fourth of July. Here’s what we did:

We started with our ward breakfast. The funny thing about this event is that we’ve gone to it many times because it’s Scotty’s mom’s ward, and she always invites us. But now, we are actually in the ward! So for the first time, we were legit ward members at the ward breakfast!

Daisy & me

Zoe & me

Christie & me

After the breakfast we went to our neighborhood parade. The family that does the parade has been doing it for 35 years.

Neighborhood parade

Snow cones at the park afterward

After the parade, everyone gathers at the park for treats and games. 

We had a few hours of free time between events, so Scotty decided to take Nicky, Zoe, and Eva fishing while Daisy and I stayed home and baked 150 snickerdoodles to freeze for girls camp. That was my first time making snickerdoodles. They turned out okay, but not as good as I hoped. I used my mother-in-law’s recipe, which everyone loves, and she has perfected, so of course, my efforts didn’t live up to hers! She is the master of snickerdoodles and can probably make them in her sleep.

Daisy and I also made two different banana puddings - one traditional batch with Nilla wafers and one batch with a crust made of Nutter Butters. Both were delicious, but I’m pretty sold on the Nutter Butter crust now!

The other kids fishing

That evening we went to my mom’s house for dinner (where the pudding was eaten). 

The kids played games and ran around the yard while we waited for it to get dark enough for fireworks. 

The highlight of the night was the bubble machine my mom bought from Sam’s Club. 

We ended the night with fireworks and electric scooter rides around the neighborhood.

It was a good, long, happy Fourth. 

Two Rides

Today I’m blogging from Lagoon where I’m sitting in the shade as a non-participant while Daisy and her friend hit the rides. The friend is a boy, so of course, I regularly check in with them like, “Hey, watcha doing?” “Time for more sunscreen!” “Here’s a drink of water!” “Anyone need some grapes?” “Don’t forget to empty your bladders!” (Because they will hold their pee all day rather than say to one another that they need to go potty).

Being here among the rides reminds me of two times I’ve had the chance to witness other people living their best lives - amusement park style.

Several years ago on a family trip to Disneyland, I sat behind an elderly man and his wife on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. For the entire ride, the man had his arms over his head and was hootin’ and hollerin’ and having the time of his life. I found him so amusing that I just had to ask him how old he was. In an effort to be tactful, instead of saying, “How old are you?” I said, “Sir, may I ask how many years you’ve been on this earth?” 

(77).

He told me he will enjoy the rides to the fullest for as long as he can, and I was like, “Yes! This is what I want in life!” The man is my hero! And I think of him every time I ride Big Thunder now. 

Then last summer when we had Lagoon passes, I went on Cannibal behind a man who was pretty large in stature. Quite overweight. I don’t say that to be mean or critical of the guy - I just need to paint a picture of the circumstances because, so often, people let their weight (or their age) dictate their experiences. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opted out of an activity or experience because of my weight. Yet, here was this larger man on Cannibal determined to have a good time. 

As they checked the harnesses and sent the car out, he was clapping and cheering. Then as the ride went, he had his hands over his head the entire time! And if you’re familiar with the ride, you know it goes upside down a few times, so this guy’s arms were just a dangling! And there is a part where you go upside down over water, and I always hold on pretty tight during that part because, for about six seconds, your entire weight is on that harness, and if you’re going to die on the ride, it’s going to be at that point (this I know!) But that guy? Not worried one bit! He even wore a hat on the rollercoaster (not sure why - there are signs everywhere that tell you to remove all loose items because you will lose them, and looking at the ride makes that very clear. If nothing else, I would think an employee would have made him remove it, but you can only expect so much from a bunch of 14-year-old Lagoon workers). The hat went flying off his head, nearly whacking me in the face, and that only brought him more joy.

As the ride ended, he clapped and fist pumped and hollered, “Yeahhhhhhh!” with contagious energy. It was a treat watching this man enjoy the ride, and now I think of him every time I ride Cannibal. 

Sometimes I think we need a little reminder that we all deserve to have fun. 

Currently (July 2024 Edition)

Reading: nothing, BUT I finally read a book for the first time since April and finished it this week. 

Drinking: way too much Coke. Don’t talk to me. I’ll quit again on Monday. 

Cooking: dunno, but it will have rotisserie chicken in it. 

Watching: 

Sick of: generations insulting each other through social media.

Wearing: my summer uniform which is a t-shirt and knee-length biker shorts with pockets. 

Buying: Pizza Rolls. If we don’t have Pizza Rolls in the house, Daisy is not a happy camper. 

Terrified of: recipes that call for Dijon mustard. Sometimes they are amazing. Sometime they are horrible. Daisy and I have a favorite salad dressing recipe that has Dijon mustard in it. We’ve made it hundreds of times. But last week we made some, and it didn’t taste right. We thought we must’ve measured something wrong, so we dumped it out and started again. It still tasted wrong. I had just bought a new bottle of Dijon. Is it the brand? Did we screw it up twice? I just don’t know! And it tasted so bad that now we are afraid of it!

Annoyed by: my kids’ messes.

Laughing about: Nicky bringing home 65 A Quiet Place posters from the movie theater last night. 

Dreading: 4th of July.

Missing: KMart and ShopKo.

Craving: water and a nap.

Singing: “Counting Stars” due to this Facebook memory that popped up yesterday:

Thinking about: how to keep my kids busy for the next several days.

Dreaming: that I had to teach a PiYo class at the gym, and I couldn’t get my phone to connect to the Bluetooth speaker for music.

Looking at: my ceiling fan.

Playing: Clue. Since 2013, we’ve played Clue to celebrate Scotty and Chad’s birthdays. It’s Clue week.

Saying: “stop being annoying.” I say it to Scotty, and I say it to my kids.

Feeling: unmotivated, bored, and tired. 

Needing: a technology detox. It would be very wise for me to take a week off from my phone, social media, and TV. 

Frustrated by: a watery eye. My left eye has been watering like crazy this week.

Listening to: incessant talking from the mouths of my children. 

Excited about: the high school doing The Music Man this year, and Nicky and Daisy should both get to be in it. 

Eating: Sam’s Club pizza.

Regretting: Sam’s Club pizza.

Smelling: hairspray from Daisy’s recent grooming session in my bedroom.

Struggling with: everything I should be doing that’s good for me. 

Wanting: a clean and perfectly organized house.

Remembering: a bus ride to school when I was in kindergarten where everyone chanted “New Kids suck!” the whole way. 

(Meaning New Kids on the Block).

Procrastinating: calling the insurance company. 

Grateful for: socks.

Nighttime Chats with Eva

Last week Scotty and Nicky left for a few days to Young Men camp. While they were gone, Zoe got a fever, and as a result, Eva refused to sleep in her bedroom with the sickie, so she took Scotty’s place in my bed. I was bummed because I was looking forward to having the bed to myself and being able to throw all Scotty’s pillows on the floor, sprawl out, and watch my shows late into the night with reckless abandon. Once Eva moved in, I decided the best choice was to just go to sleep. I turned off the TV and tucked my blanket under my chin just the way I like. Then Eva started talking.

First she complained about the temperature of the room. It was too cold. I told her that’s the price you pay to sleep in my room. If you don’t want two fans blowing on you all night, don’t sleep with me!

Then she told me that we need to adopt an old bloodhound. She gave me all the reasons for this suggestion based on information she read in a book she picked from the Scholastic Book Fair.

That led to a conversation about all of our past pets, and she wanted to know if our cat, Colonel, was fat or average. 

I’d say average.

Since I wasn’t able to throw all of Scotty’s pillows on the floor, Eva snuggled up with them and said, “I really like dad’s body pillow, I’ll have time of my life sleeping with it!”

(And to think, I’ve paid for this child to go to Disneyland when all she really needed was a $15 pillow from Costco). 

Then she asked me if I knew that Paige in Bizaardvark is played by Olivia Rodrigo (yes, I did know that but only because she had asked me the same thing earlier in the week, and we’d already had this conversation). She then proceeded to tell me the entire plot of the most recent episode she had watched. 

She also told me how many cherries she ate for a snack that day, what’s on her Amazon wish list, and why she needs new Crocs. 

This was after she had chatted my ear off pretty much all day. My brain was fried. 

The next night, Zoe still had a fever and a cough, so we did it all over again. 

I never got to sprawl and watch TV, but I got to hear all the hot gossip about the neighbor boy. Apparently he calls his scooter a “bike,” and that’s wrong because it’s a scooter, not a bike. 

Eva the day she discovered the Vitruvian Man

Goings On

My posts have become sparse over the last couple of months. I’m not sure if this is something people have noticed, or if it’s like, “Hey, now that you mention it, you’ve been a bit absent!” I haven’t really felt like blogging, and I don’t have a lot to say. This makes me sad because I love writing. I also love journaling and documenting, so my little private corner of the internet is a wonderful place for me to accomplish all of that. Lately I just haven’t been able to pull it off. 

I’m also not reading, and it’s weird. It’s like a switch went off one day and suddenly I didn’t enjoy reading anymore. I hope I’m just taking a break and that I’ll pick it back up again sometime soon. April 11 was the last time I finished a book. I keep trying - every now and then I turn on an audiobook or load something onto my Kindle app, but so far, nothing has held my attention. 

I honestly haven’t felt like myself for a while, and I don’t know if it’s depression… or something about being 40… or some kind of life transition. Am I just… changing? Is it perimenopause? 

I’m a bit off these days, but here are some things I’ve been up to lately:

We had a decent strawberry crop this season, and I was able to make some jam. The rest of the garden is… sorta “meh,” but the strawberries thrived!

On Father’s Day, Scotty had to meet with some people from the Tabernacle Choir about new dresses for the women (they’ve been wearing the same ones for 20+ years!!) I’ve always wanted to go behind the scenes at the Conference Center, so I invited myself along. 

I went with Scotty to his meetings, and then we stayed for Music & the Spoken Word (it was Lloyd Newell’s last broadcast). 

We’ve been to Lagoon a few times. We just go for a couple of hours first thing in the morning, but it’s getting too hot for my taste. 

I had to do a sleep study. This is the mannequin that taught me how to strap my equipment on. Results in 3-4 weeks.

My kids found size 21 Nikes at the DI. I want to find the former owner of these shoes.

We had a family campout with Scotty’s dad’s fam. They are not camping people, so this was really out of their norm. 

I’ve been spending a lot of time working on food prep for stake girls camp. My camera roll is full of stuff like this:

My committee and I will be feeding 150+ people nine meals and daily snacks. My basement is full of food. My freezer is full of food. And my mother-in-law’s freezer is full of food. 

We have just less than a month til camp. Meanwhile, the stake young men are leaving for camp tomorrow, and they just had their planning meeting on Sunday.